I recently had the pleasure of creating a tutorial for the Ranger Ink YouTube channel, and I am so excited to share all the details with you here on the blog! The video focuses on three different ways to use Distress Crayons with stencils to create beautiful backgrounds, and today I'm walking you through how I finished off the cards with layered embellishment clusters. These cards have such a gorgeous vintage botanical vibe and I think you're going to love them!
Watch the Background Techniques on the Ranger Ink YouTube Channel
Before we dive into the finishing details, you'll want to head over to the Ranger Ink YouTube channel to watch the full background tutorial. I cover three techniques — applying Distress Crayons directly through the stencil, lifting color with a baby wipe, and monoprinting with the stencil. Each one gives you a completely different look and they're all so fun to try!
Stamping the Images
For the focal images, I used the Tim Holtz Botanic Collage Stamp set, stamping onto Distress Watercolor Cardstock with Black Soot Archival Ink. I stamped each image twice — once to have the individual flower and butterfly images to color and die cut, and a second time to keep the full stamped image intact for layering.
Watercoloring with Distress Crayons
To add color to the flowers and butterflies, I used Distress Crayons in Peeled Paint, Peacock Feathers, Rusty Hinge, and Fossilized Amber, with Black Soot for the butterfly bodies. I picked up the color directly from the crayon using a water brush and painted in the images. This is such a beautiful way to use the crayons — the colors blend so naturally and the watercolor cardstock handles the water beautifully.
Die Cutting the Images
Once the watercoloring was complete and dry, I cut out the individual flowers and butterflies using the coordinating die sets, available exclusively from Simon Says Stamp.
Creating the Ephemera Pieces
For additional layering pieces, I also stamped images from the Tim Holtz Field Notes Stamp set onto Distress Watercolor Cardstock using Black Soot Archival Ink, then cut them out using the coordinating die sets, also available exclusively from Simon Says Stamp.
To give both the Botanic Collage full stamped image pieces and the Field Notes ephemera pieces an aged, distressed look, I used the ink smooshing technique. I smooshed an Old Paper Distress Ink pad onto my craft mat, spritzed it with water, and then pressed the paper into the ink. After drying with my heat tool, I trimmed the pieces down to size. For even more texture, I tore some of the edges of the paper and inked the non-torn edges with Distress Ink in Walnut Stain.
Film Strips and Photo Frames
I die cut the film strips and photo frames using the Tim Holtz Vault Picture Show Die Set, cutting them from Black Kraftstock. I then lightly sanded them to create a distressed effect — such a simple step but it makes such a difference!
Sentiments
For the sentiments, I used the Tim Holtz Vault Handwritten Celebrate Die Set, cutting them from copper/rose gold metallic cardstock. The metallic finish adds a beautiful pop against all the layered textures.
I'd love to hear from you — which of the three Distress Crayon stencil techniques from the Ranger Ink video are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
Supplies
Below you will find links to the supplies I used to create these cards. When you shop through these links—whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely—you're supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue providing you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement HERE. Thank you so much for your love and support!
