HOw often do you make your own back ground paper?
 

I occasionally do. I really like using the Ranger Distress Inks bc they coordinate nicely and there are a few tones of each colour available.

Often :D. I love bought papers, but there are so many wonderful techniques for creating your own backgrounds and I have a good collection of background stamps. I tend to use bought DP more when it comes to following sketches, though, because then it's all going to coordinate. Hope you're feeling better soon - colds are miserable. They sound trivial, but their nuisance value is enormous!

I hope you feel better soon!

As for me, a quick way to make your own background if you run out of coordinating pattern papers is to stamp a flourish or script stamp using versamark onto the color of card stock you are using for matting the other panels. I also love the look of making your own backgrounds with several Tim Holtz distress inks. Joan Bardee's blog, Paperlicious, is amazing because she has several projects where she starts off with a white piece of paper, adds her magic touch (and some Tim Holtz inks) and ends up with an amazing card.

Are you like me, and just prefer to save & collect dp? :D

I love designer/pattern papers and have used them since I first started making cards. It's rare for me to make a card without using dp.

I've only made background papers a couple of times, with polka dots usually, lol.

This is me, too!
I love how others are able to coordinate patterns and colors. But when I do it, it seems like my card is wearing one blue sock and one green with plaid pants and floral blouse.

I suppose I didn't expand. Any background stamp is good for me, but I especially love to use music stamps, like here: Toot that Flute by Cook22 and here: I Will Sing by Cook22 . I sometimes like to emboss them with clear EP and then add a watercolour wash for a resist technique.

And another type of resist is using a Krylon marker or similar with watercolour/distress re-inkers - like this: ODBDSLC17 Summer Colours by Cook22 -.
Wrinkle-free distress is another wonderful way of creating your own backgrounds - tutorial in Resources. And of course there's Polished Stone, too.

I tried Foxi Oxi recently and loved the results - WT341 Season for School by Cook22 .

I make my own patterned papers alot, but I usually make digital papers and print them out. I use to design digital scrapbooking kits, so if I need something specific, then its easier and quicker for me to design it myself rather than hunting through all the pp I already have. I have used stamps a couple times to make background papers, but personally, I'm not too fussy on the look, so I usually go the digi route. Its probably my technique and need more practice.

I love making my own pp's using PTI background building sets like these:
Papertrey Ink - Background Basics: Tin Types Stamp Set
and
Papertrey Ink - Guide Lines Two Stamp Set

On the right hand side of each stamp set image is a link to their gallery using that stamp set. Great resource.

My latest fave background building set is Waltzingmouse's Nordic Winter:
Nordic Winter | Waltzingmouse Stamps
LOVE that set!

I also love Impression Obsession's Cover-a-card collection:
Cover-a-Card Stamps & Mega Mount: Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps

Here are some samples from my gallery using these sets:

Milly's Window by KatarinaM - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
It's Snow Time by KatarinaM - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
CT1210, DDSKETCH1210 Noel by KatarinaM - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

I love making my own pp's, I can use my favorite colors and patterns with the techniques I like best.
You should try it!

:D:D This is why I generally make my own background paper .
Plus when I look at a DP pad I find I don't like a lot of it or I have no CS, ink or ribbon to match most of it. It is very expensive per sheet to buy a $10 DP pad and only use 4-5 sheets of it
Making my own background paper is cheaper and easier than hunting for colors I want/need

Rarely. I have so much patterned paper!

When I first started stamping I always made my own pp because PP seemed too costly for me. I have a ton of it now and just seem to hoard it--afraid I will want it more for some other project--I am now on a "use what you have kick" so who knows where that will take me in 2012--I have a ton of background stamps and have always loved them. AND Oh the techniques now available for backgrounds, there is just no end to this hobby/obsession.

I create my own backgrounds with distressing inks (which I adore and need MORE of) and stamping over.
I also have some beautiful DP. I usually take a small snip of each - about a 2 inch strip (from the shorter side if A4) and then I can play mixing and matching. With SU this is so much easier.
The gallery on SCS is enormously important to me and I'm slowly learning 'what works' for me.
Brayering is what I want to get to grips with this year.

I make mine all the time. My absolutely favorite way to make background paper is the WISH technique with cheap markers and an acetate folder or ziplock baggie. I have a tutorial on my blog Mississippi Mcgyver. I also love to prink sheet music for my backgrounds. I love this site for hymns because they are public domain. No copyright infringement. Timeless Truths.

Nearly all the time, 'cause it's painful for me to cut into lovely patterned paper.

LOL, ain't that the truth?!

Long time ago, decorative paper was just for scrapbookers! We always made our own, whether it was stamped paper or large pieces made while playing with techniques like resist or something. After all, if you're going to make a big mess, you might as well make a bunch while all the supplies are out...

I have a friend whose been stamping even longer than me, and she still feels like she's "cheating" somehow by using dsp, lol!

By all means. play to your heart's content! Practice techniques, play with different color combos, etc. It's a great way to get the creative juices slowing!

I've been going this route quite a bit too and love the Cover a Card stamps. I find it easier to match my cardstock and inks and not have a third option of premade designer paper to have to throw into that mix as well. I do have lots of designer paper and have made a challenge to myself to try and use a good chunk of it before buying anymore (except for Christmas papers). I collected a lot when I first started but find my style tends to be more of a clean and simple style so I don't use a lot of DP in general.

Love that technique! Sometimes you just can't find the perfect paper, so it's cool that you make your own!

Mississippi McGyver- You always make the most beautiful items. One of my all time favorite blog creations are your beautiful butterflies. I make them all the time now too.

Back to regularly scheduled topic, :) I love to make my own backgrounds. I love DP too. I just love all paper. I actually don't have a lot of paper. I tend to make my own backgrounds when die cutting or stamping. I tend to use my DP for my altered arts and reconning items.

I make my own backgrounds quite often. It's fun and I like the unique look of something I made. It also allows me to customize the colors. I like using dye inks and glossy paper, alcohol inks, stipple brushes etc. One I like to make for more rustic cards; wrinkling regular printing paper then smoothing it back out, followed by rubbing the raised wrinkles with dye ink.

There are a lot of techniques in the resource section on SCS.