When doing journal pages or collages, it is nice to start with an interesting background.  After you’ve applied paint, you can add design elements in several ways.  One way is to use various objects as stamps.  Here are some of the items I use:

Plastic Canvas

There is plastic canvas in craft stores that is used for needlepoint.  It has a grid design, and it very sturdy.  You can buy it in squares, rectangles and circles.  I bought a pack of 5 circles, approx 5 in.  for $1.00.   I use one of them in its original size.  Another I cut to a smaller circle.  Others, I cut pieces to make arcs.  I paint on liquid acrylic and press it on to the page.

Bubble Wrap

The bubble wrap that comes in packages is very handy for making a pattern of circles in backgrounds.  There are two or three sizes of circles on this packing material.  Cut it into an abstract shape, apply paint with a brush and gently rub it onto your page.   It looks good if you use it in two different areas of the page with two colors of paint.

Hug Rug Canvas

The canvas that is used to make hook rugs is sturdy and a grid pattern.  You only need a small piece because it can be used over and over.  Paint onto the canvas, lay it on the page and rub with a brayer.

Lids and Bottle Bottoms

Circles are interesting background elements.  They can be made my using lids from various sized bottle, such as toothpaste, spray starch, shampoo.  Rub the open side of the lid into the paint and press on the page for circle outlines.  Use the solid end of the lid for full circles. If you find youself needing a circle and dont’ have a lid handy, the bottom of fluid acrylic bottles work well, too.

Plastic Putty Knives

My neighborhood grocery store has a display of tools that are all $1.00.  They have a package of three plastic putty knives.  These work great for applying paint for a background.   I also use them to make straight lines.  Marking lines around a square photo or quotation can be done by dipping the end of the putty knife in paint and then dragging it across the page – do this four times to form a grungy frame around the photo or quote.

Spackling Textures

Spackling can be purchased at home improvement stores. You can get a small tub inexpensively.  Apply the spackling to a piece of cardboard or fun foam.  It can be molded and shaped into abstract shapes with lots of texture.   Make several by pressing items into the spackling or using tools to create texture.  Let them dry completely and dip them in paint, or use with a stamp pad.