The Ballet Russes

This almost has a Cirque du Soleil feel to it! Doesn't it look as if the dancer is dropping balls over his shoulder and then tossing them into the air with his foot??

Follow this link to learn more about The Ballet Russes.

Using scrapbook papers for an artist card background is not typical for me. I usually use old text, acrylic paint (using techniques such as crackle medium, sanding/distressing), or alcohol ink. I must say I prefer the free feeling that the "creation process" gives me as opposed to using a piece of patterned paper! To each his own!

What is YOUR favorite background technique?

latest creations

" goddess of light"

"the little match girl"

Both ATCs were made using the same technique. I took an image from my Ephemera CD collection that was printed on a laser jet printer. Next I selected the paper I wanted to use (watrecolor paper, cardstock, patterned paper) then covered the image with a thin layer of matte gel medium. I then flipped it face DOWN onto my background of choice, brayered it then went over it with my bone folder. Voila!

Fairy Dust

This is an ATC I made last week for a "Fairies, Fairies" swap on swap-bot.com. It is special because the background was a pretty little piece of paper that I received in a private trade ~ five months ago! I'm so glad I came across it again. (thank you Joyce!)

Since I posted this scan on my flickr account it's gotten a few requests to trade (sorry!), a couple of comments and 4 people marked it as a favorite! There's even a "Fairy Zine Award of Excellence!" So I thought you might like to take a look.

Maybe today is a good day to go through your paper collection and make a background from something a FRIEND sent you!