Back when Stampin’ Up had Chalkboard Paper, we also got the White Chalk marker.  And I knew what to do with it… duh, you use a chalk marker on chalkboard paper!  🙂  But then, the chalkboard paper went away and the chalk marker remained, which made me think there had to be other great uses for this marker.  Since then, I found that it is great for all kinds of soft accents and touches on your cards.  My favorite version is Accent Coloring with the chalk marker on light brown paper, like I did in this card!

I stamped the flourish image from the Flourishing Phrases stamp set using Archival Basic Black ink.  The archival black is a GREAT black ink and much deeper and richer than the Memento Black or even past Basic Black classic ink pads.  However, it does tend to stain your stamps, similar to stazon, so I tend to only use it with my rubber stamps.  Thankfully though, this set is rubber so I can happily stamp away with my happy black.

Once you’ve stamped your main image, then you can go over areas you want to highlight and color them in with your White Chalk Marker.  The chalk ink doesn’t saturate into the paper and so it makes a nice soft white highlight on top of the colored cardstock, providing a great contrast.

I wanted my flourish stamp to be the main focus of my card, so I kept the rest of the elements on the card muted and simple.

• Pool Party ink for the leaves in the background (also from the Flourishing Phrases stamp set) on a Pool Party card base
• An understated pattern from the Blooms & Bliss designer paper down the middle of the card matted by Basic Black cardstock.
• Sponging the edges of my Crumb Cake main piece with Pool Party ink to soften the edges up and help them blend into the background card base.
• A small scrap of Burlap ribbon to add some texture and a natural feel.. but only a hint!
• Pearls under the sentiment to make it feel finished and with a touch of elegance.

But this technique of doing Accent Coloring with the chalk marker is great on different colors of cardstock as well as different types of sets.  It works best with line-art images, but also is good for highlighting (see this example with a snow scene).  Here is another example of coloring in an image with the chalk marker.

Want to make this card at home? Here are the project supplies:
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