Watercolored Pastel Card

I got my inspiration for this cards from several video tutorials I have watched lately. The flowers are die cuts that are watercolored, inspired by a video by Shari Caroll (http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/10-ways-to-watercolor/). I used Kuretake Gansai to paint these flowers. This watercolor set has vibrant colors. To create pastels, I had to mix the each color with plenty of white until I achieve the pastel color I want. I used a white Signo Broad pen to draw lines on the flower, and dots on the center for added detail.

For the background, I prepped a watercolor paper with an anti-static tool I stamped the Paper Smooches Hip To Be Square using Versamark ink. I applied white embossing powder, then heat set it.  I got the idea of the color from another Shari Caroll video (http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/multi-medium-art-journal-page/). I love the Tim Holtz colors she used. I wished I have the mini distress ink pads so I can try Shari's 'Walk and Wiggle' technique from her video mentioned above. Well, I got to work with what I have so I used my regular Distress Ink pads. I inked each color on my craft sheet, spritz it with water, then rub the embossed background watercolor paper onto it. I did this a couple of times until I got the blended look I am trying to achieve.

I ironed off the embossing which I got the idea from a Sandy Allnock video (http://ellenhutson.typepad.com/the_classroom_new/2015/03/bokeh-flowers.html). I used the Mama Elephant Borderline Trios to cut the curve on the watercolor paper where the flowers will be adhered. The watercolored background was adhered on a light pink cardstock. The flowers were popped-up using dimensional tape. I stamped a simple 'For You' sentiment from Paper Smooches Denim and Daisies using a Tim Holtz Vintage Photo. I thought that I can stamp over the ironed-off background impression but I guess not even if you emboss this with clear powder. Since there were gaps on the impression of the sentiment, I used a brown marker to fill in these gaps. 

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to the following:

• http://papersmoochessparks.blogspot.com/2015/04/theres-still-time.html

• http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=2568