by Elina Stromberg

This card project is a playful combination of two very different design elements; a simple white graphical front and a rich bright colorful background. This design idea can be used for various card projects of different sizes and shapes; this background looks as great on a large square card as on a small ATC. For the background use your favorite colors and color combinations and add additional layers with stamps and stencils. The graphical white card front will calm down even the busiest color burst background making the result look elegant and beautiful.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 2 hours + drying time

Direction

Step 1

Trim a panel from white cardstock. The size should be slightly smaller than your card base (approx. 0.25 inch smaller on all edges). Place the panel on your craft mat, backside up. Using a pencil and a ruler trace a border around the edges. Trace a few straight lines across the panel, letting the lines cross. Decide on the placement of the solid front label that will be the base for the stamped sentiment. Mark the label area clearly so that it will be left uncut.

Step 2

Place the front panel on a cutting mat. Using a craft knife and a ruler cut out the areas inside the crossing lines. Leave a thin border on both sides of the lines. Do not cut into the solid label area.

Step 3

Mist a piece of white heavy watercolor paper with water. Use your craft mat as a palette: Remove the nozzle from the Fireworks mist, pour a drop of color on the craft mat and apply color on the paper using a brush. Add drops of another matching color either with a brush or with the nozzle. Mix colors using both water and a brush, let dry before adding more layers of color.

Step 4

When finished with painting splash the paper with clear water. Let water react with the colors for a few seconds and lift off excess by pressing the paper with a paper towel. Let dry completely and trim to size of your white card front.

Step  5

Using one or two ink colors stamp the sentiment text on the card front.

Step 6

Assemble the card by first gluing the white card front on the colorful background and then attaching the entire front panel on the card base.

Extra Tip:

When coloring a card background I often use a paper slightly larger than my finished project. After trimming the panel to the final size I keep the colorful leftover pieces and use them for decorating the inside of the card. This way I’m continuing the same color and/or pattern theme on the inside of the card!

Supplies

Imagine

• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Lulu Lavender, Lilac Posies
• VersaFine Clair – Purple Delight
• VersaFine – Onyx Black
• Craft Mat

Other

• White cardstock
• White heavy watercolor paper
• Solid color card base
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Watercolor brush
• Craft knife
• Cutting mat
• Paper trimmer
• Glue
• Double-sided tape
• Ali Edwards – ‘Hello Birthday’ Stamp