Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop - Cheer and Joy Release

Hi friends! Today is the first day of the 2 day blog hop for Simon Says Stamp's new release called Cheer and Joy. I have three products I illustrated in this release, so I'm excited to show them all to you. I have two stamp sets called Falling For You and Christmas Globe - here are images:

Yesterday I posted a "one stamp, five ways" blog post using the Falling For You stamp set - you can see that post HERE. I will be doing another "one stamp, five ways" guest post on the SSS blog on October 30th using the new Christmas Globe set. Here are close ups of four of my cards from my Falling For You post:

I also have a new set of Suzy's Watercolor Cards called Christmas Critters. Here is an image: And now I get to show you ten of these all dressed up. I feel SO GUILTY!!! I have never (after almost 40 sets and 3 plus years) not had all 12 colored to show you on the blog hop. I worked so hard today to finish them and I just couldn't get the last two done. I may finish them in the am and add them to this blog post so if there are 12 ignore this! And one more thing - I changed to drawing these on an iPad (versus with a pen and paper) a few months ago. They look much better now - no messy hand drawn lines. So if you have tried them in the past and felt they were too messy and unprofessional looking, give them another chance - they are better! Ok, here we go to photo overload! Deets about the blog hop at the end of the photos!

 

Here are some tips/techniques I used when coloring these (some are repetitive to other months so beware):

• Paint your backgrounds first by adding water to a portion and then adding the paint close to the image so it flows outward; continue until background is done; while still wet, flick some additional paint on (this was done on the last card with the birds on it)
• Use Glossy Accents for large areas that you want glossy - I used them on the top and bottom of the large ornament - the great thing about Glossy Accents is they don't crack where clear Nuvo Drops (called Morning Dew) do crack on larger areas. I used the Nuvo Drops on the candy with the squirrel and you can tell in the close up they crack which looked cool on the candy!
• If you want a clear glitter look over white, try the White Blizzard Nuvo Drops which are clear with glitter; but if you want it really glittery, use Glossy Accents and pour white glitter over them while wet. I used the first option here on the top and bottom of the stocking; I used the glitter over GA option here on the hat on the mouse on the ornament - much more opaque and much more glittery.
• Apply Glitter Nuvo Drops to pretty much everything - I mean these are for the holidays. And don't go lightly.
• Use white glossy Nuvo Drops over the snow drops I've drawn; they are very opaque and leave a nice puffy droplet.
• For the 100th time (you are prob sick of hearing this one) MIX YOUR COLORING MEDIUMS! No rules apply here. I use watercolors and pencils on every single card. Copics work too. Even hair dye works (joke).
• For snowy grounds, I like using Brutus Monroe White Metallic watercolor paint - it is so shimmery and pretty; also love InkOn3 Pixie Dust which is even more shimmery, but has a bit of an ivory case. See my snow on the ground on the deer card. (Note: I use a wet brush with this paint, but I don't add water to it)
• See how pretty the word "Christmas" looks on the stocking card? I used red pencils and colored it. Then I added Ruby Slippers Glitter Nuvo Drops over just the wide part of the letters. It worked! I was afraid it wouldn't look good because I couldn't get the drops on the smaller lines, but I love it! Use your Nuvo Drops ever on letters!
• No, I don't work for Tonic and I don't earn commission for pushing Nuvo Drops.
• Use colored pencil strokes on critters to look like fur. See puppy in stocking. See squirrel - especially notice the tail. That is pencils over a watercolor base. Critters need strokes. It makes them happy.
• Only paint a portion of your background just around the critter so it brings attention to it; see the mouse with the stocking. See how I framed him with color, but didn't take it out to the edges?
• Use Pretty Pink Posh jewels or sequins for berries - see raccoon card (which is my favorite one!) Tell me which one you like if you are actually reading all this! haha

BLOG HOP DETAILS:

• There is a free gift with purchase for the hop - the Simon Exclusive Post Office Box enamel pin. Use code: HPYML9. The gift is while supplies last and the promotion expires on 10/13/19.
• SSS is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop from each blog comment section. They will choose winners over the weekend and post them on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, the 16^th 
• The entire Cheer and Joy release is HERE. All supplies I have used on this blog post are in my supply list at the bottom of this post.
• There is a gallery for all projects that use the Cheer and Joy release HERE. Add your projects to the gallery as well! You can see all projects on Instagram using the hashtag #ssscheerandjoy
• There will be a Facebook live showing the new release on Friday October 11th at 12:00 EDT! 
• This is a 2 day hop - today is day one. Come back to the SSS Blog tomorrow for much more inspiration!
• Next on the hop is:

LISA ADDESSA

That's It! Thank you for visiting and I would love to hear which card you liked the best if you leave a comment! Good luck winning and have fun getting all inspired over this 2 day hop! Suzy

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Comments

[Karen Hale]

Suzy's watercolor cards are always a delight and make the most adorable cards. TFS.

[Queen Mary]

Your watercolor images are always so fun, but these are the best ones yet!

[Annette Reed]

I love what you've done with the animal stamps. They are so adorable. Your card panels look great too. Definitely a must have.

[Maria Giselle B.]

Very impressive coloring!

[justMarie]

Wonderful cards!

[tina]

Such beautiful cards!!

[Denise Ward]

These new watercolor cards are SO SWEET!! They are all you need to make a fantastic card front!! And the stamp set you designed has the most darling images that can be used way past the holidays!! YAY!!! Congrats on another great collaboration with SSS!

[Nancee Purdum]

These are all so cute! Thanks for sharing all the tips!

[Kathy Dippner]

Beautiful colored cards! Love the raccoon and the mice.

[Suzanne Thornton]

You definitely have a way with those critters. They are so cute for fall and Christmas. Great Job!

[Sue Smith]

WOW!! You have been one busy crafter. I absolutely love your coloring on each card. Fabulous job. Love them all. TFS :)

[Denise F.]

Love the Christmas Critters. Wish I could buy multiples of the ones I like the best! But they are all cute.

[Anneleise Hampson]

What a great collection of winter cards.

[Sophia]

Cute cards! I love the details - the one with the bear and fox is my favorite :)

[Connie Hollenbeck]

What great cards, Suzy! Love the critters!

[Beth Williams]

I really am blown away. These are adorable! I am a big time animal lover-but I don't color very well. Great tips in your tutorial. Going to start following you-think I can learn a lot from you.

[Kathy J in Ellicott City]

Beautiful cards!

[Rachel]

Seriously-could these be any more adorable? Must have!!

[Amy Cooley]

Beautiful inspiration! These holidays scenes are adorable.

[Carla Hundley]

Beautiful coloring and
wonderful designs.
Carla from Utah

[Noreen Kirk]

Those are all super cute. Thank you for all the hints and tips.

[Cindy Holmes]

WOW amazing cards! Your coloring is so beautiful! And those critters are just so precious too!

[Laurie Brown]

Just love your adorable images!! Awesome coloring and very sweet cards!!

[CINDY Aguirre]

Such cute cards! Love your coloring! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Anne Mitchell]

Such lovely critters! And beautiful colouring