March 15, 2009

Wildflower Masked Background

Bring on Spring, I say! In the meantime, I'd love to show you how to create some beautiful floral backgrounds. I'm using Lisa Johnson's new Life stamp set which is full of floral silhouettes.

I'm going to show you how to do some masking, which means you cover up an area so that no ink gets underneath it. I'm using Eclipse Masking Tape which is THE perfect product for all your masking. It's sticky but repositionable so that you can use the mask over and over, or until you wear your mask out. And it's very thin paper so when you stamp over the mask, there are no shadow lines, it's all very crisp. You can find it at Eclectic Paperie or Ellen Hutson, LLC...links at the left under the shopping category.

Okay, to start out I stamped a floral silhouette onto my masking tape and then cut out that shape with some fine tip scissors. For this mask, I didn't worry about getting exactly around all the leaves precisely. You'd be forever and day doing that!
For my stamping surface, I used a 1/4 sheet of Shimmer White Cardstock. I layed my floral mask down and used a finger dabber sponge and Plum Pudding ink to gently rub over the mask. It helps to dab some of the color off onto scratch paper to remove the darkest of the ink from the sponge. You can also use small pieces of sponge if you don't have the finger dabbers.
I then set my mask aside and stamped the same floral silhouette stamp onto my Shimmer White Cardstock using Ripe Avocado ink. Random stamping here.
Then I reached for the lavendar looking silhouette stamp and stamped some more images using Plum Pudding. My background is getting pretty now.
Then I used some Lemon Tart ink to stamp yet another floral silhouette image over my background paper. The yellow is a complimentary color to purple on the color wheel. What does that mean?.....it means that colors opposite on the color wheel look good together. It's art talk and it makes your projects just pop off the page. Just do it, trust me. My background is pretty much complete at this point.
Now for a little twist. A few summers ago, my sister and I pressed some flowers from her flower beds. I have lots of CD tins full of pressed wildflowers so I was excited to get them out again. I dug around carefully and found some actual lavender and some other purple flowers to use. I made a simple card using Kraft cardstock for the base card and sentiment, inking all the edges with Fresh Snow ink. I raised my sentiment portion off the base card using pop dots so that the floral stems could be hidden underneath. I adhered the real flowers to the card using Zip Dry glue..any clear, tacky glue will work. The sentiment is just of the many thoughtful verses that coordinate with the word Life. You will love them all, Lisa did a great job putting together the elements of this set. I finished off the card front with a Vintage New Leaf Button and a snipped of Lavender Moon twill ribbon.
Isn't it beautiful? I've gazed at it by my computer all day! I must make more because this one's heading off to someone who will have a special place for it I know. Check out the photo below by zooming in...you can get a glimpse of how the Shimmer Cardstock looks. It's so much shimmery in real life.
And below is the inside of the card. I repeated some of the floral silhouette images along with the word enjoy to tie in with the outside of the card.
I hope I have inspired you to try some new backgrounds for your cards. Stay tuned to the blogaroonie because I've got another tutorial for how I did THIS BACKGROUND coming up soon. Thanks for visiting today!

61 comments:

Suzanne said...

Hi Michelle,

I frequent your blog everyday, but have never posted. I thought it was time since I wanted you to know that I LOVE your work. Every single project you post makes me smile. Thank-you for sharing with us!

Have a GREAT day!
Suzanne

Jennifer Aviles said...

Michelle, has anyone told you today how absolutely fabulous you are? You *are*. . . Gorgeous work!

Unknown said...

I love all of your cards, but the cards with the wild flowers are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Linda Crowder said...

This is a wonderful tutorial. I too dry flowers and was wondering what to do with them, and then here you come with this great idea. I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.

MarieL said...

Hello Michelle,
I am speechless....absolutely fabulous, stunning, magnificent. Would Lisa be that special person ???
I knew that Life would be the first set to pick at the release party. I already received a confirmation today that my order will be shipped tomorrow. Can't wait. Thanks so much for the beautiful inspiration

Debbie Olson said...

Absolutely fabulous, Mish!

Mary said...

This is such an inspiring card. So extra special. I want to make it for an extra special friend. Thank you for creating something so beautiful. And for sharing it with your fans.

CK Chai said...

This is such a beautiful card and thanks for sharing the techniques used in making it. I totally heart this card!!!

Jan Castle said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely! Now I'm sure spring is just around the corner! Thanks for sharing.
Jan Castle

Cynde said...

What a truly stunning card! Love the dried flowers over your beautiful background...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful card, so simple to make and such a great effect!
And another question: Do I see your spring/easter decoration in the background (little eggs)? Can't wait to see your decoration for this spring again!!!

Nessie

Alex said...

What a gorgeous card! You absolutely inspired me! Will have to get that set! (It's on my wish list anyway!)
Thanks for sharing!

Toni said...

This is beautiful Michelle love it Toni

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle,

I just love your creations.
Thanks for sharing.

Have a Blessed Day
Patsann

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, I love it. Would also be great as a thank you card. Adore the colours; I would be more than happy to receive this card!

thimbles bobbins paper and ink said...

Michelle, your work is always the BEST but this time you've really outdone yourself. The wildflower masked background is fabulous and thank you so very much for sharing the details of how you created such a masterpiece. BEAUTIFUL!!

SueB said...

Awesome card - TFS!

Michelle said...

You go, girl - all famous in the Papertrey newsletter. Ohhh myyyy goodness this is DIVINE, Michelle! Seriously - I think this is the most amazing and beautiful card I have EVER seen you make. I mean all your stuff is wonderful and clever....but this one is absolutely in a league of it's own. Not sure I can do this, but my takeaway for now is the finger dabber sponge thing - never knew about that and now it's on my list of things I *need*. Thank you again - and have a wonderful shopping spree with the girls - woooweeee that sound F U N !

