How to Make Sandcastle Watercolor Cards
LEARN TO MAKE FUN SANDCASTLE WATERCOLOR CARDS ON YOUR CRICUT CUTTING MACHINE
I have been meaning to do a tutorial using the Cricut Watercolor Cards and Pens for a while and this sandcastle card is perfect for it!
I will be using my Cricut Joy and Cricut Joy Watercolor Pens for this project as well as the R20 Watercolor Cards.
You can also use a Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker series machine using the corresponding Watercolor Pens and a Cricut 2×2 CardMat. For more information on the Cricut 2×2 Card Mat, check out this tutorial.
In this tutorial, I’ll give you my step by step instructions and tell you what materials I think work best when making this project.
Since this is my first time showing you how to use the Watercolor Cards and Pens, I have some tips and tricks at the bottom of this post.
This file is part of Summer Craft Party 2023.
You can purchase the individual cut file in my shop here.
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SANDCASTLE WATERCOLOR CARD – MATERIALS LIST
- I am using my Cricut Maker. You could also use your Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Maker 3, or Cricut Joy!!
- Cricut CardMat (blue)
- Cricut Watercolor Cards
- Cricut Watercolor Pens
- Cricut Scraper
- Cricut Brayer
- Paper Towel
Sandcastle Watercolor Card
This tutorial will show you how to make a fun Sandcastle Watercolor card using your Cricut Joy and the Cricut Watercolor Card Packs.
Materials
- My Sandcastle Watercolor Card SVG Cut File
- Cricut Watercolor Card Pack
- Cricut Watercolor Pens. I am using Brown, Red, Purple, and Orange.
- Glue
Tools
- A way to cut out your cardstock. I am using my Cricut Joy!
- Cricut Joy CardMat (blue)
- Weeding Tool
- Cricut Brayer
- Cricut Scraper
Instructions
STEP 1 - PURCHASE & DOWNLOAD THE SVG CUT FILE
You can purchase the Sandcastle Watercolor Card SVG Cut File from my shop here.
STEP 2 - UPLOAD THE SVG FILE TO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE
If you aren't familiar with uploading SVG files into Design Space, take a look at my quick and easy tutorial here. Using your smartphone? Click here for my step-by-step guide on uploading SVG files with the Cricut App.
STEP 3 - UNGROUP CARD LAYERS
The file will upload into Cricut Design Space grouped together. You will want to hit the UNGROUP button to separate the layers.
STEP 4 - CONVERT CLIPART TO PEN
Delete the envelope if using a Cricut Joy.
Find the clipart. Click on one layer and change the cut line to draw by changing the OPERATION from BASIC CUT to PEN.
Change the pen color by clicking the color icon and picking the color you wish. Make sure you are selecting a Watercolor Pen.
Repeat this for the other three clipart layers.
Attach the clipart together by highlighting the GROUP and selecting the ATTACH option in lower right hand corner.
Click the GREEN Make It Button.
STEP 5 - MAKE YOUR MATERIAL SELECTIONS AND PREPARE YOUR MATS
Since I am using a CardMat for this project, I am selecting On CardMat, Click DONE.
Next, select your card size. I am using the smaller Watercolor Cards so I am changing it to 4.25 x 5.5. Click the CONTINUE button.
Make your material selections.
Insert your card layer into the card mat with the folded side on the left. Make sure to align at the top and side.
I use my Cricut Brayer at this point to give the card a good rub just to make sure it adheres well.
STEP 6 - LOADING YOUR MATS AND CUTTING YOUR MATERIALS
Place the card mat into the machine. Your machine will feed the mat into your Cricut Joy automatically and check for proper alignment.
In Cricut Design Space, select the green GO button and your Joy will begin the cut.
Once the cut is complete, select UNLOAD in Design Space.
STEP 7 - COLOR YOUR CARD
Now that your card is cut, it is time to color the watecolor card.
Carefully remove the card from the mat.
Fill the water pen with water and grab some paper towel.
Squeeze the water pen until water comes from the bristles. Blot on the paper towel.
Slowly begin to color one of the clipart layers. The key here is to use very light pressure and not squeeze to hard on the water pen. Trace along the outline and pull the color into the center of the clipart.
In between cutouts, squeeze some water out of the pen to flush the bristles of color. Blot on your paper towel.
Repeat this for the other clipart on the card.
Mat and layer the messaging panel.
Once the watercolor has dried, attach the messaging panel to the inside of the card.
If the card is a little warped from the water, place it under some heavy books to flatten it some.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR USING THE WATERCOLOR CARDS & PENS
- Having paper towel near by is essential. You will need it as you color your card.
- Make sure not to squeeze too hard on the water pen. Doing so will cause too much water to come out of the bristles and could affect the finished card.
- Flush out the color after you have finished each embellishment. Over the paper towel, squeeze the water pen to force more water out into the bristles. Blot on the paper towel until the color is gone.
- Add your water from the water pen along the outline made from your Cricut. This will moisten the color and then you can draw the color into the center of the image.
- A light touch is best. Adding too much pressure on the card could cause unwanted mistakes.
- Take your time! This is not a fast process. Put on some music or watch your favorite show and go slow.
- Warping is normal. Once the card dries, it will warp slightly. To help with this, you can put the card under some heavy books or a tray for a while.
Post a photo in the comment section or tag your projects on social media @thebeardedhousewife using the hashtag #beardedhousewife! I’d love to see how yours turn out!!
Happy Crafting!
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Can this design also be cut out?
You could change the design to pen and then fussy cut (hand cut) the design out.
What a cute design! I don’t have the watercolor pens, but I might try this free hand. Thanks👍
Thank you! Such a cute card.
Thanks for teaching this tutorial on water colour pens. I had just purchased mine and needed a little more confidence to go ahead and use them.
Thank you for the tips. I have previously tried the Cricut Watercolor pens. I had so many failures that I gave up and put them in a drawer. I’m going to give it a go again.
I’ve had the water color pens, but didn’t know how to use them. Good project to learn.
Such a cute card, thank you Nick!
Very cute! I haven’t seen the watercolor set before! I have a warping hack for you: tape the card onto your flat working surface like a glass mat etc with washi tape then use the water brush. Let the design completely dry and then peel the washi tape very slowly at a 90 degree angle away from the card. I’m not sure how much lbs the watercolor card stock has but I do this with 65 lbs card stock all the time, just take your time and go slow. Washi won’t leave any residue on the card stock either.