Creating A Stamped Look Using Background Dies

Hey Crafty Meraki friends....Michelle here and this week it is all about backgrounds with the design team.  I`m showing you how to create an eye catching background using those A2 cover dies that doesn't involve any diecutting for the background. Let's get to it, shall we!

To start I used the circle stamping foam from Simon Hurley and removed the circle in the center of it.  I heated it up wth my heat embossing tool and once it was nice and warm, I pressed the Marrakech Mosaic A2 Background Die into.  I made sure to try and get even pressure all around it, being careful not to press too hard around the edges of it, so as not to possibly bend it.  You can really used any textured surface to craete the design in it...it is really fun to use!

Next I took a dark blue ink pad and went direct to the stamping foam and pressed it into my white cardstock cut to an A2 size.  Again I made sure to press well, so as to get an even impression.  To remove the pressed design from the foam when you are done, all you need to do is heat it again with your heat tool and you'll see the design release right before your eyes.  Rinse off any remaning ink from it and it's ready for the next project.

I placed the outer part of the foam onto the cardstock to protect the outer part of the cardstock to add some ink splatters.  First I added white but that wasn't quite doing it for me, so I used the Gilded Foundry Wax from Ranger and splattered it on,  Hit it with the heat tool for a few seconds to set it permanently and to bring out the shine, as it is matte when it goes on at first.

Cut out 3 leaves from the Canopy Leaf Die, in black and white.  Add some of the gold splatters to 1 black and white and then using a gold pigment ink pad, ink up the third white leaf by placing the diecut leaf on top of the ink pad and ink up the leaf.  Protect your finger by using a piece of tape to press the leaf into the gold ink.

Add the black leaf and then the smaller ink splattered white one on top.  Take the gold inked up white leaf (which is the same small size as the white gold splattered one) and add it on top of the white one but off setting it a bit to allow some of the white to peek through.  Die cut one of the sentiments from the Gilded Greetings EAP and adhere using foam squares.

I had lots of fun creating this, but can you believe I've had this stamping foam sitting around for well over a year, without even as much as picking it up try it...shocking, I know lol  It's definitely going to be getting more use now that I've used it and see how fun it is!  Imagine all of the possibilities for it, as ANY surface can be used to create the texture!  Crafty Meraki has so many other amazing dies that can be used too!

 Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope that I have helped to inspire you in some way.  Have yourself a wonderful and crafty day and until next time,  Michelle :)