Simple Mixed Media Backgrounds by Kris Berc

Design Team member Kris Berc is featuring our August Main and Limited Edition kits today with a look at her background designs!

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Hi My Creative Scrapbook fans!  I'm excited to share some stepped-out background work photos to show you how just a few simple mixed media techniques can take your scrapbook pages to a whole new level.

I start all of my backgrounds with a layer of clear gesso.

 
Then I apply color with spray mists.  My favorite way to apply the mist is to spray it onto some plastic packaging (like the packaging that most embellishments come in) and then "stamp" the sprayed plastic packaging onto the background paper.  This allows nice control over where the mist will go on the paper.  It is important to let each mist color dry completely before applying the next color, otherwise the colors will just mix together, and, the paper will warp a lot.

I like to add black for contrast.  Here I used some background stamps with black ink here and there on the page.

For even more contrast and texture, I applied super heavy gesso here and there through a stencil.

I started the next layout the same way- first clear gesso then layers of coordinating spray mists using the technique of spraying onto plastic packaging and then stamping that onto the paper.

Here I also sprayed some water onto the mists near the bottom of the paper, then stood the paper up vertically to allow the mists to run a bit, resulting in a drip effect.

Black contrast with random background stamping and white contrast with random placement of gesso through a stencil.

I added my paper layers and then some more color with mists.

Next layout: clear gesso painted onto the background paper, then colors with spray mists.

I picked up the idea of drawing random circles on the background from some very talented scrappers out there, Riikka Kovasin and Terhi Koskinen.  So simple yet so effective!

Here I added a layer of white thread on top of my paper layer pile for more texture.

Black contrast to complete the layout, using a chevron stamp with black ink.

Below is the kit that I used, the gorgeous August Limited Edition kit:

I also used spray mists with my Main kit work:

Contrast was achieved by using white cardstock for the background.

and on this layout as well:

Don't worry that a lot of your background work will get covered up by other layers and embellishments.  Just have fun!

Below is the awesome August Main kit:

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Please visit our Design Team Gallery for tons of inspiration from the design team!

For full descriptions of our kits, subscription information, and more, visit our website at MyCreativeScrapbook.com