by Elina Stromberg

This easy background technique can be used for creating beautiful soft backgrounds for various paper crafting projects. I used it for decorating a simple one-layer card, embracing our lovely color of the month ‘Fern Green’. The technique is quick and easy, and it requires only a very limited amount of supplies. Just take out your favorite Memento ink pad, any pattern stencil, a sponge dauber, and you’re good to go!

Skill: Beginner
Time: 1 hour

Directions

Step 1

Place card base flat on your Craft Mat, inside facing down. Wipe the Craft Mat with the ‘Bamboo Leaves’ green ink pad, mist the ink gently with water. Using a Jumbo dauber apply a soft layer of ink on the card base, both on the card front and on the backside. Do not ink the entire card but leave some areas blank. Let dry for a few minutes.

Step 2

Stencil random text patterns on the inked areas. Use the same green Memento ink and a small Sponge dauber.

Step 3

Die-cut the ‘Thank You’ sentiment twice, once from white cardstock and once from dark green. Layer the die-cut words letting the white layer partly show underneath. Glue on the card front. Die cut a branch from dark green cardstock and glue on the card front. If you don’t have a die-cutting machine decorate the card with letter stickers and hand-cut leaves, branches, or flowers.

Supplies

Imagine

• Memento Inkpad – Bamboo Leaves
• Jumbo Dauber, Sponge Dauber
• Craft Mat

Other

• Card base
• Cardstock – White, Dark Green
• The Crafter’s Workshop – Art Is Stencil
• Sizzix – Skeleton Leaves
• Die-Versions – Everyday
• Water Mister
• Glue