PHOTOSHOP ACTION
This action does the dirty work for you. When it finished, its your turn: Playing with brushes (bonus-21 brushes) you will get great effects and would be able to make those wonderful artsy papers that we are seeing everywhere.
Unlimited artistic effects! With this action you can make your own soft backgrounds. Play the action, then choose the colors from your swatch and play again the second action. When the second part is finished, you can use the brushes (you will get 21 brushes with this action) and paint and stroke in order to get unique results. Rotate the image and stroke more!
This action was tested in PS CS2 and PS CS3. Tutorial included.
Bonus: 21 fantastic brushes, with distressing effects, flowers, shapes, grungy, and so on...