Painting greeting cards in watercolor has been a technique loved by paper crafters for decades but these DIY card designs will bring your handmade card making to another level. And it’s not just for backgrounds! Wait until you see how Stampin’ Up! products can create the most stunning of cards by simply smooshing colors together.
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Watercolor Cards Video | Smoosh Backgrounds
Christmas watercolor cards using the smooshing technique will create backgrounds quickly and easily. Need 100 cards? This is one technique that’s foolproof!
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Watercolor Cards | Banner Year
Typical watercolor backgrounds cover a portion of the cardstock but the smoosh backgrounds can be dragged to cover the entire piece – literally! Use a piece of Window Sheet (acetate), cellophane or plastic wrap as a mock palette to hold your ink pad color. Spritz and drag away!
These three colors are vibrant and blend together beautifully. The secret to this easy technique is to work in small areas if you want multiple colors. Don’t over saturate the Window Sheet and keep the cardstock rotating.
Watercolor Cards | Candy Canes
Heat embossing will resist color which works perfectly with the smoosh technique. I used the Candy Canes background stamp, covered it with white embossing powder, heat set and then smooshed on two colors. Real Red and Flirty Flamingo reminded me of the perfect peppermint candy combination and the variations in tones creates a cool, wintery vibe.
Don’t be concerned about covering all the embossed areas. This technique is intended to be imperfect which makes it fun, foolproof and easy. Your embossed images will still be visible on the cardstock and lead credence to the surrounding images. Background stamps are perfect for this technique!
Smoosh Background Die Cuts | Snowman Season
Watercolor paper is the perfect medium for watercoloring. This highly absorbent paper can withstand numerous layers of ink and water without pilling. Here I covered a larger piece of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper (by far my favorite!) with hues of purple then die cut the Christmas trees.
Keep your backgrounds simple to play up the depths of color created by this technique. A simple contrasting designer paper or even an embossing folder background is all you’ll need.
Smoosh Backgrounds Using Stencils | Snowflakes
Break out those stencils! I used the new Adorning Designs Decorative Masks (aka ‘stencils’) for this card. Press your Versamark ink pad over the top of the stencil images, add your embossing powder and heat set.
Due to the watercolor paper rigid texture, the imperfections in the heat embossing give an aged look to the cardstock. Die cut your backgrounds into shapes for interesting focal points. The Scallop Contour Dies are among my favorites to use! Those scalloped edges are timeless!
Smoosh Backgrounds | Counting Sheep
Don’t forget, Sale-A-Bration free products are redeemable through September 30 when you place every $50 product order. The Counting Sheep stamp set or the coordinating Sheep Dies are just two of the products you can choose. Want them both? Place a $100 order and redeem one of each.
This sunny and cheerful background is complemented by the Ombre Specialty Paper. Their glimmer backgrounds add just the right amount of sparkle and are mess-free to use. The Sheep Dies include accessory images of the fence, clouds, sun and more. You’ll definitely want to accessories the three different sheep expressions included in this stamp set.
Click on the red tutorial box below to view and/or download the card measurements and the supplies. Click on any product in the download and it will redirected to my online store where you can view them larger and/or add them to your cart. I offer exclusive and generous online ordering REWARDS, too!
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Specials
Stampin’ Up! offers regular specials that include promotional and limited time products. From stamps, dies and accessories there are even more ways to be inspired! Click on the button below to check out the current specials. Remember, products are available for a limited time and while supplies last.
This website contains affiliate links. If you click any of the affiliate links and purchase a product, I may earn a commission but don’t worry, there is no cost to you! Read more about our affiliate disclosure by clicking here.
