your opinion counts! Background stamps!

[jailbirdstamper]

I have them but don't use them... should I sell them, keep them, learn to use them??? let me know what ya think!

[serialpurrs]

How come you don't use them?

If it was me I'd learn how to use them before even thinking about selling them.

[nwshelly]

this cracked me up...there's a lot of things I don't use, but MUST keep someday I'll learn to use them...I hope.

[dvinson]

Keep them and learn how to use them! You'll be glad you did! Come on now-get out of the box. And by the way-I miss your "kiss blowing" avatar. Upload your next creation w/BG stamps. Have fun learning to use them!

[Janet K]

If you learn how to use them, you will LOVE them!! I love mine!!!

[tankgirl]

Which ones do you have? have you seen the SAB big blossom stamped using the kissing tech? this is total cool! i can
t live with out my BG stamps

[tankgirl]

opps, that should be "can't" i hit enter instead of '

[stillstampin]

Use them! Once you start, you won't be able to stop!! That happened to me - now I can't get enough. I have 26 SU BG's plus a few others. Now Cuttlebug is on the scene with embossed BG's!! A BG and a tag or a donut is all you need for a quick simple card!!

[frankie]

Definitely learn how to use 'em -- you'll love 'em!!! Seriously, I'm constantly reaching for a background stamp whenever I make a card. I'm totally hooked on 'em. Give yourself some time to play with them -- really try them.

[TXGrandmaX6]

Don't think of them as background stamps. Think of them as your doorway to custom designer paper! Start playing with them and soon you won't be able to stamp anything without them. Good luck.

[gv-copperdog]

They are so cool. You don't have to just use them as backgrounds. I stamp part of the image on sections only, I cut out sections and put them on cards, they are great for "kissing," etc. I dry emboss with some of them by stamping with white or VersaMark on vellum, then using my stylus to go over everything. It works perfect with Soft Swirls (too bad it's retired).

[Arlene Bridges]

Took me forever to learn how to use the backgrounds and now I am in love with them. Got to admit that my favorites are Filigree (retired), Weathered and Print Pattern.

I learned HOW to use the backgrounds (or rather how to ink them without splotches or missing images) here at SCS.

Step 1. Lay your background stamp face up on your work surface.

Step 2. Ink up the background stamp with a brayer (go up and down and then across to get good coverage -- okay I am **** so I also go at a diagonal with the brayer).

Step 3. Lay your cardstock on top of the inked background stamp.

Step 4. Place a piece of scrap paper (I use typing paper) a bit larger than your cardstock) over the cardstock.

Step 5. Take another brayer (I happen to prefer to use a clean one - but you can use the same brayer) and rub back and forth over the scrap paper/cardstock layer.

When you remove the cardstock you will have a beautiful image! No splotches or missing designs...

I have found I absolutely love using More Mustard Classic Ink on More Mustard cardstock, especially with Print Pattern. I like using Chocolate Chip or Close to Cocoa Ink on Close to Cocoa with Weathered. And Filigree I like best with Regal Rose Ink on Regal Rose Paper.

Try it out... maybe you will change your mind!

[handstampedhappiness]

You have to learn to use them!! You are missing out on so much!! Seriously, I put a tutorial on my blog if you're having trouble. Background stamps are the greatest!

[Sairabee]

I agree - definitely learn how to use them. I had mine for YEARS and they saw very little (if any) use. Then one day, I just decided I had to "use it or lose it". Once I started doing it, I couldn't stop!!!

[lindylou1220]

You definitely want to learn to use them (even if the poll won't work for me right now). Once you do, you'll never stop! Arlene has given you a perfect set of instructions. I do just the same except for using my bone folder rather than my brayer to rub over the scrap paper.

[sarah9678]

you could always send them to me...LOL

If I were you I would learn to use them...they are so versatile and can be used in many many ways

[diane617]

I have the BIG BLOSSOM coming and can't wait to kiss it to my retire lace stamp. The BGs just add a layer of texture. Check out this card by Kristen Moore Gallery at Splitcoaststampers It gives the illusion of layers just by addind the BG stamps.

[WAXYO]

Use 'em girl!

Try adding linen or canvas to your next card - you'll be amazed at how naked a card seems without it once you've tried!

My beef with them (that I've rectified) is cleaning them...they make my knuckles hurt when I rub them back and forth on my stampin' scrub...I just keep a spray bottle of regular tap water nearby; spray the stamp and wipe with a clean cloth. Perfect!

[Bagpuss]

Learn to use them! I had the same problem, although I did only have one BG stamp. But it lay there unused because I'd tried it a couple of times and it had gone horribly wrong. But then I was shown how to use it "properly" (as detailed by Arlene Bridges, above) and now there's no stopping me! I have several more BG stamps now and, like WAXYO says, a cardlooks naked without one!

[jen9853]

Use 'em, baby! One of my favourite ways is to use two... like canvas and crosshatch, to get even more texture.

Once you use them, you'll wonder how you ever did without them!

[lbirus]

Run, do not walk to your stamping area. Grab your Versamark ink and a background, any background. Now use the above mentioned face-up inking method to ink that puppy up. Use a piece of your favorite color cardstock now lay that down and rub. Remove the paper and look at the magic! You just created a mono chromatic texture that will enhance any image you put on it!

I didn't really like my backgrounds until I learned from these amazing talents to go MONO-CHROMATIC! Stick with the same color ink as the paper or use the versa mark, the result is a rich textured backgroud similar to what you are doing with the cuttlebug, only with ink!

YOU'll love them!

[diane617]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah9678

you could always send them to me...LOL

If I were you I would learn to use them...they are so versatile and can be used in many many ways

If you do decide to ditch them I NEED Paisley and Linen!:twisted:

[firequeen]

Learn to use them! As WAXYO said once you start using backgrounds your cards will look naked without one.

[scrapmo]

Do you scrap mostly or make cards? If you are a card maker learn how to use them, if you are a scrapper, sell them and buy the jumbo wheels, or more alphas!

[Ally]

I so wanted to vote the last one, but I voted learn to use them. My cards were terrible before I learned to use my background stamps. They add texture and interest to what is usually the boring part of the card. Look through the galleries of the backgrounds you have and just go for it, after all, it's just a bit of card!

[Babsnelson]

I would really try to invest the time to learn how to use them. If you still don't like them after that, then by all means sell them (to me!!)

[LynnAnne]

If you have THAT many my idea isn't on your list. I would say sell SOME of them - and keep your absolute favorites -and learn to use THOSE.

[CardFanatic]

I chose learn how to use them. They can add so much texture to your card. Once you start using some, you'll learn better which ones to sell. I thought I'd never part with any BGs, but I have said good-bye to a few. I still have a ton! :mrgreen:

[amysings]

I think it's unanimous. You have to learn to use them. ;-) It's more fun if someone *helps* you! Then you can squeal and laugh together! LOL

[jailbirdstamper]

thanks for the tips.... I tried a french scipt background (very nice... I think I like this one).... will have to work with the others. I'm wondering why I bought so many if I didn't know what to do with them? can you spell CRAZY LADY???