Thursday, February 19, 2015

Sweet Stamps- Happy Birthday Bokeh

The challenge at Sweet Stamps for this week is Happy Birthday.


 I have been seeing cards using this Bokeh technique, and you know me- I had to try it!
How to:
1)Spritz watercolor paper with water
2)Apply Distress inks to craft mat. I used Spun Sugar, Wild Honey, Tumbled Glass, Shabby Shutters and Dusty Concord.
3) Using a Paint brush or waterbrush, apply the colors to your paper in a random pattern. I applied the colors lightest to darkest.  Dab with paper towel if the paper is too wet or if puddles form- so the colors do not get muddy.
4)Allow watercolor paper to dry- or use a heat gun to dry it.
5)Punch out a stencil using paper punches or dies- I used cardstock for my circles.
6)Using the lightest, mid color and darkest color, sponge on circles of color-again lightest to darkest- try to overlap the colors a touch.
7) Tap on white ink thru the stencil. I  started with the largest circles and used lighter white on the largest circles and got darker with the white as the circles got smaller. I used watered down Gesso for the smallest circles.
8) Add your stamped design
* A tip I learned from Michelle Zindorf- to emboss using a color- stamp the color ink onto your stamp, then ink with clear embossing ink. Stamp onto cardstock, add embossing powder, then Viola- I also make sure I check the dauber before I re-ink into my white pad, so I do not 'dirty' it up. Just swipe it on a paper towel and you will avoid adding ink to your white from the dauber.

Products I used from the Sweet Stamps Store:
Distress Inks HERE
Anti-Static pad HERE
Copic Sketch Markers HERE
Sweet Treats Clear Set HERE
Simple Greetings Clear Set HERE
Clear Detail Embossing Powder HERE
White Dye Ink HERE
Wink of Stella Pink  025 HERE
Stardust Gelly Roll Pen HERE
Royal Shades Die Ink HERE

Our winners are chosen by Random.org- and if you use a Sweet Stamps image, your entry will count x's 2!

Sweet Stamps has a Pintrest board HERE

Sweet Stamps has a Facebook group HERE

Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps challenge- Make your Mark
Creative Card Crew- Birthday with Sentiment
Tip Top Tuesday- Stamps only
Addicted to Stamps- Embossing

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

20 comments:

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

I've been wanting to try this technique. Maybe I will soon. Your card is absolutely gorgeous.

Rainey's Craft Room said...

A gorgeous background and very effective. Thanks for joining us at Top Tip Tuesday this time.
Lorraine DT

Lynn McAuley said...

Sensational birthday card, Shelly! I love your awesome bokeh background. Thanks for the careful instructions. I'll have to give this a try!

Pamellia said...

Beautiful Shelley!! I have got to get some new glasses so I can read your tutorials...man oh man! Brilliant background my friend! hugs :)

jimlynn said...

COOL technique for that background! WOW! Really gives this a pretty look. Love it!
Lynn

Barb Ghig said...

Beautiful water coloring and I love your Bokeh background! Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at ATSM!

Deborah Frings said...

I really like this bokeh effect. The birthday card is super. Thanks so much for playing along with ASM this week!

Penny said...

What a gorgeous background for your image! Love it! Really made for a pretty card! :^)
Hugs, Penny

Donna K said...

You did an amazing job with this technique...how gorgeous! I need to get more adventurous with techniques like this. Thanks for sharing the beauty and the inspiration!

s.mcfeggan@gmail.com said...

Beautiful!!! I've been wanting to try this too.

kiwimeskreations said...

Wow - what a great result Shelly - a great background!! I usually put the embossing ink on my stamp, then the coloured ink - then I don't 'stain' my embossing ink (or versamark) pad.
Blessings
Maxine

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Fabulous card Shelly with lots of interesting colours and techniques. Love the background effect.
Thanks for playing along at ATSM
Sarah x

*Vicki* said...

Shelly this is really awesome!! I love the different colors in your background!! So funny because I've actually just finished a card using this technique!! :)

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Wowzers - stunning background! Thanks so much for playing along with ATSM this week!

NanaConnie said...

WOW, what a fabulous background, Shelly! I've never tried this technique but will have to think about it very seriously because I think the effect is incredible.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Ah lovely work Shelley must do this soon, love the various tips too all appreciated,
Shaz in Oz.x
{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

Sherrie K. said...

Wow, what a beautiful bokeh background! I am gonna have to try this technique:) Have a great day Shelly!
Sherrie K

Unknown said...

Love your background! Thanks for joining us at Top Tip Tuesday.

Dana Desmond said...

The background is beautiful. I'm going to try this on one of my cards. Thank you for participating in the Creative Card Crew Challenge.

Marlies said...

A lovely card! You've created a beautiful background. Thanks for joining us at ATSC. Marlies