Dollar Store Craft Supplies for Mixed Media Background

I love going to the craft store and checking out all the cool craft products they have.  Unfortunately, I do not always have the budget to get what I want so I get excited when I come across ways to get the look I want with some dollar store supplies.

Ink sprays are one of those things not in the budget right now, but I really love the look created when they are strayed on the background of mixed media projects.  I discovered you could get a similar look by creating your own spray paints with watered down acrylic paint (why didn't I think of that before).  It worked great on the canvas project I did a while ago.

I like leaving negative space in my designs by using shapes from my punches.  I just place them on my canvas and spray.  When I remove them I am left with cute designs.

Another background technique I enjoy is using bubble wrap that you get from packages.  Just paint the wrap and tap it against your picture for a fun effect.

Do you have any background techniques that you use on your projects?  I would love to hear about them.  I'm always looking for new ways to experiment with my mixed media backgrounds.