background adventure

A couple of weeks ago I watched Jennifer McGuire's Ink Layering video and I thought it was such a great idea that I left the page open - I don't remember whether I pinned it or not, I just left it open so I would see it frequently.  Monday Use Your Stuff posted a challenge to create your own background; yesterday Shopping Our Stash posted a challenge to make your own background.  OK, blogiverse, I got the message!

stamp set - Lots of Thanks; ink - Whisper White Craft, Calypso Coral; card stock - Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral; tools - stencil from Dots & Stripes, sponge daubers, Big Shot with Ovals Collection framelits;

I didn't exactly follow Jennifer's directions, though.  I could have used a stencil from Hearts & Stars but I was still thinking of one more card for the Card Buffets, and I thought no one would want to daub so many little hearts or stars - stripes seemed easier.  So I sponged the white stripes, stamped and cut the sentiment, cleaned the stencil, and finally gave up on the patience bit and used the heat tool to finish drying the ink.  I moved the stencil, sponged the coral stripes, and studied my results.  I didn't think I liked it, so I cleaned the stencil again and tried to talk myself into liking it.  I considered turning the card stock over and sponging many little hearts or stars, but I thought I'd try adding a perpendicular set of coral stripes, first.  Now, I like it; I almost wish I'd used Real Red so it would look like an old-fashioned picnic blanket or Italian restaurant tablecloth.  

Red or coral, I think it's masculine and clean and simple enough to qualify at Cardz 4 Guyz this week.

I may have to try the technique again, with one of the other stencils, just to see if  they would be as tedious as I imagined.