Sharon Briss: Ripped Brown Bag Background

Shar posted this in Designer greeting cards on September 7th, 2011

It’s all about the paper, right? Absolutely! Did you know you can make a sensational background with very little trouble and no ink. All you need is the fabulous Brown Bag cardstock. I chose the Blueberry Brown Bag text weight for my background.

This paper is blue on one side and brown bag on the other! I decided to take advantage of that. I cut a piece of paper about 1/2″ wider and 2″ longer than I wanted for my final panel.

I then simply ripped strips of this great paper, making them about 1/2″ wide at most. With the paper color-side up, tear towards you to get a wonderful brown bag ripped edge. Keep your strips in order. They go together better that way!

I then added a small amount of Tombo to the backside of the ripped edge and lined it up with the next piece. I kept building my background, one strip at a time. It went together in no time!

Then, all I had to do was trim it down with my cutter and adhere it to my card base. Here’s a tip: when adhering the panel of ripped brown bag to your base, apply the adhesive in the same direction as your layers or your panel may tear.

I added a simple image which I matted using the two different sides of the Blueberry Brown Bag paper. For the card base and my image, I used Kraft Treasures which has a wonderful texture on one side and a smooth finish on the other.

Stamps: anchor and sentiment from Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

I hope you will try this technique for a fun and easy no-ink background. There are 5 two-sided Brown Bag colors to choose from for a variety of looks!