Welcome Back! Thanks for spending some creative time with us. This project came about after watching Bonnie’s video using 2×2 squares to create a scene. I thought it would be harder to create a smaller scene but it turned out to be way easier. I used the Peeking Animals set and a few other stamps to create these cute gift card tops. I wrote in the sentiments, so again they can be used for any occasion.
The Paintings
I started off by masking the 2×2 square on my watercolor paper. I actually used 1 piece of 4.5 x 6 for both paintings (I cut them apart after I painted them).
Using the Owl from the Peeking Animals set, I inked him up with 969, stamped it off and then stamped him in the bottom right corner. I wiped the bottom of the stamp off so I could tuck the leaves from the tree around him. I added water and pulled the color out of the lines. For a darker Owl, I also added some color from my palette making sure that I kept the highlights.
I masked him off and stamped in a couple of branches, I am not sure which I used but any that you have will work, they will be covered with leaves so it’s really not a big deal. For the leaves, I used the vine from the Original Flower set inked with 177. I stamped it al around the owl up to the right and bottom to create a border for when you pull off the tape.
Before I added the water, I pulled the mask off of the Owl and added some additional leaves around the bottom of him. I softened the lines with water, making sure to dab at the leaves, leaving some untouched. To finish up, I added some 565 to the white areas, keeping the left and top next to the tape really dark. Sign and date!
For the squirrel, I stamped the squirrel, masked him off and then stamped the stump, both inked with 969 and pulled the color out of the lines. Make sure you darken in the eye (same with owl LOL) using your twintone. Next, I added some additional color to the squirrel and stump using my palette.
I used a small piece of post-it tape to cover the stump and stamped in a branch and added some leaves. The leaves are from the new Mini Foliage set. I also covered the squirrel and added some leaves above him along the tape. After I removed the mask from the squirrel, I inked the mini flower bunch from the mini flowers set inked with 177 and 925 next to the squirrel. Using water, I softened everything and again added some color to the sky. Again, sign & date.
The Peeking Animals set is such a great set to use for all of these 2×2 paintings. I can’t wait to see what you do with this set!
The Card
I cut the gift card holders out with the AI Envelope GCH Set. The green one was done with paper I had so I am not sure where I got it, the pink is from Gina K Designs. I folded them and glued them using Connect Glue. I cut the paintings down to fit the front of the holder with a 1/4 inch border. I left some room at the top for my sentiments. I glued the painting on top and VOILA, two gift card holders.
WOW, wasn’t that easy. These are great to mass produce for all those gift cards you don’t quite know how to dress up. I can see a lot of Christmas ones coming in the future. This die is fantastic! Tag us on Instagram and use the #AIWatercolor tag so we can see all of your creative ideas.
Thank you so much for spending your precious time with us and keep creating!
Related: Watercolor Tag Money Holder | Art Impressions Stamps
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