Using Soft Pastels To Create A Background

Learn how-to create backgrounds using soft pastels with Peg from Peg's Crafting Corner and then make her beautiful butterfly card.

Step 1
Soft pastels contain more pigment which allows them to be blended more easily and are rich in color. The downside to them is that they are more delicate because of this. They can be found individually or in boxed sets like this one.
Step 2
Begin by cutting a piece of cardstock ( it can be white or a dark color) to the size of your project.

Choose the colors of pastels that you want to use and scribble them onto the paper.
Step 3
Use a blending stump starting with the lightest color and working to the darkest to blend the colors together. You can use a separate piece of paper to clean your blending stump as needed by simply scribbling it onto the paper.
Step 4
When finished your colors should be blended together and have a smooth look to them.
Step 5
For the Bokeh technique, use a piece of acetate that has had different sized circles punched or cut into it or use a circle template or stencil.
Step 6
Position it onto the cardstock where you want the first circle(s) to be.
Step 7
Use the make up sponge and dab it onto the ink pad to pick up some ink and then dab it into the opening of the circles. The more ink you layer on the darker the circles will be. Continue to move the template around to add the circles into the different areas.
Step 8
Be sure to have some of the circles flowing off the edges of the paper for a more whimsical look. You can, also, overlap some of the cirlces if you'd like.
Step 9
Lay the piece aside and allow the ink to dry completely.
Step 10
Stamp your favorite image onto a separate sheet of cardstock and use the pastels and blending stumps to color in the image.

Fussy cut the image out and use a 3-d adhesive to pop it off of your project. Create a card base, add patterned paper or other items you'd like to finish off your project.
Step 11
This easy background technique is a great way to add some interest not only to your cards, but layouts, mixed media projects and many other projects.