"Perfect" Distress Technique

An internet friend recently posted a link toTim Holtz's blog which featured a new video using Distress Inks and Perfect Pearls. I always enjoy his videos because he explains things so well. So I got out my supplies and gave it a try. My first set of samples, while pretty, didn't have quite the effect that I wanted, so I watched the video a second time and discovered that I hadn't followed the directions. You can see those samples at the end of this blog. I tried again and this time the samples turned out better. Another internet friend, Carol Sweeney, also blogged her sample of the same technique. Here are the links:

http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/another-technique-video.html


http://carol-creative-expressions.blogspot.com/2009/05/tim-holtzs-perfect-distress-technique.html

As I was experimenting, I decided to also try PearlEx instead of Perfect Pearls - not surprisingly they worked as well. I have also included that sample.

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After swiping the Distress Ink on a craft sheet (you can use waxed paper or freezer paper instead), I misted it with water and laid the tag down, swirling it around to pick up the ink. Remember to keep this first color light, so you might want to use more water on a darker color.

After drying the tag, I stamped the image and dusted Gold Perfect Pearls over the image, then spritzed lightly and dried.

Here's a sample made with PearlEx.

Since I had all the supplies out, I made a number of tags. After creating the central image, I added more stamping.

I made two tags using PearlEx and other images.




After adding all the images, I used more ink to darken around the edges.

Embellished with fibers and bits of odds and ends

Here's a tri-fold card using a sample from my first, darker attempt.

You can see how the central image is "lost" when the background is too dark.

HAVE FUN WITH THIS TECHNIQUE!