blurred Christmas light background effect?

[Jadiebird]

I am showing an example of something similar in a photo. HERE
Wonder if this could be done with a stamp or some kind of stamp technique? I would like it better if the dots were even blurrier, though. Like when you take a portrait, and background is blurred and looks like little dots of light?

I would like it against a dark background, with multicolor dots of light. I think it would be a pretty background for a Christmas card. Has anyone tried this?

[UnderstandBlue]

That's called Bokeh and I actually did that!

With a pencil eraser.

Understand Blue: If There's a Cure For The Blues, Please Don't Tell Me

[Jadiebird]

OOOO, that looks really nice! I wonder how it would look on a dark background with multicolors?

[UnderstandBlue]

You're making me want to try it with my craft inks....

[Jadiebird]

I just tried it with a pencil eraser, and it works great! I used Brilliance inks on black cardstock, but while it looks nice, the colors are not bright. Sooo, I was thinking maybe I could stamp on white cardstock, emboss it, then rub over it with a dark dye ink, like an emboss resist.
I don't have too many craft inks, I have lots of Brilliance inks, stazon inks, distress inks, chalk inks, Adirondack dye inks. Maybe stamp in paint? I guess I will have to experiment a little.

[UnderstandBlue]

Any pigment ink should work! I bet the Illuminate and shimmery VersaMark pads would look great too!

[Stampnf1n]

Hi

Great question! But what is a PITT pen?

Bonnie

[UnderstandBlue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stampnf1n

Hi

Great question! But what is a PITT pen?

Bonnie

We actually did a breakdown on those here: Splitcoaststampers - Product Focus

[CluelesslyCreative]

What about using the Versamark Embossing Ink, then dusting Perfect Pearls or Pearl-ex onto it?

Anyway, I will definitely try a bokeh effect now.

CluelesslyCreative

[Cook22]

You can make a good DIY circle stamp in almost any size you like if you have a scrap of fun foam - just die-cut a couple of circles the size you want, stick them together (I like to use at least two layers, just so that I don't get the block inky when I'm inking the foam, no other reason) and stamp away. To get the vibrant colours in that photo against a dark background I think some type of embossing resist is the only way. Or your idea of paint! I'd say acrylic paints on a dark background would look great.

[gregzgurl]

Okay, so this thread got me all curious and I went and experimented in my craft room... First I put dots of white pigment ink onto black cardstock with the tip of a paintbrush, let it dry, then added chalk to see how it would look. Meh... Then, I used a white gel pen to make dots on the black cardstock and went back in with the chalk after it dried. THAT one was relatively successful. I've attached a pic of the result. In real life, it's only about 1 1/2" - 2" square, so obviously not quite as spectacular as the photo looks...

[UnderstandBlue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

Okay, so this thread got me all curious and I went and experimented in my craft room... First I put dots of white pigment ink onto black cardstock with the tip of a paintbrush, let it dry, then added chalk to see how it would look. Meh... Then, I used a white gel pen to make dots on the black cardstock and went back in with the chalk after it dried. THAT one was relatively successful. I've attached a pic of the result. In real life, it's only about 1 1/2" - 2" square, so obviously not quite as spectacular as the photo looks...

OMG YOU ARE COMPLETELY AMAZING!!!!

[gregzgurl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnderstandBlue

OMG YOU ARE COMPLETELY AMAZING!!!!

Aww, shucks - you're makin' me blush!

[Jadiebird]

That looks GREAT, Sue.

[fairsinger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

Okay, so this thread got me all curious and I went and experimented in my craft room... First I put dots of white pigment ink onto black cardstock with the tip of a paintbrush, let it dry, then added chalk to see how it would look. Meh... Then, I used a white gel pen to make dots on the black cardstock and went back in with the chalk after it dried. THAT one was relatively successful. I've attached a pic of the result. In real life, it's only about 1 1/2" - 2" square, so obviously not quite as spectacular as the photo looks...

This is fantastic! Have you thought about doing a tutorial on this one? I would love to play with this technique but I do better with a step-by-step tutorial. You are so creative!!

[gregzgurl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairsinger

This is fantastic! Have you thought about doing a tutorial on this one? I would love to play with this technique but I do better with a step-by-step tutorial. You are so creative!!

Thanks, but it's so simple that a tutorial really isn't necessary. Here are the steps:

1. Use your white gel pen to make a small dot anywhere that you want a "light". Let it dry.
2. Using a cosmetic applicator (like Swisspers) or similar, pick up some chalk and apply it like you're drawing an asterisk on top of the white dot, letting the chalk spread to the cardstock around the dot.

That really is all there is to it!

[UnderstandBlue]

I just did it - simple - easy - fantastic!! Thank you again!!!

[karjor]

Thank you Sue - that is gorgeous! Must go try . . . after I clear some space in the disaster area i am calling a craft room.

[QueenOfInkland]

Thanks, Sue. You are amazingly talented and inspired

[fairsinger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

Thanks, but it's so simple that a tutorial really isn't necessary. Here are the steps:

1. Use your white gel pen to make a small dot anywhere that you want a "light". Let it dry.
2. Using a cosmetic applicator (like Swisspers) or similar, pick up some chalk and apply it like you're drawing an asterisk on top of the white dot, letting the chalk spread to the cardstock around the dot.

That really is all there is to it!

Can't wait to try it! Thanks for posting this!

[jeanne3579]

This is so wow!!! Wish I have more Christmas cards to make!

[RiverIsis]

Great idea. Glad Sue worked it out. I was thinking this needed chalks on black probably never would have come up with the dot of white gel pen!