Smooch Background Tutorial and another Heart of Lights

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great week.  It's crispy cold here in Ontario, cooler than normal, but we enjoyed sunshine today.        

I've had another 'play' with Designs by Ryn's beautiful Heart of Lights and Celtic Star Set.   Again the heart design is very unique as the 'wires' from the Christmas Lights have been drawn into a Celtic Heart. 

I've been asked frequently for instructions to create Smooch backgrounds so I've included a photo tutorial today.  

I embossed the Heart of Lights with black and blended Distress Inks around the image (Milled Lavendar, Shaded Lilac and Dusty Concord).  I used a black Distress Marker around the outside edge after cutting it out with the heart die (Nellies Multi Frames - MFD 022).   I colored the Celtic Heart of Lights with Smooch Inks using the little applicator and added Glossy Accents to create dimension.

The quote is from Impression Obsession (C3505 Miracle). 

Creating backgrounds using Smooch Ink:  

I used Grape Soda, Sugarberry & Pool Smooch Ink.  The bottles may look small, but they seem bottomless.  I've been using the same ones for 2 1/2 years except "Pool" which I've replaced as I use it the most.

I always use a non-stick craft mat under my work. (mine is well used and has spots from using over a rough surface, but it's still fine).    You will need Versamark ink, Smooch inks, Colorbox stylus with the black moldable tip and smooth white cardstock.   I use paper intended for Copic markers.  Baby wipes work well to clean up the applicator after you are done.

Cover the white cardstock with Versamark Ink direct from the pad.  This keeps your surface 'wet' to allow you to blend the inks as they dry quickly.

Start with your lightest colour, Grape Soda.  Shake the bottle well and add the ink using the applicator direct to the stylus.

You need about this much on your stylus.

Start adding to your paper by blending in circle motions.  I leave white spaces for the next color to 'grab'.

I added Sugarberry next.  This is the darkest but since Pool (blue) is an accent, I used it last.  I don't clean my applicator between colors.

 This is what my sheet looked like after adding the second color (Sugarberry).

This is what my background looked like after adding the third colour (Pool).   Smooch Inks have a beautiful sheen as it catches the light.     The colors are not showing true in this photo, it's much more purple. 

Next I stamped with one of the stars in Ryn's Celtic Star Set using Brilliance Platnium Planet Ink over the background.

Then I stamped the star over the background using Versa Magic Perfect Plumeria Chalk Ink.  And above is the finished background.  Certainly not traditional Christmas colors.

 

I stamped the quote direct to the background with black Stazon Ink.   After this was done, I wished I had embossed it so that it stands out more.  I added the heart, ribbon and mats.    

If you have any questions, please leave me a comment and I'll reply on the comment page.   I find that if I leave my email address on my blog, I get too much 'wierd' Spam.   I won't talk about what kind I've received.

If you get a chance, please stop by Miranda's and Eileen's Blog who are also on Ryn's Design Team.  They have beautiful blogs with lots of inspiration.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley