Background layering week - Neil

Hi everyone, 
This week we are going to talk about background layering... different techniques on how to layer your stamps to create your backgrounds without making them too "busy".
The DT has been using the lovely Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card stamps which are perfect for these techniques
So let's start with Neil, and a super way to create a gorgeous background (and foreground) using different layering techniques (masking / acetate)
Hope you enjoy this

Neil used the two following stamps for his background

I used my two favourite Impression Obsession Cover a Card stamps on a Kraft tag to create my background.

 This is my favourite way to combine these stamps into a background. I began by tearing a piece of paper diagonally across and laid one piece down covering part of the tag and stamped the top section in Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. I removed the paper and covered the section I'd just stamped with the other piece of paper and stamped this section in Aged Mahogany Distress ink.

I blended the edges with the same inks.

Then I cut a tag (Well 2 actually) out of acetate and using StazOn ink (brown) I stamped the Gentleman just off the left side. The sentiment is using Tim Holtz Chit Chat stickers.

Using the second acetate tag and black StazOn I stamped the second chap. I love the layering effect that the acetate gives without hiding any of the background.

I cut one of the Tim Holtz pediments from chipboard and coloured it with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and attached it to the top acetate tag with double sided tape.

Something was missing so I added the metal charm which I felt finished everything off well.

All 3 pieces were then tied together with some ribbons to create a fun.stylish tag

 I love these images, to me they are classic and perfect for many different projects, from Sherlock Holmes, to Victorian England.........

I enjoy tags, they are a great size to work on and experiment with but I often get asked about what I do with them afterwards? Well, they can be used on greetings cards or used to jazz up a gift. Many of mine end up in my art journal; like this one I think will look cool here

Neil used

Impression Obsession - Ornate Floral and Geologic

Tim Holtz - Time Travelers

Kraft Tag

Sizzix Tag Die

Sizzix Pediments Die

StazOn - Black and Brown

Distress Inks- Aged Mahogany and Gathered Twigs

Metal charm

Double Sided Tape

Ribbons

Acetate

See you tomorrow