Simon Says Stamp Cyber Week Blog Hop!

Hello Simon Says Stamp friends! Today is the Simon Says Stamp Cyber Week Blog Hop showcasing my newest set of watercolor cards called Classical Christmas. When I drew these, I tried to do a more classic set instead of my usual style (what should we call it - cutesy?). Here is an image of the 12 card fronts which are all printed on Ranger Watercolor Paper:

I've painted all 12 of these card fronts with watercolors and dressed them up with glitter pens, Tonic Nuvo Drops, sequins, twine, etc... so you can visualize how they will look once you have put your creative love into them! They really are FUN to decorate - every time I draw a set, I can't wait to color them. Here they are in all their glory!

I loved using non-traditional colors on this one. I think the teal and pink looks really pretty with the silver. I was really glad I invested in some silver Daniel Smith watercolor! I added shadows to the letters with a pink glitter pen. I used Nuvo Drops in Silver and Aquamist Glitter. 

For the stocking, I wet the entire area that is red and then applied the red watercolor to just the outside edges of the stocking, so the color ran into it. Then while still wet, I put a paper towel over it to soak up the extra water. This kept the center of the image lighter. I used the same technique for the blue background - wet the area and apply paint just to the edges and let it run outward. Dab up any extra paint and water. I used Gold Glitter Tonic Nuvo Drops around the stocking. 

This image was so fun to draw. I painted the buildings in bright colors because I would love to live in a town with these colors! I used white tonic nuvo drops around the image and a gray copic marker to add shadows behind the letters. I used a little pink watercolor behind the letters to break up the white background.

It was so hard for me to keep this image only blue, green, white, black and gray. I usually use so many colors. But I like the simplicity. I used the same technique mentioned on the stocking above for the car - apply water to the inside and only apply paint to the edges, then blot up the extra paint and water. For the tree, I used a gel pen in metallic to add the lines so it looks like it has texture. I outlined the snowflakes with a silver glitter pen and used a blue one behind the letters - they are both in my standard glitter set I could not live without! 

Just a close up image since it was my favorite! I used Tonic Nuvo Drops in Blue Lagoon Glitter (one of my favorite colors too!)

I painted the branches with green watercolor and then used a gel pen from this set to outline all of the branches for texture and shadows. I used gold glitter Tonic drops on the star and ornaments. I used silver, gold and red drops around the tree. I think adding outlines to the letters really makes them pop. 

Same technique - apply water over the entire letter and then add paint to just one part - the left sides of the letters. I love the look of watercolors as they blend into water. I used gray watercolor on the background. I painted the wreath green and then used a green metallic gel pen over it to add texture. I finished it with red Tonic Nuvo Drops. 

I used a lot of Silver Tonic Nuvo Drops on this one and a Silver Uniball. The light green drops are Key Lime. I used a gray Copic marker behind all of the ornaments and the letters. 

I love love love the gold glitter Tonic Nuvo Drops over the little berries on this one. I used the Metallic Copper Penny ones int eh center of the flowers and around the images. I also used some black around the flowers and white on them. I could not live without my Tonic Nuvo Drops - such a brilliant creation!

I used some Lawn Fawn twine around this card tying a blow at the bottom. I left the ends long for the photo, but did cut them off! I used Gold Glitter Tonic Nuvo Drops around the edges. 

Same techniques here with some Black Nuvo Drops not the background and red ones over the berries. 

I used two colors of Tonic Drops on this one - yellow and red as well as Aquatic Mist Glitter (teal - awesome). I used a yellow glitter pen under the letters. 

Because of the colors, this one actually ended up being my favorite. I painted the inside of the ornament with rainbow colors - wet the entire thing and apply the colors (several layers) while they are still wet so they blend into each other. I used a Gold Uniball on the top of the ornament. I splattered green watercolor all over the background. I used a white Uniball for dots on the ornament. I finished it with white Tonic Nuvo Drops and some Sparkling Clear Sequins by PPP. 

So there you go - don't they look fun to dress up? I hope you enjoyed these and it inspired you to create! Next on the blog hop is the coloring QUEEN herself, Kathy Racoosin. 

I also hope you all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families! Thanks so much for visiting today! Suzy

Comments

[Sarah W]

Wow, beautiful water coloring. Love seeing the completed work.

[Patty Eifert]

These are all awesome Suzy!! Especially love the bells, lantern & large ornament!!

[Barbara Chmura]

Lovely cards!

[Debbie Rumpza]

Lovely, Suzy!

[Samantha Johnson]

WOW!!! I loved the set you made last year and was kicking myself for only ordering 1 set, this year I might order 3.

[Ina Nelson]

Beautiful cards and the coloring is second to non. Oh my gosh.

[Henriëtte]

What a delightful bunch of colored cards, I think this is great fun. My favorite is the one with the non-traditional colors, the first card in this gorgeous line of cards. Thank you for designing and the inspiration how to color them.

[Dee Earnshaw]

fantastic coloring and super patterns :)

[Carol McGregor]

Oh My Gosh. These are simply fantastic. Love the bells and the VW.

[Cheryl Day]

So beautiful! I am ordering these for myself and a friend!

[Celeste Goff]

Wow, your images are simply amazing! Love how big and bold they are!

[Kim Salito]

Beautifulul work, I would invest in watercolors if could paint half that good.

[Debbie B]

Another wonderful collection of yours Suzy!! They look like so much fun to do! Can't wait to get mine and maybe a set for a friend. Would make a great gift for my crafty buddy!

[Robin Keith]

I love your designs, Suzy. And it's wonderful getting inspiration from you on how you color them!

[Greta H]

I absolutely love your new cards, Suzy! Thought the poinsettia one was my favorite, but seeing them all colored I'm having a hard time deciding! Joy to the World and Peace, Joy & Love really caught my eye, too! Now if only I could color!

[Patt H.]

Susy, these are all spectacular! Love the awesome coloring, especially that gorgeous rainbow ornament! Thanks so much for all the tips on coloring.

[KarenHTK]

WOW! Using Non Traditional Christmas colors IS Really Pretty! Great Job! Well Done! Giving Daniel Smith Watercoloring A Go...

[Jackie Bednar]

These are some great designs. I love how you colored them too. Thanks for the great ideas.

[barbara lassiter]

What an amazing array of designs and so beautifully colored! :)

[Karen Hale]

So very pretty and great card toppers!

[Tammy B]

These are gorgeous! Thanks for designing these.

[Andrea Hastilow]

Wow ! So many adorable images, so hard to say a total favourite, I was going to say the car with the tree & the peace message but then I scrolled down & now seeing your work they are all in tie position, adorable x

[Julie]

This card assortment is lovely—and looks like it would be so much fun to color.

[Kit A]

I love these cards. They are so pretty.

[Jocy50]

Love your cards and the coloring you did on them.