Tips tricks and techniques Tuesday Sweet Candy Canes

 Today's inspiration is using not just the stamps but also the dies in the Sweet Candy Canes bundle. The dies include a fab background die that can work in so many different ways.

The large stripy die can be used as is. You can also use the die cut as a mask. You could use vellum or cardstock to die cut out then use brushes to add ink through or even try it with texture paste for added wow to a background. 

Or you could do what I've done . What I've done is die cut out of 2 pieces of the same colour cardstock.  I  then layered the 2 pieces so that they created a grid design.

I love the effect the two layered die cuts give. Whilst I've used just one colour cardstock I do think it would look amazing if you used 2 colours.

The candy canes were stamped using one of my favourite tools the Stamparatus.  This stamp positioning tool allows you to stamp the same image twice in the same place. I used this to create a custom coloured heat embossed finish.

First I stamped in a pretty turquoise colour called costal cabana.  Then I stamped again but with versamark.  Versamark ink is a sticky ink that will adhere the clear embossing powder to it. Now set the clear  powder with a heat tool and the end result is a custom coloured enamel finished candy cane.

I used some of the left over pieces from the die cutting to added a little something something to the inside of the card because as we all know crafters don't waste anything 😉

I love how this elegant but fun card came out. It is always fun to be inspired as you go along and I certainly was by using these  dies.