Today is the release of the Simon Says Stamp March Card Kit. It is a VERY full kit and full of spring promise! This one actually includes TWO stamp sets, so I actually should have titled this post "one kit, five ways" as it technically uses both of the stamps in the kit. But we all know I often break my rules, so hopefully we can all just go with it! Here is an image of the kit:
I made five cards to share with you today primarily focusing on the two stamp sets, but using all of the kit contents as well (including those little puff balls which are so cute!).
This is the only one of my five cards that doesn't go with the colors/look of the card kit. I had to make a card using this chick in more bright colors though! So I used some other elements in the stamp set to tie it all together. First I started with one of the papers (black with words on it) die-cut into a full card size stitched rectangle. I also die-cut a stitched square to use for my chick image and salutation. I stamped the line stamp using SSS Lemon Zest and Orange Slush inks from the Fresh Fruit set. I stamped the orange first and then stamped it again several times with the yellow so it would cover better. I cut around that and placed that on the top of the black paper.
I stamped the chick image with black ink on white cardstock and colored him in with Copic Markers. I used my Prismacolored pencils to add shading and details. I then fussy cut around the image. I drew a ground on the white square with Copic Markers and a black fine tip marker. I attached that to the top of the card and then the chick on top of that. I stamped the sentiment (had to cut it apart into three pieces) with the Orange Slush Ink and black ink on the top of the square. I added some rain drops with Blue Lagoon Glitter Drops. If you start with the bottom of the drop and move it upward as you release, it creates this shape. I cut some of the pom poms in half and glued them to the yellow strip. I finished it with some drops of White Nuvo Drops.
Card 2:
This card is much more the colors and look/feel of the kit. I loved this green leaf paper the most, so I die-cut it to fit on a green cardstock card base. I then die-cut a stitched rectangle from one of the patterned papers and attached it to the top of the green patterned paper. I cut around the edges so it would leave a darker mat. This made the cream rectangle not get lost on the card front. I stamped the sentiment with Ranger Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink on the rectangle.
I stamped all of the images on white cardstock with MFT Natural Ink so I could color them with a no-line technique. I colored them with Copic Markers and then added details and shading with my colored pencils. I'm having a lot of fun learning to mix these mediums when coloring and I love the results (although I need more practice with the colored pencils to blend them better!). I fussy cut around the images and attached them to the top of the rectangle. I added some Tonic Nuvo Drops in Strawberry Coulis.
Card 3:
I wanted to try out that stamp made for plaid backgrounds (is that what they are called?). I started with a stitched rectangle die-cut from white cardstock. I then used my misti to do this stamping so I could keep the stamp lined up properly. I used the purple ink in the kit, but it was too dark for my taste, so I stamped it first on scratch paper and then this is a second generation stamping. I just stuck a piece of scrap paper into the Misti on top of my actual paper each time I stamped. I attached this piece to a pink cardstock base. I also die-cut a smaller stitched rectangle in the same color cardstock (which is included in the kit as well) and attached that on top of the plaid piece.
I stamped the image on white cardstock with MFT Natural Ink and colored it in with Copic markers. I added shading with my prismacolored pencils. I cut around the edges and attached that to the top of the pink rectangle. I then used two of the stickers in the kit - one flower tucked behind and a tag tucked under the left side for the salutation. I tied some purple twine on the tag and added Tonic Nuvo Drops in Ivory Seashell and Lilac.
Card 4:
This card is my favorite one - which is yours? I love making shaker cards, but I took this one up a notch (in my humble opinion haha). I die-cut the Frond Collage die out of both of the green cardstocks in the kit. I then die-cut a stitched rectangle around the lighter green one. I layered the darker green one behind it twisting it around so the leaves didn't match up. I used this as the top of my shaker card. I added a transparency behind the window and then foam tape behind the entire piece. I attached that to a tan card base from the kit. I added some Marshmallow, Lime Sorbet, Mossy Green sequins and some Spring Green beads inside the shaker window. I also glued some to the top of the shaker window around the edges.
I stamped all of the elements from the two stamp sets on white cardstock with MFT Natural Ink. I then colored them all in with Copics and shaded with colored pencils. I used the Shimmer Pen in the kit over all of the flowers to give them a beautiful sheen. I attached the flowers and leaves around the outside edge of the circle die forming a wreath. It's very busy, but I liked the way they looked over the die-cut leaves. I added a bunny to the bottom and then I embossed the sentiment on the left with SSS Embossing Ink and Ranger white embossing powder. Last I added some Strawberry Coulis Nuvo Drops around the wreath. Oh, last last, I added half a pom pom for the bunnies tail!
Card 5:
This is my simple card. I started with a rectangle cut from one of the patterned papers that matches the stamp set so well. I attached that to the darker green cardstock card base. I then die-cut a small stitched square from the dark green patterned paper. I embossed the sentiment on that with SSS embossing ink and Ranger white embossing powder.
I stamped the cute little boots on white cardstock with MFT Natural Ink and colored with Copic markers and colored pencils. I attached that to the top of the square and then added some white Nuvo Drops to finish it.
Please take note that this is my second "one stamp, five ways" blog post this week! Yes, I am amazing hahahaha! Considering it had been about a month, I have a lot to make up for. But I had a grandson in late December and he has been so sick with RSV and my grand daughter (his big sister) has had walking pneumonia two times since Christmas. It was been a very busy time as I'm sure you are all experiencing as well with all the sickness going around! Luckily I haven't gotten sick yet (knock on wood)! Thanks so much for visiting today. Have a great President's Day Weekend! Suzy
Darling cards! Can’t wait for Spring and this kit.
Posted by: LaNell Taylor | February 14, 2018 at 06:15 AM
This would not be a kit I would pick,
but I love what you have done!!!
All your designs, coloring & use of extras!!!
Posted by: Annette Hindes | February 14, 2018 at 07:54 AM
Hi Suzy, What wonderful cards, LOVE them all! Love the colors in this kit, so pretty. I really love the 2 stamp sets in this kit as well. I just got your latest watercolor prints in the mail a few days ago, excited to color some of them. I am so sorry to hear about your grand babies being sick, it is really going around this year. How many does this latest cutie pie make for you?
Posted by: Tracey Magner | February 14, 2018 at 01:29 PM
Absolutely incredible design layouts! So very inspiring once again. I'm drooling over here....oh no, there's a puddle forming!
Posted by: Karen Gerek | February 14, 2018 at 02:52 PM
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about your grandkids; I hope they are all better and stay better for quite some time! I love these cards you've made; your coloring, as always, is stunning. I wasn't sure how all the colors in the kit would work together, but now I definitely see (which I supppose is why other people put these together, not me)! Thanks for sharing all your beautiful art.
Posted by: Annalisa | February 15, 2018 at 12:13 PM
I LOVE this kit and just can't hardly wait for it to get here!! November 2017 is my favorite kit, and I'm certain this one will be #2 for a long, long time! You made some very darling cards. Your coloring skills are just over the top!! Beautiful!
Posted by: Angie F | February 15, 2018 at 11:48 PM
I am excited to get this kit. Just discovered your blog (Pinterest). I will be following as we have similar styles and I love the Copic coloring with pencils. Guess I will be getting my Prismacolor pencils out of their drawer. I bet they will be very happy to once again see the light of day! : ). Thanks for sharing your cards.
Posted by: Nancie Lively | February 21, 2018 at 08:55 AM
Great cards! I just got my set and can't wait to get started. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Sue R | March 02, 2018 at 11:26 AM