The ink-blended stencilling technique using Distress Inks creates pretty backgrounds to use on your cards. The technique is easy to achieve and the cards require only a sentiment and a few small embellishments to finish.

I would advise using smooth white cardstock as the Distress Ink will blend much better. Select two or three shades of ink which will co-ordinate and blend together. Start by blending one colour across the cardstock, making the ink darker towards the edge and blending to a lighter colour. Blend a second colour into the first and work across the panel. Continue with a third colour if desired until most of the cardstock is coloured.

Place the stencil over the cardstock and tape down if desired. Now blend darker shades of Distress Ink through the stencil. You can select just one colour or darker shades of the colours used earlier. When you’re blending the ink through the stencil it doesn’t look like the colour is changing very much, however when you remove the stencil the contrast of the different colours shows a lovely pattern. Remember to use the lighter shades on the base and darker shades with the stencil.

The designs here demonstrate different ways of creating the piece by blending the inks in a variety of patterns across the cardstock, or even adding different colours in patches. If using a stencil with a repeat pattern, don’t be restricted by the size of the stencil. As long as you match up the pattern you can create larger pieces of work.

These cards are quick to make and require little else to embellish them so as not to hide the stencilling. The effect achieved is similar to one-layered cards but because of the ink blending they look almost textured. Look through your stencils and have a go.

1

Cut a 12x17cm piece of white smooth cardstock. Blend Cracked Pistachio Distress Ink in the top-left corner then blend Scattered Straw Distress Ink across the panel, mixing the colours where they meet

2

Blend Worn Lipstick Distress Ink across the bottom-right corner of the panel, mixing the colours together where they meet. Leave the very corner of the cardstock light as shown.

3

Place the stencil over the inked panel and blend Evergreen Bough Distress Ink through the stencil in the top-left corner

4

Work down the panel using Dried Marigold and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink. Move the stencil to use on the bottom of the cardstock, co-ordinating the design

5

Remove the stencil and trim the panel into fou

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Stamping Die-cutting Contemporary One-layer cards stencilling skillbuilder tutorial technique Papercraft Essentials Marie Jones PE162 ink-blended papercraft how-to