Backgrounds, backgrounds...

Here are a couple of cards I made over the weekend as a result of trying out background techniques. The first one uses a clingfilm background - I used the craft mat technique on the card using barn door, chipped sapphire and dusty concord distress inks, and then while it was still very wet I pressed crumpled up clingfilm over the surface and left it in place until it was dry. For the card I stamped the flourish (by PaperArtsy) in black around the edges. The Mona Lisa stamp is by Tim Holtz.

The new edition of Craft Stamper arrived on Friday and this latest edition contains some fabulous techniques! One I particularly liked was called 'Blended Paper' - you stick strips of torn printed or stamped papers onto a piece of card, then paint a thin layer of gesso over. Here I have used mainly stamped paper plus a bit of an old book page. I sponged vintage photo ink over the background when it was dry. The article also demonstrated how to create a shadow behind images and I have had a go at this as well, although I think my shadow is bit too dark... more practice needed! The stamp of the two women is by Rivercity Rubberworks.