Soft Pastels and Doodle Flowers
A Playful Twist for Your Next Card
Every so often, I find myself reaching for soft pastels when I want to add a gentle, dreamy feel to my cards.
Pair them with doodle-style flowers, and you get a playful project that’s both relaxing and full of personality. If you’ve ever stared at a blank card front and wondered how to make it special without overthinking, this technique is for you.
How to Create Doodle Flowers with Soft Pastels
- Draw Your Flowers: Start with a black fine-line marker and sketch simple, whimsical flowers right onto watercolor paper or Basic White card stock. Don’t worry about perfection—quirky lines add charm!
- Add Soft Pastels: Glide soft pastel chalk over the petals and centers. You can layer colors for a more vibrant look or stick to a single shade for each flower.
- Blend for Softness: Use your fingertip, a sponge dauber, or a q-tip dipped in water to gently blend the pastels. Watercolor paper handles moisture well, while Basic White card stock works best with dry blending.
- Finish Your Card: Stamp a sentiment with Memento Black ink. Mount the panel on a Basic Black mat, then attach it to a Lemon Lolly or Coastal Cabana card base. A few Black Matte Dots make perfect finishing touches.
Why Try Soft Pastels?
Soft pastels are forgiving and easy to blend, making them ideal for crafters of all skill levels. They add a velvety texture and can be layered for subtle or bold effects. If you’re looking for a way to bring softness and whimsy to your cards, this is a fun option to try—especially if you want something different from traditional ink or watercolor techniques.
Supplies Used
- Stamp Sets: Sending Smiles, Happiest Day
- Ink: Memento Black
- Paper: Lemon Lolly, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, Basic White, watercolor paper
- Accessories: Soft Pastels, Fine Line Marker, q-tips, water, Black Matte Dots