Dreamy Faux Watercolor - Different Product to Achieve the Same Look

Hello everyone!  Yesterday, I shared a blog post for The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store and a technique I am calling Dreamy Faux Watercolor.

Here is a second look at the card I posted.  I also included a tutorial on how to achieve this look.  If you missed the post and tutorial you can click HERE to check it out.

In the tutorial I showed how to do this technique using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  But I know not everyone has distress inks so I took some other products (inks, markers, paint) that I had in my stash to show you how you can achieve the same look using different products.  I also want to say this is not a technique that I came up with people have been doing this for years in traditional watercolor and I first learned to do this technique several years ago when I was taking some watercolor classes.  But watercolor has become so popular in paper crafting over the last year or two so I wanted to share how this technique could be done using other products.  As far as the name of the technique--something I just came up with.  The finished piece looks kind of dreamy to me with the water droplets and the faux watercolor part--well that's just because it's not true watercolor lol.

Sorry I know this picture isn't very big in the post but you can click on the image to enlarge it and see more details.  This is a BEFORE picture to show you how all of the flowers looked once the color was added.  The first picture is Distress Inks (the same inks I used in the tutorial).  For the second flower I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.  On the third flower I applied Memento Dye Inks.  For the forth flower I used Spectrum Aqua Markers and for the fifth and final flower I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor.

The Distress Inks and the Memento Dye Inks were both applied the same way layering three different colors of ink and I used a cotton ball to apply the ink.

For the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and the Spectrum Aqua Markers you have two different options for applying the color.  You can apply the color to the paper directly from the pen/marker or you could scribble the color on to a craft mat or acrylic block and add the color with a brush--just like if you were going to watercolor it.  For both of the examples I colored directly on to the paper with the pens/markers and I used three different colors for each.  If you choose to paint the color on then you would take out the faux part of the technique--but it's really up to you and how you want to do this technique.  :)

For the last flower I did used the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor and these are traditional watercolor so there is no faux part here I had to watercolor to add the color to the image but I thought people might like to see the comparison to the other products.

Once again don't forget you can click on the image to enlarge it.  :)  As you can see from the picture I added the different color mediums to the top part of the paper to do the water droplets.   I thought this would also be a good comparison.  So this is the AFTER picture--once the clear water was added and blotted off.  I wanted to show you that this technique can be achieved with different products.  I also want to encourage you to use what you have in your own stash.  Yes, some of the colors look a little different and with some of the products you will be able to blot off more of the color for a softer look and some of the colors will be more vibrant.

But the main thing is to have fun!  Experiment with what you have and don't be afraid to try new things.  Oh and one more thing I just wanted to add--I get asked by a lot of people what kind of paper I used for watercolor techniques.  I have several brands of paper but for paper crafting and especially if I am going to be stamping on the paper my all time favorite is Strathmore Mixed Media Paper from the 400 Series.  It is heavy weight and ultra smooth so it is perfect for stamping on.  Most of the big box stores carry it and I know several online places sell it too and you can buy the pads in a few different sizes.  I usually wait until it goes on sale and then I buy the 11 x 14 pad and cut the paper down to whatever size I need.

I hope you enjoyed this comparison with the different products and I hope you will give this technique a try.  Don't forget if you missed the tutorial on the Dreamy Faux Watercolor you can click HERE for all of the details.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Let me know in the comments if you give this technique a try and leave me a link to your project--I would love to see it!  I hope you have a fantastic weekend and have fun creating!

Hugs & Smiles,

Heidi

JustRite Papercraft - Day Two Christmas Release - Gift of Faith Watercolor Card with Tutorial

Hello everyone!  It's day two of the JustRite Papercraft New Christmas Release!  Today, I have a stamp set, a card, and a tutorial to share with you--including how to cover up a mistake.  :)

Here is a look at the CR-02179 Gift of Faith Sentiments Clear Stamps from JustRite Papercraft.  I love all of the beautiful sentiments in this stamp set.

This is the card I designed using CR-02179 Gift of Faith Sentiments Clear Stamps.  I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor with an emboss resist technique.

These are the supplies I used for the watercolor and embossing--Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor, Paint Brushes -  Round 8, Round 16, Strathmore Mixed Media Paper, VersaMark Ink, White Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool (not pictured).

To start I stamped the sentiment, snowflakes and stars on to Strathmore Mixed Media Paper using VersaMark Ink.  I applied white embossing powder and used my heat tool to heat set it.  The areas where there is embossing will create a resist when the watercolor is applied to the paper.

