Vacation is officially over. 🙁 We are home and as promised I have uploaded the video showing you the fabulous technique of a watercolor background using Re-Inkers and your Silicone Mat! For the samples and post on this click here! For the Video Tutorial, click here or the box below!
Happy Stampin’
Laura
Who doesn’t love inky fingers? Wait, am I the only one who does LOVE inky fingers? 🙂 Ahh It washes off eventually and it is just so much fun being messy! Well this technique I am going to show you is for sure messy but so much fun and super cool!
Disclaimer: No 2 Watercolor Cards come out alike! Playing with watercolors is always a toss up on the outcome!
I felt I needed to put that disclaimer out there because I can’t really teach you how to achieve this EXACT look because they all come out different. I’m not going to lie this one did come out amazing – I love the colors, I love those white spots on the top left, it’s perfect to me! I have done a few others and my fellow stampers like the ones I don’t like and don’t like the ones I do like so you never know what you might get! Okay let me tell you about this technique!!!
I started with some re-inkers and my Silicone Mat! In the card above I used Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, and Tempting Turquoise! Drop dots of the re-inker all over the silicone mat. You can make some of the drops touch or keep them all apart. Then you will take a Spritzer with alcohol or water and give it about 5 spritzes or so. Enough to add some liquid to the mat and to make a few dots bleed a little. Then you will place your Watercolor Paper right on top. Feel free to instantly pick it back up for lots of white areas, press it all around and let ink really soak in, or press in only a few spots. Now you will pick it up and turn it over to see what you have!
Again here you can set it aside to dry, tilt it around to mix the colors, use your finger to move some color around and fill in white spots, whatever you decide! You can also get multiple watercolor pieces out of one set of re-inker drops. Just lay another piece down! I have also added a few drops of a preferred color or added a few spritzes to get it more wet! Here is another set that I did in Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, and Hello Honey! I thought I would love these but for the most part….ehhh not my favorites!
I will have a Video Tutorial for you to see this technique in action, but we decided to stay an extra day on vacation so I will be posting the video later today! 🙂 Thank you for understanding!!! Be sure to subscribe to my Channel though so you don’t miss out on this one and other videos!
Happy Spritzin’
~Laura
I love my big box of markers! I take them with me to every event I do because if I forget a stamp pad, I still have my markers. They are great for a multi-colored look on your stamps, coloring in and now watercoloring!!!!
The colors in the card are like that of a sunset (sunrise, neither?)!!! The various shades of yellow, coral, red, and orange and the messiness of the colors that you just can’t achieve if you tried. That’s what watercoloring is all about – you can never do the same look twice and you never know how it will come out!
To create this card, I started with a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Watercolor Paper and took my markers (Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Tangerine Tango, and Pumpkin Pie) and colors swatches. I did the colors in lightest to darkest and colored them either matching up or with a small gap. Once you have your swatches colored, you will spritz it with water or alcohol (70 Proof or less so the alcohol doesn’t eat the plastic in the spritzer). Spritz the heck out of it and you can either let it do it’s thing, pick it up and tilt it around to allow it to bleed, or use your finger to move the ink around. Set it aside and allow it to dry completely before assembling it to your card. When using watercolor paper, I like to use Fast Fuse or Sticky Strip to adhere it to my card because it holds nice and strong even when the paper is curling! To complete my card, I layered my Watercolor Paper onto a piece of Basic Black (4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″) and then onto a Tangerine Tango card base (4-1/4″ x 11″). For the stamping, I used my Bloom with Hope Hostess Stamp Set which has amazing flowers (perfect for watercoloring or blendabilities) and great sayings! Of course, you will want to stamp on your watercolor paper with Stazon Ink so it won’t bleed!
Here is another Sample that I created using shades of Purple – Blackberry Bliss, Elegant Eggplant, Rich Razzleberry, and Perfect Plum! Remember how I said you never know how it might turn out…..how this happened I do not know!
I thought about cutting it off but I didn’t want an awkward size of paper for my card. When I was showing my stampers, some loved it and some did not. They gave me the idea to cover it with ribbon so…..
See even the ones you think didn’t turn out, still look amazing!!!! Here I added some Satin Stitched Ribbon in Blackberry Bliss & the greeting from Million & One!!!
Here is another sample that I did with shades of Green – Pear Pizzaz, Old Olive, Garden Green & Mossy Meadow!
To watch this technique in action, check out my Video Tutorial by clicking here or the video below! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you like it!!!
Happy Watercolorin’
~Laura
Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!!! I will be showing you emboss resist and watercoloring! I love love love these colors together because they are so bright and cheery!!!!
