Watercolor Anyone?

Good Morning Crafty Friends!

   There are so many things to look forward to in the next few days, weeks and months.  I am most excited to play and experiment with a new set of watercolor paints that just arrived.  Today's card is one of several I made with my new paints and Memory Box dies.  

 Since I like the "ombre" effect I painted multiple bands of color, graduating and blending blue/green/yellows. This effect does not require drying time before moving on to the next color—in fact, it's important to keep the paper wet and allow the colors to "run".

I'm using 140 lb cold press watercolor paper taped onto a clear clip board (any hard, waterproof surface will do).  Low tack painters tape holds the paper in place and prevents it from warping when wet.

I brushed clean water onto the paper then added the colors letting them blend and flow together. Watching the colors travel via the wet paper and other wet paint is fascinating–I couldn't duplicate the same outcome even if I wanted to–each time it turns out different.  My particular paints contain gouache which produces a more intense and opaque result even when the paper dries.  

Once the paper dried I adhered the Tanglewood Frame die cut, trimmed away the excess paper and layered it onto the base card.  

The bright red/orange/yellow butterflies were also watercolored and layered onto the card.  Nothing is safe from my watercoloring obsession these days—if it's not moving, I'll paint it with the new watercolors!

This technique is a great one to try especially if you're new to watercoloring, and it goes well with your die cuts.  

• 30010 Oh Hello Again
• 99095 Cascadia Trio
• 99098 Leavenworth Butterfly Trio
• 99009 Tanlewood Frame 

As for the coming weeks and months…there's Spring, Summer and a bit of traveling for me. I'm excited to be teaching Memory Box classes in some awesome stores –more details to come!

Happy Friday!