SSS Fun and Festive Blog Hop (Day 1) - Suzy's Snowmen Watercolor Cards

Today is day 1 of a 2 day blog hop celebrating the Simon Says Stamp new Fun and Festive product release. I'm excited to be sharing with you a new set of watercolor cards called Suzy's Snowmen. Here is an image: 

I'll be showing you all 12 of these cards colored and made into greeting cards below. I have a lot of images as I wanted to show you both a full image and a close up image of each card. This is because I went crazy with the Tonic Nuvo Drops on these and I wanted you to see all the dimension and sheen they add to the cards. At the end of all of these images, I'll list some basic techniques I use when coloring them you might find helpful. And then you will find the actual BLOG HOP DETAILS (so keep scrolling if you want to get right to the business!).

Yesterday I posted a Making Backgrounds Ahead of Time blog post where I talk about all my watercolor and other techniques I use to make card backgrounds all at once. You might want to check that one out. Also, ere are two cards I shared on THIS BLOG POST the day of the release using some of the new products (directions for each and more images on the post). These cards both use backgrounds I made on the first post. 

This is an image of the Tiny Christmas Words stamp set that I used on the first card. It works perfectly with a die set by Honey Bee Stamps called Sentiment Banners as you can see here:

WATERCOLOR CARDS:

Card 1:

Card 2:

Card 3:

Card 4:

Card 5:

Card 6:

Card 7:

Card 8:

Card 9:

Card 10:

Card 11:

Card 12:

 WATERCOLOR CARD COLORING TECHNIQUES AND PRODUCTS USED:

• I use several coloring mediums on these cards and know that ANY coloring medium you prefer will work as they are printed on Ranger Watercolor paper which is super thick; I always start with watercolor for the backgrounds of each card and for larger areas; then I use colored pencils for the details and shading; then I add the final details with Tonic Nuvo Drops
• I love using the Kaiser Craft Glitter Pens to add shading, details, and sheen after I color these
• Let's talk Nuvo Drops - they are the best investment ever! I use them on all my watercolor cards for big areas and only one color is almost out - white which I use the most. They are not just DROPS. Think of them more like Glossy Accents where you can cover any area of an image with them. Try them over letters, over areas you want to pop like clothing, use for eyes (I use a drop of white, let dry and then a drop of black), etc... - SO MANY USES! (((yes, I love them))) (((no, I am not paid to say so)))
• I also use a White Uniball on all of these cards for details AND to cover mistakes - I often color out of the lines and this pen covers all my mistakes so it is a must have for me.
• Add gray shadows behind letters and images to make them pop (I use my Copic N2 marker the most)
• Add patterns to large areas such as the gift boxes and the clothing on the snowmen - use colored pencils, glitter pens, or Nuvo Drops for this - I love using the glitter drops the best
• Let's talk snowflakes! I used the Hero Arts Unicorn Spray on the card with the dark sky - it is great for adding white splotches on night time skys; I used the PPP snowflake sequins on almost all of these cards; and of course I use white glossy Tonic Nuvo Drops for snow. I also love the White Blizzard Nuvo Drops for snow - it is clear with glitter in it. 
• For the red berries on many of the snowmen's hats, I used Red Gloss Nuvo Drops with a White Uniball on top 
• Check out my Making Backgrounds Ahead of Time blog post from yesterday showing some of my background techniques for cards. 

BLOG HOP BUSINESS:

• Don't forget to add your creations to the Fun and Festive Gallery. It's a great place to visit to get inspiration using all of the new products. 
• When making a purchase, use the code FEST587 which will give you a free festive Stickles with any purchase. This code will expire Sunday, 10/14 at 11:59 pm ET.
• The entire Fun and Festive product release can be seen HERE
• SSS is giving away a $25 coupon on every stop on the hop from each blog comment section; they will choose winners over the weekend and post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday. You can then email them to claim your prize!
• And last is the Hop List - next on the hop is HEATHER HOFFMAN, but the full list of participants is here:

  Simon Says Stamp Blog 

  Cathy Zielske

  Laura Bassen

  Nina-Marie Trapani

  Amanda Korotkova

  Nichol Spohr

  Jessica Frost-Ballas

  Suzy Plantamura (you are here)

  Heather Hoffman

  Elena Salo

  Ankita Gupta

  Karin Åkesdotter

  Emma Williams

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VISITING!!! Hope you enjoyed all these creations and happy creating! Suzy

Comments

[Helen F]

All so gorgeous, Suzy and so much fun! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

[MBFairySky]

Your coloring are so perfect on these all cards !
Thanks for sharing your all creations !

[Becca4296]

Those snowman are adorable

[Miriam Prantner]

Wonderful cards as usual! Love all those little sentiments, and another great set of illustrations from you!

[Teresa Medeiros]

OMG your cards are so amazing! I've never tried Simon's watercolour cards before but now I know I've been missing out.

[Teresa Doyle]

Suzy, your panels are always so sweet and you have coloured (water coloured) them perfectly. Thanks also for sharing your techniques used.

[Patty Eifert]

Perfect adorable coloring cards for the season!

[Mary Holshouser]

The wreath is fantastic.
Love the little cards to color.
Never liked to color but I'm
getting into it and enjoying
it. Having cute designs to
color helps. thanks for
sharing. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Laurie]

So cute! The winter scene is one of my favorites! Love all the coloring cards, too.

[Rosemary D]

stunning set of cards!

[Kris Reeves]

Your coloring is superb!

[stampinggrandma]

Fabulous!

[Amy Brown]

WOW! So many gorgeous cards!! I love them all :D

[Laura J.]

Breathtakingly beautiful cards!

[Deborah Kaye]

Your cards are so fun! The snowmen are adorable!

[Denise Ward]

I think it is very appropriate you have a design with two snow "people" that says "You melt my heart" because snowmen melt my heart!!! They are just so sweet and friendly, and they always tend to make me smile. So, thank you, Suzy, for the smiles you gave me as I looked at all the great cards you created.... as part of the SSS release and as cards in the hop! You always do a fantastic job!!

[Marie Bingaman]

Wow, you were busy! Did your hands cramp up with all that coloring? ;) I love the results though; so worth it! :)

[Marillyn]

Your cards are beautiful. Your snowmen are delightful. Truly appreciate your talent

[Rosann Barnes]

The snowman collections is soooooooooo adorable ( I love snowmen) ! Your background techniques are awesome ... thanks for sharing !

[Denise Mlady]

These cards are all so pretty. Lovely coloring and I like all the little details you add.

[Henriëtte]

Your new watercolour Cards in this release are awesome, who doesn't love snowmen! Thank you so much Suzy for sharing all your gorgeous coloured cards.

[Steffi H.]

I just adore your coloring skills. You really bring these cute images to live.

[Lisa Byers]

Suzy, my husband is a snowman freak so I have to get these!!! They are adorable!! I love the shell wreath too, very beautiful!!

[BrendaLea]

Love how you used so many different mediums on your cards...... Paint, pencils, Nuvo, etc. The cards look amazing!

[Kim Faucher]

That shell wreath is a favorite and the snowman are a need and I may put them in my bag to bring for holiday so the whole family can color!!!