One of the things I love about creating backgrounds from scraps is that every piece turns out differently. This abstract landscape-inspired background was so much fun to put together, using a mix of leftover cardstock scraps to create a colourful scene.
The challenge, of course, comes after the background is finished. Once you've created something this detailed, it can be surprisingly difficult to decide how to turn it into a finished card without covering up all that hard work!
Turning a DIY Background into a Finished Card
When I'm feeling a little stuck, I often turn to challenge blogs for inspiration, and this card ended up drawing ideas from several current challenges. The starting point was the Hot Air Balloon Day challenge at Festive Friday. As soon as I saw the theme, I knew hot air balloons would be the perfect addition to this landscape-style background.
As per the challenge theme, I incorporated a hot air balloon, a birthday theme, bunting, primary colours and epoxy embellishments. The hot air balloon adds a playful focal point while still allowing the background to remain the star of the show.
The "Just Add Polka Dots" challenge at Just Add Ink, inspired me to reach for some spotty patterned papers both in the background and on the hot air balloon itself, adding another layer of interest and texture to the finished design.
Watch the Tutorial
Creating DIY Patterned Paper from Scraps
If you enjoy this kind of scrap-based cardmaking, I’ve also put together a free Cardmaking with Scraps printable guide for email subscribers.
It includes 8 scrap-friendly card projects with measurements, photos and step-by-step “recipes” you can keep beside your desk for inspiration when you’re working through your stash.
👉 You can access it through the subscriber library when you join my email list.
What an amazing background! The hot air ballon is just perfect with it. Thanks for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Verena. I'm so glad the hot air balloon worked with the landscape background. It was one of those projects that evolved as I went, which made it a lot of fun to create. Thanks for your kind comment!
DeleteWow! Your DIY landscape is gorgeous and makes the perfect backdrop for the hot air balloon! Thanks so much for joining us at FMS this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Donna. This background was such a fun way to use up scraps, and I was really happy when the hot air balloon seemed to fit the scene perfectly. Thanks for the fabulous sketch inspiration this week!
DeleteThe landscape background that you’ve created is fantastic Jenn! And it’s the perfect scene for your cute hot air balloon with the fun polka dots. Thanks for sharing with us at Just Add Ink this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jan. This background started as an experiment with scraps and slowly grew into a landscape, so I’m delighted it worked! The polka dot balloon felt like the perfect playful finishing touch.
DeleteWow! That background effect is amazing! A perfect backdrop for your polka dot balloon. Thanks so much for joining our challenge at Just Add Ink.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kerry. This was such a fun project to create and a great excuse to put some scraps to use. I was really happy when that polka dot balloon found its place in the finished scene!
DeleteOh this is gorg and so creative! Loving the background - fab way to use up all of those scrap pieces that we all have laying around. So happy to see you creating again x Thanks for joining us at Just Add Ink and Freshly Made Sketches this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Narelle. It’s been so lovely coming back to cardmaking again. I’m really enjoying the challenge of using my stash and finding new ways to give all those collected scraps a new life. I really appreciate both Freshly Made Sketches and Just Add Ink for the ongoing inspiration!
DeleteWow, a fabulous background for your balloon. Thanks for sharing with us at Just Add Ink.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tina. I had a lot of fun building this background for the balloon. Really appreciate you stopping by and commenting!
DeleteLove your background and how you made it with scraps! Great card. Thanks for joining us at Festive Friday.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lorraine. I really enjoyed putting this background together from scraps, it was a fun creative experiment. Thanks for the lovely comment and for another round of Festive Friday inspiration!
DeleteFantastic use of scraps to male a beautiful background that works perfectly with the other items in the inspo list. Thanks for playing along with the Festive Friday Challenge
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tracy. It was such a fun way to use up scraps, and I was really happy with how the background came together with the Festive Friday inspiration list.
DeleteHi Jennifer. I'm excited to let you know you were chosen as one of our Festive Friday Faves this week! Congrats! Hope you continue to play along when you can. Blessings, Beth :)
ReplyDeleteHi Beth. Thank you so much for letting me know! What a lovely surprise. I had so much fun creating this card and turning those scraps into a landscape scene. I enjoyed playing along with Festive Friday and look forward to joining in again. Thanks to you and the team for the inspiration and encouragement 😊
Delete