Distress Inked Flower Tutorial

Here is a an example of using Distress Inks to colour a flower. I used "A Lovely Blossom & Butterfly" set but used it as a template, I am colouring the other side of the paper after I cut them out. Another great thing about this, you don't have to be as careful cutting out the flower and leaves... I even exaggerated the jaggyness of the petals. For this card, I also used one of Donna's awesome papers from her Designer Extreme Vol. 2 CD ( Bearly Mine Designs). I used Ranger Distress Inks Dusty Concord and Antique Linen ( and Peeled Paint on green bit). I antiqued the gold dew drops by changing the tone with a peach BIC Mark It and then dabbed on some Platinum Stickles.

Here is another example. I used some leftover leaves from Fred's Flowers V1 . Distressed Inks: Scattered Straw and Worn Lipstick. Peeled Paint on leaves.


All the examples I edged the flowers and petals with pearlescent paints.

TUTORIAL!!!! :D

I want to show you how I distress inked the flowers.


Here's my supplies:
-Scor-mat or craft sheet
-Some cut flowers and leaves - I am using a 27 lb paper, if ink shows through on other side, try draft mode on your printer.
-Distress Inks: Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Broken China, Faded Jeans
-Blending Tools and a foam pad ( or use cosmetic sponges )
-Water brush ( only used to darken the leaves ) OPTIONAL
-fantastix or style stix or a small eye makeup applicator, q-tip might work.
-Large embossing stylus( or something round like a pencil eraser), Small stylus or a skinny crochet hook or something similar.
-Foam pad or mouse pad

Please excuse the grossness of my mouse pad. ick shudder... just don't look too close. LOL


Draw/Emboss multiple lines on petals - BOTH sides.

Like so...



Dab blender tool into Shabby Shutters pad. Swirl on craft sheet or scor-mat ( shiny side) to blend into foam then apply to petals from center out - repeat to build up colour.. you may need to pick up more ink. This layer I make sure there is still white showing. Notice how the embossed lines take the ink.



NOTE: Now for the peach flower, I went over the petals the same way with another colour ( first Scattered Straw then Worn Lipstick). You can apply another color the same way. Instead, I wanted a more streaky flower so....


I have these cool foam brushes called Style Stix. I dabbed it into Broken China.


I blended off on the scor-mat then started making streaks on the petals - center out, going back over areas until the I got the look I wanted. I didn't show you but I repeated colouring the flower with the style stix using Faded Jeans.




I used the large stylus to push the center in to make the petals pop up.


I like to use my fingers to bend and pinch the petals, they are your best tool ;)



Here is one layer of the flower. You can arrange flowers however you like, just one layer, try multiple sizes and layers.


NOW ON TO the LEAVES:

I embossed the vein lines and creased down the center and bent & moulded using my fingers.




I inked with Shabby Shutters, another good colour is Peeled Paint.



I shaded the center using a darker ink... Peeled Paint.






The END.

I hope I inspired you! You could easily vary this using watercolour paints, acrylics, other inks, twinkling H2O's, the skies the limit. Have fun and .... Have a great day!

:)* Fred