You Make a Difference

But for this card, I decided to use the new set of water-reactive mini ink pads in fall colors from Catherine Pooler Designs -- you can also use your distress ink pads for a similar muted effect. I chose fall colors for a soft, romantic look and essentially let the colors bleed into each other on very wet watercolor paper.

It's fascinating to watch how color follows water and just playfully does its own thing without any manipulation. It's what keeps me coming back to watercolors...there is so much dynamic energy and a beautiful unpredictable vibe to it. Where, in real life, I cannot work without a planner and a scheduler, when it comes to watercoloring -- or any form of art, really -- I thrive on intuitive play between the mediums and the substrates.

Once I was happy with the way the watercoloring had been done, I proceeded to use my Derwent Inktense pencils (while the paper was still damp) and added some definition to the flowers and leaves making sure I didn't touch every single petal or blade of grass because I did still want to preserve that look of loose watercoloring.

I then used my heat gun to dry up the panel, MFT Stamps' wonky stitched rectangle die cut and heat embossed a sentiment that's part of this set using Copper Tinsel embossing powder. Brutus Monroe's Penny Metallic Embossing Powder would also work as a great substitute.

I then adhered this panel onto a card base that I had previously colored with some green ink. If you look closely, the little green border that peeks through has water marks on it from me spraying some clear water on the blending. You'd get the same effect if you used any distress inks in your stash. Lastly, I added some sequins and some white highlights with a pen and the card was done!

I really enjoyed working with this stamp and I think you can make it work for any season depending on your color choices.

Hope you had fun reading this tutorial! I will see you all next time.

Mansi.