Bokeh Background Card with Dragonfly and Sparkle

A project from our live show CREATE AND CRAFT - Join Toni for the latest Thirsty Brush products - show 2 - broadcast 27th April · 27/04/2022 · watch it from 35:45

An artistic card featuring a bokeh technique background created with circular stencils and multiple ink colours. A fussy-cut dragonfly with sparkle embellishment and a sentiment complete this creative design.

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Step by step

1. Create a circular stencil by drawing around craft products and cutting out three or four circles of different sizes from black cardstock. ▶ watch 35:45
2. Apply a light shade of ink (such as gold or light colour) through the stencil onto white cardstock. ▶ watch 36:00
3. Apply a medium shade of ink through the stencil in different positions on the same cardstock. ▶ watch 36:15
4. Apply a darker or contrasting ink shade through the stencil, pressing firmly to create coverage. ▶ watch 36:30
5. Add white ink through the stencil, pressing hard to push the other colours to the background and create highlights. ▶ watch 36:45
6. Add white pen details such as small lines or reflections within some circles to enhance the bokeh effect. ▶ watch 37:00
7. Add white splats across the background for an artistic touch. ▶ watch 37:30
8. Mount the bokeh background onto a card base. ▶ watch 38:00
9. Fussy cut a dragonfly element from the stamp set. ▶ watch 38:30
10. Apply glue to the dragonfly wings and add sparkle or glitter. ▶ watch 39:00
11. Adhere the sparkly dragonfly to the card. ▶ watch 39:30
12. Add a sentiment to complete the card. ▶ watch 40:00

Tips from the show

• Use three or four different circle sizes with the stencil to create a better bokeh effect.
• Pigment inks work better with this technique as they provide better coverage.
• You can use a white gel pen instead of white ink if you don't have pigment inks in white.

More from this show

• Layered Floral 3D Card with Black Background
• Clean and Simple Card with Die-Cut Hearts
• Crosshatch Border Card with Die-Cut Elements

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly