Is the thought of watercoloring overwhelming for you? It was for me too for a long time, but not any longer. Once you try it I bet you fall in love. There are many watercolor techniques and tips and tricks. Today I’m sharing 1 or maybe 1.25 watercolor techniques. I don’t even know if it has an official name. I call it no line watercoloring, but even that has multiple processes.

Think of today’s video as an introduction to the Watercoloring Techniques Class that my friend, Cindy Westerink, are offering. You can check out the details and register until July 31, 2022 for the Watercoloring Techniques Class here. Today, with the help of those who were watching live, I created a popular and easy fun fold card with a watercolored pumpkin from the Hello Harvest Bundle. Thank you everyone who was watching live; I appreciate your input. It makes me feel like I’m stamping with friends.

A Soft Image

I stamped the pumpkin in Pumpkin Pie ink and watercolored it with Pumpkin Pie ink. That creates a softer look than stamping in black and coloring in Pumpkin Pie. Both looks are gorgeous, just different. Tip: If you are stamping in black and coloring with a water based ink like the Stampin’ Up! Classic Stampin’ Pads and Classic Stampin’ Refills, you need to use an archival ink like Stazon Ink. That will prevent or minimize color bleeding. Today, I my goal was to create color bleeding. I wanted to soften the stamped lines and create definition by layering colors and different intensities of the ink and water mix.

I demonstrated 2 ideas with this technique. In the Hello card, created in the full video, I didn’t wet the stamped image before I began coloring. In the Blessing card, I stamped the image, wet the image, and then began coloring. I also dried the paper between layers with my heat tool. The short video demonstrates the card creation from start to finish; it’s simply sped up.

-I just couldn’t leave the image alone after I finished the Hello card. I attempted to pull up some color to create highlights. The paper was dry and I didn’t get the blended affect I was going for.

This one my be my favorite of the 3 I colored today. It will make it to a future card.

Of the completed cards, the Blessing card is my favorite. Of the 3 pumpkins I colored, I think the 3rd is my favorite. Which is your favorite?


The YouTube Live

I hope after watching the video you’ll give watercoloring a try. Keep in mind this is just one technique to follow when watercoloring. Cindy and I had a hard time designing our class to define a reasonable amount of techniques and build the class around the techniques – not a specific stampset. We are pleased with the final class agenda; you will be also. You probably have stamps that will work well for the class. In the class description I’ve included a list of possible stamps; you may use something you already own or order from the suggested list. Please reach out if you have any questions about the class.

When you jump over to YouTube to watch the replay I’d love you to subscribe to my channel and leave a comment. You are helping my channel grow; thank you so much.


Other News

Thank you for all the birthday love. I’ve received some beautiful cards. I shared each one in the full video today, including the one made by son, Hardin and my husband.


Tax Free Weekend in Tennessee begins tomorrow. All the adhesives, watercolor pencils, Stamp N Write Markers, Stampin’ Blends, grid paper, and paper snips are included in the items exempt from sales tax this weekend. Here’s a link to the full list of tax free items by state and the tax free time periods.


Michele’s Summer Scoops Stamping Special – I added 25 scoops to the drawing today! Lori, Gail, Sally, Lynde, Teresa, Lana, Ronni, Toni, Diane, Kirbi, Barbara, Wanda, Edie, Jennifer, Kathy, and Dana all earned scoops in the last week. Good luck!


You may have been following the journey of Wyatt, the 2 year old grandson of a my dear friend, Hope. He underwent open heart surgery last Friday. His surgery went very well and he is recovering well. It’s hard on his parents to standby and watch the process and hard on Wyatt going through it. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

In honor of Wyatt and my birthday I decided to offer a fundraiser to support Conquering CHD – Tennessee. I selected an awesome product from Stampin’ Up! and am donating at least 20% of my commission on the purchase of each Nourish & Flourish kit between today and August 10. You’ll find all the details and options for purchasing here. If you are local to me and would like to purchase a kit and pick it up from me, I may be able to save a little in shipping costs. Reach out if you would like more information about this option. hello@michelesalchow.com.

Here are a few more photos of the kit. The canvas bag is thermal and can be used as a lunch bag. It would also make pretty storage for cards; consider adding dividers by occasion or month and store completed cards ready to send. The first 3 photos indicate what is included in Option 1 in the Warriors for Wyatt fundraiser. The 4th photo shows the additional products in Option 2 as well as a few completed cards.

Thank you to those who have already ordered one or more of the kits. I appreciate your support. Ordering is open through August 10.


Product List


I would love to hear from you and know what you are creating today. Please drop a comment or email and let me know. hello@michelesalchow.com. If you would like to receive an email with every blog post please complete the form at the bottom of the post.

Stamped Blessings,

Michele


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