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Watercolor Paper, VersaMark Ink, Stamp Set, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Aqua Painter and Ink Pads
You will want to start out with a piece of Watercolor Paper. The piece I have for the project above is 4″ x 2″. Stamp your image or greeting in VersaMark and then onto your watercolor paper. Be sure to press firmly so that the VersaMark gets in the texture of the paper. I used the greeting from the Big News Stamp Set. Then you will apply embossing powder and heat it with your Heat Tool. I used Gold Embossing Powder on this one and Silver on the sample in the video! 😉 Once it has cooled, you will take your Aqua Painter and your ink pad and paint on your color! Of course, the color and water will resist for the image and only appear around the image. This gives an awesome background. I used Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay and Pumpkin Pie. If you are using similar colors and want them to bleed together you can overlap them, otherwise just swipe close to the color but not on top of it! This gives an amazing focal point to your project. You can always do this with flowers, greetings, or any other type of image! Here I did it in Silver Embossing Powder!
If you would like to watch a Video Tutorial of this technique, click here or watch below! Don’t forget to give the video a thumbs up if you like it! 🙂 Also, be sure to subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss out on any other videos that I post!
If you try this out at home, be sure to send me a picture! I would love to see what you come up with and see your ideas!
Happy Stampin’
~Laura
Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means…..I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! My Favorite Stampin’ Tool – SPONGE DAUBERS!!!! I’m sure you all knew that already! Well I’m here to show you why I love them so much and get you all to fall in love with them as well!!!
Isn’t this card just fabulous? That amazing ombre background is perfect for any type of card! You can create the look in many different colors or in a rainbow pattern….the possibilities are endless! Of course, I created this look with my SPONGE DAUBERS!
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Sponger Daubers, Ink, Cardstock (that’s it) 🙂
You always want to start with your lightest color first. I used Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Garden Green, and Mossy Meadow! Tap Tap Tap with your sponge dauber into your ink pad and then you will go back and forth over your cardstock. Be sure to go off the piece of paper so that your color goes all the way to the edge. Also, by going off the paper, you will have your darkest spots off the project and not have this darker edge, lighter center look (unless that’s what you are going for). Once you have achieved the look you want, move to the next color. You will want to overlap a little bit so that your colors blend well and you don’t have a distinct line between each color. Repeat until you have used all of your colors. How simple is that? Now you can embellish or stamp on it. I used the new Epic Alphabet Stamp Set for the name Luke! This card is for my nephew’s birthday…..no worries he is only going to be 8 and isn’t a blog follower….yet! I then wanted to add in a few birthday greetings so I used the Happy Birthday from my Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set and the Wish Big from the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set! LOVE IT!
If you would like to see this in action, check out my Video Tutorial that I created using shades of purple!!! Be sure to Like and Subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss out on more fabulous video tutorials!
For more ways to use your sponge daubers, check out this Northern Lights post, this post and this one! You can also put Sponge Daubers into the Search bar and see the many posts I have done using these amazing things!
Happy Spongin’
~Laura
Happy Tuesday!!!! You know what that means….I have a fabulous technique to share with you! I created this one awhile back and have just kept it in my back pocket but NOW it’s time to share!!!! Who doesn’t like a card that POPS out???
Okay I know this card doesn’t seem super WOW or POPPIN’ OUT but just wait…….
How fabulous is that inside of the card? LOVE IT!!!! I used the Spiral Flower Die to create this adorable Pop Out piece.
SUPPLIES NEEDED: Spiral Flower Die, Cardstock, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, and Decoration
You will start with a piece of cardstock measuring 4″ x 4-1/4″. Place that in the center of the Spiral Flower Die and run it through the Big Shot. The actual Spiral Flower piece can be tossed aside for another project because all you will need for this one is the reverse image/left over piece. Now take 4 Dimensionals and place them on the corners and place this down onto the inside of your card. Now you will need to create your decoration. In the cards above I used the Itty Bitty Punch Pack for the flowers and stars. I placed a Mini Glue Dot on the star and then slide it underneath the center tip of the spiral. The glue dot should be facing up. Now you will close your card and press in the middle so that that Mini Glue Dot sticks to the top/lid of the card. This makes the placement of the spiral perfect every time. If you tried to measure or guess where to glue it, it could be off a little and then it wouldn’t close properly or lay flat. Now you can decorate the rest of your spiral! In the 2 pictured above, I took my marker and added a little decoration around the edge just to make it POP some more. The greetings for the outside and inside are from the Age Awareness Stamp Set!!!
And because sometimes it is just easier to see how it is done, I have created a Video Tutorial for you here!!! Be sure to “LIKE” the Video and “SUBSCRIBE” to my Channel so you don’t miss out on my water color tricks which are coming soon!
For more on the Spiral Flower Die, check out this post!
