"Beyond Basic Backgrounds"

I love this, it gives me a chance to start with the background and then I add the stamps.  More times than not, I pick my stamp set first and then go from there.

My first card uses the "Leaf Clusters" stamp and die set.  This size of the card is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", top folded and "Neenah Solar White" cardstock for the base and panels.

I first ink blended my panel using "Distress Oxide" inks.  I then did the water bleaching/baby wipe technique with the stamps randomly in my "Misti".  I did this several time, however I still had not achieved the look I was going for.  I then stamped a flannel background image with "Hero Arts -Unicorn" ink and then heat embossed with a fine detail clear embossing powder.

The sentiment is also from the "Leaf Clusters" stamp set.  The leaf was cut out in green cardstock using the coordinated die set.

Both the leaf and the main panel is popped up with foam for added dimension.  To finish off the card I added some faceted flat back baubles.

For my second card I ink blended an Ombre look in blues to green.  I then used the "Layered Medallion  B Stencil" and "Unicorn" effect paste by Finnabair. 

While that was drying I die cut out of vellum the large image from the "Dodec Star" die set.  I also heat embossed the silver panel several times to build up a nice fluid silver.   The sentiment is from the "Painted Greetings" stamp set.  All were layered flat except for the sentiment panel, that was popped up with foam tape.  To finish this card off I added some faceted, flat backed jewels.

My final card was quite the mishmash.  It measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" top folding on "Neenah Solar White" Cardstock.

The background panel was created with acrylic paint and gel plates.  The die cut layer is from the "Tangled Loops" cover die.  On it, I did some simple ink blending, then added gold ink in various places.  Once adhered to the background, I flicked metallic blue acrylic paint as well as gold ink all around.

I have no idea what stamp set the sentiment if from (please let me know if you know what it is) but I do know it is from "Altenew".  Anyway, it was stamped with "Versamark" ink and then heat embossed in fine detail silver embossing powder.

For a very subtle embellishment, I coiled up some silver thread and placed it behind the sentiment, which was popped up with foam.