Fossilized Background Swap

I came across a description of this technique in an old Stampington Inspiration magazine and thought it would be fun to use in a swap. I don't find an online tutorial for it, so will describe it here--please ask questions if it is not clear!

Take a ziplock type bag or page protector and cut so it's open on 3 sides. One one inside side, use a dye based ink pad (not Staz-on, one that is water soluble) and press it repeatedly over an area approximately 5x6 inches. Close the bag/page protector over the ink, and press it with your hand or a brayer to distribute the ink to both sides of the plastic.

Open it out again, and take 2 pieces of glossy cardstock cut to 4.25 x 5 inches, and place them, back to back, glossy side out, over the inked area and close the other side of the plastic down to cover the top piece of cardstock. Press again with your hands or a brayer to transfer the ink to the paper. Let dry at least 30 minutes before proceeding to stamp on or otherwise decorate your background.

OK, now you have 2 backgrounds--use one to make a card/atc/tag/other papercraft for your partner, cut the extra one in half and send one half along for your partner to use in another project.

You may use stickers for this swap, but let it be a support to your overall artwork rather than the focus.