Hi friends! Please join me in welcoming back the oh-so-talented and amazing Yana Smakula! (Please note: our dear friend Yana is Ukrainian. To show support to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, please see Yana’s post HERE.)

Hello, crafters, this is Yana Smakula for Simon Says Stamp! Welcome back for another Yippee For Yana video! Today I’m excited to show you how to take a single focal point image and turn it into a dynamic background using repetition. In this video, I’ll demonstrate how to do just that using the Elegant Rose Stencil Set from Simon Says Stamp.

This versatile stencil set, which features a gorgeous rose with leaves and buds, is perfect for creating a stunning background for your cards. While the stencil is often used for a single rose, I wanted to see if I could turn this into a multiple-image background with just a bit of ink blending. The result is beautiful, bold, and full of dimension!

Let’s Dive into the Process

I started by using a full piece of Neenah Solar White Letter cardstock to create multiple backgrounds. This allows me to cut them into smaller panels for several cards. A letter-sized piece can create four A2 backgrounds or two 5×7 card backgrounds. This was my approach to getting more out of the blending process.

For my color choices, I began with yellow hues – Butter, Zest, and Honey – and added some Guava, Peony, and Cherry for additional contrast. As I continued blending, I realized I wanted to add a bit more depth to my roses, so I mixed in Celery and Perfection green shades for the leaves.

Layering for Depth and Texture

This stencil set is a four-layer stencil, which means it’s easy to build depth and add texture to your flowers. For this project, I used a light, medium, and dark shade of each color to create dimension. The trick is to layer your colors and to blend gradually.

Repetition

The beauty of this technique is in the repetition. I began in the center and worked my way outward to cover the entire background with the same rose stencil. Since I wanted a cohesive look but also some variation, I didn’t just copy the same design over and over. I experimented with different orientations for the flowers.

The process was definitely repetitive, but it was also very relaxing. There’s something therapeutic about slowly building layers of color with each pass of the stencil.

Cutting and Assembling

Once I was happy with the ink blending, I cut my large background into smaller pieces. I made one 5×7 background and two A2 backgrounds. For the 5×7 card, I added light pink ink blending around the edges to help focus attention on the center of the card. For the A2 cards, I used the Delicate Lattice stencil to add a subtle layer of design over the roses. I kept the lattice light and subtle, just adding enough to tie the composition together.

Adding Sentiments

For the sentiments, I used a mix of Simon Says Stamp’s Mother’s Day and With Thanks stamp sets. These sentiments were stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink, cut out using coordinating dies, and popped up with foam adhesive squares for added dimension.

The Finished Cards

I love how the repetition of the roses really brought this background to life. The layers and colors created a rich, textured design perfect for any occasion.

If you’d like to give this technique a try, I encourage you to experiment with your favorite stencils and colors. Repeating an image in different ways allows you to create bold, dynamic backgrounds that will surely impress.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope this video has inspired you to get crafty and try out some new techniques. Happy stamping, and I’ll see you again next time!

WATCH THE VIDEO:

SUPPLIES:

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Ways to support Ukraine:

If you are looking for ways to support Ukraine, we encourage you to visit this page on Yana’s blog:

Thanks so much for stopping by, and thanks to Yana for being our guest!