Folk Garden on Kraft Cardstock with Oxide Inks

For my last project featuring Pinkfresh Studio’s Folk Garden design, I used Distress Oxide Inks and white heat embossing on kraft cardstock. I really wanted to get the most out of this amazing set of coordinating products, so I used different techniques for all three projects. I was able to achieve very different cards, each with their own unique style, even though they all feature the same floral design.
I don’t use Oxide Inks very often; I usually prefer regular Distress Inks. But, I absolutely love how Oxides look on kraft cardstock. The inks just seem to glow against the darker background, especially when paired with white, heat-embossed stamping. And, I love the contrast of pairing such a feminine and dainty design with kraft cardstock. It’s a little unexpected. You’ll find all the details listed below and thanks for stopping by!

STEPS

1.) Starting with a piece of Neenah Desert Storm cardstock for the background, I die cut the Stitched Diamonds Coverplate from Pinkfresh Studio. Then I die cut two different frames, one from a 4 1/4″ x 3″ Outside-In Stitched Rectangle from Lawn Fawn to create the inner frame, and another from the largest Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frame from My Favorite Things. The scallop rectangle frame is slightly smaller than A2, so I trimmed down the other frame and glued them together. After also slightly trimming the coverplate die cut, I used foam tape to attach the layered frame. Finally, I used white gouache thinned with a little water to apply a light splatter to the entire background panel.

2.) Using another piece of Neenah Desert Storm cardstock, I stamped the floral images and the Happy Birthday sentiment with clear embossing ink and then heat set them with white embossing powder. I used the coordinating stencils to apply Distress Oxide Inks. I don’t have many oxide colors, so I got a little creative with my blending. I used the grey-blue Stormy Sky with Mowed Lawn for the greenery, and I really like how it turned out. I used Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick for the blooms. Since Oxides contain a lot of pigment ink, it will sit on top of the paper, and I like to give it just a bit of dry time before continuing.

After allowing some time for drying, I die cut the design and the sentiment twice and glued the pieces together for strength and some weight. I then used glue and foam squares to attach the die cuts to the background panel. To complete this card, I added a few white enamel dots and then adhered everything to an A2 side-fold card base.