Hello, my crafty friends, and welcome back to Weekly Scrapper! I know it’s not Sunday, which is when you are used to seeing my posts. It’s Tuesday and I’m happy to have the opportunity through this new series to share some of the things that are all the buzz on our Stamp and Scrapbook Expo floor. I have been in the paper crafting industry for over 16 years, so when things WOW me, I feel the need to share them with you. There is so much happening on our show floors and sometimes it can be overwhelming, but in a fabulous way! I’m here to shed some light on things you might have heard about but haven’t yet experienced, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. While teaching at the Creativity Center, I am often asked what’s up with Ranger’s new Distress Oxides by Tim Holtz. People often ask if I “need” them in my life. My answer is a definite “Yes, I do!” and I’m here to share a few reasons why.
Distress Oxide Ink is a water-reactive dye and pigment ink fusion that creates an oxidized effect when sprayed with water. The Distress Oxides work beautifully on their own – but when you hit them with water the magic begins.
Here’s my first attempt at playing with the new inks. Did I mention that I’m in love with all the possibilities? This card is one of my favorites; I used watercolor paper with Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet, and Faded Jeans.
Another bonus is that you can layer the colors without making “mud.” You know what I mean – when you’ve obviously crossed the line with your blending and your colors turn to a lovely muddy brown shade? With Distress Oxides, you can actually layer your colors and they remain true. It’s a real game changer.
Be fearless when it comes to your creativity; if you don’t play with your toys you will never know what they’re capable of. Have fun!
Here’s a background that I heat embossed using white embossing powder on watercolored paper, then I inked over the top and buffed it out with a baby wipe. Too pretty, don’t you think?
You will be amazed at how different the inks look on different types of paper. A perfect example is how they work on kraft paper which is more porous than regular card stock. It almost has a suede look, too; it’s gorgeous, soft, and chalk-like.
One of the main differences between Distress Ink and Distress Oxide Ink is that with Distress Oxide Inks you can apply them to darker colored paper. You’re no longer limited to light colored papers. The colors are much more subtle, almost like you chalked on an old chalkboard. On this card, I heat embossed with white embossing powder on black cardstock then applied Distress Oxides over the top, then wiped over the embossed area with a damp baby wipe.
Because of the partial pigment in the ink you can even heat emboss with them, just remember you need to add your embossing powder right away before your ink dries. If you’re used to heat embossing with Vera Mark just know that Distress Oxide inks will dry a bit faster.
A little tip when you’re playing and experimenting with your inks, remember that wet ink on wet ink will allow you to blend your ink whereas wet ink on dry will layer your inks, that’s why you always see Tim Holtz with that little white technique gun in his hand. He’s armed and ready to add that next layer of inky perfection.
The first 12 Distress Oxide colors that were released are Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick, Broken China, Cracked Pistachio, Faded Jeans, Fired Brick, Fossilized Amber, Iced Spruce, Peeled Paint, and Spiced Marmalade.
You will be happy to know that Ranger has announced that they will be releasing 12 new Distress Oxide colors this month. Are you ready?! The new colors will be as follows: Abandoned Coral, Antique Linen, Black Soot, Candied Apple, Frayed Burlap, Lucky Clover, Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves, Twisted Citron, and Wild Honey. I’m doing the happy dance with you, too! I can’t wait to get to our Duluth show next week and pick up the entire set if they’re available yet. If not, I still have a few of the original colors to pickup, I was only able to score six colors at the Craft Fancy Booth before they were gone. Craft Fancy is an amazing paper crafting store in the Chicagoland area that carries just about everything you need for your paper crafting projects and they also exhibit at most of our shows. This is one booth you don’t want to miss!
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’ve been inspired to give these amazing Distress Oxide Inks a try; you’ll be glad you did!
With this many shows around the nation, the question is not what show you should attend but rather how many shows you can attend! Click here and I will be happy to escort you over to the Stamp & Scrapbook website so you can start planning your creative mini vacation; you deserve it! I look forward to seeing you in person at any of our shows – I’ll meet you in the Creativity Center and we will create some beautiful together. I’ll bring the chocolate! 😉 I hope you have an amazing week ahead of you. Hugs to all!
Thanks for the review of the distressed oxides!
You’re welcome, have fun with them.
That is so cool, I wasnt interested in those inks until now. I love the beautiful backgrounds. Thanks for keeping us updated on whats happenng out there. Looking foward to seeing you in Chicago.
Glad you were inspired, the possibilities are endless. Looking forward to seeing you at the show.
I love what you did with those inks, beautiful backgrounds. I wasnt interested in them until I read your article. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing you in Chicago.
So beautiful!!!! I love this ink… I’m going to the Scrapbook Expo in Marlboro, MA.. I can’t wait…
I’m happy that you were inspired, see you at the show make sure you stop by the Creativity Center and say hello. I’ll have your free make and take and souvenir button ready for you.
So beautiful!!!! I love distress ink… I can’t wait to go to Marlboro, MA!!!!!
Looking forward to seeing you at the show.
Wow!!! Looking forward to trying this out in Mesa!!! I may have to get them after all. Love the embossed with color on too!!
See you in Mesa, I’ll bring the samples so you can see them live and we can discuss all the fun possibilities.
Thank you so much for the information on the new inks. The magic does happen when you mist it. Can’t wait to get some.
Hello Terri, Since you brought up the mister I thought I’d share another tip. I highly recommend the Distress Sprayer by Ranger instead of a regular mini mister. The main difference is the Distress Sprayer bottle has a trigger type nozzle, so when you pull back the trigger 1/2 way you get these great droplets of water (really shows off the oxidation) and when you pull back all the way – it has more of a mist which is great for blending. Have fun experimenting.
Bother! I was planning on not getting these inks because I have a substantial collection already. I can see now that they work differently and now I need to make a list of my favorites so I can pick them up at the next expo I can attend.
They really are a game changer and you’ll be happy to know that they play well with your favorite Distress Inks. See you at the show, I’ll meet you at the Creativity Center.
WOW what possibilities those have. Adding to my must have list. Thanks for the article.
You’re welcome Lin, have fun playing with your new toys, you’re gonna love em.
You are soooooooo good! Thanks for the good info.
You’re so welcome, it makes me smile knowing you were inspired.