Save Time With This Simple Coloring Hack
Coloring with any medium takes time, especially when you layer up colors. Save time with this simple coloring hack.
Time Saving Simple Coloring Hack
Do you remember that cooking show Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee? Sandra combines fresh ingredients with premade store-bought items. This time-saving simple coloring hack is a bit like semi-homemade cooking. So how can you save time? Don’t start from scratch.
Instead of stamping on white cardstock, stamp on a gel print or some other type of paper that has a bit of color. What backgrounds do you have laying around? Think gel prints, ink smooshing, watercolor, etc. You know you have them!
The type of colored paper you use may determine what coloring medium you can apply. For example, while you can’t watercolor on non-absorbant Yupo paper, you could use acrylic pens.
As you can see above, I stamped on gel prints created with acrylic paint and 80 lb cardstock. The acrylic paint allows the cardstock to hold up to more water. And, matte acrylic paint, will actually absorb a bit of water.
Introducing Kris Lauren
Kris Lauren, of Pretty Little Lines, is Colorado Craft Company’s newest illustrator. Kris describes herself as “an illustrator, who loves to make graphics that help others make cool creative projects”.
Teacups & Mice Card
Coloring is all about layers. So, you might have guessed that stamping on backgrounds saves time by providing a base layer of color. Of course, you’ll want to choose your base color or background wisely. For this card, I chose light pink and peach colors for the mouse and flower teacup.
Speed Coloring
Use textured paper to your advantage. Here the texture of the gel print added to the texture of the mouse fur. Especially on her left ear and forehead. I opted to color the mouse and teacup with Distress Crayons. They blend beautifully and don’t require much water.
To finish off the card, I created two new gel prints with Prussian Blue acrylic paint. One on cardstock and one on an old book page. In addition, to gel printing, I did a bit of finger painting for more texture. A scrap of book paper grounds the teacup and mouse images.
LOVE Card
Save more time by coloring the centerpiece but, not the supporting elements. The LOVE letters are cut from a piece of paper I used to clean off my brayer. And, the envelope is cut from the same gel print I used for the teacup card.
I inadvertently added color to the background by dry embossing with a dirty stencil. The stencil transferred dried-up alcohol ink to the background. Fortunately, the colors coordinated so I went with the happy accident.
To incorporate the white background, I highlighted the letters and envelope with a white Posca acrylic pen. I stamped the gnome on a gel print, then watercolored it with Distress Crayons. Including Weathered Wood, Scattered Straw, Milled Lavender, Tattered Rose, and Tea Dye.
Use a craft knife to carefully cut along the envelope opening. Make the cut slightly wider than the O and slide the O into the envelope. For added interest, pop up the O with foam squares.
Colorado Craft Company Giveaway
WINNER | Angie Cimbalo @macibalo
Colorado Craft Company is giving away a $25.00 Gift Card per designer on the blog hop. There are lots of chances to win.
To enter, let us know what you think, leave a comment here or on my Instagram post.
Entries will be accepted until midnight mountain time on all social media on the 14th of February, 2022. The winners will be randomly selected by each designer and announced on February 16th, 2022.
Next Stop
The next stop on the hop is the talented Amy Tsuruta. To start at the beginning of the hop and for a full list of blog hop participants, visit the Colorado Craft Company post.
Many thanks to Amy and Adrienne from Colorado Craft Company for inviting me to the hop. It was a pleasure working with their lovely stamps and dies.
Art Supplies
Art supplies used in today’s post are linked below. Affiliate links are used when able. As an affiliate of Amazon.com and companies like Colorado Craft Company, I earn a small commission at no cost to you on qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
Wow, what a clever coloring hack! This article has some really helpful tips and tricks that I can’t wait to try out. It’s great to find ways to save time and still enjoy the calming and fun activity of coloring. Thank you for sharing this, it’s going to make my coloring sessions much more efficient. Keep up the great work! Becky Gomez
amazing design and background!
Oh my gosh! I adore your cards! They are so cute, especially the “O” coming out of the envelope. And the little mouse (which is cuter than cute) really stands out from that blue background, which creates alot of interest. Well done!
Such cute cards! How clever to use backgrounds.
Love your cards! Loving this new release!