Using the Round 16 paint brush I applied water over the sentiment and snowflake and I carefully went around the stars.  Then I started adding color using  No. 61 Cornflower Blue, No.64 Blue from the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor set.  I used the heat tool to dry the paper in between the colors.  Doing this will add the look of layers and depth.

Next, still using the Round 16 brush I added more layers of color using No, 62 Cobalt Blue, No. 139 Purple.  I went back and forth between the watercolor paints and adding water letting the colors blend.  I used a heat tool to dry the paper in between the colors.  *Note when using a heat tool to dry paper that has already been embossed don't hold the heat tool in one place or over the embossed area for too long.  If the embossed area gets too hot it could burn or it might melt too much and not be raised enough anymore to create the resist.  Once the background was done then I applied No. 91 Bluish Gold to the stars.

Do you remember the mistake I mentioned earlier?  Here is a close up of the sentiment.  Do you see how think the embossing is on the word Faith?  When I was drying the card with the heat tool I held it in one place for too long and I pretty much melted the embossing powder (this was near the end of the card).  So I thought I would use my VersaMark marker and lightly go over the word, add more embossing powder, heat set and it would be fix.  Nope it didn't work as planned.  The marker doesn't have a fine enough tip to be able to do this.  So I was left with a big chunky word--it probably would have been ok and most people probably wouldn't have even noticed--but I noticed LOL!  Plus this was the second attempt on this card--I loved how the background turned out and I didn't want to just toss it in the trash.

So here is a close up of my quick fix and covering up my mistake.  I stamped the sentiment again on to white cardstock using VersaMark ink and then I used gold embossing powder and heat set it.  Then I cut cut some of the words and added foam tape to make them pop and add some dimension.  It was a quick fix and nobody know--you'll keep my secret, right?  LOL!  I just wanted to show you that even if you have a little mistake on a card or project try to think outside the box to see if you can do a quick little fix.  :)

For a little bit of sparkle I added some sequins--Gold 2.5mm, 4mm, Lt. Duck Wing Blue 2mm, 4mm, Lt. Purple 4mm, Lt. Purple Satin 3mm.  I used Ranger Multi Medium Matte to adhere the sequins.

I used purple cardstock for the base and the card is a A2 top folding card.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and the quick fix on a mistake. :)

Please be sure to visit all of the Design Team Members in the link list below to see the projects they have to share with you.

JustRite Inspiration Blog
Debbie Olson

Eva Dobilas
Marisa Job
Heidi Blankenship

Angela Barkhouse
Darsie Bruno

Kathy Jones

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs,

Heidi

Supplies
Stamps:  JustRite Papercraft CR-02179 Gift of Faith Sentiments Clear Stamps
Paper:  Strathmore Mixed Media Paper, Cardstock - White, Purple
Ink/Paint:  VersaMark Ink; Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor - No. 61 Cornflower Blue, No.64 Blue, No, 62 Cobalt Blue, No. 139 Purple, No. 91 Bluish Gold
Accessories:  Paint Brushes -  Round 8, Round 16; White Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder, Cartwright Sequins - Gold 2.5mm, 4mm, Lt. Duck Wing Blue 2mm, 4mm, Lt. Purple 4mm, Lt. Purple Satin 3mm; Ranger Multi Medium Matte, Foam Tape, White Craft Foam (fun foam), Scor-Tape, ATG, Heat Tool

Joy Clair - Hello Autumn - Guest Designer

Hello everyone!  Starting today and for a couple of days this week I'm thrilled to be Guest Designing for a New company, Joy Clair.  They have a wonderful New Release and a great line up of Guest Designers so I hope you will join us this week.

Today, the stamp set that we are featuring is called Hello Autumn.

This is the card that I designed using of the the leaf stamps and a sentiment from the Hello Autumn Clear Stamp Set.  I started with a piece of Strathmore Mixed Media paper.  I love using this paper for watercolor because it is so smooth.  It is a very thick and heavy paper and I love the results.  I used painters tape to mask off the outer edges.  Then I stamped the leaf image with Jet Black StazOn ink.  

I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors to paint the image and the background.  After the watercolor was completely dry then I watered down some of the black paint and added the tiny black paint splatters to the image.  Once everything was dry then I carefully removed the painters tape. Then I stamped the sentiment using Jet Black StazOn ink.

For the base of the card I used black cardstock and I added a few bits of black bling to the top corner.

Please be sure to visit the Joy Clair Blog to see all of the New Releases and for a chance to win some stamps!  Also please be sure to visit the link list below with some wonderful Guest Designers.

Joy Clair Blog

Debbie Olson

Heidi Blankenship 

Michele Kovack 

Darsie Bruno

Kathy Jones 

Kristi Schurr 

Angela Barkhouse

I will be back on Wednesday with another card to share with you from the Joy Clair New Release.

