Happy inking from Sassy Stampers Sara Clark, Renee Smith, and Cynde Rodriguez.
Vicki Baker
One of the biggest misconceptions about cardmaking is that tons of supplies, expensive tools, and complicated techniques are needed to create beautiful handmade cards. Quite the opposite is true. The foundation of cardmaking can be as simple as paper, a few stamps, and some inks, and you can create hundreds of cards.
One easy way to add dimension and undeniable charm to your cards is by dry embossing. Yet, sometimes the embossed layers are missing a little something and are still a bit underwhelming. Ever thought about adding a splash of color to those beautifully raised patterns? Step up Debbie Warrick, club member, who offered some fun inky tips to Sassy Stampers with stunning and colorful results.
This month’s special project took our cards to the next level using a direct ink-to-paper technique that brought out the gorgeous textures from our embossing. Applying ink to embossed paper adds dimension, highlights textures, and creates dramatic backgrounds. No fancy tools needed—just ink pads, embossing folders, papers, and your own creativity!
And best of all, there’s no right or wrong way to add color to embossed designs. The key is exploring with different inks, embossing designs, and papers (glossy vs. matte) to find what resonates with your artistic vision.
There you have it. The perfect combination of simple steps and big impact. Whether you’re crafting for a birthday, a holiday, or just sending warm wishes—it works for just about anyone on your list. You’ll love how the direct ink-to-paper technique lets you add contrast and polish without needing any advanced tools, and the layout is easy to duplicate using various embossing folders or themes.
So, grab your favorite inks and some embossing folders; experiment and watch your card designs come to life with a burst of color and style. And if you need more inspiration, visit Sassy Stampers in the CATC on the third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. We have tons more ideas to share with you. For more information contact club president, Debbie Warrick, at 214-668-9441 or debbiew02@verizon.net.