PEAR AND SCRIPT

OK. You are familiar with Stampin' Up!'s Clear-Mount Blocks, aren't you? They are the nifty
acrylic blocks, in nine varying sizes, that you mount the Clear-Mount Stamps to in lieu of
using wood-mounted stamps.

Well, besides using the block to hold your stamps, you can use them to create backgrounds
on their own!

In my card, Pear and Script, I used Block D. By simply inking up your block of choice in a color lighter than your focal point image, you can stamp it directly to the paper. Then, stamp your main image atop that.

As so often happens in paper crafting, no two backgrounds will ever look exactly alike. 

If you sparsely add the ink to the block, of course, your background won't be quite as dark 

or as ink-covered. However, if you are very particular about getting every spot of the block 

covered with a thick coat of ink, your background color will be more solid and darker. You 

will never get a completely inked background. To me, that's the beauty of this technique.

Once you're happy with the look of your background, you are all set to add your focal image. 

Have fun!

Supplies:

Whimsical Words stamp set (retired)

Faith in Nature stamp set (retired)

Basic Black card stock

So Saffron card stock

Cajun Craze card stock

Naturals White card stock

Cajun Craze ink

So Saffron ink

Black StazOn ink

Acrylic Block D

Stampin' Dimensionals

Big Shot

Lots of Tags Dies

Extra-Large Oval Punch 

Choice of distressing tool

Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

Instructions:

Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of So Saffron card stock in half, creasing well with a bone folder.

Adhere a 3 1/2" x 5 1/4" piece of Basic Black card stock to card front.

With So Saffron, ink up the clear block well, and stamp it directly onto a 2 3/4" x 2 7/8" piece 

of Naturals White card stock. Stamp the pear image (or your choice of image) in Cajun Craze 

ink atop this background.

Distress the edges of a 3 1/8" x 3 1/4" piece of Cajun Craze card stock as desired. Adhere the finished pear piece to this. With a Stampin' Dimensional in each corner and one in the center, attach the image to the card front, leaving an even edge of black around the top and sides.

On a scrap of Naturals White card stock, stamp the sentiment in Black StazOn. Punch it out 

with the Extra-Large Oval Punch. Use the Big Shot with the Lots of Tags Dies to create a frame from Cajun Craze card stock. Adhere sentiment to this.

Use the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch to create a ribbon trim from So Saffron card stock, and adhere this to the lower portion of the card front. With two Stampin' Dimensionals, attach the sentiment tag over the ribbon trim.

This technique can easily be used with any stamps you choose, as well as in any color combination. Grab your Color Coach to come up with an alternate color palette!

Smiles.