Dramatic Dandelions

Hi everyone, today I would like to share the result of a little play session I had, experimenting with ways to create a bokeh effect background. I have long wanted to have a go at this technique and there are lots of Youtube videos for it; and I thought I could use my Lavinia “White Orbs” stencil for the different sized circles, but I wasn’t sure what  medium to use to ink the white circles.  I first tried Versamark and Perfect Pearls but found that the Perfect Pearls tended to stick to the inked background, so then I tried Brilliance Moonlight White pigment ink which worked better though it was not ideal - I tended to get a bit of pooling at the edges of the circles. I have read that Hero Arts Unicorn ink is the best white ink, but it is nigh impossible to get hold of in the UK right now, so I did my best with what I’ve got. I decided to go with a vibrant multi-coloured Distress Oxide background with strong silhouette stamping to make it pop, so that I can enter it into this month’s Lavinia Creative Challenge “Bursting With Colour”.  Here’s the result.

First I stamped and heat embossed the fairy, then I created a bright multi-coloured background by blending Distress Oxide inks and grounded the fairy with more DO and my Lavinia hill mask. I then added the bokeh effect using Brilliance Moonlight White ink brushed through the stencil, moving it around to create overlapping circles, and added further silhouette stamped dandelions and birds. I then added a spotlight using a circle mask and black DO, stamped a sentiment, and blended black DO round the edges. I added Sakura Stardust pen highlights to the fairy wings and dandelions, then edged the finished panel with gilding polish before matting onto black and teal card stock and a 7” square card blank. 

Here’s an angled picture to show the sparkle - it also shows a few other things such as why you shouldn't stamp on top of pigment ink bokeh circles!!.

I would be the first to admit that technique-wise this is a bit rough and ready, and I’ve learned a few things for future projects. I may try doing a bokeh background using Pan Pastels next time.

Stamps: Lavinia Josie, Fairy Dandelions, Dandelions, Bird Collection, Let Your Spirit Take Flight;

Media: Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade, Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, Wilted Violet, Black Soot); Versafine Clair (Nocturne); Brilliance Moonlight White pigment ink; Sakura Stardust pen (clear); Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Polish (Warm Copper);

Tools: Lavinia White Orbs stencil; Lavinia Hills Acetate Masks.

Challenges I would like to enter:

A Gem of a Challenge #6 2023 - Anything Goes - WINNER & TOP 3

C.R.A.F.T. #672 - Anything Goes - TOP 3, STAR OF THE MONTH

Crafter’s Cafe #295 - Circles (2nd entry)

Crazy Is Our Fame, Stencils Are Our Game (March) - Use a Stencil (2nd entry)

Happy Little Stampers: Stencils (March) - Anything Goes with a Stencil (2nd entry)

Lavinia Creative Challenge (March) - Bursting With Colour (5th entry)

Love to Craft #73 - Anything Goes

Pammie’s Inky Pinkies #2311 - Anything Goes

Path of Positivity #110 - Anything Goes Positive - TOP PICK & DT DELIGHT 

Word Art Wednesday #587/588 - Anything Goes (4th entry)

That’s all from me for today.  Take care, and thanks for visiting.

Hugs,