Using Framelits as Stencils for Watercoloring with Aqua Painters

Here’s a really cool technique for using Framelits as stencils to watercolor with Aqua Painters and ink pads.  I thought this technique and this card were a perfect match for this week’s Global Design Project Challenge #GDP075.  The challenge was to create a project using the theme “Winged Creatures”.  Here’s my finished card and step by step directions.Here are my steps:

Tape down your piece of watercolor paper with painters tape.  Watercolor paper measures 4″ x 3″.  Trace the inner side of the Framelit (I used the butterfly from Bold Butterfly #138135) with a pencil to create your stencil.First “paint” the entire inside of the butterfly with just water and your Aqua Painter.  Then paint over the water layer with your choice of color.  I used Daffodil Delight.While the yellow is still wet, pick up some of your second color (I used Watermelon Wonder) and squeeze/drip some of the Watermelon color onto the yellow.  A tie-dye look will appear.  All of the colors should stay within the pencil lines.  Let it sit for a minute or two.You can let the butterfly air dry on it’s own or use your Heat Tool to dry it.  You will be able to move the water & ink around and create some cool textured looks.  The water & ink should stay within the lines unless your heat tool gets too close or if your butterfly is really wet.Once dry, you can erase your pencil marks.  The butterfly takes on a beautiful appearance once the lines are gone.No lines and a beautiful butterfly!Create a splatter look by using a wet aqua painter and dipping it into the ink (I used Daffodil Delight).  Using your free hand as a base, thump the inked Aqua Painter on your hand and you will get splatter marks.I used the patterned paper from the free Sale-a-bration pack “Carried Away”.  The pink paper is cut 5 1/4″ x 4 and the gray polka dot strip is 1″ x 4″.  The base card color is Smoky Slate.  I cut a strip of vellum 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ and pre-stamped “To a wonderful friend…” from the Dragonfly Dreams stamp set in Basic Black archival ink. Vellum paper takes a little while to dry.  I have two choices of sparkle shown in this photo: “Sprinkles Embellishments” and sequins from a past Paper Pumpkin kit.The messy thread look is pretty trendy right now.   I know that many of you get intimidated trying to get the “right” messy look.  I put a glue dot at 9 o’clock and one at 3 o’clock and then put the silver thread down on those glue dots.  The thread stays in place, but also keeps the look of movement.  Place your sentiment on top of the glue dots.I hid the glue dot with a sequin and then added a few more.Here is another version of the same card, but using the Sprinkles embellishments instead of the sequins.  As you can see, each butterfly and splatter comes out differently making each butterfly unique.

Using a Framelit as a stencil opens up so many possibilities for using your Aqua Painters and watercoloring. I love it when one product has more than one purpose.  Be sure to write a comment on this post and let me know what you think of this technique and my directions.