Sunday, May 19, 2013

An Inking Trifecta???

Happy happy happy Monday Crafty people! Welcome to another Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge, were we've got INK on the crafty brain!  While it’s true that it depends on what kind of project you’re crafting and what you’re trying to make, we all use specific ink pads, BUT we all have our  favorite ink pads for a specific reason. Maybe your favorite ink pad is based on your favorite color. Perhaps, it's your favorite because of the type of ink it is and the properties it contains. Whatever your reason, this week the challenge is to create something using "Your Favorite Ink Pad",  your #1 most used pad or otherwise, to create with.
Warning: This is a WACKY post! It's full of blah, blah, blahs, and there is very little useful information here today, but I need your help!
I just can't lie to all of you. I can't tell you all I have ONE particular favorite ink pad...I just can't! You all know by my comments on your blogs, or by my posts here, how wishy washy I am. I always have a "new favorite" for reasons sometimes I don't even understand myself. BUT...I have searched my inky self thoroughly, and have come up with THREE ink pads <diabolical laughing> that since the day I've purchased them...many moons ago I might add...have been my favorite for the following reasons, and have needed re-inking more than any other inks I own besides Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, and Pumice Stone Distress Inks <more diabolical laughing>, because I use those four the most to shabby and antique things up, and there was NO WAY I could make a choice between one of those four colors...no way! SO...I've picked these three <even more diabolical laughing>, and they are in order of importance, I think. PLUS, I've created the same style tag/card using each ink, and only each ink, for a monochromatic look, on each of the tag/cards. I've just changed my mind again. Ugh! You be the deciding choice!
Here are the steps that I did for each one using, but using only the one ink for each.
I had Ranger's #12 Manila Giant Tags and the three ink pads I love best ready to go.
I tore strips of Tim's Symphony Tissue Wrap, and glued them on to the front of each tag.
I scored each tag on each side at the 2 3/4 inch mark, so when folded it will be a gate fold card.
I taped down a Crafter's Workshop stencil and applied Wendy's Embossing Paste through it.
I stamped parts of Wendy's Heirloom Flowers on each tag in their respective ink colors and heat embossed the Flowers with Ranger's Clear Embossing Powder.
I applied the Distress Ink to the craft sheet and misted water on the ink and dredged each tag in it back and front as per Tim's Wrinkle Free Distress Technique, but...
...when you apply Jet Black on the craft sheet it will just stick there. So, I thought I would try something out. I applied a few drops of Jet Black ReInker on the craft sheet and some water. I mixed it up, and did manage a little dredging, but not much before it dried, and I had a big mess...not advisable. So...
I just used an Ink Tool and the Jet Black to make a misty look on the tag front. It doesn't look the same as the other two, but given that it's black, that is okay.
I stenciled in more ink with Wendy's Dotty Stencil.
I stamped parts Wendy's Normandy Lace image onto the tag. I inked all the edges, and folded on the score lines.
I stamped the sentiments and heat embossed them. I cut them out, distressed the edges, and inked them.
I inked string, button brads, and a mini tag. I adhered everything on, and covered up the brad backs with Tissue Tape, and added a little extra, and other stamped Happy Birthday on the inside.
I found some Prima flowers that I felt were close to the colors of ink, and further inked them up to finish off the monochromatic cards.
#1 Ranger's Tim Holtz Distress Ink In Aged Mahogany- Why? Pure and simple...it's my #1 favorite color! My car is this color. A ton of items, furniture, and even walls in my home are this color or variation there of. It reminds me of Christmas or Valentine's...my two favorite holidays <laughing>. I could go on and on and get symbolic (It's the color of passion, wealth, health...and all that jazz.), but I won't bore you. You know I use it a lot, or at least some type of red in most things I do.

#2 Ranger's Jet Black Archival- Why? I use this ink the most, and on most of the surfaces and mediums I work with. I could not craft the way I do without this ink. I MUST have it! As a matter of fact, I am starting to really get into using all of the colors of my Archival Inks, and I have Ink Tool Inking Pads for each of them so that I can apply the ink on paper like I do Distress Ink when I want a permanent color stay. I like that option! See why I like this one second best? Hmmm...maybe this one is my favorite...rethinking!

