DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper

DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
When I threw my sister an Alice Rhob in Wonderland themed birthday party, I found myself on a quest for pretty and colorful patterned paper. I needed something vivid and at the same time a bit wacky for the invitations, the sign boards, the photo booth and the rest of the decorations. I specifically wanted a watercolor splattered design but I just could not find any so I decided to make them instead. Anyone up for a fun, quick and easy DIY?

DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
Tools and Materials: Food Coloring | Vellum Paper | Paint Brushes | Ice Tray | Water 

You will only need five materials for this project most of which can already be found at home or in your craft stash namely food coloring in various hues, several pieces of Bristol vellum paper in white, paint brushes in different sizes, an ice tray to act like a paint mixing tray and clean water.

DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
STEP 1: Gather your materials and find an open area that you wouldn't mind messing up. This project is all splash and splatter. I suggest that you go for the outdoors but if you prefer to do it indoors, be sure to spread newspaper on the floor to catch any spills and sprays.

STEP 2: Fill your ice tray with water. Put about a tablespoon each on the first row while fill up the second row up to the brim. This will allow one row to be more saturated than the other.

STEP 3: Dilute a few drops of food coloring with the water on your ice tray. Add more drops for darker shades. For best results, start with primary colors (red, yellow and blue). To create other hues, simply mix the diluted solutions together. I find that this creates better contrast and more vivid mixtures. The reason why I made use of the diluted food coloring method and not watercolor itself is because it leaves no powdery residue on the paper when dry. As a result, the finished product is ink jet printer friendly!

STEP 4: Lay your white Bristol vellum paper on a flat surface. Take out your brushes and dip them on the diluted food coloring solutions. From a distance, preferably a foot away, splatter on the paper. Use different brush sizes for varying "paint drop" sizes. You may also dab or  smear on the color for a different touch. Vellum paper is best for this project since it does not soften up easily or turn soggy when wet. You can choose whichever color combination you want. There are no rules here. The best part? You don't have to make defined and symmetrical designs. You can totally wing it and go cray!

STEP 5: Allow them to dry for at least 30 mins up to an hour depending on how wet the paper has become. Since I only made splatters, it took less than an hour and they were ready for use. You can also store them for a long period of time and the hues will stay as vivid as the day you made them.

Below are some of the designs I came up with. These are completely random, each unique on its own.

DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles
DIY Watercolor Pattern Paper | Anne's Scribbles and Doodles

I really loved the outcome of these DIY watercolor patterned papers. It's wonky, colorful and a bit mismatched. Perfect for an Alice in Wonderland themed party!

If you do decide to make these, tag me on your photos via Twitter or Instagram and use #craftswithanne so I can see them! 

46 comments:

venussmileygal said...

That's pretty creative... I remember when I was young I use to this too. :)

(◕‿◕✿) http://www.EmoteraGoddess.com

Angelina said...

These look so cute, love the colors you picked together! Making your own party supplies is always the best, it's so much more fun that way! You should make greeting card sets of these and sell them - I'm sure they'd do well!

Angelina Is

Danielle Olavario said...

Ahh, they make for such gorgeous prints!
http://scienceofadornment.blogspot.com

Lexie said...

Love this diy! So fun and very simple! I'll have to give it a go xo
www.lexiealexandra.com

Milly said...

Aw I remember doing this when I was a kid - it was so fun! It's such a cool way to create some unique stationery, and I might have to have a go myself as an adult now! :)


Milly // www.mini-adventures.com

Kelsey & Kenecha said...

These look really fun to make! What an awesome idea! :)


http://floralsandsmiles.blogspot.ca

Cielo Oleic said...

Love this! Can't wait to try it!

- Cielo

www.mermaidinheels.com

Lou Castaneda said...

Wow. So artsy ate :) I really have this watercolor medium frustrations. It started when I first had my freehand drawing and I had no idea with all the blendings and color combi. I should really try this one, it looks easier and I hope it really is easier than I thought.


