Background Texture

Background stamps simply have to be the most flexible of stamps in my opinion. It's Julia by the way, and today I have a card using a favorite background technique to share.

In this season of giving, I'm sure you may have some extra tissue paper laying around. If you do...go rescue it. I saved mine from the bin after our Christmas gift-opening-spree. It's a perfect surface for stamping on.



Here's the card I created and keep reading...I'll share how I did it.




First of all you need to ink up your background stamp. I've used the Grace Background from Market Street. Doesn't it look oh so elegant simply stamped in black? Ink it up in a permanent black ink (I've used Jet Black Archival by Ranger), stamp onto some white tissue paper and heat set it.

Next step is to apply the thin layer to some cardstock or patterned paper. Cover the paper with a liquid adhesive or Multi-Medium and lay the tissue onto the paper. I love the texture you get by letting the tissue crinkle a little. Allow this layer to dry and then trim to the size you want to use.


Finish the design off with a beautiful image and sentiment. I've stamped the new Believing Butterfly set and the Mesh Background onto a Twinchie for a pretty focal point.


Happy New Year and Happy Creating!

Soft and Subtle

Hello! It's Julia today. I'm back with another design using the Market Street Stamps backgrounds. I'm going to start sounding like a broken record but I absolutely adore these backgrounds. You're going to see one on almost every Market Street project I create.


Background stamps are beautiful simply stamped but there are lots of other things you can do with them. Today's project uses the beautiful Vintage Wallpaper stamp. It's a little difficult to see in the photo but I've used three shades of chalk ink on this stamp before stamping it for a very subtle variation. It's a fast and simple way to add more depth and interest. In case you're wondering, the shades used were a soft pink, a light red and a lavender.


Paired up with this background is the Comforting Florals stamp set. It's simply beautiful and I'll be turning to it again and again. The sentiment and image are stamped right on a tan colored Twinchie. I've used white pigment ink for the flowers. Make sure you dry it well with a heat gun before you try stamping the sentiment over top.

Thanks for stopping by and happy creating!

Design Team Reveal #8!

Welcome back! Are you having a wonderful afternoon? SO many opportunities to win some awesome stamp sets today- we hope you're all enjoying the festivities!

We're back with our 8th introduction today and it's a BIG one! I know you all know this super talented papercrafter from her long list of publications and her beautiful design work! She has beautiful vintage style with a punch of color and I promise you will in awe of her work! We're SO excited to have her on our team!

Say hello to....

JULIA STAINTON!!

...in her own words...

Hi! I’m Julia Stainton and I’m thrilled to be part of the Market Street Stamps Design Team. I love creating all manner of things but have a special love for paper crafts and stamping. Getting inky, stitching and mixing up textures is really my thing. I’ve been scrapbooking for over ten years, been working as a designer in this industry for the past 5 years but have been crafting all my life. I love good books, the beach, chocolate, challenges, old homes, Canada and of course, my 5 beautiful children and wonderful husband.

Stop by Julia's blog Belle Papier and stay awhile... 

trust me, you won't want to leave! 

***THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENTRY! PLEASE CHECK THIS POST TO SEE IF YOU WERE A WINNER!!***

Each hour we've been posting a new design team member and their favorite Market Street Stamp set. And just for sharing the Market Street love, we're going to give those favorites away!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

• TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment on this blog post letting us know what your favorite techniques are - be sure to include your name and a way to contact you.
• BONUS ENTRY #1 - Earn 3 extra entries for this set if you share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (leave a link to your tweet or post in your comment)
• Tweetin' this? Please tag @MarketStStamps and hash #mssdtreveal - thanks!
• BONUS ENTRY #2 - Earn 1 extra entry if you Follow us on Facebook!
• You have until 5 pm on Thursday, August 4th to comment on all the posts and be eligible for the prize.
• We will announce the winners Friday, August 5th at 7 am Central! 

Julia's current fave is

"Sweet Lace" Background!

Ok - be back soon with our last designer and our surprise!!