Easy Ink Blended Background with the Radiant Sunflowers Bundle

Have you ever wanted to add a soft wash of color behind your stamped images without covering the whole card front? This Easy Ink Blended Background with the Radiant Sunflowers Bundle uses one of my favorite tricks: a little ink, a Blending Brush, and a light hand.

And when I say easy, I mean easy peasy. I wanted just enough Pool Party in the background to soften all that Basic White and help the flowers stand out. The trick is knowing when to stop. We’re adding a little color, not painting the living room.

I started by stamping the large floral image from the Radiant Sunflowers Stamp Set along the left side of the Basic White cardstock using Pool Party ink. Then I picked up a little more Pool Party ink with a Blending Brush and lightly blended it over and around the stamped image.

That’s it.

The ink blending softens the stamped flowers and lets them fade into the background rather than competing with the main flower arrangement. I also love how the Pool Party gradually disappears as it moves toward the white space on the right side of the card. This is a handy technique when a plain white background feels a little too plain, but you don’t want to add another layer of paper or a busy pattern.

Golden Glow, Calypso Coral, and Pool Party give us a combination that’s both warm and fresh. Golden Glow brings the sunshine, while Calypso Coral adds warmth and energy to the flowers. Pool Party is the surprise that balances those two warmer colors. Its soft blue-green tone cools everything down and gives the brighter flowers room to shine.

It’s also another example of why the Radiant Sunflowers Bundle doesn’t have to be saved for traditional fall cards. Change the colors, and those flowers can take on a completely different personality.

Once that soft background was finished, I could bring in the real stars of the card. The Radiant Sunflowers Bundle includes individual flowers and floral clusters, so there are lots of ways to build a focal point. For this card, I colored the flowers with Stampin’ Blends, using Golden Glow and Calypso Coral to create that warm, cheerful mix of blooms.

I love using Stampin’ Blends on images like these because you can add shading and depth without making the coloring complicated. You don’t have to be an artist. A little variation in the color is enough to make those flowers come alive. The coordinating dies also make it easy to cut out the floral cluster and pop it up from the softer stamped background.

How To Make This Card

You’ll find the full supply list and step-by-step instructions below.

The best part about this easy ink blended background is that you don’t need the exact same floral image to try it. Look through your stamps for an image that could fade softly into the background. Stamp it in a light ink, then use a Blending Brush and the same color to add a soft haze around it.

Keep the center of your blending a little stronger near the stamped image and gradually lighten your touch as you move away from it. Then add your focal point and greeting. It’s a simple way to give a handmade card more depth without adding more layers, more supplies, or a whole lot more time.

And once you’ve finished it, that “Wishing You So Much Happiness” greeting makes this one easy to send for all kinds of occasions. That’s my favorite kind of card: pretty to make, easy to use, and ready to brighten someone’s mailbox.

Supplies Used:

If you enjoy simple, cozy cardmaking like this, you’d love the creative support we share inside the Creative Living Room. If you have questions about today’s tutorial, please email me for detailed steps. Inspire your craft with more ideas—join me over on Pinterest!