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Guess what? I actually typed 2024 for the first time, wasn't even tempted to type 2023....that will happen a few months down the road.
Today we are going to hang out with Jennifer McGuire and her 4 for 1 Background Magic. She posted the video 3 months ago, I stumbled across it and thought it looked like something I'd like to do. I am crazy about backgrounds and this looked like something everyone could do.
I don't usually watch her videos because they're long (very long) and she does a lot of cards in each one. But I do like what she does and I think she's a good teacher. I'm going to give you some ideas for starting if you're not inclined to watch. You could also stop watching about 20 minutes in because that's when she starts card making.
I hope you have fun with this; you'll have multiple backgrounds, each a little different and you don't need much else to create a card or two or three or four. Make one card and save the rest for later. Try not to overthink or overdo; we're simply doing art therapy.
1) The basic premise is a 'mixed media one sheet wonder.'
2) Using a stamp platform and a sticky mat is very helpful but not required. She cuts her paper to fit on her Misti/sticky mat. Her paper is 6.5x8.5" and then, after adding inks and spritzing with some mica sprays, she cuts it down into various size pieces, tapes them back together any which way, then puts the paper back into her Misti. She created three backgrounds and cut each of them up differently.
3) She adds the first layer of inks with a brayer, which is what I did. You could put your inks down any way you like but the important part is to do small blocks of different colors, overlapping them until the page is covered with ink. Use ink colors that go well together and that will blend nicely but don't do a perfect blend all across the page. Brayer or sponge from different sides of the paper, making small blocks of colors.
4) Then, using her Misti/sticky mat, she adds stamping, stenciling, some pastes, some sentiments, all different directions, trying to hit all of your pieces with your choices of stamps, etc, not so they look identical but they each have a bit of each element. She starts with a big background stamp right in the middle of her paper, then adds other elements randomly. Types of ink she uses that are very effective are white pigment and metallics, but mix it up. Use whatever your heart desires!
Remember to use the keyword TLC985 when you are uploading. It's helpful if you come back and leave a link on this thread, especially in case you made a typo and people may not find your card.
If you're not sure how to link your card on the thread here, here's how:
1. Open 2 windows or tabs: one window for your card and one for this thread.
2. In this thread, click on reply and type anything you want to show before the link.
3. Go to your card window. Highlight the address for your card. (It says www. splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showphoto..... and so on)
4. Click EDIT. Click COPY
5. Go back to this thread. Click PASTE.
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
I had one day off last week and thoroughly enjoyed spending time on and off with drying periods in between. Here's a photo of the two sheets I made (I kept mine whole) :
Sounds like a fun technique Jean and I love messy and MM and to get 4 cards in one go is a bonus. I will give it a go when I can. Thanks for the challenge.
__________________ The Difference Between Try and Triumph Is Just A Little Ump Wednesday: Alpha Challenge
Thursday: Ways To Use It Challenge
Monthly: MMJ Challenge….get inky and have fun
I sure had fun with this one! I found my brayer just a couple of weeks ago, and had forgotten how much fun it is! I was a little apprehensive seeing her use products I don't have, but was able to improvise, still have a ton of fun, and ended up with some beautiful backgrounds! I love projects like this without any pressure to have it look a certain way, but it is a good reminder to just have some fun and play with the items we do have and don't get to use as often as we'd like!
Thanks for this challenge Jean, really enjoyed it although it didn’t go to plan and it’s taken me a week to make it! I have another piece to finish eventually!
TLC985 4 for 1 Background Magic 01/08/2024
