Watercolor Butterflies

I've been cleaning out my craft room and came across another old favorite. This butterfly is from the Stampendous Cling Jumbo Hydrangea set. Remember that one? Another great set but alas, it is no longer available.

Using Canson 140 lb Watercolor paper and Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolors, I created a sort of tie-dyed panel. Quick tip: when making tie-dyed panels, fill a shallow rectangular pan with water (I used a disposable aluminum casserole tin that you get at the grocery) and submerge your panel for just a minute or so. This makes it so quick and easy to wick paint through the paper and blend with the other colors.

Dr. Martin's is my favorite brand of watercolor paint. It's a concentrated liquid that comes in a bottle with an eye dropper top. A drop is all you need to create vibrant color on your page. Because of the dropper top, it is also easy to create drips and splatters. I linked to Donna Downey's store where she sells them in kits and as single bottles. While you are there, check out some of the other unique and amazing stuff she has. BTW: Her customer service is amazing! And no, I don't get anything for sending you there. It's just my way of saying, "Thanks, Donna." She has given us all so much with her classes, videos and free tutorials.

After my panel was dry, I stamped the butterflies, using Ranger Archival Jet Black ink, fussy cut them and adhered them to the card. The sentiment is from another retired Stampendous set.

Thanks for visiting.

Something New

I love Donna Downey and her art. But who doesn't? Right? I've never met her but I can just tell she's the kind of person who gives freely of her knowledge. Her passion and enthusiasm for art are so contagious. When watching her videos, she makes you feel like you too could pick up a brush and create something wonderful.

Recently, I discovered that she offers a monthly online canvas class and decided to sign up. While waiting for some supplies to arrive, I practiced what I learned from the class video on these tiny 3-1/2" x 2-1/2" canvases.

I started by covering the canvases with a base coat of acrylic paint. It was then time to add texture. Donna recommended using very common scrapbooking supplies but when I grabbed mine, I discovered they were so old they couldn't be used. Nope, I'm not going to tell you the supply. Spend the $25. You'll be so glad you did. Sitting on my workspace was a bunch of Stampendous Essentials (Color Fragments, Mica and Crushed Glass Glitter). Essentials add delicious texture to projects and are available in a wide range of amazing colors. For this project, the color wasn't important as I just wanted the texture so I grabbed what was sitting there and embedded them into the paint. It was simple. I just brushed on Gel Matte Medium where I wanted the texture and while wet, sprinkled on the Essentials. It's important to let this dry completely. I then added more paint, covering the embedded fragments and glitter. Next, I grabbed a Martha Stewart Home Decor stencil (you can find these at Michaels but any stencil will do) and my Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens. I used the white Pitt Pen to get the basic design onto each canvas and added color after the white had dried.


Here are some closeups of the texture created by the Stampendous Essentials. I love the look and texture so much, I am going to give it a try on something bigger. Donna Downey has her own line of stencils. I'm thinking creating something with her Hollyhocks stencil would make me very happy so stay tuned.


I can't get over how creating these three little canvases made me feel. I encourage you to visit Donna's Blog and try an online class or two. The joy you feel is cleansing. Now onto the real class assignment.

Thanks for visiting. I am so thankful for your comments.