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My Go-To Background Technique—With a Twist You’ll Want to Try

Ever find yourself stuck on what colors to use? That was me recently—completely uninspired and unsure where to start. I mentioned it to a crafty friend, and she gave me the best advice: look at a piece of patterned paper for inspiration.

Hello My Friend Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous June Curation and Distress Oxide Stamp and Smudge Technique

So I went to my stash of patterned papers, which I'll admit is quite small compared to some. As I looked through them, I came across the Tim Holtz Abandoned Paper Pack and as I flipped through the papers I found a piece that instantly sparked something in me. The colors, the mood—it was exactly what I needed!

That inspiration led me back to one of my favorite background techniques: Stamp & Smudge using Distress Oxide Inks. But this time, it felt brand new!


WHAT TO EXPECT

In the video, I share the following tips, tricks & techniques:
  • How I pulled the color palette from the patterned paper
  • The Stamp & Smudge technique in action
  • Tips for selecting your stamps and laying them for a balanced background
  • A look at the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous June Curation stamps
It’s amazing how one little nudge—thanks, friend!—can turn creative block into something beautiful. I hope this twist inspires you too.


WATCH THE VIDEO

You can either watch the video below or head over to my YouTube Channel HERE to check it out.


Please feel free to use products from your stash to recreate something similar. However, if you are interested in any of the products I’m using, you can find the supply list with links down below. Using these links does not cost you anything extra and it helps support my business. It also allows me to continue offering free content and keep my class costs low. I appreciate your support!


Have questions? I'd love to know if you've ever tried using patterned paper as inspiration for your color  combination? Are you inspired to try it now? Drop a comment below—I love hearing from you

SUPPLIES

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card and the swatches. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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Light It Up with Tim Holtz Alcohol Neons!

If you love bold color and artsy vibes, you’re going to want to check out the new Alcohol Neons from Tim Holtz and Ranger Ink! As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to play—and I’m sharing the results with you today in this bright, vibrant butterfly card.

Love With All Your Heart Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Tim Holtz Ranger Ink Neon Alcohol Inks

What Are Tim Holtz Alcohol Neons?

These aren't your average alcohol inks. The Alcohol Neons are permanent, fast-drying, acid-free pigment inks designed to work on non-porous surfaces like Yupo, Dura-Lar, Foil Cardstock, and more. They blend beautifully with Alcohol Blending Solution and pair perfectly with other Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks.

The colors in the Neon kit are: Atomic, Ignite, Electric, Fluorescent, Hyper, Radioactive, Razzle, and Caution. The color names are just as electric as the inks themselves!


For this card, I created a vibrant rainbow background using several of the new neon colors on Yupo Paper. I added each color one at a time and used Alcohol Blending Solution and an air blower to blend the inks and create that flowy look. I then added a couple of drops of Sterling Alloy for a touch of shimmer.

Once it was dry, I layered a bold black die cut butterfly over the top and finished it off with a stamped sentiment that says “Love With All Your Heart.”

This combination of neon and black really makes everything pop—it’s a striking contrast that keeps the background front and center.
 
 

Tips for Using Alcohol Neons

Here are a few quick tips if you're trying these inks for the first time:
• Use non-porous surfaces for the best results such as Yupo and Dura-Lar.
• Let the colors blend on the surface rather than overworking them—these inks love to do their own thing!
• Add Blending Solution to soften edges or push color around.
• For more controlled effects, try using a felt applicator or blowing the ink with an air blower.
• Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area—alcohol inks have strong fumes!

 

Watch Tim Holtz Demo Them Live!

Want to see these in action from the master himself? Tim Holtz is going LIVE on YouTube this Saturday, June 21 at 12 PM ET to demo the new Alcohol Neons! If you can’t make it live, no worries—the replay will be available on his channel.

I hope this project sparks some inspiration—and maybe a little neon obsession of your own! If you create something using these new inks, I’d love to see it. Tag me over on Instagram @julianamichaels so I can cheer you on!

Supplies Used

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card and the swatches. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!
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Mixed Media Cardmaking with Tim Holtz + Lunar Paste: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

If you love layering color, texture, and a little shimmer, this mixed media card tutorial is right up your alley! I recently created a card using a combination of Tim Holtz Distress products—Spray Stains, Ink, and Paint—plus some of the June Curation stamps and stencils from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous. For a touch of shine, I brought in Simon Hurley’s Lunar Paste, and it adds the perfect finishing detail.

Hello Friend Card by Juliana Michaels with mixed media techniques featuring Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Distress Spray Stains, Distress Paint, Simon Hurley Lunar Paste and Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamps and stencils

This project is all about building depth, embracing imperfection, and letting the products do their magic. You'll see how I combine stenciling, stamping, and splatters to create a richly layered card that still feels cohesive.
 

FEATURED TECHNIQUES:

  • Using stamps to create a custom background design 
  • Adding color with Distress Spray Stains
  • Ink blending through a stencil with Distress Ink
  • Monoprinting with a stencil and Distress Spray Stains
  • Using Lunar Paste through a stencil 
  • Grungy paint effects with Distress Paint

Whether you're just dipping your toes into mixed media or you've been making beautifully messy cards for years, I hope this video inspires you to try something new!

WATCH THE VIDEO

You can either watch the video below or head over to my YouTube Channel HERE to check it out.


