Are you a fan of ink blending? It’s one of my favourite ways to build beautiful…
floral designs! If you’ve been looking for ways to add color and dimension, I’ve got 3 simple ink blending techniques that will make your projects stand out!
Would you like to see today’s cards?
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This post is part of a Hop celebrating a new release from Altenew and you can find all of the hop details, including how you have a chance to WIN in the link list below!
#INKBLENDING
Ink blending is one of those techniques that can completely transform your card designs. It creates a soft, gradient look that adds richness and depth. Combine it with beautiful floral images, and you’ve got a recipe for gorgeous cards! Here are the 3 ink blending techniques that I used to create today’s designs:
Technique #1 – Direct to Die Cuts
Adding ink blending directly onto your die cuts is an easy way to bring more life and dimension to your florals. For today’s project, I used these floral dies, and blended ink onto the centre of each petal to make them stand out.
Ensure that you add the ink before layering the die cuts together, and for some extra punch and dimension, you can also ‘roll’ the petals with a pen.
PRO TIP: You can step-this-up by adding multiple colours of ink, colour the whole petal… or why not start with coloured cardstock die cut and ink blend onto that.
Technique # 2 – Stencils
Stencils make ink blending a breeze while giving you control over the design. I used a floral stencil to blend a bunch of small blooms to create a lush, dimensional look for this bouquet.
I also used the co-ordinating stencils to add the look of dimension to the vase. I was able to focus the ink more toward the outer edges of the image to give the illusion of shading.
BONUS IDEA: Don’t have the matching stencil? Simply create a reverse mask or use Post-It notes to mask off the area that you want to add ink blending to.
Technique #3 – Stamping & Stencils
Prefer to have an ‘outline’ on your image. This is where co-ordinating stamps and stencils make fast work of crafting beautiful blooms and your designs.
Typically, I stamp the image first, but leave the stamps in place in the positioning tool. Next, I blend the ink colours, often mixing them up with lighter and darker shades to give a more dimensional look.
And once the image is coloured, then I restamp it to ‘crisp’ the outlines once again.
Bonus Idea
Sick of boring white backgrounds (says no-one ever lol.)? But seriously, a fun and easy way to step-up your card is to add a light layer of ink blending to the background.
I do not bother with any masking and I use a large tool, and a lighter colour of ink. This can totally change the look of your card!
Giveaway Prizes
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by May 15th for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on May 16th 2025.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Let’s Hop
Which technique will you try first? Let me know your favorite in the comments below—I’d love to hear what you think!
Crafty Hugs,
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Love your card designs, simply gorgeous!
Thanks so much Kailash!
Love your cards Therese. You do a great job 😊
So beautiful very inviting! I love this.
Thanks so much!
Pastel power! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you
Very pretty!!
Thank you Sonja!
Both of your cards are stunning! LOVE those florals! Yes, I love ink blending too, and I love how you have made those plain white backgrounds even more interesting with hints of ink blending. Lovely work!
And it’s such a quick way to add colour… any colour!
such beautiful flowers!
Thanks Bonita!
Absolutely STUNNING! I love how elegant these are! I am a fan of ink blending, since I took an Altenew class and learned the tips and tricks 🙂 The keyhole system is a GAME CHANGER! TFS!
I agree. the keyholes are amazing!!
these are lovely
Thanks Tina!
Alluring is an understatement love it!
So glad you liked them!
So so lovely!
Thank you Nadia!
Uhm…can I just say…stunning cards! I love the soft delicate colors you used on the cards! I am in awe of the first one especially where you stenciled those blue flowers in the background!!
Thanks so much Patty!
Fantastic magnolias. Lovely and elegant. The light blue around the border of the second card is wonderful.
Your cards are beautiful, Therese! I love visiting your blog and seeing the little pro tips you include each time!
Thank you so much Carie!
Wow! These cards are amazing!
Sensational, soft, and beautiful!
Thank you so much!
Gorgeous magnolias! dreamy!
Two beautiful cards Therese. I just love them both. The addition of the soft centre colours make the flowers on the first one pop! And love the beautiful stenciling on the second one. Just incredible.