Love, Love, Love the love card.
Great cards and fabulous tips!
Such cute cards and wonderful information. Glad to see you back to blogging!
What great techniques for texture and quick coloring! Love, love Lauren’s images and I’ll look forward to seeing her new additions. Thanks for sharing your creations!
Now I want to pull out my distress crayons. Love the coloring!
Your cards are so cute! I like your happy little accident! That’s a good idea for cleaning off brayer. -Pam Foy
Wonderful cards and your instructions are very informative and helpful!
The release has been so much fun with beautiful cards like yours. Can’t wait to see more.
Such cute cards! I adore that little mouse
Great project shares. I like the ideas for the backgrounds. I have been thinking about trying out the crayons. I will be back to watch the videos.
Great tips! I will be using them for sure. Inspired.
Good tip to use background created papers as a starting point with stamps- especially for letters!
Your cards are adorable. I love this new release from CCC.
The CCC new release is so sweet, and your creation with the adorable lily teacup is fantastic!
Even with taking a bit of a shortcut, I’m guessing those cards must have both taken you substantial amounts of time to make. They turned out quite sophisticated and lovely. I enjoyed seeing how you used these wonderful images.
Great hack and cute cards! Love this line – so adorable!
The mouse and flower are so adorable! I love your soft colors! It looks super nice!
Your cards are gorgeous! I especially love the color and texture of the background on your mouse card. I’m in love with this new release by Kris Lauren…a breath of fresh air!
I enjoy your work. It is wonderful that you explain how you obtained such beautiful results.
The mice are so so cute. Thanks for sharing.
Such adorable cards. I like that you used all of the pieces made during creating to make cards and envelope.
These are adorable cards! 🙂
Love the rich colors of your card and your techniques!! Kris’ designs are so precious! Great addition to 3C!!
Love your work! Thanks for the coloring tips. I just bought some distress crayons, but I’m not sure how to use them.
Amber, I always learn so much from you. Your cards are darling! Thank you for sharing!
Great tips and tricks… and your cards are gorgeous!
I’ve never used those crayons, think I may try them. Super cards
These mice are so dang cute–and I am excited to see what the new designer has in the future. Love the sweet creations!
Love this little mice, they’re so cute 🙂
Stunning mouse card, Thanks for sharing so many tips and techniques.
such cute images and I love your coloring!
Wonderful cards. I like the colors and textures.
I think Kris’s little mice are so adorable!
Great designs, especially the Love card! I love how you colored with the distress crayons!
I love 3C and their new release — and I love your cards too!
thanks for the coloring tips. I can use
all the help possible. Love the little
mouse. Both cards are darling.
thanks for sharing.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love it!! The new artist has such cute images! Perfect for CCC! ♥️
Adorable! Love the Prussian blue background!
So wonderful to see you back Amber!! I love these sweet cards with these fun little images!!! Thanks so much for the great inspiration. Take Care! 🙂
Love this card. What a cute idea
Great ideas and inspiration! I love the cards you created! The teacup and mouse are just adorable!
So pretty! Great job!
So pretty!
That, my dear, was a wealth of information and a ton of wonderful inspiration. Thank you! Ms. Kris’ illistrations are adorable (those eyes right?) and your colors added darling texture and life. The O tucked into the envelope is so cute… note to self. ✔ I never make “extra” or left over backgrounds, need to do that pronto.
That mouse is just adorable. And your coloring is beautiful! I’ll have to dig out my distress crayons! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome cards and great tips!!! Thanks for sharing! Love the new collection!
You’re so welcome and thank you, Linda!
Your cards are absolutely amazing! I love them. Thanks for all the great tips too! Kris will be a great addition to CCC!!!
Thanks again, Linda!
I adore your blog, so informative, packed with great tips! What a great collaboration CCC has done! Can’t wait to see the rest of the inspiration.
Thanks very much, Kristina!
Nice job with the background on the mousie card. Really cute for the cute mouse and cup!
Thanks, Sharon! I loved the contrast on that card.
Your cards are fabulous. Thank you for sharing and for the inspiration. I am really loving that little mouse!
Thanks for the great tips. I need an envelope stamp and I need to try your tip of cutting to slip something in.