#3 Ranger's Tim Holtz Distress Ink In Rusty Hinge- Why? Another pure and simple...it's my #2 favorite color, and can you believe that while I LOVE several other colors, these two are my only favorites? SHOCKER I know! Rusty Hinge is the color that depicts Autumn for me, which happens to be my favorite Season...which is when the cooler weather starts when I can where more clothes...which is when my favorite foods are cooked and baked and I certainly eat more, and with all the extra pounds gained it doesn't look as bad when there are more clothes covering it up! There I said it! I love Rusty Hinge! Phew! It's just a look good, eat good, feel good kind of color, plus it does wonders for metal on any craft project...hello rust! Hmmm...reevaluating again...I think my #3 might be my #1, but then again my #2 really should be my #1, but then #1 totally makes sense to be #1 already, but....DO YOU SEE HOW HARD THIS IS??? 
Okay...so I need your help. Which of these tag/cards do you like best...meaning, which ink pad should I pick? I am letting you all decide for me. I sure can't pick which one I like best, but I think I am leaning toward the Aged Mahogany...at least for the moment! I'm curious to know if you are having a hard time picking just one ink pad if you are entering this challenge, or even picking from three, like me. I'll tally up your choices from the comments and let you know which ink pad/card won the majority pick. Thanks for helping me with my wishy washy self!
If you are even following along with the SSS&S challenges, then we know you love ink. The questions are, which ink pad is your favorite and why? Tell us all about it by creating something with that ink pad, and then enter it into our challenge. You just might be the lucky winner of a $50 voucher to Simon Says Stamp. You can also be named as one of the "Top Three Picks" for this challenge. Good luck, and by all inky means, please visit the other DT member's blogs to see what ink pad they've used to make the most inkily beautiful pieces ever this week! 
Supplies:


I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

61 comments:

  1. I can't pick - all three of your faves are fantastic!

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  2. They all look fantastic! I would go for the black...but I struggle with the colours sometimes...but having said that it would be distress all the way for me...distress distress distress....so sorry not much help am I?! hugs trace x

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  3. ...great posting Anita, it's Archival Jet Black for me, it's moody and sophisticated, love your creations...Mel :)

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  4. They look gorgeous! Love them all, Anita!

    Hugs,
    Gaby

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  5. love love love these Anita :) lainey x

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  6. They are all great but if you really push me for a decision it would be
    1- aged mahogany
    2- rusty hinge
    3- black

    But it it's a hard pick between 1&2!

    Sally

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  7. Ohhhhhhhhh, Rusty Hinge without a doubt! Love it. Love your flowers. Love that "Anita attention to detail!"

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  8. Hello Anita
    It is Rusty Hinge all the way for me, it is a hot, hot colour, it relates a richness that no other hue possesses. Any project made with this chroma is always pleasing to the eye.
    Great cards, all three.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  9. Fabulous gate fold cards !I was very interesting to read through the steps which goes in making such amazing project !

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  10. Aaargh, how can I pick just one of these amazing pieces???!!! They're ALL so gorgeous, but if I have to, then I choose the Aged Mahogany one. That's a real stunner.

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  11. Stunning cards, Anita! Love all three of them! But I think my fav is the Archival Jet Black one! It's so classy and the flowers look amazing in black. Hugs, Sandra

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  12. Anita the moment I saw the theme I thought, OMG there is no way I could choose just one ink... Then I started to read your post and I really had to laugh out loud! Pfew, I am not on my own.... Ok so now to your question, well first of all, I like them all! But, if I have to make a choice ( and this is the hard bit) I like the result of the black one best, though it would not necessarily be my first choice of ink... now where does that leave you..... decisions, decisions...

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  13. Rusty Hinge, Rusty Hinge, Rusty Hinge!!! Number 1) because that's just so much fun to say and number 2) It's warm and inviting and relaxing and GORGEOUS!!! Aged Mahogany and Black are always classy, but I'm leaning on the more quirky side of things lately and so RUSTY HINGE will have to be my choice.
    Anita, your tag/cards are fabulous!!!! Also, where on earth did you get the frog???? I've been searching high and low for one to hold my cards and I'm having no luck.
    HUGS!!!

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  14. Great Post Anita - had me chuckling. Can't pick, won't pick ;-) All are fab! Great challenge to use one ink to such great effect.

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  15. Oh my goodness Anita, these cards are beautiful, I can see why your having a hard time picking just one color. I plan on joining the challenge but I have a feeling I'm going to find this one difficult as well, there are so many I love. Out of the three you chose, I really love Rusty Hinge, it's one of my favorites as well.

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  16. Love them all Anita. My favourite is Rusty Hinge,then Aged Mahogany and Black my least favourite. But really all of them are charming. I have put a message from Annie on my Blog. Hugs Rita xx

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  17. Anita....they all are awesome! I love your post and how your brain works! :) The cards all look so different, depending on the color. Today, my fav would be the Rusty Hinge. But who knows...tomorrow, it might be the black. But, the Aged Mahogany is gorgeous, too. I love your design and all of the things you did to take a simple tag to "WOW"! <3 Candy

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  18. Yes, I see how hard this is! For me I gravitate toward the rusty hinge first but . . . The aged mahogany is nice too. Oh my, I'm wishy washy too, lol. I wouldn't say jet black archival is my favorite but I use it on almost every project. Those # 12 tags make great gatefold cards. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  19. I agree that it is next to impossible to pick a favorite ink! I pretty much have three, but will mix it up! All three tags are fabulicious and I so love the gate fold idea! Love! Happy Monday!

