text: Wednesday, 22 June 2016
  
  i have a step by step tutorial for you today here on how to create custom backgrounds to suit your project, make DIY embellishments and use them on a 12x12 layout.
  
  I have chosen the Spray Ink colours to match the Cocoa Vanilla "Free Spirit" collection leftovers that i have
  
  First!
  
  i have taken a piece of vellum and some Shimmerz sprays (list of "ingredients" for this project is at the end of this post)
  
  i have sprayed a few areas with different colours to get the look i wanted.
  
  i've watched a YouTube Tutorial by Missy Whidden showing how to create background on vellum (except i didn't cover it with white first). Here is a link to her video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwgFMbQMYZ8
  
  TIPS:
  * vellum will curl once it gets moisture on it - it helps if you tape it down to your desk surface first.
  * use a hair dryer or heat tool to dry the ink slightly before applying different colours to help them not mix as much together
  * for more intense colour add a couple of layers of ink, but dry between applications.
  
  NOTE:
  vellum will get distorted and will get lots of bumps and creases - this gives it an interesting texture, but if you are after a flat look, unfortunately you won't be able to straighten it.
  
  Second background!
  
  Repeat the above process on a piece of White cardstock. I have sprayed it lightly with water first to help colours blend together a bit easier and not soak into the paper straight away.
  
  TIP:
  Make sure both paper and vellum are completely dry before proceeding to the next step of cutting out shapes from them, otherwise dies and punches will chew the paper.
  
  Once all was dry, i have taken some paper punches and some dies and cut out a few shapes that i think i might use.
  
  I have also punched out shapes from while cardstock and white Canvas Paper (which i found at a local craft store) - for delicate shapes make sure you use thick and heavy duty cardstock, otherwise your shapes might tear.
  
  I have added a few other things from left overs from my stash eg text prima packaging which i have used to back the film strip diecut with.
  
  I have die cut words Love and Smile a few times from a strip of Canvas paper and have also kept the negatives which i can use in a future project.
  
  I have prepped a white cardstock with some more of the Shimmerz inks in same colours as previously and used packaging technique to add colour to background, then added some splatters.
  
  I have backed the White Background cardstock with some paper from Maggie Holmes "Shine" Paper pad but only on left side and bottom of the page.
  
  Added some clusters of paper which are a combination of Shine and Fancy Free collections and fussy cut some florals from Shine paper.
  
  After picking out die cut embellishments i have made, i have clustered and layered them in 3 areas on the page to create a 'visual triangle'
  
  I have used all of the Love and Smile words i have die cut and layered them next to photo cluster and lower right embellishment cluster - it is a tone on tone look having white on white but it adds suble texture and interest to the page.
  
  Finally i have added my Title "Smile" with some old American Crafts Thickers and Voila! the page is complete.