Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Step into Spring Blog Hop

Hello and Welcome to my blog! Today we are celebrating the beginning of a new season with the Step into Spring Blog Hop brought to you by the Design Team from Memorable Seasons! 

If you did not start your hop today on the Memorable Seasons blog , please jump back over there so you do not miss anything. Today we are looking at the word S-P-R-I-N-G and taking you through all the steps for creating a fabulous layout using an exclusive sketch created for this blog hop by Liz Chidester, which was the first step! You have already hopped through the letters S, P and R, and now you are here for the letter I.

The letter "I" will stand for the technique of "inking".

I love adding ink to my layouts--it gives the paper layers so much depth and allows you to customize your layout completely. You can add any type of ink to your layout (ink pads, paint, mists, etc), but I chose to just use ink pads on mine. And you can use as little or as much ink as you'd like...you just have to include it on your layout as part of this challenge. 

To add depth to the edges of your paper, just use a foam applicator and an ink pad and lightly flick the ink on the edges. This gives a really soft look to the edges and helps tie multiple colors together on your layout.
The photo above is the paper with no ink around the edges and the photo below shows the difference a little ink makes.
Another way to add ink is to use stamps. On this layout, I created a stamped border with several stamp sets and ink colors. I started with a ruler and a pencil to draw a line, then I used the protractor stamp and watermark ink to add a line of semi circles to the layout base. Then I added the turquoise doily stamped layer, followed by the red doily stamped layers in between the turquoise doilies.
Here is my layout up to this point. 
I also used ink in an unexpected way on some accents and for the title on my layout. Be sure to follow the blog hop all the way back to the Memorable Seasons forum post to see how else I used my inks and to see the layout completely finished.

Be sure to leave me a comment here on my blog telling me what you think about this step. By doing so, you will be one step closer to a fabulous Memorable Seasons prize as well as getting your name entered in for a RAK from me!  Also, be sure to hop all the way until the end, where you will be taken back to the Memorable Seasons forum, where you will see a complete reveal of all the Design Team's finished layouts and the full details for this challenge! 

Now it's your turn to head on over to Tami's blog , where she will be giving you the 5th step in S-P-R-I-N-G 
(the letter N)!

Have a nice day!

Here are a list of the blogs and in the correct order:
Megan's blog: http://www.made-by-design.blogspot.com/  **(You are Here now)**
Memorable Seasons Forum: Blog Hop Challenge Thread


29 comments:

jdahman said...

I am sooooo lovin' the stamped border!!! I need me some of those MME doily stamps!!! Can't wait to see the finished LO!!

Laura C said...

Saying hello! I've tried all of your techniques before but a great reminder to do them again. I'll have to try to remember to go back to Kristin's blog - it wasn't up yet

Kimberly said...

Loving the stamped border...can't wait to get started!

Tami said...

You always inspire me to use my stamps more-Thanks Megan!

ruth said...

I ink edges often, but I'm really encouraged to get my stamps out today and create some type of embellishment with them. :) I love what you did!!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea to use the repeating stamps as a border!! Makes me look at my stamps in a whole new light.

ScrapMomOf2 said...

I distress, ink, and stamp all the time! I love ink!!

Heather said...

Ok i LOVE your stamped border. I hadn't ever thought of that. I will have to look and see what I have to use my stamps that way.

Dria said...

great job! love your inking!

Joni Parker said...

Your border is beautiful!! You're the ink queen!! I wanna go do some stamping now!!

Mish086 said...

Very pretty border! Never thought to draw a line and go! I am a follower already! Love your stamping and inking!
Michelle
ScrapbookingSOS.blogspot.com

wendipooh13 said...

ohhhhh always love to see what you are up to with your inking!!!! great technique!! I always feel kinda naked when my pages aren't inked

Laura Cox {aka scrapaddict} said...

Oooo, I just love ink!! Love that ink is your "letter"!! Great looking start....will be fun to see the finish!

bakscrap said...

I really love the look of inking. I forget to do this, need to do more often.

connie said...

I love inking on my LO's! Love your border.

Jenny said...

Inking...one of my favorite techniques!!!

Dettao said...

That stamped border is just gorgeous

Christy said...

I love the dollie stamps and have them coming in my next box. Thanks for the inspiration!

Christy

Jean said...

That stamped border is wonderful!! THanks for the great directions!

Kayla W said...

Oooohhh! I love ink and stamping. Thanks for the wonderful ideas!

Sally Cranney said...

Inking is a perfect step for you to be teaching us Megan. You always amaze me with your stamping talent. Thanks for some great inspiration. Gonna have to think about how I want to incorporate ink on my layout. Fun stuff!

Tracy said...

Ink and mist have pretty much become a requirement for me on every LO!

Patricia said...

Loving that stamp set you used! Looking forward to seeing the entire layout!

Caroline said...

I love using ink too, in fact it's on most of my LO's! I love your stamped border too!!

Unknown said...

I love the neat ideas for inking! I don't have any stamps yet, but I'm still having a blast! Thank you!

Debra Peloso said...

I'm just learning all of the inking techniques and what you did with the stamps is really rad. Thanks

Tammy said...

Such a cute border! I love inking, but have never done it as a border before - great idea Megan!

Unknown said...

Love what you did with the ink! Can't wait to see your finished layout!

~Telah said...

Just now getting around to doing my hopping! Love the idea you gave for stamping a border! Great work!