a watercolor experiment

Longing for my days doing experiments in the college chemistry lab (NOT), I decided to do a little experiment with distress stains. Using my non-stick craft sheet from Ranger, Tim Holtz Distress Stain (Tumbled Glass), 5 manilla tags, 1 sheet of photo paper, and some water, I set out to find out what is my favorite method for getting a watercolor effect.

Experiment #1:

-wipe distress stain on the mat

-spritz stain and mat with water

-also spritz the paper with water

-slide paper over the mat

Result: very pale coloring, because the paper is manilla, this one has almost a yellow/green tinge to its aqua color

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Experiment #2:

-wipe distress stain on the mat

-spritz just the paper with water

-slide paper over the mat

Result: a mottled, imperfect soft water color effect, pretty





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Experiment #3:

-wipe distress stain over the paper
-spritz water on the paper
Result: Slightly more intense color than #2, but doesn't have the mottled effect, less variance in shades over the card, but still pretty

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Experiment #4:
-wipe distress stain on the mat
-spritz mat with water
-wipe glossy sheet of photo paper over the mat
Result: splotchy swipes and dots of color, color more true to the stain color since paper base is white (versus manilla) (must have had a little bit of leftover green on the mat--oops)

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Experiment #5:

-Wipe the whole tag with stain
-Starting 3/4" inch from the top, wipe this bottom part of the tag again with stain
-Keep repeating the process moving down 3/4" inch after each layer
Result: an ombre effect that is very "in" right now. However, the bottom part of the tag (the part that recieved the most "swipes" was starting to pill and disintegrate)

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Experiment #6:

-wipe distress stain on the mat

-spritz mat with water

-wipe manilla tag over the mat

Result: similar mottled effect to #2, but without the visible swipe lines

So, do I have a favorite? No, I like them all! It's helpful to see what effect each method produces though. Using Fiskars circle and cloud squeeze punches, Sizzix embossing plates, ribbon scraps, some twine, and a cute printed sentiment, I turned these experiments into tags--perfect for attaching a gift card to the back. I like experiments. Not enough to go back to college chemistry though.

So, did you see my submission call for watercolor projects in the July issue of Scrapstreet ? You can check it out here.

No matter what method you use to achieve a watercolor effect (paint, stain, mists, watercolors, or something else), I'd love to see it! The deadline is August 19th.

Beachy Tag and lots of Helmar

Hi its me, Veronica. I am so excited to share with you my project using Helmar adhesives and also some awesome Trinity Paper Arts!

I have been using Helmar for a long while and used the Quick Dry 450 liquid adhesive and the Quick-fix permanent adhesive today. I also used my favorite beach paper from Trinity Paper Arts; Surf N Swim.

The first thing I did when making my beachy tag was to cut several layers of the Surf N Swim and adhere it to my tag using the Helmar adhesive runner.

I then added a some gesso to my tag before using the liquid Helmar 450 Quick Dry to adhere my chipboard palm tree. This adhesive is all I use when adhering elements like my seashells, chipboard or buttons.

Hope you enjoyed my show and tell for today.  Happy Scrapping!

Flash Cards ~



Hi everyone !!!  Have you ever found something really cool and love to incorporate them into your scrapbooking or cardmaking?  I came across these on a recent junkin' trip and thought I would show you what I made with them.

I added some scrapbooking supplies to the mix and this is what I created.  I used Jenni Bowlin Studio products and the vintage flash cards.  I used Helmar Craft Glue to adhere my embellishments. These would look great on a layout, card or used as a gift tag on a present.

Here is another example. Don't be afraid to use those vintage finds, they can really bring unique inspiration to others.  Have a great day and I'll see ya soon! by: C. Mercer

Card and tag ideas~

Hi everyone~glad to be back and ready to get creative!!!!  This is a tag set I did using the Just My style stamp set by Darkroom Door.  I stamped the image on Kraft cardstock and then cut around it and adhered to the manila tag.   Added some mists and some little extras and the girls are ready!!!

Here is another example using the same stamp set by Darkroom Door.  Again stamping the image on Kraft cardstock and blocking it.  Little extras are added and the girls are ready!!!  These are a couple of quick and easy card and tag ideas~ hope you enjoyed them. See ya soon!!! by: C. Mercer

Just a little something...

During the holiday season I always think of people that I would like to show my appreciation to with a little gift, but my checkbook doesn't feel the same way.  I realized I could make something, but it really needed to be something that was quick to make.  What about TAGS!  With the popularity of gift bags why not give tags? I know that I rarely gift wrap anymore because the bags are so convenient and truthfully I hate to gift wrap.

You can make tags for any occasion.  Just because my examples are all Christmas doesn't mean you have to create Christmas tags too.  A great plus about creating tags is that you can use your "leftover" goodies that you have been saving.  If you are like me you save stuff thinking that at some point you will use that one sticker left on the sheet, or the goofy die cut flower that you have never been able to figure out what to do with. 

Most of my tag that I'm sharing were done using digital stamps.  Because I LOVE to color with my Copics most of my tags include a colored image.  I also like to use Glossy Accents and Stickles to add sparkle and shine to my holiday tags so you will see these products throughout too.  These tags feature stamps from Dilly Beans Stamps.

My next group of tags are a little more manly.  The center one was created using a Tiddly Inks digital stamp, but the others were created using stickers and diecuts. You can create tags quickly if you use pre-made embellishments plus you still get that hand-made look.  They make a perfect gift too.

My last three tags are snowmen.  The middle snowman is a stamp from Hambo Stamps.  The outside ones are from Dilly Beans Stamps.  Most of my tag bases are cut out of card stock, however a few are Bazzill pre-made tags, which I love.   You can easily save time by using a pre-made tag as a template to cut your tags from. 

All you need is an hour or two and your leftover stash.  You can create a bunch of one-of-a-kind tags to give just to show you care.  Your checkbook will thank you for it!

Check out my layout!

Remember when I told you to come back to see how I used the button flowers on my layout? Well here it is! I just love it. From the misting, the bordered edges, the tags, and the flowers... so much to look at here. Hope you enjoy the layout as much as I do!


Have a wonderful day,


Nicole Martel