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  20. OMGOSH! These are beautiful, and I love that you folded the tag into cards. I CAN NOT pick a favorite ink pad, cause I LOVE color but my black STAZON is the one I use the most!

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  21. Three wonderful cards Anita and a great idea for the challenge! Love the flowers, all the inking and stamping and design.

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  22. Gorgeous folded tags Anita...and I do recognize your doubt about favorite colours hahaha it made me smile. At 10 I love that green, at 11 the gorgeous yellow, at 12 that blue looks amazing...and so on :-)
    So I do understand your (just) 3 favorite colours!

    Kind regards, Alie :-)

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  23. I'm sorry, I don't think I am going to be much help. I love them all. The aged mahogany is just so warm and yummy, the rusty hinge so energetic and fun and the black, wow, classy. Seen individually they are fabulous but put them all together and they are amazing. Not at all helpful I know... I must say I did wonder why you would need so big a tag. Wonder no more. A fabulous idea for a card. Thanks for doing the three colour scheme. It's great to see the different mood that a change of colour gives to a project. Oh yeah, you asked about my favourite. I think DI Dusty Concord is just about tops, although Walnut Stain and Memento London Fog are always in use. Thanks for a great, fun and edumacational post.

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  24. Terrific tags Anita, that is such an impossible challenge to do without fibbing..........depends so much on the mood we are in and the weather..
    But you have given me a terrific idea, nothing to do with the challenge, but its a fab idea if I can pull it off.........must write it down before I forget.... Hugs Annette x

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  25. Oh for heaven's sake woman - this was an impossible choice and now you've gone and confused me even further!!!!

    I love all your makes - even when colourless! But your three makes above are AB FAB!

    Nicola x

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  26. Beautifukl and inspirational! love the use of the big tag!
    Another winner, Anita.

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  27. Decisions, decisions, I am having a tough time coming up with one myself to enter! With me it is always going to be Black Archival but if I had to choose a colour then it would have to be Aged Mahogony, it is just so rich and gorgeous. I love all of yours though, but AM is my choice. Love the idea of using the tag as a card too, will have to try that one. Hugs, Anne x

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  28. Stunning as always love the colours too really cool xxx

    Kaz x

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  29. I DO see exactly how hard it is! I'm delighted you gave us all three... in fact, I'd happily have looked at many many more!! Stunning cards, stunning colours (including the black!) - and it's just as well that I'm going to have to sit this one out time-wise as, like you, I don't think I could pick just one!!
    Alison xx

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  30. It's hard to pick...but I really love the Jet Black card...it's so elegant and restful in a way. I love ALL color....lots of color and the color I work with totally depends on my mood at the moment. I go through phases where I use tons of blue, or green (which probably are my favorites) but some days I just really want to play with pink! Or purple (today). So who knows....It might be easier to figure what TYPE of ink I like best over what color ink....and that would be Distress...because it is so versatile. Unless it's Archival...which I've been using more and more. Or, chalk ink...which is so soft and lovely to stamp with....Now I know why I'm broke all the time! LOL

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  31. Anita, what a fun post!! I loved reading it, blah, blah and ALL!!! I LOVE how you made a gate fold card from these tags! So cool how the "close"...they are just too cute!!! Thanks for showing us, step by step, the process you used and thanks for sharing your creativity! My favorite color of the 3 cards is the aged mahogany!!! Your 3 cards look fantastic together!!! I have to remember to try something with that combo-the aged mahogany/jet black and rusty hinge! Thanks for sharing!!!

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  32. Gorgeousness! My choice is the rusty hinge, just love that earthy feel.

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  33. These are gorgeous! I love the one in rusty hinge...so my favorite.

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  34. Rusty hinge!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the big tag! Wonderful work !!!!! Barbarayaya

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  35. Fabulous projects...Love all the colours & the fantastic tutorial....sooooo hard to choose... But I have to say rusty hinge gets my vote... mind you I changed my mind 4 times tee-hee... Hugs May x x x

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  36. Well it's the aged mahogany for me Anita, why? Because it was ine if the first distress ink pads I bought and yes that was many moons ago too. In fact I have had to replace it because the first one got so gunged up. But whatever the colour you always give us a great make and a fab post to read.
    Sorry I haven't been around much but I have been away and now find I was no longer one of your followers. I don't know what blogger has been doing but I have joined again.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  37. Great cards Anita! I love each! I found it hysterical that Aged M. was the only Distress Ink color I never bought until 3 weeks ago. I thought I had them all but darned if that one got away from me. Still not opened. I am on vacation down south this week, and hope I get to play with you guys later in the week. I am running around in Col. Williamsburg looking for Patrick Henry and gang. Archival is my favorite black as I can do so much with it and never worry.

