*Designer* paper

posted by Deb/With a Stamp and a Song

As a scrapper-turned-stamper, I have always been drawn to designer paper. In fact, as a lifetime crafter, I have always loved patterns and textures. I can remember walking through the fabric store as a teen (I sewed all my own clothes), walking the aisles and touching the fabrics of nearly every bolt.

One of the things I loved about making my own clothes was the absolute uniqueness of my creation. I could combine patterns, textures and colors to make something truly, completely all my own. The same is true of background stamps. While I still love to *collect* and use designer paper, I really enjoy starting from scratch to create a design that is custom-made for the moment, using colors and prints that establish the mood and match the idea I am inspired to express.

Sometimes mixing colors, textures and prints of designer papers can be daunting. Not so with background stamps. You have total control. The sky is the limit! It can range from mono-chromatic to rainbow-colored, one print or more, simple or ornate...you call all the shots.

Yesterday's SCS color challenge, minus the kiwi kiss, immediately made me think of a monarch butterfly. I used Summer Sun and Only Orange markers directly to DRS polkadot and open stripe background stamps to create harmonizing backgrounds with a happy-go-lucky birthday feel just perfect for this sentiment. I deliberately kept the layout very simple because I wanted the sentiment on the front of the card but didn't want to cover up all of my *designer* paper. (I often make cards for my Bible study girls to give, and we need all the space we can get on the inside of the card for our 12-15 hand-written messages and signatures. I try to keep our cards relatively flat and inexpensive to mail too.) I used versamark and clear embossing powder on the butterfly to intensify the colors and give it a glossy finish. The buttons echo the dots of the background, and the mats and cording bring the colors together for a simple, bold birthday statement. I really LOVE the drama of these colors against the black.

DRS has LOTS of background stamps for you to choose from and some great tutorials on how to use them. I have a few new backgrounders on my wishlist! Can't wait to see what you do with yours!

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