Painted Glass with Bokeh Background

Good Day Crafty Friends,

Hope you are having a swell day. Its a gorgeous day here in my neck of the woods, although the temperature is just starting to shift, I cannot complain as its been a very mild Autumn. Fingers crossed the same applies to our Winter.

I wont take up much of your time, just wanted to share a recent make using the large image stamp from the Painted Glass set.

I created a Bokeh background and then white embossed the circular image. To tone down the extremely vibrant background, I added a strip of vellum before adhering the cluster of elements in the right hand corner. I don't know what it is, but I always gravitate to that corner.

Do you complete the make and takes at Onstage on the day? I don't lol I stamp the required pieces and drag everything else home and recycle it!! I know, I am such a miser lol.

I have used the strip of Share What you Love Speciality DSP and new 1/4" Rich Razzleberry Velvet Ribbon, from one of the make and takes to create this card. A stitched rectangle was added as a base for the cluster, created by extending the square Framelits. Also, a strip of Gold Foil, a Butterfly die cut and then the stamped butterfly image, also from Painted Glass.

I wanted to add some Gold Metallic Thread but couldn't find it! I know I pulled it out to thread some onto a bobbin and then well....I just don't know! It will show up.

Creating Bokeh Backgrounds

I always use Shimmery White Card Stock when using any sponging techniques.

Create a stencil with half a sheet of Acetate, using different sized circular shapes. I used both punches and die cuts.

Start by sponging your base colours, in circular motions - always circular. Start off the card on scratch paper and work your way onto the card stock. This prevents ink build up and noticeable sponge marks. Always build colour, meaning, start off light and add layers of colour. Never go in expecting the ink pad colour to be transposed onto the card with just one coating. It takes many layers.

Once you are satisfied with your background, let it dry. I tend to leave them overnight. If you don't wait, you will need a few sponges for the next stage, as the ink can transfer onto yours sponges. Take your stencil and sponge White Craft Ink. Alternate the circles and layers of white ink used. Be random and don't be afraid to overlap.

Hope you are inspired to give it a try.

Until next time, stay crafty

Bokeh Effect

One of the sponging effects I adore for soft backgrounds is the Bokeh technique.

 

Aren't they just stunning! They are reasonably easy to make - just a little inky.  Just take some white card stock, sponge randomly in a few chosen colours, then using different sized circle stencils sponge in white. I didn't have a stencil so just cut a few different sized circles using Dies and Punches on Cardstock and used that as my stencil.

I used Daffodil Delight, Pool Party and Marina Mist Inks and sponged randomly before applying White Craft Ink using the circle stencil. The Mediterranean Moments stamp was inked in Black Archival and coloured using the Water Colour Pencils. The Happy Birthday sentiment was heat embossed in white. Black Card Stock was used to matt before adhering to Pool Party card front.

 

When sponging I often use the same three colours - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo. They blend well together and is a bright and impactful colour scheme.  The card below is an example of this colour combo.

 

Pineapples!! I love them! Raw and on Pizza!! When I lived in Queensland we drove a Motorhome from the Sunshine Coast upto Airlie Beach and saw many Pineapple Planations, Banana Fields and Sugar Cane Crops. The Pineapples were the sweetest, freshest and cheapest I have had the pleasure of experiencing. Whenever I see Pineapples it reminds me of this fun trip and the memories.

 

Using the same technique - laying colours down with sponges then applying circles in White Craft Ink, I then just placed it directly onto a black card front, heat embossed the sentiment in white and attached the die cut Tee using a dimensional. The Tee was made using the Custom Tee Bundle and the Pineapple from the Pop of Paradise stamp set. 

Hope my cards have inspired you to get into your crafty space and try the Bokeh effect on some of your card fronts. 

Happy Crafting xx