Watercolor

Ever had a tiny bird take over your craft space, demand a week of your attention and somehow turn your brushstrokes into a full-blown adventure? Meet my Olive Sparrow! I’m absolutely delighted to share my homework for my final AECP Level 3 class: “Botanical Illustration Inspired Watercolor”  by the ever-amazing Jaycee Gaspar — a class that is equal parts inspiration, challenge and “how does he make it look so easy!?”

Inspired by the incredibly talented Erum Tasneem, a one layer card with a single bloom full of depth, color and life, set against a background that celebrates texture and play.

For my AECP Level 3, I recently took “Artists’ Watercolors 101 for Paper Crafters” with the wonderfully talented Emily Midgett, and let me tell you—this was no “splash on some color and call it a day” kind of class. No, this was watercolor boot camp… with beautiful results.

Don't these paper houses look cute in a sea of flowers? You can recreate this 5 by 7 card using Creative Cuts: Cozy Homes Layering Die Set, Cute Open Rose Layering Die Set, Just Leaves Die Set and the floral stamp from the Breezy Quest Stamp and Die Set.

For my first AECP Level 3 class, I share a spread in my journal which celebrates the magic of bird visits in an early autumn garden.

I was inspired by the darker colors of the inspiration picture and created this card using Altenew's Watercolors and an image from the Watercolor Coloring Book.

This clean & simple thank-you card packs a bold punch — with a little twist of the die. See how I made it and two more versions using the same die!

See how a daunting class turned into a blooming success — two handmade cards, two styles and a lesson in beautiful details

No-line watercoloring on this AECP handmade card using the beautiful Cattleya orchid and some favorite shades — Quinacridone Coral, Perylene Violet and Perylene Green.