It’s Thursday, and time to play at Pals Paper Arts! This week, the talented Nicole has a fabulous sketch for us. When I first viewed this sketch, I thought it would be perfect for the Beauty of the Season image. I think I have found my idea for this year’s Christmas card! I hope you enjoy today’s card.
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Watercoloring
This finished card measures 5-1/4″ square.
- Cardinal! The Cardinal on a Branch image was inked with Jet Black StazOn and stamped onto watercolor paper. I used Cherry Cobbler ink and an Aqua Painter filled with rubbing alcohol to tint it. Simply squeeze a closed stamp pad to form a pool of ink in the lid, and use this as your ink source. Tip: Rubbing alcohol dries more quickly than water, and does not saturate the paper.
- Sky and branches! The sky was watercolored in the same manner, using Soft Sky ink, while the branches were watercolored with Soft Suede. Of course, I could not resist adding a few Pearls colored using a Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities marker.
- Snowflake! A Brushed Gold Snowflake was created using the Small Snowflake thinlit from the Snowflake Card Thinlits collection. A small Gold Metal Button with a Linen Thread bow completes the embellishment.
I think this will be my annual holiday card. I will remove the snowflake and button, so it will be easier to mail. Each one will be a little different since they are watercolored. And as much as it would pain me, I would not add all of the pearls. As for this one, I think I am going to frame it and give it as a gift. What do you think? Won’t you let me know in today’s comments? Your comments are important to me! And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…
Stamp Sets: Beauty of the Season, Endless Wishes; Inks: Jet Black StazOn, Soft Sky, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities; Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Brushed Gold, Cherry Cobbler, Watercolor Paper; Tools: Aqua Painter, Big Shot, Snowflake Card Thinlits Dies; Glitz and Glam: Pearls Basic Jewels, Gold Metal Buttons, Linen Thread
Gorgeous card, Ann! Love your watercoloring!
Very pretty card Ann love your touch of the pearls colored to resemble berries. Such a pretty ad elegant layout. Thanks too for the tip about using rubbing alcohol with the aqua painter brush.
So sorry to hear of Muffy’s problems however she is a champion and I’m sure will win even more ribbons and hearts.
Gorgeous!
Zowie! What a beauty…love the background and the pearls….hate to think of sending it without the pearls but that could be really expensive (I suspect that you already spend a fortune on pearls!) and who wants to open a card with crushed pearls falling out…Gorgeous design!
What a beautiful design! I love all the pearl-berries. I’m sure those little details absolutely make this design! I’m hoping that I’m on your holiday card list! š
Gorgeous Ann! Thank you for always teaching us in your posts, I so appreciate it!
Beautiful Ann! Your watercoloring is impeccable.
Beautiful card.
Great tip about the R.A. thank you
Beautiful! Framing it and giving it as a gift will be a real treasure for the recipient.
p.s. I did not know you could watercolor with rubbing alcohol. Thanks for the tip.
It’s beautiful Ann. I’ve experimented with this set but wasn’t yet happy with my results. I think your tip on using rubbing alcohol instead of water in my aqua painter is what will make it right. Always appreciate your gorgeous work.
Lynn
Beautifully done, Ann!
Lovely coloring, Ann!
Ann, this is gorgeous. I love how much difference using the aqua painter made. And I love how you used it, especially on the background.
Beautiful card Ann. Love the pearls!
Love your card and love cardinals. When we are in our winter home in AZ one visits every morning in our Texas Ebony tree. I was thrilled when SU released this stamp set! Thanks for the rubbing alcohol tip..will try that for sure!
Really beautiful card! I have been admiring this stamp. I love your idea with the “fruit”.
I love it…I have been thinking of buying this set but I think I already own a former set with the cardinal. thanks for the tip of using the alcohol…i love this card since I have a HUGE bird fanatic..would be lovely to frame and keep out all year long.
How beautiful! I love it! š
Beautiful card, thanks for the information about the alcohol instead of water, can’t wait to try it. Love your cards.
Ann a beautiful creation once again!! Love it. Great idea for the gift the recipient will love it! I know I sure would
Inky hugs,
Terry
Oh my goodness Ann, this is gorgeous, the colored pearls really look like the little fruit on this branch, they add beautiful dimension to this lovely image. Thank you for the tip of using Rubbing Alcohol on an Aqua Painter brush to color this image, I didn’t know you could do that with SU inks, how fabulous is that!!!
Beautiful card!