Sunday, April 5, 2020

Mini DIY Watercolor Books + Giveaway!

*Compensated affiliate links used where possible at zero cost to you. No posts are ever sponsored or paid.*

My friend Nina at Waffle Flower is such a genius. Once again, she's created something I didn't know I needed and now can't live without - her incredible Color Combos bundle!

Now the idea for this bundle is that it's a great way to organize ink swatches, cardstock, embossing powder and ink blending combos!

There are square stamps and dies, tag dies, geometric shapes that fill up the squares and a ton more. It's really amazing.

When I was in Phoenix and got to go to her office, I saw this bundle and INSTANTLY knew what I was going to do with it, because at the same time I saw the bundle, I saw these amazing binding disks and binding dies! I could not wait to get home and start working on the idea in my head.

In between then and now, of course the world has gone a little sideways, and it turns out that this idea came in super handy for basically being on house arrest!

I used the color combo stamp on watercolor paper, and then cut it with one of the smaller disc binding dies from this set - there are two sizes of dies - the other ones are here. I did twenty of these to make myself a little daily painting book! IS THIS NOT THE CUTEST THING EVERRRR? I loved it so much I dropped one off at my sister's house for her to use. The little binders are genius - so easy to get the pages on and off with. SO many possibilities! FYI I took advantage of a Blick sale on watercolor paper and got this 12x18 pad. I cut 8 2.25 x 12 strips and then stamped the frame on those and cut them with the smaller die in the A7 set so that gave me 32 pages. I cut 8 more and made a 20 page book for me and a 20 page book for my sister.

AND - this is all 15% off for today only here.

Now let's contemplate my little fox! A few years ago I started painting daily in a desk calendar, but I couldn't keep up. I love this new format with no date pressure. Just flip to the next day's page and paint! I just quickly did a happy fox enjoying the sun - you'll see it in the video below.



Here's the video!




Now - to help Nina celebrate her 6th anniversary, I have MY Top 6 Picks of Waffle Flower!

1) The Color Combos Full Bundle! PS - if you want color combo inspiration there are hundreds HERE and HERE
2) Discs + Disc Bound Dies
3) This adorable set and everything else by Kamo.
4) These stunning florals by Karla Jodoin.
5) This oversized Hello combo - ESPECIALLY the "sassy pants" that I used here.
6) The water media mat + the watercolor swatches bundle + palette paper - or as I call it, the LYDIA bundle - I thought this was one of the top crafty product groupings to come out in the last ten years! Did you know the media mat comes in a mini version now? SO perfect for cardmaking. And the palette paper will keep it bright white forever!

Here are the other two cards I made with my picks!!!

This is JUST THE CUTEST set and I combined it with the gorgeous oversized hello. You can see my blog post with details on this card here.


And the gorgeous tulips! I LOVE these, and they were a joy to no-line watercolor with Fadeout Ink and Daniel Smith watercolor. They do come with matching dies.


Here are all the products I used today, and then stay tuned below for BIG giveaways below and some coupon codes!
A7 Disc Bound Die
[ WFF ]
A2 Disc Bound Die
[ WFF ]
Color Combos Bundle
[ WFF ]
Waffle Flower 201911 Disc Bound Bundle
[ WFF ]
Binding Discs - Mint
[ WFF ]
Color Swatches Bundle
[ WFF ]
Waffle Flower Mini Water Media Mat
[ WFF ]
Waffle Flower Water Media Mat
[ WFF ]
Premium Palette Paper
[ WFF ]
Oversized Hello Combo
[ WFF ]
Yippee Combo
[ WFF ]
Tulips Combo
[ WFF ]
Fabriano Artistico Extra White...
[ BLIC ]
The Ultimate Mixing Palette: a World...
[ BLR ]
Fadeout No Line coloring Detail Ink
[ INK ]
VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne -...
[ ELH | SSS ]
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors
[ BLIC ]
Escoda Versatil Brushes, Travel Round...
[ UTR | BLIC | INK ]
Da Vinci Cosmotop Sable Mix F Brushes...
[ BLIC | ELH ]
MISTI Stamping Tool
[ MSP | HA | SSS | ELH | MFT | UNT ]
Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045
[ SSS | ELH | CST | ART ]
Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter -...
[ BLIC ]
My Favorite Watercolor Sketchbook
[ UTR ]
Tombow MONO MULTI Liquid Glue Two...
[ SSS | MFT ]
LightView 2in1 LED Magnifier for...
[ BRG ]
Airtable: Organize your stamps & dies
[ ART ]
Waffle Flower 6 Year Anniversary
[ WFF ]
Last Chance – 25% off with code...
[ WFF ]




Now to celebrate this momentous anniversary, they are giving away THREE $100 shopping sprees to three lucky commenters. You can comment here, on the Waffle Flower Blog, or on any of the blogs on the inspiration hop. Be sure and leave me your comment by the end of the day on April 8th - 11:59 PM and the winner will be announced on their blog on April 10th!

