Partial Background Embossing

Gina from Stamp TV does this video, where she uses the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing folder and a score board for the background of this card.
(The focal oval is added on top.)

Gina demonstrates how this is done, and can be done with ANY embossing folder where the design is an all-over one... where the design does not need to oriented in a certain direction to look right. Does that make sense?

Click HERE to watch on YouTube

Makes for an easy, elegantly designed card... just add a stamped sentiment and a
matted focal image... voila!

Two-Toned Background Embossing Technique

I absolutely LOVE the Square Lattice embossing folder from Stampin' Up! I don't know exactly why, but it just "speaks" to me. In fact it was so loud, that I finally broke down and bought it, lol!

Then I ran across this technique video by Catherine Pooler, an SU consultant of course, who uses this unique embossing folder to achieve a two-toned inked and embossed effect on cardstock for the background of her cards. You'll see a couple of her samples in the video:

Click HERE to watch this on YouTube.

Isn't that a great technique? Love it!

Now you could do this same thing with ANY embossing folder and with ANY colors you choose, as well as ink the opposite side of the folder to have the colors reversed! ... *** NOTE: Clean your brayer and embossing folder with stamp cleaner or baby wipe immediately after embossing.

Butterfly Pansies

This is a video from a Stampin' Up consultant, Dawn Olchefske. She makes the cutest pansies from the SU Butterfly punch (that is no longer available), so if you have the punch already, then you're all set!.... If not, the 2 pieces could be cut by hand.

Either way, the "reinker spread" technique is great!

Click HERE to watch on YouTube.

Herringbone Patterned Background

Beate from SCS has made a video to show how to make a herringbone design on background paper. I'll have to remember to run the base cardstock through the Xyron. Looks like the easiest way to do the adhesive!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

... a GREAT way to use up scraps!

Glitter Window Technique

Laurie from SplitcoastStampers shows us a technique to use to create quick and easy cards that shimmer and shine! You need glitter, dies (or punches), and package tape.

Watch this quick video on YouTube: HERE

Color - Pastels on Black

Color pastel chalk pencils on black cardstock. The results are a gorgeous soft look to use on cards or scrapbook pages. Beate from Splitcoast Stampers shows this coloring technique in this video:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Frosted Window Technique

Create a Frosted Window by stamping your image twice... once on cardstock and once on vellum. Beate from Splitcoast Stampers shows this easy technique in the video below:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

DIY Glaze & Glitter Glue that will NOT Flake Off

Linda Kaiser from The Paper Boutique, shows a couple of techniques using Mod Podge, reinkers and glitter that are super easy and give fabulous results! Watch this video to see what I mean:

Click HERE to watch on YouTube

Isn't that great? I loved the glitter glazing results... that technique will make things sparkle so much. :) 

Have a glittering and glazing fun day!

Faux-Letterpress Embossing

Ink your embossing folder, before running the cardstock through the machine, for a rich, faux-letterpress look. This is also an easy technique brought to us by Beate from SCS....

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Just be careful not to move your cardstock once down

on the ink, or it will smear!

Easy Watercolor Backgrounds

Use water-based markers and a piece of acetate to create a watercolor wash background. This technique is so easy, that after taking the time to say what products/companies she's using, Beate from SCS, still shows the complete technique.... ALL in under 2 minutes!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Faux-Textured Paper

Bev from Scrappin' Thread has this great video on how to make
faux-textured paper from cardstock. She shows us that by using a couple
of different kinds of ink, you can create beautiful background papers. These 2 techniques are perfect for making scrapbook layouts and cards, as well as other embellishments to use in paper crafting.

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Coloring with Copics - Basic Blending Techniques

Beate from SCS gives a few basic coloring lessons with alcohol-based markers... here she uses Copics.

Watch on YouTube: HERE

I just thought I'd save this video link on my blog since I've thought about investing in some of these markers. Then I'll have this as a reference to look back on when I'm trying these out!

Painting with Mica Powders

You can really get some stunning effects on cards (or layouts) when painting with mica powders! In the following video, Christina from Card Making Magic, shows how to do this technique, as well as making a gorgeous card with her mica-painted image. She even gives a tip on how to tie a perfect bow!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

If you haven't got any mica's laying around, or even if you do, my favorite ones are the magical mica's from Lindy's Stamp Gang (LSG). Check them out!

Salted Background

Sprinkle rock salt on inked background for a speckled look.... different coarseness will make different sized splotches and speckles. I wonder if regular table salt would do the same thing...hmmm!

This video is from SplitcoastStampers. Beate shows how to do this easy technique on glossy cardstock.

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Let me know if you give it a try or have done it before. I would like to see your creations!

Painting with Starburst Stains

Arlene, one of the Lindy's Stamp Gang designers, shows how easy it is to paint with their shimmery Starburst stains! Oooo pretty, pretty!.... She includes a tutorial on an absolutely beautiful card she made using this technique. I've got several of these stains already, but of course none of them are the ones she uses, so.... I guess it's time to go shopping!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Shop Lindy's Stamp Gang here!

Faux-Tile Effect

In this tutorial, Christina from Card Making Magic, shows us how to make faux-tile!
It's very easy, and creates a pretty effect. She also finishes a card off and shows a few
more samples she's already completed.

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Embedded Embossed Image

Beate from Split Coast Stampers shows us this embossing technique. Embedded images

work well with silhouette-type stamps, of which I have a few! (But of course it is not

limited to just those types of stamps.)

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Pretty cool! Below is a sample done on patterned paper:

Verdigris Patina Technique - by Tresa Black (aka The Stamp Goddess!)

Tresa shows us how easy it is to create an aged Copper Patina (Verdigris) image with
LSG and CTMH products! This is another Fabulously Artsy technique!

Watch video tutorial on YouTube: HERE

Shop for LSG products: http://lindystampgang.com

Bandana Technique Card - by Tresa Black (aka The Stamp Goddess!)

Learn two ways to create the bandana look -- 1) "resist" using a white colored pencil, and 2) perfect dots with acrylic paint and an embossing stylus. Tresa shows us how easy it is to add these "white" accents to color-patterned backgrounds to achieve the "bandana" look! She also makes a pretty sparkly Thank You card with the finished piece, and embellishes the card with bling, glitter. liquid glass, and stitches!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Painting with Bleach - by Tresa Black (aka The Stamp Goddess!)

This is a cool technique that the Fabulously Artsy, Ms. Tresa Black, shows us how to do in this video tutorial!

(Please watch and then read the posting under the video for more information

about working with bleach, before attempting this technique)

Watch on YouTube: HERE