In The Moment with Watercolor Pencils

 Coloring is one of my favorite things to do when I want to unwind. I don't normally grab the watercolor pencils but decided to take a class with another demonstrator. He's brilliant and his class was full of how-tos and tips. I was so excited to see the tips I learned in action and I'll definitely be coloring more with the watercolor pencils. In The Moment stamp set has absolutely grown on me. I want to keep it on my crafting table and use it constantly. Today, I want to share a card with you featuring this stamp set and the watercolor pencils. The pencils give the image such a soft feel. I love it! I also used the Timeless Tropical stamp set for my greeting. I hope this card inspires you to get out some outline stamps and spend some time coloring with your watercolor pencils. I enjoyed coloring and layering colors on the image I choose. How can you not love this stamp set?! Check out the tutorial and try this layout out. 

How-to Tutorial:

• Cut Basic Gray cardstock  5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4" for your card base.
• Stamp image in Basic Gray classic ink. Color with watercolor pencils. I used Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Calypso Coral.
• Die cut stamped image with a Layering Diorama die. I label my dies as the biggest being #1. For my image, I used #5.
• Die cut several more pieces with the diorama dies from Basic White cardstock. I used #2,3 & 4. 
• On die cuts #2 & 4, I used a blending brush and added ink. I wanted a soft look instead of die cutting the coordinating colored cardstock. I had a happy little accident during this step. I originally used Smoky Slate classic ink and then decided it was too dull. So I added Bermuda Bay classic ink on top. I love the tone that I ended up with. The #2 layer (largest) didn't have as much Smoky Slate so it is a little brighter. 
• On die cut #3, I used a decorative mask (polka dots) and Coastal Cabana classic ink applied with a blending brush. I love the pop of pattern here. 
• The diorama layers are adhered to the card base with liquid glue (or whatever adhesive you prefer). 
• The greeting is stamped on Basic Gray cardstock (2 3/4" x 1", adjust to fit your greeting) in Versamark ink and embossed with white embossing powder and a heat tool. 
• I cut a piece of Frayed Ribbon about 4". It is folded over and stapled to secure the fold. Then I adhered it to the back of my greeting piece with tear and tape. Trim the edges to fit card front. 
• Adhere greeting piece and ribbon with dimensionals in the lower left corner area. 

Close up of the soft texture from watercolor pencils.

My card is done in landscape but you could certainly do it as a portrait layout. For the inside of my card, I added extra cardstock layers. When you have loads of layers on the front of your card, it can feel a bit heavy. I want my recipient to feel they can display my cards so adding layers inside helps balance out that weight. To keep with the softness of the layers and feel of the card front, I used a blending brush and Bermuda Bay classic ink on the edge of Basic White cardstock cut to 5 1/4" x 4". Then I layered a piece of 5" x 3 3/4" Basic White cardstock on top to write or stamp my message. 

Want to get these products? Go to my website and view a list of products used on this card. You can add them to your cart and remove any items you already own. Click here to view my resource and supply list. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are inspired to give it a try. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Want to see more card samples? Are you into creative challenges? 

Check out my Facebook page Beth Roy, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator.

Happy Stampin' 

~ Beth