Lockhart Peonies & Copic Ribbon Dying

This weekend was VSN (Virtual Stamp Night) over at Splitcoaststampers.com and my dear friend, Lori, hosted this challenge -- to "Pur Your Brand on That".  Meaning to use something that is YOUR signature mark in cardmaking, along with HER signature use of kraft cardstock.  So here's my card using my all-time favorite go-to, a floral image (and one of my favorite Lockhart Stamp Company images!):

Probably about 9 times out of 10, you'll see me using a floral image -- I LOVE them!  Florals are so bright and comforting to me and I love that you can usually color them just about ANY color, which leads me to the next thing I use on probably about 9.9 out of 10 projects -- Copic markers ... check!  And then there's sewing, which I also use a LOT ... check!

On this card I tried out a new way to hand dye seam binding (or any ribbon), since I don't have this newer RV66 Copic Various Ink Refill yet (the midtone I used on the flowers) -- using a Copic marker (you can find my ribbon dying tutorial using Various Ink Refills HERE):

1 -- Color the ribbon with a marker.  I use the chisel end since it has a larger surface area and covers quicker.  You'll notice that the marker color placed directly onto the ribbon will make it stiffer than when you started.  I recommend using a little darker color than you'd like the ribbon to turn out because some of the color will be "bleached out" in the next step:

So for example, the darker parts of this ribbon ended up matching closer with the darkest RV69 color I used in my flower coloring.

2 -- Put the ribbon into a plastic baggie and place a few drops of Colorless Blender Solution (about 3-4 drops) onto the ribbon in various spots, then scrunch the ribbon around to distribute the Blender Solution.  The Blender will "bleach out" or remove some color, giving you that uneven hand-dyed look, using just one marker color:

3 -- When you are satisfied with the dying results, and while the ribbon is still a little damp, take it out of the baggie and wad it up tightly inside a tissue or paper towel.  This will remove some of the excess color that is still damp and also put some wrinkles back into the ribbon, which will give it a shabbier worn look (which I love!).  Alternately, if you are happy with the color you see in the baggie, then take the ribbon out and stretch it out flat to dry on a paper towel.  CAUTION: Until the ink dries, it may stain whatever it comes in contact with!

Once the Copic alcohol ink has dried (it won't take long once it's out of the baggie), if you would like more wrinkles in the ribbon just spritz it with water and scrunch it again. This will also make the ribbon a little less stiff.  But since the ink is a permanent alcohol base, the color won't reactivate or bleed onto anything when wetting it with water.  I usually do this after I've tied my bow, to scrunch it into a shape I like.

If you'd like to play along in the VSN challenges, you still have until 8:00 pm tonight to do so!

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company-#2128 Peonies,
Paper: My Mind's Eye Lost & Found-Blush 6x6, Copic X-Press It Blending Card, Gina K Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight cardstock-Kraft & Innocent Pink 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Copic Markers: RV63, RV66, RV69, YG61, YG63, YG67, YR20, YR21, W0, W1, W3; Pink & Yellow Atyou Spica Glitter Pens,
Accessories:  Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Motifs, Classic Circle Nestabilities, Classic Triple Scallop Edgeabilities, Grand Calibur; white seam binding, foam tape, sewing machine + thread

Comments

[Karen Ilsley]

1.

Wow, what a beautiful card. Love the ribbon colored to match. Peonies are really pretty too!

[Lagene Sands]

2.

Gorgeous card! Thanks so much for the tutorial for coloring ribbon!

[Linda]

3.

Beautiful card! Thanks for the coloring of ribbon idea. I have been coloring my ribbon but didn't know about the colorless blender technique. Love it!
Thanks
Linda

[Pattie Goldman]

4.

Love this card Sharon...the two different stitches caught my eye too! I love this stamp...and I dye my own ribbon with my Copics all the time! TFS!

[conniecrafter]

5.

Lovely!

[Bev J.]

6.

Beautifully colored flowers!!

[Marcie Smith]

7.

Thanks for tutorial on dying ribbon. Love new ways. Simply gorgeous card.
Marcie

[Kathy Martin]

8.

Those flowers are colored so beautifully! :)

[lois skiathitis]

9.

Your card is very pretty, love the coloring on these flowers just superbly done. Thanks for the tip on coloring the ribbon. TFS!!! :-D

[Angel]

10.

LOVE this! I will be trying it SOON! {{hugs}}

[Sharron / Sharrahug]

11.

Gorgeous card & thanks so much for the great ribbon dying with Copics tutorial. Great idea!
Huggies ~
Sharron♥

[Colleen Dietrich]

12.

Fantastic tip on coloring white ribbon! THanks for sharing that. THe card is beautiful, too; the flower image is so pretty.