Mondo Poinsettia Gift Tag - Watercolor Resist

Hey everyone!  I know, I know!  It's 106 degrees here today, and I have a Christmas project for you...the irony is more than I can bear.  But I could certainly use a little cheer, so I'm spreading the crafty kind in the form of a gift tag.  You may have seen some photos of this project a few weeks ago when I showed several projects I created using the Essentials By Ellen Holiday 2015 collection.  You can see that post HERE.  I promised a video tutorial on this tag, and I'm making good on my promise today.

I adore this Mondo Poinsettia stamp and coordinating dies.  I know you've seen me use it's sister stamp and die set, the Mondo Magnolia set.  These mondo flowers make the most beautiful focal points for cards.  This poinsettia is perfect for coloring with Copics, or, as in this case, watercoloring. 

I used my Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors to create this watercolor resist flower.  I started by stamping the flower in Versamark ink on some watercolor card stock.  I then embossed it using some gold embossing powder.  The embossing powder, once heat set, creates a resist for the watercolor.  It also helps keep the watercolor contained within the stamped image.  This could be done with any color embossing powder, even white or clear, but I thought the gold touch was perfect for Christmas, and let's face it, I just can't seem to stay away from gold.

I love that I can really build the color as I watercolor.  And the Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors go on with such rich color.  I used two different colors of red to create lights and darks on my poinsettia.  As the color dries, you can add more watercolor if you want the color more intense in places.  These watercolors are really rich and vivid, but keep in mind, you can get less intense color by adding more water.

Once I finished the watercolor poinsettia, I used the coordinating dies to die cut my flower.  I knew I wanted to add lots of dimension to this flower.   I added foam adhesive between the flower layers.  I also slightly curled the ends of the flower petals to make it really feel like it's blooming.

I used some gold thread and sequins for finishing touches on my tag.  I love the extra sparkle that these give to the tag.  They really make it feel very special.  I also added a sentiment from the Mistletoe and Holly stamp set.  I embossed it using the same gold embossing powder that I used on the flower.

I can't wait to attach this to a gift this Christmas.  I know that with a gift tag like this, the gift will need little more to make it feel special.  While this tag is very "Christmas-y" you could apply this to a tag year round by changing up the type of flower you use on your tag.  

As always, I've created a video tutorial below walking you through the entire creation of this tag.  I've also included links to the supplies used in this project.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you've enjoyed this post.  Don't forget you can follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and now, Periscope (@carissawiley on all three).  I'd love to see you there!  Until next time, I hope you have a fabulous day!


Supplies

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