Fossil Stone Technique

The 'Fossil Stone' technique was featured in one the Technique Junkies newsletters a couple of years ago.  This is a surprisingly easy and fun technique that creates great backgrounds.

Start with a plastic file folder or page protector.  Using an ink pad, 'smear' some ink on the right side of the plastic.  Using a second color, 'smear' ink on the left side.  Optionally, you may dab a third color of ink randomly on both sides of the plastic.  Do not completely color the plastic with ink - just rub the edge of your ink pad in several places.  Be sure to leave open 'non inked' areas on each side so that when the folder is closed, there is open space for the different inks to be visible both on their own and mixed with the other inks.

Don't be fooled by the "apparent" lack of ink on the plastic.  Close the plastic (put both sides together) and then rub with your hands so that the ink mixes together and moves around a bit inside the plastic.

Open the plastic and place two pieces of Glossy White paper back-to-back (so that the Glossy is facing the inks) on top of the plastic on the right.  Then "close" the plastic by placing the left side on top of the right.  Using a Rubber Brayer, roll on top of the plastic to ensure that the ink is transferred to the Glossy paper.

Open the plastic and remove the Glossy cardstock.  You now have two 'unique' background to use for cards!  Okay, so a total of four pieces are shown here - results from doing the technique two times with two pieces of cardstock each time.

Experiment with different colors.  This sample uses Olive, Grey Wool, and Desert Sand.  Since the ink is not absorbed into the plastic and just sits on top, little air bubbles are created as the ink is 'floating' on the plastic.  This creates a 'fossilized' look when you transfer the ink to your Glossy paper.  This is a really great technique because you can use any dye ink pads you already own.  You do not need reinkers for this technique!

One thing that I’ve noticed.  Initially, the color is very bright and vivid on the Glossy cardstock – but after a day or so, the color does fade a bit.