AND you can get 25% off anything on this page with code LASTCHANCE25.

Loveyameanitbye.

CURRENT COUPON CODES
25% off everything on THIS PAGE with code LASTCHANCE25
15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.
10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10
 Arkon stand link  - click the banner below!

111 comments:

  1. Your tulips look incredible. I would love to be able to paint like that. And your little comment about the Russian brides or Nigerian princes is funny. I have never noticed that before :)

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  2. I love journaling so that watercolor miniature is the cutest thing ever!

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  3. Wonderful projects. Love the idea
    of the journal. I'd forgotten
    about those disc. Good to get
    a reminder. thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. Ok, what a cute and amazing idea to make little books for practice! And how easy would it be to use your little projects on a card later!

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  5. Love the tulips. Its a new stamp for me but already a favorite. Your mini journal is awesome.

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  6. Happy Anniversary to Waffle Flower! Great projects!

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  7. Your watercolor book is so cute. I loved watching you paint the fox! Such a cool idea to have a little book. Happy Sunday hugs to you!

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  8. So totally amazing! That little fox! Those tulips! Sigh!

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  9. I love your HELLO card! Very cute!

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  10. I love your miniature watercolor journal. What a fantastic idea, especially for right now!

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  11. How beautiful the lil fox. Foxes are my spirit animal. I like the idea of small and unstressful

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  12. This is so adorable! Love those cheerful kids

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  13. How many wonderful cards and designs, thanks so much for sharing! I really like the colouring on the tulips!

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  14. I love your tulip card! Thank you for sharing how you made your watercolor journal...what a great idea!

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  15. I especially love your watercolor journal and beautifully colored tulips!

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  16. Oh my word, the daily painting book is so clever! I love it!

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  17. Oh my gosh, I am just getting ready to do the alphabet and numbers with pictures, (flash cards on a ring) to use with my grand babies.I already have the ink swatch stamp set so now I am going to have to check on the rings you used, they look so fun. I am also collecting rocks to paint then put the alphabet and numbers on for them to play with outside this summer. I love it. Thank you and Happy Anniversary Waffle Flower.

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  18. I'm falling in love with that bundle also!

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  19. That media mat is just awesome, now i need the bitty one! Love the sassy pants oversized hello card! 🤣

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  20. Great cards! and I love that little book!

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  21. I love your watercolor book! Great cards too!

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  22. Love your wonderful projects!! I always enjoy your posts!!!

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  23. Those purple flowers are my favorite :)

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  24. Love your little bundle idea, Lydia! So easy to take along on a trip or when I go camping! Thanks for sharing! I love your cards also, especially the gorgeous tulips!

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  25. Such fantastic cards! The flower card is gorgeous and the kids are adorable...
    Thanks so much for sharing.

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  26. Lovely creations! Your water coloring for the floral cards is absolutely gorgeous!

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  27. I can't love anything miniature, what a clever idea and foxes are clever too.

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  28. Love your cards! And the journal idea is so clever!

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  29. That mini watercolor journal is so adorable!!! Thank you for sharing.

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  30. Thanks for sharing your choices. Great colours in all your cards!

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  31. The little books are so cute! What a great idea

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  32. I LOVE the watercoloring and those little kids are soooo cute!

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  33. Great picks. Love the florals!

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  34. The watercolor book is awesome! And I love your cards :)

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  35. Your colouring of the tulips is so amazing! I'm so in love with the tulips stamp set too!

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  36. I just love the mini watercolor book, how wonderfully creative!

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  37. The tulips are amazing, love the binding disks and dies for DIY calendars and mini albums. Thanks for sharing this inspiration with these fun products.

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  38. Lydia, I LOVE your idea of making these little sketch/painting tablets! HOW ADORABLE! AND HOW ADORABLE is your little fox! WOW!!! I also LOVE your no-line Water Coloring on the tulips! JUST BEAUTIFUL!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WAFFLE FLOWER!!! ;)<3

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  39. Love the beautiful tulips. All your projects are wonderful.

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  40. What an awesome idea. Love it. Tulips are my favorite and I love that card

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  41. I absolutely love all you projects but the watercolor mini album is the best. Thank you for sharing!

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  42. That fox is to adorable! Love this idea too!

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  43. Love that little flip book. Your coloring is so amazing.

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  44. Wow your watercoloring is so inspiring, I’m truly amazed!!! Great use of the color combo products love it!

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  45. WOW!! All great samples but that tulip on blew my freaking mind!! I bow down to you, oh coloring master!!

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  46. Just love your tiny watercolor book. Such a great idea!

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  47. Love your rebel idea of a small painting or sketch book. Because it is small, it's not as intimidating to create something. It's fun to see what everyone is creating.

