Handmade Postcard Exchange

Hello friends. Today's project was created for a postcard pal exchange, hosted by @planninginhd on Instagram. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to use some rub-ons in my stash. Scroll down for creative details. You'll find my clickable supply list at the end of this post, as well.

 (FTC Disclosure: as an affiliate for various companies in the craft industry, I will receive a small commission for purchases made through my convenient affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.) 

Although the postcard exchange has closed for this month, be sure and check back, if you'd like to sign up for future exchanges.

The rub-ons that I used for this postcard are called Retro Garden from Scrapbook.com. I was going for a summery, happy vibe! I kept the address side of this postcard fairly simplistic, but added lots of mixed media flair for the flip side.

My postcard was created completely from scratch, including trimming a standard size 4x6 inch piece of white cardstock. I decided to use heavyweight 100# cardstock, so nothing would bleed through to the other side, since I planned to add paint and ink splatters.

I adhererd some low tack mint adhesive tape, covering the outer 1/2" of all sides to form a border. I rubbed on the center phrase first, then created a floral, butterfly scene with rub-ons, most of which were offset on the border. 

Although a wooden stick is included in the rub-on set, I prefer to use my bone folder as it glides a bit smoother.

Next, I did some ink blending around the edges with my Catherine Pooler Spiced ink, and a blender brush. The photo above looks pretty messy, but it's all in the process!

I also created lots of splatters with my Spiced ink, white paint and some Catherine Pooler Glitz Shimmer for some shine and sparkle.

I have a dedicated large piece of bubble wrap that I use to protect my space when splattering.

Another tip? I used my bone folder to also go all along the inner edges of the lined tape, so when I gently pull off the tape, the overlap of the rub-ons easily come off and don't leave any jagged edges.

I love how it turned out. So much inky deliciousness! If you wanted to do something similar, you wouldn't necessarily have to add the ink and paint splatters. The scene looks perfectly lovely without the added enhancement.

As of this writing, there's a coupon code available at Scrapbookcom. Use code HOLIDAY by midnight Sunday 7/26 tonight for an additional 12% discount off your entire purchase. If you're seeing this post after Sunday, tap here to see if there's another coupon code available! There are often free add-on gifts you can toss into your cart too from the coupon section.

I can't wait for the recipient to receive this. I hope she loves it as much as I do! If you have any other questions, let me know in the comment section. I hope you have a fantastic day!

Terri

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Catherine Pooler Blending Brushes - 4 pk. Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Mint Tape 1 inch roll Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Tonic Studios Tim Holtz Comfort Trimmer 8.5 Inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Project Grip Mat Large - White - 24x18 inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom
CPD Ink Pad - Spiced Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Altenew Fine Liner Pen Set Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Dina Wakley White Acrylic Paint Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Retro Garden Rub-ons - 2 pc set Shop at: Scrapbookcom
CPD Favorite White Cardstock - 100 lb - 25 pk Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Dress My Craft Non-Stick Bone Folder Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Shop at: Scrapbookcom

#wavingmywand #thecreativedeskpostcardpalexchange #handmade #postcard #scrapbookcom #catherinepoolerdesigns #catherinepoolerink #diypostcard #rubon #mixedmedia #diy #summertime #sunshine #butterflies #flowers #floral

Thank You Cards Featuring Ranger Speckled Egg Ink

Have you tried the new Speckled Egg Ink by Ranger and Tim Holtz? Oh my goodness, I am totally crushing on this color. With a name like Speckled Egg, I mean, you really can't go wrong can you?  I'm still working on handmade thank you cards for my Senior to send out for his graduation gifts and it was the perfect time to test this delicious ink.

(FTC Disclosure: as an affiliate for various companies in the craft industry, I will receive a small commission for purchases made through my convenient affiliate links.  This does not affect your purchase price.)

To begin, I used a Stampers Anonymous stamp set called Mini Flutter which was a freebie for a time over at Scrapbook.com. For my gold butterfly, I used Premium Clear Embossing Ink, stamping on watercolor paper, then heat embossing with Ranger's Gold Tinsel embossing powder.  This stuff really shines!  I highly recommend that you prepare your surface for embossing, prior to stamping, with an anti-static pouch. Just rub across your surface and blow any excess powder away. This will help keep away loose powder and provide a much cleaner emboss when you heat with your craft heat tool.

Instead of leaving the exposed image white, I pressed a little Speckled Egg ink onto my craft mat, grabbed a water brush to pick up the color and watercolored the white portion. I think it turned out beautifully.

