Layering Backgrounds

Today’s card has a really cool technique – layering backgrounds. It’s so simple, and can give your card or paper project a really cool, unique look. I did this card as a make and take with my Paper Pumpkin group and it surprised me how much they liked it.

The Technique Layer

First the layered backgrounds, I used a quarter sheet of Whisper White and my Stamparatus. On one panel I used the Hardwood background stamp and the Post Script background on the other acrylic plate. For the Hardwood stamp, I used Sahara Sand – a very light color. For the Post Script stamp, I used Balmy Blue. This is a medium intensity color. So it stands out a bit more and the Hardwood image is visible, but not overwhelming. I then cut this layer down to 3-7/8″x5-1/8″. It’s better to cut this down after you stamp so that if your edges aren’t completely stamped, it doesn’t matter.

Putting Together the Card

I stared with a base of Night of Navy. I added the stamped layer to a piece of Balmy Blue cut to 5-1/4″x 4″. Then I added Crumb Cake Classic Weave ribbon wrapped at the bottom third with some snail. I added that entire assembly to the Night of Navy base.

Next, I used the Life is Grand stamp set from the Occasions catalog. A big, bold sentiment is all this card needs so that the stamped background stands out. I used Night of Navy Ink and die cut it using the Stitched Shapes dies. I added a piece of Night of Navy cut with the Layering Ovals dies. The sentiment is glued to the card with Dimensionals.

To finish the card, I added three gold pearls. This is optional and I would probably leave them off for a more masculine style.

This technique would also work great with the Crackle Paint background stamp in the Occasions catalog. If you want some background stamps of your own, shop with me