Feel Better: Watercolored Background and Inlaid Die Cut Technique

Hi readers! Happy Monday to you! I’m happy to be back today with our monthly feature with the always awesome and creative Andrea Walford of Paper Crafter’s Library. Be sure to view her video for a full tutorial. Enjoy!

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WATCH THE VIDEO:

For today’s project I created the “Feel Better” card using some Exclusive Simon Says Stamp products.  The card features a few different techniques: creating a watercolor background, an inlaid die cutting technique, and creating acetate embellishments using shrink plastic.

When you open up your little pots of Twinkling H2O’s you’ll notice that they are dry and hard and may even be cracked and have a few air bubbles.  That is totally normal!  Before using them you need to spritz them with some water and then let them sit for a few minutes to activate the paint – so the paint will soften a little and you can then start picking it up with your paintbrush.  Here’s a super important tip for you: when you are finished with them, leave their covers off for a few hours until you are certain they are completely dry.  Whatever you do, do not put the lids back on the little pots while the paint is wet.  One of two things can happen – if there was any paint on the rim as it dries it will seal making it impossible for you to open it again. The second thing that could happen is it could start to develop mold.

You’ll notice in the video that I first spritzed my watercolor paper with a little water before applying my Twinkling H2O’s with a paintbrush dipped in water.  This step is optional, but I have found that the colors seem to move and blend better when the watercolor paper is spritzed before hand.

The inlaid die cutting technique is pretty self-explanatory, but I did want to mention a few thinks about the Shrink Plastic.  Remember the days of Shrinky Dink?  It’s still just as fun.  Because it is a non-porous surface you do need to use a permanent ink when stamping – I used my Ranger Archival inks, but you could also use StazOn inks.  For the Feel Better card I chose an outline image and left it uncoloured because I wanted the watercolored background to show through.  If you were creating acetate embellishments and wanted to add color to them – you could use Alcohol markers (Copic or Spectrum Noir),  you could also dab on colors using an ink blending tool with the felt pads and Ranger Alcohol inks. The only thing to keep in mind if you add color using any of these products is that you absolutely have to make sure you apply the color to the side opposite the side you stamped on.  If you try to color over top of the Archival ink or StazOn ink – the alcohol markers and alcohol inks will react, and smear the stamped lines.

So that’s all for today. I hope you enjoyed this video tutorial. I’d like to extend a huge thanks to Simon Says Stamp for having me as a guest designer.

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SUPPLIES:

Thanks for reading today and thanks to Andrea for being our guest!

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  1. These are striking techniques and I love how you have mixed them together, watercolour, die cutting and shrink plastic what more canca girl ask for when crafting. Thanks for the inspiration, Karen from Durham.

  2. Hi Andrea

    What a wonderful job you do inspiring teaching and creating .

    You are truly talented
    I hope we see more of you here
    Genevieve

  3. What a FANTASTIC card and technique. Love the watercolored background. You make it look so easy, but I know it would take LOTS of practice for me to get that look on a card. Awesome job!

  4. Your tutorial was quick, precise and to the point. I can see myself using the SS die cut for a guy or girl card, adult or kid. Love it! I have H2O’s and need to get them out again. Thanks for the tutorial, Andrea!

  5. GORGEOUS card Andrea!!!
    THANK YOU for sharing your tutorial too, lots of techniques for me to try :)

  6. Very interesting techniques used for this colorful card. Thanks for the very clear and insightful video.

  7. That is just beautiful, love the water technique and the in lays and the shrink plastic flowers. Cheers Anna

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