Hi friends! How are ya? I'm sitting in the craft room with my trusty sidekick Mr. Buddy, waiting for my new iPhone to arrive (I just may hug the UPS man when he gets here) and stamping and blogging. I hope you are having a wonderful day!
Today I'm sharing an old technique that I used to do all the time many years ago. I found these old stamps and thought they would make some nice Fall Birthday cards for my October friends. Do you guys remember Fred B. Mullett? About 10 years ago, I took a few super fun classes with him when he came to town. He makes these wonderful nature print stamps: fish, leaves, Asian chops… I love them all!
The technique is to color directly onto the stamps with water based markers, spritz the stamps with water, and then stamp onto watercolor paper. The results are different each time and so so pretty and elegant. Maybe you've tried this before? Maybe you'll try it now?!
Here are the two final cards I chose for my friends…Kept it simple with the sentiments and some kraft paper and a pretty cranberry red accent paper.
Here is a close up of one of the prints…Isn't the watercolor paper texture just yummy?
Here are my supplies for the project:
I colored directly onto the stamp with my Marvy markers. I colored the leaves all over with the golden yellow color and then added some orange and finally some red just on the edges.
Here is what it looks like after I spritzed the image with water. The trick here is to hold the stamp at arm's length away from the water so that you only get the finest mist. I pump six times usually. You want the stamp pretty wet so that the ink colors run together. This just takes practice and time to figure out how you like it best.
This picture shows two versions of the same thing. The one on the left had much more water on the stamp so it all bled together. The one on the right was not as wet, so the detail of the stamp was retained. It's really just a matter of preference.
I found that I can usually stamp the image three times before having to re-ink…
Happy weekend to you! I hope you do something fun!
Comments
11 responses to “Watercolor leaves…”
These are wonderful & those stamps are great.
I love it when you remind me of all the fun techniques we’ve learned over the years — recycling at its best. These cards are gorgeous! Happy Friday…
Beautiful, Wanda! I love the results, all of them – your friends will, too!
GORGEOUS Wanda..love the leaves great colors!
Thanks for reminding us about this cool technique! I bought so much watercolor paper when Michael’s had it on sale. It’s time to use it! *smile*
Oh, yes, I remember this technique, although I haven’t done it in forever. But how beautiful it is! The leaves are just perfect for this, PERFECT! Looks amazing!
YOU are amazing!
Enjoy your new phone! Lucky girl! An iPad and now an iPhone? 🙂
O my Wanda, I love these!! The colors are sooo pretty.
I forgot about this technique. Thanks for showing your beautiful results.
Gorgeous cards Wanda. The watercolor technique looks great with those leaves. Lovely fall colors. :o)
Very pretty cards! It would be awesome to get together one day to make cards and talk about how the Bears are playing this year.
Beautiful cards, Wanda! Thanks for the inspiration and reminding me about this technique– I have always loved it.