Watercoloring - Right as Rain

Art Impressions | Fourth of July Front Porch Delight

Hello! Today, I am sharing a card on which I have used the newest Art Impressions Front Porch stamp and die set – Patriotic. As I shared in this post, there is an entire Art Impressions Front Porch Series. This card showcases a charming front porch decorated for the Fourth of July with a sleeping dog in a chair, fluttering flag bunting, and a container of fireworks ready to light up the night sky. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to create the card.

Stamp Front Porch and Front Porch Patriotic images with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.

Color images with watercolor markers (Tombow and Zig) using the watercolor palette, No. 4, and No. 1 brushes. Once dry, cut with coordinating dies. Note: the Front Porch door die cuts the window panes. I chose to fussy-cut the door, as I had watercolored the window panes. For the flag, bunting, and doormat, I used the Tombow Navy marker (brush tip) directly on the watercolor paper.

Create a panel, measuring 4 x 5 1/4 inches, of dry-embossed Chamomile cardstock background (I used an older Stampin’ Up folder) and add a 1 1/4 inch strip of dark gray to the bottom to represent the ground. Add assembly to a card background of white Bazzill canvas cardstock (which has been added to an A2-size card base). Add elements to card with foam adhesive.

Lawn Fawn | Charming Farm-themed Card

Hello! Today, I am sharing a farm-themed card, created with Lawn Fawn products. Whether “just because” or to cheer up someone under the weather, the scene will delight its recipient.

- Stamp Hay There animals with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper, heat set, and watercolor with mediums of choices. Once dry, cut with coordinating dies.
- Cut Build-A-Barn pieces from cardstock colored with Distress Oxide ink, dark gray cardstock, and white cardstock; assemble.
- Create background by cutting Sea Glass cardstock with the Stitched Cloud Backdrop and the Large Stitched Rectangle die. The Stitched Cloud Backdrop was made both portrait and landscape. As I only own the landscape version, I have to cut the background when making a portrait card.
- Cut grass with Grassy Border die and the largest Large Stitched Rectangle die from cardstock to which Distress Oxide ink has been applied. I combined Mowed Lawn and Rustic Wilderness. Add grass to cloud background and assembly to A2-size card base.
- Stamp sentiment on white cardstock and cut with Simple Puffy Cloud die. Cut additional cloud with die in the same set. Add to card background.
- Add barn and animals to scene with foam adhesive.

Father’s Day Inspiration | Penny Black Blissful Bears

Hello! Today, I am delighted to showcase the enchanting Blissful Bears stamp set by Penny Black. While I plan to use the card for Father’s Day, the image and sentiment can be used for a variety of occasions.

I brought the peaceful image of a bear napping in a rowboat to life with watercoloring. The bear exudes a sense of calm and contentment, inviting us to pause and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

I stamped the Blissful Bears stamp set image and sentiment on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper with VersaFine ink and heat set it. I colored the image with Tombow markers, Zig markers, and an Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencil.

Once the watercolored image was dry, I trimmed the image and matted it with black cardstock. I added the assembly to a dry-embossed orange cardstock background (which was added to a card base).

You can see more of the Penny Black Cherished Collection in this post.

Friendship Blooms in Miniature | Art Impressions Matchbook Garden Shed

Hello! Today, I am sharing a project created with the Art Impressions matchbook set – Garden. I enjoyed watercoloring a scene straight out of a gardener’s paradise – a dedicated gardening shed! Continue reading to learn how I created the card.

The Art Impressions Matchbook series has many different options. You can see an intro video here. For more inspiration, see my other matchbook creations here and here.

- Stamp Garden images in VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Watercolor the images with watercolor markers using the No. 4 and No. 1 brushes and palette. I used a combination of Tombow markers, Zig markers, and Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images here.
- Once dry, cut the images with the coordinating dies included with the Garden set.
- Cut matchbook from patterned paper with the MB Template. Add watercolored Garden elements.
- Stamp Garden sentiment on white cardstock, trim, and add to scene.

It just so happens that there is currently a challenge at Art Impressions called Fabulous Flowers, in which I am entering the project.

Cruising with Cuteness | Lawn Fawn

Hello! I am delighted to share a card featuring the Lawn Fawn Car Critters stamp set that works for a variety of occasions including anniversaries and friendship. A single-layer background with a road and a cloud-filled sky sets the stage for the bears’ adventure.

- - Stamp Car Critters car and bear images on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set. Color with watercolor mediums. When dry, cut with coordinating dies. Note: I used Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils to color some of the images. This is a watercoloring medium with which I am experimenting. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images HERE.
  - Mask white cardstock with vellum and apply Distress Oxide inks for sky, road, and grass. Add white pigment ink clouds with the Cloud Background Stencils. Trim stenciled panel to 5 x 3 3/4 inches. Add to textured white cardstock base.
  - Stamp Car Critters sentiment, trim. Note: The two-line sentiment is two stamps. I wanted to ensure that the sentiments stamped straight. I left the stamps on the acetate sheet and taped the sheet with the stamps on my stamp positioner.
  - Adhere sentiment panel and car to card front.