Background check – use watercolors to create a background
Hello my crafty friends! I am here with another installment of background check series posts. Today is idea #4.
If you are new here, a warm Namastey! :-) This month we are exploring ways to enhance the background for our card focal point. You can check out the earlier posts in this series by clicking here.
Just because of the sheer number of alternatives you have in terms of colors/color combinations and types of watercolors you use (from kids ones to professional grade, and even distress inks or die inks!), this idea is super versatile. Here’s my card using this idea:
Here are different ideas to pick a good color to watercolor the background with:
Pick a couple colors which are not used too much on your focal point and create a background using those. I did this in the card above. I picked very light shades of blue / yellow combo by picking them up from the little patterned paper strip on which my tea cups are sitting. I let these both colors blend in the center to create a little green. I did not choose pink because in addition to being on the teacup, I knew I wanted my card base to show through and that was pulling enough pink into this card.
Pick a contrasting color if most of your focal point is going to be largely using shades of a single color.
Create an ombre effect of a single color by gradually increasing the pigment or increasing the amount of water. (By the way, we will be exploring a lot more watercoloring techniques soon. Stay tuned to this space!)
Rest of this card was simply arranging all those shaped sprinkles by letting them rest on the colorful strip of paper and adding a sentiment at the top. I added a couple star confetti that also came with the kit for some fun element.
Supplies List
All supplies used on this card came in the Simon Says Stamp card kit for Feb 2017. You can subscribe to this (no obligation) card kit of the month program for $24.95 plus shipping and handling. Kits can also be purchased individually at Simon Says Stamp store for $29.95 plus Shipping and Handling. And you can also buy many of the elements of the kit separately.
This particular Simon Says Stamp card kit was sold out. But for your convenience, I am sharing links to the supplies I’ve used for these cards – click on the picture or link to go directly to the product. Wherever available, I have used affiliate links, which means when you make a purchase, I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) which I use to run this blog. I truly appreciate your support!
Doodlebug CREAM AND SUGAR 6×6 Paper Pad 5530
Doodlebug LATTE LOVE Sprinkles Shapes Assortment Cream and Sugar 5456
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad MINI KIT 13 TDPK46738
[Amazon] Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Kits-Kit #13
Pentel Arts Aquash Fine Point Water Brush, Medium
Sakura KOI MEDIUM WATERBRUSH Water Brush
Ranger Studio Paint ARTIST BRUSHES Brush BRU40842
Strathmore WATERCOLOR PAPER PAD 5.5×8.5 Bound 298103
Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# DOLL PINK DP17
Scor-Tape 1/8 Inch Crafting Tape
We R Memory Keepers TRIM AND SCORE Board 71337-1
Simon Says Stamp STITCHED RECTANGLES Wafer Dies sssd111455 In Stitches
Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Powder Blue & Teal 657900
More like this
Here are more ideas that enhance / use the watercoloring technique for backgrounds:
The first one here is a double shaker card where I watercolored the entire background.
On this one, I used double masking with watercolored background. It is such a fun technique.
You can also create stunning cards like the one below with watercolored background using emboss resist technique
Giveaway
This month onwards, I will be hosting giveaways! To win a $20 gift card to a craft store of your choice, leave a comment here by 11:59pm CST on 2/28/2017 telling me if your experiments with watercolors. :-) (The winner’s name will be randomly selected and emailed after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)
Please do spread the word about this for me. If you post about this on social media, please use the tag #vsbackgroundcheck
Big thank you and warm hugs! ~Varada
#ssscardkit #vsbackgroundcheck #Backgroundcheck #SimonSaysStampFeb2017cardkit