Category Archives: Backgrounds
- Stamps – Stampendous- Laurel Burch “Indigo Cats”
- Dies – Stampendous- Laurel Burch “Indigo Cats”
- Copic markers
- Lindy’s Stamp Gang Magicals – Golden Sleigh Bells, Tibetan Poppy Teal, and Witch’s Potion Purple
- Art Basics Light Texture Paste
- Stencil – Stampendous – included in Laurel Burch “Indigo Cats” stamp set
- Ranger – Dina Wakley Media Mica Spray – Lapis
- Cardstock – Paper Accents
I began this card by coloring the stamped cat and butterflies with Copic markers and then die cut the images. I created the background by starting with clear gesso, and then applying the texture paste through the matching stencil.
I liked the idea of repeating the triangles in the background that are featured on the cat. I then sprinkled Magicals and sprayed with water and mica spray, spattering more Magicals to create the effect I was aiming for.
I 
continued to play, moving the color around, but finally left it alone and let it dry! I adhered the images and layered it onto matching cardstock.
I am posting this card to Craft Stamper Magazine’s May Anything Goes Stamping Challenge. Happy Little Stampers May Mixed Media Challenge is “Splats,” so I think this works! I’m also linking back to My Colorful Scoop’s Color May Inspiration Challenge. And one more time, Mom, Happy Birthday! Thanks for stopping by.
Above is a detail showing some of the texture and colors.
5 Comments | tags: cardmaking, copics, die cuts, fauna, lindy's magicals, mixed media, stampendous, stamping | posted in Backgrounds, Birthday, Challenges, Coloring, Craft Stamper, mixed media
- Sentiment stamp – Altenew “Vintage Roses” set
- Die – Spellbinders Nestabilities – “Labels Seventeen”
- Die cuts – Tim Holtz Ideaology “Snippets” and “Paper Dolls”
- Magicals – Lindy’s Stamp Gang – Cattail Copper Brown, Ponderosa Pines Olive, and Red Hot Poker Orange
- Distress Oxide inks – Spiced Marmalade, Walnut Stain, Worn Lipstick
- Distress Ink – Mowed Lawn
- Cardstock – Bazzill
I used two different backgrounds to create layers on this year’s anniversary card I made for my husband. One background was the Distress Oxide layer that provides some subtle color. The brightly colored, sparkly background which I created using Lindy’s Magicals powder was then die cut for the backdrop for the married couple. I combined the Tim Holtz die cuts and stamped a sentiment for a focal point, making this a perfect card for the Happy Little Stampers monthly challenge to create with dies. Thanks for visiting.
1 Comment | tags: cardmaking, die cuts, distress techniques, stamping, tim holtz | posted in Anniversary, Backgrounds, Challenges, Distress Techniques, mixed media, Uncategorized
- Stamps –
- Indigo Blu Limor Webber Designs – “Limor Circles”
- Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection – “Papillon”
- Strathmore Bristol paper
- Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks
- White embossing powder
- Ranger Tim Holtz Tissue Tape
- Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayons
- Derwent Inktense pencil
- Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium: Crazing
- Cardstock
I was inspired to make this from a project in the October 2016 issue of Craft Stamper magazine, and adapted the technique to fit the supplies I had. First I created a mosaic background first, by cutting up different sized “tiles” from bristol paper, fitting them together and adhering them onto a piece of heavy cardstock. I then applied Distress Inks to the background with a foam applicator before stamping the butterfly image. I spattered some water to give it some additional visual interest. I then stamped and heat embossed the circles, using white embossing powder for some nice contrast. I added the tissue tape and accents with the Inktense pencil and Distress Crayon. Finally, I added a thick coating of Crazing collage medium around the edges to give it a nice crackle, let it dry and attached it to a folded navy card. I will enter this in the Anything Goes November Challenge at Craft Stamper, taking the theme and making it my own! Thanks for stopping by.
2 Comments | tags: butterflies, cardmaking, distress techniques, embossing, mixed media, Ranger, Stamper's Anonymous, stamping, tim holtz | posted in Backgrounds, Craft Stamper, Distress Techniques, General Cards
- Stamp – Holly Berry House Originals – Cameroon Scarab
- Stencil – The Crafter’s Workshop (TCW) Balzer Designs – “Mini Spikey Wheels”
- Die – Spellbinders Nestabilities “Fleur de Lis Squares”
- Crystal stickers – white – Mark Richards Ltd.
