Easy DIY Watercolor Tree Holiday Cards

Creative people like you want to send something special for friends and family at the holidays, something beyond generic store-bought greeting cards. But if you think you're too busy to make your own cards, we have you covered!

These custom holiday cards are quick and easy because few materials and no special painting skills are required, plus you can set them up assembly-line style. Switch up the design on each one, ensuring everyone gets a unique work of art in the mail. Even the kids can join in! 

• Goof Proof Greeting Card Kit or Cardmaker Cards & Envelope Set plus your choice of 4" x 6" Watercolor Paper Sheets
• Cardmaker Colored Cardstock
• Watercolor Paints
• Stick-It-To-'Em ATG Adhesive Strips (come with the Goof Proof Kit)
• Artist's Tape, Masking Tape, or Blue Painter's Tape
• Watercolor Brush

• Watercolor Sticks
• Posca Paint Markers
• Palette for paint mixing (a dinner plate can work!)
• Water
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Ruler
• Scissors

 On the 4" x 6" watercolor paper sheets from the Goof Proof Card Kit, use a pencil and ruler to lightly draw a tree-shaped triangle. Leave about a 1/2" or so of space between the triangle's interior and the edge of the paper. Tape off the triangle using blue painter's tape, masking tape, or artist's tape, and gently burnish the interior edges with your fingernail to create a good seal against paint.

Tip: Test the stickiness of your tape first to make sure it won't tear the paper when removed. To make the tape less sticky, dab the strip on your clothing a couple of times to pick up some lint that will keep the tape from adhering too strongly.

Using your first color, paint slanted stripes across the triangle. Repeat with different colors or lighter washes of the same color to add dimension. It isn't necessary to fill the entire triangle, but enough so that you can see the implied edges.

Tip: You can let the paint dry between strokes, or don't and see what surprising blending effects you can get!

Keep adding lines in nearly perpendicular directions, almost like a plaid pattern, until you feel satisfied. Try using different line widths, different values, or different paint sheens.

Tip: This design is ideal for showing off specialty paints such as Fine-Tec Artist Mica Pearlescent Watercolors.

Variation:

Using the same basic technique, choose a different palette of colors and paint the lines more side to side at slight angles to each other for a 'wrapped' effect.

For a different approach, paint the entire triangle in one color.

While it's still wet, add textural marks with a watercolor stick.

Once the background is completely dry, use a paint marker to dot on some snow, ornaments, or garlands.

Let your cards dry completely, then carefully peel the tape away. For best results, slowly pull it in the direction opposite the painted shape. Erase any pencil lines with a soft eraser.

Choose a contrasting color card stock to complement the finished tree design. If you'd like, trim the cardstock slightly smaller than the folded card so that a small border of white shows on each side. 

On the back of both the tree design and colored cardstock, add strips of Stick-it-to-'em Adhesive to the top, bottom, and sides. Peel off the brown adhesive cover paper when you're ready to assemble.

Stack the tree design in the center of the colored cardstock and press the edges to stick in place. Then stack the design and cardstock in the center of the folded card and press the edges. 

DONE!