Make your own Background Paper with Stamps and Mists

I just started fooling around and this is what happened.

I think it turned out beautifully and it was all done with stamps and Glimmer Mist and a Glimmer screen.

Here are the steps.

1. Use a foam applicator and ink far right edge of paper with Peeled Paint Distress ink.  Try to get a smooth gradation from darkest at the edge to lighter towards the centre.  
2. Stamp with Tattered Angels Blossom Trees in Peeled Paint.
3. Now place the coordinating Glimmer Screens on the page and spray with Seashell Glimmer Mist.  I sprayed half, moved the screen and sprayed again.  Be careful, the screen gets pretty wet and will drip if you are not careful.
4. I next stamped with a Prima stamp, Vintage Script.  I inked it with Peeled paint, but used the foam applicator in order to achieve a lighter tone. 
5. Next I used a stamp from Crafty Individuals; Deco Foliage Large Corner.  Again, I wanted this element to remain soft and distant.  I used Antique Linen Distress Ink and a foam applicator to get the soft image.
6. Last but not least another stamp, this time from Sparkle and Sprinkle called Chrysanthemum Medallion.  I wanted this to pop a little and went for full on Vintage Photo Distress ink.  The upper corner needed a little masking.  When I mask I always use a mouse pad underneath to get the image right to the edge of the mask without leaving a gap.

You don't need the exact same stamps or inks.  The biggest ideas are tone on tone stamping, ie. inking the page and then stamping in the same colour.  Using that and the foam to apply the ink turns one colour of ink into almost three, but three that automatically go together.  The other idea is to layer, layer, layer.

Give it a try.

In love with Graphic 45

I am still working my way through last summer's trip pictures.  I just have one set to go and then I think I can call it done.

Graphic 45 has me completely captivated.  Their beautifully coordinating papers are just so easy to work with.  In my Newport RI layout, I used the On the Boardwalk line with bits from Transatlantique.  I used some ink, passed one sheet through a crimper, added Glossy Accents, Glimmer mist and accented with butcher's twine.  Simple, simple, simple.

This layout is all about old institutions and no paper better reflects this than Venetian Lace from the Renaissance Faire collection.  Finished off with gold pen accents, Dew drops, 7 Gypsies tag, Prima stamps and Stamp It stamps.