Step One:
To create the background paper, first stamp the doilies onto watercolor paper with Versamark ink. Heat emboss it with white (or clear will work, too) embossing powder.
Step Two:
Stamp your ink pad onto a craft mat or another waterproof surface. Using a water brush (or a regular brush dipped in water) pick up the ink and start coloring onto the watercolor paper. The heat embossed area actually resists the ink, allowing the design to show through. The water color effect is very soft and subtle.
Step Three:
I wanted to brighten up the background a bit, so in addition to watercoloring, I used the Tim Holtz foam blending tool to directly apply the ink to the paper, which produces a bolder look. If you don't have a blending tool, a simple foam wedge - like the kind used to apply makeup - will also work.
Step Four:
I stamped the doilies onto regular white cardstock in the same color ink I used to create the background. Then I die cut the them out using the matching dies. I stamped the sentiment onto white paper and cut it out into a banner before assembling them. Using dimensional foam stickers, I stacked the sentiment and doilies. I topped it off with some bling (which is a staple for me!! Love the bling, baby!)
Step Five:
Finally, I adhered the background to my card base, then I adhered the doilies/sentiment to the background. Voila! It's done!
Here are the new stamps/dies I used:
