How to Use Faux Watercoloring Stamps and Dry Embossing for the Perfect ‘Thank You’ Card

Looking for something fresh and different for your next handmade greeting card? Check out this Faux Watercolor Stamp set, against this awesome stenciled background and feel inspired!

Today’s beautiful creation comes from our designer, Carol, who is showing off a sneak peek of our NEW 36059-Wildflowers in the Breeze set! This set stamps to look like it’s watercolored, and has such a fun breezy effect. She has made this card to show us how to add shading for dimension to your images when using solid stamps. Also, another fun way to use your stencils is to dry emboss them for a subtly textured background. Carol did a great job of taking tons of progress photos to show where to position each layer of the stamp set; so helpful! Follow along as she walks us through the steps and shows us how to use faux watercoloring stamps and dry embossing for the perfect ‘Thank You’ card.

Directions:

• This technique is best when using a stamp positioning tool. I use a MISTI.
• We will be using the beautiful 36059-Wildflowers in the Breeze stamp set.
• First place a piece of 80# white cardstock into your stamp positioning tool (MISTI).

• Ink the stamp up with Clover ink (from Color Fuse set #10). Stamp.
• Position the next stamp, the grassy stems over the first image.

• It really is easy to line up this next stamp. You can see white openings in the first layer for this stamp.
• Ink up and stamp with Basil ink (Color Fuse 10).
• Next position the fluffy (my description-haha!) flowers stamp over the previously stamp images.

• Use Sky ink (Color Fuse 7) to stamp once.
• Now use the corner of the Odyssey ink pad to add the darker ink along the bottom of the stamped flowers.
• Use a Detail Blending Brush to gently wipe away any hard edges left from the ink pad.

• Stamp the shadow images.
• I repeated the step once more to fill in a few spots I missed.

• Repeat the above steps with Sky and Odyssey inks with the remaining two fluffy flower stamps.

• We will repeat the above technique to stamp the plumes with Autumn and Amaretto inks (Color Fuse #1).
• Be sure to use the Detail Blending Brush to soften the edges of the Amaretto ink.

• Just look at the gorgeous image you will create!
• Next die cut the stamped panel with the second largest 5176D-Nested Deckle Rectangle Die.
• Then we will use the 4308-Florish stencil to add just a bit of extra detail to the die cut piece.

• Place the 4308 Flourish stencil over the die cut panel. Secure with a piece of removable tape.
• Use a Detail Blending Brush to very lightly add Sky ink (Color Fuse #7) through the stencil just around the top and right side of the piece.
• Note, from the next photo, how I dabbed off the blue ink onto my craft mat before applying it through the stencil.
• By keeping the stenciling very light, it adds detail without detracting from the beautiful stamped flowers!

• Have you ever used a stencil to create a textured card layer? You will need your die cutting machine and a rubber embossing mat.
• You will need to follow your particular die cutting machine’s directions and sandwich for dry embossing.
• My layering for my machine is in this order (bottom to top): 4308-Flourish stencil, white cardstock, rubber embossing mat, top embossing plate.
• Check out the beautiful texture!

• Add the embossed piece to an A2 card base with glue.
• Put foam tape on the back of the stamped panel to adhere to the card.
• Stamp a sentiment from the 36057-Thank You set in black ink.
• Cut the sentiment out with the coordinating 36057D-Thank you die. (Yes! Dies for sentiments–yay!!)
• Add foam tape strips to the back of the sentiment to adhere to the card.

This project is truly beautiful and is such a fun card to make. The techniques Carol used were so wonderful and have left us expired and itching to get into our craft room. We hope you love this card as much as we do; be sure to pin it to your Pinterest Boards so when you hit a creative slump, you can use this idea for your next card creation. Be sure to also follow us on Instagram for more inspiration and behind the scenes. Happy Crafting!