Nina's Southern Accents: Favorite DIY Background-Let’s Get Hopping Round 19

Hey Y'all!

It's time again for another fun hop with the Let's Get Hopping crew! You may have arrived here from Shelley Wadge's blog, and I am sure you've seen some beautiful projects and are getting many ideas for your own! Make sure to hop all the way through and get lots of inspiration!

Today we are sharing our favorite DIY backgrounds, and whoever came up with the one I am sharing is a genius! It's called the "Polished Stone" technique, and it is stunning. I have been wanting to try it because it is so beautiful, but this was actually my first time doing it myself (shhh, don't tell anyone!)

Here is the finished card...

Now let me explain the technique.

Supplies Needed:

Reinkers (the 2 colors I chose were Lemon Lime Twist and Bermuda Bay
Shimmer Paint (not necessary but adds some beautiful shine)
Cotton Balls (real cotton not synthetic)
Rubbing Alcohol (I used 70%)
Glossy Cardstock

Step 1

Apply shimmer paint to a cotton ball and dab onto glossy cardstock

Step 2

Apply alcohol to another cotton ball (it needs to be good and damp but not dripping) and then reinkers drops, I did 5 drops LLT and 3 drops BB, dab onto glossy cardstock. To get more depth, roll wrist in a twirling motion

You can see the contrast of the shimmer paint and reinkers. If you wanted to make several cards, you could do this technique on a full sheet of cardstock and then cut it down as needed.

I used the Life Is Grand Cling Stamp Set. I love the large sentiments in this set, and I knew they would be perfect to showcase this background. I stamped the sentiment in Stazon, and I used my Stamparatus to make sure I achieved a crisp image. Glossy carstock is slick, and your stamp may slide and smear if you're not careful.

Stamparatus = Fool Proof stamping!

Card Measurements:

Whisper White Thick Card Base-8-1/2 x 5-1/2, scored at 4-1/4
Basic Black layer-3-5/8 x 4-7/8
Glossy layer-3-1/4 x 4-1/2

I encourage my customers to order the reinker whenever they order a stamp pad. They do go dry and need to be reinked, and who wants to have to sit and wait for an order to come in to finish a card! And now you have a bonus use for them! Experiment with different color combos as well. I hope you've been inspired to try this technique...it is so easy, and no 2 cards will be the same. If you have tried it, what color combo have you used?

Now you get to to hop over and visit the lovely Eva Pottsova at Crafting With Angels, you are going to love her project!

Have you heard about the new Storage by Stampin' Up!?

It became available to order April 1. I love that it is versatile and customizable. You can get as many or as few as you want, buy a little here and a little there if your budget won't let you get it all at one time. Click on the picture to go to my online store for more details.

If you live in the US, don't currently have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and would like to order any products I used, you can click on the links below to go to my online store. Please use the current host code found in the right column. Also, make sure you subscribe to my blog so you don't miss anything!

Thanks for stopping by, see you next time!

Love,

Nina

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