Tag: Easy Backgrounds

Cards, Love & Friendship, Valentine's Day, Watercolor techniques

Easy Watercolor Valentine’s Day Cards

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. If you like watercolor cards but think you have to be an artist to create them, I’m here to tell you that you don’t. The great thing about watercoloring is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. Also using the correct paper helps; I used both watercolor cardstock as well as multimedia paper to test them both out and see what I prefer.

I used heart shaped wafer dies as stencils for all of these cards. The only thing hand-drawn on these cards are the stems on the flowers and the bow. Let me show you how easy this can be!

For the first card, I cut a piece of Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ to create an A2 card base. Then cut another piece of Strathmore 300 Series Smooth Bristol Paper to 4 x 5-1/4″.

Next, I used a heart die to trace the six hearts onto my paper. Don’t go too dark when drawing. It’ll be easier to erase the remaining pencil lines after you’ve colored everything. I used my Ken Oliver Color Burst Brights Powder for this card. I added splatters with the same colors as well as some gold splatters using the Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi STARRY COLORS.

Once the paint was dry (make sure to let it dry fully), I erased any left over pencil marks and sketched lines around the hearts. Feel free to skip this step or use the dies again to trace around with a pen or marker.

I die cut the sentiment and the border from Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Gold & Silver Kraft Stock Paper using the Lawn Fawn’s Henry’s ABCs and Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Rectangle Frames.

On the inside of the card, I cut a strip of gold cardstock (same as the front panel) to 1 x 4-1/4″ and stamped another sentiment from the Lawn Fawn Henry’s Build-A-Sentiment – Love Stamp Set with Catherine Pooler Designs It’s a Girl Ink.

Dimensions

For the second card, I cut a piece of Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 4-1/4 x 11″ and scored at 5-1/2″ to create an A2 card base. Then cut another piece of Watercolor Paper to 4 x 5-1/4″ and a piece of Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Gold & Silver Kraft Stock Paper to 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″.

I used a large heart die to trace the heart onto my paper. I used my Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paint Set for this card. I added splatters with the same colors as well as some gold splatters using the Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi STARRY COLORS. Once dried, I erased any left over pencil marks and sketched lines around the hearts.

I die cut the sentiment 3x from Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ and stacked them. I also stamped the rest of the sentiment from Lawn Fawn Henry’s Build-A-Sentiment – Love Stamp Set onto Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

I finished the card by adding some Metallic Bright Gold Nuvo Drops.

On the inside of the card, I stamped a sentiment combining the Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy and Happy Happy Happy Add-on Stamp Sets with Catherine Pooler Designs Rockin’ Red Ink.

Dimensions

For the third card, I cut a piece of Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/5 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ to create an A2 card base. Then cut another piece of Watercolor Paper to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2″.

Again I used some heart dies of various sizes to trace them. Then I used my Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paint Set combined with the Kuretake Gansai Tambi STARRY COLORS. I mixed the pink color with the silvery watercolor. I added splatters with the same colors.

I used the Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle Frame to die cut the frame from the background panel. I added black cardstock behind the panel cut to 4 x 5-1/4″ and popped up the frame using Foam Strips.

I die cut the sentiment from Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ using the Lawn Fawn Scripty XOXO and the shadow from Tim Holtz idea-ology 8 x 8 Paper Stash Metallic Jewels Kraft Stock and the Lawn Fawn Scripty XOXO Outline Add-on Die. I also stamped a sentiment from Lawn Fawn Henry’s Build-A-Sentiment – Love onto Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

I finished off the card by adding some Ebony Black Nuvo Crystal Drops.

I left the inside of the card blank.

Dimensions

For the last card, I cut a piece of Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 4-1/4 x 11″ and scored at 5-1/2″ to create an A2 card base. Then cut another piece of Strathmore 300 Series Smooth Bristol Paper to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2″.

Again I used some heart dies of various sizes to trace them and create a bouquet. I drew sticks for the stems and a simple bow. Then used my Ken Oliver Color Burst Brights Powder and Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paint Set to color the bouquet. And the Kuretake Gansai Tambi STARRY COLORS to color the bow.

I added some splatters with the pink and gold. I stamped a sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink directly onto the card. I die cut a frame from Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Gold & Silver Kraft Stock Paper using the Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle Frame.

I finished the card by adding some Metallic Bright Gold Nuvo Drops.

I left the inside of the card blank.

Dimensions

Supplies

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?id=f5e8378456858c916708

Thanks for reading this post. I hope I’ve inspired you to give these easy Valentine’s Day watercolor cards a try for yourself. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Cards, Love & Friendship, Valentine's Day

Create an Easy Textured Background With Dies and Embossing Folders featuring Lawn Fawn

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. Here’s an easy way to create a textured pattern paper background when you don’t have any pattern paper. I used a heart die with various papers and an embossing folder to create this background. This card also requires no stamping and uses minimal supplies! Let’s see how easy this was to create.

