Hello makers! I am so honored to be part of the Ranger family! For my first assignment, I am creating a winter scene. I am using techniques with Distress Inks and Distress Mica Stains. Let’s make a twist with the Mica Stain Sprays! 

Supplies: Begin by gathering all materials.

Step 1: Apply Distress Inks: Pumice stone (a warm grey) and Lost Shadow (a cool grey), with a sponge to the entire background. Add mist water and let it dry. Repeat the process of inking and misting as often desired.

Step 2: Place your stamp onto your stamping platform, ink it with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink. Lightly mist the inked stamp, then stamp it. Repeat process if needed. Let it dry.

Step 3: Ink your stamp with Distress Archival Ink Hickory Smoke. This oil based ink will stop the water from reacting with that image and it gives a sharp definition.

Step 4: Creating an icy reflection: No need to have a perfectly mirrored image because it’s a foggy reflection. Line up the image upside down. Apply Hickory Smoke Distress Ink at the top of the trees, mist it and stamp it. Let it dry and repeat the process with Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide, mist and stamp it. Let it air dry or dry it (at low heat) with a heat gun.

Step 5: If any spots are a bit dull, it's easy to do touch-ups with a brush and the color of Distress Inks used. Let dry for the next step.

Step 6: Splatter a few drops of Distress Mica Stain (Frozen Fog), onto your entire surface. Load your brush with that precious liquid and keep a good distance (about 5” to 8”). The closer you are, the bigger the drops will be. Let dry completely.

Step 7: Emboss your surface with a Sizzix embossing folder (pine branches 666048).

Step 8: Here is the twist: On an acrylic block or a working glass surface, put a few drops of Distress Mica Stains (Frozen Fog, Tree Lot, Frozen Jupiter). Let them dry out. You can speed up that process by using a heat gun at low heat. The liquid will evaporate, leaving only the mica powder!

Step 9: That mica powder is gently applied on top of the embossed area. Repeat the process if many colors are used or greater intensity is desired.

Step 10: Stamp your wish-sentiment with Distress Archival Ink Black Soot, as desired.

Step 11: Finally, glue or tape your artwork onto the watercolor cardstock, here it is on the rough side of the paper. Et voila! Enjoy the process!