Happy Stampin’
~Laura
Happy Tuesday!!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today and it includes the best stamp set ever – Work of Art!!! You probably could have guessed that one, right? 😉
Supplies Needed: Work of Art Stamp Set, Watercolor Paper, Spritzer with Water, Island Indigo Ink, Daffodil Delight Ink, Pear Pizzaz Ink, Coastal Cabana Ink, and Soft Sky Ink, Sequins, Itty Bitty Punch Pack
Starting with a piece of Watercolor Paper measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″, you will stamp the long image from the Work of Art Stamp Set 2-3 times in each color. I started straight up and down with Island Indigo, then Coastal Cabana, Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzazz. As you go along, you will want to angle them like rays of sunshine! Then you will need to place the paper into a box or on a towel and spritz ALL OVER! I really mean all over. The colors will start to run and bleed and that’s a good thing. The piece of paper will also start to curl and that’s okay! This will take some time to dry or you can use your Heat Tool! Once it is completely dry, it is time to assemble! I added it to a piece of Daffodil Delight (4″ x 5-1/4″) and then my card base of Island Indigo (4-1/4″ x 11″). I stamped the Thanks three times from the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set! I added a few Daffodil Delight flowers from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack and some Gold Sequins (adhering them with Mini Glue Dots). Of course when working with watercolor, no two will come out alike so don’t worry if your’s doesn’t look exactly like mine. For a Video Tutorial on this fabulous technique, click here or check out the video below!
Happy Stampin’
~Laura
I can’t believe how many of you are just loving my little lions! I think they are super cute too!!! For the full post on these that went up last week, click here! I got a request to do a Video Tutorial so I have created one for all of you!!!
Be sure to click the little thumbs up button to show you love and don’t forget to subscribe to my Channel so that you don’t miss out on any other videos. And as always, if you have a request, put it in the comments below!
Happy Stampin’
~Laura
Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means…..I have an amazing technique to share with you!!! This was blows my mind because you start out with just three colors but it creates so many more! Seeing the Northern Lights is on my Bucket List too! Until then, I shall just make the Northern Lights in my craft room!
Supplies Needed: Sponge Daubers, Tempting Turquoise Ink, Rich Razzleberry Ink, Daffodil Delight Ink Pad, Night of Navy Ink Pad, Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set, Label Collections Framelits, Chalk Marker or White Gel Pen
You will need a piece of Whisper White cardstock and the size will depend on the size of Framelit you would like to use. I used a piece that is 5-1/2″ x 4-1/2.” Starting with the Daffodil Delight and your sponge dauber, you will make do up and down making a stripe. Then move over about a 1/2″ and make another one, continuing across the cardstock. Next you will do the same with your Rich Razzleberry and then Tempting Turquoise. Be sure to overlap the colors a bit because that is how your will get a little orange and green in there too! Don’t worry if it looks super bright and colorful at this time! That is the way it should look! Using one of the trees from the Lovely as a Tree Stamp Set, stamp it in the center with Stazon! Now you can pick the size of Framelit that you wish to use and cut it out with your Big Shot! After you have cut it out, you will take the Night of Navy Ink Pad and Sponge Dauber and fill in the bottom portion using the stamped “ground” as your guide. Also, I brushed the edges of the entire image as well. You can go over the entire image very lightly with the Night of Navy as well for a more subtle look. Then using your Chalk Marker or Signo White Gel Pen, makes dots all over your card for a starry look! Now you are all done and you can add it to your card. I layered mine onto a piece of Basic Gray that was ran through my Big Shot in the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and then only a piece of Night of Navy. I added a little Silver 1/8″ Ribbon too! In case some of the instruction listed above were a little confusing, here is a Video Tutorial for you to see this card in action!
I hope you enjoyed this technique and try it out! I want to thank Kay Kalthoff for this fabulous idea! Also, be sure to leave a comment down below and let me know what you think!
Happy Stampin’
~Laura
Happy Monday everyone!!!!! I know I know…that is a little too much excitement for a Monday but maybe this fabulous card will brighten your day!!! Of course this was created with the most amazing stamp set ever…..
THE WORK OF ART STAMP SET!!!!! Isn’t it fabulous? I used the long image for the stem and the small “swishy” image for the leaves and petals! The New In-Colors – Hello Honey and Mossy Meadow are perfect sunflower colors! To get the petals, I punched out a circle with my 1-3/4″ Circle Punch of scrap paper and placed it at the top of my stem. Then I inked up the image in Hello Honey and stamped, moved it over a bit, and stamped again. This is how I got the the dark and light shades for the petals. Once I had gone all the way around the circle, I took my circle mask off and inked up the image, stamped off, and then stamped with part of the image in the middle to add just a little bit of color. Then I stamped the greeting in Mossy Meadow!
I just had to try this flower our in PINK!!! I did this one in Melon Mambo and Mossy Meadow! Now I want to do it in Purple….I’m thinking Elegant Eggplant! 🙂 Be sure to check out the Video Tutorial by clicking here or seeing it down below!
Happy Stampin’
~Laura