CREATING EASY BACKGROUNDS PLUS A LAYOUT FOR LARGER DIE CUT IMAGES

Hi Stampers!

Do you have tools or supplies you love, but sometimes forget to use? Maybe you use them, but not as often as you should? For me, I forget about my stencils, and I do not use my embossing folders as much as I should. I also own some larger stamps with matching dies I love, but forget I have. So, today I am using a very basic layout to help me solve these issues.  Let’s take a look at today’s cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT #2607

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base  - Cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 51/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” or 11’ x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”

* Inside Panel - White or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4’ x 4”

* Mat Layer - Cut cardstock or patterned paper at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Embossing Folder / stencil

* Sponge or sponge dauber / blending brush

* Larger stamped image with coordinating die (or can fussy cut)

* Greeting

* Inks, embellishments, adhesives, etc. to finish card

WHAT TO DO

* Prepare card base. Stamp sentiment on inside panel and adhere to inside of card

* Prepare mat layer with either the embossing folder or the stencil

* Stamp, color, and die cut focal image.

* Prepare greeting.

* Assemble card - adhere mat, place focal image toward bottom of card (centered, or a bit more to the left or the right), Add the greeting toward the top of the card. 

* Add embellishments (optional).

SIMPLE EMBOSSING FOLDER IDEAS

BIRTHDAY DOTS

This technique is so easy. Emboss the cardstock. I used a 3-D embossing folder, but any type will work. Ink up a sponge or sponge dauber and very lightly go over the raised portion of the design. This can also be done by very lightly swiping an ink pad across the embossed cardstock. 

(Image - Colorado Craft Company; sentiment - Moonstone/Hunkydory; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

FLOWERS IN THE RAIN

Instead of embossing cardstock, use patterned paper. Test a piece of scrap patterned paper first. If the embossing folder cracks or tears the paper try one or both of the following tips:

* Lightly spritz the paper with water, then run it through the die cut machine. The water helps loosen the fibers just enough to allow the folder to do its job without tearing the paper. 

* Double the patterned paper. Place two pieces of patterned paper cut the same size and placed one on top of the other in the embossing folder, and run it through the die cut machine. The extra piece of paper acts as a cushion to help prevent the cracking. 

(Floral image - Trinity Stamps; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

IDEAS FOR STENCILED BACKGROUNDS

BIRTHDAY CAKE & FLOWERS

This is a simple two stencil (layering stencil) design. Stencils are an easy way to add color and design to a background. Many times the stenciled design can be changed by using only one stencil in the set. Of course the look of the stencil can be changed by using a different color of ink. 

(Greeting - Waffle Flower; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

BIRTHDAY UNICORN

The stencil I used for this background is a single stencil. The yellow ink is the stencil’s pattern. I added more color to the design with two small star stamps and two more ink colors. This simple “technique” added so much to the background.  

(Image - Trinity Stamps; greeting - Waffle Flower; all other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

Do you have some larger stamps? This layout is a perfect way to showcase them. The backgrounds are so easy to create, and they really accent the images. Pull out those stamps, embossing folders, and stencils, and start creating terrific cards. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim