Hugs

Good day, fellow crafters. It's Tamara once again, with a new post showcasing my latest card created using  Blank Page Muse products! Today, I’m crafting a heartfelt "Hugs" design that’s all about embracing those soft, watercolor vibes and delicate florals—perfect for sending a little love to someone special. Picture this: a dreamy oval frame in lush purples and pinks, splashed with ethereal ink blends that fade into galaxy-like shimmers, cradling a cluster of white-outlined dahlias that seem to bloom right off the page. A touch of gold outlines the edges for that subtle elegance, while sparkling gems catch the light like tiny stars. Stick around as I walk you through the step-by-step process, from the initial splash to the final flourish! What's your go-to sentiment for a cozy card like this? Share in the comments below—I'd love to hear!

To create this project, you will need the following:

Stamps

• Flower & Bird Sketches Art Rubber Stamp
• Sentiment of your choice (I chose one from my stash) 

 Paper

• (1) Watercolor paper panel - 4.25" x 5.5"
• (1) Purple Cardstock - 4.25" x 5.5"
• (1) Gold Metallic Cardstock  - 4.25" x 5.5"
• (1) Black Cardstock  - 4.25" x 5.5"
• (1) White A2 card base 

Pigment Powders

• Pigment powders (brand of your choice, must be water soluble)

Inks

• Watermark ink 

Tools

• Sticky mat (optional but very useful to hold work in place without using tape)
• Embossing folder (I chose one from my stash) 
• Scissors
• Liquid glue
• Paper Trimmer
• Border die(s) of choice 
• Die-cut machine
• Stamping tool (I use a Misti)
• Anti-static bag
• White embossing powder 
• Heat tool
• Flat-backed pearls
• Double-sided adhesive - Low tack
• Watercolor paint brushes
• Paper towels
• Cup of clean water 

Process: 

• Place the watercolor panel on the stamping platform and secure it with the stamping tool.
• Attach the floral stamp to the stamping platform, centered over the panel, using double-sided tape if needed.
• Dust the watercolor panel with an anti-static bag to prevent stray embossing powder.
• Ink the floral stamp with watermark ink and stamp the image onto the panel with even pressure, repeating 1–2 times for complete coverage.
• Remove the panel from the stamping platform, sprinkle white embossing powder over the stamped image, and use a heat tool to emboss. This will create a resist for the next step.
• Place the panel onto a secure surface that can handle contact with water (I use my glassboard mat for this step). Lightly sprinkle the powder pigments over the panel randomly.
• Using a damp watercolor brush, spread the powders around the panel, allowing them to dissolve. Once covered, allow to dry.
• Using the purple cardstock, the embossing folder of your choice, and a die-cutting machine, create the embossed panel. I personally like to mist the back of my cardstock when putting it into an embossing folder to loosen the fibers and prevent potential tears, but that is optional. Once complete, set aside.
• Using the black cardstock and the sentiment die of your choice, die cut the sentiment. For dimension, you could cut several and stack them for some added height. This is optional, and I did not do this step. Set aside.
• Using the border die of your choice (I chose a set from one of my infinity dies), die cut the focal panel and the gold cardstock, making sure to use the larger die on the gold for a revealed edge.
• Using the paper trimmer, trim down the background embossed panel to leave a reveal of 1/8 inch on both sides.
• Use liquid glue to assemble all of the components onto the white card base.
• For visual interest, add some flat-back pearls in an odd number and a triangular pattern to draw the eye of the viewer. Three pearls arching like a subtle constellation add that final sparkle.

The stamps I used can be found by following the links in the materials list, or you can find them with a quick search on www.blankpagemuse.com. Visit our social media sites for more stamping fun!

I Brake For Stamps -https://ibrakeforstamps.com/

The Blank Page Muse- https://blankpagemuse.com/

FB Fan Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/blankpagemuse/

Instagram Shop- https://www.instagram.com/blankpagemuse/

Instagram Blog- https://www.instagram.com/blankpagemuseblog/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/BlankPageMuse

Pinterest- https://www.pinterest.com/blankpagemuse/boards/

Guest Designer Samantha with Dandelion Wishes! Stamping and Watercolor Tips & Tricks!

Hello, hello! Samantha Ziegenfuss here. I'm so happy to be back on the blog sharing another tutorial with you today.

I have many favorite stamps Blank Page Muse stamps and one of them is the Dandelion Wishes with Butterflies set by Terri Sproul. I love it for both its beauty and versatility; I've used it to create everything from sympathy cards to gift tags. 

Today I'm using it along with a new passion of mine, watercolor painting, to create a clean and simple card set that is very easy to make. This would be a wonderful gift for any occasion; Mother's Day, a birthday, graduation, etc.

Let me show you!

To begin you will need the following:

The dandelion images, make a wish, and may all your weeds be wildflowers sentiments from the Dandelion Wishes with Butterflies Art Rubber Stamp Sheet by Terri Sproul

https://blankpagemuse.com/dandelion-wishes-with-butterflies-art-rubber-stamp-sheet-by-terri-sproul/

The You Are My Sunshine Sentiment Art Rubber Stamp

https://blankpagemuse.com/products/you-are-my-sunshine-sentiment-art-rubber-stamp-sc81-14.html

The Thanks sentiment from the Fall Rubber Stamp Sheet by Pam Bray

https://blankpagemuse.com/fall-rubber-stamp-sheet-set-by-pam-bray-designs/

Four 4-bar cards (finished size is 3.5" x 5")

Four pieces of watercolor paper cut to 3.25" x 4.75" (I used 140lb cold pressed)

Four pieces of colored cardstock for matting cut to 3 3/8" x 4 7/8"

Waterproof ink (I used Versafine in Onyx Black)

Watercolor paints (I used a palette but you can use any kind; tubes, brush pens, Distress Inks, etc)

A watercolor paintbrush (I used a number 6 round)

First stamp your dandelions and sentiments to your watercolor paper. 

Here's a trick for lining up your sentiments as it can be a little tricky to get rubber stamps 100% straight.

What you can do is take a piece of acetate (In this photo I'm actually just using some plastic packaging from a box),lay it over your project, and stamp onto it. 

This will help you to determine if your stamp needs to be adjusted at all.

The ink can be cleaned from the acetate with water.

Now for the best part! 

Take your stamped watercolor panels and paint them by adding one color at a time. I did wet to dry; this is where you take wet paint and brush it onto dry paper.

When your first color is dry add a second. When the second is dry add a third and so on until you've achieved the look you want.

While you wait for your paper to dry adhere your colored cardstock to your cards. 

Once dry add your watercolor panels to your matted card bases and add a few sequins to each if you'd like.

That's all. 

Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my tutorial. I hope you have the best day. 

Until next time,

Samantha