Creative Coloring-Watercolors -Stencils-Embossing Paste-Part 1

 

So, today we are talking about some creative coloring techniques that will add some texture and color to all of your greeting cards. Although it is considered an advanced technique. you can create these cards with a little practice. 

We have two different techniques for you in this series. 

Part 1 has the stencil with embossing paster as the medium. It used a white embossing powder which is then colored with watercolors. This has a grungier look.

Part 2 uses the same stencil, with embossing paste, but this time we are using iridescent glitter instead of embossing powder. This one has a totally different look as the watercolors soak into the glitter. 

All of the cards that we are showing today use a single stencil with some variation in the materials and colors used. The stencil that we used is the Mega Bloom Stencil from Altenew. This stencil has a lot of detail and makes a definite statement no matter where you choose to use it/ Yes, it is terrific on a card, but it would also be useful on a scrapbook or a journal page too. 

This technique uses watercolors. Not to worry if you have not had much experience with watercolors in the past. This is a fun way to gain more experience with them. You can use whatever watercolors that you may have. But you will get better color with a better-quality watercolor set as there is more pigment in them. Use whatever you have and give it ago.

Both techniques use embossing paste as the base for the stencil application. You will want to use a good quality embossing paste. I really like the Altenew paste because of the fact that it is creamy and spreads very easily. 

We have two techniques for you to try. Each of them is unique in its own way. You may like one over the other, but I urge you to give both a shot and decide for yourself.

Technique One-Embossing Paste With Watercolors

Featuring

• Mega Bloom Stencil
• Cardstock-90-110 lbs.
• Watercolor paper
• Watercolor brush pen
• Watercolor pan set
• Blue cardstock
• Embossing paste
• White translucent embossing powder
• Palette knife
• Craft sheet or parchment paper.
• Low tack tape
• Dark Blue gems or sequins
• Altenew Fancy Greetings sentiment stamp
• Water filled spray bottle.
• Double sided tape
• Foam tape

1. Lay the parchment paper or craft mat on your workspace. Since this is a wet technique, you will need to cover the and protect your workspace. 
2. Cut the watercolor paper to size if you are not using precut watercolor panels. 
3. Lay the watercolor paper on top of the workspace. 
4. Lay the stencil on top of the watercolor paper.
5. Use the low tack tape to secure the stencil to the paper.
6. Using the palette knife, apply the embossing paste to the stencil. This is a large stencil that covers almost all of the paper. You will need to concentrate on making sure that you get the embossing paste in all of the nooks and crannies. And make sure that you get a very even coat of the paste. Cover the entire panel.
7. Place any left-over embossing paste back into the jar and place the lid back on securely to minimize any drying of the paste.
8. Remove the stencil. Make sure to wash both the stencil and the palette knife as soon as possible with warm water and mild dish detergent.
9. Cover the flower, while wet with the embossing powder. Tap any loose powder off and replace it to the jar.
10. Allow the paste with the embossing powder to air dry. Once it is partially dry, heat set it on your heat tools lowest setting underneath the paper, until the embossing powder is set. 
11.  Once dry, spray the panel with water. Give it a good generous spritz. 
12. Add water to the watercolor pan colors that you are using. You want to use both a lighter and a darker color. 
13. While the panel is still wet, apply the watercolors with from your pans. You will see that the watercolors will flow beautifully. They will fill into spots where the embossing powder may not have set. So, in essence, you cannot make a mistake on this card.
14. Once you are happy with the color and the pattern, set it aside to dry. 
15. Create a card base in the size desired with the white cardstock.
16. I used a panel of dark blue on top of the card base to contrast the colors in my watercolor panel.
17. Use double sided tape to adhere the watercolor base to the card base.
18. Stamp a sentiment. I used white cardstock and mounted it on the same dark blue paper. 
19. Then I mounted that to the watercolor panel with foam tape.
20. Finally, add some sequins or gems to the card in any desired pattern.

If you heat set the embossing paste while it is wet, more than likely you will get some bubbling. If you are ok with that, go for that look.

If you use a heat tool, make sure to keep the tool from being too close to the paper. You will not want to scorch it from being too close. Allways make sure to keep moving the heat tool over the project. That way you will get better results. 

Pre heat your heat tool before you apply it to your paper. Preheat it at the lowest setting for about a minute or two.

Always cool off your heat tool before putting it away.

Use a good quality watercolor set. The better-quality sets will give you more pigment and a more vibrant color.

I hope that you have the opportunity to give this technique a try. There are so many color variations, that are possible, you will find that you will want to give more of them a try. 

We always love hearing your thoughts, comments and ideas. Please drop a line or two at the bottom of the page. We always respond to any of our subscribers. Thanks for dropping by.

Till nest time, Happy Crafting!

Linda

Here are the supplies that you need to complete this project.