Create Your Own Perfectly Matching Background Paper!

 

In today's tutorial I will show you how to create a background paper that will allow your photo(s) to shine on a scrapbook layout.  Using Memento Inks that match the photo allows the photo to be the center star of the layout.  All the embellishments will also match by coloring with the same inks.  The background itself is super quick and simple, and can be used for cards as well as layouts.

Skill:  Beginner

Time:  1 hours

 Directions:

Step 1:

 

Select ink colors that are in the photo you wish to highlight.  In my case it is one of my favorite photos from our travels to Oahu when we climbed to the top of Koko Head.  The stunning blue, brown, and green directed my choice of ink colors.  In this step Memento in Peanut Brittle is brayered randomly over a sheet of canvas textured white cardstock.  Cover about a third of the cardstock in varying levels of ink layers.  The key to this technique is to not look for perfection, just go for a fun look!

Step 2:

 

Memento Bahama Blue is used to ink the next layer in the background.  A good quality rubber balloon is filled with popcorn and tied off.  This is used to ink with random size dots in varying ink intensities on the background covering about one more third of the paper.

Step 3:

A second balloon filled with rice gives a slightly different ink look for the last layer using Memento Olive Grove.  Fill in the remaining open areas on the cardstock to finish the background.

Step 4:

The embellishments are shown here as one step, as the main focus of this tutorial is the background technique.  Smooth texture cardstock is used for all the embellishments as it die cuts more cleanly.  A frame of white cardstock is trimmed to 7 1/2 " x 5 1/2 " and inked with Memento Luxe in Peanut Brittle.  The Luxe ink blends a little more easily over larger areas.  The title is die cut in triplicate, then adhered together with small dots of OnPoint Glue around the die cuts to add dimension, and finally inked with Memento in Danube Blue.  A die cut of the island of Oahu is inked in Memento Olive Grove.  

Step 5:

 

When the photo was layered over the frame the match between the soil and the Peanut Brittle was so close, they blended together!  The edges of the photo are inked with StazOn in Jet Black to add definition to all edges of the photo, and allow the photo to stand out from the frame.

Step 6:

A journal block is written on the computer and printed out using photo settings and trimmed to size.  A frame is trimmed 1/4" larger than the journal block and inked in Memento Danube Blue.  The two are adhered together with Tear It! Tape.

Step 7:

 

 

The elements of the layout are placed on the background and adhered with Tear It! Tape or OnPoint Glue.  Memento Dual Tip Marker in Tuxedo Black is used to mark a small "X" as to the location of Koko Head on the Island of Oahu.   

Art Supplies

Imagine:

Memento--Peanut Brittle, Danube Blue, Olive Grove

Memento Luxe-- Peanut Brittle

StazOn--Jet Black

Memento Dual Tip Maker--Tuxedo Black

Ink Daubers

Tear It! Tape

On Point Glue

Other:

White canvas textured cardstock

White smooth textured cardstock

2" Rubber Brayer

Rubber balloons with popcorn and rice

Momenta Casual Script Alphabet Dies

Die Cut machine

Brother Scan and Cut 

Silhouette Design Store--Hawaii State die cut modified, Candy Apple Bold Script

Enjoy using a Tic Tac Toe challenge

This is a great Tic Tac Toe Challenge at Retro Rubber!  Please do join us and share your projects with us!  The Design Team have come up with some great cards!

 

The diagonal nature (flowers), green (leaves), and die cut (matching dies for this set) worked perfectly to create this elegant card.  This stamp set is one of the first stamp layering sets I purchased.  It is from Altenew in 2014 named Vintage Flowers with matching dies.  I choose one style of flower from the set even though there are others to choose from.  A stamp platform comes in very handy to stamp multiples of the same image in different colors.

