Have you used layering stamps before but want a different way to use them? Well, why not create a faux watercolour look to your stamping? Faux watercolouring with stamp layering can create some fun and unique looks; they may even look like you hand painted them, but without the fuss! If you’ve not even used a stamp layering set before, I’ve also got a basic card with normal stamp layering as well to start you off with.
I took the All about layering 2 class over at the Altenew Academy as part of my Altenew Certificate educator programme where this class focuses on layering stamps. Altenew are well known for their floral layering stamps so this class was useful to learn how each stamp set layered up. For this card, I used a more recent layered stamp set called Ruffled flowers, and at the moment it is my most favourite floral stamp set of theirs yet! I love the whimsical nature of the flowers and think they create stunning cards.
PRODUCED AS PART OF MY DESIGN-TEAM WORK FOR Bumblberry Papercrafts - SEE END OF POST FOR MORE DETAILS
Normal stamping with layering stamps
For the basic stamping and ink, you need to start off with the lightest layer and colour first. The lightest layer will always be the stamp layer with the most amount of ‘full’ stamp area to it. Altenew label all the layers, and usually have an outline on the stamp package around the stamps that layer together. So for the first layer, you need to find layer one within that grouping.
I stamped the first layer in It’s A Girl ink by Catherine Pooler and then aligned the second layer (label 2 within the grouping) in Party Dress ink by Catherine Pooler. The stamp packing comes with a guide to show you what parts of the stamp on each layer you can use to align the layers.
For the last layer – the outline layer I used Peppermint Scrub ink by Catherine Pooler. I also stamped the 2 layers for the leaves in Garden Party and Eucalyptus ink by Catherine Pooler.
Repeat this process for a second floral cluster, I changed the colour of my second layer to Rose Petals by Catherine Pooler. These floral images were fussy cut-out.
For the background panel, trim down a piece of Soft Slate cardstock by Gina K Designs and score the background at every 1/2 for additional interest. For even more interest, add some white gold paint splatter using the Gansai Tambi Starry Colours paint set
Foam mounted this onto a white card base and foam mounted the floral clusters with Scrapbook Adhesives foam pads. Add a white heat embossed the sentiment from the Altenew Cake Lovers stamp set and add a few sequins for finishing touches.
Faux watercolouring with layering stamps - Water spritz stamping onto dry paper (technique 1)
For this second card, we are going to start creating the ‘faux watercolour’ look to your stamping. Add some watercolour cardstock to your stamping platform. Ink up the stamps, starting off with your lightest layer again. Before you stamp it, spritz the stamp with some water and then stamp onto the card stock.
Repeat the process with the next layer, once again spritzing with water before stamping. When you stamp down, the two colours from the layers will start to blend with one another and give a faux watercolour look. Heat set this before you stamp the last layer.
For the last layer you can spritz with water, or for a cleaner outline, omit the water and stamp normally.
This card was added to a Soft slat background with a diagonal scored background. and the floral clusters foam mounted at a diagonal coming out from the centre. A heat embossed the sentiment from ‘Reason to smile’ stamp set was added to the centre and finished with a few sequins.
Faux watercolouring with layering stamps - Water spritz stamping onto wet paper (technique 2)
For a more artistic look, you can take your faux watercolour stamping one step further. Once you have placed your watercolour cardstock into your stamping platform, mist your paper so there is a slight sheen to it. Ink up your layer and spritz the stamp before you stamp it. When you stamp the layer, the wet ink will come into contact with the wet watercolour paper and will move more. The ink will spread out from where their original stamp layer is, but will still resemble the shape of the layer.
Repeat this for the other two layers without drying your paper in between. You can even do this with the leaves, though be careful not to get mud as colour! I kept this card simple with a stamped sentiment from the Ruffled flower stamp set using Versafine Onyx black ink. For a finishing touch a few sequins were added using Gina K connect glue.
For the last card, I used a similar process to the step before. However, once I had stamped the first and second layer I heat set the panel until it was dry. For a crisp outline stamped image as seen in this one, make sure your paper is dry and do not spritz the stamp with water. I love the look of this, a very artsy colour to the florals with a lovely crisp outline in a monochromatic colour scheme!
(click to enlarge images)
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Bumbleberry Papercrafts
wHERE YOU’LL FIND Full details on how I made this card AND LINKS TO SUPPLIES available at bumbleberry papercrafts
Supplies:
Affiliate links used at Altenew (ALT), Scrapbook.com (SB) and Craft Stash (CSt).
All other links are NOT affiliates (Bumbleberry Papercrafts (BP), WOW! Embossing Powder (WOW!)
 Gina K Designs – Connect Glue Shop at: BP |  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb Cardstock Shop at: BP |  Scrapbook Adhesives 3D foam sqaures 1/4″ white Shop at: BP |  WOW! Dual Speed Heat Gun (UK version) Shop at: CSt | WOW!(UK) | WOW!(US) |  WOW! Clear ultra slow drying embossing pad Shop at: CSt | WOW!(UK) | WOW!(US) |
 Reason To Smile – Altenew Shop at: ALT | BP | CSt |  Soft Stone Heavy Weight Cardstock – Gina K Designs Shop at: BP |  Original MISTI – My Sweet Petunia Shop at: ALT | BP | SB |  Ruffled Flowers – Altenew Shop at: ALT | BP | SB |  Cake Love – Altenew Shop at: ALT | BP | SB |
 Opaque Birght White -WOW! Embossing Powder Shop at: CSt | WOW!(UK) | WOW!(US) |  All About Layering 2 – Altenew Shop at: ALT |
Additional supplies used:
- It’s A girl ink – Catherine Pooler Designs
- Rose Petals Ink – Catherine Pooler Designs
- Peppermint Scrub ink – Catherine Pooler Designs
- Garden Part ink – Catherine Pooler Designs
- Eucalyptus ink – Catherine Pooler Designs
- Rock Candy Confetti Mix Sequins – Trinty stamps
- Gansai Tambi Starry Colours paint set – Kuretake
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DISCLOSURE
This post was produced as part of my design team work for Bumbleberry Papercrafts have not been paid to make this post, but I am given supplies from Bumbleberry Papercrafts to use. However, I create projects with creative control and produce projects I am proud of and with products that I love. The information provided is based on my own personal experience – I am not an expert.
5 thoughts on “Faux watercolouring with stamp layering”
Absolutely beautiful work Verity! I love everything, from the photography to the card layouts and the way you explained your card making process!
I am so glad that you entered your beautiful work in Altenew AECP assignment Gallery. Thank you for sharing your creative process! Top job!
Thank you Erum. Glad you liked it ?
BEAUTIFUL work as always, Verity!! I always enjoy seeing your work! Thanks so much for entering your beautiful work in Altenew AECP assignment Gallery. Beautiful colors and design. Well done!
Thanks Virginia ?