Independence Day Elf Gatefold | Watercolor Weekend | Art Impressions

Hi watercolor fans!  Welcome to another Watercolor Weekend.  This weekend I wanted to do a card to celebrate Independence Day!  I decided to keep it simple and create this Independence Elf gate fold card.  I was inspired (as usual) by one of Jennifer McGuire’s recent posts.

To begin, I inked the elf with the 969, stamped it off and then stamped the him to the right of the middle of the paper.  Using a mask to protect him, I inked up the mushroom with the 969 and, using my positioner, stamped it underneath the elf.

I pulled the color out of the lines of the elf and the mushroom.  I added some additional 969 from my palette to add some shadows onto the mushroom.  I added some 954 to my palette and added it to the arms and face of the elf.  I added some 969 to his pants and 535 to his shirt, adding shading around the bottom of his shirt.

I decided that it would be fun to try to use the long grasses from the 4875-Garden Wagon Mini set to create some fireworks.  I am always looking for ways to stretch my stamps and this was perfect.  I inked one of the grasses up with 847-Crimson and stamped it in a sort of circle a few times without re-inking, being careful not to ink the small flowers on the ends of the stamp.  I did the same with the 535-Cobalt.

To create the fireworks look, I pulled the color out as far as I could in a wispy motion.  I tried to pull the color out as far as I could in all directions.  I added some additional red and blue to the mushroom as a type of reflection.  Next, I added some N25 to my palette and slowly built up the color in the background.  To add some sparkle to my fireworks, I added some Wink of Stella.

I cut the piece down using my Stitched rectangle die.  I used some Gina K Designs metallic silver paper for the base and Blue Denim cardstock for the frame.  To see how to create the gate fold, Jennifer McGuire does it perfectly…check out her blog here.

Related: New Watercolor Stamps – Elves | Watercolor Weekend | Art Impressions

I hope you will check out my other team members over on the Art Impressions Blog and fill up on all of their wonderful inspiration.  As always I appreciate your support and love all your encouraging comments and love.  I hope you have a crafty day and I hope you will visit again soon!

Supplies: