Tag: easy watercolor 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.

Autumn, Birthdays, Fall, Fall, Thanksgiving

2 cards Using One Stampset and Easy Watercolor Backgrounds

kittieslovecrafting

Hello friends. Do you need some last minute Fall or Thanksgiving cards or perhaps a Birthday card?? The Honey Bee Stamps Treat Yo Self 6×6 Stamp Set is great for such cards! I created very simple watercolor backgrounds using one color of distress ink. These cards also use minimal supplies. And while I used my Copics and added shadowing and highlights to the images, you can color them flat and make it simpler. They would still look great!

For my first card, I started by cutting a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4 to create the card base. I cut a piece of Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth Paper to 4 x 5-1/4″. I used Ranger Tim Holtz Broken China Distress Ink to watercolor the background and added splatters using Tim Holtz GROUND ESPRESSO Distress Paint and set it aside to dry.

I stamped the images from the Treat Yo Self 6×6 Stamp Set with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″, colored them with Copic Markers and die cut them with the coordinating Honey Cuts Treat Yo Self Dies. I used Y18 + YR04 + YR09 and YG03 + YG05 + G07 for the pumpkins; E25 + E29 + E49 (chocolate syrup), BG10 + 0 (lid), YG03 + YG05 + G07 (cup), N2 + 0 and YR04 + YR09 (straw) on the cup; and YR00 + YR14 + Y04 + Y09 (filling), N1 + 0 (whipped cream), E33 + E25 + E29 (crust and coffee beans/nuts) for the pie.

I adhered the watercolored panel to the card base using wet glue and the images using wet glue and Stampin’ Dimensionals. I die cut the ‘Autumn’ word and the largest shadow using the Honey Bee Autumn Buzzword Dies. I used Stampin’ Up! Tangerine Tango 8-1/2 x 11″ Cardstock (retired) for the word and Simon Says Stamp Vellum for the shadow. I stamped a sentiment from the Honey Bee Autumn Buzzword Stamp Set onto a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink and cut it down to 3/8 x 1-3/4″. I adhered all the sentiment pieces to the card using wet glue. To finish off the card I added highlights using a Uni-Ball Signo Broad Point White Gel Pen, shimmer to the ‘Autumn’ buzzword with Spectrum Noir Clear Overlay Sparkle Pen, and added Ranger Glossy Accents to the lid.

The inside of the card was left blank.

Dimensions

For my second card, I started by cutting a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4 to create the card base. I cut a piece of Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth Paper to 4 x 5-1/4″. I used Ranger Tim Holtz Peeled Paint Distress Ink and Tim Holtz Crushed Olive Distress Ink to watercolor the background and added splatters using Tim Holtz GROUND ESPRESSO Distress Paint and set it aside to dry.

I stamped the images from the Treat Yo Self 6×6 Stamp Set with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″, colored them with Copic Markers and die cut them with the coordinating Honey Cuts Treat Yo Self Dies. I used BG11 + BG15 (mug), N2 + 0 (whipped cream), E37 + E29 + E49 (chocolate frosting), and RV10 + R83 (flower); E15 + E37 + E29 (crust and beans/nuts), N2 + 0 (whipped cream), R81 + R83 + R85 (filling) for the pie slice; E37 + E29 + E49 for the beans; and R83 + RV10 (frosting), E37 + E29 (cake), R17 + R27 + R29 (ribbon) and N2 + 0 (popsicle stick) for the cake pop.

I adhered the watercolored panel to the card base using wet glue and the images using wet glue and Stampin’ Dimensionals. I stamped a sentiment from the Treat Yo Self 6×6 Stamp Set onto a piece of Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5 X 11″ with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink and die cut it with the coordinating Honey Cuts Treat Yo Self Dies. I adhered the the sentiment to the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals. To finish off the card I added Nuvo Sea Breeze Jewel Drops.

