Hugs & Kisses Valentine Cards + Craft Challenges

markerpop.com

Happy Valentines Day from our home to yours! Today I'm sharing two adorable "hugs & kisses" cards I made for my two older kids that no matter how far away they are or how old they get, they still get a Valentine from their parents. And my two youngest kids will get the upcycled handmade treat boxes I made in last weeks tutorial. See those "here." ​​

​For tutorial and more details click read more>>>

This week I tried my new Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks, by Ranger Ink that I got for Christmas. I know, I'm a little late to the party, but I have to warm up to trends (lol) and I have to say I like these. They are different, but give very different looks for so many projects. 

For these two cards I stamped both images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and colored my images with Distress Oxide inks using an H2O brush dipped directly onto the ink pad, like a paint brush. I'm still learning myself how to watercolor cards that everyone makes look so easy. It's not easy, it does take LOTS of practice.

I started by brushing on some water first then adding some color to the water and just let it blend and spread and let it dry. And repeated this several times. This way you get a layered look with some shading and depth. I do recommend using watercolor paper, but by using less water I didn't get much rippling. And whats unique about these, is when the oxides get wet they dry with a soft chalky like finish, but it's totally dry. It's really cool. Then I die cut my images out. 

Inside my cards I used a MISTI tool to layer two sentiment stamps. And as you can see, I used a sturdy white cardstock as the base of my cards. And kept these clean and simple by using scraps of patterned paper in strips and a red doily as my background. And heat embossed this sweet sentiment in red on the front. I know it's hard to see, but the hearts on each card do have some bling on them, of course. And there you have two adorable cards using almost the same products in two different ways for girls or boys. 

​Challenges:
​Little Red Wagon Challenge # 433 - Luuurve
4 CRAFTY CHICKS #390 - "LOTS OF LAYERS"
Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge ~ F1418 (Diagonal: Die Cut, patterned paper, pastels)
Papertrey Ink 11TH ANNIVERSARY DAY 10: FEB STRIPES CHALLENGE
HLS February Anything Goes with Dies Challenge
​Casology Week 287: TOGETHER
Inspired By All The Little Things #79 (pink, red, hearts)
DCC27 ~ A Way With Words
Simon Says Wed Challenge: It Must Be Love
Simon Says Mon Challenge: Take Note (notes on the coffee cup & notes on background of pig card)
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper February 2018 Challenge

I hope I've inspired you to try water coloring with your Distress Oxides, because the possibilities are endless. If you love seeing my craft tutorials, ideas, blog hops, giveaways and more...and don't want to miss anything, just click the pink button below and follow this blog or follow me on these social media networks:  Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, or Bloglovin.

​Thanks for stopping by! Happy Valentine's Day! ~Kim 

Supplies: Papertrey Ink 110lb Stampers Select White Cardstock; MISTI Tool; Unity Stamp-Love To Go (coffee cup); Reverse Confetti-Cured Stamps and matching Pig and Fence Die Cuts, Round Scallop Die Cut, and Crazy About You sentiment stamp set; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxides Inks in: worn lipstick, candied apple, wild honey, and vintage photo; Echo Park Head Over Heels patterned paper; Versamark Clear Ink; Ranger Red Geranium Embossing Powder and Heat Tool; Doodlebug Red Doily; Spica Clear Glitter Pen; Scor-Tape; Square 3D Pop Dots; and a Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine.