Creative Fun With Background Stamps, Featuring Simon Says Stamp: Beautiful Moments Release

Every so often I love to have some slightly-messy fun on my card making. Even if messy isn't your jam, background stamps are a solid choice for quick card making, whether you want to add a lot of POP, or just a subtle pattern. Today's just slightly-messy cards are part of Simon Says Stamp's latest collection, called Beautiful Moments, and we're celebrating with a two-day blog hop! Today is day one . . .so let's get to it!

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links, I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!

Have you ever used a gel printing plate? The beautiful mystery of paints and inks on a gel plate is that you never know what you'll end up with. 

You can start simply by rolling out some paint onto the plate with a brayer, and then press your background stamp into it. (I used the adorable new Pinwheel Party stamp.)  My biggest two-part tip for working with the gel press is: Don't panic and don't clean your plate too soon! The first impression may not look great but stick with it. As you build up layers on the gel plate and cardstock you'll get some interesting textures and colors blending. 

For the second card (with pink sentiment) I used Distress Oxide inks, tapping them directly onto the plate, and then stamping into it. I pressed a piece of watercolor paper down to pick up all that color and texture. It created a more subtle pattern but I love it!

Another tip: After you've made that interesting background, stamp larger sentiments onto vellum so all that awesome color and pattern will still remain the focal point. 

Next, I set aside the gel press and pulled out my heat embossing supplies. I stamped and embossed the Pinwheel Party stamp onto watercolor paper, and then added puddles of watercolor paints on top. The white embossing resists the watercolor and really makes the pattern pop. Again - this is play. You never know exactly how it will come together until you mess around and try it. My biggest tip for this idea, is to use colors that will blend nicely into each other - otherwise you'll have a muddy mess. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today for day one of Simon Says Stamp's two-day blog hop! One lucky commenter from each stop will win a $25 coupon to SSS, so be sure to leave comments along the way! (Winners will be announced on the Simon blog, on March 4.)

Don't miss out on all the fun:

• Stop by the Simon Says Stamp website to see the entire Beautiful Moments collection.
• Join the SSS YouTube Live Stream at noon EST on Friday, February 26! Click HERE to be notified when they’re live.
• Are you on the gram? Check out the Instagram hop on Monday March 2.
• If you create with the Beautiful Moments collection, be sure to add your projects to the gallery on the Simon Says Stamp Blog!  We would love to see what you create!

Don't Miss a Stop on the Hop!

Simon Says Stamp Blog

Emily Midgett

Nichol Spohr

Barbara Tarayao

Heather Ruwe

Keisha Charles

Sandi MacIver

Tina Smith

Lisa Addesa

Nicky Meek

Cheiron Brandon

Barb Engler

Bobbi Lemanski

Caryn Davies

Laura Williams <<you are here!>>

Brenda Noelke

Shop the Supplies on Today's Cards

Pinwheel Party 6x6 background stamp

Friendship stamp set

(or grab it with coordinating dies)

Platinum 6 die-cutting machine

Spellbinders Mirrored Arch Labels die set 

Spellbinders Essentials Modern Ovals dies 

Gel Press 8x10

This is the gel plate I have, 

but there are many other shapes, sizes and brands to choose from!

Looking for more bright cheery card ideas using Simon Says Stamp?

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