Ombre Background

Happy February!  January sure flew by fast!  Of course, since I was gone the first two weeks, maybe that is why I think so.  Below are two calendars that I received for Christmas.  The top one was made by my sister, Marianne and the second one was made by my friend and neighbor, Gayle.  I love them both and love having my own calendars to look at.  I always make calendars for every one else and never for myself!

I attended the Newcomers Coffee today.  It was good to see everyone again.  I missed the January meeting and I usually go to the coffee's each month.  I am going to be the photographer again this year (last year though!) and I was busy today taking pictures of the new officer installation.  I finished the memory book for the outgoing president and got it back from the printer in time to give it to Sandy today.  I hope she will enjoy it!

I made a card this afternoon after seeing a video about ombre backgrounds by Jennifer McGuire.  I just had to try it before I forgot!

I used the Flourishing Phrases stamp set for the background stamp.  I stamped it with VersaMark ink; sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder all over and heat set it.  Next I took a large dauber and rubbed Watermelon Wonder ink all over the bottom of the card until I got it as dark as I wanted it.  I used a Blender Brush (like a big paintbrush) to get the lighter Watermelon ink on the rest of the card.  You could also use a sponge but just go lightly.  When you get the background the way you like it, take a clean cloth (or paper towel) and rub the ink off the Versa-marked background.  For "hello" I used a piece of thin white craft foam (from HL, M's, etc.).  First I adhered a piece of Stick It adhesive sheets (found them in my stash and I have never used them!) to both sides of the craft foam.  Take the protective cover off one side and adhere a piece of white card stock.  Die cut "hello" (SU Hello You thinlits) on the card stock side of the foam.  Before removing it from the negative, ink it with the Watermelon ink - darker on the bottom.  To get the sparkle, tap the VersaMark ink pad on the die cut, sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds embossing powder on and heat set.  (Or you can do like me - I forgot to do that step before adhering "hello" to the card.  So I used a VersaMark Pen and went over the die cut while on the card.  Then embossed and heat set.)  Stamp the sentiment (from Cottage Greetings) on a strip of white card stock, emboss with clear and heat set.  Rub your dauber with Watermelon ink over the strip.  The ombre panel is on a white card.  I daubed Watermelon ink all around the edges of the white card so it would all match!

Try it and see what you can do with this technique!