Instructions 

One of my favorite techniques to use with stamped images is watercoloring, but since I wanted to use my Wendy Vecchi Signature Archival Inks, to color the Doodle Celebration stamps that wasn't an option. Unless... "What if," I asked myself, "I filled a waterbrush with rubbing alcohol? Would I get a similar effect?" As it turns out the answer to that was YES!

Step 1: Stamp images from Wendy Vecchi's MAKE ART Doodle Celebration stamp set in Jet Black Archival Ink on Simon Hurley create! Stark White Cardstock.

Step 2: Fill a waterbrush with 91% rubbing alcohol. "Smoosh" an ink pad with the first color of ink you'd like to use onto a Craft Sheet or acrylic palette. Use the brush to pick up some of the ink and start to paint your image. It's best to work with the lightest colors first, if possible; and to fill in the largest areas with a "base coat" of color before adding details and shadows. As with ordinary watercoloring, for best results, use several light coats to build up the color, and try not to let the paper get too wet because the Jet Black Archival may bleed. Dampen a rag or paper towel with rubbing alcohol to clean the palette as you change colors. (Note: Archival Reinkers can also be used for this technique; but being much more concentrated, they will need a few drops of rubbing alcohol to dilute them.) 

Step 3: Use the smaller flower and heart stamps from the set to add details to the wrapping paper on the gifts, if desired. A .01 Letter It Fineliner is excellent for adding stripes, dots and other patterns to make each gift unique. You can also cut the two attached gifts apart, and trim a few of the gifts slightly smaller to get a nice variety of sizes. When all of your elements are colored and decorated, use scissors to neatly cut them out.

Step 4: Diecut, punch or draw several circles of different sizes from Ranger Distress Woodgrain Cardstock and/or from "found" sheet music backed with plain white cardstock. On a 4" x 5.25" panel of Stark White Cardstock, overlap the circles to create a cluster that will hold your images, and affix them to the panel with Wendy Vecchi Perfect Card Adhesive.

Step 5: Attach the fussy-cut images to the woodgrain cardstock circles using Ranger Adhesive Foam Tape for a little extra dimension. If desired, add extra flowers to the cake, overlap the gifts, and keep rearranging the elements until you achieve a nice balance.

Step 6: Attach the decorated panel to a white folded Wendy Vecchi Perfect Cardstock A2 card.

Step 7: "Watercolor" a few extra cakes, presents, balloons and hearts to make additional cards, so ALL your friends and family can receive an extra-special birthday card this year!