Playing with Oxide Inks #2, Happy Birthday!

I know I have been missing a bit from Blogland - I had foot surgery done and have to wear this walking boot. For the first week I was literally on my couch taking advantage of the nice pain killers. I am feeling better and will be back to full steam ahead shortly! 

I had seen some cool stuff made out of the oxide inks on black cardstock so I decided to give it a whirl.  Perfect timing as I had to make the Man a Birthday Card.  This is what I came up with:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Card
Mini Ink Blending Tool
Distress Oxide Inks: Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade & Faded Jeans
Tim Holtz Mini Stencil, #10, Flourish
Tim Holtz Mini Stencil, #4, Blossom
Quietfire Designs - Happy Birthday Plain & Simple, #5899
Sizzix/Tim Holtz, Labels, #660060
Piece of Blue/Gray Card from Stash

I would have liked the colors to be more vibrant, but the muted colors are very pretty as well.  On this card, at first, I didn't use any spritzes of water - nothing

but the inks themselves.  I had been building on the color and building on the color when I remembered a technique where you could use stencils, and I had just gotten those 2 new mini sets, so I stopped my mad inking, went to Pinterest (I am totally, without a doubt, addicted to Pinterest) and found the technique I wanted. This one uses a baby wipe to remove some color through the stencil, which I did, then I used the ink directly through the stencil with the mini ink applicator.  On the left side of the card I used the flourish stencil; on the right, the blossom stencil.  I couldn't tell you which inks went where.  That, I think, is my favorite property (so far) about these Oxide inks - you literally cannot make a mistake and if you don't like your pattern, colors, etc. just keep inking until you do!  I've been inking paper after paper, incorporating Ken Oliver's Liquid Metals at times.  It reminds me of the old way of making Polished Stone with alcohol inks and Krylon leafing pens (way back in the day prior to Tim Holtz). I have lots more to show you, but let me get back to this card.  I put the black card panel under my drying tile and left it there overnight. 

Another Look

The next day, I stamped the sentiment on a piece of scrap card, using the Oxide Ink in Faded Jeans, and die cut it with the Labels die cuts.  I am absolutely thrilled with how the card came out; I'm really happy with all the new tricks you can do with these inks.  I've been making backgrounds like crazy but I had to have some minor surgery on my foot, and that is keeping me out of the craft room as I need to keep it elevated.  But, I promise, the wait is worth it! Thank you so much for your continued loyalty and perhaps I've inspired you to check out some new techniques! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Man's Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown - #347, For the Men
Everybody Art  Challenge - #405, Happy Birthday
Cards in Envy - You're the Man
Just For Fun (M) - For the Guys