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Monday, February 29, 2016

Last Post! The blog has moved!

Hi Crafty Friends!

This blog will no longer be operational from March 1st 2016!

The blog has moved to a new, exciting home: einatkessler.com/blog/

All of you who are subscribers and get an update every time a new post is published will no longer be subscribed. You need to RESUBSCRIBE on the new blog here: einatkessler.com/blog/
under the Follow Me option on the side menu.

I'll see you there!!

Einat

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

12 Ways to Use Distress Inks

Distress Inks, by Tim Holtz are some of my favorite inks to use. They are water-based dye inks that have incredible color stability. Unlike other inks, Distress Inks react to water. It means that water doesn't break down the color. Water also allows the ink to move on the paper. They are perfect for traditional ink techniques but their unique qualities open a new set of possibilities.


Here's how to use Distress Ink 12 different ways:

1. Aging
The grungy shade of the ink is perfect for aging and distressing paper. This look is great for grunge, vintage and shabby-chic projects. Simply apply ink to the edges and some of the surfaces of a paper using a sponge or a blending tool. You can also wrinkle or tare the paper for a stronger effect.

Aged edges

2. Stamping
We usually use ink for stamping and distress inks are no different. Distress inks stamp well on porous surfaces and can be used with all kinds of stamps however the image stamped is slightly less sharp that other inks. A look which is great for a grungy, vintage, shabby chic projects. You can add simple stamping techniques, such as spritzing the inked stamp before stamping to get a watercolor look.

Stamped words

3. Blending
Distress Inks are perfect for ink blending. Because this is a water based ink it stays wet longer and that allows the colors to mix. Pick up ink using a sponge or a foam blending tool. Working in circular motions, apply ink to the surface, blending the inks as you go. Layering two or three ink colors together provides endless color variations and a beautiful graduations of tone.

4. Stenciling
Distress inks are perfect for stenciling because of the option to blend and layer them. Layer a stencil on your paper and apply Distress Ink with the same technique as ink blending. You can repeat the same pattern with different colors to create a gradual effect or a colorful background.

Stenciled bricks on the house

5. Reverse stenciling
Reverse or direct stenciling is applying the ink to the stencil instead of on the paper and then attach the stencil, ink down to the paper, creating a "negative" pattern of colored background and white shapes. To use this simple technique, apply distress ink to the stencil and mist with water. Turn over the stencil and attach to the paper. You’ll get a watercolor pattern that is the reverse image of the stencil.

6. Water Resist
Since distress inks react with water you can create really pretty effects by combining the two. Water moves the ink around the surface, and by adding drops of water to an inked background, you will get beautiful water washed areas.

Embossing resist and blending

7. Emboss Resist
As a water based ink, distress ink to not attach to a non porous surface like embossing powder. Emboss your paper with white or transparent embossing powder and then apply distress ink to the entire paper surface. Wipe the ink with a paper towel or a baby wipe from the raised embossed pattern.

8. Ink transfer 
Ink transferring is applying ink to a non-porous surface, blending the ink with water and then transferring it to the project. Apply distress ink on your acrylic block, mist with water and then stamp on a paper, water color paper is best. The effect you'll get is of blending colors is like a water color background..

9. Direct to paper
Direct-to-paper inking is so simple that you might not even want to call it a technique! You simply apply the ink from the pad directly onto the paper. After the ink is on the paper you can activate it with a water mister or a baby wipe. This will allow you to blend it, smudge the edges, create dripage and more.

10. Use as Watercolor
To watercolor with Distress Inks use a brush. To access the ink in the ink pad, simply stamp your non stick surface and pick up the paint with a wet brush. You will get a light paint like watercolor. You can also use the re-inkers for that technique.

Green distress ink water color

11. Photo tinting
Distress Inks have been formulated to tint photos — both originals on glossy or matte photo paper and copies made with ink jet, toner or laser copiers. Pick up color with a brush, sponge or cotton swap and lightly apply the ink over the photo.

12 Wrinkled Distress
This technique is a combination of DTP stamping and misting. Crumple up a piece of paper or cardstock and then swipe the ink pad directly on the paper. Spritz the paper and activate the distress ink. You'll get an amazing affect of colored veins and dripage on an aged looking paper. If you want to straighten the paper you can iron it with a craft iron.

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Have fun creating!

Friday, February 12, 2016

Moving to Wordpress

Important Announcement!

The Blog is MOVING!

I have finally found enough courage to move my blog to Wordpress. The details are not important but the important thing is that the blog will be incorporated with my website einatkessler.com.

This means that all email updates from this blog will stop! And all of you loyal and dear blog subscribers will have to re-subscribe to the blog updates in the new blog's address.

The blog will move to its new home in the next few weeks, so watch out for the official announcement! At that time I'll provide you with the link to re-subscribe to all the crafty, fun and inspiring blog updates!

Don't miss out! Keep up with all the crafty goodness by subscribing to the Einat Kessler creative newsletter

Have fun creating!

