Mar 18 2009
Direct to Paper Scene - Tutorial #187
Happy Hump Day! Is it bad to live for the weekends? I am always glad to see Wednesday come and go because it signals the weekend will be around the corner. Anyone else feel that way?
Today I have a tutorial for you that shows how you can put together a scene using Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads and the direct to paper method. I am also using my all time favorite Stampin’ Up Stamp Set “Lovely as a Tree”. I don’t know what I will do if they ever retire this set because it is so versatile.
Let’s get started. 
Supplies:
| Stamps: Stampin’ Up Lovely as a Tree |
| Paper: Stampin’ Up Old Olive, Whisper White & Basic Black |
| Ink: Distress Ink Tattered Rose, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap, Dried Marigold, Peeled Paint, Black Soot, Aged Mahogany, Adirondack Pesto |
| Accessories: Big Shot and Top Note Die, Brads, Sponge, Chocolate Chip marker, White Gel Pen, Black Marker |
Please don’t forget you can order your Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7 from this link: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net or e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com if you are within the United States. Also, please consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team. We have valuable monthly meetings in Miamisburg, Ohio.
I will start out with an assortment of Distress pads and a 4″ x 5.25″ piece of Whisper White Card stock.
Here is a shot of one of the distress ink pads. See how the pad is raised above the plastic base. You can use the raised pad edge to smear/streak the color on your card stock.
Using the Old Paper distress pad edge, smeared the ink on the bottom of the card stock.
Using the corner of the Frayed Burlap Distress ink pad, smeared a bit of ink on.
Used the edge of the Aged Mahogany Distress ink pad with a half of circle motion to create a bit of grasses on the card stock.
Used the edge of the Peeled Paint Distress pad and created a streak of ground in the middle of the scene.
Used the edge of the Aged Mahogany pad and smeared ink from the left side of the sky to the right side.
Tapped the edge of the Black Soot Distress Ink pad along the horizon line randomly to create some interest in the distance.
Stamped the Oak Tree with Black Soot Distress Ink.
Colored in the trunk with a Stampin’ Up Chocolate Chip marker.
Sponged Adirondack Pesto Ink on the lower leaf area of the tree.
Sponged Peeled Paint Distress ink on the upper leaf area of the tree.
The sky area looked a little bland so I used the edge of the Tattered Rose Distress pad and smeared the ink from Left to Right across the sky area.
Added a bit of Dried Marigold Distress ink in the sky area using the edge of the ink pad.
That’s a little better.
My tree was fading a bit in the back ground so I added some dots on the left side of the tree leaf area and outlined the left side of the trunk with a White Gel Pen.
Used a black marker to outline the right side of the tree and added some dots on the right side of leaf area.
Used my new Big Shot Die Cut machine and the Top Note Die to create my mat for my scene out of a 4″ x 5.25″ piece of Whisper White card stock.
I used the negative piece and layered it on top of my main image panel.
Sponged Peeled Paint Distress Ink on the right and left side of the white panel.
Cut an 4 7/8″ x 6 3/8″ piece of Old Olive Card stock and sponged Pesto ink at the corners of it.
Assembled my card and here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5″.
I hope this tutorial has inspired you to get out your ink pads and smear some ink on something.
May your Wednesday be filled with Spring breezes and sunshine.
Until my next post. . . . . . . . . .
Hugs,
Michelle Zindorf
Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:
Wheaton, Illinois
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Dayton, Ohio
Savannah, Georgia
Covington, Indiana
Buffalo, Minnesota
Webster, New York
Stoughton, Wisconsin
Castro Valley, California
Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)
Knox, Maine
Broomfield, Colorado
Lynchburg, Virginia
Columbia, Missouri
Here is a link to my workshop calendar where you can see all of my travel schedule and to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar
Link to my Stampin’ Up website were you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net
Here is a link to all of my tutorials: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/
Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/
Fabulous - it is great to see you create another fantastic card but using a different technique! You make it look so easy Michelle - I always seem to get the completely wrong shape when I try something like this!
I love the background of direct to paper distress inks! It looks like a painting. And don’t you just love the top note die? Great card Michelle.
Trish
Michelle–
I smear ink all the time, but it’s usually not on purpose!!!
:-) 
I’ve never used just the edge of the pad before–I’ll have to give this a try. Also–love the way you used the negative of your Top Note as the mat–looks great!
Thanks for another great card!
Kim in Cincy
Wow, this is really fantastic. I have never seen such nice work with these Distres inks. I may have to pick up a few more colours.
TFS!
Robin
Yeah for you Michelle, I’m so glad you showed a tutorial on using the distress inks. I for one, just love this technique, and WOW what a gorgeous card. Thank you so much for this tutorial can’t wait to try. Oh by the way did I tell you I LOVE THIS CARD.
Evelynn
I don’t know how you manage to create all of these scenes in your head…each one is unique and beautiful. Another lovely, lovely card!!