Thanks so much for joining me today!

Hugs & Smiles,

Heidi

Supplies

Stamps:  Joy Clair Hello Autumn

Paper:  Strathmore Mixed Media, Black Cardstock

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Paint:  Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors

Accessories:  Black Rhinestones, White Fun Foam

Hawthorne & Roses Watercolor Bouquet

Hello everyone!  Today, I have a card with a beautiful watercolor bouquet of flowers to share with you.  The image is from Pink Ink Stamp Company. I stamped the Hawthorne & Roses image using Jet Black StazOn ink on to Strathmore Mixed Media paper.  Then I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor paints to color the image. Here is a close up of the image.  After I was done watercoloring the image then I did a watercolor wash using a couple colors of blue for the background.  To finish off the watercolor I used the black paint on my brush with a little water to create the tiny paint splatters.  Then I used Spellbinders Labels Forty-One to die cut the image.  I also created another die cut to layer in the background using Labels Thirty-Five.   I embossed the white background piece using a doilies embossing folder from We R Memory Keepers.  To finish off the card I added a hand dyed seam binding bow and a couple of acrylic leaves and a pink rose for embellishments. Thanks so much for joining me today!  Hugs & Smiles, Heidi Pink Ink Stamp Company products used, available online from Ellen Hutson LLC Hawthorne & Roses 2253K Or you can visit the Pink Ink Stamp Company website to find a local retailer near you.

Whisper of Wings Clear Stamp Set and Honeycomb Background Stamp - JustRite Papercraft New February Release Day Two!

Hello blogging friends!  Today, is day two of the JustRite® Papercraft New February Release.  We have a clear stamp set and a background stamp to share with you.  I have to tell you I am especially excited about the clear stamp set!

Here is the CR-02149 Whisper of Wings Clear Stamps.  Look close--do you see anything?  Check out the sentiment--Let your heart be still and hear the whisper of the wings.  Yep, that's my quote/stamp!  Now I didn't design the stamp set--that was done by the amazing Amy Tedder.  But I helped to inspire the stamp set.  Kellie, President of  JustRite® Papercraft asked me if I could share a few words about this quote and what inspired me for this stamp set.

"Life is so fast pace these days and I think sometimes we forget to take a few quiet moments and just BE in that moment.  I truly believe that angels and the spirits of those who have gone before us are all around us—watching over us, protecting us and guiding us.  To me “Let your heart be still and hear the whisper of the wings”, means to give yourself permission to have those quiet moments.  Maybe to reflect on things or maybe just to let your mind relax and refresh and have that moment.  You never know maybe something profound will come to you, maybe an idea, or an answer to a question or maybe the quiet whisper of angels wings to calm you and let you know they are watching over you and you are loved."

Heidi Blankenship

Here is the card that I designed using the CR-02149 Whisper of Wings Clear Stamps set.  I stamped the images of the feathers on to watercolor paper using VersaMark ink and then added white embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool to create a crisp white embossed image.  Then I used Gansai Tambi Watercolor paints to create the watercolor wash background.  After I was done with the background I used a heat tool to dry the paper.  Then I took a dark blue and flicked some of the paint on the paper for a spattered look.  

Here is a close up.  I added some sequins and bling for a little bit of sparkle.

I used Memento Teal Zeal to stamp the sentiment.  Then I used the S4-114 Standard Circles Large and S4-444 Royal Circle dies to create the die cuts.  I offset them a little bit on the paper and trimmed off the excess.  Then I added a seam binding bow.  I layered this on to a white piece of cardstock and then a glitter aqua paper and solid aqua for a card base.

For my second card I used the CR-02149 Whisper of Wings Clear Stamps and the CL-02158 Honeycomb Cling Background Stamp.

To create this card I did a watercolor wash using Distress Inks.  I used Shaded Lilac, Salty Ocean and Chipped Sapphire.  Then I applied gesso to the background stamp and stamped that over the watercolor background.  **Be sure to wash your stamp right away to remove the gesso.  Once the gesso was dry I stamped over it with VersaMark ink to create the images of the feathers.  Then I used silver embossing powder and heat set it with a heat tool.  I also inked and embossed the edges of the paper.  Next I added some lavender ribbon and a bow with a beautiful Mixed Rhinestone Flower Center Embellishments from ButterBeeScraps.

Here is a close up.  I also added a real feather to embellish the card,  I used one of the sentiments from CR-02149 Whisper of Wings Clear Stamps and embossed it in silver.  Then I die cut the sentiment using  JustRite Custom Dies JB-03995 Vintage Labels Three Dies.  Before removing the paper I inked the inside edges with shaded lilac Distress Ink.  Then I added some 3D Foam Squares for a little bit of dimension.

