Spellbinders Happy Octopus Handmade Card

 Oh my gosh you guys, I can NOT EVEN with this octopus! He's part of the Spellbinders Indie collection - it's a fabulously fun collection available on the Spellbinders website, as well as independent stores.  I recently got my hands on this little guy, and I HAD to get crafty with him. (Or her???) This die is really cool because it not only cuts but embosses too - see that great spotty texture on the tentacles and head? So much fun.

To get this card started, I was completely inspired by my sweet friend Betsy Veldman. She was experimenting with watercolor and SALT (yes, SALT) and she made some really fantastic cards, with gorgeous watercolor effects. (Please go visit Betsy and see what she created - then come right back here!) She even has a quick little process video. Isn't it amazing? 

So now, you see why I was totally inspired. To begin this card I got my Color Splash Watercolor Sheet wet with a water brush. (I kept the water mainly to the center part of the paper.) Then I started dripping and painting using FSJ Liquid Colors (Catalina Splash and Cool Pool) and water. I let the water and color move around, dry, and then add some more layers. I also added some salt (mixed with Catalina Splash Liquid Color.) As it dried, I worked on my sweet pink octopus! (This post contains compensated affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my links when you shop!)

To make the octopus, I grabbed another Color Splash Sheet, and used the same method - except I used Watermelon Fusion Liquid Color. I layered it, and dried it a few times as I worked, and although it's tough to see, I did add some salt, as well as some FSJ Sparkle Silk! Then after the sheet was mostly dried, I die cut it. 

For the sentiment, (also part of the Spellbinders Indie Collection, but not available on the Spellbinders website) I die cut the HELLO from Whip Cream cardstock three times. Then I glued them together to make a nice thick sentiment, and covered it with Journey Glaze. I stamped "my friend" on a little strip of cardstock and adhered everything together. 

It's funny, I honestly wasn't sure that I would even blog this card - but I love it SO much. That octopus just makes me happy, and I love the way the colors turned out. Here's my number one tip if you decide to play with some watercolor and salt. (And it actually applies to a lot of different techniques and mediums.) Don't throw ANYTHING out too soon. This background panel was one of three that I did - and honestly it was the one I thought I "messed up". It was my least favorite originally, but as things like this dry and the colors blend a little more and mellow out, sometimes it changes. So - don't give up on anything too soon!!!

So to recap:

• Stop by and see my friend Betsy. She'll show you just how to add salt to your watercolor, and she's got three STUNNING cards to check out using this technique.

• Then stop on by Spellbinders + FSJ and buy the Happy Octopus, some Liquid Colors (they're super concentrated and extra gorgeous liquid dye inks.) Grab some Sparkle Silk, and Color Splash Sheets while you're at it! 

Thanks so much for stopping by, my friends! xoxo