My blue butterfly was stamped a little differently. First, I masked my wings and stamped the body and antennas of the butterfly with black hybrid ink.  You'll want to use a stamp positioner for the best results. Next, I removed the washi tape masking and carefully inked just the wings. Because the distress oxide ink is slower to dry, I stamped directly with Speckled Egg Oxide Ink, then sprinkled on some clear embossing powder, tapping off the excess and heating with a craft heat tool. I left the exposed white portion alone and love how soft and subtle it looks.

For my backgrounds, I trimmed watercolor paper that would accommodate my layered A2 sized cards. Next, I pressed my Speckled Egg ink onto a craft mat, spritz with a little bit of water, and randomly (and carefully) dabbed my paper into the mix. Go heavy or light, whatever is your pleasure but use your craft heat tool to dry or allow time to dry completely before embellishing.

Once dried, I splattered some black paint onto my card. (I failed to link the Dylusions Black Marble paint at the end of this post. You can find it here.) The easiest way to do this is grab two paintbrushes. Squeeze a very small amount of paint onto your craft mat and spritz a tiny bit of water onto your paint. Using a small tipped paintbrush, dip it into the paint, covering your brush generously.  Now, take your second paint brush and tap the middle of your wet brush, almost like your playing drums, haha! Place random splatters wherever you like and tap, tap, tap that brush.

For the larger paint drops, I simply took the opposite end of my paintbrush and dipped it into the paint mixture, dabbing spots here and there.  I know this is a lot of information but I want you to know exactly how to achieve these effects. Of course, when you're smooshing, no two cards are exactly alike and that's ok.

For my sentiment, I used a Wendy Vecchi stamp set and stamped onto black cardstock with clear embossing ink, sprinkling on white embossing powder and heating with my heat tool.  I also popped the sentiment up with foam circles for added dimension, as well as my butterflies.

To finish everything off, I embellished with gold sequins, dotting on some Mercury Glass Stickles glitter glue. For my blue butterfly card, I used flat back pearls from a shaker mix. Both cards have additional clear gemstones from one of my Sparkletz packets from 28 Lilac Lane. I love these little packs because they have so many different gemstones, bubbles and tiny sequins that you can mix and match.  These are adhered to my card using my favorite Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L micro dots.  These are a staple in my craft space and if you don't have them, you need them!

I know this blog post was a little lengthier than usual but I think the more tips you know, the better. And since I also work a full time job, I simply do not have the time to invest in doing YouTube videos lately, although I do have a YouTube channel with many videos. Life is crazy right now and sometimes you just have to know your limits.

Thanks so much for popping in. I've got affiliate shopping links below if you find something you like. Some items are currently out of stock at Ranger Ink and some items are currently out of stock at Scrapbook.com, which is why I've listed both. Hopefully you'll find what you need! Also, both shops have special offers right now. If you purchase the Speckled Egg bundle from Ranger Ink, you'll get a free distress enamel pin. You can also buy now and pay later with AfterPay at Ranger Ink.  If you're shopping at Scrapbook.com, be sure and check out the coupon section as there is a free gift offer right now, while supplies last.

See you next time and happy crafting!  Terri

Affiliate product links are listed throughout this post. Click on the link to go directly to the product.  I do receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase.

Ranger Inkssentials Craft Mat 15x18 Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger US HEAT IT CRAFT TOOL Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Ink Inkssentials 2 oz mister spray bottle Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L EZ Grand Ultra Refill - Clear Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Lawn Fawn Black Licorice 8.5x11 in 100 lb cardstock Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Circles Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L E-Z Grand Runner Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Neenah Solar White Cardstock 25 pk A2 Card/Env. Set Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Buttons Galore Aquamarine Sparkletz Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Exclusive Scrapbook.com Premium Clear Embossing Ink Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Exlusive Scrapbook.com Premium Clear Embossing Reinker Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Exclusive Scrapbook.com Hybrid Ink - Black Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Scrapbook.com Round Tip Water Brush Set 3 pk Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Speckled Egg Distress Oxide Ink Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Speckled Egg Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Watercolor Paper 8.5x11 inch 10 pk Shop at: Ranger Ink
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Micro Adhesive Dots Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Super Fine White Embossing Powder Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Super Fine Clear Embossing Powder Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink
28 Lilac Lane Fairy Dust Shaker Mix Shop at: Scrapbook.com	28 Liilac Lane Golden Sequins Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Mercury Glass Stickles Glitter Glue Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Anti-Static Pouch Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink

#wavingmywand #scrapbookcom #rangerink #speckledegg #thankyoucards #friendship #butterfly #butterflies #handmade #cardmaking #papercrafts #DIY #scrapbookadhesivesby3L #lawnfawn #embossing #heatembossing #watercolor #watercoloring #smooshing #technique #stickles #glitterglue #buttonsgaloreandmore #28lilaclane #sparkletz #fairydust #embellishments #distressink #oxideink #distressoxideink #hybridink