Clean and Simple Mixed Media Cards

I have two cards for you today that were inspired by this week's SCS Mixability Challenge not to use paper (except for the card base). Since I love to use patterned papers on my cards, this was a real challenge. I did manage to create these two clean and simple mixed media cards. They were both created using watercolor wash on the background. Basically, I just brushed watercolors on the paper with varying intensities for the ombre effect. I also did some masking on both cards.

For my first card, do you see that scalloped circle that acts as a base for my wreath? Can you guess what it is? It's not paper...it's vinyl wall covering. My parents had a sample book of different vinyl coverings that was about to be trashed, so I took it home. I knew I could use it in my paper crafting. I die cut one sample using Spellbinders Asian Motifs and a Circle die for the center. I used that circle to mask the center for my stamped image while I water colored the background. I stamped Penny Black's text background in a dark shade of blue after the watercolored paper dried. I then carefully placed actual wheat grains along the edge of the center of the die cut. While that's drying, I stamped my main image and sentiment (from Penny Black's ...Wishes set). I then adhered the wreath over that and added a bow.

Don't you just love the different textures of these vinyl wall coverings? And the best part, they're die-cuttable!

My second card is much simpler. I used a die cut (using my Silhouette Cameo) to mask my leaf before watercoloring. I stamped the leaf and sentiment from Penny Black's Foliage Fancy set, then finished it with a button with burlap twine.

I am really enjoying these watercolored backgrounds. They are so easy to do and economical. I'm using cheap old watercolors that my girls used for Art Class last year. Perhaps someday I'll invest in something better and I wonder how it will make a difference.

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