". Arranged Words: Watercolour Gift Tags and A Lotus Flower

23 Feb 2016

Watercolour Gift Tags and A Lotus Flower

My mother loves Easter and when we were children she usually bought us pastel dresses etc. to celebrate the season and to ring in spring. In particular, I remember a beautiful multi-coloured pastel dress, sweet white socks and black patent leather shoes, topped off with a wee white straw purse with (you guessed it) an ornate ducks head on top.  So since Easter is not far away, those memories my mother created for me triggered my need to create a little beauty. I opted for these simple watercolour tags. They are pretty and easy to make, although they do take time.
I was hoping to add ribbon but I can't find any 1/4 inch pastel ribbon.  So I may have to settle for pastel twine, although I have my heart set on soft-hued pink, blue, and yellow ribbon. ( I know it's only a gift tag, but, hey, there are standards!)

If you are interested, here's how I made them.  I cut the tags out of watercolour paper using a template. Then I splashed the front of two of the cards with water (two cards--all I could manage at one time) and randomly dabbed on the paint that I had watered down before hand. After letting the water dry a little while or longer, (drying time changes how the salt reacts) I sprinkled the cards with coarse and fine salt. Once they dried, I brushed off the salt and continued on to the other side.  I left a few cards plain on the reverse side, although I do like the texture that the salt creates.
Luckily, I found a forgotten bird punch in my hoard of craft supplies to top off the tag.

Recently off the drawing board and keeping with the pastel theme: a lotus flower. They are such lovely flowers. We have waterlilies in Canada which are beautiful as well. I'd love a pond full! To emerge pristine and  beautiful from muddy beginnings has made the lotus symbolic for many religions, including Christianity. 

 I hope to paint a few more flowery watercolour cards to pop in the mail for Easter. 

And lastly, (well almost)  here's a link for my instagram account. If you follow, I will definitely follow you back.

Thanks for reading along...Have a wonderful week!

7 comments:

Kim said...

Your gift cards are so pretty, Dixie. Doesn't the salt form pretty patterns. I love the little bird cutout, it adds the perfect touch. Pretty Lotus Flower, too!

Barbara Lilian in France said...

I too remember my Easter dresses my mother made, usually out of dress my aunt would have given my mother to unpick and use for this purpose. I was a war baby so money was scarce in the early 40's. But my mother was always thrifty. I love the Lotus flower painting & like the way you have torn the paper edges. The pretty pastel gift tags would make any little gift look special.

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

You painted such a sweet picture of a little Dixie with your words. I am glad those memories inspired these pretty tags! I love salt on watercolour too. The bird punch is a perfect addition. Your pink lotus is really stunning, Dixie! I love the shading.

-Soma

NatureFootstep said...

I love your tags. :) They are beautiful and I think everyone will love them. And I love the lotus.

I don´t have instagram but I DO have an art meme if you sould liek th check it out. Would love to see your work there.

nfverk.blogspot.com


Penny said...

Love your tags. So clever and simple, yet special. Sweet. And the lotus is lovely. How did I miss your instagram site? Duh. I am now following you. :)

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thanks, Penny.
You should have seen the mess I made with all that salt and water I splashed/threw around. Enjoyable! :)
I'll be seeing you on instagram...

Lorraine said...

Those tags are so pretty and I love that you used a bird punch on them. Your card is absolutely beautiful.