Message in a Bottle Embossed Card with Watercolour

A project from our live show Create and Craft TV - IMALA LAUNCH SHOW - Join Carley Duff - Broadcast 27th May 24 · 27/05/2024 · watch it from 46:00

Create an elegant card featuring a vintage-inspired Message in a Bottle design with delicate florals and a turtle detail. The project combines gold embossing with soft watercoloured backgrounds in pink, blue and green tones to create a sophisticated, dimensional layered card. This guide showcases embossing techniques and watercolour layering for a beautiful handmade greeting card.

You will need

Imala - A5 Stamp - Message in a Bottle - 250424HSEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. 

   Apply green dye ink to an acrylic block, covering the surface evenly to create your background colour.

   ▶ watch this step (46:00)
2. 

   Spray water over the inked block to create a watercolour effect. The water will blend and soften the pink ink on the white cardstock.

   ▶ watch this step (46:15)
3. 

   Press white card stock onto the wet inked block to transfer the green watercoloured background. Ensure even pressure across the entire surface for complete coverage.

   ▶ watch this step (46:30)
4. 

   Allow the stamped and embossed background to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

   ▶ watch this step (46:45)
5. 

   Stamp the Message in a Bottle turtle image onto white card stock using clear embossing ink.

   ▶ watch this step (47:00)
6. 

   Sprinkle gold embossing powder over the wet embossing ink, ensuring the stamped image is fully covered.

   ▶ watch this step (47:15)
7. 

   Heat the embossing powder with a heat gun, moving it over the stamped image until the powder melts and becomes shiny and raised.

   ▶ watch this step (47:30)
8. 

   Colour the embossed image with alcohol markers or watercolours, working carefully within the embossed lines to add depth and detail to the design.

   ▶ watch this step (47:45)
9. 

   Add additional decorative paper layers in complementary colours. Smoosh them onto the background using ink to adhere and blend the layers together.

   ▶ watch this step (48:15)
10. 

    Using a fan brush, add lustre gold confetti ink accents across the background layers of your card.

    ▶ watch this step (48:45)
11. 

    Mount the embossed and coloured turtle image onto the layered background using tape runner or glue. Position it centrally on the card front to complete your design.

    ▶ watch this step (49:15)

Tips from the show

• Embossing first encapsulates your colour work, so you won't be scared to add colour afterwards.
• The embossed lines create natural reservoirs that guide your colouring and help you stay within the image.
• You can make the card look vintage or fresh depending on your colour choices and layering techniques.

More from this show

• Still Fabulous Dolly Card with Hair Detail and Paper Piecing
• Sweethearts Couple Card with Coloured Background
• Escape the Ordinary Street Scene with Masked Character

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly