Technique (almost) Tuesday

If you've been following along with the challenges on the Paperworks Co blog, you'll know that the 4th challenge was a technique challenge. Our challenge was to make our own background paper.

Here's a before and after of my background paper:

(The after is the "sand" background.) I started with some "natural" cardstock that had little brown flecks in it. I added color with this funky little sponge that a fellow stamper once gave me:

These are the Tim Holtz Distess Inks that I used - Vintage Photo and Tea Dye:

After I was done sponging the paper, I crumpled, straightened and recrumpled that paper several times until I was happy with the texture of it. Next, I ripped the edge of it to give it a softer, more natural edge.

And here's the final card:

I also sponged the sky background, as well. (I used a homemade cloud template and some blue ink - more Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Faded Denim.) Together, these techniques make a fun background for beachy images like these two cuties - Carlos the Crab and Wallie the Whale from PWCO's Aqua Amigos collection.