I have two cards to share with you today that are made from exactly the same supplies but they have very different looks. Today I’m sharing a few tips for easy ways you can step up your cards!
My first card is a single layer card. The sentiment, focal image, and the background are all stamped directly onto the card front panel. I used a simple masking technique to create this card panel.
I stamped this beautiful image from the You’re Berry Sweet stamp set designed by Alex Syberia on to a white card front panel in Color Hive Eclipse Black ink.
Then I added color to the image using the Berries 7 Layered Stencil set that coordinates with this stamp set. I used distress oxide inks to add my color: brushed corduroy, ground espresso, crushed olive, peeled paint, faded jeans, prize ribbon, and chipped sapphire. Having a coordinating stencil to add color made this an easy task!
I stamped and fussy cut a mask and placed it over the berry branch image. Next, I added English Mustard, Red Leicester, and Grand Canyon Color Hive inks to the Retro Builder Base stamp. I then stamped over the masked image. This created the striped background surrounding the image.
I LOVE the striped background. This color combination makes me so happy!
One tip: If you want to eliminate the white area around your stamped image, cut your mask on the inside of the stamped line. This allows you to stamp your stripes closer to the focal image. I like the looks of the white around the flower so I always cut on the outside of the line on the masked paper.
I also stamped the sentiment in Eclipse Black ink directly on to the card front.
Card Dimensions:
Card Front: 4 x 5-1/4″
Eclipse Black Mat: 4-1/8 x 5-3/8″
Card Base: Top folding cut at 4-1/4″ x 11″, scored and folded at 5-1/2″
For my second card, I colored the image in the same way but I fussy cut it out with my Brother Scan-n-Cut. I created my background in the same fashion also, except I spritzed it with water after inking the stamp and stamped it on to watercolor paper.
I love this faux watercolor look for the background. It adds some fabulous texture to the card and makes it more interesting.
Isn’t this Retro Builder Base stamp fabulous? There are so many ways to use it! I just did two different techniques with it and I can’t wait to play with it some more!
My sentiment is heat embossed in white on Eclipse Black cardstock. I fussy cut around the sentiment and popped it up on foam tape for extra dimension as well.
You can see the difference the dimension makes.
I added 3 Limewired Crown Jewel Gems to both cards because all cards need some sparkle!
To step up my second card, I added dimension by fussy cutting the focal image and sentiment and popped them up on foam tape. I also added some texture with the faux watercolor technique on the background. I also heat embossed the image in white on black which really makes it pop off the card.
A couple of simple changes made a big difference!
Video:
If you can’t see the video, you can view it with this link: https://youtu.be/WFnGX-j5jw4
Supply List:
Thank you for stopping in for a visit today! You can find more of my tips and inspiration at Stamping Imperfection. Have a wonderful day!