Please be sure to visit all of the Design Team Members listed in the link list below to see what they have created to share with you.

JustRite Inspiration

Heidi Blankenship

Debbie Olson

Michele Kovack

Eva Dobilas

Kristi Schurr 

Marisa Job

I hope you like the stamps from today and the cards I shared.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs & Smiles,

Heidi

Let You're Heart Be Still Card
Supplies
Stamps:  JustRite® Papercraft CR-02149 Whisper of Wings Clear Stamps
Paper:  Watercolor Paper, Cardstock-White, Aqua, Aqua Glitter Paper
Ink:  VersaMark, Memento Teal Zeal
Paint:  Gansai Tambi Watercolor (36 set)
Dies:  Spellbinders Paper Arts S4-114 Standard Circles Large, S4-444 Royal Circle
Ribbon:  Seam Binding
Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Sequins, Bling, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares, EZ Runner Permanent Strips-Refillable Dispenser 49'

Dare To Leap Card
Supplies
Stamps:  JustRite® Papercraft CR-02149 Whisper of Wings Clear Stamps, CL-02158 Honeycomb Cling Background Stamp
Paper:  Watercolor, Cardstock-Blue, Purple, White
Ink:  VersaMark, Distress Ink-Shaded Lilac, Salty Ocean, Chipped Sapphire
Dies:  JustRite Custom Dies JB-03995 Vintage Labels Three Dies
Ribbon:  May Arts Lavender Silk Ribbon
Accessories:  ButterBeeScraps-Mixed Rhinestone Flower Centre Embellishments, Gesso, Silver Embossing Powder, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares, EZ Runner Permanent Strips-Refillable Dispenser 49'

My Favorite Things - Product Review - MIX-ables STENCILS

Hello everyone!  Today, I am very excited to share a product review with you featuring My Favorite Things (MFT) MIX-ables STENCILS!  Not too long ago My Favorite Things contacted me to see if I would do a product review and I happily said yes.

I was able to pick out some of the MIX-ables STENCILS that I wanted to play with so the past couple of days I have been doing just that--getting inky and breaking out the Gansai Tambi 36 Colours Set Watercolors.  

It's  always a lot of fun to play with new products and I really enjoyed working with the stencils.  The stencils are 6 x 6 which I love.  This is a perfect size for A2 cards and all of the square cards.  Also several of the stencils are designed with a continuous pattern so if you wanted to stencil a larger area you could carefully move the stencil and line it up perfectly.

I have three cards to share with you today using MIX-ables STENCILS LJD Wildflowers,  Mini Chicken Wire, LJD Spring Flowers.

Here is the first card I designed using the MIX-ables STENCILS LJD Wildflowers.  I used painters tape to mark off part of the stencil and then I used VersaMark ink directly on top of the stencil to get the images of the flowers.  Then I added white embossing powder and heat set.

Here you can see the embossing before I added the watercolor.  You can also see the stencil in the background with the painters tape.

Here is a close up of the watercolor.  I used Gansai Tambi 36 Colours Set Watercolors.  I added a few blue sequins and then I stamped a sentiment using CS-25 More Essential Sentiments stamp set.

I used the MIX-ables STENCILS  Mini Chicken Wire and Gansai Tambi 36 Colours Set Watercolors to create a fun watercolor background for this Halloween card.

Here you can see a close up of the background.  I used several of the watercolors to create the look of night time and then I laid the  MIX-ables STENCILS Mini Chicken Wire on top of the watercolor paper and lightly misted with water.  The water pools up under the stencil creating this fun effect.  I left the stencil in place until the paper and paint were dry.  Once the background was dry I used some of the stamps from the LJD-Primitive Pumpkins Stamp Set to stamp the stars and sentiment.

I also used the Die-namics LJD Primitive Pumpkin Trio and the pumpkin stamps from the LJD-Primitive Pumpkins Stamp Set to create this fun little set of pumpkins.  I used  Rich Cocoa, Tangelo, Peanut Brittle, Potters Clay, Olive Grove Momento inks for the pumpkins.  Then I added orange shimmer for a layered mat and a black card base with a black mess bow.  I also used my Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Pen to add a little sparkle to the stars and pumpkins.

For my third and final card I just did basic stenciling but I used three different colors of ink--Rose Bud, Tangelo, and Cantaloupe Memento inks.  I used the MIX-ables STENCILS LJD Spring Flowers to create the background.

Here is a look at the stencil with the inks before I removed it from the paper.

