I am a sucker for new techniques and new ways to use my supplies. Creating painted backgrounds is one of my favorite techniques, so when I came across a similar technique on the ScrapAnswers website, I knew I just had to try it. I did a few things differently, and I wanted to share my results.

Supplies Needed:
Cardstock or Watercolor Paper
Dimensional Medium for Acrylic Paint – I used Galleria Structure Gel
Two or three different coordinating Acrylic Paint colors
Sea Sponge
Versamark ink
Foam Alphabet Stamps
Glitter (optional)

First, making sure that you are working on a surface that you won’t mind if it gets a little paint and gunk on it, apply a bit of the acrylic medium to the sea sponge. Begin sponging the acrylic medium onto the cardstock, using a pouncing motion. Apply the paint on top of the acrylic medium utilizing the same method.

Continue applying acrylic paint until you are happy with the resulting look. Make sure not to “smoosh” the acrylic medium completely into the cardstock. The goal is to make various peaks and valleys with the paint and medium. Once you are satisfied with the results, you can sprinkle glitter on top of the stuccoed cardstock. I used Art Institute Art Glittering System glitter. No other adhesive is needed to make the glitter stick.

Apply Versamark ink to the alphabet foam stamps so that the acrylic medium does not stick to the stamps.

Press the stamps firmly into the stuccoed texture before it dries, to create a title for your layout. The thicker you built your structured background, the more successfully your title will turn out.

Finally, wait for your layout to dry. A few hours at least, if not overnight, is needed to make sure that all of the layers are completely dry. I used a journaling pen to outline my stamped letters to make sure that my title stands out even more.

Once everything is dry, all you need to do is add pictures and embellishments to complete your layout. Given the fact that this is my first “try” at this type of technique, I think the overall result looks so polished and beautiful. Give it a try, and see what you think!

Fall

Products used:
Cardstock: Prism Papers
Patterned Paper: DejaViews – Sharon Ann Collection
Acrylic Paint: Making Memories; Heidi Swapp
Structure Gel: Winsor &Newton- Galeria Acrylic Mediums Structure Gel
Ghost Flowers: Heidi Swapp
Alcohol Inks: Ranger
Copper Sheeting: K&S Eng. – Create With Metal
Foam Stamps, Scrap Tape: Heidi Swapp
Glitter: Art Institute Glitter, Inc. – Art Glittering System
Stamps: Art Warehouse; River City Rubberworks
Adhesive: Adhesive Tech Permanent Glue Runner; Adhesive Tech A Fine Line Glass, Beads, Etc. Glue

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