Make Your Own Clear-Embossed Background: Idea Book Inspiration

Do you ever find yourself with the creative version of writer's block?  Personally, I like to look at Pinterest or how-to books for ideas to get my creative juices flowing, but another thing I like to do is use the Close To My Heart catalog for inspiration.  The catalogs used to be called Idea Books, and even though the name is gone, the purpose is not!

As soon as I saw page eight of the September & October seasonal catalog, I knew that I wanted to recreate that card!  The catalog occasionally offers an Artwork Tip, and this card featured a tip of using clear embossing powder to create a unique background.  Here's the original idea from the catalog:

This card was created using Bloom with Grace products from Close To My Heart: patterned paper, coordinating cardstock, and cardmaking stamp set.  While I don't have that particular stamp set, I do have the paper and a stamp set that includes a pumpkin.  I decided to {mostly} recreate the CTMH card but put my own spin on it as well!  I played around with the sizes of all of the pieces, and I came up with the following measurements:

Following the Artwork Tip, I randomly stamped some pumpkins in Versa Mark ink and then sprinkled clear embossing powder over them.  I heat embossed the pumpkins to create my own background.

After adding all the other pieces to the card, I took it in a different direction.  Since I don't have the Bloom with Grace Cardmaking stamp set, I used Gobble Till You Wobble instead (it's a retired stamp set).  I finished the card with some adorable Wood Hearts and Gold Embellishing Thread. 

While my version isn't exactly the same as the card featured on page eight of the September & October Close To My Heart catalog, it is inspired by the ideas presented in the book.  If you've found yourself inspired by something in one of the catalogs, drop a comment or a picture below; I'm always looking for new ideas!  If you like the products that you see, please consider shopping with me at jessicadipzinski.closetomyheart.com. 

You can watch me create this card in my YouTube video, linked below.  Happy creating!