Hi friends! Today I'm reviewing the new Colorbox Dyestress Blendable Ink Pads from Clearsnap for the October Splicoaststampers Product Focus. I have really enjoyed using these inks for a multitude of techniques. The palette of colors is vibrant and unique and I can see myself reaching for these inks over and over again.
The first thing I did to test drive the inks was to swatch out the colors using one of the coffee sleeves from the new Cozy Cup set from Clearsnap. I do always use a layer of Versamark on my stamp before inking up to make cleanup easier. I was pleasantly surprised by the vivid colors and how well they stamped with a single impression on a flat surface, no MISTI required.
My next test was to do some ink blending with the Hero Arts Ornate Floral stencil using the scuba and citronella colors. There's not a turquoise color in the palette, so I needed to find out if I could make one! The ink blended beautifully, giving several shades of green and turquoise between the two colors. Aren't all the shades so vibrant?
I decided to use this as a background for a chilled beverage from the Cozy Cup set. There are a few different markings on the stamped image that make it easy to mask and place the different accent stamps. Here I masked off the lid of the to go cup and stamped the whipped topping, then did a bit of masking on the topping to add in the straw image in the moonstone color. I watercolored the base of the cup with palomino and graphite inks, then stamped the cheer sentiment and fussy cut the image. I accented with liquid pearls and stickles, then did a little curling down of the edges and popped up on dimensionals to give a 3D effect. The sending sentiment is from the Hero Arts Many Everyday Messages set and I masked the sending love stamp so just the sending showed. I then layered my pieces onto some early espresso cardstock and accented the top and bottom with sequins.
Next I turned to the stamping. I used the beautiful Lovely Balloons stamp set from Shimmerz, watercoloring with the same color inks as the background. The sentiment is from the Simply Enjoy stamp set, stamped in pansy and then cut up. I sponged each section with graphite ink and then added to the card and outlined with a black permanent marker. A bit of black embroidery thread finishes things off.
For my next card, I wanted to see how the inks would react on glossy cardstock. I first tried direct to paper with the moonstone, scuba and shamrock inks and tested alcohol blending solution and there was a little movement of color, but not much. I then added water and the colors blended beautifully. When I got the colors how I liked them, I added a bit of gold metallic mixative and then some alcohol blending solution to make this dreamy background.
A dreamy background calls for a dreamy sentiment and the Take Flight stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas fit the bill! The sentiment is embossed in gold and watercolored with moonstone and scuba. I die cut it and a gold mat using the Tag Frames Infinity Dies and then decided to also emboss one of the birds from the set in gold on the gold paper and cut with the Bird Friends Cutups. I finished off with a golden bow.
For my final card, I really wanted some turquoise, so inked up the scuba and citronella colors on my glass mat and then mixed with a brush before smooshing onto watercolor paper. I love the beautiful wintry aqua that resulted. I turned this into a card using the Cozy Cup set, stamping with that beautiful scuba color. I added some snowflakes, bling and some silver accents to finish up.
Here are a few snippets of cards I've already shared on the blog with these inks. They are really so versatile, and I especially love those neutral tones!
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| 1. Fresh Start 2/3. Christmas Gift Card Pockets 4. One Cup at a Time |
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4 comments
I love the coffee cozy thing!!
Well this was just a fascinating read--nutrient dense with useful info. Wow! Thank you for sharing the test-run and the beautiful creations you made.
What amazing cards Julee - it sounds a fabulous product - I have yet to see it reach the Antipodes, but will keep an eye out for it!
Blessings
Maxine
Amazing cards Julee. Love the different backgrounds you were able to make. So many techniques... love them all... but the glossy background is my favorite... love the marbled look. Lovely designs.
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