Teri Anderson
True story: I love museums. I would spend pretty much every single weekend wandering through an art museum if I could.
I love wandering down the halls and seeing color, movement and texture bring painting upon painting to life.
The sad truth is I, myself, am far from artist. I tried once. I took a drawing class in college. Let’s just say that it was a long semester. I still blush at the thought of the “models” who came to our class and let us attempt to draw them.
But I’ve found a fun way to pretend to be an artist: Make your own art-inspired patterned papers.
These are super easy and so very pretty!
All you need a few clear stamping blocks, watercolor paper and a couple bottles of Distress Stains.
Start by lathering up one side of a stamping block with color. You want to be really generous and put on lots of color.
Don’t have any Stains? Consider using Bingo Daubers or misting sprays. If you use a misting spray, just hold the bottle really close to your stamping block and spray a few squirts of color onto it.
Set the block onto a piece of watercolor paper. Press it down and move the color around.
Lift up the block and grab another stamping block. Apply another color of stain to it. Press it into the watercolor paper and move it around.
Do it again, only with a different stamping block and another color.
Keep adding color to your paper until you get something like this.
Oh la la!
I couldn’t wait to use my art-inspired papers on a couple cards.
I used one of my papers for the background behind the butterflies here.
And I created the butterfly here with one of my colorful papers. The key was to wait until the paper was dry before die cutting it so it’s a nice even cut.
I’d love to see your take on this artsy technique. Please share a link to your project so I can check it out.
Yours in art-inspired fun,
Teri Anderson
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
P.S. Check out my blog today for another bonus project and twist on this technique. Rather than Stains, I’m using paint!
Your cards are so pretty! I love the book page butterflies on the blocked background. The string around the body on the other pretty one is such a cool idea. I can’t wait to try this technique! I have different size acrylic blocks so this opens a whole lot of design possibilities.
Thank you for sharing this fun technique!
this is VERY cool teri! you never cease to WOW me, lady!
This is stunning on so many levels! I just pinned it!! Gorgeous!
Teri, this is SO very lovely! I will definitely be giving this technique a try as I love COLOR too!!!
I love this technique…no more matching embellishments to paper if you make your own. Thank you for sharing.
How fun! Thanks for the great ideas, Teri.
Teri is SUPER amazing–LOVE this ink idea!! FAB!
I love the look of this vivid color and blocking. Does this type of ink stain the blocks?
what a neat technique!
Sandra ltb
That looks so cool, Teri! I tried something like this using distress ink on acrylic block & then spray it with spray mist, then put my paper on top of it. Fun technique.
Wow….Love the painted butterfly. Can’t wait to try out this technique with my stamping buddy (my sister in law).
Hi Ellen!
For what’s it is worth, I don’t believe it will stain your blocks. I used my some of my blocks pretty extensively in putting this post together. They are as clean as they were before I got started.
I did clean them when I finished playing. I used just good old kitchen soap and water for that. If you looked at them now, you’d never guess I covered them with ink and paint.
Teri
Love this idea. It’s like tie dye…too cool.
love these techniques, Teri!
great idea-thanks for sharing!!!
O.k., normally I just lurk, but your remarks about not being an “artist” have spurred me to comment. Terri, you are, indeed, a very fine artist! Just because you don’t draw does not mean that what you create is not art!!! So there, that is all I have to say. Well, maybe not. I just love your creative and very artistic approach to everything I have seen posted by you.
I’d say, you ARE an artist! I’ve always considered you one! Love this technique!
Wow, this is so cool! Love it!
Great technique, Teri. Your paper turned out beautiful and very artistic if you ask me!
So cool, Teri!! You are funny… of course you ARE ARTISTIC!!! Love your projects!!
good looking….natural and recycle the unused paper..
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oh wow..this is super cool..I’m going to try this!
I am amazed with all this beautiful craft ideas. I really enjoy making craft!
wow great technique…thanks for sharing.
I used to wish I were an artist. I always had the ideas in my head, they just wouldn’t come out through my fingers. Then, I discovered stamps, and paper, and embellishments, and on, and on, and on. Now, there is no doubt that I am an artist. I still can’t draw, but I sure can create. The same can be said for all of us.
You have such great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Great technique! I’ll be trying this for sure.
Very cool!
Love this idea!! Beautiful creations Teri!
Great technique Teri! Thanks for sharing with us!
Pretty cool technique! Love how you used the paper you created! ;o)
LOVE this, Teri!! You are always such an inspiration to me!!
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