{"id":17436,"date":"2025-10-31T10:58:58","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T00:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/?p=17436"},"modified":"2025-10-31T10:59:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T00:29:00","slug":"stampin-up-a-child-is-born-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/stampin-up-a-child-is-born-3\/","title":{"rendered":"A Child Is Born Watercolour Christmas Card \u2014 Soft, Muted Nativity in Ink"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you love a classic nativity with a gentle, serene feel, the Stampin Up <strong>A Child Is Born<\/strong> stamp set is a dream to colour. In this week\u2019s live I stepped away from my usual Stampin\u2019 Blends and returned to <strong>watercolouring with ink pads and reinkers<\/strong> on <strong>Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper<\/strong>. The result is a softly muted Christmas card with beautiful, natural shading and a touch of glow\u2014perfect for the season and wonderfully forgiving for intermediate colourists.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image17436_970dfa-ba .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image17436_970dfa-ba size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born.jpg\" alt=\"Stampin Up A Child is Born\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-17438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-560x560.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Colours and Composition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I kept the palette subdued and timeless: <strong>Cloud Cover<\/strong> for Mary\u2019s robe, <strong>Misty Moonlight<\/strong> for the swaddle, <strong>Mossy Meadow<\/strong> for Joseph, with neutrals of <strong>Crumb Cake<\/strong>, <strong>Pecan Pie<\/strong>, <strong>Early Espresso<\/strong>, <strong>Petal Pink<\/strong> and a whisper of <strong>Basic Beige<\/strong> as a background halo. The scene is cropped with an <strong>arched die<\/strong> for a classic devotional look, then mounted over Cloud Cover pattern paper and Misty Moonlight Card, with a simple black sentiment. A trio of rhinestones finishes it without stealing focus from the colouring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Stampin Up:  A Child is Born | Watercolouring with Inks\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GPB9HZHwAe8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips &amp; Techniques from the Live<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1) Stamping for watercolour on photopolymer:<\/strong><br>I stamped the images in <strong>StazOn<\/strong> so they would stay crisp under water. StazOn can stain photopolymer, but here\u2019s how I minimise it: ink, stamp, then <strong>clean immediately<\/strong> on a <strong>Stampin\u2019 Scrub<\/strong> with <strong>Stampin\u2019 Mist<\/strong>. A quick, firm scrub keeps the staining light. If you prefer, you can stamp in your favourite dye ink and heat-emboss in clear or black to set the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2) Light-to-dark layering with reinkers:<\/strong><br>Drop a little reinker onto an acrylic block and <strong>pull a diluted wash<\/strong> for the first layer. Once dry, return with stronger, less diluted colour and <strong>float shadows<\/strong> into the creases and under overlaps (hairlines, cuffs, folds, under the swaddle). Building slowly gives you those soft, believable transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3) Toning down pinks and brights:<\/strong><br>For skin I started with <strong>Petal Pink<\/strong>, then <strong>glazed a whisper of Crumb Cake<\/strong> around hairlines and contours. It knocks back the pink and adds natural warmth.<br>If a robe reads too bright (Misty Moonlight beside Cloud Cover can do that), <strong>veil a touch of neutral<\/strong>\u2014Crumb Cake or a diluted Early Espresso\u2014over the shadows. It instantly \u201cages\u201d the colour into something more period-appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4) Let your greens do the work:<\/strong><br><strong>Mossy Meadow<\/strong> (and Old Olive) have a lovely habit of <strong>granulating into brownish undertones<\/strong> on watercolour paper. Lean into this by layering light-to-dark; you\u2019ll get earthy folds that look hand-painted without fuss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5) Believable straw and grounding:<\/strong><br>A bright yellow base can look cartoonish. Lay a pale yellow wash first, then <strong>scrub over with Crumb Cake<\/strong> and touch in <strong>Pecan Pie<\/strong> closest to the stamp lines. Keep your brush on the paper and <strong>wiggle<\/strong> to suggest straw texture. Repeat the approach for a soft <strong>Basic Beige<\/strong> halo behind the figures\u2014barely there, just enough to lift them off the white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6) Order of inks matters:<\/strong><br>Do <strong>all watercolour first<\/strong>, let it dry, then stamp the sentiment in <strong>Memento Black<\/strong>. Dye ink over damp paper feathers; dry paper keeps it pin-sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image17436_995cba-df .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image17436_995cba-df size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2.jpg\" alt=\"Stampin Up A Child is Born\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-17437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2-560x560.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/A-Child-is-Born-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why You\u2019ll Love The Stampin Up A Child is Born Stamp Set<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A Child Is Born<\/strong> delivers a reverent Christmas look without fuss. The open artwork invites every colouring medium\u2014ink pads, watercolour pencils, or Blends\u2014and the imagery stands beautifully in a <strong>simple layout<\/strong>. If you enjoy mindful colouring and timeless cards that post flat yet feel special, this set will serve you right through December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stamp: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stampinup.com.au\/products\/a-child-is-born-photopolymer-stamp-set-english?demoid=4000014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Child Is Born<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paper: Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper, Basic White<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inks: StazOn (image), Memento (sentiment); Cloud Cover, Misty Moonlight, Mossy Meadow, Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso, Petal Pink, Basic Beige<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tools: Water brush, Stampin\u2019 Scrub + Stampin\u2019 Mist, Everyday Arches Dies, Blending Brush<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Embellishments: Rhinestones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019d like the written tutorial with measurements, colours, and cutting notes,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/freebie-library-sign-up\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"13277\"> subscribe to my newsletter<\/a> via my blog. You\u2019ll also receive instant access to my Freebie Library of card tutorials. Ready to add the Stampin Up <strong>A Child Is Born<\/strong> Stamp Set to your craft room? Shop the bundle and recreate this peaceful nativity with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cheers for now<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image17436_54000e-c9 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image17436_54000e-c9 size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/alisa-tilsner-round-logo-transparent-e1623752213720.png\" alt=\"Alisa\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-11857\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shop my <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stampinup.net\/esuite\/home\/alisatilsner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ONLINE STORE<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/join-stampin-up-australia\/\">Join The Artful Stampers<\/a><a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/join-stampin-up-australia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Team<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/join-stampin-up-australia\/\"> <\/a>&#8211; Happy Shoppers, <g class=\"gr_ gr_11 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace\" id=\"11\" data-gr-id=\"11\">Hobbiest<\/g>, Part Time and Full Time welcome!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/tutorial-and-card-making-membership\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"14602\">Creative Card Makers Club<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch me on <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/alisatilsner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Socialise with me on <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AlisaTilsnerIndependentStampinUpDemonstrator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FaceBook<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"mailto:alisacraig@westnet.com.au\">Email Me<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you love a classic nativity with a gentle, serene feel, the Stampin Up A Child Is Born stamp set is a dream to colour. In this week\u2019s live I stepped away from my usual Stampin\u2019 Blends and returned to watercolouring with ink pads and reinkers on Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. The result is a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":170,"featured_media":17438,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[417,456,471,18],"tags":[111,171],"class_list":["post-17436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-card-tutorials","category-stampin-up-christmas-card-ideas","category-stampin-up-colouring-with-ink","category-stampin-up-video-tutorials","tag-cardmaking","tag-stampin-up-australia"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/170"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17436"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17442,"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17436\/revisions\/17442"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alisatilsner.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}