Color blocking, in its purest form, uses geometrical shapes in solid colors. A variation of this technique simply uses a sponge or stamp pad to create the geometrical patterns that dance across your scrapbook art and card making craft ideas. This variation of color blocking holds all the charm, and uniformity of traditional color blocking, yet you have added a touch of yourself, a new dimension to your project.

Color blocking with a sponge is simple and easy to do. Some of the materials you can choose from include:

With this technique your completed design will be compiled on the same surface, rather than assembling many pieces as in traditional color blocking. Post it notes are ideal for covering areas that are beside the space in which you are working. Following are two examples of sponging techniques that can be used for your color blocking backgrounds.

TECHNIQUE 1

Divide your card into sections by stamping a solid border, such as one from Ribbons and Rikrack, in embossing ink. Apply clear embossing powder and heat.

Using a sponge dauber, load ink and sponge it into your choice of rectangles. Clean the sponge and load a second color, filling in the remaining shapes.

To texture the shapes simply choose a border stamp or background texture stamp to fill in the area. Before stamping you will need to block off the surrounding rectangles with post it notes to prevent undesired ink on neighboring shapes. Stamp your texture in the same color that you used to provide the background color.

Finish the card by stamping a focal design in the middle. Add a sentiment and the card is complete.

This technique uses a regular sponge and water based markers. Choose a sponge that has a fairly well defined shape.

Add ink to the sponge by coloring parts of the sponge with the markers. You may color it on as heavy or as lightly as you wish. In the example, Leafy Warmth, four marker colors were used on the sponge. Next, lightly mist the inks using the spray bottle, then press the sponge to the surface of the card.

To repeat the design, you will most likely need to once again add ink to the sponge with the markers. Each sponge impression will be a degree lighter than the last if no further ink is added.

Define the shapes made by your sponge using a border clear rubber stamp, such as on from Ribbons and Rikrack. In the example the border was inked using the same markers used on the sponge so that the colors combined created a variegated border.

With the color blocking on the background complete, the card can be quickly completed using sayings rubber stamps and your choice of theme designs created with your favorite clear hobby rubber stamp.

The leaf design in this card was created using Leaf Clear Stamps and Orchid Greetings.