Distress Watercolor

I have been experimenting with various watercolor techniques in advance of our watercolor play day at Art 'n Soul (more on that later).  The first technique I played with is one that I have seen several other places, so I thought I would try it out.  I started with 140 lb cold press watercolor paper, and stamped with various background stamps in Versamark ink.  I embossed each with Judikins white embossing powder.  I then applied Distress inks using Distress markers on some, and ink pads with a mini blending tool on others.  I sprayed each liberally with a mini mister containing water mixed with Perfect Pearls.  The dye-based Distress inks really move around on the watercolor paper.  I let some dry naturally and some I dried using a heat tool.  Both methods worked well.

I have a mini mister that I keep filled with water and small scoops of Perfect Pearls in the plain pearl color.  You really need to just add small scoops of the powder to the water in the spritzer.  If you add too much, it may clog your sprayer.  I just use the back end of a watercolor brush to scoop it out and add 2 scoops to the water and shake it well.  I learned a tip from Jennifer McGuire to add an embellishment pearl to the top of the spritzer that I keep the pearly water in, so that I always know which one it is.

I chose all Magenta sentiments and added them to the front of each card.  This first one is my favorite.  I just love how the colors turned out.

Life is a Gift

Stamps used:  

"Life is a gift untie the ribbons"  Magenta  07.640.G

Impression Obsession Flourishes CAC  CC027

Distress Ink:

Peacock Feathers

Picked Raspberry

Squeezed Lemonade

Paper:  So Silk Beauty Pink

1/4" white silk ribbon

Life is Art

Stamps used:

"life is Art live yours in Color"  Magenta  07.700.G

Impression Obsession Tapestry CAC  CC025

Distress Ink:

Dusty Concord

Worn Lipstick

Spun Sugar

Peeled Paint

Paper:  Stardream Fairway

My Minds Eye Enamel Dots from Unforgettable Firsts and Up, Up, and Away

Hero Arts Mixed Accents in Blush, Floral & Foliage

Sizzix 4 dies 659072 (for sentiment)

Today I Choose Happiness

Stamps used:

"Today I choose Happiness"  Magenta  07.845.G

Hero Arts Asian Flower Pattern  CG243

Distress Ink:

Crushed Olive

Seedless Preserves

Faded Jeans

Paper:  Mohawk Feltweave Eggplant

Hero Arts Mixed Accents - Floral

On the last three cards, I chose to alter the sentiments.  I wanted them to be more stacked, to fit on the card, or to fit onto a die cut.  To accomplish this, I used a stamp positioner and applied tape over the part of the stamp I didn't want inked in the first stamping.  I inked up the stamp and removed the tape, and stamped.  The part of the sentiment not inked did not stamp.  I then went back and taped over the part of the stamp I had already stamped; inked the stamp up again, removed the tape and positioned the rest of the sentiment where I wanted it.

Live the Life You've Imagined

Stamps used:

"Live the Life You've Imagined"  Magenta  07.836.I

Impression Obsession Floral Lines CAC  CC089

Distress Ink:

Spiced Marmalade

Rusty Hinge

Peeled Paint

Mustard Seed

Wild Honey

Paper:  Glossy Black

Spellbinders Labels 11 (for sentiment)

Hero Arts Mixed Accents - Sunshine

You line up the first part of the sentiment with the positioner; ink and stamp.  Then line up the second part where you want it, and ink and stamp.

Give Wings to Your Passion

Stamps used:

"Give Wings to your Passion"  Magenta  07.835.G

Hero Arts Antique Background  CG120

Distress Ink:

Rusty Hinge

Orange Marmalade

Wild Honey

Broken China

Faded Jeans

Paper:  Stardream Copper

Hero Arts Orange Metallic Decor

This is how I altered the sentiment on this card.  I love the original, but I just needed it to be more stacked for this card so it wouldn't cover any butterflies.

Creative Minds

Stamps used:

"Creative Minds are rarely tidy"  Magenta  07.819.G

Impression Obsession Medallion CAC  CC032

Distress Ink:  Faded Jeans

Chipped Sapphire

Aged Mahogany

Stormy Sky

Paper:  So Silk Fair Blue

Tag die for sentiment from Spellbinders for Just Rite Stamps JB08950 Nested Frame Dies

Hero Arts Mixed Accents Floral & Sea

This one was the hardest to alter, because I wanted it to look a little wonky (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it)

This technique would work well to make a set of cards as a gift, or just to quickly make a lot of pretty cards to add to your stash.  They were easy, quick and fun to make, and I love how they turned out.  This is just one technique that I will demo on Friday, April 18, at the watercolor play day at Art 'n Soul.  If you are local, please come and see me!  I will also try to do at least one other post with more watercolor.

I miss our Iceland relatives and friends so much!  They tell me that Spring is also coming there and it's been rainy.  Here is a picture sent to us from Jon Eldon Logason.  They kayak there too!

Photo by Jon Eldon Logason