Kittie said...

Michelle, This is a gorgeous project. I so love the masked silhouette image idea as it just makes the stamped image pop even more. The dried flowers are wonderful. My mom was a florist and would have loved this beautiful work.

Andrea said...

wow Mish... that is really just soooo beautiful! A work of art! The recipient is one lucky chickie!

Chris said...

I have tins of pressed flowers too! I recognized your dusty miller there...what a great idea to combine the stamped flowers and real ones together. It's really quite lovely!

Toni K said...

This leaves me breathless. So beautiful!

Kim G said...

Love this card!! You make it read like I can actually do it myself!! Can't wait to try!

Kim Faucher said...

Michelle, this is so stunning! just fabulous.. I am so inspired!Thanks
kim

snarflemarfle said...

This is just Loverly!

I just get so inspired by reading your blog. I save almost every post in my blog reader so I can go back and try your design, technique or tutorial. Thanks for helping us learn how to do it!

And I'm looking forward to your next tutorial from that beautiful pom-pom card!

Melissa said...

This is gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial- now I have to wait (patiently!) for my set to arrive!

Anonymous said...

Mish! I love the LIFE set and you have taken it to another level! Woo Hoo! thanks for the details on how you did it! Such amazing inspiration.

Unknown said...

Your card is gorgeous! I have some dried flowers from my garden last year, so I'll have to try this technique. Thanks you Mish for the inspiration. Looking forward to the next tutorial!

KanataNewf said...

This is absolutely lovely.

Anonymous said...

Exquisite!

mommaladystamper said...

What an outstanding, beautiful card!! Your blog gives me so much inspiration. Love what you did with the dried flowers. Alice R.

Nessastamps said...

What a beautiful card. Someone is lucky to be receiving it!

Rebekah Smith said...

oh my gosh!:-)...this is beautiful!:-)...i love how you used the stamps and the real flowers together!:-)

thanks for letting us see!...ideas are spinning in my head!:-)

rebekah:-)

Anonymous said...

that's it! It's settled - I need to purchase some of this magical Eclipse Masking Tape. No two ways about it! I gotta admit that when I looked at the first few photos of your tutorial, I thought "what is she doing?" but when I continued reading your exceptional tutorial and saw the final product, I was stunned. So I picked my jaw up off my lap and decided I must try this masking and dried flower technique. Yours is sensational. TFS!

Dawn B. said...

This is beautiful. What a fantastic idea. TFS

Anonymous said...

Your wildflower BG is just beautiful! I love the kraft base and great sentiment! Sue (suen)

DebbieD said...

I love Wildflowers! Thanks for sharing this, can't wait to try it. I wish I had some dried Wildflowers, maybe the craft store does. I don't have a green thumb.

Anonymous said...

This card is Gorgeous!! Very earthy.

Anonymous said...

What a stunning card!! The colors are gorgeous and you added just the right kind of dried flowers to enhance this beautiful backgroung. Love the new images and sentiments.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful Mish!

Michelle B. AKA JustPaintingAround said...

Oh, this is absolutely gorgeous! I love the color combo. I think it would be equally as beautiful without the dried flowers!

Bev J. said...

Just so gorgeous. I love pressed flowers and they are really a finishing touch to your already pretty card. Thanks for the directions-will try this as I have some pressed flowers but never thought of using them with stamps.

Jeanne said...

True natural beauty. Stunning! I am so thrilled that I was able to order this set. Thanks for the tips on masking.

Anonymous said...

This is so gorgeous. Thank you for sharing the tutorial with us. I will definitely give it a try. All your projects are so beautiful... they make me drool. Looking forward to the pom-poms one!
CC

Juanita B said...

SENSATIONAL!!! You and your work are beyond fabulous!!! TFS!

Ida said...

It's been awhile since I've commented but this card just spoke to me. It's absolutely beautiful!

Ida said...

It's been awhile since I've commented but this card just spoke to me. It's absolutely beautiful!

Kristy said...

Mish, this is gorgeous! Wildflowers are my absolute favorite! I'd use them in a wedding if I could. The lucky recipient of this card will be so happy. It is a gift in and of itself.

Darlene Gabriel said...

This is such a beautiful card. Thanks for showing how you did the background. I would love to be able to do backgrounds like this - mine turn out looking like a mess.
This card makes me think Spring must be on the way.

Renee said...

Wow! This is gorgeous! I love checking your blog everyday :)

AKiteFlier said...

Stunning, Gorgeous, Sensational, Beautiful, Rockin Awesome, full of life, elegant... well I think you get the idea! WOWzers.

acons said...

I'm not a big blog poster but I check your blog often and want to let you know how much I appreciate your talent and your generosity in sharing your gorgeous art and the tips and tutorials! Thanks so much!

Jen said...

Wow Michelle,
you are amazing.......awesome post, but all your posts are awesome.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Mish! So elegant and the colors are perfect!! :)

Conniecrafter said...

Beautiful, love the combo of flowers and stamping!

Orchardviewcottage said...

love this!! Can't wait to try this... you've really put me in the mood for some spring projects!!

Anonymous said...

Every single thing about this card is perfection! Awesome, as usual.

Anonymous said...

I have to say these are the MOST beautiful cards! I am totally blown away with your creativity, Michelle. Everything you do is so gorgeous!
Thank you so much for the tutorial.

Nimue said...

Your card has to be one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen - Nimmy

Anonymous said...

You have the best ideas. Your life card is the prettest card I have seen. You are one talented girl! Please keep the ideas coming.

Joshua Jiraffe Designs said...

This is my first post to your blog, which I love visiting. This is so gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial...I can't wait to give it a try sometime. I love the ribbon at the bottom and the overall photo! Thank you!

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