Layered Background Challenge

The Hero Arts challenge this month was to create a card with a layered background. I thought I would give it a try. Here's what I came up with:

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To create this layered background, I first stamped the Happy Definition stamp using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Next, I inked up an acrylic block with Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade and Vintage Photo Distressed Inks, spritzed with water and "stamped" my cardstock. I repeated this step several times until the block was the color I wanted. (Be sure to start inking the block with the lighter colors first so as not to ruin your ink pads.) Once the color block had dried, I stamped the wildflowers with VersaMark ink, purposely letting the image go outside the inked mat for added impact. Finally I embossed the flowers with white Zing and distressed the edges. Here's a closer look:

The sentiment was also embossed. I used two different scallop edges to set it off.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (Fine Linen);

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey (Romani);

Stamps: Hero Arts (Happy Definition; Wild Flowers; Everyday Greeting);

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Vintage Photo; Antique Linen; Scattered Straw; Spiced Marmalade); VersaMark;

Tools: Martha Stewart Edge Punch (Doily Lace); Fiskars Border Punch (Scallop Sentiment): Tim Holtz Paper Distresser;

Misc.: Recollection Adhesive Rhinestones; American Crafts Zing (white); twine from my stash