Thursday, November 2, 2017

Distress Ink Trees in Snow

Rubbernecker Stamps Distress Ink Trees in Snow

I love the look of watercolor cards, especially for Christmas and the holidays. This one has the look of watercolor but is very easy to make. I used Distress Inks, although you could use traditional watercolor paints. The two part Watercolor Forest by Rubbernecker Stamps makes it super simple to create the trees; the background is just a few colors semi-randomly applied. A couple sprays of Sheer Shimmer Spritz makes this card look magical (unfortunately the shimmer doesn't show up well in the photos).

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Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 7 x 10 inches; fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base.

2. If necessary, cut watercolor paper about 5 x 7 inches. Use painter's tape for a delicate surface to tape down to a craft mat, making sure the tape seals well to the edges. They will be cut off but the tape will hold the paper more flat if the contact is good.

3. Use an old toothbrush or old firm paintbrush to flick masking fluid all over the surface of the watercolor paper. If you get a few splats that are too big, just wait until they dry, roll them off with your finger, then flick a few more dots in those locations.

4. Once masking fluid is try, use a spray bottle or Mini Mister to spray the entire surface lightly with water. Use Shabby Shutters Distress Ink (top edges) and Peeled Paint (centers/bases) on the smaller trees from the Watercolor Forest stamp set. Spray lightly with water and stamp where shown (i.e. lower left, leaving room below for snow banks and to the left for the top layer of trees, which will be offset) - you may want to leave the stamp in place for a few seconds before removing. This helps the dye ink to soak in a little more. If the image beaded up in places, use a waterbrush or watercolor brush to spread the ink around inside the tree areas.

5. Use Forest Moss Distress Ink on the larger trees from the Watercolor Forest stamp set. Spray lightly with water and stamp offset from the first set of trees a bit over to the left. You may want to dry with a heat tool.

Sheer Shimmer Spritz Distress Ink Trees in Snow

6. Spray lightly over the sky area above the trees. Starting with Weathered Wood Distress Ink, tap some on a craft mat, palette, or acrylic block. Use a waterbrush or a watercolor brush to add water to the ink then apply it below the trees to create snow banks as shown. Hint: you may want to apply lines of water first so it will bleed a little as you apply. Next apply it around the tops of the trees, leaving some white as a buffer. You may touch it in a couple places to get the inks to blend, if you like that look. You can add more or less water depending on how much you want the ink to travel or bleed. As you move away from the trees up into the sky area, start adding more and more Faded Jeans. Move the brush around sort of randomly to make some areas darker than others. Add small amounts of Dusty Concord as well (sparingly). The top areas should be darker. You can dry one layer and add another on top (again leaving some areas lighter) to darken it even more and give it a more painterly look. Be sure the area where you will stamp the sentiment is dark enough so that the white heat embossing (next step) will pop. Let dry or dry with heat tool.

7. Use your finger to rub off all the masking fluid. Remove tape. Check to make sure the watercolor panel is clean before proceeding. Trim panel to 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches. Using VersaMark Ink (or other embossing ink), stamp "Laughter and Joy" sentiment in upper right corner as shown.

8. Spray entire panel with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz - at least a foot or more away. You may want to apply a couple coats. I recommend doing this over a craft sheet or a sink. Allow to dry.

9. Cut blue cardstock to 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Adhere watercolored image to blue cardstock. Adhere to card base.

Rubbernecker Stamps Distress Ink Trees in Snow

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