How to achieve the effect in the background using Photoshop. Tried blur without success

I'm trying to achieve the effect seen on the "background" of this image on my own photos. So far I tried different variations of blur, in special the Shape Blur without success. At this point, I'm not even sure if this is a blur or those small crosses somehow just change the color from the picture.

Anybody has some guidance on what I should look for?

Thanks!