Creating this Watercolor Ombre Background card was a truly satisfying experience. The technique itself is both fun and visually striking. I began by using Blending Brushes to apply Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Pie inks onto watercolor paper, leaving a bit of empty space at one end for the ombre effect. Once the colors were deep enough, I used a water spritzer to spray the paper, allowing the water to flow and “melt” the ink from the darkest area down toward the unbrushed section. The soft gradient effect this created gives the background a beautiful ombre look.
Once the watercolor piece was completely dry, I stamped the gorgeous flowers from the Layers of Beauty stamp set in Early Espresso ink. The detail of the flowers contrasts beautifully with the soft ombre background. For the sentiment, I chose “Grateful for You,” which was also stamped in Early Espresso on the front of the card. Additionally, I stamped more flowers onto a separate piece of Very Vanilla to be used for the inside of the card, tying the design together.
To assemble the card, I started with a Very Vanilla base, layering it with Pecan Pie cardstock, and then placing the watercolor art piece on top of that. The inside of the card mirrors the front with the stamped flowers and an extra layer of Pecan Pie to give it a cohesive and polished look. To finish off the design, I added Neutrals Adhesive-Backed Sequins in a rich brown, which complemented the earthy tones of the card beautifully.
This card will be my entry for the Color Throwdown #816 challenge, and I’ve created a short video to share how it all came together.
Here is the Color Throwdown challenge icon:
Measurements (in inches):
- Card Base (Very Vanilla) 8-1/2 x 5-1/2
- 1st Layer (Pecan Pie) 5-1/8 x 3-5/8
- Watercolor Paper 3-1/2 x 5
- inside card Very Vanilla 3-3/4 x 5, coordinating cardstock (Pecan Pie) 5-1/8 x 3-7/8
If you love watercolor techniques, this ombre background is a must-try! Stay tuned for more details and watch the video for a step-by-step guide on recreating this design.
Such a soft ombre effect and such a pretty card! Thanks so much for joining us at the Color Throwdown this week!
Thank you! I love color gradients and this one was super fun to create. Thank you for being a part of the Color Throwdown and having such fun challenges.
Lovely card. The soft watercolored background is lovely.
Thank you so much, Lisa, for your lovely comment. It really means a lot to me. I appreciate your taking the time to write it.
Your gradient colors are so beautiful and make for a lovely background! So glad you were able to play along with us at CTD!
Thank you! It was such a joy to play along with the Color Throwdown.
What a pretty card! Thanks for joining us for the Color Throwdown. ❤️
Thank you, Tammy! I appreciate your comment. The Color Throwdown is always a favorite challenge.
The ombre effect here is beautiful. Thank you for joining this special Color Throwdown challenge.
Thanks, Lori! I appreciate your kind comments. I enjoyed the Color Throwdown challenge very much. It’s always a good way to stretch creativity.