Watercolor Wonder

Thanks for joining me today for this weeks Papertrey Ink Design Team Tip!

Watercolor is becoming wildly popular these days.  I’ve seen it popping up everywhere… from wedding/party décor, invitations, fashion, fabrics, home décor and paper goods (just to name a few). It's amazing what a little wash of color can do and it doesn’t take an artist to create a watercolor masterpiece!  I am in LOVE with this effect and I’ve been exploring a few techniques. So, let me share...

A watercolor effect can be achieved with, of course, watercolor paints.  But if you are like me and don't own any, there are other options.  Dawn McVey has a video on how to use your Papertrey Ink ink pads here.  I've opted to use bottled spray inks/color misters.  These are good for a high saturation of color, which was the look I was going for.

Let's get started shall we?!...

I was going for a watercolor panel on this card.  I began by heat embossing the flower and vase image, from the Sunflower Bouquet stamp set, in white. Then over that, I began with the lightest color and started painting in the top left corner.  Using back and forth strokes, I moved diagonally along the card front switching between colors until I reached the bottom corner.

Once dry... I embellished the card front with fine linen buttons and twine.



Just like above... I heat embossed a sentiment, from the Thanks All Ways stamp set, in white.

Using back and forth strokes I began to paint from just above the sentiment; allowing the color to fade and the brush to dry, as I painted down to the bottom.  I then repeated the process a time or two.

Using four different sized brushes, I painted lines across the card front in a simple back and forth motion.  Wasn't being too precise here.

Once dry... I stamped a sentiment from the Autumn Acorns stamp set.

This cheery card began by painting free form circles using different sized brushes.  Simply swirl the brush around a few times, giving each circle a neat layered-color look.



Once dry...  I stamped a sentiment from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set and embellished with coordinating buttons.



Last, but not least...  this time I took my largest brush and pounced the color on.  Sort of like bouncing the brush up and down and swirling a bit to give the spots of color a more random look.

Once dry... I stamped the same flower image as above, from the Sunflower Bouquet stamp set, and a Think Big Favorites #19 sentiment in black ink. 

Here are a few handy tips:

• For best results use watercolor paper or heavy weight cardstock (I've used both for today's cards and have achieved the same results with each).
• When painting with spray inks, I chose to dip my wet brush directly into the bottle and scrape excess back into it.
• Use a combination of different sized brushes.
• When painting over a heat embossed image, wait until the paint is absorbed (but not quit dry) before wiping the embossing clean with a tissue.
• Warping of the cardstock will happen.  So create your watercolor masterpiece on a block of cardstock that is cut to your desired size.  Once it is completely dry, attached the painted block to a card base using a good/strong adhesive. 
• Take the time to play around and make discoveries.  Quickest way to learn this technique is to just do it. 
• Remember... there are no mistakes!  Any mishaps just add to the uniqueness of your masterpiece.  :)

I've found a ton of inspiration via Pinterest and I've rounded them up, for you and I to refer to, here.

So go ahead! Pull out your watercolors, ink pads or spray inks and see what you come up with.  I do warn you though... be prepared to get messy.  Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by.

Maile




Sunflower Watercolor Panel Card

Rustic White Cardstock	Watercolor Paper	Sunflower Bouquet Stamp Set	Versamark Ink	Detail White Stampendous Embossing Powder
Mister Huey's Sherbet	Mister Huey's Boss Lady	Mister Huey's Pretty Pink	Fine Linen Vintage Buttons

InLinkz.com

Thanks For Everything Card

Rustic White Cardstock	Watercolor Paper	Thanks All Ways Stamp Set	Versamark Ink	Detail White Stampendous Embossing Powder
Heat It Craft Tool	Mister Huey's Water Cooler

InLinkz.com

Celebrate Today Card

Rustic White Cardstock	Watercolor Paper	Autumn Acorns Stamp Set	Wet Cement Shadow Ink Mid-Tone	Mister Huey's Water Cooler
Mister Huey's Pinstripe	Mister Huey's Pretty Pink	Mister Huey's Boss Lady

InLinkz.com

Happy Birthday Card

Rustic White Cardstock	Watercolor Paper	True Black Ink	Beautiful Butterflies Stamp Set	Mister Huey's Pretty Pink
Mister Huey's Sherbet	Mister Huey's Water Cooler	Mister Huey's Pinstripe	Mister Huey's Boss Lady	Berry Sorbet Buttons
Melon Berry Vintage Buttons	Harvest Gold Vintage Buttons

InLinkz.com

Enjoy Card

Rustic White Cardstock	Watercolor Paper	Sunflower Bouquet Stamp Set	Think Big Favorites #19 Stamp Set	True Black Ink
Mister Huey's Water Cooler	Mister Huey's Boss Lady	Mister Huey's Sherbet	1/4" Silk Ribbon

InLinkz.com