How to use our Backdrop Stamps – a step by step…

How to use our Backdrop Stamps – a step by step…

Hi there

Thanks for popping in. Time for another step by step blog tutorial with a great special sale offer attached to it.

Several people have asked me to explain how to use our new Backdrop stamps to create those arty, grungy backgrounds. Very easy and very effective. Read on…

First of all, let’s take a look at the Rectangle backdrop stamps. Two different sizes: one A5 and one a little large than A6.

At first glance, they look like a simple stamp slab! Well, that’s what they are! With a subtle inlay frame, which really does the trick.

Here’s just one idea using Distress Oxides. Ready?

  • Decide which size Backdrop stamp you intend to use, and mount it on a sheet of acetate. This is the smaller of the two.
  • Pick which colours you want to use, load the stamp with ink directly from the ink pad.
  • Avoid contaminating the ink pads by planting the second ink pad on top of the other colour.
  • Use make up sponges to dab and distribute the ink over the backdrop stamp. You can see I have left a little blank area in the middle. Let’s see what that gives us…
  • Time to pull our first print. We will use the large stencil card 8.5”x11”.
  • Spritz the inky backdrop stamp with water.
  • Flip the stamp over and plant in the middle of the white card.
  • Rub the back of the acetate. You will see the ink start to squidge and blend.
  • Lift the stamp away to reveal your first background.

Let’s go again, and this time we’ll try for a softer, more subtle one…

  • There’s still a little ink on the stamp. Without reinking the sponges, just dab a little more ink onto the stamp.
  • Add a third colour here and there. I went with Tumbled Glass. So that’s Worn Lipstick, Peeled Paint and Tumbled Glass. Fabulous combination!

Spritz the stamp with water again and pull a second print. Wow. Ethereal sky.

Let the pieces air dry for about half an hour, before you stamp the flowers over the top.

Just so you know, the backdrop stamps wipe clean with a little water spritz and a paper towel.

  • Mount the lovely floral spray bouquet onto a 5”x 7” Mega Mount,
  • ink it up with black Archival ink, and plant it in the centre.
  • Trim the white card.

Time to colour in the leaves and flowers. This wonderful floral bouquet stamp actually comes with infill stamps for colouring in. perfect…

Ink up the leafy infill stamps with what green ink is left on the sponge, and plant over the top of the black line art. Instant.

Little leaves next…

Do the same with the flower infill stamp, using the leftover pink on the make up sponge.

Add a little pencil detail on the rest.

Edge the piece with a Black Sharpie pen, and add a lovely message from our Sticker Collection.

Add a little drop shadow underneath the flowers with a grey pencil. See the difference here?

Mount on a 7”x7” White cardblank.

Fab background, fab bouquet, illustrated by our talented Tina Cox.

And in case you are a parcher, but you like the bouquet, guess what?! Yep. Also available as a Groovi plate!

How about we have a really good bloggy sale on several of the products used here? CLICK HERE to investigate….

Stay safe. Keep crafting.

Love always

Barb xxx

32 thoughts on “How to use our Backdrop Stamps – a step by step…

  1. Stunning and you must have read my mind was going to do something like this this afternoon but wasn’t sure where to start so you have truly helped me out! Not a true stamper see, more of a Groovi gal but have both the stamps and the groovi plate so will have a go later. Thank you so much x

  2. Hi – these new background stamps are great, got mine for Xmas. Would be really nice if they came as a circle or an oval too to create little scenes inside.

  3. I love the idea of these backdrop stamps – just hoping you can bring them out as squares too to fit 5″, 6″ or 7″ square card blanks. Have this stamp and not used it yet – guess where I’m off to now? xxx

  4. I like the background stamps, like the textured type which we’ve had in the NDC envelopes, very useful to cover some white. Will invest eventually but other things at top of list at the moment ! X

  5. Fantastic artwork Barbara! Love these backdrop stamps and makes a great background for the flowers!
    Enjoy your evening.
    Love and hugs xxxx

  6. Thank you Barbara- Always love your blog – read daily – love the step by step tutorials. Another wonderful project – wow- your creativity and inspiration is truly admired and appreciated. Thank you for inpiring me to try new techniques using your amazing products. Placing another order 🙂 .

  7. Thank-you. Lovely tutorial. I have the floral stamps and use them quite a lot. In fact enjoying getting Inky at the moment. X

  8. Love this idea, looks like they work similar to the gelli plate. Must have a go at this.
    Now, where’s card I need to shop.

  9. That’s quite the coincidence, if there is such a thing! I was going through my Clarity bags today to tidy things up a bit and I came across the one I did in the hotel which down at the SEC. It was that stamp on parchment. You had either demoed it or had one at your station. Had just thought today that I must give that a go again, now that I know a bit more about colouring – that and a whole lot of other things that I came across! Happy days! Have a good evening. Hxx

  10. I love that floral spray stamp – great for any occasion! Hope all my inks and craft supplies are surviving this cold weather in the storage unit. X

  11. Hello Barbara

    Thank you very much for this. It is much appreciated. I bought the background stamps in the Gray Friday sale. Not used yet, lack of time not inclination, lol. I also have everything else on the blog list so this is definitely on my ‘to do’ list.

    Love
    Roz.xxx

  12. I have the 3 stamps you have used to do this cool on the eye card. Once i have unpacked and got my craft room sorted is when i will be playing again, ( can’t wait ).
    Thank you for doing all these classes for us, your an absolute angel.

  13. I bought the background stamps before Christmas and love them. You always share so many creative ways of using stamps.

  14. Hi Barbara your artwork is gorgeous. I love those stamps. The background stamps are amazing. I am just off to look at what’s on sale. Have a good evening. Take care. Hugs xxx

    1. Carolyn, Barbara’s daughter Grace runs the Clarity US branch so you can get the products over there too.

  15. So pleased to see you using my favourite stamp. I love this floral bouquet and it always stamps perfectly. Now I need to try out the background technique. xx

  16. Read the blog & went straight upstairs to check my oxides out – worn lipstick was sold out but bought a few of the other colours to add to my stash as there was a good offer on them all. I then got my stamps out & had a go substituting Worn Lipstick with Barn door. Posted a picture on FB, just need to sit & finish off with the pencils which I will do after our meal to give it a chance to properly dry. Fastest project for me I think but perhaps that is the best way – do it straight away rather than later as later never seems to happen – at least not in this house !!
    Thanks for the inspiration & step by step.

  17. that’s so beautiful. The poppy spray is one of my all time favourites. I haven’t bought the background stamps as wasn’t sure about them, but can feel a rethink coming on!

  18. Hi Barb,
    Love this! I have the background stamps but as yet haven’t had much success in getting the white space (gutter)between both parts of the stamp to stay white. Mine always ends up filled with ink, even when I’ve tried to wipe it! I just need to keep practising. The finished sample is gorgeous. I love the floral spray stamp set and have used them lots . Love and hugs Alison. Xxx

  19. Hi Barb,
    Love this! I have the background stamps but as yet haven’t had much success in getting the white space (gutter)between both parts of the stamp to stay white. Mine always ends up filled with ink, even when I’ve tried to wipe it! I just need to keep practising. The finished sample is gorgeous. I love the floral spray stamp set and have used them lots . Love and hugs Alison. Xxx

  20. Hello Barb, what a lovely tutorial. Like the idea of the background stamps, will definitely go look at the offers. Being January cannot spend too much, and hubby is back on furlough. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx

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