You know how some techniques look simple but just don’t turn out right? I’ve always felt that way about the watercolor background. I watch the videos, I study the instructions, and STILL…
If you’re anything like me, you will LOVE this technique (sorry, the Mister and I are still staying at home and I find myself shouting quite a bit when I have the chance to talk to someone else). Anyway…I started using blocks to apply color to paper and discovered to my delight that I could make it work!

- Stamps: Love of Leaves
- Color Palette: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Cinnamon Cider, Sahara Sand
- Accessories: H Acrylic block, Stampin’ Spritzer, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Write markers
The technique is just about fail-proof. Choose your colors, scribble on an acrylic block, spritz with water and stamp. Voila! If you add color to the block while it’s on a piece of white paper, it’s easy to see where you’ve added color and where the block is blank.

You can see that I created pretty regular color patches. I’ve since experimented a little more (stay tuned!) and found larger, less regular patches and more water give more “watercolored” results. I thought the way this one turned out was interesting as it reminded me of granite. Do you see that, or am I imagining things? (This would not be the first time.)
The font used in this set is something a little different for Stampin’ Up! and it reminds me of a printing style I used when I was in school. This particular sentiment is one I will use over and over. In fact, it may be my theme song for 2020.

There are coordinating dies for this set but I chose to keep it super simple and stamp that leaf – maybe a Hawthorne? – directly on the card. I can’t remember the last time I made a one-layer card.
Could you please help me with something? In the past I’ve added a direct link to the store for every product I’ve used. It takes a little extra time, and I’m wondering if I should continue investing my time that way. If you use those links, I’d love your feedback. And if you don’t, well, you can tell me that, too!
In the meantime, you can shop my beautiful, new, easier-to-navigate Online Store here.
Great card
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I’m so glad you like it!
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Anne, that’s gorgeous! And yes, I see granite! Thanks for a great idea!
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Thanks, Cheryl – I’ll watch for your version!
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So beautiful! Did you mask off the area before stamping with the blocks?
I can see granite but my first impression was a big pile of leaves.
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Oh Isa, I love the idea of a pile of leaves!
I did not mask – that’s the beauty of this technique. It’s super simple, and because the acrylic blocks are clear you can see right where you’re placing the ink.
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