Absolutely gorgeous makes Therese, so delightful and pretty, You have such wealth of knowledge to share too. I’m in aw of your work, you’re so talented. Hugs xx
I LOVE these flowers and the way you inked them!!!! Just so elegant
Gorgeous florals! Love the pot of flowers and stenciled background–adds so much depth and dimension and beauty! And your second card is just as beautiful! 2 FAB designs! TFS!!!
Blended bless this is so beautiful!
So glad you like them!
Beautiful cards… I love how soft they look.
Thank you Deborah!
Gorgeous cards with these beautiful magnolia flowers! I love the colors and dimension!
It’s such a pretty flower!
Therese! I just bought a different Magnolia and am really loving this layered one more! See the trouble you get me into?? Ha! It’s all good!
Gorgeous makes, my friend!
=]
Is that… good or bad trouble lol.
The little blue flowers in the background add so much to the look. I do so love blue flowers.
It’s Tasnim’s fault that I make blue flowers now, I never ever used to lol.
Every time I turn around I am seeing this loves set “Magnificent Magnolias”. I must get that one. These cards are lovely.
It is a beautiful set, I am so glad you like it too Sharron!
You can’t go wrong with these stunning magnolias! So beautiful!
I agree Angela, they are stunning!
Love what your magic did with that set, Therese. Always gorgeous!
Thank you Claudia, so glad you liked these!
Beautiful cards! Thanks for the ink blending techniques, one of my favorite techniques! Using stencils makes everything look so great!
Thank you Sheri, these ink blending tools have made our lives so much easier, I was terrible at blending with sponges lol.
The cards are really lovely. Thanks for your tips,too. Ink blending on die cuts is what I’ll try first! That Big Hugs card is my favorite!
Ink blending on die cuts is one of my faves to get a different look (even on coloured cardstock). Hope you have fun with it!
Your cards are always so beautiful, Therese.
Thank you Mari!
Gasp! Both so beautiful!!
Yay! Thanks Cindy!
I love the different designs you created using the magnolias! Your cards are stunning!
Thank you Lauryne!
Absolutely gorgeous floral cars!
So glad you like them Gayle!
All lovely!! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Thank you Cynthia
I love how you have stenciled florals in the background with the dimensional floral as your focal point. BEAUTIFUL!
I have started to use your technique of re-stamping over a colored image to sharpen the image and it definitely makes a difference. You are a GENIUS!
Thank you for all your tips- they are helping me craft better!
You are so very sweet, we are all inspired by each other! thank you June, hope you have a lovely weekend!
These cards are gorgeous! I love the use of stenciled flowers behind the diecuts to fill out the beautiful bouquet.
Thank you Laurie!
beautiful job on your cards & the use of the Altenew May release products! these cards represent the south in card form. love the magnolia blossoms & color choice! comment by Shannon Bettis
Thank you so very much Shannon, I adore Magnolias and couldn’t resist this set lol.
Beautiful card ❤️
Thanks so much!
Such beautiful cards! Beautiful colors and techniques!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Sabra!
Absolutely gorgeous cards!
Thank you Sandra, so glad you like them!
I love flowers that pop off the page. These cards are amazing.
You are a girl after my own heart Donna, I love a bit of dimension too!
Beautiful florals, exceptionally and delicately coloured and the magnificent magnolias is on my to buy list.
Marie
Aren’t they magnificent!
Wow! Your cards are so beautiful. Love the magnolias.TFS
Thanks so much Jeanne!
Gorgeous. I love the color combo. I love the magnolia set.
I agree Jeanne, these Magnolias are dreamy!
Therese these are beautiful! 😍 Is there a die for the vases or did you fussy cut?
I fussy cut it, because it is 3D it was very easy to do.
Such lovely cards! I especially like the one with the vase and flowers.
Thank you Dorothy!
I love the flowers and combinations for the designs!
So glad you like them, thank you Ms. Tamp!
Beautiful cards!
Thanks Leanne!
Beautiful cards! And thank you for all the tips on the post – very informative. I love the black circle sentiment on the third card. It’s such a striking look.
Thank you so much Carole!
Love these cards. Your work is always stunning.
You are the sweetest, thank you Cheryle!
Fantastic blending ideas with great results!
Thanks so much Mary-Anne!
These cards are gorgeous!!
Beautiful cards Therese! Love the Magnificent Magnolias CYLK! TFS