A 100% non-profit Art Publication                                                Click on any of the Menu Buttons
located on Route 66                                                                                            on the left and cruise
in the Galaxies of Cyberspace!                                                                   to your favorite hot spots.

Rubber Road
Scenic Byway:

Tye Dye Background with Watercolor Markers

By Wanda Troupe
Hot Rod Scrampers
Advanced Scramping Team Designer

This technique is one of my favorites for making unique backgrounds. All you need is some watercolor markers, a spray bottle with water and either a piece of glass or acetate to scribble on. I used red and yellow markers for this background. Be sure to try different combinations to see what beautiful creations you can come up with!

Supplies:

• Daisy Delight Stamp Set (TAC)
• Rugged Shadows Stamp Set (TAC)
• Small Alphabet Stamps (PSC)
• Black Beauty Dye Ink (TAC)
• Adobe Chalk Pad (TAC)
• Cactus Chalk Pad (TAC)
• Sundance Chalk Pad (TAC)
• Red & Yellow Watercolor Markers (Impress)
• Pink Cardstock (DCWV)
  • Size 8 ½” x 9 7/8”
  • Size 3” x 7”
• Green Cardstock (Bazzill)
  • Size 4-1/4”x9-7/8” (2 pieces)
  • Size 3 ¼” x 7 ¼”
• White Cardstock 8 ½” x9 7/8” (Georgia Pacific – Walmart)
• White Cardstock scraps
• Fun Fur Fiber (Lion Brand)
• Gold Buttons (Michael’s)
• Scissors (Fiskars)
• Glass Mat (Homemade)
• Spray Bottle with water
• Scrappy Glue (Magic Scraps)
• Paper cutter (Fiskars 12” ~ *TAC)

Instructions:

1.                Print calendar from desired source. I used Printable Calendars (http://www.printable-calendar.com/) since they were a good size to fit on my page. Before printing, I added birthdays and holidays; you may do this by hand or on the computer. Highlight special days with small rectangle shadow stamp from Rugged Shadows stamp set using green ink. Trim with paper trimmer as closely to edges as possible leaving room for matting. Mat with light blue cardstock positioning calendar close to top of pink cardstock mat.

2.                Stamp flowers and leaves onto background of one of the 4-1/4” x 9-7/8” green strips using Cactus ink. Attach to top of right page using glue. Attach calendar to right side aligning with bottom of page.

3.                Scribble with markers on glass mat, using your lightest color first (yellow). Spritz scribbles with water. Lay 8 ½” x9 7/8” white cardstock directly over spritzed scribbles. Gently lift up and lay aside to dry.

4.                When tye dyed background is dry, stamp flowers and leaves all over using Adobe, Cactus and Sundance inks. Attach to top of left page with glue. Attach 4-1/4” x 9-7/8” green strip to bottom of left page by gluing on three sides, leaving top open to form pocket.

5.                Trim pictures to desired sizes (mine are 3” square) and glue to front of pocket.

6.                Stamp flowers and leaves onto white cardstock (2 large and 3 small flowers). Cut out and attach as desired.

You may also view the following article for a more detailed tutorial (with pictures) if desired: http://www.rubberroadadventures.com/0205TieDyeImprintsWandaT.htm

If you would like to print this technique including a near-full size image of the layout, click here.  Once you've saved or printed the technique sheet, use your browser's back button to return.

Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to obtain this file.  If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, click here to download and install.