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!