Welcome back, crafty friends! Today, I’m diving into stenciled floral backgrounds with a focus on color theory and shimmering inks. If you’ve ever struggled with picking colors that pop or wondered how to make your stenciled backgrounds shine, this post (and my video!) is for you!
If you are having difficulty watching the video above, click HERE to watch on YouTube.
Three Ways to Use a Stenciled Floral Background
I’m using the Spring Floral Stencil and Large and Small Floral Layering Dies from the new Hero Arts Friendship Blooms Collection to create three different looks. Each one explores color, contrast, and shimmer, so let’s get into it!
Card #1: Byzantine Green Glitz + Bold Plum Congrats
For my first card, I wanted a rich, elegant background with plenty of shine. I stenciled with Byzantine Green Glitz Ink, which gives a gorgeous shimmer, and paired it with a bold Plum “Congrats” sentiment. Here’s the magic:
- The background is a mossy olive hue.
- The sentiment is red-violet, which is directly opposite on the color wheel—hello, instant contrast!
- The large vellum shadow behind the sentiment softens everything just enough.
✨ Pro Tip: When in doubt, check your color wheel! Using complementary colors creates high-impact contrast, making your card visually striking.
Card #2: 3. Aqua Gradient for a Fresh Take
For the next card, I switched things up with a cool-toned, gradient background using Pool Party, Paradise, and Blue Raspberry inks. The result? A soft, dreamy floral backdrop that’s perfect for spring!
- I paired this with a white and aqua layered bloom from the Large Floral Layering Dies.
- A Mother’s Day sentiment keeps the design fresh and versatile.
✨ Pro Tip: If you’re unsure which colors to use, swatching your cardstock makes a world of difference! I swatched mine with Spellbinders Color Swatch Petal Dies, and it made choosing my die-cut colors so much easier.
Card #3: Layered Floral Mother’s Day Card
Since I was loving that Byzantine Green shine, I stenciled a second background—but this time, I turned it into a Mother’s Day card!
- I added Plum, eggplant, and white die-cut flowers from the Small Floral Layering Dies.
- The combination of warm and cool tones adds depth while keeping it cohesive.
- A soft script sentiment (March Clear Stamp and Die Kit) finishes the look—elegant, yet modern.
I am so pleased you stopped by today!
kennyscards.com 