Christmas in July!

Okay, so I am totally getting into this Christmas in July theme going on at Simon Says Stamp. I have so many Christmas card ideas that I almost forget it's the middle of summer and super hot outside!

This card is another entry for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Christmas in July. This is also another entry for the watercolor Work it Wednesday Challenge. 

I am really into repeated image background stamping and coloring right now, so I knew that was the look I wanted to create for this card. I first laid down a very light watercolor wash of number 49 Gold watercolor from the Prima Shimmering Lights watercolor pan set. The shimmer is very, very subtle, but still beautiful.  After it dried, I laid down the images and sentiment stamps from the Simon Says Stamp Christmas Essentials stamp set. Next, I used my Mini Misti stamping tool to repeatedly stamp the images on watercolor paper. I laid down the sentiment stamp only to arrange the image stamps around it because before I stamped, I removed the sentiment stamp so I only stamped the images. This way, I ensured I left a space big enough for me to stamp the sentiment later.

Next, I watercolor painted the images. Instead of using watercolors though, I decided to paint with Distress Ink. I used the colors Festive Berries, Pine Needles, Evergreen Bough, Fired Brick, and Walnut Stain. After the images dried, I added some white, acrylic paint splatters. Finally, I heat embossed the sentiment using Ranger Black Sparkle embossing powder.

I am really happy how this card turned out. I am still practicing my watercolor skills, and will continue to do so because with each card I feel more confident in my watercolor painting ability! Thanks for stopping by!