The Earth Laughs in Flowers - Watercoloured Card Technique

Hello and Happy Monday! Kim here on the Quietfire Creations blog again. I am just returning from a week in Las Vegas and must say...I am so ready to be done with winter! Funny how we adapt so quickly and fully to warmer temperatures! With that being said, let’s create with lovely stamp set, The Earth Laughs in Flowers!

This simple technique is one of my favourites and can be quite relaxing to do. Just what I needed after a very ‘people-y’ and busy week away!

I stamped my flower image onto a piece of water colour paper with Ranger Archival Black Ink. Using a stamp positioner, I layered my ink about 4 times. I find that water colour paper requires multiple impressions to achieve a crisp, inked image. It’s important to use an archival ink so the next steps do not cause the image to bleed.

Once the image was stamped I used a narrow strip of painter’s tape to my edges, creating an even border around my image. Be sure the tape is pressed down on the inside edges.

Spritz the paper with water.

You’ll want a nice amount of water on your working area, but not pooling.

I colour my image with water colours. The spritz of water to the page allows your paint to flow onto the image, add more as required or pick up excess water/colour with a small piece of paper towel and a light touch.  

Once your image is dry, your paper will flatten. Sometimes it needs a bit of help, I use an dry iron with paper towel or parchment paper placed over painted image.

Lastly, I stamped my sentiment, again using multiple layers of ink to get a crisp image. I love the look of the image and sentiment extending past the edges. It creates an interesting contrast to the water coloured focal point.

Thanks for checking into the blog. Hoping this card inspires you to pull out some water colour and play. Don’t overthink the process, water colours are very forgiving and are perfectly imperfect!

Supplies:

Quietfire Design stamp: The earth Laughs in Flowers, #6287

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

Ranger Archival Black Ink

Koi Watercolours

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L - ultra strong

Bazzil cardstock

Strathmore Watercolour Paper