Whimsy Try It Out Tuesday - Let's Get Inky - background technique

Hi all. What do you do when you're feeling uninspired....??  I reached for my all-time favorite stamp sets, Lavish Flourishes, Time Flies and Vintage Maritime Transportation --  The little black dress for stamp sets by Rainbow Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamps.
We are going to get messy today!  You may want to grab some latex, latex gloves that is. I'm going to show you how to do a truly beautiful background technique that has to be seen up close and personal to be appreciated.
Materials:  Base Card  (8 1/2" x 11" - scored in half), Card front (4" x 5 1/4"), Stamps: Lavish Flourishes, Time Flies and Vintage Maritime Transportation. Embossing Folder**, 3 - 4 Distress Inks***, Anti-Static Bag, Black StazOn ink, Versamark, Embossing Powder, Die Cut machine, heat tool and a blending tool (I prefer to work with sponges).  Whimsy Compass Die, Cardstock from stash.
I am trying to work smart by making 4 cards for a monthly swap I participate in, and use Whimsy Stamps for my cards. Usually my cards entail far too much coloring and embellishments to send for swap cards, today's are going to be classic CAS.
My card front pieces included 1 white, 1 previously made polished stone, 1 aqua paint chip, 1 beige paint chip and 1 yellow, all cut to 4" x 5 1/4". The Paint Chips are BEHR pinched, borrowed from our local Home Depot. I found them very slick and not wanting to grab color, but they were worth the experiment.
With Black StazOn, randomly stamp images onto the card fronts. Stamp off the cardstock to give the illusion of motion.
Using a blending tool and your choice of inks, work in an invisible oval.  Start with the lightest color and work toward the edges.  Leaving some of the original color of cardstock. Next work with a medium color, working towards the outer edges. Repeat with the darkest ink, which becomes the most dramatic color.  To get a rich vibrant color on the outer edges, pounce your blending tool instead of blending.
When you are satisfied with your blending, set the inks with your heat gun .  After heating a tissue can be used to remove any residue by polishing the surface. Colors will become a little lighter with heating the inks.
Take an anti-static bag (or used dryer sheet), and swipe it across the surface of the cardstock to remove any static that will attract embossing powder.
Embossing Folder:  Chose one with spaces between the design.  (Swiss dots would not be a good choice).
Open the embossing folder and swipe your Versamark (or ink resist) ink over the raised design of your folder.  Insert your colored cardstock face down onto the side you applied Versamark.   Close the folder and run through your die cutting machine.
Very quickly, remove the cardstock from the folder and sprinkle with Embossing Powder.  Flick the embossing powder off the cardstock and onto a piece of copy paper or embossing powder tray.  If a lot of embossing powder sticks, a paintbrush can be used to remove excess powder.  Clean your Embossing Folder with soapy water.


This picture shows the difference between applying the Versamark to the raised background (left) or the raised design (right).
Heat the cardstock with a heat gun to melt the embossing powder.

A variety of embossing powders can be used to get different effects.  Iridescent Ice would be beautiful for a snowflake embossing folder.
Here are   my finished cards, along with the cardstock, colors of distress inks and embossing powders used.

Aqua Paint Chip:
Inks: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Broken china.
Clear Embossing Powder
Stamp:  Vintage Maritime Transportation
Die:  Whimsy Shapeology  "Compass die"
1" Circle Punch (center of compass)


Beige Paint Chip:
Inks:  Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Gold Detail Embossing Powder
Stamp:  Time Flies
(This is actually very pretty in real life, but the camera picked up the gold as garrish yellow.)


White Cardstock:
Inks:  Broken China, Faded Jeans, Black Soot
Clear Embossing Powder
Stamp:  Vintage Maritime Transportation





Polished Stone:  (white cardstock, coral & pink dye inks, Iridescent Glimmer Mist)
Inks:  Spun Silk, Barn Door, Black Soot
Clear Embossing Powder
Flower:  from stash
This card is indeed the most vibrant. The Black corners set off the inks beautifully.
I hope these cards give you some inspiration to try this background technique. 
Until next week, "stamp up a storm, ink up a wish and send it on to someone to brighten their day".
Rubber hugs, Whimsy Wishes,