Irresistible Inking with Layered Cupcakes

Hello crafters! I’m bringing you another project for my Altenew Educators Certification Program (AECP) and I’m focused on the course, Irresistible Inking Techniques which is part of Level One. I chose to use the Layered Cupcakes stamp set two different ways to demonstrate some of the techniques I learned. I loved this course because it takes you back to the basics and teaches core techniques that every stamper should have in their arsenal. Irresistible Inking consists of four lessons and can be taken at your pace making learning very enjoyable.

For the focal point cupcake, I used the technique used in lesson one which is simple layering stamping direct to paper. I loved that the instructor Sara Nauman gave us permission to use only one layer of a stamp set to give a clean and simple, but artsy look to the stamping. For example with this first or focal cupcake, I stamped the outline stamp first using an acrylic block and then stamped one of the three layers in a single color. For the the icing, I used Altenew’s Coral Bliss, and for the cake Rich Cocoa from Memento.

For the other two cupcakes in the back I used techniques from lesson two, using ink pads to paint with. I started by stamping the outlined cupcakes with Versafine Clair Nocturne and heat embossed them with clear embossing powder. In addition to the inks that I used in the first example I added Altenew’s Pink Pearl ink, and Memento’s Desert Sand and smooshed them onto a silicone mat to use them as paints. I picked each of the colors up with an aqua brush using very little water and colored in the layers of the cupcakes. I love that the embossing creates a well and contains your color from running, but be sure not to use too much water or you will still lose that control! I dried my paper in between applications of color so that I would get the beautiful gradients above. Once the cupcakes were dry, I then fussy cut them out. If you prefer dies over fussy cutting, they are available in the shop.

My favorite lesson from the course was number four which focused on brayers and inkpads. I used this technique for my background. To do this I smooshed my inks down onto my silicone mat, this time using Distress inks in the colors, Fossilized Amber and Squeezed Lemonade onto multimedia paper. I layered the ink on using the brayer focusing the darker color toward the top and then blending to a lighter. I applied the inks several times and misted them to get the almost water colored effect. I wasn’t quite happy with it, so I added Altenew’s Coral Bliss and it tied into the cupcakes nicely. To add just a little more detail I splattered some gold acrylic paint onto the panel and layed it to the side to dry. In the meantime I made my card base and matting layers. Once the front panel was dry I heated embossed the sentiment from the Layered Cupcake stamp set and then arranged my cupcakes.

That completes my project for the Irresistible Inking Techniques course, I have very much enjoyed making this and hope you will like it too. If you are interested in the class you can find it HERE! I look forward to your feedback and comments. I love hearing from you!

Just a small disclaimer! All items used in all of my projects are (or have been) purchased with my own funds, but this does not include design team items that I have received or otherwise stated.

Until next time… keep crafting!!