• The flowers in stamped on glossy cardstock which makes them a bit more vibrant than non-glossy cardstock.  Memento in Elderberry, Sweet Plum, Lilac Posies, Angel Pink, and Lulu Lavender are used to created the multi-hued flowers.
• The leaves and stems are stamped in Memento Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, and Pistachio.  
• All the images are die cut with matching dies. 
• Kraft cardstock is die cut with Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles.
• A slightly larger layer was trimmed to 4.75" x 5.75" from white cardstock then inked with an ink dauber and Memento Sweet Plum.  I also inked the center of the cardstock and die cut the sentiment Enjoy using the Echo Park Sentiments die word set.  
• The layers are adhered together on an A7 size card (5" x7") with OnPoint Glue, with a few flowers and leaves popped up for dimension with foam adhesive. 
  

 Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoy this version of a Tic Tac Toe!  Come enter your project or card at Retro Rubber.

 CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB187.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Sketchy Time at Retro Rubber

Sketches are also a quick way to get a start on a card.  This 2 week challenge uses the following sketch from Retro Rubber.   

This sketch inspired me to use a set I've had for awhile.  One of those from Concord and 9th that I just had to have . . . but this is the first time it's actually seen ink!  Sweet Sprinkles was released in 2017.

• The sprinkles stamp is stamped four times 1.75" x 4.375".  Once each direction in Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid and Brilliance Galaxy Gold.  The edges are inked in Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid.
• The cupcake top is inked in Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid, then touches of Brilliance Moonlight White was added to the stamp of add a bit of color variation to represent the frosting.  Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue Sprinkles are added to the top, and the image is die cut with the matching die.
• The cupcake paper was stamped in Brilliance Galaxy Gold, I've always liked gold cupcake papers!  One of the reasons I choose this color scheme.  It is die cut with the matching die cut.
• Two additional layers of each die cut are adhered to the back to create a more dimensional cupcake.
• The placement of the stamped section, cupcake and choice of two coordinating washi tapes was determined.  The washi tapes are both by Paper Studio.  
• The sentiment was stamped in Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid before the cupcake was adhered.
• To finish the inside of the card My Favorite Things Birthday Greetings was stamped in Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid and another bit of washi tape was added.

I am really pleased with the final result, and it was super fun to actually use a stamp in my stash that needed a little inky love!  Please join us at Retro Rubber and play along with this quick and easy sketch!

CHALLENGE GUIDELINEs

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB186.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Thanks so much for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated!

Fourth of July Layout Made Easy with Memento inks and Fireworks!

Today I will share how easy it is to create a very cohesive layout using just two ink colors and the matching Fireworks! colors for an amazing Fourth of July scrapbook layout.  With just white cardstock, an embossing folder, a large die cut, and stamps this layout is perfect for Independence Day.

Skill:  Beginner

Time:  2 hours

 Directions:

Step 1:

Trim white cardstock to 1" on each edge larger than the photos.  Pressure emboss with Star Blanket.  Ink raised portion of embossed areas and edges with Memento Danube Blue or Lady Bug.  For my layout I trimmed two sections 5" x 7", three sections 4" x 5", and one section by 4" x 4" to back my phtotos.

Step 2:

Die cut two sets from Spellbinders Cascading Stars die and remove the stars.  Trim one outline die cut into a section of five stars, with the other being four stars.  Use Jumbo Dauber to tap Memento Danube Blue over one die cut and the smaller portion of the trimmed die cut.  Tapping the ink onto the paper keeps from damaging the die cut, which can occur if a rubbing motion is used.  The larger portion of the trimmed die cut is inked in Memento Lady Bug.  Continue to add ink until it is the desired hue. 

Step 3:

The splatter method is used with Fireworks! to add some interest to the white background.  Shake the bottle to distribute glimmer and then remove spritzer nozzle and gently tap the top to splatter ink from the outside of the spray tube.  Continue to tap until the desired amount of ink is on the paper.  I choose sections where the die cuts would be eventually placed.  I alternated the color choices from the die cut color.  This is the lower right corner of the right page.  

Step 4:

The left side of the layout shown completed with splattered Fireworks! in Memento Lady Bug and Danube Blue.

Step 5:

Determine placement placement of elements to add stamped sentiments.  Place on layout and remove other elements.  Use a stamp platform to stamp sentiments in proper position.

Step 6:

On the right page the stamped elements are determined, then half are removed before stamping to allow for clean stamping of correct colors.  The remaining elements are added and stamped.  It was easier to stamp all the images Memento Lady Bug at one time, then follow with images in Memento Danube Blue.

