Watercolor Swiping + LOTS of Cards + GIVEAWAYS

Hello! Today I am sharing a super simple technique for creating smooth watercolor backgrounds. This is perfect for creating many cards at once!

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Multiple stores are also linked in the parentheses following the product name. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.]

A few weeks ago, I showed how to create colorful backgrounds by swiping alcohol ink on yupo paper (HERE). After that, I showed how to create ink pads with baby wipes and dye reinkers (HERE). Well today I am combining those two techniques to create watercolor swiped backgrounds!

I show many ways of doing this technique in my video. And they are SUPER easy. I also showed a few different products you can use… including Hero Arts Liquid Watercolor ( HA | SSS ), Gina K Ink Refills, and Hero Arts Glimmer Metallic Inks ( HA | SSS ). (By the way, Distress Ink and Oxide Reinkers would be great for this, too. I just ran out of time to demonstrate it!)

Because I have so many cards for you today, I will just be putting the supplies used next to each card image below. Keep in mind there are MANY more shown in my video. Yep, I went overboard. 🙂

Diagonal Rainbow Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Check out how smooth that rainbow is…

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Friends Stick Together Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Postage Stay Crafty Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I really like the look of the Hero Arts Postage Infinity Dies ( HA | SSS ) – makes it look like a postage stamp. Perfect for us cardmakers! 🙂 I also like using Silver Metallic Cardstock for my notecards when doing bright elements. I gives nice balance.

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Zig Zag Stay Crafty Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I applied the watercolor in a zig-zag motion for fun.

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Stay Crafty Negative Postage Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Here you can see the sparkle on the rainbow from the Inkon3 Liquid Pixie Dust Ultra Fine Sparkle.

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Simple Crafty Friends Cards:

By the way, I made A LOT of examples similar to those first few… be sure to watch the video to see them!

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

This is super simple… just a quick swipe of watercolor with heat embossing on top…

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Bold Crafty Friends Cards:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Subtle That’s A Lot Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I like that the Hero Arts White Satin Pearl Embossing Powder ( HA | SSS | EH ) picks up whatever color is behind it and makes it metallic.

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Bold That’s A Lot Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Share Handmade Kindness Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Ink Friend Card:

Although most of my cards are rainbow, you can use this technique for many different looks…

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Make Handmade Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Make Stuff, Be Happy Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Bold Make Stuff, Be Happy Card:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Sending Crafty Hugs:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Sending Crafty Hugs:

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

If you aren’t really happy with one your watercolor swipe pieces, use it to peek out from behind a die cut! Works perfect.

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Eat Sleep Craft Repeat Card:

This design works well with the smaller pieces you have left over from the above cards…

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Eat Sleep Craft Repeat Card:

This card uses all the scraps! Keep them and use them!

Watercolor Swiping Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I had SO MUCH FUN making these cards… and thankfully I now have lots of cards to send out! My stash was getting low. 🙂

BLOG HOP & KIT

This post is part of a blog hop featuring the Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit. This kit is the BEST yet… and is packed full of fun products! The kit value is $70 (!!!!)… but only costs $34.99! You can see all the details HERE. The kit is available for a limited time only – once it’s gone, it’s gone. And they sell out fast! The stamps and dies are not sold separately. (Remember that Hero Arts does have a subscription option with FREE US shipping and $9.99 international shipping in case you never want to miss out on a kit. Find out info HERE.)

HERE is the kit. All this is valued at $70, but costs under $35…

There are also many great new products available that coordinate with the kit. Worth checking out! You can find them all HERE.

The next stop on the hop is the blog of Nichol Spohr! You can find her HERE. You can also start at the beginning of the hop at the Hero Arts Blog.

GIVEAWAY

I am so excited about today’s products that I am buying more of my four favorite sets to send to a lucky winner! For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 5/12/19 telling me which set is your favorite. (To leave a comment, head to blog, scroll down to the bottom of this post and click the green “leave a comment” button. The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)

Also…

Hero Arts is giving away a kit as a prize to a blog reader – selected from the comments across all of the blogs in the hop. The giveaway closes 5/12/19… and the winner will be announced the following week on the Hero Arts blog.

SUPPLIES

Want to find the products I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except the Hero Arts products which were received from the company with no expectation. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the icons below each product picture to go to a favorite store.

