Palette Hybrid Ink

I finally bought some Palette Hybrid Inks to test out, and am now wondering why I held out so long. I have long been frustrated with the inconsistency of ink coverage on clear stamps. It seems each company works better with a different kind of ink - but I wanted something that works on EVERYTHING! Everybody has a different theory for the best way to get a good impression with clear stamps, but most of them include using chalk or craft inks. While these inks usually do provide better impressions than dye inks with most clear stamps they are MESSY! You almost have to have a separate stamp scrubber just for chalk and craft inks because they turn the entire pad whatever color you're using. So uncool, if you ask me. So I've read a few reviews from people that like the Palette Hybrid ink and I was extremely skeptical. After all, I've got all the SU! dye inks, several of the craft pads, a drawer full of Colorbox Fluid Chalk cat's eyes and another drawer full of VersaMagic chalk dew drops - did I really need to invest in yet ANOTHER type of inkpad that would just leave me frustrated? Well, the answer is a resounding, YES! I found some packs of little Palette cubes ( 4 in a set - each the size of stampin' spots) and thought I might as well try it out.

Not only does the Palette ink work awesome with both clear and rubber stamps, with super even coverage, it cleans up like a dream! No more gross chalky scrub pads to clean! Yay! The litmus test to cure my skepticism was when I pulled out my Fancy Pants stamps. Of all the acrylic stamp companies, they seem to be the absolute worst to get even coverage or even accept the ink at all. Such a pity, since their stamps are so beautiful! Well, I got perfect impressions the first time with the Palette and I'm just so excited! Woohoo!

So today's card is the result of my test. Made with the new Fancy Pants set and Landscape Palette Hybrid ink, I just love how this card came together. I stamped the swirly flower stamp and trimmed around one side of it, cutting out one piece. Next I stamped the border stamp down the side and sponged lightly with Blush Blossom ink. Next I layered on a piece of Old Olive cardstock that I randomly stamped with another floral swirl stamp from the set and tied a black velvet ribbon around it. The sentiment is Penny Black and I inked part of the sentiment with black ink and part with Landscape and then punched out with a Scallop Rectangle punch. I then punched holes in the four corners and layered onto a black cardstock punch to give it a little more weight and a contrasting color behind. To finish, I added some sparkle with Stardust Stickles, a little doodling around the edges of the rectangle and glued the whole thing to a black card base. What do ya think? Have any of you used the Palette Hybrid inks?

In other news, my Cosmo bead card from Saturday won the Caardvarks micro challenge this weekend! Woohoo! Lots of great challenges and cards in their galleries - and congrats to Amy W., one of their newest Design Team members! Yay Amy! You go girl!