Coloring with ink?

Mar '08 Gobuckeyes

New to scrapping, and already branching out to cards! haha. There is such a wealth of inspiration here....you are all awesome!
Question before I plunge into my first project....

What is the best way to "color" a stamped image with ink? I am not sure if a blender pen is what I need? I tried using a small eyeshadow sponge, but it didn't quite do the trick in the small areas. Should I invest in watercolor pencils? I have lots of ink, and would rather use ink, also have lots of chalk, but I can't seem to get that onto the tiny spots, either! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! TIA!
Mar '08 Colleenak

RE: Gobuckeyes: New to scrapping, and already branching out to cards! haha. There is such a wealth of inspiration here....you are all awesome! Question before I plunge into my first project.... What is the best way to "color" a stamped image with ink? I am not sure if a blender pen is what I need? I tried using a small eyeshadow sponge, but it didn't quite do the trick in the small areas. Should I invest ...

I think watercolor pencils really work best for coloring in and blending, but that is IMHO! Good Luck!
Mar '08 PookasCrayon

RE: Colleenak: I think watercolor pencils really work best for coloring in and blending, but that is IMHO! Good Luck!

Watercolor pencils and brush markers are the main things I use to color them in.
Mar '08 ScrapsOnABudget

RE: PookasCrayon: Watercolor pencils and brush markers are the main things I use to color them in.

I sometimes colour things in with chalk. I scrap on a budget so I use Q-Tips and they have worked so far even on the small spots. I have done a little with a blender pen and it works with chalk and ink pads. I have seen tutorials where they squeeze the ink pad when it is closed to get some ink on the lid, then they open it up and use a paintbrush to "colour" with the ink.
Hope this helps
Mar '08 Sassygerl

RE: ScrapsOnABudget: I sometimes colour things in with chalk. I scrap on a budget so I use Q-Tips and they have worked so far even on the small spots. I have done a little with a blender pen and it works with chalk and ink pads. I have seen tutorials where they squeeze the ink pad when it is closed to get some ink on the lid, then they open it up and use a paintbrush to "colour" with the ink. Hope this helps

I personally love using a blender pen. That way, I can control the amount of color I use on each image and it's great for adding dimension. I use my regular markers and brush them onto a plastic surface so the ink beeds up and then dab the blender pen into that to pick up the ink. I also squeeze my inbox together when it's closed so some ink gets on the inside of the lid and do the same thing. Or, press the pad itself onto plastic to get the same effect. I use old CD cases for that. HTH
Mar '08 MomtoDeanna

RE: Sassygerl: I personally love using a blender pen. That way, I can control the amount of color I use on each image and it's great for adding dimension. I use my regular markers and brush them onto a plastic surface so the ink beeds up and then dab the blender pen into that to pick up the ink. I also squeeze my inbox together when it's closed so some ink gets on the inside of the lid and do the same thing. Or,...

Ok, saw this and would like to know what type of watercolor paper are you using. I bought some and my paper curled up.
Thanks!
Mar '08 PookasCrayon

RE: MomtoDeanna: Ok, saw this and would like to know what type of watercolor paper are you using. I bought some and my paper curled up. Thanks!

If you're going to work with watercolors, the best and safest way to do it is to use painters tape, or some other repositionable tape, and seal your page to something like a board -- I have an old cabinet door that I use, lol. This usually keeps them from curling up.

You can always go back with a heat gun afterwards and try to get it to lay down more ... or, if you didn't use embossing powder, you can iron it out flat again.
Mar '08 Beth1019

RE: Gobuckeyes: New to scrapping, and already branching out to cards! haha. There is such a wealth of inspiration here....you are all awesome! Question before I plunge into my first project.... What is the best way to "color" a stamped image with ink? I am not sure if a blender pen is what I need? I tried using a small eyeshadow sponge, but it didn't quite do the trick in the small areas. Should I invest ...

So many ways to color your stamped images:

- Water colors pencils
- Blender pens with chalks or ink from your stamppads
- Water color crayons - these are my personal favorite - so many ways to use them. They are my grown up crayons!!
- Chalks give a very soft look so pretty - try dabbing your chalks on a versamark image - that is a wow.
- Markers are always an option too - for a more bold look.
- Colored pencils too are nice.

So many different ways - you just have to play around and find out what you like best.
Mar '08 MomtoDeanna

RE: PookasCrayon: If you're going to work with watercolors, the best and safest way to do it is to use painters tape, or some other repositionable tape, and seal your page to something like a board -- I have an old cabinet door that I use, lol. This usually keeps them from curling up. You can always go back with a heat gun afterwards and try to get it to lay down more ... or, if you didn't use embossing powder,...
PookasCrayon Said:
you can iron it out flat again.

I did not know about ironing, I will try this. I don't emboss, I can't get it right. Thanks!
Mar '08 Gobuckeyes

RE: MomtoDeanna: PookasCrayon Said: you can iron it out flat again. I did not know about ironing, I will try this. I don't emboss, I can't get it right. Thanks!

Thank you for all of your replies......I played with chalk and q-tips today, and am actually pleased with the results. I will pick up a blender pen and try that.....thanks again!
Mar '08 PookasCrayon

RE: Gobuckeyes: Thank you for all of your replies......I played with chalk and q-tips today, and am actually pleased with the results. I will pick up a blender pen and try that.....thanks again!

I picked up a cheap mini-iron at WalMart so I didn't ruin the regular iron, and it's great for smoothing out papers again -- plus a huge variety of other insane tricks.