Hero Arts May My Monthly Hero Kit
[ HA ]
Hero Arts Stamped Just For You Stamp Set
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Crafting Tools Stamp
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Crafty Messages Stamp Set
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Handmade Happiness Stamp Set
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Handmade Happiness Dies
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Stick Together Stamp & Cut
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts One of a Kind Stamp & Cut
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Knitting Stamp Set
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Knitting Dies
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Cross Stitch Patterns Stamp…
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero ARts Cross Stitch Alpha Stamp Set
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Hello Stamp & Die
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Knitting Pattern Stamp
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Tin of Brushes Stamp
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Crafting Border Die
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Needle and Thread Confetti Die
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Wood Frame Infinity Dies
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Postage Infinity Dies
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Share Handmade Kindness
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Liquid Watercolor
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Glimmer Metallic Inks
[ HA | SSS ]
Gina K Ink Refills
[ GNK ]
Inkon3 Liquid Pixie Dust Ultra Fine…
[ SSS ]
Kirklands Baby Wipes
[ AMZUS ]
Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts White Satin Pearl Embossing…
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Ultrafine Clear Embossing…
[ HA | SSS ]
VersaMark Ink
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
[ SSS | ELH ]
Simon Says Stamp Fog Ink
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts Heat Gun
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Anti Static Powder Bag
[ SSS | ELH ]
Art Impressions Stamp Positioner
[ SSS | ART ]
Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper
[ SSS | ELH ]
Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Cardstock
[ SSS ]
Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Cardstock
[ AMZUS ]
Gina K Silver Metallic Cardstock
[ GNK ]
Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock
[ HA | SSS ]
Tim Holtz Tonic Glass Media Mat
[ SSS ]
MISTI Stamping Tool
[ SSS | ELH ]
Microfiber Cloth
[ SSS ]
White Craft Foam
[ SSS ]
Therm O Web Purple Tape
[ SSS | ELH ]
Gina K Connect Glue
[ SSS | GNK ]
Kokuyo Long Dot Liner Adhesive
[ SSS ]
Gemini Junior Die Cut Machine
[ SSS | ELH ]
Your Next Die Wire Cutters
[ SSS ]
Flush Wire Cutters
[ SSS ]
Simon Says Stamp Envelopes
[ SSS ]
Gina K Envelopes
[ GNK ]


Leave a Comment

654 thoughts on “Watercolor Swiping + LOTS of Cards + GIVEAWAYS”

  1. ‘Crafty Messages’ is pretty darn cute. Tough choice to only pick one tho! I love ’em all!

  2. You are so clever! Thanks for sharing with us.
    I really like the Hero Arts monthly kit stamps. I don’ t think I’ve ever seen a set that encompasses as many of my favorite crafts like this one does. And the stamp of the pencil sharpener with shavings cracks me up!

  3. As always, your video was inspiring as well as all the cards you created. It’s impossible for me to come away from an instructional video of yours and not be inspired, thank you for that!
    As for my favorite, the Hero Arts Monthly Kit is Fantastic but I must say the Crafting Border Die is pretty fabulous too!
    Hugs!

  4. These are gorgeous and adorable all at the same time! Hard to pick a favorite, but the main kit has so many fun images!

  5. Your cards are so beautiful! I love the fun rainbow backgrounds you created. 🙂 This kit, and the add-on products are super! I think my favorite stamp set is Crafty Messages.

  6. Beautiful bunch of cards. Lovely stampsets. FAvourite is handmade happiness set. I can imagine creating few canvases with these stamps and decorating the wall by which I can motivate myself when looking at it.

  7. Love these stamp sets! How could I possibly choose just one? Probably the Hero Arts Jost Fir You. The “I love you more than my stamps” cracks me up. But the kits is great, too. Then there’s the…you get my drift. I’ll take them all!

  8. What a cool technique! My daughter and I can’t wait to try this. Need more baby wipes! Lol! Crafty Messages and Stamped for You are great sets. And those cat stamps are so sweet! Thanks for reaching and inspiring us.

  9. I love all the cards you made! And I’m so happy you showed us this technique using regular inks as I don’t have any alcohol inks (yet!). Can’t wait to try it. All these new stamp sets are lots of fun – if I have to pick a favorite, I think it’s the Crafty Messages.

