Welcome to the Scrap ‘N Stamp April Blog Hop! We are so glad you are here with us today to get some inspiration on a fun variety of ways to create backgrounds using the Life Changing Blender Brushes that are new in the SNS online store!
Here’s the full hop order! You’re at the beginning with me (Tara) and my card! If you get lost anywhere along the way, just pop back here for the next link 🙂 Don’t forget to leave comments along the way for a chance to win fabulous prizes… we are giving away 8 Background prize packs and one $50 gift certificate to random commenters along the way! BONUS: You can have 20% OFF the brushes this weekend using the coupon code BRUSH20 (ends Sunday!)
I made two similar cards for today’s hop- here’s a look at them together:
For these cards I wanted to feature a simple ombre type background to let this HUGE stamp shine- it’s Glorious Garden by Tim Holtz and it comes with four simple sentiments and a grid block big enough for the design (I was super excited to see that, though I used it with my stamp platform). I am brand new to these brushes and a pretty die hard fan of the Ranger Blending tools, but I found these easy to work with and create smooth ‘line free’ blends with my Distress Oxide Inks (for both cards I used Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron, Cracked Pistachio and Peacock Feathers). They were also really easy on the hands, which I’ve heard from a lot of people who struggle with gripping tools. There are several smaller set options if you aren’t ready for the full set of brushes (or don’t have the budget- I totally get it!). I think the 2 pack sampler would be a great start!
My ‘before’ photo of my first card is actually the graphic for the hop, but here it is again so you can check out those smooth blends… I only misted a tiny bit of water to add a bit of oxidization.
Here is what the stamp placement looked like in my stamp platform. I used Versafine Clair and stamped twice to make sure my impression was perfect.
I wanted to keep these cards really simple, so just added a bit of ribbon with some lace behind it. When adding ribbon to a top layer like this, I have a little trick I use to keep the knot (or bow) in exactly the right spot. First, I cut the ribbon so it’s plenty long (at least 3-4 times the width of the layer, ) and tie the knot/bow in a loop, like this:
Then I find my perfect spot and snip the ribbon so it has overhang on both sides, which I will adhere to the back of my card.
The amount of overlap doesn’t really matter, as long as there is enough to tape securely (it may be 1/2″ on one side and 3″ on the other… nobody will know!) Here’s another look at that card:
For my second card, I did a diagonal ombre and added a bit more oxidization with some wet, inky layers on my craft sheet. I wanted the yellow to be in the big blossom this time, with the design coming up from the bottom right corner. Here’s a peek at my background before I stamped on it.. love that subtle oxidization!
And here’s the finished card!
I went for yellow twine and a Tim Holtz charm to finish it off:
The cards are very simple, but the fabulous backgrounds and that gorgeous floral stamp really shine. I hope you like them! I’ll have a similar card design on a very different background to share with you on Tuesday, so please check back! If you are ready to try your hand at creating fabulous, inky backgrounds, please join us on our Challenge Page! We’d love to see what you create (and you’ll get another chance to win a gift certificate!).
Hop on over to see what Nancy E. has created next!
Have fun hopping!
Inky hugs,
Tara
Beautiful cards!
Both gorgeous cards, Tara! I love the colours you chose for the backgrounds.
Oh tara these are stunning, beautiful colour combination also. 🙂 Love it
Such pretty cards Tara. I LOVE the colors you chose for your background!
Gorgeous floral stamp! I love the metal embellishment too!
Ooooo TARA! I have to steal this combo… I LOVE IT! I don’t think I have all the inks but it’s worth it to buy them now! GORGEOUS!
FYI… couldn’t comment on Chala’s blog? No comment box or place to click?
But I LOVED how the black sentiments just POPPED from those VIVID COLORS!
Your cards are stunning Tara … beautifully done.
I love the colours you’ve used Tara!
Gorgeous cards. The brushes make a pretty color blend.
Your cards are beautiful. Love them and I love the colors you used for your background.
Gorgeous cards!
Thank you for this demonstration, the backgrounds are beautiful!! The blending is amazing and seamless. I’ve only been stamping and card making for a short time so appreciate very much you demo’s and recommendations. Is there a video demonstrating on how you held the brushes to blend?
I’m currently growing my ink library and am going to add the colours you used in my next order and would like to add a couple of the new brushes demonstrated if I could see how they were used in a video demonstration. Please direct me if there is one online I could watch. Thank you
Beautiful cards! I love your color combo and the gorgeous blending! Nicely done!
Aren’t Tim Holtz stamps The greatest?
Beautiful card!! I don’t have the Oxides
yet but I try with the regular ones and make
backgrounds with Colour Spray, fun!!
Wow this is beautiful! Love how you did this card!!
Love these cards. And they look easy to mass produce for all occasions. New to you and your site.
The blender brushes really do a superb job of no-seam blending. Love the color ombres, two totally different cards with the same colors.
Beautiful, Tara! I have the similar Glorious Bouquet stamp and the brushes and the inks, so my mind is whirring with possibilities now!
Beautiful cards. I love the gorgeous backgrounds and that stamp is just wow! I do want to try those brushes as I have seen them used everywhere.
These are really pretty cards! 🙂
Wow, that is one beautiful floral image! Love the look of it stamped in black on an inky background!
I love the gorgeous mix of colors you chose for your background. The black stamped image is so sharp! Beautifully designed and done!
Wow that background is so smooth and gorgeous…love the colours!