Zig Clean Color Markers vs. Nuvo Watercolor Pencils - Tonic Studios

Today, I am going to share a little comparative exercise using the same stamp set and two different mediums on two different types of paper.  I used this new stamp set ‘Orchid’ from Avery Elle that is just gorgeous!  It is my new fav.

I thought it would be interesting to compare the differences between the Zig Clean Color Brush Real Brush pens and the Nuvo Watercolor Pencils in the Brilliantly Vibrant collection.  I also decided to throw in another variable by stamping and coloring both on Smooth Bristol paper and the Tonic Crafter Perfect Watercolor paper.

I filmed my process and you can click on the video below or HERE to go directly to my YouTube channel.

* Tonic Studios provided me with some products and some were purchased by myself, and the ideas are completely my own.  Affiliate links at the end of the post are provided with no cost to you! *


I had originally planned to paint the orchid blooms more white with a magenta color in the center.  It quickly morphed into more of a pink and purple bloom all over.

After using the coordinating dies to cut out the images, I created a couple layers of papers to mount onto the card base.  I used a piece of patterned paper from the new Tonic Dream in Color 6x6 pad for the first layer and then added a layer of plain white cardstock that I cut out and used the frame and the inset piece together.  I wanted to create some interest and texture behind the colored images without taking away from the orchids.

I mounted the white frame onto a piece of foam and then adhered it to the patterned paper.  I popped the two individual blooms up with dimensional adhesive to give the illusion that the stem they are on is in front of the bigger one.

I used a sentiment from the stamp set and heat embossed it onto vellum and die cut it using a banner die.  I didn’t want to cover up any more of the orchid than I had to.

I finished off the card by adding a layer of Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen to the blooms and then lots of Jewel Drops to the centers of each blossom.  I also added a few of these “water droplet” around the sentiment.

I repeated the process for the image I colored using the watercolor pencils, except I used a sentiment from a different set of stamps.

I really enjoyed this process and learned a lot about my process, what works better for many style and what I prefer on each of the papers.  Both cards shown here are the ones colored on the Bristol Smooth paper.  I personally preferred the card with the Nuvo watercolor pencils, but my husband liked the vibrant colors of the Zig Clean Color brush pens, so there is no right or wrong!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you check out the video as well.  Have a wonderful rest of your day!

Cardmaking Month!! {& video }

Hi everyone!  Happy August!

I am working on putting together a new look for my Blog and some other crafty, exciting things for the future!  I wanted to kick it off with a few cards in the giant array of cardmaking I have had the last few weeks!

I filmed my process which can click on below or go to my YouTube Channel HERE!

I started out with an idea to make three similar cards, using some old 6" Color Magic Papers and then having some stamping or sentiments of sorts on top of it.  I got a few of the Zig Clean Color Brush markers and wanted to use them!

I used Distress Inks to blend a background of blues and greens around the stamped I had heat embossed.  I made a mask out of Post-It tape to cover the ice cream before I inked the back.  I added some twine before adhered it to the front of the misted paper.

For the second card, I used a couple shades of turquoise mist onto one of the resist paper of intricate patterns and doilies.  It turned out beautiful and didn't want to add anything too busy for the embellishment.  I heat embossed a sentiment from Neat & Tangled and punched it out.  I layered it on top a piece of glitter paper punch a size larger.  Finally I adhered both to the front over some pink jute twine and added some paint splatters.

The last card was where I deviated and I love the way it turned out!  I used a large wood grain background stamp to create a tone on tone to my kraft cardstock.  I stamped one of the bird from my favorite Dina Wakley bird stamps.  I used the Zig Clean Color Bush Markers to color it and they are perfect for this type of blending!

I cut both using the Lawn Fawn stitched rectangle dies and adhered them to the front of my card base.  I added a little dot of black enamel accents to the bird's eye.  I had planned to add sequins or wood veneers and finally decided to keep it simple with one tiny heart in the bottom corner!

I have had a lot of fun, albeit frenzied, making so many cards this summer.  My parents always encouraged me to make handmade cards as a little girl and I have been every since.  I truly feel like it is gift in itself!

Thanks for stopping by and come back to see more!

Have an amazing day!