Monday, March 29, 2010

Make Your Own Background Papers

Today is my turn to post a Tip & Technique on the Noel Mignon Layout blog. This time I decided to demonstrate a couple of ways to create your own background patterns. Can you spot the two techniques I used on this page? :)



First, I pulled out my Sea Monkey Vibez by Shimmerz Paints. We're all familiar with misting our cardstock, . . . this time I will be using a mask to create a pattern on my page.

I used my Silhouette to out a large polka dot pattern to use as a stencil. If you don't own an electronic cutting machine you could also create a polka dot pattern using the grommet punch by Making Memories.



Lightly tape your pattern to your cardstock. Use additional sheets of paper or paper towels to cover up the exposed edges of cardstock sticking out past the edges of your mask. Covering the edges will ensure that you won't get a line of "overspray" while you are misting. Spritz the openings with your Vibez spray ink. If you need to, move and line up your pattern around the page until you reach the desired result.




For my second technique, I decided to use acrylic stamps to create my own patterned paper.

First, I created a document on my computer that looks like a large scale sheet of graph paper. I used the "hairline" line thickness at 20% opacity in a grid across the entire sheet. The lines are spaced 0.5" apart. Print your graph onto white cardstock. You will be stamping directly onto this sheet. The grid marks will help you keep your pattern straight and even.



Next, choose one or more stamps to work with. I chose the spikey flower stamp from a stamp set by My Cute Stamps called "Spunky Nature". The ink pad I used is by My Mind's Eye. I stamped directly on top of the grid, using the lines to position my image. When the design is complete, the graph underneath will be barely noticeable. Now you are ready to incorporate your custom patterned paper into your next papercrafting project!



And here is my completed page! Everything else on this page is from the NEW Sonoma County Kit . There are just a few left! Pick yours up in the Noel Mignon online store HERE . (Click on any image to view larger.)






Thanks for coming by today!
See you soon!
Jana

20 comments:

  1. Saw this on FB ans stopped by to visit!

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  2. Wonderful Layout! Thanks for the tutorial.

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  3. So pretty. Sea Monkey is my fave :)

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  4. love the techniques you show and the layout too :)

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  5. What a gorgeous layout! And I love your techniques! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. You've got my mind abuzz with ideas! Thanks. These layouts are absolutely Jana-licious. :)

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  7. Such a great page.. thanks for sharing how you made it!!

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  8. I love this! Thanks for the technique ideas! :)

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  9. wow excellent stuff Jana, i love it xx

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  10. Just gorgeous! I love your ingenuity!

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  11. Thanks so much for the tip. This turned out amazing.

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  12. Love that stamping technique and can't wait to try!! Thanks for sharing. Your talent is amazing :O)

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  13. this is brilliant! Thanks for sharing this. I would like to try some too

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  14. Jana- this is just so adorable- love your handmade background!

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  15. Wow!! This is amazing!! Love the techniques and the LO is so wonderful! :)

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  16. Just beautiful, Jana! Such cool techniques! TFS!

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  17. Stamps & stencils never had it so good. This is just breathtaking! I want to make loads of DIY papers now. You make it look so easy and so classy. Thanks for the awesome inspiration! :o)

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  18. love all the fun details you added on this one! stamping and stencils!!! love it!

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  19. WOW Jana!! I BOW to your scrappiness! AMAZING-TY for the inspo!

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