For this card, I cut a piece of Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ to create an A2 card base. Then die cut another piece to 4 x 5-1/4″. On this piece I added die cut hearts using various papers from my stash to form a pattern. Then I ran it through my die cut machine with a 6 x 6 polka dot embossing folder from Queen & Company (I think it might be retired). And that’s it. Background created!

Next, I die cut two frames from the Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Rectangle Frames Die Cuts from Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to add to the front panel.

For the sentiment I die cut three from Neenah 100lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ using the Lawn Fawn’s Scripty XOXO and three from Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Jewels Kraft Stock Paper using Lawn Fawn’s Scripty XOXO Outline Add-on.

On the inside of the card, I cut a strip of cardstock (same as the front panel) to 1 x 4-1/4″.

Dimensions

Supplies

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?id=f5e8378456858c916708

Thanks for reading this post. I hope I’ve inspired you to give this sweet Valentine’s Day card a try for yourself. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.

Card kits, Easter, Foiling, Holidays 2022, Techniques

Create a Foiled Background Using Stencils

kittieslovecrafting

Simon Says Stamp Limited Edition Easter Joy 2022 Card Kit

Hi friends. Here’s a cute and easy card featuring the Limited Edition Simon Says Stamp EASTER JOY 2022 Card Kit. I created the background using a foiling technique. Really quick and easy.

For this card, I cut a piece of Neenah Environment Smooth Desert Storm 80lb Cardstock to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″ to create the card base. I also cut a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock to 3-7/8 x 5-1/8″ for the top panel.

I used the Simon Says Stamp Layering Eggs Stencil set (the patterns layer) and applied Therm O Web Transfer Gel Duo DecoFoil with a spatula to the top panel. I let it dry completely for a few hours then ran the panel through my laminator with Therm O Web Gina K Designs Glimmering Gold Fancy Foil Deco Foil. Once completely cooled I used distress inks to color the eggs using the solid stencil layer.

I used Tim Holtz Spun Sugar, Abandoned Coral, Mustard Seed, Speckled Egg, Stormy Sky, Dusty Concord Distress Inks. I adhered the panel to a piece of Therm O Web Gina K Designs Glimmering Gold Fancy Foil Deco Foil cut to 4 x 5-1/4″ and then onto a piece of Echo Park My Favorite Easter 6 x 6 Paper Pad cut to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2″.

For the sentiment I cut it out from a Lawn Fawn pattern paper scrap I had in my stash with the Lawn Fawn Giant Happy Easter Die Cut. I also die cut three from Stampin’ Up! Basic Black 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock which I stacked and adhered behind the pink sentiment.

Lastly, I added a strip from the Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips Reverse Easter Wishes to complete the sentiment.

On the inside of the card, I cut a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock to 4 x 5-1/4″ and strip of the pattern paper from the front, cut to 7/8 x 4″.

Dimensions

Supplies

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?id=f5e8378456858c916708

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to make some cards using this kit yourself! If you want to share you creations with me tag me on instagram @kittieslovecrafting. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email me.

Distress Ink Techniques, Tips and Tricks, Watercolor techniques

Creating Easy Distress Backgrounds…(Part 1)

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. I had some fun playing with my distress inks and other products and created several backgrounds. Sometimes it’s nice just to play with mediums and not think too much. I love distress inks because they create cool effects when water or other mediums are combined with them. I ended up with 6 backgrounds I will later turn into cards. Stay tuned for that post…

For these backgrounds I decided to test out the reaction Distress Oxides and Distress Crayons had with water and also salt plus white vinegar. I also tested Cold Press Watercolor Paper and Strathmore Bristol Smooth Multimedia Paper. I was actually surprised at the reaction of the watercolor paper to the salt and vinegar.

For the first set of backgrounds, I started the process by ink blending on both the Cold Press Watercolor Paper and Strathmore Bristol Smooth Multimedia Paper. I used Kitsch Flamingo, Worn Lipstick, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, and Walnut Stain Distress Oxide Inks. I sprayed water onto both panels with the Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer, let it sit for a few minutes and pat dry with a paper towel.

I then used Abandoned Coral, Carved Pumpkin, and Worn Lipstick Distress Crayons and smeared them with my finger (Tip: Wet your finger a little to smooth). Then sprayed more water again.

