Make Your Own Background

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

 

Here's a card I made for the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog, MAKE YOUR OWN BACKGROUND.  Actually, I ended up making two backgrounds and it was so fun - first background on the card base and a second background on the layered panel.

First, I stamped the Retro Sparkle background stamp on the card base.  Then I punched little yellow sparkles and 3 red stars and randomly pasted them onto the card base.

The second background was made by inking the embossing folder with red, yellow, and stucco ink and then embossing onto a white panel, layered onto a red panel.  The "You're a Star" sentiment is a die from Simon Says.  I finished off the card by layering three sizes of yellow and red stars and gluing to the lower left of the embossed panel.  Just a fun and cheerful little card.

Supplies:
Simon Says You’re a Star SSSD111727
Stampin’ Up Dainty Diamonds Embossing Folder #152702
Color Box Ink Pads: Scarlet, Canary, & Stucco

It's so nice of you to take time to view my blog.  I love to share!

Blessings,

Annie

Water Drops Technique

Hello everyone,

I just discovered and learned a new technique and I am really excited to share it with you.  I bought the Water Effects 1 stamp set from Designs by Ryn and then followed her tutorial on using them, found here.  Ryn's tutorial is very well done and very easy to follow.  In her video she used watercolor paper and Dylusions Spray Ink.  Since I didn't have any spray ink on hand, I decided to go with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads.  But I still want to try with Dylusions Spray Ink as soon as I can decide what colors to order.  Also, I just used regular, sturdy white card stock.  Here are a few of my card designs:

One can easily become addicted to this technique because it is so easy, with stunning results.  The rain drops appear transparent with a 3-D look - they just jump off the card!  I encourage you to check out Ryn's tutorial and give it try.  

Blessings,

Annie

Camouflage Background Technique

This is a really fun and easy technique that only takes a couple of minutes.  It creates a quick background for a variety of images or die cuts.  I've been wanting to use my deer head punch and this cute little sentiment that perfectly goes with it, so this is what I came up with.

Here are the card measurements, supplies, technique directions:

CAMOUFLAGE BACKGROUND WITH DEER HEAD CARD

Brown card base         8 ½ x 5 ½ , folded

Beige/Cream Layer    5 ¼ x 4 – emboss with Sizzix Bricked EF

Brown Rectangle                    3 ¾ x 2 5/8

Olive Green Rectangle           3 ½ x 2 3/8

Beige/Cream Rectangle          3 ¼ x 2 3/16 – this piece is for the Camouflage Background

EK Success Deer Head Punch – punch from brown card stock

¼ Hole Punch – punch 3 circles from brown card stock

Dew Drops – Mowed Grass – glue the Dew Drops to the brown circles

Amuse Art Stamps “Deer Friend”  8-8451B

DIRECTIONS FOR CAMOUFLAGE BACKGROUND

1.         Crumple a solid piece of background paper into a ball. Straighten out the paper so it’s mostly flat again, and then crumple it a second time. This will produce a finer texture on the paper.

2.         Flatten the paper, then lightly drag the Dune Pigment ink across the surface of the paper. Don’t press down with the pad—just lightly drag it over the surface of the paper.

3.         Crumple paper again, flatten it, and drag the Crushed Olive ink pad across the surface.

4.         Crumple and flatten again then drag the Walnut Stain ink pad across the surface.

5.         If you want more color, lightly tap with the ink pads until you’re satisfied with the amount of color.

Give it try and see how much fun it is to watch the background come alive.

Blessings,
Annie

Color Wash Backgrounds

Good afternoon, my paper crafting friends,

As often happens in early spring, I start cleaning out the cupboards and storage places.  And, almost always, I find something that I haven't used for a very long time.  The found object is the inspiration for these cards and this blog post.  Long before spray washes were so popular, Stamp Zia (Zana Clark) had created a color wash that was packaged in little bottles - without a spray nozzle.  I used them a time or two and then put them on the shelf.  Sound familiar?  Well, needless to say, my cleaning cupboards quickly came to a halt and I sat down and started playing with my "new" old toys.  Here are a couple of the final results.