Oh this is gorgeous - I have all these items so I am going to give this a try this weekend and YES I look forward to every weekend so much also. Work is such a drag but necessary and thank God I have a job these days. Anywho - I would have never thought to use the reverse die cut idea - you are just a wonder Michelle ! Thanks for all the wonderful tutorials.
This is amazing. I wish my brain worked like yours!
Sponging the tree to make it leafy! Brilliant!!!
Live for the weekend?!?! Doesn’t everybody? Remeber that song by Loverboy in the ’80’s - Everybody’s working for the weekend. (Everybody’s goin’ off the deep end)
That’s me, how about you?
I love that set too, I will never part with it, even in retirement. You can keep it, just not use it for SU demos.
Great technique for this card, and wonderful colors. I like the frame from the top note die. Great way to use what other wise would have been scrap.
Stunning as always Michelle! Great job!
This is incredible!!! Beautiful!
Wow - this may be my favorite!! I am excited to see you are coming to Virginia! I will look for the details on that workshop. You really inspire me. If you sold the distress ink pads, I would buy them from you. I don’t have any but I just may go buy every one you used in this card! Enjoy the rest of your day!
Amazing card!! I never understood direct to paler before…what fabulous texture and effects you can get! Thanks for sharing again!
wow, that was so cool and such an amazing scene. Thanks for sharing your skills with us.
Christine
Wow! This looks like a painting. This card is just amazing and love the direct to paper. I’m still drooling over this card. You are one super duper inspiring and creative person.
AWESOME card Michelle. wow
Love that technique.
TFS
Happy Wednesday
Michelle,
Wnat a gorgeous card!…I Love the way you used the distress inks…I can’t wait to give this a try. I haven’t really used my distress inks much…but with this card and technique I will certainly give it a try.
Thanks for the tutorial on distress inks!
Linda
Another great tutorial, Michelle. I really like the look of this and will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, Michelle I love this! You are right Lovely as a Tree is the best set - it was the 1st set I ever ordered before becoming a demonstrator. A very timeless set. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, wow, wow! You are a painter painting with ink pads! I love how you highlighted the tree with white gel pen and black marker. Thanks so much for sharing that. Well worth trying!
I completed my first Zindorf-inspiring card on Splitcoast a few days ago: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1273137?cat=500&ppuser=22579.
barb
One of my favorites…is that stamp set still available? I NEED trees, too, lol!
Yes you have inspired me :). I love this, love the colors and how gorgeous this looks by just swiping ink on paper :). I do copy a few of your cards for my blog, and yes I give you full credit
and a link to swing by here. I sure do miss you when you are gone..
Michelle, I love the way you used the distress ink pads to create this warm, beautiful scene. The Top Note frame is a perfect compliment to your artwork. Wendy
Michelle, this is gorgeous! I love the colors and how the scene was created by just swiping the ink pad!
YIKES!! Broomfield, CALIFORNIA or COLORADO???? Please tell me I didn’t pay for a class in CALIFORNIA!!!
Great card - love that direct to paper look!
Beautifully done card. You sure have a knack with those ink pads.
Waouhh, magnifique !!!
I have a award for you on my blog (excuse my english… I speak french, and I’m not bilingual…)
http://bricole-anne.blogspot.com/2009/03/color-queen.html
I love your work. I love this stamp set. And I really, really love what you did. It’s fantastic!!! Thanks for the tutorial.
Thanks Michelle, that is just great.
BRILLIANT! Absolutely BRILLIANT!
Love the direct to paper technique. You make it look so easy.
Your card turned out just gorgeous!
Gloria
This card is amazing.
See you soon..
I think this is one of your best yet, Michelle. I marvel at how you come up with such wonderful creations time after time. This is a gorgeous scene, so beautifully done. And it’s one of my favourite stamp sets too. I’ve just started using Distress inks, so the inspiration couldn’t have been more timely. Thanks for sharing it.
Michelle this is over the top incredible. This card is a work of art. Thanks so much for showing us how to use all these products. Your tutorials are great. Thanks for taking all the time to photo and explain it all.
It’s beautiful again Michelle.
How wonderful to be so gifted as you are to create so much beauty!
Thanks for sharing it with us
Love,
Jolanda
The Netherlands
lady you have done it again.
this only makes me more anxious to get to your class on april 4th.
you make it look so easy.
thanks for sharing your talent with us.
tricia
This is my favorite SU stamp set as well. I should be a (((tree))) hugger. I love trees esp. the old rickety ones.
You have done such a wonderful job. I would love to have that top note die cut but don’t know if it will work in my cuttlebug. I don’t have enough funds to buy the big shot right now. ; D I have a feeling Santa won’t have enough funds either. I’ll just enjoy your tutorials when you use them. I can’t wait to see your next creation. Thanks for sharing ….. Becky
There is no end to your imagingation. Just a few swipes of the ink pad and you have a landscape back ground. Wonderful.
Michelle, you create the most beautiful cards. I’m inspired by your work. Thanks for another fabulous tutorial.
