Learn the basics of rubber stamping with this free class from Stampendous and Paper Craft Planet. Lesson Eleven: This week we're learning how to create custom background inks with stickers and pastels. You'll be looking at your sticker stash with new eyes!

2. Background Techniques Class A’Peel™ Stickers make excellent masks for spritzed backgrounds featuring Tsukineko’s All Purpose Ink and Ink Potion No. 9. Just use an anti-static pouch on the back to reduce the stickiness for easy removal. You can also make great backgrounds using VersaMark ink and Decorator Chalks. There are two methods, apply the chalk and remove it with the inked stamp OR stamp with VersaMark and apply chalk with a sponge dauber. Both are dynamic and fun.

3. Autumn Leaves Card Autumn Leaves Class A’Peel™ Stickers are a lovely embellishment on any fall card, but on this greeting they serve a double purpose. They act like a stencil for the beautiful spritzed background

4. Autumn Leaves Card Supplies used to make this card: From Stampendous AC966C Autumn Leaves Copper Class A’Peel™ Stickers AC971C Thanks Leaves Copper Class A’Peel™ Stickers GS402 2 oz. Spray/Splatter Bottle From Tsukineko: Ink Potion No. 9 All Purpose Ink - #53 Autumn Leaf From Creative Impressions: Swirl Organdy Ribbon in Brown Tiny Copper Paper Clip Card stock from Bazzill Basics™ 8 ½” X 5 ½” – Nutmeg 5 ½” X 2” - Copper P lus: White card stock 2 ½” X 4” Dimensional Foam Adhesive

5. Autumn Leaves Card Lightly apply anti-static pouch to the back of a few large maple leaf stickers to reduce stickiness. Apply the stickers randomly to a panel of white card stock. Allow some of the stickers to hang off the edge of the paper for a more random background.

6. Autumn Leaves Card Mix one part Ink Potion #9 and one part All Purpose ink in the bottom of a Spray/Splatter Applicator bottle. Spray ink randomly on white card stock. You should have areas of more and less spray for variety. Dab excess ink off of the stickers with a tissue when you’re done spraying.

7. Autumn Leaves Card Adhere the Copper strip to the front of the folded Nutmeg card base. Apply border of acorns across the joint between the two colors. Replace the missing parts of the acorns using a craft knife. Or use a piece of scotch tape to pick up all the pieces at one time off of the carrier sheet and place them in to the open acorns.

8. Autumn Leaves Card Apply new copper leaf stickers over the dry sprayed background. Tie a piece of swirl organdy to a mini copper paper clip. Apply the paper clip to the side of the white panel. Attach the panel to the front of the card with dimensional foam adhesive. Apply a sticker greeting on the card front.

9. Wisemen Chalk Card This elegant card uses two fun techniques incorporating chalks and VersaMark ink.

10. Wisemen Chalk Card Supplies used to make this card: From Stampendous: CR095 Cling Wisemen SSH46 Large Acrylic Handle CRN196 Cling Classic Believe SSH34 Medium Acrylic Handle From Tsukineko: VersaMark Watermark Ink Pad Sponge Daubers From Creative Impressions: Mini Gold Round Card stock from Bazzill Basics™ Ivy, Amber, Plum Decorator Chalks Corner Rounder Punch

12. Stamp the wisemen in VersaMark on Amber panel. Wisemen Chalk Card Use a sponge dauber for each color and daub different colors of chalk on each of the kings and the star.

13. Use sponge daubers to apply all the colors of chalk to cover a panel of Plum card stock. Wisemen Chalk Card Use the VersaMark pad to stamp the Classic Believe stamp in the center of the card. The VersaMark ink will pull off the chalk only from the image area allowing the plum color to show through.

14. Round the two right side corners of the greeting panel. Wisemen Chalk Card

15. Trim the wisemen card to allow a little more border and insert a mini gold round into the center of the star. Adhere the wisemen panel to the folded Ivy card and adhere the Believe panel on top of it aligning the left edge of the greeting panel with the card fold. You can spray the card with aerosol hairspray or matte finish sealer to make sure the chalk does not smear if desired. Wisemen Chalk Card

16. Card Challenge Prize Package One lucky stamper will win all the products used on these two projects in our Challenge Prize Package! Thanks to: Stampendous, Tsukineko, Creative Impressions, and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L for these generous prizes.