Let’s Talk about ~ Blending 101

Phew, made it to the middle of the week! Each week brings new adventures in my household and I never know what each day will bring. But I made it to Wednesday without much excitement. If you have noticed, this week I have been creating cards that involve blending. So let’s talk about Blending 101.

There are many blending techniques that you can use in your card making. If you remember, on Monday I masked off the card layer and created a sunset. On Tuesday, I masked the image and blended around the masking and added a layer of vellum with the image stamped on it. Today I am using a stencil. Let’s rewind and talk about blending.

Color Palette

Blending is very popular when it comes to card making. It may be difficult to know where to start if you have never blended before so here are some:

Blending Tips

• You want to use the right paper. You want to use paper that is smooth and a bit heavy. Thank goodness Stampin’ Up! card stock fits both those needs. The card stock is smooth and heavy weight.
• Have the right tools. Depending on the look you want to achieve, having the proper tools is essential. For the polka dots on the Basic White layer, I used a stencil and Stampin’ Up! blending brushes. These brushes allow for easy blending. For darker colors you would blend several layers using your desired color. There are also daubers available. I actually used a dauber to add color to the die cut flower on today’s card.
• Use the right craft mat. The best way to blend is to have a glass mat or a smooth surface under your card stock. It allows for smoother blending since you want to start off the card stock so you do not leave dark marks on your card stock.
• If you are going to use a dauber or blending pad/sponge make sure it is saturated with ink. It blends much better with a saturated pad.
• Holding down the paper. The best way to keep your card stock secure from moving is painters tape. The roll looks like masking tape but is blue. Using this tape will not harm the paper if it is not that sticky. If you find the tape to be too sticky, run it over your hands a few times.

More Blending 101 Tips

• Start off the page. Like I mentioned above, starting off the page will get you into the right rhythm and help you avoid harsh lines from your blending tool. You also want to blend your ink in a circular motion, whether you are using a brush or a dauber.
• Build your color. When blending, it is all about building the color. You want to start with light color application and touch. If you start with too dark a color, you can not remove it. When you start light you can build the layers till you get just the right color.
• Get the right pressure. This is the hardest part to achieve. If you are heavy handed, like I am, you may want to try blending with your elbow on the table. I adjust the blending brush in my hand. I hold the brush down towards the end of the handle and not up towards the bristle head to achieve the blending I want.
• Protect you paper. If you did not tack down your paper for this technique, you will want to protect your paper layer. Blending can get messy. Keep your fingers clean and cover the areas of your card stock that you will not be blending to protect it from unwanted smears.

I did not forget the inside of the card but I did not use the any blending 101 techniques. I stamped the sentiment and added a die cut to the inside.