it's Brenda's turn to choose the challenge and she got a fun one for us. She's saying, "Give Us Your Background" which just means that she wants us to make our own background paper. So fun!
Now, I'll admit, I had a bit of trouble with this one. I was totally overthinking it too, of course. As much as I love inked backgrounds I'm completely horrible at trying to produce them myself. I cannot blend ink smoothly, I end up making a big mess, and a lot of paper ends up in the garbage (and more than a few swears fly outta my mouth too).
In the end I followed this tutorial from Mel Stampz and made this...
So, while I did use patterned paper, at least I dressed it up, right? What you do is use an embossing folder on the patterned paper, use clear embossing powder on the raised sections, then ink the rest of it. Of course the embossing powder resists the ink, so it comes through as is. It looks stunning if you use a dark ink that completely covers everything but the raised parts (click on the link above to see a sample of that). Silly me, I thought that what would happen here, but obviously, pink isn't dark enough to black out the pattern. Still, looks pretty cool if I do say so myself.
I did do some ink smooshing too, which I can sorta, kinda do. Sprinkled salt on it but I really don't see that effect on it at all....maybe because I blotted off the excess ink before I did? I dunno....yet another example of why me and inks aren't best of friends.
Digi is from DigiStamp Boutique.
Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up? And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.
Also for:
The Holly & the Ivy: anything Christmas goes
Addicted To Stamps: Christmas
The Merry Christmas Challenge: anything Christmas goes
Addicted To Stamps & More: holiday
Christmas at Sweet Stampin': anything Christmas goes
Dream Valley: use a stamp or digi image
Sweet Stampin': heat embossing
Shopping Our Stash: on trend - Distress Ink smooshed backgrounds....that's still trendy, right?
City Crafter: inspirational photo
Love the big sentiment! So cute! Don't forget about our DT Call!
ReplyDelete~Owner/DT Janis
Great card, love the ink smooshing :)
ReplyDeleteHugs Kaz x
You might have had problems with the start off, but one would never know it; what a great card!!!
ReplyDeleteYes! This is totally hip! Thank you for sharing at SOS with this "trendy" lookin' card!
ReplyDeleteWell done you for getting stuck in and experimenting! Maybe try some of those soft brushes for ink blending, that way you can't put to much pressure on(and your hands don't get too messy). Gorgeous card you ended up with though. Thank you for sharing with us at Dream Valley Challenge XXX
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion, Gina, I actually do have those brushes....and I'm still terrible at blending! Thanks for your lovely comment as well. :-)
DeleteI love the way your card turned out! From the ink smooshing to the embossed patterned paper, love it!
ReplyDeleteYour card looks fabulous!! I've never seen a background created like that. Thanks for sharing the link. I love the smooshing too!
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous holiday card, Jan. Love the funky background design. Thanks for joining us at ATSM.
ReplyDeletex Asha
What a beautiful, colorful card and I love the embossed patterned paper! Thanks so much for joining us at the Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge!
ReplyDeleteTammy x
Smooshed backgrounds are totally trendy in my book!
ReplyDeleteEspecially on a card as fab as yours!
Thanks for getting your trend on with the crew from SHOPPING OUR STASH!!
This is a fabulous card, I must check out the tutorial and give it a whirl. Your smoosching turned out wonderfully, colors are very distinct unlike many of my that turn to mud.
ReplyDeleteThis is soooooo cool. I will have to give it a go as I am enjoying inks more and more. Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love how you created the background. Thanks for sharing. Thank you for joining Addicted to Stamps challenge.
ReplyDeleteSai