inspiration monday

the calendar says that spring is officially here later this week, so let's celebrate by making a little card using some rubber stamps and my favorite "faux watercolor" technique!  all you need are a few distress ink pads, a black stamp pad, a small piece of watercolor paper, some springtime rubber stamps, a waterbrush or paintbrush, and a black marker.
{i'm using fabriano artistico 140 lb CP paper and my new "grow happy" stamp set!}

first, divide the watercolor paper into three sections on the long side, 

and mark the edge with a pencil.

{my paper is about 8"x4", so i marked at 2-5/8" from each end}

now stamp your images using a water based ink pad.

{i used distress inks by ranger}  

touch a wet paintbrush to the ink to "paint" your image.  

the water will activate the ink and you can move it around to create a watercolor effect.  

if the image starts to disappear, you can fix it once everything is dry by dabbing your paintbrush directly onto the stamp pad, and then painting the details back in.

now stamp a cheerful sentiment using black ink….. 

and add a border, if you like!

place a ruler on the pencil marks, and use a bone folder 

to score from edge to edge across the front.

now fold the paper along the scored lines into three sections…..

and write your own happy springtime message!

now just tuck your sweet greeting inside an envelope and share it with someone special!
celebrate those warm, sunny, springtime days ahead!!  woo hoo!

{i found these little polka-dot glassine bags at michael's and the card fits inside perfectly….i just love it when that happens, don't you?!} 



{i used these supplies to make my card:  
fabriano artistico 140 lb CP watercolor paper,  "grow happy" stamp set, distress ink pads, black archival ink pad, waterbrush, micron pen, ruler, bone folder, pencil}