Inspiration Trend
If you haven’t noticed the explosion of backgrounds and borders at Unity, you are out of the loop. Backgrounds and border stamps are all the rage because of how versatile and easy they are to use. They can be the feature of a card or blend into the background with a featured image on top. The Design Team members have glorious creations using all of them, like the recent release of the Pumpkin Patch background Angie Blom. Brutus Monroe and Ann Butler also have lovely backgrounds that can easily be turned into border stamps!
Backgrounds and Borders Challenge
For this week’s mini-challenge you will have a few ways to participate. First, you can use any of your Unity pre-made backgrounds and border stamps as features in your project. However, if you want to get a little creative, you can create your own backgrounds and borders out of stamps you already own using repeat stamping and masking.
Sample 1: Simple Birthday Border
The first sample of creating your own border uses the kits “3 Tiered Birthday” and “Hugs, Kisses, and Birthday Wishes” by Lisa Arana. No masking necessary for this card–just repeat stamping at different angles for the cake. The whole card took maybe 15 minutes to make and can now be a birthday card for anybody.
Sample 2: Masked Layered Leaf Border
If you get bored with a CAS card like cake one, you can try something a little fussier, like the next sample that used two masks to create a layered leaves look. I’ll break down the process for you in case you were wondering how to make it.
Step 1: Place your sentiment. I have done this step multiple ways and found that putting the sentiment first helps me layout the border in a way that gives me enough room. Also, how amazing is the size of this gorgeous sentiment in the kit Grateful Joy? Unity has the best sentiments.
Step 2: Create a mask so you can layer the images without putting lines through the images that are supposed to look like they are on top. Because I wanted to give the leaves an autumnal feel, I used multiple colors of Gina K dye ink on each and sprayed the stamp with water before stamping to make the colors blend.
Inks Used: Gina K dye cubes in Red Hot, Kraft, Prickly Pear, Sweet Mango, Grass Green
Voila! I did run the panel through a rectangle die by Gina Marie Designs to get the stitch marks. Then I adhered it to a card base, and it was done! I love good single-layer designs.
Sample 3: Masked Background Lace Border
Finally, the last sample uses the Brutus Monroe Lace background stamp to create a border. I did a rainbow version on the Show and Tell a few weeks ago, but I decided to create a true border using one of my new favorite sentiment stamps Small Things, Great Love by Stephanie Ackerman.
How to Enter Backgrounds and Border Challenge:
- Create or use a background or border: Make a creation using these techniques or stamps. Jump on the trend and create cards or projects for any occasion.
- Post it: Make sure you post your new project on the Unity Show and Tell in the Backgrounds and Borders Album.
- Enjoy and Comment: Make sure to check out the others’ work and comment and encourage them. One thing that makes the Unity Show and Tell special is the encouragement and kindness we share. Go be a part of it!
