A Beginner's Guide to Creating Watercolor Floral Cards (Feat. Altenew x Sarah Simon Collection)

Are you a watercolor enthusiast looking to add a touch of spring florals to your handmade creations? We’ve got you! The exclusive collaboration between Altenew and Sarah Simon, also known as The Mint Gardener, is finally here!

This collection is designed to inspire and elevate your watercolor projects with its stunning floral designs and coordinating stencils and dies. In this beginner's guide, we will explore the essential supplies, introduce the key products in the collection, and provide step-by-step guidance on creating beautiful watercolor floral cards.

Introducing the Altenew x Sarah Simon Exclusive Collection

Now, let's take a closer look at some key products from the Altenew x Sarah Simon collection that will help you create stunning watercolor floral cards:

• Garden Bouquet Stamp and Die Set

The Garden Bouquet Stamp Set and Garden Bouquet Die Set allows you to create watercolor florals like an artist. The stamp set features a beautiful rose and eucalyptus arrangement along with thoughtful sentiments and quotes to enhance your paper crafting projects. The coordinating die set includes dies that will cut out the large floral arrangement, the eucalyptus branch, and sentiments from the set.

• Peony & Lilac Swag Stamp, Die, and Stencil Set

Another exciting bundle from the collection is the Peony & Lilac Swag Stamp Set, Peony & Lilac Swag Die Set, and Peony & Lilac Swag Simple Coloring Stencil Set. The stamp set features a gorgeous arrangement of peonies and lilacs along with motivational sentiments and quotes. The coordinating die set and simple coloring stencil set add versatility to your floral card creations.

• Warm & Fuzzy Stamp and Die Set

The Warm & Fuzzy Stamp Set and Warm & Fuzzy Die Set bring warm and fuzzy vibes to your watercolor art. Featuring a beautiful dandelion stamp set with heartfelt sentiments, this set allows you to add whimsy bloom to your handmade creations. The coordinating die set includes dies that will cut out the dandelion stem and sentiments from the set.

• Cupcake Cosmos 3D Embossing Folder

Add a touch of sweetness to your handmade creations with the delightful Cupcake Cosmos 3D Embossing Folder! This 3D embossing folder, designed in collaboration with Sarah Simon, features a beautiful arrangement of three Cupcake Cosmos flowers, adding a fun and charming dimension to your projects. Elevate your crafting experience as you emboss intricate details and watch these whimsical flowers come to life.

What Makes This Collection Special?

If you’re a beginner in card making or watercolor (or both!), the Altenew x Sarah Simon collection is perfect for YOU! Here’s why:

1. Curated Floral Designs

• The collection features gorgeous floral designs created by Sarah Simon, the Mint Gardener, specifically with watercolor in mind.
• These pre-designed floral elements take the guesswork out of sketching and provide a strong foundation for beginners to build their watercolor skills.

2. Coordinating Stencils

• The included stencils allow beginners to easily mask and ink blend areas of their floral designs.
• This helps create depth, dimension, and visual interest without requiring advanced freehand painting skills.
• The stencils can be used to establish the basic floral shapes before adding watercolor washes.

3. Matching Dies

• The coordinating dies make it simple to cut out the floral elements with precision.
• Beginners can focus on the watercolor painting process without worrying about fussy cutting.
• The dies also enable easy layering and assembly of the final card designs.

4. Endless Inspiration

• Here at Altenew, every release collection comes with TONS of cardmaking inspiration! Check out our hops (blog, Instagram, YouTube) for detailed video tutorials and step-by-step guides to help you make the most out of these new products.
• These inspirational resources, combined with the collection's thoughtful design, empower watercolor beginners like you to create stunning watercolor floral cards with ease!

With these watercolor tools, ideas, and resources, you can confidently explore the world of watercolor painting and achieve beautiful, professional-looking results even if you’re a beginner!

Gathering Your Supplies

Before diving into the world of watercolor floral cards, gathering the right supplies is essential. Here are some recommended items to have on hand:

• Choose high-quality watercolor paper that can withstand the wet-on-wet techniques commonly used in floral painting. Additionally, invest in a set of vibrant watercolor paints to bring your floral designs to life.

 

Blooming Brushwork Bundle This is a bundle of Garden Bouquet Stamp and Die Set and Warm & Fuzzy Stamp and Die Set from the Altenew x Sarah Simon special collaboration collection and the following Artists' Watercolor Tubes: Payne's Grey, Quinacridone Magenta, Titanium White, Toluidine Red, Primary Yellow, French Ultramarine, and Phthalo Green.

• A variety of brushes, including round and detail brushes, will allow you to paint different elements of the floral designs with precision. A palette for mixing and diluting your watercolors is also essential.
• Keep a water cup for rinsing your brushes, paper towels for blotting excess water, and masking tape for securing your paper during the painting process.

Preparing Your Watercolor Surface

Before you start painting your watercolor floral cards, it's important to prepare your surface for the best results. Proper paper stretching and taping techniques will prevent your paper from warping when it gets wet. Additionally, wetting the paper for a wet-on-wet effect will allow your colors to blend seamlessly. Consider choosing a color scheme inspired by the collection to create a cohesive look for your floral designs.

Easy Watercolor Tips for Beginners 

Here are some tips for using the Altenew x Sarah Simon collection to create beautiful watercolor artwork:

Start with the Basics

• Begin by practicing painting simple floral shapes and elements using the collection's stamps.
• Experiment with different watercolor techniques like wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and no-line to understand how the paints behave.
• Use the coordinating dies to cut out the painted elements and practice card assembly.

Embrace the Color Palette

• The collection is inspired by the beauty of spring florals, so use your favorite spring hues as a starting point.
• Experiment with layering and mixing watercolor paints to create your desired color combinations. 
• Refer to the insert card for more project ideas and color-coordinated projects.

Elevating Your Watercolor Floral Cards

To take your watercolor floral cards to the next level, consider incorporating layering techniques to add depth and dimension to your designs. You can also experiment with mixed media elements such as embossing to add texture and visual interest. Assembling a complete card design involves arranging your painted elements on a card base and adding additional embellishments as desired.

Finishing Touches and Presentation

Adding sentiments and other embellishments such as sequins, gemstones, enamel dots, etc. will complete your watercolor floral cards. Consider mounting and framing your finished creations to showcase them as a standalone art piece.

Ready to Create Your Own Watercolor Floral Cards?

The Altenew x Sarah Simon collection offers an array of products designed to inspire watercolor enthusiasts and beginners to create stunning watercolor floral cards. With its focus on spring florals and thoughtful sentiments, this collection is a must-have for anyone passionate about watercolor art. Explore the collection and start creating your own beautiful watercolor floral cards!

Need more watercolor tips, tricks, and ideas? Visit us In the Craft Room!