Watercolor Technique with Oh So Eclectic

Hi Stampers,

I love the way watercoloring softens and blends colors together.  Try as I might, I've never been able to achieve that look with a paintbrush.  But there's a stamping technique that is easy and fun, and the results are oh, so satisfying!

I just love the color combination here - Calypso Coral, Peekaboo Peach & Rich Razzleberry.  They remind me of a beautiful sunset...

To make this watercolor background, here's what you'll need:

Watercolor paper, 4" x 5-1/4"

an Acrylic Block, size E (3-7/16" x 4-7/16")

a Stampin' Spritzer

and...

Calypso Coral, Peekaboo Peach & Powder Pink Stampin' Pads











Starting with the lightest color (Powder Pink), tap ink onto the block directly from the ink pad.  Add Peekaboo Peach and finish with Calypso Coral.  Each color should cover about 1/3 of the block.

Next, use your Stampin' Spritzer to add a fine mist of water to the block.  This is the tricky part...too little water and the colors will not blend...too much can get drippy...be sure to protect your work surface.  I found about 5-6 spritzes is just about right.

Place the block ink side down onto the watercolor paper and watch the magic...no need to press but you can gently tap it if you see a spot where the paper is not absorbing color.

Ta-Da!!  Watercolor without the work!

Of course, you never know what you'll get...but they're all lovely and interesting!

The die-cuts and stamped images on my card (except for the greeting) are all from Oh So Eclectic.  Some of the images in this set have a watercolor look to them, which makes it perfect to use with this watercolor background.  

For these leaves, I inked the stamp with Lemon Lime Twist then added Old Olive directly to the stamp using a Sponge Dauber.  You can see how much more depth the image gets by adding more of the Old Olive before stamping it.

I stamped 2 flower images directly onto the watercolor background in Calypso Coral.  The other images were stamped on Whisper White & die-cut.  The card base is Crumb Cake.  The mat is Calypso Coral cardstock cut at 4" x 5-1/4".  I trimmed the watercolor paper slightly (about 1/8" off each edge) before adhering it to the mat.  "Happy Birthday" is from the Special Celebrations stamp set.  This set has a lovely matching greeting for the inside of the card, too.  I stamped both in Basic Black.  All of the die-cuts are adhered with Liquid Multipurpose Glue except for the large flower in the lower right corner, which is raised up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The 3 sequins came from the new Iridescent Sequin Assortment.

I hope you've enjoyed this little tutorial.  If you would like to purchase any of the supplies used on this card, please click the product list photo to go directly to the item.


Product List

Oh So Eclectic Clear-Mount Bundle

[145356]

Special Celebrations Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[143885]

Watercolor Paper

[122959]

Clear Block E

[118484]

Stampin' Spritzer

[126185]

Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad

[126983]

Peekaboo Peach Classic Stampin' Pad

[141398]

Powder Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

[144084]

Rich Razzlebberry Classic Stampin' Pad

[126950]

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[144086]

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

[126953]

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

[140931]

Sponge Daubers

[133773]

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[120953]

Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[122925]

Peekaboo Peach 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[141417]

Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[115316]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

Iridescent Sequin Assortment

[144212]

Big Shot

[143263]

Don't forget about...

Bonus Days - redeem your coupons earned in July by the end of August!

Carols of Christmas Early Release - purchase the bundle, or just the stamp set or matching die-cuts now!

Paper Pumpkin offer for new subscribers - get the gorgeous September kit for $9.98 - that's 50% off the regular price!  No long-term commitment - cancel at any time.  But you won't want to! :)

To learn more about Paper Pumpkin, click HERE

Ordering from the NEW Holiday Catalog begins September 1.  If you are in need of a demonstrator and would like a copy, please email me! 

Creatively,
Pat