January winners / February tutorial ...

I will be announcing our January winners shortly but first I would like to introduce you to our Tips, Tricks and Techniques for February brought to you by team member Tone Jensen.

Hi everyone,  Tone here, today I am going to show you one way I use to make my own background. It is also a great way to get rid of paper scraps and leftovers from your stash.

First of all I gesso my base page ...

Then I paste on a lot of strips of patterned paper. I have chosen to keep the colors in the same approximate color range ie green, neutral tones.

I add a new coat of gesso over the paper strips.

There are many types of gesso to choose from so use what you are used to and like to use. You can choose to not use gesso, but then you might choose bright, soft colors in the residual paper you use. When gesso is dry so I start with the colors.

Here I have used three different colors of green Glimmermist.  You can use watercolors, Distress Ink and water, Distress Stains or any other sprays….you name it.

When the colors are dry I use a stencil and modelling paste over the base to create my final background.

…when dry….you can decorate your page as you like it.

Hope you are inspired to try to make your own background - it is so easy but really effective.

now onto our January winners .....  thank you to all who played along, your pages were all amazing.

Our main winner in January is #9 Karen B

Our random draw winner is #8 Amanda Hartmann

Congratulations ladies.

Could the winners please contact me on jjjustjane@bigpond.com with their postal details. You have until the announcement of the winners for next month to do so. Don't forget to grab our winners badge from the sidebar. 

Our Creative Team highlight from last month is Maria - your album was simply amazing.  She will receive a little surprise something from me.

Please don't forget to enter this month's ARTastic challenge. All the details are in the left sidebar. Remember you have until the end of the month to submit your entry.