The "credit card background" technique has been around a long time. The basics are to dot your cardstock with reinker (or paint), and use the edge of an unwanted credit card to cover the cardstock with color.

The Technique Junkie Newsletter took this technique and added a twist - using Opalite Reinkers from Tsukineko and dark cardstock - to create gorgeous, glowing backgrounds.

Instead of using the cardstock for just backgrounds, I've stamped on them, and used them in the foregrounds. The pictures cannot do them justice - the interference quality of the Opalites make them difficult to photograph.

Supplies:

• Opalite Re-inkers (2 - 3 colors)
• Unwanted credit card or cardboard
• black (or dark) cardstock

Steps:

1. Select 2 to 3 colors of re-inkers.
2. Squeeze out dots or draw squiggles lines straight from the re-inker bottle, onto the dark cardstock.
3. All colors will look the same coming out of the bottle, so try to not put too much of the same color in one area.
4. Use the unwanted credit card or piece of cardboard to move the color around the cardstock.
5. Some people like to have some of the cardstock showing, I prefer to cover it all up.

Play around & make several sheets - use different color combinations, use different movements to spread the color.

Samples:

Example 1 - Stamps from Stamp Zia - emboss with black detail embossing powder on the opalite cardstock when dry. Cut out images and layer as shown.

Example 2 & 3 - Stamps from Paula Best - emboss with black detail embossing powder; highlight with colored pencils, and layer as shown.