Today’s project, my Happiest of Birthdays card, focuses on the technique of ink blending on your designer series paper. Using blending brushes, a gradient of purple colors works from one corner to the next giving an ombre effect. I really love the smooth application of color that blending brushes provide to the background.
I know that some people prefer sponges or daubers for blending on their backgrounds. What is your favorite blending tool?
When ink blending, load your brush with color and then starting on a piece of scrap paper under your card, work your way on to the designer series paper using a circular motion with your brush. You can keep adding more color until you get to the tone you want on your background. It’s a really fun and easy technique to master so just try it. If you have done the ink blending technique before, do you have any other tips to share?
If you would like to see how to ink blend, you can visit my YouTube video that demonstrates the technique on another card.
Color Palette for Happiest of Birthdays Card
The Paper Players Challenge
I entered my Happiest of Birthdays card in the Paper Player Challenge #542. I used the Birthday, Ribbon and White elements for the Tic-Tac-Toe but you can also throw in the die-cut and DSP as well.
As You See It Challenge
I also entered my card into the As You See It Challenge #251.
Happiest of Birthdays Stamp Set
You can make birthdays a total celebration! The greetings in the Happiest of Birthdays Stamp Set will help you create unforgettable cards and more. I love that Stampin’ Up included the “little bit late” stamp! I know that I am not always on time sending birthday cards.
This stamp set is also available in French.
- 4 cling stamps
- Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, d, e
THANKS FOR VISITING TODAY
I hope you enjoyed my Happiest of Birthdays Card sample. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this lovely stamp set of birthday sentiments.
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Happiest of Birthdays Card Supply List
This is so pretty! I love how you blended the ink on the DSP. It added so much – and the colors are perfect!
Thanks Buffy for your kind comment!
This is a great way to highlight those Blending Brushes, and I must say, your bow is fabulous! Thanks for playing with my Paper Players challenge this week as well as As You See It!
I definitely love those brushes for blending, LeAnne. They work beautifully!
Shading the DSP is a great way to show its versatility. Your simple design shows off the patterned paper beautifully. Thank you for joining us at the Paper Players.
Thanks Debbie! The blending brushes make it easy.
I’m hooked on the new blending brushes too – they make light work of cards like this! Love the purple and pretty bow – I need to make some of these cards!! Thanks for playing along over at As You See It in our current recipe challenge and at The Paper Players this week!
I was always a sponge girl but once I got the blending brushes – no comparison. Love them too! As you say, they make for a very smooth result and I like the way you’ve created an ombre effect on the dsp. In fact, I’d overlooked the DSP totally until now. Your bow is a real touch of opulence too. Thanks for joining us at As You See It Challenge.
I always used to use sponges for blending as well. Not so much anymore though. Blending brushes are so much better.
Such a gorgeous bow, Renee! And your ink blending is perfection! I totally overlooked that paper, too! Thanks for highlighting that in your post! Did you use any heat embossing, just for clarification? I wasn’t sure just by looking. Thanks for testing our recipe at As You See It Challenges!