Today’s card uses ‘Bargello” as inspiration. Bargello is a traditional type of needlepoint embroidery with a mathematical pattern/design created by an arrangement of flat stitches, most famously seen in the Italian Bargello palace. But in paper crafting Bargello resembles paper strips to create a pattern however complicated or simple you want it to be. Here I used strips as a simple background for my card using this amazing texture plate stamp from Carabelle available from The Funky Llama South Africa.

1. Ink texture plate/stamp  with turquoise ink for stamping. Make sure the stamp is ink with a nice even layer of colour.
2. Stamp the image onto smooth white cardstock. If you battle with large stamps, keep the stamp on your table and place the cardstock on top. Then use your hands to smooth over the pattern to transfer it onto the cardstock.

3. Use watercolour paint to add colour to the white. Tip: To make colouring in easier, emboss the image with clear embossing powder. The white areas will be paintable but the embossing will resist taking on colour.

4. Cut your coloured image into strips. Cut different widths of strips and even add some other stamped strips into the mix for interest.
5. Adhere the strips to the front of a card. Use double sided tape or glue. Change the strips up to create an interesting effect on your card.

6. Trim off any overlapping pieces from the edges. Adhere a sentiment to the card, as well as a cut out heart and diamanté to finish it off.