Papertrey Ink Make It Monday #31

Sometimes I forget just how much I love stamping. Ink, stamps and paper = love! Often I create projects using other mediums like chipboard, die cuts and felt and I forget how much I enjoy the simplicity of stamping out a card.

This weekend I stamped like a crazy person. I've still got the inky fingers to prove it! While Andrew sat watching the Miami Hurricanes play, I stamped (and kept interrupting the game to ask his opinion...that poor poor man!)

For the next few days I'll share my stamped projects with you!

Brace yourself for today's project. Not only are there a ton of photos ahead, but I really took a leap of faith and went with a look that is quite different from my typical style. Let me know what you think!

Before I walk you through the creative process, here's a peek at the final product!

It's not often that I stamp backgrounds but this week's Make It Monday Challenge was one that I simply could not pass up: create backgrounds using non-background stamps. Right up my alley! 

As far as I'm concerned this is license to get creative with my stamps which is something I love to do!

To create these cards, I started with the small leaf stamp from PTI's Sending You set. Initially, I just wanted to create a simple, modern background.

I started with a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece of white cardstock and drew lines on the card to find the center of the card.  This helped me center my pattern.

I used the pencil lines to build the rest of my pattern and make sure things stayed relatively straight!

Initially, my plan was to leave the pattern like this, but once it was done it just looked empty to me. I grabbed my Iconic Images special edition stamp set and was SO EXCITED to find that one of the images fit perfectly into the spaces!!!

I mean...seriously...could it be a more perfect fit!?!?!

Now, I could have totally stopped here and been happy...but I decided to see if I could snazz it up a little more!

I used a couple more teeny stamps (from Honey Bees and Iconic Images) to finish off the pattern.

Here's a quick rundown of the stamps I used to build these final parts of the pattern:

With my strategy down, I decided to replicate the design with different colors...

A soft, springy pink color scheme...

And with so many Christmas stamps coming out soon, I thought I'd use the colors of the holiday season...

a close up

PHEW!!! Still there?! Now with all THAT out of the way, how about I show you the cards I made with these stamped background!

With all the busy-ness of the pattern, I kept the rest of the cards simple...

Now - if you've hung in there through all these photos and all my commentary, you've earned a place in the Damask Love Hall of Fame! 

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you tomorrow for more background stamping fun!

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

All Cards:

Stamps: Iconic Images, Honey Bees, Sending You

Cardstock: white (for stamping background pattern)

Orange Background Card:

Stamps: Inside and Out Thank You

Cardstock: Rustic White

Ink: Stampin Up Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi

Pink Background Card:

Stamps: Inside and Out Birthday

Cardstock: Rustic White, Sweet Blush

Ink: Stampin Up (Pink Pirouette), Colorbox (Orchid), Vivid Dye Ink (Fuchsia)

Christmas Background Card:

Stamps: Peace Be Still

Cardstock: Kraft, Rustic White

Ink: Stampin Up (Wild Wasabi, Rose Red), Vivid Dye Ink (Olive)