Step 7:

Spritz Fireworks! into a plastic tray or surface.  Place die cut stars from step 2 face down on the Fireworks! ink to add color.  Use tweezers to move around in the ink and add more ink to tray as needed.  About a third of the stars were inked with Fireworks! in Lady Bug the remaining in Fireworks! Danube Blue.

Step 8:

 

Determine correct placement of Fireworks! stars in the die cut.  I rotated the star until it fit properly into the die cut area.  Not all the stars are identical, so taking the time to find the right one was worth the effort for a seamless look.   

Step 9:

Adhere elements to layout.  Tear It! tape was used to adhere the photos to the textured mats.  The die cuts are adhered with On Point! glue.  The small dots around the star frames keep the layout clean and smudge free.  

Art Supplies

Imagine:

Memento--Lady Bug and Danube Blue

Fireworks!--Lady Bug and Danube Blue

Jumbo Dauber

Tear It! Tape

On Point Glue

Other:

White Cardstock

Cuttlebug Star Blanket embossing folder

Spellbinders Cascading Stars

Technique Tuesday Spectacular Memories

Hero Arts CL493 Holiday Sentiments

Tweezers

Die Cut machine

Stamp Platform

Mod Circles for Retro Rubber

 Our challenge for the next two weeks at Retro Rubber is to use circles in your project.  I took the "mod" part and decided that bright fluorescent colors would also be appropriate!  Hope you have as much with your Mod Circles as I did!

I decided to start with all my colors of Radiant Neon ink and an ancient Fiskars stamp stamp from at least 2005, Layer Away Variety.  This project was a bit of an experiment and turned into making a total of eight cards!

• A different color of Radiant Neon was chosen for each size of circle.  Electric Blue, Electric Green, Electric Orange, Electric Yellow, Electric Pink, and Electric Purple.  The different stamps were stamped randomly around a sheet of 8.5" x 1".  Subsequently this was trimmed into 4" x 2.5" sections.
• Another sheet of white cardstock was trimmed into four sections of 4" x 5" and pressure embossed with Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder.  The Radiant Neon Electric Orange ink pad was rubbed over the raised portions of the embossed cardstock.  Each section was trimmed to 4" x 2.5"
• Scraps of white cardstock were inked with an ink blusher and Radiant Neon Electric Green then pressure embossed with Cuttlebug Polka Dots.  Sections were trimmed to .75" x 4.25".
• Stamping Up!'s Think Happy Thoughts from about 2007 was stamped in Radiant Neon Electric Purple, with the flower stamped in Radiant Neon Electric Pink.  The sentiment was die cut with Spellbinder Standard Circles Large.
• Cardstock was die cut with Spellbinder Classic Scallops then the edges inked in Radiant Neon Electric Pink.
• The A-2 card base egdes are inked with an ink blusher and Radiant Neon Electric Blue.
• The card is adhered together with the sentiment circle raised with dimensional foam adhesive.

After a little experimentation I came up with a design that highlighted the bright color and fit the theme.  Please do join us at Retro Rubber and create something with circles!

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB185.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Thanks so much for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated!

The 70's Color Challenge at Retro Rubber

 What fun, time to revisit the 70's color scheme at Retro Rubber.  I actually do remember the Avocado Green shag carpet in our home and the Harvest Gold appliances in our kitchen.   

For my card I used the color scheme to designed a birthday card for my niece who enjoys succulents.  A quick search through my scraps I found a great patterned paper of orange and brown and jumped off from there.  All of the cardstock was also from the scrap folders.  Economy in card making!

