Stamp Your Background

Stamps are fabulous for creating a focal image on our cards and paper craft projects, but we shouldn't limit their use just to the spotlight. They're also great for creating wonderful, coordinating backgrounds, which also means we're extending the usefulness of our stash and getting more value for our money. Happy days! Today I want to share a simple background technique that can be achieved using any of your stamps, even your digis if you're handy in Photoshop. Just grab your favourite image and get to work...

I'm using the starfish and shells image from By the Seaside for today's project, and I'm going to stamp the image repeatedly on a piece of kraft card stock using "Desert Sand" Memento ink.

1. Imagine you're making a CAS style card with just one stamped image... that's where you want to position your first impression. For the purpose of this tutorial, we'll call it the focal image.

2. Ink up your stamp repeatedly and stamp around your focal image, turning it each time to fit into the space. You're aiming for a "patterned paper" look.

3. Allow the stamp to go over the sides of the card stock and make sure you hit each of the corners. Try not to leave too many large blank spaces.

4. When you're satisfied with your stamping, add some ink to the edges of the card stock. It will help to define the borders or boundaries of your panel.

5. Time to add some colour! I'm using pencils, but you can use your favourite medium or even print out a coloured version of the digi, fussy cut and adhere it over the top. The panel is now ready to use on a card.

Stamps:

By The Seaside clear stamps

By The Seaside digital stamps