Newton’s Nook | Mixed Media Birthday Card

Hello! Lately, I have been practicing a number of techniques including watercoloring and foiling with a laminator. I have used both on this birthday card that features supplies from Newton’s Nook. While I intend to use the card for a birthday, the image, sentiment, and background would work for other occasions.

Newton's Nook | Mixed Media Birthday Card

  • To create focal image, stamp Sky High Celebrations image with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper. Heat set and watercolor with markers (markers linked in the supply list, colors used below). Once dry, cut image with coordinating die.
    Balloons + Bird: Tombow Warm Red, Zig Orange, Tombow Process Yellow, Zig May Green, Zig Persian Blue, Zig Cobalt Blue, Zig Deep Violet
    Dog: Tombow Burnt Sienna, Tombow Light Sand, Tombow Lamp Black
    Cat: Zig Warm Gray 5, Tombow Lamp Black, Tombow Pale Pink
  • To create background, apply Blueprint Sketch, Mermaid Lagoon, and Salvaged Patina Distress inks to white cardstock. Apply the same inks again with one of the Balloon stencils in place (the set contains two stencils).
  • Apply Therm O Web Transfer Gel to panel using the other Balloon stencil. (I masked the balloons in the lower-right corner where I wanted to stamp the sentiment.) Set aside to dry.
  • Apply White Latte flock to the stenciled panel. (I used a Minc Mini set on 5 and allowed to heat for at least 15 minutes.) Stamp the Sky High Celebrations sentiment in lower-right corner with VersaFine ink. Trim panel, attach to card base, and add watercolored Sky High Celebrations image with foam adhesive.

Newton's Nook | Mixed Media Birthday Card


Penny Black | Dance in the Rain

Hello! Today I am sharing a friendship card created with Penny Black supplies featuring a water-colored image from the Dance in the Rain stamp set. I recently shared a card created with the same stamp set here. I have been playing with a variety of watercolor mediums as of late.

Penny Black | Dance in the Rain

  • Stamp Dance in the Rain image with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper.
  • Color with watercolor mediums of choice. I used Zig and Tombow markers, as well as Distress Ink. Set aside to dry.
  • Stamp image on Masking Paper, fussy cut, apply mask to image and color background with Tumbled Glass ink.
  • Cut frame with Penny Black Polaroid die and frame watercolored image.
  • Cut sentiment with Hooray die set from Black Matte Alcohol Ink cardstock and add to Polaroid frame.
  • To create the background, stamp Dots in Space with Dandelion ink on yellow cardstock. Add A2 panel to card base and add assembled image to center.

Penny Black | Dance in the Rain


Tim Holtz | Spring Florals

Hello! Today I am sharing a spring-themed card combining several Tim Holtz dies and stamp set. This is not to say that it is the least bit springlike where I am!

Tim Holtz | Spring Florals

As I mentioned in this post, it has been a while since I have pulled out any of my watercolors. With the supplies out, I created washes from which to die cut, using Colorburst powders and Daniel Smith watercolors on Arches Cold Press paper.

  • Stamp Spring Shadows sentiment in black ink on white cardstock, cut to A2-size, and add to card base.
  • Cut florals and foliage with Brushstroke Flowers 4, Modern Floristry, Bloom Colorize, and Festive Bouquet dies from the watercolored paper and Black Matte Alcohol Ink cardstock. Darken foliage with Rustic Wilderness ink. Assemble flowers and adhere foliage to underside of the largest flower.
  • Apply Tumbled Glass ink to card panel. Add floral assembly to card with glue and foam adhesive.

Tim Holtz | Spring Florals


Penny Black | Dance in the Rain

Hello! Today I am sharing a friendship card created with Penny Black supplies featuring a water-colored image from the Dance in the Rain stamp set. This set was introduced in June 2021. It has been a while (several years!) since I have colored with watercolors.

Penny Black | Dance in the Rain

  • Stamp Dance in the Rain image with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Pressed Watercolor Pad.
  • Color image with Gansai Tambi paints. I used 44 brown, 63 blue, 32 red, 43 yellow, 54 green, 35 pink, 20 black.
  • Stamp image on to masking paper and fussy cut. Once image is dry, add mask to image and apply Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink for sky and Mowed Lawn for the ground. Cut with circle in the Hero Arts set.
  • Create card background from patterned paper and attach to A2-size card base.
  • Cut Dream Big sentiment twice (for extra depth). I like this sentiment a lot and think it pairs nicely with the dogs sharing an umbrella.
  • Add sentiment and image circle to background; embellish with enamel dots (Taylored Expressions brand shown).

Penny Black | Dance in the Rain

If you want to see inspiration with this stamp set, head to the Penny Black blog.


Tim Holtz | Die-cut Flowers

Hello! Today I am sharing a bouquet of die-cut flowers created with dies designed by Tim Holtz for Sizzix.

Tim Holtz | Die-cut Flowers

  • Cut pot, floral, and foliage pieces with dies in the Modern Floristry, Potted, and Brushstroke Flowers 2 sets from Strathmore Mixed Media paper.
  • Watercolor die-cut pieces with Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey, Mustard Seed, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, and Peeled Paint inks. Once dry, add additional ink as necessary.
  • Cut flower centers from black cardstock.
  • Assemble flowers.
  • Stamp Tiny Text sentiment in black on white cardstock. Add Tumbled Glass ink to background.
  • Adhere pot, flowers, and foliage to card using foam adhesive as necessary.

Tim Holtz | Die-cut Flowers