Please feel free to use products from your stash to recreate something similar. However, if you are interested in any of the products I’m using, you can find the supply list with links down below. Using these links does not cost you anything extra and it helps support my business. It also allows me to continue offering free content and keep my class costs low. I appreciate your support!

Hello Friend Card by Juliana Michaels with mixed media techniques featuring Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Distress Spray Stains, Distress Paint, Simon Hurley Lunar Paste and Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamps and stencils

Let me know in the comments—what’s your favorite product for adding texture to your cards?

SUPPLIES

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card and the swatches. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!


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Rusty Grunge 3 Ways | Distress Kraft Stock + Seth Apter Embossing Folder & Dies

I’m so excited to wrap up my Rusty Grunge 3 Ways series with this final look—a softer, more earthy grunge full of color and bold texture.

For this version, we’re diving into Distress Kraft Stock. It’s the perfect base when you want that warm, worn-in look that still delivers all the rusty grungy vibes. I’m once again featuring the Seth Apter embossing folder along with a mix of his new Sizzix dies. And like in the first two videos, I took some inspiration from Tim Holtz’s techniques and added my own spin.

Rusty Grunge with Distress Kraft Stock by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Embossing Folder and Die Techniques

The background came together with plenty of layered color, grit, and splatter. And while the tones are more neutral and vintage compared to Parts 1 and 2, the texture is still bold and dimensional.
To finish it off, I used a mix of grungy die cuts—including a few butterflies (because let’s be honest, they’re one of my favorite embellishments ever!).

Rusty Grunge with Distress Kraft Stock by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Embossing Folder and Die Techniques

WHAT TO EXPECT

In this first video, I’m walking you through how I created a rusty industrial metal effect on the background and embellishments using:
  • Distress Kraft Stock
  • Seth Apter’s New Embossing Folder and Dies
  • Distress Oxides
  • Distress Spritz
  • and a technique inspired by a recent Tim Holtz demo
Rusty Grunge with Distress Kraft Stock by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Embossing Folder and Die Techniques

WATCH THE VIDEO 

Check out the video and the rusty grunge techniques I'm sharing below or you can watch it on my YouTube channel HERE.

RUSTY GRUNGE 3 WAYS 

This is Part 3 of my Rusty Grunge 3 Ways series. In the other two videos we explore: 
  • Distress Watercolor Cardstock for a bold, rusty oxidized effect
  • Metallic Kraft Stock for an industrial rusty metal effect
Missed a video? Check out the entire Rusty Grunge Playlist HERE.

Rusty Grunge with Distress Kraft Stock by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Embossing Folder and Die Techniques

If you’ve made it through all three parts of this series—thank you! I hope it’s inspired you to pull out your embossing folders, grab some Distress products, and explore your own version of rusty grunge.

Let me know in the comments which version was your favorite—Watercolor, Metallic, or Kraft Stock?

SUPPLIES

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card and the swatches. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!
 
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Rusty Grunge with Distress Metallic Kraft Stock | Industrial Texture with Seth Apter Embossing Folder and Dies

Welcome back to Part 2 of my Rusty Grunge 3 Ways series: Bold Texture. Moody Color. Endless Possibilities.

Today I’m diving into one of my absolute favorite surfaces for creating gritty, industrial effects: Distress Metallic Kraft Stock. This cardstock is amazing for adding a touch of shimmer to those rusted textures we love.

Rusty Grunge with Distress Metallic Kraft Stock by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Embossing Folder and Die Techniques

Once again, I’m using the new Seth Apter embossing folder from Sizzix, along with his bold new die designs and a tried-and-true favorite from Tim Holtz to finish the piece with layered embellishments. Tim’s recent technique demo sparked this entire project, and in this video, I’m sharing my spin on it.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

In this first video, I’m walking you through how I created a rusty industrial metal effect on the background and embellishments using:
  • Distress Metallic Kraft Stock
  • Seth Apter’s New Embossing Folder and Dies
  • Distress Paint
  • Distress Crayons
  • Distress Embossing Glaze
  • Embossing Powder
  • and a technique inspired by a recent Tim Holtz demo


Remember to check your stash for similar items—it’s all about making it work with what you’ve got! If you’re interested in anything I used, you’ll find a complete supply list in the video description. Your support through those affiliate links means so much and helps me keep making content like this.

WATCH THE VIDEO 

Check out the video and the rusty grunge techniques I'm sharing below or you can watch it on my YouTube channel HERE.


RUSTY GRUNGE 3 WAYS 

This is Part 2 of my Rusty Grunge 3 Ways series. In the other two videos we explore: 
  • Distress Watercolor Cardstock for a bold, rusty oxidized effect
  • Kraft Stock for a deep, earthy patina look
Check out the entire Rusty Grunge Playlist HERE.


THE RESULTS

This card is a rich mix of shiny metallics and rusty decay. The alchemy that happens when you apply paint and alcohol to Metallic Kraft Stock is seriously magical. Add in that bold blue butterfly, those die-cut layers, and the simple reminder—“Don’t forget to fly”—and it all just clicks.

Be sure to stay tuned for Part 3, where I’ll be working with Distress Kraft Stock for a softer, more earthy take on rusty grunge.

SUPPLIES

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card and the swatches. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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