For quite a while now, I have been trying to make the perfect cloud or puff of ink as a background on my card fronts. I kept ending up with blotchy, streaky messes. Finally, I realized I was using the wrong tool. I'm very excited to share with you today how I successfully got these beautiful clouds of ink in the middle of my card fronts. So, on y go! Let's get stamping. 

It's only August, but Christmas will be here before you know it! So, it's never to early to start making Christmas Cards. Today, I have three cards for you using the new Peace & Joy stamp set from Stampin' Up! I started with a very simple card that uses only stamping and minimal layering. Then, I stepped it up using a little ribbon and some Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper. Finally, I stepped it up again by using the coordination Joy dies. Whether you want a super quick and easy card or something fancy, there's a design for you! So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

Casual Card Dimensions:
Real Red: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Heartwarming Hugs DSP: (2) 3/4" x 5 1/2"
Whisper White: 3" x 5"
Pear Pizzazz: 3 3/16" x 5 3/16"
​Mossy Meadow: 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" 

I never know quite what to call the different fun-fold cards. So, I settled on Illusion Card Front for this one, because it kind of seems like an optical illusion that the card stays together. We did this fun layout for last night's Mystery Stamping event. It's great because it's easy and can be used with all sorts of stamps. So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

Next, fold the card and set it in front of you. Lay the cut-off strip of 1 1/2" x 4 1/4" cardstock on the bottom where it would have originally been. Then, turn the piece of 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" card stock and glue it so that it holds the bottom strip to the top flap to create the card front. Be careful to only put glue on the top and bottom so that you don't glue your card front closed!

Add a piece of 4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock to the inside of the card. Stamp an image on the piece of 2 1/4" x 4" Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock and it to the front of your card. 

I just can't stop with the smooshing technique! Since I made another background in the video for the last post, I went ahead and finished it off into this dramatic thank you card using the new Life is Beautiful stamp set. This stamp set will be available starting tomorrow in the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog. ​

Here is a summary of the technique. For a more complete explanation, see my other cards using the smooshing technique or watch this instructional video. 

For this card, I stamped the circles from the Life is Beautiful set in Granny Apple Green and Coastal Cabana randomly on the background piece, but I didn't stamp them all over. I think the circles add to the blotchy-ness of the smooshed background. On top of that, I stamped the trees with Jet Black Stazon ink. 

For the greeting, I cut the thank you using the Well Written dies from Granny Apple Green and Basic Black cardstock. I cut two black ones and one green. I stacked the die-cuts on top of each other off-setting the green from the black a little bit to create a shadow effect.

To finish the card, I tied the front with a piece of black baker's twine that I swiped from an old Paper Pumpkin kit. I mounted the smooshed background on Basic Black cardstock and then again on a Basic Black card base using black Stampin' Dimensionals.

I have another watercolor technique to share with you today - smooshing! It's as fun as the name. In this short video, I shared how I did this technique. Don't worry - it's less messy than it looks! So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

BONUS: Click to check out my other blog post with an additional sample that I made with one of the backgrounds created in the video.