Thanks, Char! Yep, that envelope was just begging to be stuffed with something.
That mouse is just too cute for words!
Both cards are so fun, love them.
Thanks a bunch, Becca!
Love the cute little mice. Trying to use more backgrounds.gl
Thanks, Glenice! Yeah, backgrounds are so fun to make and they pile up, so we’ve gotta use them.
Very cute cards! Now I have an idea what to do with my crayons!!!
Thanks, Mary! I know Distress Crayons are an old product, but they are new to my stash and I enjoyed breaking them in. Happy crafting!
These cards are so cute! Thanks for the cooring tips.
Great tips! Love the sweet gnomes and their home. Kris is the perfect fit for CCC. TFS your amazing talent!
You’re so welcome and thank you, Anne!
Thanks, Pat and you’re welcome!
Beautiful cards! Thank you for the tips. You
inspired me to finally give my distress crayons a try!
Thanks, Kat! Yay, I’m glad you’re going to try them.
Adorable cards! Your coloring is amazing…
Love CCC new release. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much, Jeanne! You’re so welcome!
Yes, loved that show! Did you know Sandra is the Ex of Andrew Cuomo? Who’d of thunk it but I digress….your cards are inspirational as usual and thanks for the coloring tip!
Lol, I had no idea Sandra was married to Cuomo. Thanks a bunch, Donna!
aww these cards are just darling -thanks for sharing how you made them
You’re so welcome. Thanks, Dee!
Your cards are so adorable! Love the mouse/tea cup one especially.
Thanks so much, Joy!
Those mice and tea cups are so adorable-love what you did with this one!!
Thanks, Debbie!
Love the use of the brayer paper!
Thanks, Pennie! Some of those brayer papers have great color and you just gotta use them.
I love your cards and especially your useful hints. I love this new designer and look forward to seeing more.
Thanks, Sandy! Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing more from Kris.
Your cards are so cute!!!
Thanks, Becky!
Such beautiful cards! I love the tip about not starting from scratch with colouring! So helpful!
Thanks, Alexandra! I hope you try it out.
Your card is super cute!!
Your Love card is very cute!!
Loved your tips and all that you shared! Look forward to more! So happy you have joined up with CCC!
Your cards are so cute! Thanks for all the tips!
Love your cards and your coloring tips.
So happy you shared this! I always love your tips! And artwork!
These are very cute cards made with cute stamps. Looking forward to the rest of the release!
Two wonderful creations, love the little mouse!
WoW! Amber, your cards and ideas are fabulous! I love the fact that you used your stash of previously colored or gel papers. I have a huge stash and will be pulling them out to use from now on. Thanks again. I also hope you will use more Zentangle in your designs. I love those, too.
I’m so happy to see your posts again Amber as I see you as one of the reigning queens of colouring. I’m also delighted to know that you created your background with a gel plate. I’ve just started experimenting with one & am having fun. It’s a learning process but I like the fact that no two prints turn out the same. The mouse & teacup are absolutely darling! I also like the way you made use a happy mistake with the dry embossed
background on the envelope.
So cute. Getting another order together
WOW! What an awesome new release!! Love all your cards and tips!!
Adorable stamps and cards and great tips!!!
Absolutely incredible! Nice! Inspiring
Thanks for sharing so many tips. This new stamp collection is beautiful.
Thanks for the tip of using something other than white cardstock. Your coloring skills are awesome. Love the teacups & mice.
Fun card designs! Thanks for sharing these tips and techniques
and the quick coloring tutorial! Loved the no wasted papers stamping! 🥰
Great tips on the coloring! Such wonderful new images at CCC with Kris!
Two awesome cards! Love the love one
Super ideas for layering color! And a very sweet card!
I love the way you colored the images! Especially the darling gnome and the texture of the background!
This is so adorable – what a fab new artist and your project is so cute! Can’t wait to see more!
Beautiful cards and great tips. Your mouse & teacup card look awesome on that vibrant background.
Your cards are fabulous… I love this release!
Love your work-arounds by printing on colored cardstock. I just got some Distress crayons and your post makes me want to pull them out and give them a try!
What awesome projects and love the coloring hacks!
Love the girl gnomes love card