Acrylic Block Background Technique

I shared this technique in a class because it's so easy & it is so much fun.

The Acrylic Block Background technique is used on the Whisper White card stock in the middle of the card, while most of the rest is Irresistibly Yours dsp from Sale-a-bration, sponged & stamped in the coordinating colours.

This card has a lemony fresh thing going on, while the card below looks minty fresh : D

Stamp Sets: Adventure Awaits & Kinda Eclectic
Cardstock: Naturals White, Basic Black, Whisper White & Irresistibly Yours.
Ink: Memento Black, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi & Island Indigo.
Extras: White Jute Ribbon & In Colour Sequins
Techniques: Sponging & Acrylic Block Background

Stamp Sets: Adventure Awaits & Kinda Eclectic

Cardstock: Naturals White, Basic Black, Whisper White & Irresistibly Yours.

Ink: Memento Black, Pistachio Pudding Coastal Cabana & Island Indigo.

Extras: White Jute Ribbon & In Colour Sequins

Techniques: Sponging & Acrylic Block Background

                       

You can sponge & stamp whatever you like onto the Irresistibly Yours dsp & it looks great, just remember to use a tissue or paper towel to remove the excess ink from all the clear embossed patterns or it will transfer onto your hands & get messy.

Basic materials for creating the Acrylic Block Background technique.
You will need an acrylic block, Whisper White (or Very Vanilla) card stock, Two or three shades of ink & water in a spray/mister bottle (not in the photo- sorry).

Starting with the lightest colour ( Pistachio Pudding), I inked up roughly half the block directly from the ink pad.

Next I added Coastal Cabana to the other half of the block, directly from the ink pad.

Saving the darkest colour for last, I added Island Indigo with a sponge dauber just to the edge of the Coastal Cabana. I was going for a bit of an ombre look here.

The best thing about using a sponge dauber is you can apply it anywhere on the block, not just on the edge.

I found it helpful to put a piece of paper towel under the block before spraying it with water, just to stop everything else ending up all wet.

I may have gotten a bit carried away with the water here, but if you don't have enough water on the block then you'll end up with patches of white card stock showing through.

Once you place your block onto the white card stock you'll need to wait a moment for all of the water & ink to be absorbed. It doesn't take very long, you'll see it rippling as it transfers from the block to the card stock.

When you remove the block it will be practically clean and dry, if you allowed enough time for the water & ink to be absorbed & if there was enough water to help the ink transfer.

(You can see I had a bit much water on the block as it had dripped onto the card stock)

Now that you have a lovely coloured background, created with your acrylic block, you can stamp whatever you like onto it, just make sure the card stock is dry first or else the stamped image will bleed into the background.

Of course you can use a heat tool to speed up the process if you're like me & can't wait for it to dry...

The card below is using all the same techniques except I've used markers on the block to create the rainbow.

Stamp Sets: Adventure Awaits 

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White & Irresistibly Yours.

Ink: Memento Black, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry.

Extras: White Jute Ribbon & Gold Sequin Trim

Techniques: Sponging & Acrylic Block Background

                           

...& of course it was St Patrick's Day, on the day of the workshop, so I made some shamrock biscuits & bought a bunch of green grapes for the occasion.