A Simple Tag for the Distressed Much Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to the Distressed Much Technique Blog Hop where we will be showing you a variety of distressing techniques as we highlight a few of our current Close to My Heart products! If you have come here from Tamara Sandwisch’s blog, you are on the right path! When you are finished reading, you can click on the link at the end to move to the next blog. This blog hop is simple, fun, and full of ideas.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melissa’s Blog.

There are a multitude of ways to distress a project, which, unfortunately, many people avoid because they are worried that they are “doing it wrong”.  I want to assure you that there really is no “wrong way” to distress a project, but there are some great methods you can use to prevent your project from looking like a mess of ink and paper shreds.  As I created my Simple Saint Patrick Day’s tag♥, I focused on an assortment of distressing techniques that I plan to show to you, today.

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Using Pigment Inks for an Old World Look

Most of us only use Pigment inks for heat embossing and blending, but did you know that they create a vintage look♥ when used with Kraft paper? Since Kraft paper is porous, the ink soaks into the paper and causes the stamped image to appear soft and distressed. On my tag,  I used our Family Legacy stamp set with Espresso Pigment ink to create this faded background. 

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Inked Edges Created a Worn, Rugged Look

There is such a thing as ‘over-inking” when it comes to distressing with an ink and sponge.  Before you try this technique, you will want to have the correct tools.  If you chose to use a porous sponge, you are going to get a rougher look versus using a smother sponge, like a sponge dauber or blender tool, which gives you a softer look. 

When you are inking the edges, you will want to work from the outside-in.  I usually start by applying the ink, not to my project, but onto my All Purpose Mat and blend towards my project. This prevents huge amounts of ink from getting onto my edges.  I also apply more ink to corners where items would wear down naturally if left over time. 

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Roughing the Paper for a Worn Look

There are some who love a torn edge and others who find it all a bit messy.  Personally, I think it depends on your project♥. If you are creating a piece that looks like it has sat in a box over the years, then it should have some worn down edges. If it is fresh, bright, and new, then a rough torn edge may seem out of place. 

On my project, I wanted the edge of the paper to match the rest of the old-world look, so I took the edge of my scissors and scraped the sides of the die cut heart.  Instead of leaving it white, I chose to add little bit of ink to the sides.

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These are just a few of the ways that you can add some distressing to your projects. I hope that you have learned something new and are inspired to pull out your pigment inks, sponges, and scissors to give a little worn look to your projects. 

Now ‘Hop” on over to Katy Taylor’s blog to see her work! She always has some amazing projects for you.  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting tips and other fun ideas for Distressing.