Easy Ink Smooshing Backgrounds You’ll Love: EZ with CZ!

Hi friends! Happy Tuesday! Please join me in welcoming special monthly Guest *CZ herself*, Cathy Zielske in the latest of our EZ with CZ blog series! Be sure to watch the video to learn all the details on this FUN card and enjoy!!

Cathy Z. Here and today I’m sharing the easiest way to create a dreamy, artistic background and all you need are a few ink cubes (pads will work, as well!), a spritz of water and a heavier white cardstock. I’m talking about ink smooshing and if you haven’t tried it, it’s a really fun way to create a cool background and the results are different every time.

You’ll need a slick, non-porous surface to smoosh your ink cubes onto for this technique. I use a glass mat similar to this one for my work surface, but you can even use a sheet of acetate from any stamp package. The other key is to use ink colors that sit next to one another on the color wheel. These are called analogous colors. They will blend into one another without turning into a weird, muddy color.

Here is my tutorial to show you the process:

WATCH THE VIDEO:

You can add any greeting to a base design like the one I’m sharing today. I used the CZ Not So Cringey stamps and dies to finish out my card project.

Give ink smooshing a try today and see how fun it is to create dreamy, artsy panels! Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you back here next month.

SUPPLIES:

CZ Design Stamps and Dies So Not…
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CZ Design Clear Stamps So Not Cringey…
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CZ Design So Not Cringey Wafer Dies…
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Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer Ranger 4…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively…
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Neenah Classic Crest Ultra Thick 110…
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Ranger US Heat It Craft Tool United…
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Pinkfresh Studio Gold Metallic Pearls…
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CZ Design Boop Embellishment Dish st0170
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Gina K Designs Large Connect Glue and…
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Simon Says Stamp Place And Score…
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MISTI Mini Black Precision Stamper…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Perfect…
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Tim Holtz SPLAT BOX THSPBX
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Tim Holtz Fossilized Amber Distress…
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Royal Langnickel ZEN WATERCOLOR BRUSH…
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Simon Says Stamp Embossing Ink Pad…
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Brutus Monroe GILDED Ultra Fine…
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Popular Wagner Precision Heat Tool HT400
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Simon Says Stamp Embossing…
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Anna Griffin Empress Elite Die…
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Anna Griffin Craft Lazy Susan ag1231h
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Waffle Flower A2 Layers Dies 310282
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Perfect…
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Thanks so much for stopping by today, and thanks to CZ for being our guest!

Mark your calendar!

Join us live FRIDAY April 11th at 12 PM ET! Click or tap the bell by ‘Notify Me’ to be notified when we begin on Friday, April 11th at 12 PM ET!

Repetitive Elements for Impact: Making the Cut

Hi friends! Happy Wednesday! Please join me in welcoming back special guest Nichol Spohr to our blog today for our monthly edition of our Making the Cut series that celebrates all things die cutting! Nichol is showcasing many items in our brand new Rain or Shine collection including the Bounding Bunnies, Whimsical Branch Frame, Happy Eggs Bundle, and Pepita Background! To create the cutest scene, she’s using our Postage Collage die set as the background! Be sure to watch the video for all the details, and enjoy!

WATCH THE VIDEO:

SUPPLIES:

Simon Says Stamp Postage Collage…
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Simon Says Stamp Bounding Bunnies…
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Simon Says Stamp Whimsical Branch…
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Simon Says Stamps and Dies Happy Eggs…
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Simon Says Clear Stamps Happy Eggs…
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Simon Says Stamp Happy Eggs Wafer…
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Simon Says Clear Stamp Pepita…
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Simon Says Stamp Pastel Premium Ink…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively…
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Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively…
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Simon Says Stamp Pastel Premium Ink…
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Simon Says Stamp Pastel Premium Ink…
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Simon Says Stamp Nocturne Black…
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Sakura BLACK GLAZE GEL PENS 2 Pack 38495
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Simon Says Stamp Cardstock 100lb…
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Neenah Classic Crest Ultra Thick 110…
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Spellbinders Mini Blending Brushes 3…
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Simon Says Stamp Place And Pierce…
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Simon Says Stamp Place And Score…
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Simon Says Stamp REVERSE TWEEZERS st0106
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Gina K Designs Large Connect Glue and…
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Simon Says Stamp 3D Foam Strips st0153
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Simon Says Stamp 3D FOAM SQUARES…
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Thanks so much for stopping by, and thanks to Nichol for being our guest!

Mark your calendar!

Join us live FRIDAY April 11th at 12 PM ET! Click or tap the bell by ‘Notify Me’ to be notified when we begin on Friday, April 11th at 12 PM ET!

Check out what’s NEW from Gina K Designs!

Hey friends! Oh, happy day—it’s here! The brand-new Gina K Designs April 2025 Collection has officially landed! Click or tap HERE to check out all the fresh goodies!

Looking for a little creative inspo? Just keep scrolling—we’ve got you covered.

PSA: Our exclusive Limited Edition Happy Birthday Present Die from Gina K Designs is almost gone forever—so if you love it, don’t wait– this new collection qualifies for this FREE gift with any $25+ Gina K Designs branded purchase—no code needed!

Created by Caly Person using You Are Golden Bundle + Stencil
Created by Nina-Marie Trapani using Master Layouts 20, Whimsical Primrose Bundle, and Sending You A Squeeze Bundle
Created by Nina-Marie Trapani using Master Layouts 20, Beautiful Roses Bundle, and Scattered Hearts Stencil

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