Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Art Impressions | Charming Birdhouse Neighborhood

Hello! Today, I am excited to share a card featuring the charming Art Impressions Birdhouse Neighborhood stamp set, which happens to be on sale at the moment. This “Hello” card is sure to brighten its recipient’s day. Keep reading to learn how I created the card.

- Stamp Birdhouse Neighborhood with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Color image with watercolor markers (Tobow and Zig) using the watercolor palette, No. 4, and No. 1 brushes. Set aside to dry. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images HERE.
- Cut a 4 x 5 1/4 inch cardstock panel (I used a now-retired My Favorite Things die). Use a square die to cut a window in the panel. Add foam to panel and attach to watercolored image. Add assembly to A2-size card base.
- Die-cut “Hello” letters with Journal Letter Die Set from textured white cardstock. Cut letters again from foam. Glue foam to back of letters. Add letters to card front.

Resources for Watercoloring Stamped Images

Hello! As someone who has recently dipped my toes back into the world of watercoloring stamped images, I’ve been on the lookout for inspiration and information to help me improve my skills. In this post, I’m excited to share resources I’ve discovered along the way.

First up, I highly recommend checking out Sandy Allnock’s blog, especially her Watercolor Inspiration. Sandy’s tutorials and tips are incredibly helpful. I also suggest the YouTube channels of Art Impressions and Penny Black. In fact, Jill Foster with Penny Black recently posted a video “Answering YOUR Watercoloring Questions” that shares her tips and tricks. Art Impressions has a strong Facebook group and regularly broadcast live.

After exploring online resources for watercoloring stamped images, I decided to experiment by stamping small images (from Lawn Fawn) on a variety of watercolor papers and using different mediums and brushes to color them. Through this exercise, I discovered which paper, ink, brushes, and mediums worked best for my personal style.

- Paper: Arches Cold Press (also called Cold Pressed)
- Ink: VersaFine Clair or VersaFine Onyx Black (from what I have read, these are the same)
- Brushes: Connoisseur White Taklon, Round Size 4; Connoisseur White Taklon, Round Size 1; Silver Brush Black Velvet Short Handle, Round Size 6; Silver Brush Black Velvet Short Handle, Round Size 8
- Palette: Watercolor Palette
- Watercolor Markers: Tombow Dual Brush Pens; Zig Clean Color Real Brushes

I apply the marker to the palette and pick up the color with a damp paint brush; I do not apply the marker directly to the watercolor paper.

I’ve also learned the importance of keeping an inventory of my supplies. One trick I use is to create a printout of the markers and circle the ones I have (see the chart links below). This not only helps me stay organized but also ensures that I don’t accidentally purchase duplicates. I store the markers in labeled containers. By keeping a well-organized inventory, you can spend more time creating and less time searching for supplies.

Chart of Tombow Markers

Chart of Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers

I hope you find these resources helpful in your watercoloring journey.
I have a number of next steps in my own journey!

Penny Black | Happy Campers

Hello! Today I am sharing a card that features the adorable Penny Black stamp set – Happy Camper. I’ve brought to life a scene showing two furry friends sitting at a cozy campsite and roasting hot dogs. The Happy Camper stamp set was part of the Stamping with Scooter collection, introduced in 2021. As I have previously mentioned, I did not play enough with these products when they were introduced, and I am making up for that now.

I am a big fan of camping-themed cards, especially around this time of year. For me, camping symbolizes a sense of adventure and nostalgia.

- Stamp image from Happy Camper set in VersaFine on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set. Color with watercolor mediums. Once dry, fussy cut.
- With the Tall Trees die set, cut trees from Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; color with watercolor mediums. For additional color, add Distress inks to trees once they are dry.
- Stamp sentiment from Happy Camper set on cloud cut with Silver Linings die. Cut additional cloud.
- Create frame from white cardstock with the largest die in the MFT Rectangle Frame set.
- To create background, add Wild Honey and Blueprint Sketch Oxide ink to white cardstock panel.
- Add Rustic Wildnerness ink to cardstock and cut with the Rolling Hills die.
- Add Chipped Sapphire ink to cardstock and cut with the hill die in the Festive Family die set.
- Attach the two hill sections to back of frame and add to the background panel. Add to A2-size card base.
- Add image with dogs to center of card with foam adhesive. Place trees into scene with dot and foam adhesive.
- Add sentiment cloud with foam adhesive and additional cloud with dot adhesive.

You can see more Stamping with Scooter inspiration on the Penny Black blog HERE and view the catalog HERE.

Spellbinders | May 2023 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog! I am sharing a birthday card with the Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Club set “Balloons and Birthday Wishes” as part of a blog hop showcasing the May 2023 Club Subscriptions. The list of participants is included at the end of my post.

Spellbinders is giving away a $25 gift certificate to three lucky blog readers – selected from the comments on the Spellbinders blog. Giveaway closes on Sunday, May 21, 11:59 pm MST. The winner will be announced in the blog hop post the following Wednesday. The winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes. Please note, store credit (gift certificate) cannot be applied to Club Subscriptions; store credit can be applied to shop past Club products, Club extras, and regular releases.

With its versatile designs, including a banner with flowers and a variety of sayings, this set makes it easy to create stunning and personalized cards for any occasion. In my recent project, I used a beautiful navy blue, floral, patterned paper for the card base background and added a pink banner with white lettering to convey the birthday message. To add a touch of elegance and charm, I also included pink and white flowers and a bird as embellishments. This handmade card is not only beautiful, but also thoughtful and unique, making it a perfect gift for your loved ones on their special day.

- Add card kit patterned paper to A2-size card base.
- With the Balloons & Birthday Wishes set, cut banner pieces from Pink Sand and Snowdrift cardstock. Add Spun Sugar ink to pink cardstock edges; assemble banner.
- Cut sentiment from Snowdrift cardstock and add to banner. Add assembly to patterned paper background.
- Cut flower pieces and leaves from Pink Sand, Snowdrift, and light green cardstock. Assemble and add to card with glue and foam adhesive.
- Cut bird from Pink Sand and Snowdrift cardstock.
- Embellish with Silver Mix Gems.

Looking for more inspiration with the Balloons & Birthday Wishes set? Check out this blog post showing two versions.

Jean Manis<–You are here

Spellbinders | Delightful Die Cutting Sale

Hello! Today I am sharing handmade card inspiration featuring Spellbinders products that are part of the Delightful Die Cutting Sale. The not-to-be-missed discounts are only available now through May 21, 2023, at 11:59 PST. I am showcasing cards featuring dies that are included in the sale – there are many more amazing deals to discover! Click on the card image to be taken to the original post and supply list. At the end of the post, I have included a supply list with dies thar are part of the sale.