Using Distress Backgrounds for Holiday Cards

Last week I did a short Live on Instagram showing some behind the scenes (BTS) of my creative process.  I made a few backgrounds with Distress Oxide inks.  Once the live was over I posted a quick pic of two of the background with a poll asking my followers if they thought I could turn them into cards. 

Making background from Distress Ink and Distress Oxides is one of my favorite techniques. It's very cathartic and relaxing to get lost in the ink and water magic of it all.  When I create backgrounds I never know if it will be a full background or if it will end up in the die cut machine.  It all depends on the end result.  I often use this technique to open up the creative ideas locked in my head.  It's my go-to for when the mojo is a little stuck.

The background for Merry & Bright was created with  Peacock Feathers, Wilted Violet, Tumbled Glass, and Twisted Citron blended so beautifully for this card.

The snowflakes from the Happy Holidays were created from the second background created with Abandoned Coral, Wild Honey, Faded Jeans, Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron, and Scattered Straw.  

I actually got two cards from the second background because I used it for die cuts.  We'll call it the bonus card.  I'd encourage you to just play.  If your backgrounds don't turn out how you like, don't toss them use them for die cuts.  You might be surprised at the results.

Market Place:  Available at Smiling Moose

Inspiration:  Tim Holtz Demo

Technique:  Distress Inking, Die Cutting Stamping

Supplies Used with Affiliate Links:

Simon Says Stamp STITCHED RECTANGLES Wafer Dies Shop at: SSS	Simon Says Stamp MARYANNE SNOWFLAKE Craft DIE Shop at: SSS	Simon Says Stamp RINA SNOWFLAKE Wafer Dies Shop at: SSS	Simon Says Stamp STITCHED CIRCLES Wafer Dies Shop at: SSS
Simon Says Stamp KADYN SNOWFLAKE Wafer Dies Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Sizzix WINTER Side-Order Thinlits and Embossing Folder Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad TUMBLED GLASS Shop at: SSS	Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Abandoned Coral Shop at: SSS | SBC
Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Faded Jeans Shop at: SSS | SBC	Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Peacock Feathers Shop at: SSS | SBC	Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Twisted Citron Shop at: SSS | SBC	Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Wild Honey Shop at: SSS | SBC
Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Wilted Violet Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad SCATTERED STRAW Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tsukineko VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ | MFT	Scrapbook.com - Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set - Sentiments for Every Occasion Shop at: SBC
Sunny Studio FESTIVE GREETINGS Shop at: SSS	Simon Says Cling Rubber Stamp OUTLINE SNOWFLAKES Shop at: SSS	Fiskars PREMIUM CUT LINE Paper Trimmer 12 Inches Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ | MFT	Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long tape, Refill cartridge 5 Pack, Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ | MFT
Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long-Blue Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ | MFT	We R Memory Keepers - Evolution Advanced Die Cutting Tool Shop at: AZ	Stainless Steel Tweezers Shop at: AZ	Fiskars - Razor Edge Easy Action Shears Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ
Scotch Indoor Mounting Tape, 0.75-inch x 350-inches, White, 1-Roll Shop at: AZ | MFT