Sunday, April 27, 2025

Hello Spring - Blackout Technique using watercolors | Honey Bee Stamps

Handmade spring greeting card featuring colorful watercolor flowers and hummingbirds on a black background, with metallic "Hello Spring" die-cut sentiment; created using Honey Bee Stamps Chinoiserie 3D Embossing Folder and Karin Brushmarker PROs.

Hello friends!

Today I’m sharing a vibrant spring card featuring the Blackout Technique — and I’m thrilled because it showcases some gorgeous products from the upcoming Country Cottage Release by Honey Bee Stamps! The Cottage Countryside Release will go live on 4/30 after the Live Release Party on YouTube at 8 pm EST. For those of you who love visuals, I will be sharing the Reel Here on Release night!

For this card, I used the stunning new Chinoiserie 3D Embossing Folder to create the background. After embossing a piece of Birtol paper, I colored the impressed images using Karin Brushmarker PROs along with a waterbrush to fill in the embossed wells. (If you'd like to see a similar technique in action, check out my earlier post HERE).

Once the background was fully colored and dry, before moving onto the Blackout step, I carefully ran the panel through my diecut/embossing machine again with the embossing folder, making sure to line it up perfectly. This re-embossing helps sharpen the beautiful details that can sometimes soften after applying water.

I then applied Versafine Fine Pigment Ink - Onyx Black by rubbing it over the entire panel, letting those bright, happy spring colors burst against the dark background. It's such a bold and stunning effect! To the background, I then added gold and white splatters.

Handmade spring greeting card featuring colorful watercolor flowers and hummingbirds on a black background, with metallic "Hello Spring" die-cut sentiment; created using Honey Bee Stamps Chinoiserie 3D Embossing Folder and Karin Brushmarker PROs.

Sentiment:
For the greeting:

I used a metallic foil cardstock for extra shine and layered the sentiments with their coordinating shadows for dimension and definition.

Handmade spring greeting card featuring colorful watercolor flowers and hummingbirds on a black background, with metallic "Hello Spring" die-cut sentiment; created using Honey Bee Stamps Chinoiserie 3D Embossing Folder and Karin Brushmarker PROs.

To complete the card, I added a few iridescent gems, and painted the bodies of the Hummingbirds with Bee Creative Liquid Shimmer Watercolor to catch the light and add a bit of playful sparkle.

I hope this card inspires you to give the Blackout Technique a try! It’s a bit messy but so much fun — and the final effect is so worth it.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming Country Cottage Release from Honey Bee Stamps — you’re going to love everything! 

Thank you for stopping by and until next time... Happy Crafting!
Ilda 🌼