Water Distressed Inking Technique

I have been asked how I create backgrounds and achieve some of the really unique looks I do on my layouts. This is in no way my own idea but I truly don't recall where I learned these techniques. What I do know is that they make me happy and work unique. So to whomever I learned these tips from thanks.

1) Start with a light colored cardstock, I typically start with white or ivory. In my layout, I started with white cardstock. A smooth cardstock is easier to work with than a textured one.

2) Get a few colours of Tim Holtz's distress inks. I am sure there are others out there (so they tell me but I work with the Ranger line). Then using the pads directly I randomly ink all over the card stock.

Then using a make up sponge or the Ranger Ink applicator I pick up ink from the pad and start rubbing it on the cardstock, blending the colors together. In my layout, I've used some sponges and a few combination of distress ink to do it. (vintage photos, frayed burlap, tea dyed, scattered straw, brushed corduroy, aged mahogany and black soot).

Work it until you are happy with the general look but don't panic if it isn't perfect because it is not going to look like this for long.
3) At this point I did some scissor distressing.

4) Before I water distress my new pattern paper for my layout. I stamp images using my permanant ink. If I want the image to distress as well stamp using a darker distress ink. I have stamped using both types of pads.

5) Just use your fingers and sprinkle some water to splatter randomly all over the inked and stamped card stock. Then take a dry paper towel and pat it down the longer you leave the water the greater the "blotch" look.

Before the paper dried, I crumpled it and then Used a ink pad to wipe over the wrinkles.Isn't this cool? Try it! Show me your projects I am excited to see what you have created with them.