Lilac & Fern
Posted: May 12, 2021 Filed under: fresh ferns, Karin brushmarkers, lovely lilacs, Penny Black | Tags: Fabriano Watercolour Paper, Karin brushmarkers, Penny Black stamps, Ranger Distress inks 10 Comments
I don’t think I am alone in calling this stamp set a favourite. The two lilac stalks are pretty alone but with a sprig or two of fern they are delightful. I stamped this panel a while ago so the exact process is no longer firm in my memory but I do remember a crucial step which I will share with you.
I inked then stamped the lilacs with a mix of distress inks and Karin markers and the ferns with peeled paint distress ink. It looked ok but not the soft blended bunch I was after. I did like the combo of lilacs and ferns though so I thought I would dilute it all and see what happened. I didn’t spritz it; I drowned it. I dipped the whole panel in a bucket of water (the laundry is right beside my workroom) and watched a lot but not all of the colour drain away. The brightness of the peeled paint ink washed out but the olive stain remained. The lilacs washed out to a paler version of themselves and it was rather nice.
I re-inked the lilac stamps with the royal blue, lush green, henna and gold markers and stamped darker more distinct lilacs over the top. I have a friend who has had many successes with what she calls the ‘drowning’ method. It’s worth a try if your panel is not going in quite the direction you wanted; what have you got to lose? It’s only paper!
Although it is not quite ready yet my new online class, Floral Faves, is getting closer every day and I will be teaching techniques using your floral stamps to create card sized art works like the one above. I can’t wait to open the class and of course I will let you know as soon as it happens. Stay tuned!
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Heather Telford 
Another beautiful card to brighten my day. We have a bit of rain and cold today.the last of our cold..so to see your blue flowers is inspiring.
Tish Rowe
so happy your day was brightened, Tish, we are enjoying sunshine for the next few days and I am happy to see more colour appearing in the garden.
Love this!!!
Sent from my iPad
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This is just gorgeous! A friend of mine did a card using that technique. After she had a mess she ran the whole thing under the faucet. Love that idea and how perfectly it bled the ink. Thanks for the reminder to do this. I suspect my results will not be quite this beautiful.
I love the lilac stems with the ferns Heather and you have achieved a great look by immersing in water and then readding the colour in a way you prefer and a brilliant result. x
Oh boy, did I laugh! ☺ Can’t wait to try it! I do put my glossy photo paper with distress oxide inks under the faucet then let it dry on a towel (instead of using a million baby wipes ☺). Love this card and yes, I also have and LOVE these stamps. Have never taken a class before and I am GOING to take your new class. Glad you mentioned it; was afraid I had missed the notice.♥
I’m excited you are planning to take the class. You won’t miss it; I’ll be shouting it out loud and clear once registration is open!
So lovely I had to pop by and tell you!
WOW! LOVE this amazing card Heather. Very cool technique and I’ll have to give the drowning a try!:) xx
[…] I needed to get it inked up. I used the same technique for today’s card as I did for a recent lilac card. I inked the stamp with three ink colours (listed below), spritzed and stamped on hot pressed […]