Lou | wander-soul.net

life is a shoe said...

oh wow, this is pretty awesome!

lifeisashoe

Mimi Gonzales said...

This one's so creative, ate Anne! Will make one next weekend because I'm trying to find for more ideas for our anniversary with my boyfriend next month. This should be fun! :)

Mimi Gonzales | The Foxy Heroine

Anne said...

Thank you Venus! :)

Anne said...

It sure was a whole lot of fun and it's a cheaper way too. That's quite a great idea Angelina. It's worth considering. Thank you! :)

Anne said...

Yup they do. Thanks Danielle!

Anne said...

Yay! I hope you can tell me how it goes? Thanks Lexie!

Anne said...

Yes. We're never too old for crafts Milly! ;)

Anne said...

Thank you Kelsey & Kenecha!

Anne said...

Thanks Cielo! Have fun!

Anne said...

Thanks Lou! This idea honestly hit me quite randomly. I didn't have water color at the time and I needed them to be inkjet friendly so poof! These were the first batch that I've made. It's really easy and these did not require me to do a "trial" version. Haha!

Anne said...

Thank you!

Anne said...

Yahoo! Thank you Mimi! I hope you have fun making them. And perhaps tell me how it went? Hinay-hinay niya sa sweetness basin hulmigason mo. Haha. Joke lang. :)

kelsey bang said...

what a fun idea! this looks like a blast!

kelseybang.com

Anne said...

Thanks Kelsey!

crafty-zone said...

I really like your idea, it's easy and I love the effect, moreover, I just can imagine how much fun you had while you was doing this DIY :)

http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

Anne said...

Thank you! It really was a lot of fun (and mess) but it all went well. :)

Judi Alexis Carpio ⚓ said...

I would love to do this! If I had the time :( I'd like to do it in a large scale and use it as gift wrappers!

Tine Despares said...

So cute and so pretty Anne! I lvoe creative DIY's like this!!! will try to make this one once I have the time off from work hahaha
btw, I think I saw you near Ayala hehe


love lots,
Tin


mypoeticisolation.blogspot.com

Shaira Manalo said...

I love this and the idea of DIYs. You're witty! :) I love the outcome :)

Have a nice day! :)

xoxo,

SHAIRA
www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

Anne said...

That would be great Judi! :)

Anne said...

Really? When? If it's sometime this month then it must be a doppelganger of sorts. LOL. I'm currently in Manila Tine.

Anne said...

Thank you Shaira! Have a nice day as well. :)

Me said...

Oh what a beautiful idea, love it!

Meme xx

New Post:
'But first.. Let me take a selfie*'
http://thedayinthelifeofmexoxo.blogspot.co.uk/

Anne said...

Thank you Meme!

Rainbow-Rose Blossom said...

This turned out amazing and I really love it for the Alice In wonderland theme!

Sybil said...

aaah yes!! so creative!

Have a great day!

Animated Confessions

Anne said...

Glad you liked it! Thanks!

Anne said...

Thank you Sybil! :)

Monique | WritingMonique said...

Such a lovely idea! The result is so cute and sweet! I love it!

WritingMonique

Dianne said...

This is so creative and I like how unique each of the design can be.
Thanks for sharing. ;)


http://diannewonderland.com/

Charlie said...

This is such a great idea and very easy to do also ! Love it !

xx, Charlie
http://charlieleschroniques.blogspot.com/

Stanislava E. said...

So cute!

sunandsany

Anne said...

Thanks Monique! :)

Anne said...

Unique is good. Thanks Dianne!

Anne said...

Yay! I'm glad you loved it. Thank you Charlie!

Anne said...

Thanks Stanislava!

perlasancheza said...

This was a great DIY! I will have to try it! :D

http://perlasancheza.blogspot.com/

Olivia said...

Oh I actually love this idea and the result turned out to be great! Thanks for sharing-maybe i'll check it out if I need some pretty paper. Glad you found it!

Olivia | Her Name Was
Celebration

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