On the inside of the card, I stamped a sentiment from Lawn Fawn Village Shops and the cake pop from Treat Yo Self 6×6 Stamp Set with Ground Espresso Distress Oxide Ink. And that completes this card.

Dimensions

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 watercolored cards a try for yourself. Leave comments or questions below or feel free to email me.

Easter, Easter, Watercolor techniques

Easy Watercolor Backgrounds Using Distress Inks

kittieslovecrafting

Today’s topic is watercolor backgrounds. Whenever I want a quick and easy background for a card, I go with a watercolor background. You don’t need to know how to watercolor like a pro, you just need some good watercolor paper. The paper makes the difference in the results you get. I used Canson XL Series Watercolor Paper Pad (140 Pound, 9 x 12 Inch). The great thing is, that this technique can be achieved with dye inks, stains, sprays, or watercolors (high end or inexpensive). I used Distress Ink Stains for my backgrounds. I originally pulled out my Distress Ink Pads but then decided that my Distress Ink Stains haven’t been getting enough love so I decided to use those instead. These can be dabbed on or sprayed. These now are sold in spray bottles but if you’re like me and have the original bottles, Ranger sells a spray bottle lid. I used mine straight out of the bottle like watercolor though.

Watercolor Background Supplies

Ok, so let’s get started. First, I taped down my watercolor paper piece (4 1/4 x 5 1/2″) with some ScotchBlue Painters Tape to a hard surface. Protect your surface before you begin because this will be messy. With a clean brush, add some water to your surface, covering the whole area. Then dispense some of ink onto a clear block, craft mat, etc. (I used my glass mat) and then dab/pounce it your paper. If the surface is too dry, add some more water. You can add more ink to certain areas to get darker areas. Alternatively, you can add more water and blot certain areas to subtract color. Stick to one color if you are not comfortable mixing multiple colors together. Keep playing with adding color until you are satisfied.

Let your piece dry in between layers. This will yield a better result, in the end. You can let it air dry or use a heat tool (if you are not patient like me. :)) Once the piece was almost dry I added some splashes using the same ink color for each. I usually do this inside a box since I don’t want my desk and surrounding areas to stained. Let it dry completely before moving onto the next step. And if you want to stop here, you totally can; they look great as is. I wanted to enhance mine by adding another level of texture.

Watercolor Panels

I added texture to only two of the panels by embossing them. On the first panel (blue one), I stamped the Easter eggs from the Newton’s Nook Designs Newton’s Easter Basket Stamp (no longer available) with Versamark clear embossing ink and added Wow white embossing powder. On the third panel (yellow one), I used a the Tim Holtz MINI STENCIL SET 27 MST027 with Ranger Texture Paste Transparent Gloss to add texture. I used only portions of the stencil around the page. Then before it dried, I sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter. Any white glitter will do however. These are now ready to become cards!

Watercolor Panels With Embossing

I made Easter cards with these backgrounds. I used Newton’s Nook Designs Newton’s Easter Basket Stamp on all 3 cards for the images.

I used Simon Says Stamp Some Bunny for the sentiment on the first card and the Lawn Fawn Straight Flower Border Die Cut to build the scene. And finished it with Nuvo drops in different colors. The second card features the Pretty Pink Posh Happy Easter Script Die cut out of 4 layers of cardstock (3 black and one white), stacked up to create the sentiment. The third card showcases the Easter egg kitty by putting him in ovals diecut using Stampin’ Up! Layering Ovals Framelits Dies. I added a sentiment from Newton’s Nook Designs Newton’s Easter Basket Stamp. I created card bases from Stampin’ Up! Tempting Turquoise (retired), Stampin’ Up! Elegant Eggplant (retired), and Stampin’ Up! Crushed Curry 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock, respectively. And finally, on the inside I added a piece of white 80lb cardstock so I can later write a message inside my cards.

Supplies

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this was helpful and I’ve inspired you to create some fun watercolor backgrounds of your own. Feel free to email me with questions or leave a comments below.