Hi there! I decided that some things in cardmaking are pretty tough and take a long time to complete and create a stunning project. However, today I am going to be giving you 6 ways to achieve these techniques faster with some extras tips along the way.

You can watch the video on YouTube HERE in HD!

Here are the hacks:

1. Color coding inkpads: This is super helpful to be able to see the name and exact color of your inkpad before using it on your project. Just use a label maker and stamp a watch on the side of your inks.
2. Time saver stamping: This is a huge timesaver to give you multiples of images and be able to practice a bunch of different color combinations and variations for several cards. Just mount a bunch of stamps on your acrylic block and stamp and color the images.
3. Emboss Resist Coloring: This is super easy if you struggle to watercolor inside the lines of a detailed image. Just emboss the stamp that you want and drop your watercolor in (the embossing acts as a resist/barrier to keep the color inside). You can also try ironing the powder off after or using black ink and clear embossing powder.
4. Frog tape masking: Frog tape is a super cool product that doesn’t rip your cardstock when you use it to hold down dies and it masks off your water coloring and nothing leaks beneath. Enough said, I’m sold! 🙂
5. Claiming your work: If you want to have others know who created the card, be sure to stamp the backside with your name. I had a custom stamp made with my logo, but a simple “Handmade by” stamp works well! You can also just sign your name on the back of the card.
6. Stamping Crisp Backgrounds: I find that when inking and stamping large background stamps keeping the stamp flat on the table is a good idea. Just ink the stamp up, lay your paper down, and press evenly on the cardstock to get a great stamped impression.

SUPPLIES

All of the supplies used in today’s video are linked below. I am affiliated with Ellen Hutson (EH), Simon Says Stamp (SSS), and Scrapbook.com (SB), so I do get a portion of the profit (with no extra cost to you) this is how I am able to run this blog. Affiliate links used when possible. I appreciate your support!

Brother Home and Office LABEL MAKER P-Touch PT-D210	Fiskars SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer (12″)	03441 Fiskars PREMIUM CUT LINE Paper Trimmer 12 Inches	Hero Arts Hybrid Ink Pad STRAWBERRY AF334
Hero Arts – Dye Ink Pad – Strawberry	Simon Says Clear Stamps SWATCHES SSS101396	EK Success 1/8 Inch 0.125 54-10063	Ranger Multi Medium, Matte With Brush, 1 oz.
Ranger 1 OZ MULTI MEDIUM MATTE Jar With Brush INK41528	Fineline Applicators 20 Gauge With Bottles, 2 pk	Fineline 20 GAUGE APPLICATOR Twin Pack 2022	Hero Arts Clear Stamps WOOF CM132
Hero Arts – Friendly Critters Collection – Clear Acrylic Stamps – Woof	SSS	Inkadinkado Clear Acrylic Blocks, Small and Medium	Umbrella Crafts – Premium Dye Ink Pad – Black
Kuretake – ZIG – Clean Color – Real Brush Marker – 36 Piece Set	Zig CLEAN COLOR 36 SET Real Brush RB6000AT36V	Grow With Me – 4×6 Stamp	Tsukineko Versamark EMBOSS INK PAD Watermark VM-001
VersaMark Ink Pad	WOW Embossing Powder OPAQUE BRIGHT WHITE SUPER FINE WL01SF	SSS	Hero Arts – Wagner – HT400 Precision Heat Tool
Kuretake – ZIG – Watercolor System – BrusH2O – Detailer Tip Watercolor Brush	Zig Watercolor BrusH2O DETAILER WSBR01	Peerless Water Color Complete Edition Book PWCCEBOOK	Peerless Watercolor, Complete Edition, Set of 15
Peerless Bonus Pak Small Labeled PBP	Peerless Watercolor, Small Bonus Pack, Set of 40	FrogTape DELICATE SURFACE Masking Tape	Hero Arts Cling Stamps, String Background Bold Prints
Hero Arts Cling Stamp STRING BACKGROUND BOLD PRINTS CG696	Hero Arts Ombre Ink Pad, Spring Brights	Hero Arts Ombre SPRING BRIGHTS Ink Pad AF384	Neenah Classic Crest 110 LB SMOOTH SOLAR WHITE Paper Pack 25 Sheets
Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

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