Have you ever found yourself in need of a card, but the sentiment just isn’t right? Maybe it’s too generic, or it’s too specific for the occasion. I’ve been there, and it’s why I love having a stack of cards ready to go—especially ones without a sentiment. This way, I can add whatever I need later on. Whether it’s for a birthday, a thank you note, or even a congratulatory card, the possibilities are endless!
Today, I’m excited to share a “No Sentiment Card” that I created using a watercolor technique. The beauty of this design is that it can be adapted for any occasion by simply adding your own sentiment once you’re ready. But the best part? It’s easy to make, and the end result is beautiful and versatile.
Watercoloring on Die Cuts – The Trick to Success
If you’ve tried watercoloring on die cuts before, you know it can be tricky. The challenge is figuring out where to hold your piece without smudging the watercolor or making a mess. To overcome this, I came up with a clever solution: after die cutting the pieces, I placed them back into the negative space of the die cut sheet. This allowed me to hold the project in place while I added layers of color, giving me better control during the watercolor process.
Layering the watercolors on the sunflowers and leaves gave them a softer, more natural look. By allowing the watercolor to do its magic, the harsh lines were reduced, creating a more realistic effect that I absolutely love.
Bringing Back the Vibrancy
If you’re familiar with watercoloring, you know that once the paint dries, the colors can fade and become more muted. But don’t worry—I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve to bring those vibrant hues back to life!
After the sunflower petals were completely dry, I applied Distress Glaze to the top layer of the sunflower petals. The glaze helped add some shine and depth, preventing the petals from looking too flat. For the back sunflower layer, I used a super thin layer of Golden Hour Solar Paste, which added just a hint of shimmer. This not only enhanced the vibrancy of the colors but also created a lovely contrast between the top and back layers of the sunflower.
Supplies Used:
- Kat Scrappiness Sunflower Funflower Duo Die (for the sunflowers and leaves)
- Kat Scrappiness Gingerbread House Die (for the sunflower centers)
- Brutus Monroe Aqua Pigment: Yellow, Rust, Red, Cranberry, Olive, The Wizard Will See You Now, and Flying Monkey
- Distress Glaze (for the front sunflower petal layer)
- Golden Hour Solar Paste (for the back sunflower layer)
Final Thoughts
Having a stash of “no sentiment” cards on hand is such a lifesaver. Whether you’re in a pinch or simply don’t know exactly what the occasion will be yet, you can always add the right sentiment later. Plus, this watercolor technique with die cuts is not only fun, but it also results in stunning, textured pieces that you can incorporate into any card design.
I hope you enjoyed this post, and maybe even feel inspired to try creating your own no-sentiment cards. Let me know in the comments if you’ve used any of these techniques or if you have any tips of your own!
Happy crafting!
Crafty Cornerstones 
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