- Faber Castell Gelatos
I am part of a group of cardmakers who challenge each other to create with different techniques and themes. Currently, we have an insect challenge. I have a number of stamps that have insect images, partly because of my interest in becoming a bugologist at a young age. My parents did try to correct me and tell me that it is ENTOmologist, but it was always going to be BUGologist to me! And I guess I didn’t end up becoming one either. 
For this card I first created the background by covering a piece of multi-media paper with Gelatos in a few colors. I then took a stencil and a baby wipe and removed some of the color through the stencil, leaving the pattern. I then blended it together a little more. I then stamped the scarab onto the background with black Staz-on ink. If you look closely at the detail photo to the right, you can get a little bit of an idea of the texture and sheen created with the Gelatos on the background.
Thanks for visiting today.
Leave a comment | tags: crafter's workshop, die cuts, fauna, holly berry house, spellbinders, stamping | posted in Backgrounds, General Cards, Uncategorized
- Dies – Sizzix Thinlets – Tim Holtz “Detailed Butterflies”
- Stamp – Simon Says Stamp “Square Sayings”
- Patterned paper – Basic Grey Lemonade Collection: “Pretty Petals”
- Ranger – Dina Wakley Clear Gesso
- Ranger – Tim Holtz Distress Crayons
- Ranger Texture Paste
- Stencil – The Crafter’s Workshop “Tiny Circles” 6 X 6″ stencil
- Sequins – Simon Says Stamp – Assorted Moonshine
- Inks Sprays – Dylusions White Linen, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist assorted colors
- Cardstock – Bazzill
This was such a fun project! I made it over a period of time, since I created the background while playing with patterned papers, texture paste and stencils, and ink sprays with some friends. I made a lot of different backgrounds with many layers of ink and texture. Then I got my hands on the Distress Crayons and butterfly dies and put together some different butterflies to use on something someday, coloring the butterfly base with the crayons and cutting the details from a contrasting cardstock. I stared at my backgrounds and the butterflies and finally put the pieces together in this birthday card! The final card fits perfectly for the current challenge at Simon Says Stamp for the Monday Challenge Blog Butterfly Beauty Challenge. Thanks for stopping by!
2 Comments | tags: butterflies, cardmaking, crafter's workshop, die cuts, distress techniques, mixed media, Simon Says Stamp, stencils, tim holtz | posted in Backgrounds, Birthday, Challenges, Distress Techniques, Simon Says Stamp
- Stamp – Technique Tuesday “Greenhouse Crocus”
- Die – Technique Tuesday “Crocus”
- Ranger – Dina Wakley Media Clear Gesso
- Ranger – Texture Paste – Transparent Matte
- Patterned paper – 7 Gypsies
- Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists
- Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray – White Linen
- Tim Holtz Stencil – Dot Fade
- Zig Clean Color markers
- Cardstock – Bazzill and Paper Accents
- Ribbon – Michael’s
I created the background for this card when I made a number of them a couple of weeks ago. There are layers of gesso, texture paste, and inks on patterned paper. To see details, check out my previous post.
I stamped this pretty crocus and then watercolored it with Zig Clean Color markers and a water brush. I then cut it out using the matching die and completed watercoloring the edges of the image before popping it up on the background. This qualified me for the Shopping our Stash Challenge #241 – White Out (No white paper showing)! It also fits the bill for the Mixed Media Mojo March 2016 Challenge: Springtime and Watercolor. Since we have crocus flowers popping up right now, this seemed appropriate for this time of year: almost Spring! Thanks for visiting.
9 Comments | tags: cardmaking, die cuts, flora, mixed media, Ranger, stamping, stencils, technique tuesday, watercolor, zig clean color | posted in Backgrounds, Challenges, Mixed Media Mojo, Shopping Our Stash, Spring, Uncategorized
- Ranger – Dina Wakley Media Clear Gesso and Dina Wakley Media White Gesso
- Ranger – Texture Paste – Transparent Matte
- Dreamweaver – Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste
- Patterned papers – 7 Gypsies, Basic Grey, Fiskars/Heidi Grace
- Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists
- Ranger Dylusions Ink Sprays
- Stencils – Ranger/Tim Holtz, Ranger/Dina Wakley, The Crafter’s Workshop, Stencil Girl
I was inspired by an technique in the February Craft Stamper magazine, pages 23-25. Mine is a (minimalist!) variation on what Mona Pendleton did to create some lovely vintage Valentines. Do check out what Mona did because her work is absolutely beautiful! There was quite a process involved in creating these backgrounds with some drying time between layers. You can go on forever layering! I started with a piece of patterned paper. This is difficult, because you will be covering up much of the design of the paper, but if you are like me, you’ve got an abundance to work with! The pattern will peek through when you are finished.
