Crafty Hugs Blog Hop - Amazing People Watercolor Cards

Hello friends! Today is the first day of the 2 day blog hop for the brand new Simon Says Stamp release called Crafty Hugs. I love that this release is targeted at showing those who have helped us through this difficult time gratitude. When I was designing my watercolors for this release, I tried to make them usable for all of the people in our lives that have put their lives in jeopardy by doing their jobs and helping us stay home (or maybe you are one of those essential workers yourself - so thank you!). I added a greeting to all but one of these as I had so many ideas of things I wanted to say (((sorry for not leaving very many without as I know many of you prefer sets that have no greetings!). Here is a look at the cards called Amazing People:I'm not one to give a card to my UPS driver or my mail-man, but this set made me think - why not!?!?!?!?! I am going to try and find a home for all of them and I'm sure that won't be very hard to do (even if out of my comfort zone!). Here are all 12 of these watercolors cards colored in one photo! I'm going to post all 12 of the photos first and then I will give you some tips/techniques like I do every month at the end of the photos. Sorry if some are repetitive, but because I do this monthly, that just happens! If you ever want to see any of my sets colored, you can just go back to all the SSS blog hops to see them as I've colored all 48 sets that I have drawn! At the very end of this post will be all of the blog hop details!

Tips/Techniques:

• Keep in mind that these are all printed on Ranger Watercolor Paper and ANY coloring medium works great on them. I used watercolors on all of them, but the one with the sun where I used Copic Markers. Any time I use watercolors, I usually use colored pencils over them to add some additional shading. Mix your coloring mediums as this paper is thick and will handle all of them layered or by themselves!
• I use the latest SSS A2 Tiny Frames die to get all of mine to be one size smaller than a card base which allows me to mat them on a colorful cardstock card base.
• I often use Tonic Shimmer Powders for backgrounds as they give you such bright saturated colors, but don't dye the paper really fast like some inexpensive watercolors do. These powders are one of my all time favorite card making tools. They work so well and have multiple colors in them giving you such cool effects. You can also mix them really well and use lots of water for a solid washed out color. I used Atlantis Burst for the background on the last card with the birds.
• I use Nuvo Drops all over these things! Sometimes I wonder why i spend so much time coloring/shading images when I cover them with Nuvo Drops afterwards. I use the Glitter to decorate/dress up images the most, especially over letters. I use the glossy or solid ones more for just drops over the backgrounds - especially white. I use the Jewel ones over images to add sheen and a little transparency color. I use the Nuvo Glaze to add a thicker level of sheen - like over the sun. I just love Nuvo Drops and they add so much texture to these cards. 
• Some of the cards have some space on the top or bottom (or a little on both) so you can cut a portion off and add a border die with some paper underneath. I did this on the rainbow one using the SSS Scallop Stitches Border Dies with a piece of Whimsy Stamps Rainbow 6x6 paper from one of my recent card kits tucked under it. 
• I often add a shadow beneath my letters to make them pop more with either a gray marker or a gray pencil.
• When coloring letters I like to use a darker shade of a color on the bottom and a lighter shade on the top blending in the middle. I did this on the Thank You for the Delivery card and then used two colors of Jewel nuvo drops over the watercolors. I also use 2-3 colors of Glitter drops over the letters on the rainbow card.
• I created a "faux" brick wall on the window card. I know there are stencils that do this, but I went about it the hard way. I just did some basic measuring and used a watercolor pencil to make the lines. Then I went over the lines with a water brush to move the color and soften the lines. I used a napkin to blot up all the water and some of the color to soften it.
• One of my favorite things about watercolors is how they "move" in the water when you wet the paper first. I did this on the red/yellow/orange card. I wet each stripe first and then dropped the color in and let it run into the water in the center. It gives such a cool effect, don't you think? Apply lots of water first, but then use a brush with very saturated color on it and apply to just one side or both sides and let it run into the center. Blot up water if you have too much. 
• I like painting the backgrounds just around the text, but not all the way to the edges. I don't know why, but I like the way it looks. Like on the dog card - just used Catherine Wheel (very mixed and watered down) Shimmer Powder around the dogs and text, but not to the edges of the card.
• Flick watercolors over your background to create more interest like I did on the first card with the house. The lower area was green so then I used a brush with more saturated color on it to flick some additional spots over it.
• Try using glitter gel pens (I use the Kaiser Craft ones) to put little dots over things as I did on the "like you" card with the flowers. It adds more texture and interest if you have the time to do such things - haha.

Yesterday I posted a "one stamp, five ways" post using the new So Beautiful stamp set. You can see that post HERE. Here are the five cards I posted.

Blog Hop Details:

• Visit the Crafty Hugs gallery here to see ALL of the cards made with this release that will be on the 2 day blog hop and add yours as well. This is a great place to visit to get inspiration once you have some of your own new products to play with.
• There is a promo for this release - all of the details are listed on the graphic below.
• A person will be chosen from each blog's comment section to win a $25 gift certificate to the SSS store - they will pick winners over the weekend and announce on the SSS blog on June 3rd. At that time, you can email them to get your prize. What would you buy from the new release if you won?
• This is a 2 day blog hop and you can start either day on the SSS Blog HERE where all of the hop members are linked. Next on the hop today is Kathy Racoosin the coloring QUEEN herself. 

I hope you enjoyed this hop and the new Crafty Hugs release. If we "card makers" can bring a little sunshine into someone's life right now, I feel like it is our responsibility to do so! And these new products give us just the little motivation we need to get busy making cards. So let's all join together to show gratitude to those that have served us through this difficult time that often brings out the best in humanity! Love and hugs from me to all of you! Suzy

Comments

[Michelle Hackett]

I always love your watercolor cards. And the sentiments and images on these are so appropriate for all of us right now. Thank you for sharing these, and the cards using the floral background stamp.

[Miesje Flach]

You are amazing!! and talented!! and such great use of different mediums! Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

[Pamela R Schultz]

Your cards are all beautiful...and so thoughtful. You do an amazing job of coloring, too. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[Joanne M Hoffmann]

LOVE these cards and would be so very convenient to have one hand when you need a card in a hurry...your coloring is AMAZING!!

[Sunshine HoneyBee]

Your coloring is amazingly awesome. Wonderful cards f8r the times we have been experiencing and sure to brighten someone's day.
Melissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"

[Dee Earnshaw]

as always, your coloring is scrumptious - thanks for sharing

[Cyndi Morris]

These watercolor cards are amazing -- maybe my favorites yet. From beautiful to fun (love those pups), there's something for everyone.

[La Rae Prentice]

Great tip about using the colored pencils over the water-colored images. Thanks for sharing all of those tips.

[Mary Butler]

Love your cards

[Sarah Saulsbery]

Love the way you water color! Really beautiful.

[Cheryl S]

Fun, fun, fun cards!!

[Christine Miller]

Each and every card is so beautifully colored and is so adorable. What a fun post!!!!

[Paula M.]

These are all so beautiful//1

[Nicole Bell]

I love your watercolour cards (actually just finished colouring some in) and seeing the way you have done yours is an absolute inspiration!

[Debbie Cornish]

You did an amazing job colouring all the cards. Very help tips for us as well.

[NickiB]

I loved all of these especially your flowers

[Karen]

I love the cards. They are perfect for cards that I am planning to send this week. Any chance they come in digital format? I live in Canada and mail from the USA takes quite a while these days. Not Free just digital.

[Cindy Aguirre]

Pretty cards! Thanks for the inspiration using your watercolor card set!

[Barbara-Jean]

Your card design and your coloring are phenomenal! These cards will bring a lot of joy to many!

[ava gavloski]

You truly water colored beautifully, showcasing the stamp set.

[Donna L Scobey]

Love the coloring!

[Erin]

Lovely!!! Thanks for the inspiration.

[Jade]

Your cards are so amazing. I like all of them. I enjoy using colored pencils and love how you use them in your cards. Thank you!

[joy meadows]

Amazing cards, Suzy! Love the coloring, too.

[Lauryne Cunningham]

Gorgeous cards! I'm always amazed by your pencil coloring!