I experimented with another beautiful background technique this week. I'm not sure if it has an official name, but I'm calling it white washing.
I think it turned out beautifully, don't you?! The flowers are washed (painted) with White Craft Ink and Aqua Painters, to give them a lighter, semi-opaque look. Although the first card's flowers look kinda bluish, they are white like the second card in real life.
Step-By-Step Background Details
Like the previous emboss resist card I posted yesterday, this one is also created with layers and layers of ink.
- I started by using a brayer to apply a thin layer (not solid color) of Daffodil Delight Classic Ink.
- Beginning with lighter colors first, I randomly sponged on more layers of Classic colors: Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke.
- I randomly stamped the flower image from Fifth Avenue Floral with Basic Grey Classic Ink.
- I stamped the small flower image from Watercolor Trio in between the larger flowers.
White Washing
- Create a separate palette of White Craft Ink (you don't want to get water on the actual ink pad). You can either squeeze the pad before opening to transfer ink to the lid, or tap the pad on the lid of an empty stamp case or piece of acetate to make your palette.
- With the wet tip of your Aqua Painter, pick up the white ink and paint the flower petals. Use a drier tip for thicker, more opaque color; a wetter tip for more translucency. You can use a small watercolor brush with water if you don't have an Aqua Painter.
- Once the craft ink is dry, and with the help of the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for precise alignment, re-stamp your flower images directly over the top of the original image. I used more Basic Grey for this, but you could also use White Craft Ink (or any color, really) for a different look.
- I finished the insides of my flowers with dots of Frost White Shimmer Paint.
- I added one spray of Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (because a little goes a long way!) for more texture and shimmer.
Once I was done with my background, I trimmed off 3/4" on each side to create the bottom layer of the card, then I mounted the center piece on Basic Black and Not Quite Navy and attached with Dimensionals.
Other Supplies Used: Baja Breeze card stock for the card base. White Organza Ribbon. Half-back Pearls from the retired Pretties Kit (but you can now by the self-adhesive Pearl Jewels by the sheet). Sentiment from Upsy Daisy set is punched with Scallop Oval Punch.
Convention Time Is Coming Soon!
Next week at this time, I'll be on my way to Salt Lake City for the annual Stampin' Up! Convention—I can't wait! Darla Eigenschink, my fellow Too Cool Demo Team member, is going with me again this year and I just know we're gonna have a great time! I can't wait to mingle with more than 3000 other demonstrators, learn some new stamping tricks, play with new products, and see all the awesome examples they have on display there. We'll even be attending a special 70s-themed demonstrator party…that should be Outta Sight! Darla and I are shopping tonight to find our Groovy outfits, so wish us luck. I've already found my sequined platform sandals…oh yeah, I can dig, man!!!
Angie