Inky Blended Background with Boat Stamp Card

A project from our live show THE THURSDAY DROP - Latest Products from Toni - Broadcast 27th August 2026 · 27/08/2026 · watch it from 29:30

▶ 🔊 TAP FOR SOUND

Create a striking card featuring a serene boat scene with an inky blended background. Using water and tissue resist techniques, you'll achieve soft colour gradients in blues and greens that transition beautifully across the panel. The stamped boat silhouette with its reflection creates a peaceful focal point against the textured, atmospheric background, finished with an inspirational sentiment.

You will need

TV - A5 Reflection Stamp - Every New Day - 140422ESEE IT Stamps By Me - Woodland Wildlife the Next Chapter - 5 X 7 Paper Collection - 030724BSEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. 

   Tear a piece of scrap card stock to create an irregular edge. Position this torn edge on your white A4 card base to mask off an area, creating an organic border for your background panel.

   ▶ watch this step (29:30)
2. 

   Apply low-tack tape along the edges of your torn vellum panel to hold it in place temporarily on the grid mat.

   ▶ watch this step (30:45)
3. 

   Blend blue ink onto the white card using a blending brush, working from the top downwards. Create a darker concentration of colour at the top, gradually fading towards the bottom of the card.

   ▶ watch this step (31:30)
4. 

   Begin blending green ink into the lower portion of the card, working it upwards to create a smooth transition from the blue sky area into the green landscape below.

   ▶ watch this step (33:45)
5. 

   Spritz the inked panel with water using a spray bottle to activate and spread the inks. Allow the water to blend the colours naturally. Let the ink settle and tidy up any excess water.

   ▶ watch this step (35:15)
6. 

   Dab the wet inked panel with tissue to lift some of the colour and create a resist effect. This will add texture and definition to your blended background.

   ▶ watch this step (36:15)
7. 

   Heat dry the inked panel with a heat gun, holding it a few inches away and moving it continuously until the ink is completely dry.

   ▶ watch this step (36:45)
8. 

   Carefully remove the low-tack tape from the edges of your blended panel to reveal clean, crisp borders.

   ▶ watch this step (37:00)
9. 

   Trim the inked panel down to size using a guillotine or craft knife. The panel can be oriented in landscape or portrait format.

   ▶ watch this step (37:30)
10. 

    Stamp the boat image from the Reflection Stamp set in black ink onto the lower portion of the panel, positioning it across the green water area.

    ▶ watch this step (39:00)
11. 

    Apply clear embossing powder to the stamped boat image. Heat set the embossing powder using a heat gun until the powder melts and creates a glossy finish.

    ▶ watch this step (42:00)
12. 

    Using a blending brush with black ink, add a subtle vignette around the edges of the card to frame the design and create depth.

    ▶ watch this step (42:45)

Tips from the show

• Don't worry if the blended inks look messy at first—the water and tissue resist will create definition.
• Trust the process when blending inks; it will look better once you add water and heat dry it.
• Use clear embossing powder to seal and add shine to your stamped images.

More from this show

• Wolf Head Silhouette Moon with Textured Embossing Card
• Boat and Couple Sentiment Banner Card with Vignette

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