Easy Faux Bokeh Technique

handmade card created with the faux bokeh technique and Timeless Tropical stamp set

This Easy Faux Bokeh Technique is fun to do and makes a wonderful background! The bokeh effect comes from photography where the background is out of focus with pinpoints of light like this. The focus is distinctly on the main image.

Supplies:
Cardstock Vellum
At least three colors of Stampin’ Blends – darker colors show up better – I used dark Pumpkin Pie, dark Granny Apple Green, and dark Pineapple Punch
paper towel

Instructions:
1. Make a circle with one of the stampin’ blends and immediately burnish with the paper towel. Don’t even take time to recap the marker. Otherwise, the edge of the circle will dry and you won’t get the blurred effect.
2. Repeat this step several times with the first color randomly on the piece of cardstock vellum.
3. Change colors and repeat as desired.

To Make Sample Card

Supplies:
Stamp Set – Timeless Tropical
Inks – Memento and Pear Pizzazz ink pads
Stampin’ Blends – Dark Pumpkin Pie, Dark Pineapple Punch, Dark Granny Apple Green for bokeh background; Calypso Coral Combo, Dark Granny Apple Green, Dark Pineapple Punch
Cardstock – Whisper White 11 x 4 1/4″ scored and folded at 5 1/2″ for card base, 5″ x 3 3/4″, scraps for flower, leaves and greeting; Granny Apple Green 5 1/4″ x 4″; cardstock vellum 5″ x 3 3/4″
Accessories – In the Tropics Dies, Stitched So Sweetly Dies (next to the smallest rectangle), SNAIL adhesive, mini glue dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Gold Metallic Edged Ribbon colored with Light Calypso Coral Blend

Instructions:
1. Adhere Pear Pizzazz cardstock to Whisper White card base with the SNAIL
2. Do the technique on the Cardstock Vellum
3. Adhere the vellum to card front with SNAIL adhesive placing the adhesive in areas that will be covered up with the other elements.
4. Color length of gold metallic edge ribbon with the light Calypso Coral blend. Then tie an overhand know and adhere to left side of card with glue dot.
5. On Whisper White scraps stamp the leaves with Pear Pizzazz ink and the hibiscus flower with Memento ink. Color in the flower with the blends. Then cut out with the appropriate dies.
6. Stamp greeting on another scrap of Whisper White with Memento ink. Cut out with next to the smallest Stitched So Sweetly rectangle die.
7. Adhere the leaves to card front with SNAIL and the flower and greeting with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

If you need any of the supplies I used for this card, visit my online store. Use the host code when you order and I’ll send you a small thank you gift.