Jean's Junk Drawer #2 Background Stamps

Because of my Cuttlebug and all the embossed background folders I own, I forget about my background stamps. With Nicole's background stamp requests from our Design Team, I figured it was time to dig out my old stamps to try a new technique. I found it in my Technique Junkies Newsletter. It's called "Burnished Backgrounds". (Oct. /Nov '09)

This technique creates a richly colored background that brings out the detail of the background stamp.











Materials:
Black or Dark Pigment Ink or VersaMark
Black Embossing Powder
Dye Inks in Complementary Colors
Sponges or Daubers
Background Stamps

First, Stamp and emboss the background Image on a light, Ultra Smooth Cardstock.

Next, starting with the lightest color sponge various spots on the background. Continue using the next to lightest color etc. (Yellow, Orange, Red) Once the whole background is colored, go back over each spot again to bring out the richness of the colors. My card above uses the Maple Leaf Background Stamp, Single Maple Leaf and Pumpkin.




Using a smaller background stamp (Swirls), I could create a fun ATC using Blue, Purple and Pink Inks. Other stamps used were the Dreams Take Flight and Faces half sheet.


Suggestion of the Week: Dig around for those old background stamps and some sponges. The results may surprise you. If I did these again, I would wear rubber gloves while swirling my colors.(I'm a messy Stamper!)

Jean's Junk Drawer #1 Shrinking Embellishments for ATC's

Many stamp magazines have suggested we look in our own stash of crafting materials to save on money in this recent economy. To me, that's means a look in the Junk Drawer. What did I find? Shrink Plastic in multiple colors! (I bet you have some on hand too!)

The project is to make ATC's in a Halloween theme adding extra embellishments made from the plastic. The materials I used are: white and clear pieces of shrink plastic, StazOn inks in Black, Orange and Yellow, a sanding tool if plastic isn't primed, the Prickley Pear Halloween Transparency sheet and a few stamps.(Fradey Cat trio, both size of Ghosts , Chester the owl and the webbed tree)
I stamped on a clear piece of plastic. The ghosts were cut out and shrunk using my heat gun. (If you haven't done this before, the piece will look like it's curling up but will unfold as it continues to be heated.) Note the comparison from it's original size.

To brighten up the background on my ATC's, I used direct to paper and sponging with yellow and orange inks.

I added one of the Halloween transparencies using a spray adhesive over my background. Then I took my ghosts and added them over the transparency with a clear adhesive. After all was dry, I attached the halloween ribbon with black brads.

On this ATC I embossed the Webbed tree with fine black powder. Next, I stamped the cat and owl on shrink plastic. I colored them with colored pencils. After shrinking, they were attached to the card with clear adhesive. The bottom of the ATC is wrapped with orange and black scrappers floss.

My suggestion for the week: Check your junk drawer for shrink plastic. Stamp and shrink a few pieces ahead of time. You'll have them on hand and ready to go when making ATC's.