I added some orange sheer ribbon to create a bow and then some WOC Flowers.  I also added a few pearls at the top of the card.  I used one of the sentiments from the CS-25 More Essential Sentiments stamp set.  I added the background to a pink card base.

I had a lot of fun working with the stencils and I wanted to add they clean up very nicely too!  I will be sharing a couple more projects using the MFT Stamps MIX-ables STENCILS next week.  I hope you enjoyed the projects and the product review--I give the stencils a big thumbs up! :) 

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Hugs & Smiles,

Heidi

Supplies

Stamps:  MFT Stamps CS-25 More Essential Sentiments, LJD-Primitive Pumpkins Stamp Set

Stencils:  MFT Stamps MIX-ables STENCILS LJD Wildflowers,  Mini Chicken Wire, LJD Spring Flowers

Paper:  Strathmore Watercolor Paper, Cardstock-White, Orange Shimmer, Black, Pink

Ink/Paint/Marker:  ImagineCrafts/Tsukineko VersaMark,Memento Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa, Tangelo, Peanut Brittle, Potters Clay, Olive Grove, Cantaloupe, Rose Bud; Gansai Tambi 36 Colours Set Watercolors; Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Pen

Dies:  MFT Stamps Die-namics LJD Primitive Pumpkin Trio

Accessories:  Blue Sequins, White Embossing Powder, Black Mesh Ribbon, Orange Sheer Ribbon, WOC Flowers, Pearls, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L™ 3D Foam Squares, E-Z Runner® Permanent Strips-Refillable Dispenser 49'

JustRite Papercraft October New Release - Sweet Posies - Sweet Hello Card

Hello blogging friends!  Today, I have another New October Release to share with you from JustRite® Papercraft.

CL-02138 Sweet Posies Cling Stamps

CL-02124 Sweet Vine Cling Background Stamp

Here is the card that I designed using both the CL-02138 Sweet Posies Cling Stamps and CL-02124 Sweet Vine Cling Background Stamp from JustRite® Papercraft.  I stamped the image of the posies on to Strathmore Watercolor Paper using VersaMark ink and then heat embossed using white embossing powder.  Then I used Gansai Tambi 36 Colours Set (colors listed below) to watercolor the image.  Next I used S4-475 Fleur de Elegance to cut/emboss the piece of watercolor paper.  

Here is a close up of the watercolor image and the decorative die cut.  

I used the 95 Silver watercolor over top of the floral image to give it a pearl shimmer.

I stamped the sentiment using Grape Jelly ink and then I left the paper in the die templates and used it as a stencil adding the LuLu Lavender ink.  Here you can also see a little bit of the background stamped image.  I used the VersaMark ink and white embossing powder along with the CL-02124 Sweet Vine Cling Background Stamp.  Then I did a color wash using the 39 Purple watercolor.  To tone down the color I used a baby wipe to pull some of the color from the paper leaving a pretty lavender color.

To finish off the card I cut/embossed the S4-469 Labels Forty-One Decorative Accents shape and cut it in half and then I adhered each half to the top and bottom of the card.  I used 3D Foam Squares and EZ Runner® Permanent Strips-Refillable Dispenser 49' to adhere all of the pieces.  Then I added a few pearls.

Please be sure to visit each of the Design Team Members in the link list below to see what they have created to share with you.

JustRite Inspiration

Debbie Olson

Becca Feeken 

Kristi Schurr

Michele Kovack

Marisa Job

Heidi Blankenship

Amy Tedder

Kazan Clark 

Darsie Bruno

Angela Barkhouse

 Kathy Jones

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Hope you have a great weekend and Happy World Card Making Day!!!

Hugs & Smiles,

Heidi

Supplies
Stamps:  JustRite® Papercraft CL-02138 Sweet Posies Cling Stamps, CL-02124 Sweet Vine Cling Background Stamp
Paper:  Strathmore Watercolor Paper; Cardstock-Pink, Purple
Ink:  Imagine Crafts/Tsikineko VersaMark, Memento LuLu Lavender, Grape Jelly; Ranger Distress Ink-Spun Sugar
Watercolor:  Gansai Tambi 36 Colours Set-39 Purple, 38 Deep Violet, 53 Mid Green, 42 Bright Yellow, 34 Dark Pink, 33 Orange, 95 Silver--WinkofStella.com
Dies:  Spellbinders Paper Arts® S6-001 5 x 7 Matting Basics A, S4-475 Fleur de Elegance, S4-469 Labels Forty-One Decorative Accents
Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pearls, Glossy Accents, Paint Brushes,
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® 3D Foam Squares, EZ Runner® Permanent Strips-Refillable Dispenser 49'