Simon Says Stamp Die-cember Blog Hop Day 2 (and Winter Bird WC Cards)

Today is the second day of the Simon Says Stamp Die-cember Blog Hop. This is going to be a long post as I have 3 cards to share with you using Die-cember dies and I also have my newest set of Winter Bird watercolor cards to show you that were just released yesterday. I'll put all the blog hop info at the end of this post if you want to scroll down to see it. Here is an image of my Winter Birds watercolor cards:

I have all 12 of them watercolored to show you. I will also list the bird names for each in case you want to know while painting them. After I show you these 12 cards I have 3 new cards to share with you using the new Die-cember dies, so keep scrolling - much to see!!!

1.    BLUE JAY

2.    AMERICAN ROBIN

3.    EVENING GROSBEAK

4.    COMMON REDPOLL

5.    TUFTED TITMOUSE

6.    SNOW BUNTING

7.    NORTHERN CARDINAL

8.    BOHEMIAN WAXWING

9.    YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER

10.    BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE

11.    RED BELLIED WOODPECKER

12.    SHARP SKINNED HAWK

These birds are very realistic drawings. I did a lot of research into what birds are around in the winter months and looked up many photos of each one to use as inspiration. I also painted them exactly as they are in real life. I am a bird lover and I wanted them to be as close to actual birds as possible. I think they would make the perfect gift for any bird-lover. I think a gift of hand-painted/colored ones would make an even nicer gift so someone could use them to send to others - I'll be sending mine to my mom for that purpose for Christmas. I watercolored all of mine and then colored the birds in with colored pencils. I felt that pencils gave them a more realistic look. I used Tonic Nuvo Drops on them over the snow and added sentiments to each. I love that you can add your own sentiment for any occasion or leave them blank to be just note cards.

Ok, moving on! I'm sure by now you have seen the new Die-cember release. One of my favorite products in this release is the Circle Thin Frames. They also have the same style in card size rectangles and in 5x7 rectangles. The circles are my favorites though as they are perfect to use to make shaker cards and great to frame background stamp designs. I have 3 cards to share with you using this die set and also using the new Blessings die in the release. 

I used the Circle Thin Frames to frame a background stamp by SSS (an older one I can't find on their website). I colored it with colored pencils and then used Nuvo Drops all over it to decorate. I watercolored a piece of paper and then die-cut it out of the front. I covered the blue frame it cut with the die with Blue Lagoon glitter nuvo drops. I also die-cut the next size up frame and used Frosted Lace Stickles on that for decoration. I put that frame around the smaller one.

I die-cut the Falala die by SSS out of blue and pink glitter paper and layered it. I attached that to the bottom of the card and used some white Nuvo Drops around it. I attached a small snowflake to the center of the background design die-cut from pink glitter paper. I then used a PPP silver jewel inside it. 

I used the Circle Thin Frame to make a shaker card this time. I first colored the Candy Cane cling stamp with Copic Markers . I then die-cut the frame out of white cardstock and built a shaker card over the candy canes. I filled the inside with all of the PPP sparkling clear sequins and jewels. I die-cut the frame from gold metallic paper and attached that to the front of the card. 

I used the CZ Joyful die for the greeting die-cut from red and gold metallic papers. I also die-cut the word wishes from the older SSS Holiday Words dies. I attached some PPP gold jewels around the sentiment. 

For this card, I used the Circle Frame dies to make a frame to show off the beautiful Poinsettia cling stamp. I first colored it in with colored pencils (I outlined the circle area with a pencil first so I only colored the part of the stamp that would show. I then die-cut the circle out of white cardstock and attached it over the poinsettia circle. I used Stickles over the frame piece and attached that to the inside of the circle. 

I flicked some gold paint over the flowers as well before attaching the card over them. I also used gold Stickles in the centers of the flowers. I die-cut the Blessings die from red cardstock as well as gold metallic paper and attached that to the bottom of the card. I used some Gold Jewels by PPP around the sentiment.

And now, here is the blog hop information you might need:

• All of the cards made for both days of the Die-cember blog hop are in the Die-cember gallery. Make sure to add your cards using these products to the gallery as well. It is a great source of inspiration for all!
• The banner at the top of this post show the free gift with purchase. Use code THKU894 while supplies last. This promotion will be available until 12/8 at 11:59 pm est. 
• Visit the SSS Blog HERE to start this hop for today over or HERE to see the first day of the hop.
• SSS is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop from our blog comment section; they will choose winners over the weekend and post on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, the 11^th of December. You can then email SSS to claim your prize.
• Next on the hop is Amanda Korotkova. 

Thank you so much for visiting and I hope you enjoy this blog hop today. Have a great December holiday month friends! All of the products I used in this post are listed in the supply list below. Suzy xox

Comments

[Jeanne Beam]

The winter birds are so beautiful and your coloring is amazing. Love all the cards...
Thanks for sharing.

[Susanbcards]

Your coloring is amazing. The birds make beautiful cards!

[Lagene]

Gorgeous coloring and gorgeous creations!

[Anna Sigga]

Stunning cards - the birds look amazing!

[Robin Mayfield]

Your coloring is always so beautiful, love all the cards you made!

[Steph]

You are so talented! Those bird cards are just scrumptious!

[Mara]

Your birds are so amazingly realistic! Also love the pink Blessings card.

[Nancy Evans]

Stunningly gorgeous! Love your coloring. Merry Christmas to you and family.

[Merrill P]

That shaker candy cane card is fun.

[Marisela Delgado]

You always make such beautiful cards.

[Arline]

So many beautiful cards. The chickadee is so perfect. I have one staring at me right now, wanting more dinner. lol

[Susan N]

These birds are so beautiful. Wonderful coloring!

[Lisa Byers]

Your bird drawings are stunning and your coloring is awesome!! I love your cards. You are one of my favorite designers, I love to see you color!!

[Sandra Bonagura]

what talent!
thanks for the inspiration!

[Jen Petersen]

An amazing collection of cards! Seeing all those different beautiful birds you colored reminded me of bird hunting with my Grandpa. Loved seeing your creations.

[Tammy Whitley]

First of all your birds are so beautiful and the way you used the new dies are awesome!!!!

[Subhashini]

I love all your watercolor panels, great designs, awesome coloring!!

[Gab]

Oh wow! Your bird cards are amazing! ANd I love your die cards too!

[MBFairySky]

OMG ! Wonderful lot of cards ! I love your coloring !

[Carrie Carver]

Wow...you have been busy watercoloring and I love the birds! That Chickadee is just adorable.
Yet another great SSS release!

[Louanne Collins]

Love the bird cards! They would make a wonderful gift as notecards or even as is for someone to finish as they please - especially a bird lover crafter!

[Julie Walker]

I love your birds all beautiful.
I like all the shaker cards too but the
Candycane was my favorite!

[Lauryne Cunningham]

Your coloring on all of these cards is amazing! I love the added snowflake die cuts and sentiments on your watercolor cards!

[Jodi Warren]

What another great way to use the nested circle dies

[Mary-Anne V]

Wow beautiful bird panels!