Tag: Watercolor Techniques

A lot of us spend a lot of our time working in jobs that we may not like. The easy solution is to change to a job we do like. But that is not always possible. One way to “survive” your job is to “Start with Art”. Being creative is known to help improve your psychological well being. This Stampin’ Up! stamp set is retiring soon, so don’t waste any more time and let’s create a card to help you “Follow Your Art” no matter what your art may be!

This card is so fun because of all the color and the mixed designs! There are also a few Techniques thrown in there as well!

Here is the It Starts with Art stamp set. There are many exciting images to make a host of cards. I decided to use the stack of ribbon since it complimented the Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper (DSP) that I chose.

Measurements: Blueberry Bushel card stock (CS): 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches and 4 x 3 inches; Follow Your Art DSP: 5 1/4 x 4 inches and 4 x 3 inches; Coastal Cabana CS: 8 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches and Whisper White CS: two 4 x 3 inch pieces.

Let’s get stamping!

• 

• 

Stamp the sentiment “Follow your art” on one end of one 4 x 3 inch Whisper White CS in Memento ink. Leave space around the sentiment for the Tailored Tag Punch. Flip the Whisper White CS around and stamp the stack of spools on the opposite end.

For coloring the spools of ribbon, I did a bit of experimentation with markers and decided the Watercolor Pencils created the most appealing look. When I used the markers, I did not like the card. I actually thought it was ugly! The Watercolor Pencils made the card look so much better! I did use the Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write marker since there is not a Watercolor Pencil in Blushing Bride. The colors for the Watercolor Pencils are Pacific Point, Calypso Coral and Coastal Cabana. One of the Techniques is to use the Blender Pen.

I started coloring with the Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write marker on the middle spool. I tried to only put one layer of ink down and keep the color light.

• 

• 

I colored the top spool and the stripes on the bottom ribbon with the Coastal Cabana Watercolor Pencil. I did color a little darker in areas where I wanted a slight shadow.

• 

• 

I colored the middle ribbon with the Pacific Point Watercolor Pencil. The bottom spool and the ribbon on top are colored in Calypso Coral Watercolor Pencil.

• 

• 

Blending Technique The Blender Pen is a dual tipped pen filled with a specialized solution for easy blending. You just go over the Watercolor Pencil with a light touch and blend the color. To clean off the color, you just write on scrap paper until the fluid from the pen runs clear. I started Blending the Coastal Cabana Watercolor Pencil first.

• 

• 

Next I blended the Pacific Point Watercolor Pencil, and finally the Calypso Coral.

Now we need to fussy cut the spools of ribbon.

• 

• 

Tip: To fussy cut into really tight space, use the very tip of your Paper Snips and make very tiny cuts. I did try just leaving the center of the heart uncut, but I did not like the way it looked. Set this piece aside.

Punch the sentiment out with the Tailored Tag Punch. (I had to photograph this card twice because I did use the Stampin’ Write Markers initially. That is why the spools of ribbon are still there).

Prepare to use the Aqua Painter by squeezing the closed Blueberry Bushel ink pad to get a little ink on the lid. Add a few drops of water to the ink. Place the sentiment card piece on scrap paper as this technique can be a little messy. The black cardstock is just there so the sentiment card piece would show on the photograph.

• 

• 

Splatter Technique Flick the tip of the Aqua Painter on the lid to splatter the color onto the sentiment card piece. Clean the Aqua Painter by squeezing water out onto a paper towel until the water runs clear.

• 

• 

Squeeze the Calypso Coral ink pad and get some ink on the Aqua Painter. Flick the Calypso Coral ink in the same way as the Blueberry Bushel. Allow to dry, or use your Heat Tool to dry the ink more quickly.

• 

• 

Punch a label with the Tailored Tag Punch from the 4 x 3 inch Blueberry Bushel CS. Use the Paper Snips to cut the tag in half lengthwise.

• 

• 

Glue one half of the Tailored Tag Punch to the bottom half of the sentiment card piece. Now glue the other half on top.

• 

• 

Now to stamp the inside of the card. Use the larger button stamp to stamp onto the second 4 x 3 inch Whisper White using the Blueberry Bushel ink. Remember that an odd number of images seems more pleasing to the eye than an even number.

• 

• 

Use the smaller button stamp to stamp in Calypso Coral ink and Coastal Cabana ink.

• 

• 

Fold the 8 1/2 x 3 1/4 inch Coastal Cabana CS at the 4 1/4 inch score line. Use the Bone Folder to get a nice crisp fold.

• 

• 

Adhere the 4 x 3 inch Follow Your Art DSP to the front of the little card. Adhere the piece stamped with the buttons to the inside of the little card.

• 

• 

Adhere the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Follow Your Art DSP to the 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch Blueberry Bushel CS. Now adhere the little card to the center of the Blueberry Bushel card piece.

This card is a little different. Fun, fun, fun!

We will use Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the sentiment and the spools of ribbon.

• 

• 

I decided that the sentiment did not show up as much as I would like. I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap of 1/2 inch Whisper White CS. I placed it onto the sentiment piece to size it and then adhered it in place.

Adhere the spools of ribbon in place.

Viola! You have a card to keep around to help inspire you to “Follow Your Art”! Or you can send it off to someone else who may need encouragement!

Thanks so much for coming by today! I hope you are doing well, and if not, I hope you have an opportunity to try to start with art to lift up your spirits!

I am an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and I sell the products I used for this card. If you are interested in purchasing some product to get yourself started on creating at home, please comment or send me an email at theresastreasures.az@gmail.com.

Click on the photo below to get to my Online Store and purchase that product.

Product List

Have a wonderful and creative day!