Masking with torn paper can provide a quick and easy background, especially on a one layer card. This class was about teaching how to sponge the ink on, from the torn layer (that covered the top portion of the card) to the card base. You get a smooth blend by starting your ink blending on the scrap that you are masking with before bringing the ink to the card base, and then fading the ink as you go down the card.
In order to give the scene a bit more depth, you can stamp the trees again, without re-inking, to make them appear as in the background.
Inks used were Crumb Cake and Soft Suede. Stamps used on this card include the trees from Rooted in Nature, the land image and speckles from Waterfront and the greeting from Wetlands. I love how so many of our scene stamp sets work together. Unfortunately, these stamp sets are retired, but you may like a similar one, the Grassy Grove stamp set, available through my online store.