Have you seen the new Touches of Texture Stamp Set (item 143251)? It’s filled with several beautiful line art stamps as well as different filler and texture stamps. I thought it would be fun to use a watercolor stamping technique and some simple layering to make a set of note cards and a coordinating gift bag to share with you today.

I started with the Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes (item 131527). I stamped the splatter texture stamp in Crushed Curry ink (item 131173). Then I added the striped tape from the Affectionately Yours Designer Washi Tape (Item 141635). I also added a piece of Crushed Curry Cardstock (item 131199) that I cut with the washi tape die shape from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies (item 137547) and adhered it above the tape. Next, I added a few wrapped rounds of the Basic Black Metallic Thread (item 141695).

For the watercolor stamping technique, follow the pictured steps below.

1. Stamp the outline image in Basic Black Archival ink (item 140931) on Watercolor Paper (item 122959). Punch out using the 2″ Circle Punch (item 133782).
2. Spray the image with water using a Stampin’ Spritzer (item 126185).
3. Ink the flower filler image in Crushed Curry ink, then roll the edges in Watermelon Wonder ink (item 138323).
4. Stamp on the wet watercolor paper and let the ink bleed naturally. The watercolored images look terrific with all of the other textures from the stamp set!

Adhere the watercolor piece to the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals (item 104430).

All of the greetings from the cards are images from the Love & Affection Stamp Set (item 141545) stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink (item 132708). I used Flirty Flamingo ink (item 141397) for the linen texture stamp, Flirty Flamingo Cardstock (item 141416) for the die cut, and the floral tape from the Affectionately Yours Designer Washi Tape. The ink colors I used here to stamp on the watercolor piece were Flirty Flamingo ink and Cucumber Crush ink (item 138324).

I also decided to make some custom envelopes for these cards using the new 2015–2017 In Color Envelope Paper (item 141697) and the Envelope Punch Board (item 133774). You can also see below a close-up of the card front and how all the textures work together to add interest to a simple card.

The last card uses Dapper Denim ink (item 141394) and Cucumber Crush ink which were stamped with two of the watercolor texture stamps over the dragonfly stamp. The die cut tape piece is cut from Cucumber Crush Cardstock (item 138335).

This card set would make a great gift for someone, so I created a gift bag to hold the cards and envelopes for that purpose. I started with the Glassine Gift Bags (item 141700). I cut a piece of Whisper White Thick Cardstock (item 140272) to 2″ wide using the Stampin’ Trimmer (item 126889) and then punched it using the Banner Triple Punch (item 138292). I stamped it with the lacy image using Flirty Flamingo ink, then added the striped tape, another die cut taped piece of Crushed Curry Cardstock, and more Basic Black Metallic Thread.

The colors for the watercolor piece are Flirty Flamingo, Watermelon Wonder, and Crushed Curry ink. The small greeting is from the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set (item 141614). I clipped the tag to the bag with Gold Binder Clips (item 141673).

Well, I hope you enjoyed these samples and that you give the “watercolor stamping” technique a try. It’s perfect to add texture, color, and interest to your next stamping project!

Marisa Gunn
Artisan Design Team 2015–2016