How to use texture paste to create a custom background. A tutorial. :)

Hello friends! Texture paste is such a cool way to add a little interest to any crafting project. It's readily available at most craft supply stores, has an easy-to-work-with consistency, is lightweight [unless you use copious amounts of course! *winks*] and dries fairly quickly. Today I'm sharing a tutorial how you can use texture paste to create a custom background like the layout shown.

1. Start by laying a mask on white [or light-coloured] cardstock. [You can see that it's a well-used mask..*LOL* I really clean my supplies after use!!!]

2. Apply a light layer of texture paste with an ice-cream stick. You can apply it to the whole mask or parts of it. Totally up to you. :)

3. Here is how it looks like when I applied texture paste to the entire mask. You need to work fairly fast because texture paste dries in under 10 minutes [at least in hot and humid weather..].

4. Remove the mask and you get this cool image. Don't stop to admire your work though....go wash your mask!

5. Once you've cleaned your mask, you can return to admire the cool textures you've created. By now, the texture paste would have dried...if it hasn't, you can use a heat gun to speed up the process.

6. Then I misted the raised areas. I used 3 different yellows to get a little more depth in the intensity of the colour. You can use watercolours or acrylic paints with a paintbrush for a more controlled look.

7.  I like to use distress inks in similar hues to further define the patterns.

8. I used some punchinella and distress inks to create more patterns around the texture paste. Then trimmed off the edges and adhered to a piece of patterned paper. [No wastage...I cut out the backs of papers!]

9. Using the patterned paper as a guide, I added embellishments in similar hues.

10. I like to add a variety of elements in different textures for a fun look. :)

What do you think? Will you be trying out texture paste soon?

Supplies: Basic Grey patterned papers, stickers and brad, Tim Holtz mask, Ranger Distress Inks, American Crafts thickers, Cosmo Cricket stickers, Me and my big ideas sticker, Maya Mists, texture paste, burlap, ribbon, thread.

P/s:  To see some other layouts that feature the use of texture paste to create custom backgrounds, please check out the following posts ....Lady in red, Shots from a runway session, Hooligans on the loose and (b)elly (b)utton.