Bokeh Technique For Card Making

Would you love to know how to use the bokeh technique for card making on your upcoming craft projects? This is such a simple technique, and I’m really excited to share it with you today because it will allow you to create such beautiful cards. I’m featuring the Stampin Up Detailed Dogwood stamp set, which is free right now with a $100 order. Let’s take a look!

If you haven’t heard of bokeh before, I’ll begin by explaining what it is!

What Is Bokeh?

Bokeh is a special effect used in card making, where circles of various sizes and opacity are added to an image or paper print. Circles are often white, but various colors can be used to create new effects. The use of bokeh comes from photography, where it refers to blurry or out-of-focus areas of a photograph.

What supplies will you need to try the bokeh technique? I’ll share them below.

Materials Needed For The Bokeh Effect

Here’s what you’ll need for this technique:

Circle template (more details below)
Blending brushes
Ink
Pre-stamped paper or designer paper
Scrap paper

Next I’ll share how simple it is to use the bokeh effect on your cards.

Creating A Circle Template

To create your circle template, use one or several pieces of cardstock, and punch or die cut various sizes of circles from the cardstock. I used circles from 1/2″ up to 1 1/2″ on my template.

Next I’ll share how to use your template to create this gorgeous effect!

How To Do The Bokeh Technique For Card Making

Here are the steps to creating the bokeh effect on your stamping projects.

Lay down scrap paper to protect your work surface.
Lay your designer paper or stamped cardstock on top of the scrap paper.
Choose one circle from the circle template to use, and lay it in the desired place over top of your paper. Tape in place if desired.
Apply ink to your blending brush.
Swirl ink onto the paper, using the circle template as a guide, until it is the desired color.
Move the circle template to a new location, and apply ink again.
Repeat with difference sizes of circles (and different colors of ink if desired) until you like how it looks!

Stampin Up Detailed Dogwood

Here is the stamp set I’ve used on today’s lovely cards. You can get this for free right now with a $100 order during Sale-a-bration. Get all the details here. So pretty!

Next I’ll share some cards I created with white dots, and then I’ll share some colored examples!

White Bokeh Effect Cards

I created two cards showing how lovely the bokeh effect can be with all white ink. Here is a simple card I created in today’s video. I heat embossed the stamped images, then applied white ink for the bokeh dots.

On this next card, I created a more elaborate background and more subtle white circles. Keep in mind, it is easier to make the bokeh effect stand out with white ink if you choose a darker background. If you like the subtle effect like shown here, then a dark background isn’t needed.

Now let’s look at some examples using different colors of ink to create the dots!

Colored Bokeh Effect Cards

Now I have two more cards created with colored ink for the bokeh effect, instead of using white ink. Watch along with today’s video to see this first card. I did my stamping with Gorgeous Grape and Highland Heather inks, then applied bokeh dots with Highland Heather and Fresh Freesia. Do you notice the glisten on the flowers? I added some Wink of Stella when I finished (on all of today’s cards) for a nice bit of glisten!

I also created this nice card with Flirty Flamingo and Crumb Cake inks used for the dots.

Which of these cards is your favorite? Share in the comments below!

Bokeh Technique For Card Making Video

Watch along here to see today’s technique in action! I’m also sharing a bit more about the diet I’ve been on lately and some basics about gut health and how important it is for all of our mental and physical wellness!