CropStop Friday - March 5th

I have a "groovy" technique for you today! I have used the Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy embossing folder and Tim Holtz distress inks to create a watercolor (can pass for tie-dye) look. I love the Tim Holtz inks. They are very versatile and fun to play with, and they clean up with just water. You cannot damage your embossing folders with this technique!

To create this funky, embossed look:

1. Open your embossing folder and using the distress ink pads, swipe color onto the embossing folder. You will get a different look depending on which side of the folder you ink. Experiment and see what you like. I used the following inks: fired brick, spiced marmalade, dried marigold, mustard seed.

2. Using a mister bottle, lightly spray the ink so that it runs together and some water drops form. Do not spray too much or your color will get too watered down and the paper will get soaked and perhaps tear when you emboss.

3. Place your paper into the folder and emboss. Allow the paper to dry and then use as desired. If you want more of a watercolor look, you can mist the paper again once you emboss, just a light mist. (I used Stampin' Up whisper white cardstock, but any matte finish cardstock will work.)

The distress inks love water, so you can create all sorts of looks with this technique. The color will stay vibrant and won't fade or turn muddy.

I also used Copic markers to color my image. (Oh yeah, I am going to be a Copic Queen soon! I hear you laughing, Jacquie and Rose!)

I used: YG23, YR16, YG11, E21, E37, E50, E57, R20, R29, G07, B95, B97, colorless blender, plus a Stampin' Up YoYo Yellow marker. The image is from My Favorite Things, the Pure Innocence line.

Super cute, right?! I have 33 Copics and already can see I really "need" more! I have been coloring the past few days and just loving these babies! I am learning a lot and having fun!