Here's a technique that I really like. Take a piece of scrapbook paper and coordinate a card front. Select a 5" x 7" section for your background. Then stamp and emboss a reverse image stamp on a quieter part of the paper. A reverse image is one where you stamp the background and the images remain un-stamped. The technique is to use clear ink to stamp with and clear detail embossing powder on that. The purpose of the clear medium is to see through the background to the design of the paper. Then, taking water-based markers such as Marvy, color the designs. Use a baby wipe frequently to wipe off excess marker ink from the clear embossing. A totally coordinated design to layer on top of your background piece. Use coordinating colors to mat the layers.
