Hi, today’s post is part of a blog hop to celebrate the new release from Simon Says Stamp. More on the hop below but let’s look at my card for the hop. You all must know by now that I love watercolouring, but I know it can be tricky for people, even scary. So today I am using a straightforward faux watercolour technique that has been around for a while and gives consistent fabulous results each and every time! I’ve linked all supplies at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.
FAUX WATERCOLOURED BIRTHDAY BALLOONS
To create the watercolour look without actually watercolouring, I took the balloon stamp from the new Big Birthday Greetings set and my Distress Inks. I chose a palette of warm colours – Dried Marigold, Festive Berries, Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade. I used a base of Dried Marigold and covered the whole of the stamp with this ink, then I picked one of the darker inks and gently rocked and rolled it just around the edges of the balloon. I ‘huffed’ on the stamp with my breath – the moisture is just enough to get the water reactive properties of Distress Inks going. I then stamped the balloon onto cold pressed watercolour card. I took a damp brush and moved the colour around, keeping the rich deeper tones towards the edges.
I’ve recently got the Waffle Flower Water Media Mat, and the wells are the perfect size to squidge a little ink from a mini ink cube. I did so for each of my colours, and then as I was moving the inks around with a damp brush, I’d sometimes pick up some colour and add it into the mix. With one balloon stamped, I then repeated the process multiple times until I had a bunch of balloons. One point to note is only stamp a new balloon on top of another once it has fully dried or the shapes will blend together. I splattered with leftover ink from the wells of the Water Media Mat, a solution of Perfect Pearls for that lovely shimmer and then some Iridescent Gold paint to go along with the warm colours.
Once dry, I took a black permanent marker and drew in balloon strings. Then I cut the panel with a Rounded Corner Rectangles die. For the sentiment, I stamped a greeting from the Big Birthday Greetings set in clear embossing ink on Black card and white heat embossed before trimming to a skinny banner and adding to the panel with foam adhesive. I then accented the balloons with Love Potion Dream Drops, Honeysuckle Jewel Drops and Crystal Gems.
Finally, I cut and scored a card base from Ivory card and then rounded the corners with a Corner Chomper to match the rounded edges of the die cut panel. I then added the faux watercoloured panel on top with foam adhesive.
I sent this card to my teenage niece – fun, but not too cute if you know what I mean and perfect for a teenager. Actually, as I type this I realise she’s turning 20 so not a teenager anymore – they grow up so fast!
MORE INSPIRATION
Here’s a card I made with another new set, Chillin’ Frenchies. You can find the original post here.
CELEBRATE YOU RELEASE
Here’s a quick reminder of what’s included in the new Celebrate You Simon Says Stamp release.
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BLOG HOP
As I mentioned, this post is part of a blog hop for the Celebrate You release. Hopefully, you’ve arrived here from Laura’s blog, but if not, then an excellent place to start is Simon’s blog.
As with all good hops, there are prizes and offers:
- Simon is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop from blogs. Simon will choose winners over the weekend and post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday, the 22nd of May.
- The code BTF842 will give you the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Butterfly Adornments Free (while supplies last!) with any purchase. The code will expire Sunday, 5/19 at 11:59 pm EDT.
Now it’s time to hop along to ….
Yana Smakula!
Simon Says Stamp Blog
Laura Bassen
Debby Hughes
Yana Smakula
Amanda Korotkova
Yoonsun Hur
Vicky Papaioannou
Heather Ruwe
Bibi Cameron
Karin Äkesdotter
Barb Engler
Cheiron Brandon
Kristina Pokazanieva
SUPPLIES
You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or shop icon to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Items marked with an asterisk (*) were provided by a store or the manufacturer. You can read my affiliate and product disclosure here. I genuinely appreciate your support.
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PIN ME
Summary of the project which gives all the views of the card in one photo :D I’d love if you pinned and called by on Pinterest :D
Love the balloon card! The coloring is fabulous and it’s so festive.
Absolutely love. It’s perfect.
Love love this design. I am going to have to try and copy it, although I might need to pick up a couple supplies first.
Nothing says “celebrate” as perfectly as balloons, and you have a great “bouquet” of them ready for the party! Great card! And the second card is just downright heart-melting! Who can resist this cute bulldog with a lopsided grin and wearing a baseball cap!!?? Too cute for words!!
I love the look of the birthday balloons. Would you consider making a video. Would love to see the watercolor technique you used on the balloons. Thank you.