Distress Ink Dinosaur Tutorial – World Cardmaking Day!

Happy World Cardmaking Day! Today I wanted to be sure and stop by with a tutorial – so I made a card today and have this video for you along with a couple of fun links. :)

Video Tutorial

I had several requests to do something with Lawn Fawn stamps, so I decided to pull out my Critters from the Past + my Distress Inks and make a masculine birthday card.

Enjoy the video! This features making your own dinosaur skin with distress ink by using some water techniques to add depth and shine. If you want to see more of my favorite Distress Ink techniques, check out my No-Stress Distress Ink course here.

watch here | watch on youtube | subscribe to my channel

Here’s a closer look at the finished card. I love the play of the different heights of the dinosaurs and depths of the elements. I used foam adhesive to adhere the sentiment and the front hill and then foam adhesive to adhere the tops of the stegosaurus and right palm tree (keeping it from popping off the card too much). Side note: I love love love this Let’s Polka paper pad. It’s wonderful.

I have to say, I’m really enjoying the cuteness of the Distress Ink minis and highly recommend starting out with them if you haven’t delved into the world of Distress Ink yet (or if you are looking to build up your collection of colors). I mostly can’t resist them because they’re adorable and there are tins to store them in. Tins! To store cute tiny ink pads in! TINS!

Here’s a good look at the pearlescent shine from the perfect pearls + water droplets on the distress ink. It’s a subtle effect that really shines in juuuust the right light. This way, you get sparkle without a whole lot of shine. I guess the only problem I have now is what I’m going to do with that adorable brontosaurus. ;)

Supplies used on this project: Click below to see where you can buy the products used on this project. Click on “SS” for the product at Simon Says Stamp and “EH” for the product at Ellen Hutson. I only link to products and shops that I know and love. Thank you for your support!

Critters from the Past – Lawn Fawn SS | EH	Year One – Lawn Fawn SS | EH	No-Stress Distress Inks E-Course	Mowed Lawn Distress Ink – Ranger SS | EH	Peacock Feathers Distress Ink – Ranger SS | EH	Seedless Preserves Distress Ink – Ranger SS | EH
Gathered Twigs Distress Ink – Ranger SS | EH	Distress Inks – Ranger SS | EH	Distress Ink Mini Pads Kit 1 – Ranger SS | EH	Distress Ink Mini Pads Kit 2 – Ranger SS | EH	Distress Mini Ink Pads Kit 8 – Ranger SS | EH	Distress Mini Ink Pads Kit 11 – Ranger SS | EH
Mini Distress Ink Storage Tin – Ranger SS | EH	Distress Watercolor Paper – Ranger SS | EH	Let’s Polka 6 x 6 Paper Pad – Lawn Fawn SS | EH	Hero Hues Products – Hero Arts	Thick Vellum White 40LB, 25 Sheets – Bazzill	Solar White Cardstock 25 sheets – Neenah Paper SS | EH
Solar White Cardstock Ream – Neenah Paper SS | EH	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink – Tsukineko SS | EH	Memento Black Dual-Tip Marker	Honeycomb Dot Tape Adhesive – Plus	Honeycomb Dot Tape Adhesive Refill – Plus	Big Squares Foam Adhesive – Best Creation
3/16 inch Mini Dot and Go – Glue Dots	Honey Bee Non-Stick Cutter Bee Scissors – EK Success	Pearl Perfect Pearl Pigment – Ranger	Mister Bottle 2 Ounce – Ranger SS | EH	Non-Stick Craft Sheet – Ranger SS | EH

Essentials by Ellen

I have been SO EXCITED for this Essentials by Ellen product launch all week and am so glad the day is finally here! Ellen Hutson is releasing a new line of stamps and dies, and I couldn’t be happier. Julie Ebersole’s style is right up my alley, and her designs for Ellen are absolutely scrumptious. I can’t wait to play with everything!

A few of my absolute favorites:

Zipper Panel die set – Essentials by Ellen	Prize Stag die – Essentials by Ellen	Merry and Bright Die Set – Essentials by Ellen	Treat Yo Self Die – Essentials by Ellen
Home & Hearth die set – Essentials by Ellen	Cozy Christmas stamp set – Essentials by Ellen	Tis the Season stamp set – Essentials by Ellen	Brushstroke Christmas stamp set – Essentials by Ellen
Bokeh Dots stamp set – Essentials by Ellen	Magnetic Die Storage, 25pk – Essentials by Ellen	Storage Envelopes, 25pk – Essentials by Ellen	Essentials by Ellen Holiday 2014 Complete Release

Happy, Happy, Happy

I just want to say thank you again for all of your love and support over the past several months. The walk went so well (and I still need to send out thank you emails to all the donors – thank you all SO MUCH!), I’m making huge steps of progress in my career and job search and I’ve even started a band. I’m working incredibly hard on balancing work with life and fun, and every day is a different challenge or puzzle to solve. I’m so grateful to have such a loving support team, a fantastic boyfriend (our three year anniversary is tomorrow!) and creativity that just wont quit even when my body wants to give out.

Jake & Me at a wedding in Milwaukee two weeks ago. It was an amazing weekend!

I have several fun projects to share with you in the coming weeks as I’ve been finishing off my living room to my liking with a huge Cat Tree Wall and a fun Man Cave in My Living Room and have been making something inky every day of this month so far as part of #inktober.

Leia sitting happily in her new Cat Tree Wall – officially claiming one entire corner of the living room as her own.

Long live this creative streak that has me going right now! Let’s hope it translates into a real, long-term creative job at some point. ;) Whenever you’re ready, life, I’m ready.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. See you again soon!

Love,
Britta