The Expressions in Ink suite is so gorgeous that it has a well-deserved place on the front cover of the new 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. This suite combines the abstract beauty, fluid design, and bold colors of alcohol inks and watercolor, without any of the mess! The gold embellishments and accents add the perfect touch of elegance to this artistically inspired suite.

The card tutorial below features heat embossing, paper-piecing, and layer upon layer of texture and detail. It’s a great way to combine the watercolor images with the coordinating, but not matching, detailed die cuts. Just imagine all the colors you could re-create this project in for occasions like birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

INSTRUCTIONS
1) Cut Calypso Coral cardstock to 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″. Score at 4-1/4″ along the 8-1/2″ side.

2) Cut Basic White cardstock and Vellum to 3-3/4″ x 5-1/8″.

3) Use the grouped detail flower die from the Artistic dies to die cut four sets of flowers from Basic White cardstock.

4) Stamp the flowers and leaves on the Basic White layer using Poppy Parade for the largest flower, Calypso Coral for the medium flower, Crushed Curry for the small flower/flower center, and Old Olive for the leaves. Use the die cut flowers as a loose guide for the layout of the stamped images. You’ll be layering the die cuts over the stamping. Don’t worry about them being exact, the abstract, watercolor is part of the beauty of this set!

5) Once the Basic White layer is mostly covered with stamped flower groups, add a bit of adhesive above the center, where the greeting will cover it. Line up the Vellum on top of the stamped layer. You’ll add more adhesive later, this will just tack it in place for now.

6) Without adding adhesive, line up the die cut image over the stamped images. They will hang off the edges, that will be trimmed later. Once you have the die cuts where you want them, pick up one at a time and use very small dots of Multipurpose Liquid Glue to adhere the die cut in place. Repeat for each die cut. Allow to dry completely!

7) While the glue dried, stamp “thanks” greeting from Artistically Inked stamp on 2-1/4″ x 1″ Poppy Parade cardstock with VersaMark ink. Cover generously with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Tap off excess powder. Heat emboss with the Heat Tool.

8) Once the glue is dried on the Vellum and die cut layer, use Paper Snips to trim off the excess die cuts even with the edge of the Vellum and cardstock. Gently lift the edges of the Vellum and add tiny dots of Multipurpose Liquid Glue behind the die cuts to help secure the Vellum to the Basic White cardstock. Allow to dry.

9) Adhere the layers to the card front at an angle. Add a strip of adhesive where the greeting will be added. Zig-zag a 12″ piece of ribbon. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to add the greeting over the ribbon.

10) Use dots of Multipurpose Liquid Glue to group about 7 orange sequins from the Sequins for Everything set around the greeting.

TIP: The easiest way to add the Sequins for Everything to a project is to add a tiny drop of Multipurpose Liquid Glue on the project where you want the sequin and then use your fingers or the putty tip of the Take Your Pick Tool (#144107) to place the sequin on the glue with the curved side down, like a bowl. This way you don’t drop a gluey sequin on your project where you don’t want it.

SUPPLIES:

BUNDLES
(#155456) Artistically Inked Bundle (Artistically Inked stamp set & Artistic dies)

PAPER
(#119793) Poppy Parade, (#122925) Calypso Coral, (#101856) Cardstock Vellum, (#159276) Basic White

INK
(#147050) Poppy Parade, (#147087) Crushed Curry, (#147090) Old Olive, (#147101) Calypso Coral, (#102283) VersaMark

ADHESIVES
(#104430) Stampin’ Dimensionals, (#152813) Stampin’ SEAL, (#110755) Multipurpose Liquid Glue

TOOLS
(#129053) Heat Tool, (#103579) Paper Snips

EMBELLISHMENTS
(#152156) Gold 1/4″ (6.4 mm) Shimmer Ribbon, (#153556) Sequins For Everything, (#155554) Basics Stampin Emboss Powder (White)