I was sure # 5 was going to be born on the 4th of July. She was due on the 10th, but all the others had been early (except for #1 who was TEN. DAYS. LATE.), and I just thought it would fitting that our last baby come out with a bang, so to speak.
I was off by a day.
She made her big debut on July 3rd. And while the rest of the family was out enjoying our town's Fourth of July Parade and annual fireworks, I was comfily ensconced in the hospital staring at baby's precious face -- wondering why I didn't order the birth announcements in advance.
Yes, these are the things I worry about. How was I going to be able to put this cute little thing down long enough to visit Tiny Prints or some other stationery site to place an order? I was very troubled.
Well, not really. Just mildly annoyed at myself. With all the summer camps, our vacation, family visits, there was going to be so much chaos when I got home, I should have just done it when I had the chance! Ugh.
But as I sat there on the evening of the 4th trying out font choices, motifs and color combos in my head while darling baby nursed, I could hear the fireworks bursting in the town field behind the library. I couldn't see them in all their colorful glory, but as spectacular as I knew they were, there was no way they could rival the beauty I held in my arms. That's when I decided that baby needed some fireworks of her own.
And these announcements were born:
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| It was lots o fun to try out different color combos. |
I was inspired by these awesome watercolor announcements I saw on
The Coterie Blog:
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| So cool, right? |
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I loved the pretty, soft colors, but wanted something more ... firework-y.
So I experimented with different techniques, and found a fun way to make watercolor "burst." A handy, dandy, drinking straw did the trick.
Here's what you do:
1. Create your announcement and print out as many as you need on card stock. I used 4 x 6 white note cards.
You must do this first. I tried doing the painting first and then running them through the printer and I ended up jamming my paper feed tray because paint got all over the little roller thingys. Ooops!
2.
Once the ink is dry on the annoucements, use a small paint brush to drop dots of watercolor on the top area, or where ever you want the fireworks.
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| Protect your work surface. Messy is the name of this game. |
3. Hold a drinking straw a smidgen above the paint dot.
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| Fanciful #4, giving me a helping hand. |
3. And to quote that famous Lauren Bacall line from
To Have and Have Not -- "You just put your lips together ... and blow."
That's all you do!
Make sure to give it a short, quick puff of air.
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| Voila! Fireworks! |
4. Add more colors, and repeat until you're happy the display.
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| "Boom. Boom. Boom. Even brighter than the Moon. Moon. Moon." - Katy Perry |
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| Yes, we named her Florence. It's a family name. But do not call her "Flo." She's Flyn. FLYN! |
I think they came out
super purdy.
We also made matching Thank Yous.
What was extra special about these announcements was that all the siblings helped make them. Each one was beautiful and unique - just like my kiddos.
Cute, isn't she?
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| Dreaming of parades and fireworks... and ice cream, if she's anything like her siblings. |
Have you done any fun watercolor projects? I'd love to see your creations. Do share!
Big huge thanks to Nicki from
Fiveorite Things for guest posting while I'm on my "maternity leave!"
Aren't these birth announcements
the cutest??? I've had some watercolors forever with nothing to use them for, and I think watercolor birth announcements sounds
perfect!
I'm curious, too, what are some fun watercolor projects you've done?
