Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Easiest Background Technique

I'm a day behind, but catching up.  Grungy Monday this week features a Tim video with the easiest background technique you'll ever see.  All you need are some distress ink pads and a blending tool with foam attached.  Well, don't take my word for it.  Click on the link and see for yourself.

I'd like to say that I deliberately went very pale in my color selection, but honestly, I think my pads just need reinking, LOL.  But I think the pastel look really works with the bold stamp (it's the large background stamp from Tim's Papillon set) I used.


Just to break things up a bit, I punched three holes (no, I am not so talented to get them all lined up perfectly; I used a Sizzix three hole mover and shaper die) and backed them with blue cardstock.

The butterflies are cut from paper that was covered with tissue tape and inked.  They are Tim's mini mover and shaper butterflies, and I find myself using them a lot.  They are perfectly sized for cards and ATCs.
In case you didn't notice all the fancy (hah!) machine stitching, here's a closer look:


Not only are the butterflies attached with the stitching, but each side of the card has some zig zag action going on.  I hope you're suitably impressed.

This is already in an envelope ready to head out for a friend's birthday.  If it ever stops raining I'll even get to a mailbox.



20 comments:

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wonderful card, great details. I've used this background stamp, too.

Paula said...

Yes, I'm suitably impressed! Gorgeous - I think the pastels look great with this. Nice job.

Tammy D said...

Very pretty!

jude said...

Gorgeous and love the pale colour combo!Good luck
hugs judex

Candy C said...

Beautiful tag, Eileen. Your background is wonderfully done! <3 Candy

MarleneMAZ said...

Your colours look lovely, great tag Eileen!

Nancy Lynn said...

I like how the colors turned out a lot. Very nice.

Wendy said...

Beautiful card. Great idea to use the tissue tape for background, must try that. That butterfly does look like a great size, I must look for it too.

Karen said...

Stitching! Yes, I'm impressed.

Love the background with that big stamp over it: Beautiful.

Helen said...

What a GORGEOUS card. i love it, your colours are perfect. This is a great easy technique this week, so, obviously I've not had time to do it yet. Lol!

Vic said...

Love it! I've been putting those little butterflies on everything, too!

Lori said...

Your technique turned out fabulous, but of course, you knew that. Love the stamping, and the three circles do help break it up, looks great!

Ann said...

very impressed with the stitching!!
fabulous card!! love your color choices!!

Chris Arlington said...

Lovely card. I am very impressed with the stitching. It would be a cold day in H--- before I dragged my machine out for a little stitching.

Dorothy said...

fantastic card Eileen!

Jane said...

Beautiful entry. I watch for your art every week. You give me such inspiration. I just got this stamp set and Dies, can't wait to get started.

Suzanne Bouchard said...

Beautiful work! I like the butterflies a lot and the colors you used!

Sarah said...

fab background and happy mistake with the faded pads! Love the stitching too...
Thanks for sharing...
Sarah at 46

The Craft Cupboard Under the Stairs said...

The subtle colors are great and I LOVE the stiching!

Gillian .... said...

The colour block background is perfect Eileen,Papillon is such a great set to work with, love the placement of the Butterflies.