Time-saving tip #1: batch processing

Well friends, like most of you, I'm always on the lookout for time-saving ways to get my art fix. Sometimes I really don't feel like getting a whole bunch of supplies out just to do ONE layout or card or tag. I've found that getting my base supplies prepped and organized aka batch processing works best for me. :)

Just on Saturday, I found a whole stack of white cardstock in my stash.  Since it was also "clean the bathroom day", I decided to replenish my stack of misted backgrounds [The sink gets messy plus I dry my clean stencils on the bathroom floor! *LOL*] So I got out my misting box [just packaging box which fits 12 x 12 papers], grabbed some stencils and mists and had a fun hour doing backgrounds.

Here you can see fun backgrounds I made. No mist is wasted since residual mist is just pressed on to another piece of cardstock. In under an hour, I got about 18 sheets of prepped backgrounds ready for my next layout. I love having options! *winks*

Some tips if you want to try this out...

My new skill

1. Work with 3 mist colours per background. You get enough colour variation to create interest and you can always add more colours or intensify the colours to suit your actual layout. For instance, there wasn't enough green mist on my background so I added more green with washi tape.

A roll of pearls = one hour of entertainment

2. If you are new to misting, consider starting with some light pastel colours. They create subtle backgrounds that don't scream "look at me"! On my layout, the muted colours recede in the background and your eyes are drawn to elements in the photo cluster.

The art class is in session

3. If you are worried about getting muddy colours, wait for each mist colour to dry before adding another colour. White space between each colour does ensure that the colours don't bleed into each other and really helps the patterns pop a little more like on my layout.

The one with the messy background

4. Don't worry if your background looks like a blob of mess. I was overzealous with the residual mists for my background  so I added more white with some light modeling paste through a chevron stencil. I also added washi tape, patterned paper and ribbon to "cover up" some of the mess. So don't discount those "blobs" of messes, you can still "save" them. :)

There you have it. My secret to quick layouts is batch processing my background paper so that I don't have to start on a blank slate! Of course, one clear downside is that I may not always be able to play along with colour combo challenges because I might not have the right mix of colours pre-done...but it still works for sketch or embellishment challenges so maybe you should give this batch processing a go??? *winks*