Memories Deserve More Than A Shoebox ^TM

Distress Inks

By Merrideth Chenoweth

I love the shabby, torn, beat up look! My favorite shoes are evidence of this! I've had them for almost ten years now; they're worn in, stained, and as comfortable as can be! This is how I want my heritage pages to feel, as comfortable as an old pair of shoes!

Here's how to use distress ink to lend age and add more depth to our creations!

The Techniques:
I really enjoy using and incorporating this product into my scrapbook pages. Some of the ways I have used Distress Ink in my scrapbook layouts include: stamping, piece edging, crumbled, non-crumbled, and photo tinting, though I am sure there are many more ways to use this product!

Stamping
Use the distress ink pad with rubber stamps for softer looks than regular ink pads.

Piece Edging
Sometimes, all your special piece needs is some highlights around the edges. For this, I hold the paper piece (tag, frame, photo mat or what ever) and quickly brush the Distress Ink pad at an angle against the very edge of the piece.

Sometimes I goof and end up inking the actual surface of the item, but it doesn't really matter since I'm going for the stained and worn in look. I just pretend that's how I intended for it to look. Add some chalking in a complimentary color and you're all set!

Crumpled
This is the method I use more than any other.

I crumple a dry piece of paper and flatten out a little so the paper is mostly flat, but the creases and bumps are still very evident. I brush the Distress Ink pad across the top of the paper, allowing only the peaks of the creases to be inked- the darker the better!

Then, I spray with either water or with walnut ink. The Distress Ink spreads quickly, giving various hues and shades. After the ink has wicked enough for my taste, I completely flatten with my brayer, and then quickly dry with my heat embosser (though an iron would work well too.)

Non-Crumpled
For this technique, do not crumple the paper at all. Roll your brayer repeatedly over the distress ink pad until covered. Then roll it at various angels over your piece, re-inking as necessary.

Photo Tinting
This was a fun thing to try! Since I used this technique on a photo I printed from my digital camera I wasn't too worried about destroying it if I made a mistake! I inked my rubber brayer, as in the non-crumpled technique above, and simply rolled it across my photograph quickly. The more times you do this, the darker the picture will be, so use a gentle hand!

Other Ideas:
I have not tried all these suggestions, so I can't promise they will work. Remember to experiment and see which technique works best for you!

Try using it not only on papers, but on fibers as well - what other things on your layout can be inked for an aged look?

Wet your paper BEFORE adding the ink. Brush the ink pad over the paper, and apply more water as needed. Rub it in with a Q-Tip for blending.

Spritz or drip alcohol onto wet inked paper to dissolve some of the ink.

Ink resistance using either a wax crayon, or the Watermark pad or marker (like that made by Versamark)

Use in conjunction with other inks, chalk, and alcohol inks as well as embossing powder, or UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel)