Simon Says Stamp Sunny Days Ahead Blog Hop!

Hi friends! Today is the first day of the Simon Says Stamp new release called Sunny Days Ahead. That statement could definitely have 2 meanings and in my life it is currently the less desired one. It is SO sunny here - in the 90's this week and breaking all kinds of heat records. And I live a mile from the beach, but can't go - wahhh (I know, I know - I deserve no sympathy). But I, like most of you, am looking forward to the second meaning which is things improving on the health front. But enough of that - this is a happy blog hop! So let's get started...

I have a new set of watercolor cards in this release called Suzy's Mothers Day Watercolor Prints. Here is an image of the set of 12 (all printed on Ranger Watercolor Paper):

I wanted them to be usable for more than just Mother's Day or Mother appreciation, so I kept half of them without a sentiment so you can add your own. The theme was flowers as you can see as flowers pretty much mean mother, right? I'm still not sure how/why I threw a house/tree/yard in this set - I must have run out of floral ideas haha. I've colored 9 of the 12 (because I ruined one and couldn't get 2 others painted in time - sorry) and they are all shown below. At the end, I will list some ideas/tips/techniques that I use when coloring these card sets. I'll also have all of the blog hop details at the end of this post.

Watercolor Card 1:

Watercolor Card 2:

Watercolor Card 3:

Watercolor Card 4:

Watercolor Card 5:

Watercolor Card 6:

Watercolor Card 7:

Watercolor Card 8:

Watercolor Card 9:

Tips/Techniques/Ideas for coloring these cards: (these may be repetitive from previous months!)

• I love to mix my coloring mediums on these cards. Because they are printed on Ranger WC paper on the backside (smooth), they are perfect for any and all coloring mediums. I used watercolors and colored pencils on most of these. Copics work fine too.
• I love using the new Nuvo Shimmer Powders in place of watercolors for backgrounds as they have multiple colors in them. See watercolor card #1 and #5 to see the Lilac Waterfall in action. 
• I love adding shimmer/glitter to my images, so I often use the Glitter Nuvo Drops over parts of the cards that I want to sparkle. They work well in larger areas if you just move them around with the tip. 
• Instead of using cardstock for a word die-cut, make your own painted sheets to die-cut from. I use the Shimmer powders to create colorful sheets to use, but any watercolors work great, and don't forget to mix colors. See the word MOM on #8. 
• I like to die-cut my cards to be one size smaller than a card base so 5.25" x 4". I like having a solid color mat under the card, but also it trims off any imperfections from printing if they don't go all the way out to the edge. The new SSS A2 frame dies are perfect for this - the largest one cuts just this size and you just throw the frame away.
• Add a shadow to your letters so they stand out more. I used a gray pencil on #5 and a yellow pencil to match the background on #7 (which is my least favorite, so maybe don't go with yellow haha).
• If you want to add the look of texture to watercolors, use colored pencils to add little lines like I did on the grass on #9. 

Blog Hop Details:

• To see all of the cards made with this release, including the ones from the blog hop today and tomorrow, visit the Sunny Days Ahead card gallery on the SSS Blog. Also make sure to add your own creations to this gallery! If you want to pull up all the cards on Instagram, use the tag #ssssunnydaysahead
• See the Banner below to get the details of the free gift with purchase!
• SSS is giving away a $25 gift certificate on every single blog on this 2 day hop, so add a comment on each to get a chance to win! They will announce the winners on their blog Wednesday, the 29th of April.
• Next on the blog hop is THE Kathy Racoosin from The 30 Day Coloring Challenge so head on over there to be wowed next! Thanks so much for visiting and if you are just starting, go to the SSS Blog.

All of the supplies I have used in this hop are listed below or linked above to the SSS store. Thanks so much for visiting and please stay happy and healthy. We will never forget this time in all of our lives, so I am trying to create many good memories with my family so I can look back with more than just sadness. xoxo Suzy

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Comments

[Deb L]

Love the house card, simple but pretty

[Juanita]

So many beautiful cards. I think my favorite is the butterflies. TFS

[Nancy R.]

Such beautiful ideas for coloring! Thanks for sharing!

[KimK]

WOW -- you outdid yourself on all of the pretty cards! Thank you for sharing all of them!

[Teresa Krueger]

Love these mom cards. Makes me miss my mom - I'd love to make a card for her. Great job!

[Cathy B]

Sadly,my mother died in 2014, so I don't use the ones with words (I pass these on to other crafty friends), but I love the others where I can add my own sentiments. I also love colored pencils and learn so much from you. God's blessings.

[Barbara Tarayao]

Looks like you had a lot of fun with these watercolor cards! They are just so gorgeous!!

[Jennifer Dahlgren]

I love all your cards for this release! And being able to see your vision for the finished product is great inspiration, thank you!

[Tonna R Zablah]

Love those butterflies

[Melissa Leftrick]

OMG how gorgeous!!! So colorful and beautiful!!!!

[Jennifer Langer]

So beautiful, oh my goodness! I really want to improve my coloring skills, too, so your prints would be so perfect!

[bmcdougal]

Your cards are one of the reasons that I purchase the SSS monthly and special sets.

[Barbara Matthews]

The cards are all so beautiful, loved how they all turned out.

[La Rae Prentice]

These cards are great. I really like the mottled background on the first card.

[Mirella Rogan]

Beautiful, love all the gorgeous florals!

[Ruby Marchand]

Amazing cards. Gorgeous coloring.

[Susanbcards]

More beautiful watercolor cards from you, so pretty!

[Karen M]

A wonderful set of cards. Love your coloring and examples of what can be done!

[BECCA YAHRLING]

Love how colorful your 'paintings' always are! Beautiful!!

[Tamala Priebe]

Stellar job on those, can't wait to receive my order so I can start coloring too!!

[Christine Polasko]

I love these color pages. They are great when you just can't get creative and need a card.

[Barbara Martin]

Your cards are fabulous! These card fronts are the best invention ever! You make us all look talented!

[Susan Carlson]

Love your cards & appreciate leaving sentiments off some do can be used for other occasions! Thanks for sharing your skill & creativity!

[Rita]

Beautiful cards!

[Dee Earnshaw]

OMG what spectacular coloring on these cards - awesome work:)