Stamping with watercolors by Kimber McGray

I've been watching some of our designers create some beautiful projects using watercolors or watered down Happy Hues paints and stamping.


I went about trying this technique in 2 different ways. First, I used watercolors to paint inside of heat embossed, stamped images.


Start by stamping the image with VersaMark or some other embossing ink pad. Then sprinkle with embossing powder and shake off the excess. I used a cream colored powder because I can't find my white embossing powder anywhere. Then heat it with a heat gun to melt the powder.

You can use any kind of cardstock. I just had plain old white cardstock that you can get at any craft store. If you have water color paper, the water will absorb differently.

I painted inside the embossed image, not too carefully. I like it when the color goes beyond the image just a little. The embossed image will create a resist and you can wipe off the image with a paper towel when you are finished.


I wanted to remove a little bit of the color. I used a wet baby wipe and dabbed at the image to lighten the yellow a bit.

Finally, just stamp the sentiment with regular ink and add a few gems.

Next, I went with painting the watercolors on the stamp directly for a muted/muddled image.




I found that the less water you added to the paint, the better. If you use too much water, it pools on the stamp and then on the cardstock. I used a dry paint brush to move some of the excess water around after it was stamped.


I stamped the sentiment with regular ink and added a few wood veneer dots to finish the card.
Give this technique a try. I just used basic water color paints that my elementary aged daughter had in her school supplies. Nothing fancy at all.

Have a creative weekend!