Simon Says Stamp LOVE Release Blog Hop and Give-a-way!!!

Hello again friends! I'm loving all these LOVE filled releases by SSS. I think love and valentine cards are the most fun to make so I get very excited over anything with hearts! There are lots of stamp sets, dies, and my newest set of watercolor cards in this release. You can see the entire release HERE. Here is an image of my watercolor cards called Love and Friendship:

As usual, I have all of the watercolor cards painted to show you so you can get an idea of how they will look all dressed up and ready to give-a-way! This time though, I only had the cards for 24 hours, so I wanted to tell you that I painted them all in ONE day. This means you could do this too! They are perfect or Valentine's Day cards - some are targeted for kids - and they are so quick and easy to make! So let's get started - I have two pics of each one, so this is going to be a LONG post! I'll have some tips under those that need some detailed instructions. I've put a card number on each, so I would LOVE to hear which is your favorite in the comments section! 

Card 1:

Tips:

• Once this was painted, I used glitter pens to add details and shading (you can see the green and the red and the yellow that are all in the standard set of 12 pens)
• I used my new favorite Sparkle Pen to move the paints around the image - it is a wet paintbrush with clear sparkle on it, so you just rub it over the images and some of the paint from them moves around them - great way to add backgrounds without much work (and added bonus you get all that sparkle!)
• I flicked some yellow paint drops on the background and also used some yellow, red, and green Tonic Nuvo Drops around the wreath
• I always add shadows to my letters to add depth using the Copic N2 marker

Card 2:

Tips:

• I used Tonic Nuvo Drops in Blue Lagoon glitter on the blue flowers and in yellow for the flower centers and on the background; I also used Rose Water in the center of the pink flowers
• I also used these same two colors of drops on the letters - I think they add a nice dimension on letters
• I started by painting the background - I just wet it and then added some yellow paint here and there around the girl; I also splattered some more yellow on it while it was still wet which gives it the splattered look
• Although the background is watercolor, I used Copic markers to color the image - I like mixing the two on these cards as the Ranger Watercolor Paper they are printed on works great with ALL mediums; don't be afraid to mix coloring mediums on one card!

Card 3:

Tips:

• I used Strawberry Coulis and Orange Marmalade Tonic Nuvo Drops on the letters to add shine and dimension
• I use the Lawn Fawn large stitched rectangles for all of my full size card fronts - many of these can't be die-cut smaller as they fill up the entire size so this die is really helpful to give them a finished look with stitching
• I used watercolor on my background - wet it first and then dropped in several colors and move them around; when I apply too much color, I just dab it off with a napkin; in fact I use this technique all the time on backgrounds to keep them light - just make sure to dab color off before it dries!
• Again, I used Copics for the designs and shadows; adding shadows behind ALL the images and letters really adds dimension!
• When coloring the letters with Copics, I use three colors - the darkest color first on the bottom of the letters, then the medium color in the center and then I apply the lightest color over the entire letter - this gives them a nice ombre look

Card 4:

Tips:

• For the balloon in the center, I first painted it with pink paint, then I applied my glitter pen, and then I used Tonic Nuvo Drops in White Blizzard which is clear with lots of glitter; I applied two coats so it is really puffy; then I applied white drops for the line on the balloon once it was dry
• I used a white Uniball marker on the dress dots; I used glitter pens (yellow and brown) to add dimension to the hair
• I used Tonic Nuvo Drops in Strawberry Coulis over the letters Y and U and I noticed when they dried they have the look of Crackle Medium which was a nice surprise - I think they look really cool that way! I used Blue Lagoon Glitter drops over the background.

Card 5:

Tips:

• To make the background really light like this, use LOTS of water, very little paint, and wipe most off with a napkin; use blues and pink and where they mix on the paper, they will create purple
• For the decorations on the donuts, I used glitter pens and LOTS of Tonic Nuvo Drops in bright colors; I also used Shocking Pink drops around the donuts and over the hearts
• I added shadows to ALL of the donuts and words to add depth using Copic N2 marker

Card 6:

Tips:

• This card looked SO busy before it was painted, but I think it looks better in color; BUT I did need to re-outline the black letters so the words stood out more and didn't get lost in that crazy background! Also, remember to add shadows behind them to help them stand out more too!
• I used glitter pens (the set of 12) over many of the images, then I used the Sparkly Pen to add more sparkles one each!
• I added both Tonic Nuvo Drops and PPP sequins on this card - I like mixing both together (why not? NO rules!)