  10. thanks for sharing such an awesome swiping technique, enabling everyone to make multiple pretty backgrounds so quickly! love the metallic backgrounds all shhimmery in the light. the hero art sentiments are my favs in this collection especially the ones that says “you better like this” & “this took forever” because they are actually things i want to say to my friends after making them cards since it takes hours to make a card for them haha

  11. Wow are these cards gorgeous! I love the rich color and fun designs…and all of those stamp sets are wonderful! My favorite is the monthly kit and the craft sentiments

  12. wow, so many to choose from. Is like being in a candystore, and you know you have to watch your waistline! Or in the case of a creative candyshop, your wallet. I love the versatility of the CRAFTY MESSAGES set! And I love love love your creativity.

  13. What a great way to make backgrounds, I’m inspired and thinking of how I may use what I have to produce similar results with my watercolour pallet (I don’t have any ink bottles to use). Thanks Jennifer, your creativity is, as always, very impressive.

  14. Awesome Kit & add-ons. Wonderful creations! I love your color blended stripe backgrounds! Thanks for the video! I especially love the Crafty Messages and Crafting Tools Bold Prints!

  15. Hello Jennifer, well I finally got round to finishing off this particular video (it’s been a busy week) . I love to watch your inspirational video’s every time you post a new one! I cannot choose, but if pushed to choose a favourite I would say the heart with the kitty. Thank you so much for the inspiration you are to me and thousands of others 💕

  16. Thank you for always being so inspirational! I love your videos and recommend them to all! The kits are all so fun, I am blessed to have been a member for almost 2 years now (every since I discovered you). One of my absolute favorites is the coffee set from August 2018,,,I just adore that set. Another favorite is the Art Deco set from February 2019. Wow, I could go on and on there are so many fun sets!

  17. I love the crafty message set, especially your added touch on the envelopes. Your videos are wonderful, full of great ideas on techniques, design, creative process and you’re just lovely to listen to. Lots of useful information that moves at a great pace.

  18. My favorite was that crafty border set. I never would’ve thought to cut it up and use it as a border rather than the frame. 😃

  19. I love the Hero Arts Craft Stamps Tools Stamp! Very cool and very useful! Love all these ideas…

  20. Those cards are so pretty, love all the fancy dies they are very effective. I think I love the knitting stamp set the best, so that would be my pick of the bunch. Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration you share.

  21. I like the Handmade Happiness Set. Your cards and techniques are beautiful. Thanks for the tutorial on how you made them, and all your tips and tricks.

  22. The Crafty Messages set is my favorite! I picked up the Hero Arts kit this month. It was too hard to resist!

  23. I really love all of those cards and backgrounds! My favorite is the wood mount stamp tin of brushes!

  24. My absolute favorite is the one with the ocean and beach images you used to make the shadow box cards last year. Hero Arts my monthly hero kit for June 2018. But it’s not easy to pick one since they’re products are so awesome. I do love this kit as well and I’d love to have a chance at the giveaway.😘

  25. Love the Just for You and One of a Kind sets. Have so many friends who would appreciate the sentiments! And the Pixie Dust shimmer Ink is wonderful!!!

  26. Absolutely gorgeous work as always! Always so inspired by your creativity! Hard to choose a favorite of the sets as they are all great! Hero Arts has really out done themselves with this kit and add-ons! Just awesome. The Knitting Cats are darned cute but all the crafty sets are amazing as well!

  27. I just adore this! I love the backgrounds AND the kit – thank you for the inspiration Jennifer!

  28. I like the “Stamped just for you” set the best. Thank you for sharing your creativity. I love learning new techniques. I appreciate you showing us how to get more uses for the supplies we already have . Your rainbow cards are beautiful. I can’t wait to try this technique. I think I will try using my spay inks and apply them to the baby wipes with medical droppers. Thank for a chance to win. Happy crafting to you!

  29. My fave would be the Crafty Tools Bold Prints stamp set. There are some well used little tools on there!

  30. Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for this amazing giveaway. I watch your videos every morning while I’m getting ready to get inspiration for when I come home. This kit is SO AMAZING, I absolutely love it. My favorites have to be the crafty tools background stamp as well as the crafty messages stamp set. I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

  31. Thanks for all the ideas! I’ve been getting into watercolor recently and it’s always great to have new things to try!

    I love the knitting kit. Mostly because of the kitty! It’s so darn cute!

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