Simple Backgrounds For Cardmaking

Rubber Band Card

Materials:

paper cutter
rubber bands in assorted widths/sizes
small block of wood
dye inkpads
pigment inkpads
clear embossing powder
embossing heat tool
glue stick or double-stick tape
8-1/2" x 11" card stock
baby wipes

Steps:

1. Cut the card stock in half to yield two 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces. Fold one piece to form a 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card. Cut and trim the other piece to form two 5" x 3-3/4" pieces.

2. Randomly wrap the block of wood with various sizes of rubber bands. Continue wrapping and overlapping the bands until the entire block is covered. Now you have a six-sided rubber stamp with a different pattern on each side (figure A).

3. Using a stamp pad, ink one side of the rubber band block and stamp onto the 5" x 3-3/4" card several times in a random fashion. Clean the stamp with baby wipes and repeat with a different color. Repeat as many times as you wish with as many colors as you wish using the different sides of the block and mixing dye inks and pigment inks.

4. If pigment inks are used, coat the card with clear embossing power after all inking is done. Heat card to process embossing powder.

5. Glue or tape the 5" x 3-3/4" card to the front of the 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card body.

Materials:

paper cutter
8-1/2" x 11" glossy white card stock (Kromecoat)
Kaleidacolor raised rainbow dye inkpad
soft rubber brayer
wax paper
steam iron
paper towels
tea towel
glue stick or double-sided tape

Steps:

1. Cut the sheet of glossy card stock in half to yield two 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces. Fold one piece to make a 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card. Cut and trim the other piece to make two 5" x 3-3/4" pieces.

2. Plug in steam iron and set at low or polyester setting.

3. Double a tea towel and lay on a smooth countertop or table. Place a paper towel on top of the tea towel. Lay one sheet of the 5" x 3-3/4" card stock glossy side up on the paper towel.

4. Crumple a sheet of waxed paper (the size should be about an inch or more larger all around than the glossy card stock) (figure B). Smooth out the waxed paper and lay it on top of the glossy card stock. Note: Folding the waxed paper in different ways will result in other interesting patterns, or leave the waxed paper smooth without crumpling or folding (figure C).

5. Lay a second sheet of card stock glossy side down on top of the waxed paper (figure D).

6. Lay a paper towel over all the layers. Run the heated iron over the paper towel about 5 seconds and set iron aside.

7. Remove the two glossy card stock pieces and set them glossy side up on one of the paper towels.

8. Ink the brayer and apply the ink to the two pieces of card stock. An interesting pattern will emerge on each sheet (figure E). Re-ink and brayer again for a more intense color application.

9. Glue or tape the colored piece to the card body.