Bulk Mixed Media Watercolor Cards

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  Step 1

  This project works great with purchased stamps. Anything with an open area in the image (like a heart). But for my cards, I carved a stamp so I'm sharing the process.

  Optional Step Part One:

  This is my drawing transferred onto a piece of Speedy-Carve. To transfer to rubber all you do is lay the front (pencil side) of your drawing onto the rubber and burnish with a spoon, pen lid, your finger... until it transfers. Which is pretty much immediately.

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  Step 2

  Optional Step Part Two:Carve your stamp.

  Now let's get making cards!

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  Step 3

  Step One: Create your watercolor backgrounds. Cut or tear watercolor paper to desired size.

  1. Add water with a brush where you want your paint to spread. It will only move around the wet area. This is a wonderful quality that allows you to blend colors or keep them separate.
  2. Dab paint into the wet area
  3. Paint spreads (or you help it a bit with your brush)
  4. Repeat with new color (orange) having some parts mingle and some not.
  5. To soften the color roll over card with paper towel
  6. Keep adding colors until satisfied.

  Note: At any point you can use your heat tool to dry an area so the paint won't spread into it.

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  Step 4

  Once you've painted your background, take a clean brush and flick water all over it. Wait a few seconds and then roll over the card with your paper towel. It will lift off the paint and leave pretty lightened areas.

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  Step 5

  Another option is to get one card covered in paint and place a second dry card on top to transfer the paint.

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  Step 6

  left is the top (dry) card, right is the painted card.
  It's more smooshy and diffused - a nice effect.

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  Step 7

  Or, if you're me, you'll be all, "That's dusty rose and brown. EW!"
  All you need to do is add a pop of a bright color and the whole piece perks up.
  You'll also note that I intentionally avoided water spattering the fuchsia bit so it has more weight in the background.

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  Step 8

  Make a lot of backgrounds because A. You've already hauled your stuff out, and B. it makes you less attached to the success of any one piece.

  With these, there is enough color range to suit all my friends different personalities.

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  Step 9

  Now that we've made a big pile of painted cards, let's finish them off.
  Once they're dry, of course. Too soon and it'll be a big mess.

  Stamp your image on the card in permanent black ink.

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  Step 10

  Stamp again on your map or book paper. Since I'm only filling in the heart I only stamped the top half.
  Cut out the heart.

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  Step 11

  Glue the heart into your image.

  Be careful as your watercolor will react to the glue. I put the Mod Podge on once, with a brush, not going back and forth over the area. Just one quick pass. Then you smooth down the map paper and carefully remove any seeping glue with your finger. No need to go over the top of the map paper like you would with a collage. This is just a card and you'll risk mixing up the paint.

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  Step 12

  Gild the edges with gold paint. I could only find my gold fabric paint (which worked fine). The edging really creates a beautiful frame, adds a little glamour and accentuates any torn edges.

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  Step 13

  And there you go! This set of nine cards took very little time.
  They are different enough to keep me engaged but I didn't have to worry about design choices at every step.

  I'll add a sentiment or a note on the back, and leave the fronts plain so they can be enjoyed year round.

  Sending a little piece of art in the mail is sure to bring smiles to your loved ones.

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hannah g. · Horten, Vestfold, NO · 74 projects 11th May 2015

They look as though they'd make charming handmade wedding invitations. Lovely

nikimaki · 9 projects 11th May 2015

Thanks so much, Hannah.
My husband and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary and I considered making these as invites to our vow renewal.

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