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  48. Love the purple flowers and those rings are really wonderful, love how easy it is to slip things in and out.

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  49. You are so creative! Thanks for sharing!

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  50. Pretty cards! I really love the way you colored the tulips, thanks for sharing.

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  51. Totally cute fox/book idea! Yes, Waffle Flower has some terrific items like the swatch set and media mat. Love your blog and great ideas!

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  52. Love your adorable mini watercolor book! Such a cute idea...and perfect for practice!

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  53. Simply lovely cards! love the stamps you chose.

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  54. Beautiful cards and watercolor. You all have really got me thinking about the color combo stamps/dies and binding discs and dies. Happy Easter and congrats to Waffle Flower.

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  55. Beautiful cards and projects as always. I love the tulips the colouring is gorgeous.
    Stay safe and keep crafting.
    Tracey.x

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  56. Love the yippee set so much!!
    Thank you so much for the amazing inspiration ❤️

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  57. Beautiful cards and they are fun. The floral cards looks great.

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  58. Oh I wish I had bought the palette paper. First time blending on my mat, I stained it with a purple ink. ARGGG....

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  59. Thanks for sharing your pretty creations from Waffle Flower. I've been so inspired by this hop.

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  60. Your journal idea is wonderful! Thank you for the video! I really need that color combo set and a water media mat!!

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  61. Cute cute fox! I too am loving the freedom of the animals. Love your tulips and your inspiration always seems to be wrapped up in a grateful heart! Fun hop! Please continue to stay safe and healthy! Happy 6th Anniversary Waffle Flower.

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  62. The tulip card is beautiful and love the sentiment. Congrats to Waffle Flower!

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  63. Wonderful projects...I am completely in love with these Tulips!!

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  64. OMG love your amazing work - thanks for sharing

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  65. Such a bright and cheerful card using the Yippee stamp set, love it.

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  66. Love the idea of a daily painting book and it's a perfect size so as not be overwhelming!

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  67. Great cards! I love that huge hello die! Adding it to my wish list!

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  68. Beautiful, fun cards. I love your Waffle Flower choices!

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  69. Those kids jumping up and down are on my favorite list too.

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  70. What a super idea for this set! Love your little fox and yes we are getting critters wandering about also.. A skunk is wandering our back yard in the daytime! They are supposed to be nocturnal. We get foxes here too so I hope the two don't meet and have a squabble.

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  71. Fun project, the little book is so useful and cute!

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  72. Love the bright and happy cards! Thanks for sharing!

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  73. Thank you for sharing your favorites. The swatch sets are on my wishlist.

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  74. Wonderful cards! Love your mini book idea!

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  75. Love your cards, especially the one with the oversized hello. Your painting of the little fox is adorable.

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  76. Beautiful and fun cards! I love the sweet mini watercolor journal - so clever.

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  77. Awesome creations! Love that fox! Sweet 'hello' card with the kids and a beautiful floral card too!

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  78. You're a talented watercolor artist.

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  79. Love the discs and disc bound dies. So unique, I really want that. Could be used for so many things, and your idea is awesome.

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  80. Wow brilliant idea to use the set!!! Thanks for sharing and inspiring

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  81. I like the flip book idea. Would like to try it out, but a tiny bit larger.

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  82. Such wonderful cards, Lydia! You have made a great selection of stamps to feature! So inspiring! Stay safe! :)

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  83. Oooh, your tulip card is gorgeous as well and I am loving the fox project...I might just need to add a few more items to that old wish list. 🤣🤣🤣

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  84. I love these ideas! Thanks for sharing!

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  85. What wonderful cards. So pretty. I particularly like the fox.

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  86. Beautiful projects. Thanks for sharing

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  87. Yes, your little book is the cutest thing EVERRRRR! So is your fox! Great cards too!!

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  88. Talented, you are very talented...thanks for the inspiration!

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  89. Fantastic cards. LOVE your little watercolor journal. What a fabulous idea!! ♥

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  90. Love your cards! Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us!

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  91. Always love seeing your creations. You are so clever and talented!

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  92. Amazing creations! I think that is a neat idea to create a watercolor (daily or not) painting book!!! Your creation is super cute and I bet your sister loved it! The fox turned out quite nicely too! Looking forward to checking out some of your links from this post! Thanks for sharing and inspiring us! Cheers and crafty hugs and love! Happy 6th Bday Waffle Flower!

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  93. So neat to see your watercolor journal. Love that Yippee set!

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  94. Cute and pretty cards and love the idea of the watercolor book. the fox is adorable.

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  95. Wonderful cards! I love your use of white space and your coloring!

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  96. Beautiful cards! Thanks so much for sharing! 🥰

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  97. Beautiful cards!! Love them and that super cute little journal. Congrats to Waffle Flower and Thanks for the opportunity to win and for sharing!

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