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  38. What a clever way to use the large tag. Aged Mahogany was my fave, although I also thought the other two were pretty.

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  39. These are all gorgeous -- please don't make me pick! And your instructions are fantastic! I always always love your work.

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  40. Love them all! And I love your tutorials!

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  41. Beautifully done....they all are great. I was surprised to see the Jet Black used, and yet it turned out very well. My favorite is the Rusty Hinge. You always do such great, inspirational work.....Thank you.

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  42. Hi Anita, love your tags, the flowers are stunning and each colour is gorgeous but today my favourite would be rusty hinge, has a real warmth and summery feel too it and I really am hoping for a little sunshine and warmth here in the UK. Tracy x

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  43. Awesome Anita. Well aged Mahogany was one of the first Distress Inks I purchased, my house too has Christmas colours all year round. But.... There's always a but. When I start inking I reach for Autumn colours. It is my absolute favourite season, and of course it is Autumn now in Aus. Soooo I would have to go with Peeled Paint. That makes perfect sence doesn't it? Seriously I love so many different colours and inks. This is just too hard to call. Love all your cards.

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  44. These tag cards are beautiful! I love how you inked up the flowers to go with!! :) Evie

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  45. Hi Anita, love them all flowers designs every tiny bit of them. xoxoxox always a treat to see what you come up with. xoxo

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  46. Beautiful tag cards! I too couldn't' decide so I picked one of my favorites. I do love the richness of the mahogany and the brightness of the yellow. Wonderful designs and lovely choices of ink pads!

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  47. All three are gorgeous but I always lean towards "Rusty Hinge".

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  48. Glad to see someone loves Aged Mahogany as much as I do...I would have to go with #1 but I will say that #3 is a close second! Happy crafting! Tracy P.

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  49. Wow! It is so beautiful cards for birthday :) I love all elements and the backgroud is really stunning I love how you used the paper notes. And background colors are stunning and beautiful flowers. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful inspiration for a birthday card. I think everyone would like such a lovely Birthday card to get :) :) Greetings Asia

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  50. OOOH! What a fab trio, Anita! I love the colors you chose :)


    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  51. I'm the 50th comment, OMG winner winner chicken dinner! lol.........love your use of color and nonsense rumblings GF........hugs

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  52. Gorgeous Anita! Love those flowers!

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  53. Wow!! These are stunning!! I love that Mahogany too. Cards out of tags, how clever is that. Such a great idea. YOu always inspire me!!

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  54. I agree... tough call! Your tag cards are all so lovely, and a perfect example of how the choice of color changes things up. I love all the details you added from tapes to paste... yum! Your Rusty Hinge version is my fave.

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  55. what a cool way to use those tags!!! LOVE!

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  56. Hi Anita, very difficult all three are lovely! At this moment in time if i really had to choose from these three it would be ........rusty hinge, but aged mahogany is so nice, or may be jet black mmmmm! in your fair hands they are all lovely

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  57. These are beautiful and very cleverly designed cards, Anita! They seem to be pretty fast and easy to make too. Blessings!

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  58. Hi Anita, ooh I love that grungy black one, but then the rusty hinge one is so rich, and that aged mahogany is gorgeous. Hmmm, no - cant pick a favourite any more than you can! And that goes for the ink pads too. I have a new favourite every day. Have to agree about the archival black though, it's probably my most used. It was vey clever of you to make such a fab creation just using that one ink pad! I ran out of time this week and wished I'd known what the challenge was going to be, nothing I like better than getting inky :-) (oh, except maybe getting some rays in the garden lol! Hope you're having a great weekend. Maddy x

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  59. First, your cards are all beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Second, I couldn't pick a favorite either and what I use the most changes a lot. I don't even really have a favorite color outside of ink although sometimes I think it's pink but then I like the earthly colors a lot too and then sometimes I'm just into the jewel tones. We could go back to my childhood when I knew which color in the big Crayola box was my favorite and that was Magenta!!!!

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  60. Great idea to try this card three ways. It is interesting to compare the DI's with the Archival in that way. Think I would like a different one each day depending on mood and weather conditions so having a choice all the time is good! Hugs, Jenny x

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  61. These are marvelous I love all the different stamps and trimmings you used to add texture and interest. Ink pads are like lays potato chips "no one can have just one!" <maniacal laugh, maniacal laugh...Not now 80s robot!"

    Amy*

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