Polished "Blarney" Stone Technique

Polished Stone (or as I call it the  Polished "Blarney Stone") Technique

I couldn’t resist a little play on words with this one – sorry!  Must be the Irish in me coming to the surface as St. Patrick's Day approaches!   “Blarney” or not – polished stone background paper is a beautiful, custom made addition to your paper crafting projects.   This simple layout I created when I first began scrapbooking explains why our family loves this Irish lullaby.  The title block and stamped & embossed pieces on the bottom all have polished stone backgrounds created using this simple technique.   They were also edged with gold leafing pen and stamped and embossed in gold. 

While it may not be a new technique, it's still a great effect and worth sharing as we celebrate March is National Craft Month!  Here is what I find to be the easiest way to create this effect. 

Cut a piece of glossy cardstock to desired size.  It is best to work with smaller, half or quarter sheet sections than to try to do a whole sheet at once.  Take a Krylon Leafing Pen (gold, silver, copper, etc.) and gently draw crooked lines randomly across the paper.  This will start to create your “veins” in the “marble”.  Next, wet a cotton ball with alcohol and add 3 drops of dye based ink pad refill ink onto a cotton ball.  It is best to use 2 shades, with 2 drops of light shade and one of a darker color.   Use the cotton ball to “dab” all over the cardstock repeatedly.  The alcohol causes the ink to run and bleed together, and causes your metallic “veining” to dissolve somewhat and add shimmering touches to your finished marble.