Stamp Zia is now out of business, but Ranger has wonderful color washes, (with nozzles LOL).
The Ranger craft mat is perfect for this technique.  After spreading it out, I poured onto it a drop of three colors, followed by misting it with water.  Next, take a quarter sheet of white water color paper and lightly touch the ink with it, moving around to cover the whole paper.  You can blot off the extra water or just leave it.  Use a heat gun to dry both sides of the paper - it will curl then flatten out.  Once dry, I used a small paint brush to randomly brush on Pearl EX powder.  I used colors to match my color wash colors, but any complementing color should look good. I used Memories black dye ink to stamp the images.  On the green card, Clear Wink of Stella was brushed onto the black flowers and leaves.

The measurements for the blue card are:
8 1/2 x 5 1/2
Score at 2 1/8 inches and 4 1/4 inches.

May you have a gloriously blessed day!
Annie

Glaze Background Technique

Hello again!

Today I have a technique to tell you about that is new to me.  I've done this technique before using alcohol inks and distress inks  and also Luna Lights.  But this time I used Golden Glaze, an artist medium.  I normally use it on pages when I'm making an altered book.  The product I used is a slow-drying, water-based acrylic with a satin finish; colors - Violet Earth, Sea Foam Green, and Fresco Cream.

On a piece of grey card stock, I randomly poured about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of each color.  Using a Tsukineko Squeegee (a credit card is a substitute), I smoothed the colors over the card stock, lightly blending as I covered the whole panel.  You may need to add a bit more of one color or another, to your liking.  Keep in mind to not over blend or your colors will become muddied.  Lay aside to dry or if the piece is not too damp, you can dry with your heat gun.  Next, I lightly sponged Memories White Dye ink over the entire panel.

Once dry, I embossed it with Tim Holtz wood grain embossing folder.  The leaves were made using Impression Obsession Leaves die set.  Give it a try and let me know if you liked the technique!

Blessings,
Annie

Look What's Coming!

Look what's coming to Wenatchee Valley Baptist Church! If you are within driving distance to Wenatchee, Washington, you won't want to miss this women's conference, "Free to be Real." Click on the link below to check out who the speakers and entertainers will be during this event:

http://www.ewomen.net/lineup

What a fun time this will be of connecting with other women in worship and inspirational messages. Tickets are only $20 and that includes lunch - what a deal! Call the church office Monday - Thursday, 9-4, to purchase a ticket, 509/663-4868.

Don't you just love the neon colors of the Ewomen poster! Who would have thought that hot pink and orange would look so good together. Uhmm, neon -- that reminds me, Stamp Zia has released a new product -- neon colored pencils. They match Zia's Neon Jewels watercolor washes. Take a look at them here: http://www.stampzia.com/accessories/neonpencils.htms.htm

Let me see, how many mochas will I need to forgo so I can add them to my toolbox . . . oh, I'll figure that out later.

Here are some pieces I painted for card making using the Neon Jewel color washes and rubber stamps from Stamp Zia and watercolor paper. They are so bright and colorful -- I think they will be perfect to send to someone in need of being cheered up. Now to figure out some card layouts.

The background technique is very simple: 1) Pour about 1/2 tsp of one of the Neon Jewels onto a non-porous surface (glass table top or smooth counter surface both work well). Press your watercolor paper into the paint. Pick up the paper and place it down again into a second color, making sure the color is "printed" partially over the first color (turn your paper in a different direction in order to allow other colors to layer over the previous colors). Repeat this step with remaining colors until the entire surface is covered. Dry surface with heat gun. 2) Stamp your image in permanent ink and dry with heat gun. And there you have it.

Oh, one more thing, let me share with you the new bible verse I posted in the right column. It's an especially meaningful one to me -- maybe it's one of your favorites too.

Annie