Had to Try

Once I saw this technique, I knew I had to give a try. I made a few samples before deciding on actually making a card.

First I tried the technique with watercolour paper and paints, it was a bit too washed out. Next I tried it, as suggested, the shimmery paper and reinkers. I liked the result, but I don't have much shimmery paper, and what I do have, I keep for very special occasions. I could see myself really liking this technique, so I wanted to find a cheaper option.

What about regular white cardstock? Well guess what, it works just fine! Regular cardstock tends to curl a bit when wet, so I stamped, embossed, sprayed, and then used two smaller acrylic blocks to hold it down while I went in with reinkers. The plain cardstock soaks up the water pretty fast, but the effect is just as striking. It may take longer to dry, I didn't feel like waiting. Since the water doesn't stay pooled on top for very long, I decided to speed things up with the heat gun. I let each image air dry for maybe five minutes, then came back to it with the heat gun.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Friends 'til the End, Father Knows Best
Ink: Versamark, Kiwi Kiss
Reinkers: Summer Sun, Ridinghood Red,Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss
Paper: Barely Banana, Ridinghood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Haiku
Accessories, etc.: white satin ribbon, white EP, pop dots