Rainbow Sponge
& Ink Kit - Techniques
Contributed by Ranger
Ink & Posh Impressions
Sponge Versatility - The Rainbow
Sponge is a fabulous tool for applying colorful inks to cards,
gift wrap, photo album pages, stationery and almost any glossy
or absorbent paper project. There are three different size edges:
the small edge is perfect for writing, creating borders and line
patterns, the medium and large edges cover more ground for making
backgrounds and banners. Vary the edges for interesting effects
when developing plaid and check designs. Different color combinations
can be placed on other edges later. Use the sponge with ink directly
from the bottles for the most vibrant color effects. Spray lightly
with a fine mist of water and the colors become slightly less
intense, but they will last longer and allow you to pull the
sponge more easily. Watch out! - more than 2 squirts of water
will dilute and mute the color, producing a pale result.
Applying the Inks to the Sponge - Place the needle nose
applicator tip next to the edge of the sponge and lightly squeeze
the bottle, applying several drops of ink. Apply several colors
of ink to one edge of the sponge. Achieve blending by placing
colors that mix well next to one another. Allowing space between
the colors will provide a striped
result - while inks that touch create solid rainbows of
color. Before You Start - Lay out project paper on a dry, flat
surface. It helps to have a large pad of paper underneath your
project so you can drag your sponge off of its edge. It is important
to get your hands out of the way since you will need to pull
the sponge in one unobstructed fluid motion, beginning and ending
off of the project.
Dry Sponging • Once your sponge is inked, hold your
paper at one end while you pull the sponge across to the other
end of your project in the desired pattern. Repeat this process
until your paper is filled with color. |
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Border Sponging |
Border Sponging - Straight Wet Sponge one, two or all four edges
of a card or page of paper. Overlapping the edges provides a
designer effect. Add interest by sponging the same edges again.
For drama, move the sponge slightly in towards the center or
out towards the edge on the second sponging. Create a margin
by sponging in from one edge. |
|
Criss-Cross Sponging - Using the Edge Pull technique create
lines going in one direction on your paper, then turn your card
90 degrees and Edge Pull in a perpendicular direction for a criss-cross
design. |
Criss-Cross Sponging |
|
Edge Pull Sponging |
Edge Pull Sponging -
Use an inked edge of the sponge.
Touch this edge to your paper for a fine line. Repeat randomly
filling your page with colorful lines. Pull down slightly and
your line will broaden. |
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| Flat Sponge Designs
- Using an inked sponge, mist
the inked edge with water and allow the ink to run onto any flat
area of the sponge. Fill in with drops of ink from the ink bottles
as needed to cover this entire flat surface. Press this inked
side of the sponge onto your paper. Repeat to fill the page.
Create a border around the edges of your card, develop a mosaic
tile with patches of color next to one another or overlap for
an artistic look. |
Flat Sponge Designs |
|
Plaid Sponging |
Plaid Sponging - Pull your sponge across the paper as you did
in Straight Wet Sponging. Once you have filled the paper with
color top to bottom, turn and pull the sponge over the original
stripes making perpendicular lines. |
|
| Ribbon Candy Sponging
- Wet the sponge and pull it
across your project making small “U” shapes with your
wrist, creating connecting peaks. Try making the “U”
shapes wide and loose or tight and tall. |
Ribbon Candy Sponging |
|
Curved/Wavy/
Wiggle//Zigzag Sponging |
Curved/Wavy/Wiggle//Zigzag
Sponging - Move your sponge
free-form in curves or waves across the paper. Try wiggling or
zigzagging your arm (don’t bend at the wrist) as you pull
the sponge. Remember to move the sponge — not the paper
— and to start and finish off of the project sheet so the
edges are covered with color. |
|
| Straight/Diagonal Sponging
-Align the edge of your inked
sponge with the edge of the paper for Straight Sponging. Turn
the paper at an angle to create diagonal stripes of color. |
Straight/Diagonal Sponging |
|
Twist Sponging |
Twist Sponging - Hold the sponge so that only the very edge of
the small or medium side is on the paper and twist the sponge
to create a “bow tie” design; repeat until the card
is covered. Overlap images to create a more condensed design.
For variety use a combination of small and medium sponge edges
in different color combinations creating alternating size and
color images on the same project. |
|
| Rainbow Writing - WOW! What a fabulous way to “say it”
on a card or to address an awesome envelope. Using your smallest
edge, ink the sponge with your favorite colors, mist with water
and start to print or write. |
Rainbow Writing |
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