Do you waste time searching for the ‘perfect’ matching coloured cardstock? Today, I share how I take these cards from white to WOW, with 4 easy techniques!

I’ve been on a Dye Ink ‘stretching’ kick at the moment and, if you have been here before, you already know that I love to get more out of my supplies. Check out this release post from Altenew where I shared 4 EASY ways to add colour with Dye Inks. But, I couldn’t stop there, because today I have even more examples to inspire including a BONUS technique!

Would you like to see today’s cards?

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This post contains affiliate links (which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of these card adventures!

Technique #1 – Ink Blended Backgrounds – ALL the Ways!

I had to mention Ink Blending (again) as I used it in ALL of my designs today. But it is truly such an easy way to create quick and easy coloured cardstock that it couldn’t be missed.

And, it doesn’t have to be boring, inks can be layered as a single colour, add depth with extra layers of the same colour or darker versions. It’s also easy to mix and blend multiple colours, making for a fun background technique, such as in my first design here, where I also added some dimension with an embossing folder.

PRO TIP: To get a smooth result, practice with different types of cardstock and brushes. For me, I get the best results using the Altenew Large Blending Brushes, but everyone is different.

Technique #2 – Ink Swiping

Have you ever tried Ink Swiping? It is exactly what it sounds like, and very easy to do, simply ‘swipe’ any ink pad directly onto white cardstock. Can you imagine the possibilities of adding perfectly matching cardstock with your stamped images? These little snowmen are decorated with die cut ‘ink swiped’ hats and scarfs!

PRO TIP: I like to wait a few minutes for the dye ink to dry into the paper before I do any die cutting.

Technique #3 – Ink Blended Die Cuts!

More ink blending? Yes, why not ‘pre-colour’ cardstock to die cut, you can achieve nice soft subtle colours, ombre, bold or even multi coloured cardstock. Use the pre-coloured cardstock to die cut shapes such as the flowers in my second card design here, or take it a step further and use them for a layered die cut design.

You may have noticed that again I have ink blended the background, but this time I masked off a window and then added a second layer using a stencil to create some subtle clouds.

Technique #4 – Handmade Design Paper!

Create your own Design Paper! I started with a lightly blended single colour in the background and then I added a repeated random pattern using a flower and leaves. Note, that if you are stamping on coloured cardstock then the original colour that you are stamping over top will look slightly different so make sure to test on a practice piece first.

PRO TIP: To get a continuous pattern/design paper look make sure that you stamp some of the images over the edge, this makes the pattern look like it is meant to continue.

BONUS Technique – Alcohol Markers!

This one never gets old for me. And you now have coloured cardstock as large as your marker selection 😉! Just grab your marker colour of choice and literally scribble onto the cardstock. I also like to wait a few seconds for the cardstock to dry before die cutting to get a nice crisp die cut edge.

OR, you can also use option number 2 which is to die cut the cardstock first and then colour it with your markers… you can even add multiple shades like I have here on the wood in the fireplace.

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Phew! That was huge, I hope you are inspired to stretch some Dye Inks yourself! Crafty Hugs,

Other Supplies: Altenew – SHOP the New RELEASE HERE
Altenew Artist Markers – Y911 | Y207 | Y 612 | Y634 | Y762 | R601 | S
Altenew Glitter Cardstock – Sparkling Peach

Affiliate links are used

Neenah Solar 110 SSS | AUZ	Neenah Solar 80 SSS | AUZ	Fairy Dust Glitter Cardstock ALT | SSS | AUZ	Through The Window ALT
Snowy Stars 3D ALT	Cloud Scene Stencil ALT	Linear Life: Poinsettias Bundle ALT | AUZ	Linear Life: Poinsettias ALT | SSS
Linear Life: Poinsettias Dies ALT | SSS	Wood Stove Fireplace ALT	Rainforest Leaves ALT | SSS	Vintage Roses ALT
Vintage Flowers ALT	Obsidian ALT | SSS | AUZ	Cloud White ALT | SSS | AUZ	Dried Petals Ink Set ALT
Pink Crystal ALT	Mauve ALT	Berrylicious ALT	Acai Berry ALT
Forest Trail Ink Set ALT	Aloe Vera ALT	Matcha Tea ALT	Swamp Green ALT
Oak Moss ALT	Wood Warbler Ink Set ALT	Icy Lemonade ALT	Oolong Tea ALT
Citronella ALT	Green Gold ALT	Dew Drops ALT | SSS | AUZ	Ocean Waves ALT | SSS | AUZ
Ink Blending Tool ALT | SSS | AUZ	Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS | AUZ	Artist Markers – Set A ALT | AUZ	Artist Markers – Set B ALT
Artist Marker Set D ALT	Sunshine Valley Garden Set F ALT	Water Garden Set G ALT	Tweezers ALT | SSS | AUZ
Stampwheel Square Grid Flip Plate ALT	Stampwheel ALT | SSS | AUZ	Score Board ALT | SSS | AUZ	Sticky Grid Mat ALT | SSS | AUZ
Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT	Cutting Mat ALT | SSS	Paper Trimmer SSS	Mini Blossom ALT
Bigshot SSS	Gemini Junior SSS	Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ	Bearly Art Glue SSS | AUZ
Glue Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ	1/2″ Ultra Sticky Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ	Foam Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