Add a layer of clear gesso to the patterned paper and allow it to dry–this is pretty quick. Then I applied the texture/embossing paste through a stencil. I tried both types that I had (listed above). You will want to experiment with the finish you prefer–some dry matte and others are glossy. These pastes are translucent (you can choose something opaque for a different look), adding a subtle layer I really liked. The pastes take a while to dry, so this is when you need to be a little bit patient and set this aside so they are completely dry before the next step.
Next I applied ink sprays and spritzed with some water so they ran and mixed together. This is the messy part, but it is really fun to see what you can do! I did really like the look of adding more white Gesso and spritzing it with water, as I added some of spray inks in different areas of the paper. I also liked using the Dylusions White Linen ink spray for a similar white, opaque layer. Using ink sprays containing mica, like the Glimmer Mists, really gave a nice sparkly effect without being overly glitzy. The spray inks really bring out the texture of the stenciled designs done earlier with the paste. You can use baby wipes to take away areas you think are too dark or to expose more of the original background if you like.
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll post a card soon, showing an example of how these backgrounds can be used.
3 Comments | tags: crafter's workshop, mixed media, Ranger, stencils | posted in Backgrounds, Craft Stamper
- Die – Memory Box “Oak Leaf”
- Stamps –
- Impression Obsession: “Small Oak” and Seth Apter “Faded Fragments”
- JudiKins “Calligraphic Flourish”
- Inks – Ranger: Adirondack Lights “Cloudy Blue” and Black Archival
- Gold Vellum
- Gold metallic thread
- Derwent Inktense Pencils: Peacock Blue, Iris Blue, Shiraz, Red Oxide, Tangerine, Madder Brown
- Golden Gesso
- Dina Wakley Gel medium
- Old Book Paper
I created these Artist’s Trading Cards to share at my monthly Craft Stamper group this past week. The inspiration came from the December 2015 issue of Craft Stamper magazine, pages 10-12, which featured techniques by Designer Kim Dellow. I worked in layers, with old book pages adhered with gel medium and covered with a thin layer of gesso. I added stamped images and areas of watercolor with Inktense pencil and waterbrush, creating a masterboard and then cut the “board” into 2-1/2″ X 3-1/2″ backgrounds. I then attached my gold vellum oak leaves with two french knots tied from gold metallic thread. Finally, I edged the card with a gold Krylon pen to pick up the gold metallic for a finishing touch.
I am entering this ATC in the November Take It Make It Challenge at the Craft Stamper Magazine Blog. Thanks for visiting today.
4 Comments | tags: die cuts, Impression Obsession, leaves, memory box, mixed media, watercolor | posted in Artist's Trading Cards, Backgrounds, Craft Stamper
- Stamps – Simon Says Stamp – “Happy & Smile” set and “Baby Party Animals” set
- Stencil – Simon Says Stamp – “Grid”
- Ranger Distress Inks: Barn Door, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Crushed Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon, and Seedless Preserves
- Cardstock – Neenah
For the background, I applied each of the Distress Inks, one at a time, with a foam applicator through the grid stencil. I used a linear application to give it a rainbow look. I colored the animals with Copic markers. I created this card for the Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge #22, which is to create a card using the colors of the rainbow. Thanks for visiting today.
Leave a comment | tags: cardmaking, distress techniques, fauna, Simon Says Stamp, stamping, stencils | posted in Backgrounds, Birthday, Children's Designs, Simon Says Stamp
- Stamps – Hero Arts “Large Flower Background – CG403” Sentiment from LP277 OWH “You’re My World”
- Lace – Hero Arts – Cream Adhesive Lace
- Cardstock – Bazzill
- Pearls – Queen & Co.
- Inks – Ranger Distress Ink – Victorian Velvet, Old Paper, and Pumice Stone
This was a fun card to make. Over in the Hero Arts group on Flickr, I participated in my first “scramble” challenge. I had 90 minutes to create a card using something from Hero Arts that fit the theme. The theme today was “vintage.” It was sort of a comedy of errors on my part, but I squeaked in at the end of 90 minutes, completing this card. I used Distress Inks direct to the stamp and then spritzed the stamp with water and stamped the image onto watercolor paper. I then added some layers of cardstock and a sentiment from a Hero Arts Operation Write Home (OWH) set. I will add this to my OWH box that I’ll be sending off at the end of July. Thanks for stopping by.
1 Comment | tags: cardmaking, distress techniques, Hero Arts, watercolor | posted in Backgrounds, Challenges, Distress Techniques, Miss You, OWH
penguinpapers 