SSS Make Merry Blog Hop Day 1

Today is day 1 of the Simon Says Stamp new release called Make Merry blog hop. When the product was released yesterday, I posted this card made with the new Santa's Sleigh Ride Slider stamp set - you can see that blog post HERE:

Today I want to share my new set of Suzy's Watercolor Cards with you called Sweather Weather. I basically drew sweater patterns for the backgrounds and then added some Fall designs to the middle of the cards. Here is an image. The set comes with 18 cards now (instead of 12), which has six designs with three of each design all printed on Ranger Watercolor paper.

Here are my six colored cards and I'll give you some tips and tricks at end of the images:

TIPS/TECHNIQUES:

Here are some of the things I do when coloring my sets of watercolor cards. I've been drawing these for over 4 years now and there are at least 40 some sets. The are all HERE at Simon Says Stamp.

• This paper works well with ALL coloring mediums. So why not use them all on one card? I almost always mix watercolors and colored pencils as I like to use the pencils for small areas and extra shading and details. I also used Copics on the one with the argyle background.
• I usually die-cut the cards so you can attach them to a card base and it will mat them with a matching color. I use the SSS A2 Frame dies - the largest frame gives you just the right size for this. 
• When coloring the sweater patterns, darken the areas that are "deeper" in the sweater" and leave the areas that would be at the top of the weave lighter for contrast. I especially did this on the navy one since the sweater pattern in so detailed. I love using Karin Brushmarkers when I am trying to get really dark darks and really light lights. I applied a light coat of paint to the entire card by wetting it first, then touching the brush to the top of the marker and moving the color around. Next, I used that same technique to add more color saturation in the darker areas. Last, I used the pen directly on the paper for the really dark little strips in the pattern. If you get too much color in an area, just add more water and press a paper towel over it to remove some color.
• I add shadows behind my letters with either a gray Copic or gray colored pencil. I also add these shadows behind some of the drawn elements. 
• I love adding Nuvo Drops to my cards to add texture and shine. Use them around the design as I did to the wreath. Or add them to the actual design as I did on the mushroom spots. On the first card, I used glitter drops all over the leaves combining several different colors on each leaf. I love how they sparkle! 
• Use die-cuts such as the new Thankful for you die on the cards without greetings. I like to leave some plain so you can add whatever greeting you need a card for. Because these are Fall designs, I thought the word Thankful was perfect.
• Use Shimmer Powders for the background of these cards. There is a new color that has been added to the mix called Sunray Crosette. This is the only new color they have added since they first came out, so I was super excited. I want more! I love these powders so much. I used this one on the second to last card with the wreath on it. It is a cream color with pops of red and yellow, but really shimmery!

BLOG HOP DETAILS:

• Visit the Make Merry Gallery to see all of the projects from this 2 day blog hop in one place. Each card links you to the designers blog so you can get all the details on how they made it. Make sure to add your cards to this gallery as well. And add the hashtag #sssmakemerry to all of your projects you put on social media. I love clicking on the hashtag and looking through all the inspiration at oncThe graphic includes our free gift with purchase for the hop:
• The banner on the top of this post shows the promotion that is running for purchases from this new product line. Use the code FSTV25 to receive the Stickles Festive Glitter Glue with your purchase. The promotion expires on 10/11 at 11:59 pm EDT.
• SSS is giving away a $25 coupon on every stop on the hop from the blog comment section. They will choose winners over the weekend and post on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, the 14^th of October. All winners can email them to claim your prize :)
• This is day 1 of a 2 day blog hop, so make sure to visit the SSS Blog tomorrow to start on day 2 of the hop. Next on today's hop is:

SIDNIE DES JARDINS

Thank you so much for visiting today. You can see the Make Merry release here at SSS and all of the products I used in this post are linked below. I hope you all enjoy this 2 day blog hop and this new product release. It certainly has me in the spirit of the holidays and ready to make lots of Christmas cards! suzy xoxo

PS: I HAVE A NEW POST UP USING LOTS OF NEW PRODUCTS THAT IS A "ONE STAMP, FIVE WAY" POST HERE 

Comments

[Meghan Kennihan]

I LOVE your Santa scene and coloring on all the fall cards!

[Lisa Byers]

I love your coloring as always and plan to buy your new cards!! I have a zillion of them already!!

[Judy Inukai]

Your fall cards are beautiful and look like they will be so much fun to color.

[Vivian]

Love the Santa card.

[Rhonda Stuart]

Each of your cards is beautiful and inspiring!

[NickiB]

Thanks for such detailed written info on this card. Nice to be able to read your process when you can't play a video

[Zlatka K]

Beautiful cards! The coloring is amazing.

[Sally Sherfield]

Stunning cards, I really love your bright colours, just amazing colouring!

[Maureen Morton]

Your Santa card absolutely glows with joy! Oh, what fun, for sure! I always love coloring your wonderful designs, so I can't wait to get my hands on those great sweater prints. You rock!

[Sharon Gullikson]

Oh, I love the mushroom cards. They are too pretty!

[Evelyn]

I am so happy I read your blog -- I have some of these coloring cards that I have never used. Your tips are so helpful!

[Susan Richter]

That slimline card is the one Simon showed in their sneak peak image, and it's the REASON I couldn't wait to get online yesterday morning and order that stamp set! LOVE IT!

[Denise Marsden]

I love your card with the mushrooms done in pink and orange. Who would have thought the two colors together would be so beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

[Peg Frushour]

I love your Christmas scene card with Santa delivering joy! Your watercolor panels are beautiful! Great job!

[ClaraR]

I really love your colored cards (the orange one with the mushroom is my favourite one)
Thank you

[Joan]

I love your card with Santa and houses. I just love the way you color. I would love to watch videos of you coloring.

[Maureen McDonough-Reiss]

Wow!!! Fabulous cards!!! I love your panels in this release!!!

[Joyce Lovato]

Beautiful cards. You are very talented. The coloring on these cards is amazing.

[Gloria]

I just love your coloring. One day I want to be so I will practice. Thanks for all the beautiful cards. You are just so tlanted.

[Nancy Fletcher]

Love everything!

[Scraporcraft]

Very lovely colored scenes. I like the serene feel to them. Great shares!

[Migdalia Rodriguez]

Beautiful cards!! Awesome coloring!! I love the Christmas card!! The scene is just adorable!!
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia Rodriguez
Migdalia's Crafts

[colleen]

enchanted by mushrooms

[Lorelei]

All of your cards are stunning. The colors are beautiful.

[Nancy Rodeberg]

As always, your coloring is so beautiful! I am really loving the Santa sleigh scene!