Making Backgrounds with "Spectra" tissue

This is a fun and easy technique for making quick backgrounds for your cards, collages, etc. It involves wetting tissue paper that bleeds its color onto white glossy paper for beautiful backgrounds. The tissue can be found at Michael's and it has to say "Spectra" on it.

Materials needed:

"Spectra" tissue or similar bleeding tissue (don't get the metallic Spectra tissue, it does not bleed; get the regular colors which have yellow, blue, purple, orange, pink, and other colors in the package)

A spray bottle filled with water

Glossy white cardstock

Some type of protection underneath your work

Gloves if you don't want to color your hands:)

Scrap paper to protect your table surface.

How To Make Backgrounds Using Bleeding Tissue
Technique 1:

Lay your white glossy cardstock face up and spray with water.

Randomly tear your tissue in the colors you want and place on wet cardstock.

Place another sheet of white glossy cardstock face down on top of the tissue (this way you can make 2 sheets of background paper at one time)

Lay a book or other heavy object on top of these sheets and let sit (because the wet paper may curl)

When dry, peel off the tissue and there you have it!

A pretty background that you can use to stamp on, emboss on, use for layering or whatever you'd like.

Technique 2:

Wet paper, but this time scrunch up tissue into a ball and sponge on top of paper. (This is where you hands get messy:0)

You get a different, more subtle look with this technique.

What I love about making these backgrounds is that there is no coloring involved. You get a great look quickly. Prepare several tissue-dyed backgrounds ahead of time, and use it when you want for all types of stamping.

AND, don't throw that tissue away after it's been used for bleeding. It will look somewhat like tie-dyed tissue and is great to use in collage,backgrounds, etc.

Sample Background 1
Sample Background 2
Sample Background 3

And there you have it. Have fun with this technique!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at: stampincolorado@hotmail.com

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