A masterpiece with ink pads - just amazing. I love the brown accents - it looked like an old fence separating the green pasture from the grass. I agree with others, your vision is incredible. I can’t tell you how many “Zindorfian” stamps I buy thinking, what would Michelle do with this?..and then they sit in my stamp studio waiting to come to life.
I’m glad to see you branch out again to some non-SU products. Don’t get me wrong, I used them 75% of the time, but because of you I branched out to many other stamp companies, & purchased PC markers/pencils, Adirondack and Distress Inks. I was worried that now you are w/SU, your tutorials would be SU exclusive. Glad to see I was wrong. Keep the variety coming. We want it all girl - is that too much to ask ; )
Michelle you never cease to amaze!!! This is one of the most beautiful creations I have seen in quit a while! I agree, I love Lovely as A Tree! One question though; in using the tattered rose ink pad and doing a half circle motion…..do you recommend starting at the top if the circle motion and coming down and around? Or starting at the bottom and coming around and up? I could just go play but thought I’d ask anyway. Thanks once again for a wonderful tutorial.
Wow, another inspiring card, I sooooo wish you were coming to Australia, I would come to every class!!! I have bought so many trees lately as I am so inspired by your wonderful work, everyone will be getting tree cards this year!! Thanks again for sharing your wonderful talent…you are truly an inspiration.
Another amazing card!! This is one of my fav stamp sets you can use all the trees in so many ways thats what makes it one of my favs!!
WOW, this is fantastic!!! I think I can do this, lol.
Wow.. your work is so amazing & inspirational! I wish I had a pinky finger amount of your creative talent!! I really enjoy your tutorials..thank you for sharing! One day I’ll get brave enough to try it myself!
This is fantastic again. Thanks for sharing your artwork with us. It looks so easy and it turns out to be so difficult. Love your work, love your tutorials and love this set (because of all I had seen on your site I bought the lovely as a tree set too!) Thanks again!
This is just amazing! Oh i love the colors! I think i will have to give this a case. I bought this set when it first came out, like you i am more of a nature person. Thanks!
Wow! What a fantastic card. At first I thought the tree was raised and then I realized that it was just an illusion you created. You are so talented. Thanks for the tutorial.
Hugs
Heather
You amaze me! I don’t know how you get such beautiful results with a stamp pad and sponge! It looks like brush strokes on a beautiful painting! I’ll give it a try, but I don’t have your magic fingers.
A remarkable dtp scene which makes it SOUND so easy! I’m going to have to try it and hope for the best. Your visions are wonderful. TFS
Absolutely gorgeous.. yet another master piece.I loved how the small little details gave such amazing results.
What a fantastic card and such a great tutorial! Love this–thanks so much!
I love when you use the Distress inks, which I have most of. I will have to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing with us.
This is a great card.. I’d like to try it but frankly, I feel a little bit terrified that I’d be almost done and drop the ink pad in the middle of it??? Big breath…. tomorrow… maybe…
Thanks for sharing this great tutorial!
Beth Greco
Just super. I love direct to paper, and this is a technique that I will try very soon.
Just beautiful!
Karen
Beautiful card Michelle!! I have put this as something to try on my “to try” list. Please enter me for blog candy… I need something sweet!!
I love your stuff. And your classes fill up so fast. Is there any chance you could do a class at Inky Fingers in Litttle Falls, NY? I’m sure I could fill LOTS of spots for you.
Their website is http://inkyfingers.net/
thank you!
Awesome scene, love how you did the ground, great highlighting on the tree and neat framing!
[…] Direct to Paper Scene - Tutorial #187 March 18th, 2009 Goto comments Leave a comment Happy Hump Day! Is it bad to live for the weekends? I am always glad to see Wednesday come and go because it signals the weekend will be around the corner. Anyone else feel that way? Today I have a tutorial for you that shows how you can put together a scene using Tim Holtz Distress Ink … This scrapbook tutorial courtesy of zindorf […]
I have taken a class online on coloring and blending and yet I learn more from you and I am given more information and clarity from your site for free. Thank you for being so willing to pass your knowledge on to us. I am so inspired by all that you do.
Today’s tutorial and card are fabulous.
Hi Michelle,
I loved how you tapped the edge of the stamp pad to create “interest” in the distance. Brilliant. I agree with you that I don’t think I can ever give up this stamp set either! Thanks for your inspiration, as always!
This card is AMAZING!!! There are no other words to describe it….oh wait…did I say AMAZING!!!
Keep up the great work!!!
WOW! I can’t say it enough. I am so impressed. You are really an artist. I have figured out that I am a layout person…but your work is so inspirational…I may give the artistic approach another shot! Wow. This card is BEAUTIFUL! You made it look soo easy. I love every single aspect of this card. From the stamping itself..to the layering of paper, to the die cut….oh my! This is amazing. I’m definitely going to look at a few more tutorials while I’m here!