Getting Inky with Lilacs + a Fresh Color Inspo!

Do you ever fall in love with a color palette and just want to see where it takes you? Today I’m getting inky with Hero Arts and their new Spring Meadow collection. I used one fresh lilac color inspiration to create three very different cards, from simple stamping to watercolor backgrounds and layered dies.

I have a fresh Color Inspo Swatch for you today! I’m using it across my cards in different combinations to keep my supplies simple while letting each card feel unique. You’re welcome to give it a whirl in your own cards. If you’re inspired, I’d love to see what you create!

Assemble This! Videos are more detailed as we create this card together step-by-step. You’ll get all my tips and tricks to inspire your next card. Watch on YouTube.

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Featured Hero Arts Supplies

No One Lilac You Stamp & Cut HA | SBC	Birdsong Script Cling Stamp HA | SBC	Everyday Sentiment Strips 2 HA | SBC	Layered Lilac Die Set HA | SBC	Sentiment Strips Fancy Dies HA | SBC
Postage Stamps Infinity Dies HA

Some links include affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for the referral but at no cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support should you choose to shop via my links. Full list of supplies at the bottom of this post.

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Soft Color and a Clean Look

This first card is the simplest of the three, but it still feels finished and thoughtful. I focused on the blue and purple colors from the color inspo swatch with a pop of green for the leaves. The postage stamp die cut layer adds just enough detail, while the Birdsong Script is partially stamped in the corner to help ground the lilac sprig.

The No One Lilac You sprig was stamped and lightly watercolored with Distress Pencils, keeping everything soft and dreamy. I finished it off with a sentiment from the Everyday Sentiment Strips, trimmed with the coordinating Sentiment Strips die for a clean, polished look.

Distress Watercolor Pencil Colors: Salvaged Patina, Peacock Feathers, Villainous Potion; Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint

Inky Layers with a Vellum Lilacs

This card starts with that same script background, but this time it’s white embossed so it peeks through the layers of inky color. I built up the watercolor background using Distress Inks that gently bring in all three colors from the swatch.

Distress Ink Colors: Salvaged Patina, Peacock Feathers, Villainous Potion

For a little contrast, the No One Lilac You flowers were embossed in black on vellum. It gives the card a softer focal point while allowing the background color softly shine through. It feels inky, layered, and just a bit unexpected.

Layered Lilacs and Watercolor Texture

The third card leans into the pink and purple from the lilac color inspiration, and they make the prettiest watercolor backdrop. The layered look feels loose and textured, which made it the perfect base for the Layered Lilac die set.

Distress Ink Colors: Kitsch Flamingo, Shaded Lilac, Villainous Potion, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint

The lilac pieces were created with the same inks with a pop of green for the leaves. It is grungy, inky and fun to create. I finished the card with black pearls to echo the black sentiment from the No One Lilac You set.

All the inky fun packed into one lilac color inspiration. Soft and simple, layered and bold. Each card went in its own direction, and that’s what made it so fun to create. It’s lovely how different they feel, even with the same colors running through them. 

Which card are you most drawn to? Clean and sweet, inky and moody, or bold and layered?

Crafty Happenings

Thank you for joining me today. I sincerely hope that today’s project inspires you. If you create something, feel free to tag me, @dahlhousedesigns, on social media. I would be thrilled to see it and leave you some love.

Supplies

Some links include affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for the referral but at no cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support should you choose to shop via my links.
Please Note: Product names with ** are suggested supply substitutions if I use something discontinued or hard to find.

No One Lilac You Stamp & Cut HA | SBC	Birdsong Script Cling Stamp HA | SBC	Everyday Sentiment Strips 2 HA | SBC	Layered Lilac Die Set HA | SBC	Sentiment Strips Fancy Dies HA | SBC
Postage Stamps Infinity Dies HA	Hammermill Cardstock AMZ	ColorWheel Cardstock 48 HA | SB | SBC	Vellum SBC	Canson XL AMZ
Unicorn White SB | SBC	VersaFine Onyx Black SBC | AMZ	Distress WC Pencils {sets 1-3} SBC | AMZ	Distress WC Pencils {sets 4-6} SBC | AMZ	Black Superfine SBC
White Superfine SBC	Anti-Static Pouch SBC	Black Pearls AMZ

Most Used Tools

1.5″ block SB | OTH	Big Shot SB	Black Stamping Tool SB	Blending Brushes AMZ	Blending Brushes Large AMZ
Blending Brushes Medium AMZ	Blending Brushes Mini AMZ	Blending Brushes Small AMZ	Connect Glue SB	Cutter Bee Scissors SB | SSS
Die Cut Envelope AMZ	Foam Roll – 2 Inch SB	Foam Roll Combo Pack SB	Grip Mat 4.75×6 AMZ	Grip Mat 6.5×8.5 AMZ
Grip Mat 6×6 AMZ	Media Mat Mini SB | SSS	Mini Blending Brushes AMZ	Mini Stencil Mat** SB	Mini Trimmer SB
MISTI – Mini SB | SSS	MISTI – Original SB | SSS	MISTI – Original – Black SB	MISTI Corners SB | AMZ	Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive SB
Post It Note Tape AMZ	Reverse Tweezers SB	Sticky Mat SB	Triangle Trays AMZ	White Gel Pens SB | AMZ
White Glass Mat SB | OTH | AMZ	Adhesive Roll SBC