Discover the Ink Blending Lift Technique for Unique Backgrounds!

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Ink blending is already one of my favorite ways to add color to a handmade card, but this week’s Stamp with Me Tuesday technique takes it to a whole new level! I’m calling it Ink Blending Lift, and it creates soft, almost bleached-looking images on your background—perfect for adding subtle texture and interest. You’ll definitely want to grab your blending brushes and give this a try!
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Check out the full post for the video tutorial, four inspiring card ideas, and a free downloadable project sheet so you can recreate the technique at home.

Watch the Replay of Stamp with Me Tuesday

See how to do this technique step-by-step, then download the free project sheet as a guide.

FREE Project Sheet

Complete Supply List for this Birthday Card

DIY Birthday Card with Round We Go

For this colorful card, I used the Round We Go stamp set and coordinating dies along with bright, citrusy ink colors—Daffodil Delight, Peach Pie, Lemon Lime Twist, Granny Apple Green, and Coastal Cabana. I created a stencil by die-cutting three different shapes from a Window Sheet, then spritzed with water and dabbed with paper towel to create overlapping images on the ink-blended background.

To finish it off, I added extra stamped stars and dots. The sentiment is stamped in Coastal Cabana on a 1 ¾” circle, layered over a 1 ⅞” circle—and good news, the 1 ⅞” Circle Punch is back in stock!

Hello Card with Sunshine Vibes

This sunny “Hello” card uses the Sunshine Vibes bundle and a vibrant rainbow of colors: Daffodil Delight, Peach Pie, Strawberry Slush, and Summer Splash. I die-cut the detail rainbow from a Window Sheet and used it as a stencil, rotating it as I went to create a repeating rainbow pattern in the background. The detail really pops against the soft ink lifting.

Complete Supply List for this Hello Card

Complete Supply List for this Note Card

Just a Note Card with Beautiful Motifs

For a more organic feel, I reached for the Beautiful Motifs bundle. I blended Lemon Lime Twist, Shy Shamrock, and Pretty Peacock, then used the fern die-cuts from the bundle as stencils. Since I spritzed carefully around each fern and moved it, the result is a background with textured, abstract fern shapes.

To bring in more texture, I stamped additional patterns with Pretty Peacock ink, added silver stars from the new Metallic Textures Rub-Ons, and tucked in threads of Silver Trim under the sentiment. It's full of dimension!

Floral Birthday Card with Charming Day

The final card uses the upcoming Charming Day bundle (available July 1). I experimented with masking paper for this one, but it didn’t stick well over the ink blending. After drying the background with a heat tool, it worked a bit better, but the lift effect wasn’t as strong.

So instead, I focused on the stamped floral image, using Gray Granite for a soft outline and coloring with Stampin’ Blends. The background was ink blended with Pretty in Pink, Flirty Flamingo, and Petunia Pop, and I added a touch of shimmer with the new Petunia Pop Iridescent Ribbon.

Supply List for this Floral Birthday Card

Want even more ideas?

Place an order of $50 or more and I’ll send you the Creativity Made Simple card sketches and tutorials bundle. Orders of $100+ will also receive a free card kit to make next month’s Online Card Class projects at home!

Have you tried ink lifting before? I’d love to hear how it went! Leave a comment below or tag me on social media so I can see what you’re making.