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

The Ultimate Valentine's Day Round Up

The LOVE season is here! I've rounded up some of the best Valentine’s Day crafts, recipes, parties, and printables to bring you the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Round Up. With this many great ideas, recipes, and projects there is something for everyone. I know you are going to fall in love with them. 
So let’s get this party started. Here is everything you need to celebrate the season of love.



Crafts
Valentine's Day Wall Art - Tatertots and Jello
Cupid’s Arrow Valentine’s Day Favors – Home. Made. Interest.
12 Days of Romance Scavenger Hunt – The Mama Zone
I “DOVE” You Printable with Candy – Newlywed Survival
Valentine’s Day Candy Filled Mason Jar – Savvy Saving Couple
DIY Paper Heart Wreath - Blooming Homestead
DIY Heart Shaped Massage Bars – Thriftanista in the City
Instagram Magnetic Bookmarks – Happy Go Lucky Blog
Valentine Felt Envelopes – Good Morning Loretta
Washi Tape Bubble Valentines – Moneywise Moms
Coupons of Love Mini Album - Scrappin' it
Valentine Memo Chalkboard – Southern Couture
Friendly Valentine Candy Jar – Creative Ramblings

Recipes
Heart Popcorn - I Heart Naptime
Cranberry Bliss Bars – Swanky Recipes
Valentine’s Day Cakes – Charleston Crafted
Valentine's Heart Macarons - Live For Cake
Candy Cane Chocolate Hearts – Drugstore Divas
Strawberry Valentine's Snacks - Modern Parents Messy Kids
Red Velvet Pudding Cups – Mostly Homemade Mom
Valentine's Day Mocktails - One Good Thing
Valentine Cupcakes – Home Maid Simple

Parties
Valentine’s Day Tea Party – The Peanuts Gang
Love is in the Air Valentine Table – Not Just a Mommy
Be My Valentine Party Ideas - Tinyprints.Blog
How to Throw a Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day Party – Amber Nicole Blogs
Valentine's Dinner for the Whole Family - One Good Thing

Printables
Love is in the Air Valentine Card – Making of a Mom
Valentine's Day Signs - We Heart Parties
Tic Tac Toe XOXO Valentine with Free Printable – Housewife Eclectic
Valentine's Banner - Tatertots and Jello
4 Free Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages – Saving More than Me
Tic Tac Toe Valentine’s Day Card - Seven Thirty Three
Printable Valentine’s Day Lunch Box Notes and Coupons – Gluesticks Blog
Valentine’s Photo Booth Props - Capturing Joy
100+ Free Printable Love Notes - The Dating Divas

Share in the comments your ultimate ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day !

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Have fun creating!


Sunday, February 7, 2016

Valentine's Day One Sheet Coupons Mini Album

Here's a fast and easy project to create as a gift for Valentine's Day! A One sheet coupons mini album. You can create a few of those and write different treats or gifts on the coupons according to who will get them.


For a spouse or a boyfriend you can give a massage, a fancy dinner or even the s word. For a friend it can be a manicure, a movie or anything that you like to do together. The choices are endless! Just customize your coupons mini album with your choice of papers, colors and embellishments.


You can even create a large mini album by attaching a few small mini albums together. Attach two ends of the mini album back to back with a little double sided adhesive. You will have more room for extra coupons...


Isn't that a really cool project? You have a gift, which are the coupons and what is written on them of course, and a pretty way to present them inside the mini album. And you only need one 12x12 sheet of double sided cardstock to create it!

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Have fun creating!


Friday, February 5, 2016

Valentine's Day Free Printable Cards

"Love is in the air everywhere I look around"

February is here and the air is filling up with love, or at least it should be. I think it is a beautiful reason to celebrate and spread it around. Love has always made people crazy, in good or bad ways and it's the only thing that can do that. It's elusive, mysterious and it seems like we never really fully understand it but I think we can all agree it's the best thing in the world!


So celebrate your love, whatever it may be with this little gift from me. I created 4 love cards for you to print at home and use in your crafts, decorations or cards. You can turn them into coupons by writing on the back, or turn them into a little LOVE mini album by binding them together. Print them as many times as you want and make a little memory game or put them in your kids' lunch box with a little message written on the back.

Download HERE!

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Have fun creating!

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Creating a Canvas with a Printed Image

This post was sponsored by GraphicStock. All opinions are mine alone.

Sometimes you need an image or an illustration for a craft project. There are a lot of free stock photos sites out there but their variety is limited. I tried GraphicStock.com and found exactly what I need. Now you might think I'm saying that because I have to but I really think they have a good thing going.

First I like their search options. you can type in any word in the search box and get lotsof results. Then you can narrow the search by choosing the relevant category for you. I searched the word vintage and then chose the background category. I found a really pretty background and downloaded it to my computer. From there printing it was easy.


I used the printed background to cover a 5x7 canvas and write on it. But you can find lots of images and illustrations there too. The good thing is that each image comes in different file types so you can choose the file you need.

GraphicStock now offers a 7 day free trial so you can check it out and decide for yourselves. You can find the link in the description box on the video.

Don't miss out! Keep up with all the crafty goodness by subscribing to the Einat Kessler creative newsletter

Have fun creating!