Watercolor Thank You

Welcome back to my blog and Magenta Super Saturday. I hope your new year is off to a good start.  Today I have a project that was inspired by a Kristina Werner video which you can see here.  I decided to make a bunch of background pieces then use them to make “Thank You” cards.  You can also see my card on the Magenta blog here.

This technique doesn’t require a lot of water so instead of watercolor paper I used Strathmore Mixed Media paper in a variety of colors – White, Black, Toned Tan, and Toned Blue. I also used the Twinkle Tones watercolor paints that my friend Dianne Johnson and I made.  They have a lot of sparkle in them which adds a fun dimension to the cards.  You could use any other pearlescent watercolors such as those made by Finetec or Gansai Tambi. 

I used an eye dropper to add water to each of the watercolor pans that I was going to use.  I dipped my paintbrush in water then wiped off a good amount of it on a towel.  I picked up some paint on my brush and applied it to the paper in random brush strokes. 

I followed the same process with several different colors until the piece of cardstock was covered. 

When the paint was dry I stamped “Happy Birthday” with VersaFine Black Onyx ink and embossed with Black Sparkle embossing powder.  I matted the piece of cardstock with some coordinating paper then adhered it to the front of a white, A2 card. 

I had so much fun with this technique that I created a bunch of card panels.  I experimented with a variety of cardstock colors, paint colors, brush sizes and painting in a variety of directions.

This is a close up of the completed piece and it really sparkles in the light.  If you are interested in learning more about making your own watercolors, you can see Dianne’s blogpost here. 

Thanks for visiting my blog today. 

Magenta Products Used:

07.978.N - Extra Large Thank You

Other Products Used:

Strathmore Mixed Media Paper (White, Black, Toned Tan, Toned Blue)

VersaFine Black Onyx Ink

Ranger Black Sparkle Embossing Powder

Shaving Cream Background Papers

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I'm doing a special Wednesday post for Magenta today which you can also see here.

My grandson who will soon be twelve, recently took an on-line video editing class.  We started a YouTube channel called "Lady and the Stamp."  Isn't that a great name for a grandmother who loves to stamp?  We just posted our first video which features Magenta Nuance along with “Happy Birthday” and “Thank You” stamps. I've also seen this technique done with acrylic paints and ink refills, plus I think you could also use food coloring.  Magenta's Nuance colors are so versatile and there is such a wide variety of colors that I thought it would be fun to try it with this technique.  You can see the entire process in the video below.  If the video link doesn't work you can also see it here

You simply spray shaving cream onto a cookie sheet or other flat surface, sprinkle Nuance over the top, spritz with a bit of water and let it sit for a few minutes.  Then you run pieces of cardstock through the color to create a beautiful marbled effect on the paper. 

These papers make great background pieces.  It’s a very fun technique so I hope that you will give it a try and then let us know what you think.

Magenta Products Used: 

MNUC

07.975.I

07.978.N

Other Products Used

Neenah 110# Solar White Cardstock

Barbasol Shaving Cream

VersaFine Ink - Blue Lagoon

VersaMark Ink

Judikins Iridescent Sparkle Embossing Powder (for the Happy Birthday and small Thank you cards)

Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder (for the large Thank you Card)