Hello, lovely crafters! Today, I have a delightful card-making project to share with you, perfect for those who want to create something adorable without breaking the bank. We’re going to make a cute card featuring the Monkey Around Stamp Set from My Favorite Things and the ever-reliable Crayola Watercolors. Let’s jump right in and explore this fun, budget-friendly card!
Discovering the Joy of Budget-Friendly Watercolors:
One of my favorite aspects of card making is finding ways to achieve beautiful results without spending a fortune. When I first started, I thought quality results required expensive supplies. However, I quickly learned that even simple tools like Crayola Watercolors can yield stunning results with a bit of technique and creativity.
The Star of the Show: Monkey Around Stamp Set
The Monkey Around Stamp Set is absolutely charming. For this card, I used the two little monkeys holding a banner, along with a birthday cake decorated with bananas. They’re perfect for a fun, playful birthday card. I stamped these images onto Canson XL Watercolor Paper using Versafine Onyx Black Ink, which is my go-to for crisp, detailed lines.
Embracing Crayola Watercolors
Crayola Watercolors might not be the first thing that comes to mind for card makers, but they’re incredibly versatile and budget-friendly. Here are a few tips and tricks to get the most out of them:
Layering Colors: Start with a light wash and build up layers to create depth and vibrancy. This technique can make your images pop without requiring pricey watercolors.
Mixing Shades: Use a palette or even a plastic lid to mix colors. This allows you to create custom shades that match your vision perfectly.
Blending: Keep a clean brush and water handy for smooth blending. This is particularly useful for creating gradient effects or soft transitions between colors.
Assembling the Card
Once the watercoloring was complete, I dried the panel with my trusty heat tool. I always keep it nearby for quick drying, especially when I’m eager to move on to the next step. After drying, I trimmed the watercolor panel slightly to ensure a neat look.
To give the card a professional finish, I added a black cardstock mat layer from a piece of Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock. This mat was cut just 1/16" larger than the watercolor panel, providing a striking contrast that frames the artwork beautifully.
For the card base, I chose Buttercup Yellow Cardstock from Concord & 9th. The sunny yellow adds a cheerful touch, perfect for a birthday card. Finally, I finished off the card with a few yellow enamel dots from my stash. These little embellishments add a fun pop of dimension and tie the whole design together.
Pro Tips for Card Makers
Invest in Versafine Onyx Black Ink: If you love detailed stamping, this ink is a must-have. It provides sharp, clean lines and is waterproof, making it ideal for watercoloring.
Heat Tool for Quick Drying: A heat tool is invaluable for speeding up the drying process, especially when working with watercolors.
Experiment with Budget Supplies: Don’t be afraid to experiment with budget-friendly supplies. Sometimes, the most unexpected tools can yield the best results.
I hope this project inspires you to dive into your stash and get creative with what you have on hand. Card making doesn’t have to be expensive to be beautiful and fun. The Monkey Around Stamp Set and Crayola Watercolors proved to be a perfect match for this adorable birthday card.
Budget Watercolors Video Tutorial:
If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!
(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
Thank you for dropping by today! Remember to check out the video tutorial for a detailed, step-by-step guide. I can’t wait to see what you create!
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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