Card 7:

Tips:

• I wet the background and then applied pink paint only to the edges of the heart and then let the color run outward
• I used a pink gel pen from THIS SET (it is the pastel one, not a glitter pen) onto pop each of the dots on the background

Card 8:

Tips:

• I think this one is my favorite - I never use purple, but I like it mixed with the pink and blue here; notice that I did add some more lines on the It's Raining so I could add pink gel pen to each letter (sorry for not having them all the same in the original)
• I used Tonic Nuvo Drops in Pale Periwinkle over the word LOVE and in Sherbet Shimmer over all the hearts
• I added some PPP Sparkling Clear Sequins around the hearts

Card 9:

Tips:

• Tip for me, but you would never make this mistake - panda bears (which is what I meant his to be when I drew it) are black with a white head and white stomach! I painted my first one with a black face and ruined it! I used Copics for the bear.
• I used watercolors for the heart so I could make the color darker around the edges and let it run into the center (wet on wet); I used my sparkle pen over the heart so it is really SPARKLY!
• For eyes, use white Tonic Nuvo Drops first, then let dry; then add black Tonic Nuvo Drops (of giggly little eye balls would work too!); I also used these two colors on the background

Card 10:

Tips:

• I used LOTS of layers of my Sparkle Pen over that vase as I wanted it to really sparkle!
• I used a sparkly Daniel Smith paint on the background and Tonic Nuvo Drops in Aquatic Mist Glitter matched perfectly! I also used red gloss drops.

Card 11:

Tips:

• This one is also one of my favorites - I used Tonic Nuvo Drops in yellow and black to add dots over the bee; I also used Sherbet Shimmer Glitter Drops over the pink words and hearts
• For the wings, I painted them with a Daniel Smith sparkly paint; then I used my Sparkle Glitter pen on them; then I added some Tonic Nuvo Drops in White Blizzard so they really sparkle

Card 12:

Tips:

• This card definitely needed the gray marker shadows behind all the elements since I left the background white - this really made the words and flowers pop
• I used Tonic Nuvo Drops in Rhubarb Crumble and some PPP Sparkling Clear sequins on the background 
• I used watercolors for the roses and then my red glitter pen on top for shadows and luster!

Now for three orders of business:

• Next on the blog hop is Jessica Frost Ballas - I met her at CHA and she is such a sweet lovely person! 
• There will be a $25 gift certificate to the SSS store given away on each stop on this blog hop - so leave a comment on each blog for the most chances to win!
• Please follow my blog as I post about 1-2 times a week and I would love to have you get emails when I post - I have a "one stamp, five ways" series where I use one SSS stamp and show you five techniques/ways to use it.
• You can check the LOVE GALLERY to see all of the creations using the NEW LOVE RELEASE! Don't forget to add your projects to the gallery as well!

Ok, that's it! Thanks so much for joining me today and I hope I have inspired you to do some painting! Happy weekend! Suzy

Comments

[gloria kratz]

Beautiful colorful cards.

[Sandy S.]

I have a friend who wants to make cards without investing in stamps and dies, and I’ve got to remember to tell her about these!

[Maaike Uijthoven]

Great set of cards again and so beautifully colored I now need a donut ;-)

[Rubeena Ianigro]

these are amazing!!

[Annie Nigro]

Another set of beautiful cards. I always love your work! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Donna]

Oh, like how you showed all of these with your amazing coloring, they would not of been on my list otherwise!

[Jackie S]

Love these watercolor papers. Makes card making so much easier.

[Rachel]

Another amazing job, thank you! I think my favorite finished colored is #12, just so striking & beautiful. But the little mouse is too cute too!

[Eve N]

I've never really given any thought to using watercolor cards, but what a great idea! So easy to take along and color, wherever you are.

[Sara Wright]

Wow! You make those cards look so good with your coloring! I am in awe of your talent!

[Robin Phillips]

Truly beautiful!

[mary ann]

i love your new release!

[Debbie Rumpza]

Another set of adorable cards!

[vicki dutcher]

WOW! Amazing eye candy!

[Evelyn B]

Love the tip about the gray marker to make the flowers pop. So much fun to sit down and create a bunch at once. Enjoyed them!

[Andrea Hastilow]

I honestly thought I had made my mind up on my top 5 images from your love collection, but now seeing how you've painted them I can't decide on the top 1 let alone 5. These are stunning and I'm just going to have to buy them all instead of pick 5 and share pack with friends.

[Daniela May]

somebody loves coloring - great cards - such beautiful colors - love

[Debbie]

Thank you for sharing these panels. I have similar ones that I never get inspired to use. You've re-energized me.

[Paula Desmarais]

I absolutely love your cards!!! So unique and different. I also LOVE the new LOVE collection!

[KariLynn L]

Wow! Your new card set is so adorable. But all of your coloured images are absolutely stunning! They all need to be put in frames and displayed. I love your unique style.

[Jennifer]

Love these, such a great idea for on the go coloring

[Lori Uren]

I love these especially the little mouse!

[Tracey Magner]

I LOVE them all, fav's if I HAD to pick are 2,3,5,9,11 You know I am buying these of course, I was hoping you would have the whole release listed because I am also getting the stamp set with the bread and I thought you would get the comm from it, but I guess you don't do that like the other designers do.I really appreciate the tip's you add after the cards, they are awesome and so helpful, speaking of, YOU ARE AWESOME !!!! Thanks so much for your inspiration, love your prints!!!

[Lonya]

I always like your cards. We have a color-me-calm gathering at our local library and I like to take your cards.

[Heather Yergens]

Thank you so much for your inspiration