Beyond Basic Backgrounds

Today we are exploring back grounds for greeting cards using stamps and coordinating dies with embossing powders to create a totally different look. Welcome to another community tutorial as I take my journey through the Altenew Educator Class. I have to say that I love the soft look of these greeting cards. 

For this technique you will need a stamp set with the coordinating dies. You will actually create a stencil using the dies for the image that you are using on your background. To create this stencil, you will want to use a heavy white cardstock, at least 90 Lbs. or more. That way, you will be able to use the stencil again. You also will want to make the stencil a bit larger than the actual card base. Overlapping will give you the best results.

Creating The Stencil

Supplies

• White cardstock at least 90 lbs. in weight
• Coordinating die for the stamp you are using.
• Low tack tape
• Die cutting machine and plates.

1. Cut the piece of cardstock slightly bigger than the card base you will be using.
2. Use the die on the paper and make multiple cuts to create a pattern non your stencil.
3. Make sure to overlap some die cuts off the edge on your pattern.

Pink Flower Card

I really like the softness of this card. It could be used in so many ways. It could be a Mother's Day card, a wedding card or even a baby card. It also works as a birthday card. All you have to do is change the

sentiment. You could use a single color for your images or use more than one color to add more dimension and interest.

Supplies

• White Card Base
• Frosty Pink Crisp Dye Ink
• Pink Pearl Crisp Dye Ink
• Firefly Crisp Dye Ink
• Altenew Fancy Greeting Stamp Set
• Altenew Painted Flower Stamp Set
• Altenew Painted Flower Die Set
• White Embossing Powder
• Versamark Ink
• Heat gun
• Embossing Bag
• Acrylic Block
• Small Blending Brushes

1. Cut the card base to the size needed for your card.
2. Use a score board and a bone folder to create the crease.
3. Fold and then go over the crease with the bone folder.
4. Use the embossing bag over the entire card front.
5. Place the stencil over the card front and secure with low tack tape. Make sure to tape down all the edges including those that have gone over the side of the stencil. 
6. Use the blending brushes to add color to the die cuts on your stencils. If you are using multiple colors, stay in the same color family for the best results. Apply the lightest color first. , then the darker color. Then reapply the lightest color to get the best blend. 
7. Remove the stencil and set it aside. Let the ink dry.
8. Place a piece of scrap paper larger than your card front behind it to prevent any embossing powder getting on the inside of your card.
9. Place your coordinating stamp on the acrylic block. Using a block with guidelines makes the process easier.
10. Use the embossing bag over the entire card to p[revent any stray flakes of embossing powder to spoil your design.
11. Ink up your stamp with the Versa mark ink Make sure that you get enough ink on the stamp
12. Stamp two of the images with the ink
13. Apply the white embossing powder and heat it with your heat gun.
14. Keep embossing two images at a time till all of the images are embossed.
15. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.
16. Create your sentiment. For this card I created a sentiment that was embossed to continue the design.

Blue Thank You Card

Flowers can be used for masculine and feminine cards as well. I would have no problem sending this card to a guy. I love this color. It is one of the new colors in the Altenew It is called Alpine Aster Fresh Dye Ink. In this case, I followed the same process. The only difference is that I used a single-color ink. 

Supplies

White Card Base

Blue Cardstock

Blue Metallic Paper

Alpine Aster Fresh Die Ink

Altenew Painted Flower Stamp Set

Altenew Painted Flower Die Set

Sentiment From Geometric Stamp Set

White Embossing Powder

Embossing Bag

                                                                           Heat Gun

                                                                           Fabric Washi Tape

                                                                           Double Sided Tape/Foam Tape

1. Cut the card base to the size needed. This base was 4.5 inches by 5.5 inches.
2. The darker blue piece was cut 1/4 inch less than the base.
3. The metallic sheet was cut at 4 1/4 by 4 11/12inches.
4. The design piece was cut at 3 3/4 and 4 1/4 inches.
5. Follow the same procedure as above in the pink card to emboss the deign piece.
6. Apply the fabric washi tape the deign piece. Wrap it around the back and make sure that it is secure.
7. Stamp the sentiment. For this card, I used the same ink as my design. Add the sentiment to the card.
8. Using double sided tape, tape the dark blue piece and the metallic piece to the card.
9. Using foam tape apply the design piece to the top of the base.
10. Apply gems to the card.

So, there are two ways to use this lovely embossing technique on your next project. Think about using this technique to create a tag, a belly band or on a scrapbook page too. 

 Thank you for stopping by! We appreciate you and thank you for your time.

We hope that you have been inspired to give it a go. We would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and comments as always. 

Till next time. Happy Crafting!

Linda

 Supplies To Create This Project