Saturday 3 March 2018

2018 #3 Watercolours: A little something to read {by Alison Bomber}

2018 Topic 3: Watercolour
A little something to read by Alison Bomber


Watercolours do beautiful things when salt is added to suck away the colour, leaving behind a truly fabulous texture. Alison captures this effect so well, and shares with you a great gift idea in the process! ~ Leandra


Hi everyone, it's Alison from Words and Pictures with you today, and I'd like to share with you some salty, watery bookmarks.

I fell in love with watercolours a year or two ago, and have been exploring their possibilities since then.  I thought I'd combine them with my quote stamps to make some bookmarks.  The salt was an afterthought, but one I'm so happy I added!


I love how the pigment of a good watercolour moves in water, and how some colours granulate (the pigment powder floats in the water to create a mottled look) and some are more stable.  I was using Daniel Smith watercolours to create my masterboard, and they have lots of fabulous granulation in some of the colours.


I think it was that granulation which suddenly made me think of adding salt - something I've done in the past with Distress Inks, but hadn't done with my watercolours before.  I think the effects are spectacular, both while the paint is still wet...



... and when you've brushed the salt away once it has all dried.


I cut a section of the masterboard into strips of equal length and width and then sought out some words to fit onto them.



I used two quotes each from EAB03 Music & Silence


EAB07 Dreaming & Doing


and EAB08 Strength & Courage. See here for links to stockists.



On the paler bookmarks, I stamped in Cobalt and clear-embossed the words with Ranger Clear embossing powder.


And where the paint background was darker, I stamped in Versamark and embossed in Detail Fine White powder by Wow.


Some distressing of the edges, and some fine white twine through the punched holes, and now I can keep my place in the several books I usually have on the go at one time...



... and receive a little extra food for thought from reading the bookmark too!


I hope you'll have a go at salting your watercolours or water-soluble inks.  It really is fascinating watching the crystals at work, soaking up pigment and water and creating the incredible organic patterning.  It certainly won't be the last time I craft with added salt!

Happy crafting all!
Alison x

Blog: Words and Pictures
Pinterest: butterfly crafter



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21 comments:

Kirsten said...

They are lovely and such a nice idea.

Helen said...

these are beautiful! what a great idea.

froebelsternchen said...

Fabulous - what a fantastic idea!

Lauren Hatwell said...

Wow! The effect is lovely Alison. Lx

Cathy said...

Fantastic project! Love the look of this technique, Cathy x

Redanne said...

A great technique and wonderful results Alison, I will definitely be having a go at this - thanks so much for sharing! xx

Etsuko said...

Simple and beautiful bookmarks Alison. Salt is nice idea and fab results. xx

Christine Alexander said...

Alison I'm a huge fan, love your salted backgrounds and your awesome sentiments :)

Marci said...

I always need bookmarks and these are so very pretty!

Craftyfield said...

Gorgeous colours!

Dortesjs said...

lol lol you where right ...I rather look at your book marks than ANY BOOK ...great work you did love them ;O))

Hazel Agnew said...

So simple yet so effective Alison. Love the white embossing! Xx

Jane said...

Fab Alison and yes salt is such a great medium to add! I love your colours xx

Ruth said...

Sooo pretty, I’ve never used this technique although I’ve seen the beautiful results many times, these are just delightful and a perfect backdrop for your wonderful quotes, absolutely perfect idea xx

Kate Yetter said...

Beautiful bookmarks, Alison!

Cocofolies said...

I love this set of bookmarks!! Great idea to use your wonderful words, Alison. Keeping this in mind... xx

Jackie PN said...

Such a great idea Alison!!
I love your new stamps!
Jackie xx

Fliss said...

A really great idea Alison and love the creative use of your beautiful quote stamps on these. The watercolour background is stunning with it's salty caused effect and seeing these wish I didn't have a Kindle!!!
Fliss xx

Raquel Burillo said...

Beautiful!! Love the idea and using salt is something I've wanted to try for a while (and I think this will also be great with infusions...). A simple project, but very inspiring!

Julia Aston said...

What lovely bookmarks Alison - both with the lovely salted watercoloring and your beautiful quote stampings! Julia xx

Lucy Edmondson said...

Absolutely wonderful! I love that salt effect!

Lucy x