Watercolour Spritz

Inkpads aren't the only thing you can use to transfer an image from a stamp - lots of water based products are great for applying straight to stamps.  Whether that's markers, inks or acrylic paints, you can usually get a pleasing result somewhere along the line.  However it does depend what stamp you use.  For images of people, faces or animals, line drawings that you want to colour in and very detailed designs, I would stick to inkpads.  But with slightly more decorative designs, you can experiment and come up with some really nice effects.

The card above was made with a stamp from Nature Swirls coloured with Aqua markers which are watercolour based markers. You could get this effect by painting watercolour onto the stamp, or try water based markers (Copics and ProMarkers won't work).  I spritzed the stamp lightly with water before stamping and stamped onto watercolour paper.  

Without applying any more colour, I spritzed the stamp again and stamped onto a piece of watercolour paper which I had misted with quite a lot of water. The result was this much softer impression.

They both make beautiful images, don't you think?  The second one uses a phrase from Words of Comfort and Cheer - a stamp set which goes beyond the traditional get well greeting and works for a range of situations where you want to convey a heartfelt, genuine sentiment to someone you care about.

I didn't think I would actually need to use the words quite so soon after I produced it, but the card above was one that I sent recently to the wonderful Sue who designs most of our stamps.  She is such a talent, but very shy of any limelight, and I generally respect her wishes and don't mention her much.  However, she recently had to have surgery and although she is now recovering well, I know she's been through a bit of a rough time with it and at the risk of embarrassing her, I am taking this opportunity to say a public thank you for all her amazing artwork that allows us to create such beautiful stamps.

More great cards to follow - watch this space!