Focused Ink Blending for Card Making

Learn how to use the focused ink blending technique to create stunning yet simple cards. It’s a fun masking technique which enables you to focus your ink blending to a specific area.

The cards feature the Spotlight on Nature bundle from Stampin’ Up! However, you can use any supplies you have on hand with this technique.

Focused Ink Blending

First let’s talk about how to create the mask for the ink blending. For these cards, I am using the 3-1/4 inch circle shape from the Spotlight on Nature bundle. However, you can use any shape as well as any size shape to create your mask. Shapes like circles, squares, rectangles, etc. will all work well for this technique.

To create the mask, simply cut a 4 x 5-1/4 inch piece of white cardstock. Take the circle shaped die and place it in the center of the white cardstock. Cut out the circle shape and set it aside. We will not be using the actual circle shape; rather we will be using the negative space left in the white cardstock as our mask.

Cut another 4 x 5-1/4 inch piece of white cardstock. Lay the white cardstock mask (the one with the circle shape cut out of it) over the top of this white cardstock piece. Now you are ready to complete the ink blending!

Use a blending brush to add ink inside the circle shape. The mask will keep the ink contained so that you are able to ink blend a circle shape on the white cardstock. You can ink blend with as many colors as you want. Remove the mask and stamp a few images on the white cardstock. The ink blending in the background really accents the stamped images.

Focused Stamping

Now that you know how to use the focused ink blending technique, let’s talk about how to complete some focused stamping too! Basically, you will complete the ink blending as previously described. However, before removing the mask, stamp the images into the circle space over the top of the ink blended area.

Not only will the ink blending be contained to the circle shape, but the stamped images will be too! How fun is that? The possibilities are endless with this technique so have fun with it!

Tutorial & Supplies

Now you have a few different ways you can use the focused ink blending technique in your card making. For a complete list of supplies and instructions for creating these cards, feel free to download the printable tutorial.

I hope you enjoyed these cards ideas and are inspired to give this technique a try. Be sure to watch the video to see the technique in action. Have a fun and creative day! ~ Lynn