• Brown cardstock is trimmed to 5.25" x 3", the patterned paper is trimmed to 2.75' x 5.125" and adhered to the left edge of an A-2 size card base.
• Gold cardstock is trimmed 4.125" x 3.125", and cream cardstock is trimmed to 3.875" x 2.875".  Both layers are adhered to the card base offset from the patterned paper layer.
• The Stamps of Life Succulents2stamp from 2008 is used to stamp the sentiment in the upper right corner in Memento Luxe Olive Grove.  
• The flower pot is die cut with the die from the set Succulents2stamp set.  Brown, gold, and cream cardstock.  The pattern on the rim is stamped in Memento Luxe Olive Grove and the edges are inked.  
• The round succulent is stamped in Memento Luxe Olive Grove and shaded with Memento Dual Tip Marker in Pear Tart.  The flower is colored with Memento Dual Tip Marker in Cantaloupe.  The additional die cut is from the coordinating Succulents 2 set.
• The succulents are adhered to the back of the pot, and the layers of the pot are adhered together before adding it to the card.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and do join us at Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.  This was a fun card to create, and the color scheme worked perfectly!

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

• We require stamps older than one year.  If we feel you are using newer stamps, you may be disqualified from the challenge without notification.
• New papers/dies are OK – but you must use at least one stamp older than a year and describe the age in your blog post.
• Please note that all challenges require the use of at least one stamp older than a year.
• Post your new creation to your blog or online gallery.   Use keyword RRCB184.  No backlinking. 
• Link back to the blog using the Linky Tools by the due date. 
• Enter as many times as you like. 
• Feel free to combine our challenge with a maximum of 10 challenges.  Entries linked to more than 10 challenges will be disqualified without notification.
• If your project is posted on a private group site such as Split Coast Stampers or a photo sharing site not all DT members may be able to comment.   Thank you for understanding.
• Turn off Word Verification.  We love to comment but word verification can make that difficult.

Thanks so much for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated!

Use Creative Medium Background for a Stunning card

Use Creative Medium Background for a Stunning Card

 

 

I am always searching for new ways to use supplies and tools.  Creative Medium comes in many colors, but the Iridescent Green creates stunning results on black paper.  The use of an Embossing Folder helps the layers of the iridescent effect really shine.  A few layered stamped images and I have a beautiful sympathy card to send to a dear friend.  

 

Skill: Beginner

 

Time: 1 hour plus dry time

 

Directions:

 

Step 1:

 

Cover a section of black paper (with or without texture) with a thin layer of Creative Medium in Iridescent Green.  I used Imagine's Squeegee to spread the layer across the paper.  The rubber edge was very helpful to get a thin even layer.  Set aside to dry, possibly overnight.  After it is dry it will still have a slightly rubbery texture.

Step 2:

 

Trim a section of the paper to 4" x 5 1/4" and pressure emboss with Sizzix Tropical Paisley Embossing Folder.  You can really see the detail in this photo.

Step 3:

Layer stamp the Hero Arts Hibiscus and leaves images.  Start with the lightest ink first.  For the Hibiscus--Radiant Neon Electric Yellow, Memento Cantaloupe, Memento Tangelo, and Versa Fine Habanero.  The leaves are stamped in Memento Bamboo Leaves and Northern Pine.  The images are die cut twice more from white and layered under matching die cuts with OnPoint glue.

Step 4:

 

The sentiment from Unity Stamp Company is stamped in Versa Fine Habanero then heat embossed with Iridescent Embossing powder.  (Not shown) The image is die cut with Lawn Cuts Everyday Sentiments die.  One end is trimmed off square.  The banner is inked with an ink dauber and Radiant Neon Electric Yellow.  The edges are inked with Memento Cantaloupe. 

Step 5:

 

Ink the edges of a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card with Radiant Neon Electric Yellow ink with an ink dauber.

 

 

 

Step 6:

 

 

The layers are adhered together with Tear It! Tape.  It adheres well with the textured layers of the card.  The two Hibiscus flower are lifted a bit with dimensional foam adhesive.

Imagine

• Creative Medium Iridescent Green
• Imagine Squeegee
• Radiant Neon Electric Yellow
• Memento--Cantaloupe, Tangelo, Bamboo Leaves, Northern Pines
• Versa Fine Habenero
• Tear It! Tape
• Ink Dauber
  

Other

• Black and white cardstock
• Sizzix Tropical Paisley Embossing Folder
• Stamp Platform
• Heat Embossing Gun
• Hero Arts Hibiscus C1868
• Unity Stamp Company "beautiful life, blessed memories"
• Lawn Cuts Die Everyday Sentiments
• Dimensional Foam Adhesive