Left = Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper; Right = Watercolor Paper

Observations: One thing I noticed is that the distress crayons are much harder to move and blend out on the watercolor paper. They require a lot more water then on the Strathmore Bristol Smooth Multimedia Paper. But the colors look more saturated and vibrant on the watercolor paper.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper
Watercolor Paper

Once all the ink was dry, I mixed some Perfect Copper Perfect Pearls by Ranger with water and randomly added splashed and went around the edges of one of the panels.

Once all dry, I used the Stampers Anonymous – Tim Holtz – Ledger Script Stamp with Ranger Archival JET BLACK Ink to both panels. I used the Stampin’ Up! Timeless Textures Rubber Stampset (retired) with Spiced Marmalade and Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Inks on the watercolor paper panel and stamped using the Tim Holtz® Stampers Anonymous Wildflower Layering Stencils (THS035) with Ranger Archival JET BLACK Ink on the Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper panel.

Left = Watercolor Paper; Right = Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper

Finished the panels by adding splashes with watered down white Gesso on both and black ink on the watercolor paper panel.

Watercolor Paper
Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper

For the second set of backgrounds, I started the process by ink blending on both the Cold Press Watercolor Paper and Strathmore Bristol Smooth Multimedia Paper. I used Scattered Straw, Mermaid Lagoon, Mowed Lawn and Walnut Stain Distress Oxide Inks. I sprayed water onto both panels with the Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer and sprinkled Coarse Salt, let it sit for a few minutes and pat dry with a paper towel and rubbed off the salt. Be very gentle with this because you can tear you paper if it’s still wet.

I then used Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch, Mustard Seed, and Vintage Photo Distress Crayons and smeared them with my finger (Tip: Wet your finger a little to smooth). I reinked the panels with Mermaid Lagoon and Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide Inks to brighten them up a bit. Then, added more salt and water to see if it would react again.

Left = Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper; Right = Watercolor Paper

Observations: I didn’t see much of a reaction to the salt on either papers. Not sure if I didn’t leave it on a sufficient amount of time or if only the regular distress inks react to the salt. Again, the distress crayons are much harder to move and blend out on the watercolor paper and the colors are more vibrant on the watercolor paper.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper
Watercolor Paper

Once all the ink was dry, I mixed some Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Pigment Powder by Ranger with water and randomly added splashed and went around the edges of one of the panels.

I used the Kaisercraft Postmarks Background Stamp with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink and Stampin’ Up! Timeless Textures Rubber Stampset (retired) with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide Ink on the Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper panel and Stampers Anonymous – Tim Holtz – Ledger Script Stamp with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide Ink and Tim Holtz® Stampers Anonymous Wildflower Layering Stencils (THS035) with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink on the watercolor paper panel.

Left = Watercolor Paper; Right = Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper

Finished the panels by adding splashes with watered down white Gesso and Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink on both panels.

Watercolor Paper
Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper

For the third set of backgrounds, I started the process by ink blending on both the Cold Press Watercolor Paper and Strathmore Bristol Smooth Multimedia Paper. I used Milled Lavender, Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet, Chipped Sapphire, Cracked Pistachio and Walnut Stain Distress Oxide Inks. I sprayed water and white vinegar onto both panels with the Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer and sprinkled Iodized Table Salt (fine grain), let it sit for a few minutes and pat dry with a paper towel and gently rubbed off the salt.

Left = Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper; Right = Watercolor Paper

Then I did some ink smooshing with a few of the colors above, added water, white vinegar and salt again and let it sit for a few minutes.

Observations: Again very little reaction to the salt on either papers, But when rubbing off the salt from the watercolor paper panel, some of the areas of the paper pilled and rubbed off. Not a big deal; it just adds to the texture.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper
Watercolor Paper

Once all the ink was dry, I used some Lindy’s Magical Shakers in Alpine Ice Rose, Magnolia Magenta Gold, and Time Teal Travel with water and added to some areas of the panels.

I used Stampin’ Up! Timeless Textures Rubber Stampset (retired) with Seedless Preserves, and Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide Inks and the Stampers Anonymous – Tim Holtz – Ledger Script Stamp with Ranger Archival JET BLACK Ink on the watercolor panel. Then, on the Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper panel, I used the Stampin’ Up! Timeless Textures Rubber Stampset (retired) and the Kaisercraft Postmarks Background Stamp with Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide Inks and the Tim Holtz® Stampers Anonymous Wildflower Layering Stencils (THS035) with Ranger Archival JET BLACK Ink.

Left = Watercolor Paper; Right = Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper
Watercolor Paper
Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper

Finished the panels by adding splashes with watered down white Gesso and black ink on on both panels.

Stay tuned for another post creating some quick and easy cards with these panels in the near future.

Supplies

https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?id=f5e8378456858c916708

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed and I’ve inspired you to give these backgrounds a try for yourself. They are lots of fun to make! Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email.