Natasha's Colorful Creations

Watercolor on an Embossing Folder

Hi Friends! I wanted to stop in to share a card using the beautiful Peony Bundle Embossing Folder from Simon Says Stamp! I love this folder and couldn’t wait to ink it up! I was inspired by two crafty friends and recent cards they made using 3D embossing folders – I couldn’t wait to try this technique using this gorgeous 3D embossing folder! I was inspired by 2 special crafty friends Bonnie and Mansi. You can click on their names and it will bring you to their Instagram page – you will be inspired by their gorgeous work as well!

Embossing Folder/Coloring

I started with a piece of Arches Cold Press watercolor paper in an A2 panel size. I spritzed the panel with water and placed this inside my embossing folder and ran this through my big shot. I did have to figure out the best “sandwhich” with these new folders as they are a bit thicker. I did find using the bottom plate of the big shot and several pieces of thicker card stock on top of the embossing folder was the best “sandwhich” for me. On the SSS page you will find how to create a ” sandhwhich” for your die cutting machine – Peony Bundle Embossing Folder. Once my panel was embossed I taped the panel onto my wood board and I was ready to watercolor. I truly enjoyed this process and adding several layers of color! For my card today I used my Mijello Mission Gold watercolors. I LOVE these colors and the vibrancy of these colors! I completed the watercoloring over a couple of evenings. I painted around the floral image using black. I liked the softened gray around the outside of the floral. Once my panel was complete, I let it dry.

Background

I trimmed the floral image using a Hero Arts rectangle die. I wanted to add a bit of interest and dimension behind the floral image. I used an embossing folder from my stash. The folder is from Jo Ann Fabrics. I like the bit of extra dimension behind my watercolor. I adhered the embossed panel onto an A2 card base. I wanted to add some splatters to my Peony Bundle panel. I used my Arteza metallic watercolors. I chose several colors from my set. I unfortunately added a few too many, but it is ok! I went with it and in the end I am happy with the result.

Card Assembly/Sentiment

It was time to adhere the watercolor panel to my card base. I wanted this card to mail easily and so I used a flat tape to adhered the panel to the card base. To ensure proper placement I used my T-square ruler. I have a small cup of sentiments on my desk and I chose a sentiment from this cup! I love this sentiment, it is from a Gray Muse Stamp set. I loved the navy background and thought it was a nice way to tie in the deep blue within the green leaves. I added my favorite twine – May Arts twine! I love this stuff – it adds the perfect finishing touch to a card!

I hope you enjoyed this card! I learned a lot while watercoloring this panel! Most importantly I had fun! Thank you to Bonnie and Mansi for their beautiful inspiration!

I will be back later this week to share some new crafty inspiration!

Crafty Hugs,

Natasha

Watercolor – Sketched Peony

Hi Crafty friends! Do you love to watercolor? I wanted to stop in to share a watercolor card with you using the beautiful stamp set – Sketched Peony by Alex Syberia, for Marker Forte. I have linked to all of Alex’s stamps she has designed for Marker Forte. There are so many beautiful stamp sets she created, as well as stencils, and pattern paper!

Sketched Peony

Stamping/Coloring

I started by stamping 2 of the floral images from the set, as well as 3 of the leaves from the set on Canson Watercolor cardstock. I prepped the area first with my embossing buddy and then stamped the images using my Misti and clear embossing ink from WOW. When I use clear embossing ink I like to stamp the images at least 2x to ensure I get a good impression. I then used Gold embossing powder for my images and heat set them. Then I tapped them down onto my board so I was ready to watercolor.

For my card today on the floral and leaf images I used my Mijello Mission Gold watercolors. I just enjoyed the process of watercoloring and did a lot of color mixing. I love the openness of the floral images and just had fun! I let each layer of color dry on it’s own and then set these aside to dry completely. Once they were fully dry, I fussy cut each of the watercolored images using my Brother Scan and cut. It was time to now work on my background!

Background

To create the background I used an A2 sized panel of Canson watercolor cardstock. I taped this to my wood board again. I tape down my cardstock to prevent warping. On the background I used my Gansai Tambi watercolors. I used a mix of blues to create the watercolor wash and added 2 different golds as well! I love to create a watercolor background! The results are never the same and it creates a nice focal point for your card! Once the background was dry I used a combination of metallic watercolors (Arteza) to add splatter to the background. I chose a peach shade and a metallic purple. I wanted to add colors from the floral images to the background. Once it was dry, I trimmed down the panel using a Gina Marie Designs rectangle die!

Card Assembly/Sentiment

It was time to assemble my card once I chose the placement of my flowers and leaves. I glued one of the leaves down, then all other elements were adhered with foam tape. I have a small cup of sentiments on my desk and chose one from the cup for this card! I thought it added a nice final touch. I then add May Arts twine (another favorite) to create a bow and a few sequins as well.

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope I inspired you to create a watercolor card this week and/or a fun background!

Crafty Hugs,

Natasha

Just Hold On – Monthly Floral Release

Hi Friends! I wanted to stop in to share with you the beautiful new monthly floral release from Unity Stamp Company! I am super excited for a monthly floral stamp set for each month in the coming year! Today I am sharing the first set with you called Just Hold On! This set has a beautiful carnation and 3 beautiful sentiments! I am so excited about this set! Let’s get started!

Just Hold On

Stamping/Coloring

I started by stamping two of the caranation florals on Fabriano Hot Press cardstock. I knew I wanted to create a slimline card using this beautiful new image, so I stamped 2 images. For my coloring today I am using my Zig Clean color brush markers! These markers still hold a special place in my heart, so I love to take these back out to watercolor with! I worked from lightest to darkest for all of the coloring. I had fun coloring these images. I set these aside to dry. Once they were dry I used my Brother Scan and cut to trim both of the floral images.

Background

For my background today I am using one of the newer background stamps in the Unity collection, it is called Polka Dance! I just LOVE everything about this background stamp! Be sure to check it out now – it is on sale too! To create the background I trimmed a panel of watercolor cardstock to slimline size 3.5 x 8.5 and placed this in my Misti. I inked up the background using Distress Inks: Peacock Feathers, Shaded Lilac, Gold Pigment Ink, and my zig marker. I lightly misted the stamp with water and stamped the image. I completed this several times to ensure I had the colors I was looking for. I then trimmed down the panel using a Gina Marie Designs slimline die. I also added Perfect Pearls to some of the dots for added shine.

Card Assembly/Sentiment

I always love putting the card together once all the elements are ready to go! I foam mounted the 2 flowers on the Polka dance background. I stamped a sentiment from the stamp set on white cardstock and adhered this with foam tape as well. I glued the panel down onto a slimline card base. I added a few sequins from Studia Katia – Crystal Clear Fushion.

I hope you enjoyed my new card featuring the beautiful new Just Hold On stamp set! I am so excited to see all of the beautiful monthly floral images released in 2021!

Thank you for stopping by today! Be sure to check out the SALE that is still happening at Unity Stamp Company! I have the SALE categories listed for you here as well! You can click on any of the links I have shared if you are interested in purchasing the products. The products listed are a compensated affiliate link, which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I really appreciate your support.

Crafty Hugs,

Natasha

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