Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

The Enchanting World of “A Little Hello” | Spellbinders Quick and Easy Card Kit

Hello! This month’s Spellbinders Quick & Easy Card Kit “A Little Hello” features charming fairy tale, neighborhood, floral, and tea party themes. I created four unique cards that showcase the kit’s versatility. The Quick & Easy Card Kit provides everything you need to create handmade cards including sentiments, chipboard and die-cut elements, patterned paper, colored cardstock, and card bases. The best part is that everything is perfectly coordinated, making it easy to mix and match elements to create a cohesive and polished look.

Head to the Spellbinders blog for more inspiration and a tutorial.

Sending Hugs from the Sea | Spellbinders Small Die Kit Club

Hello! Today I am sharing a mini-slimline, underwater scene card created with the Spellbinders June 2023 Small Die Kit Club – “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends”- with which I paired the sentiment of “Hey” (included in the kit) and “Sending Hugs.” Octopuses are visually interesting creatures with their distinctive and otherworldly appearance, tentacles, and vibrant coloration. This card would work for a number of occasions, whether to connect with a friend, brighten the day of someone feeling under the weather, or “just because.” Keep reading to learn how I created the card.

- Create background by applying Distress inks – Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon, and Blueprint Sketch – on Distress Watercolor cardstock. Trim to mini-slimline size of 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches and add to card base.
- Glimmer foil the Sending Hugs sentiment from the Mini Sincere Sentiments set in black on Snowdrift cardstock. Trim.
- Cut June 2023 Small Die Kit Club pieces – octopuses and jellyfish – from light gray cardstock and cardstock to which Distress Oxide inks have been applied. Assemble. Note: The bottom layers of the octopus and jellyfish can move, hence the name “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends.” For my design, I did not leave that layer free to move.

- Add octopuses to card, trim edges as necessary. Add jellyfish and sentiment.

Head to the Spellbinders blog for a tutorial with the Small Die Kit Club – “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends.”

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.

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!