Creating 2 cards with 1 technique.
Hi Angels!
I have been hard at work trying to come up with some fresh & innovative designs to share with you and also as a submission for the FSJ Creative Team. It energizes my art to search for new ideas & techniques to inspire your creativity.
I had a lot of fun developing the Zig-Zag & Swirl background techniques but haven’t created much with them. I saw an idea on Pinterest that turned into these 2 cool cards using the Swirl background technique in one Gel Press pull. Let’s walk through how to create these.

Supply List:
- 1 each Pool Play & Limeade Splash card base 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ folded in half
- 2 Whip Cream pieces cut 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ and 5 1/4″ x 4″
- Scraps of Turbo Teal, Electric Lime, Pool Play & Lemon Drop cardstocks for die cutting
- 1 Create-A-Palette – mine is inked in Limeade Splash, Electric Lime, Lemon Drop, Cool Pool & Turbo Teal reinkers
- Pool Play & Black Licorice inkpads
- Gel Press
- Leaf Pattern, Summer Branch & Special Days Tag Dies
- Fiddle Leaf embossing folder
- Sparkle Silk
- Remarkable You & Thread Sketch stamp sets
On your Pool Play card base stamp Thread Sketch in Pool Play ink on front & set aside.

Take the 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ piece of Whip Cream card stock & die cut Leaf Pattern from it.

Using your Gel Press, swirl the Create-A-Palette over the surface. Carefully lay the die cut Leaf Pattern over the ink. Add the 5 1/4″ x 4″ Whip Cream over top of die cut & gently rub to transfer ink to both pieces. This will create your double print allowing you to make 2 cards. Here is a quick technique video on this step:
Attach patterned pieces to card bases. The negative print onto Limeade Splash & the Leaf Pattern die cut onto Pool Play. Sprinkle with Sparkle Silk & set aside.

Finishing the Cards:
Pool Play card __ A – using the elongated hexagon shapes from the Special Days Tag set, die cut large Lemon Drop & small Pool Play pieces. B – Stamp Lemon Drop piece in Pool Play ink using the Thread Sketch. C – Stamp Sentiment of choice from Remarkable You in Black Licorice ink on Pool Play shape. D – Layer shaped pieces together, sprinkle with Sparkle Silk & pop up with Foam Squares on card.


Limeade Splash card __ A – With Summer Branch die cut Turbo Teal & Electric Lime leaves. B – Emboss Electric Lime piece with the Fiddle Leaf embossing folder. (Note: the embossed leaf piece will be fragile, handle carefully to prevent it tearing.) C – Adhere die cuts together slightly off set to create a shadow effect and attach to card. D – Stamp sentiment of choice onto card base in Black Licorice ink.


I hope this tutorial has inspired you to create & play with your art supplies.
Thanks for stopping by.

Ruth, these are so cool looking! Will definitely try this out.