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 14th 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:
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
Congratulations on creating another fabulous set of watercolor cards Suzy!
Posted by: Karen F. | October 09, 2020 at 02:57 PM
I love these backgrounds!
Posted by: cathy Thomas | October 09, 2020 at 04:01 PM
Your Santa card is fabulous! I love your beautiful drawings and as always, your coloring is amazing. Thanks for all the tips!
Posted by: Karen Walker | October 09, 2020 at 04:22 PM
Your cards are all beautifully colored! Thanks for the coloring tips.
Posted by: Noreen | October 09, 2020 at 04:27 PM
I love the sweater knit backgrounds and the way you colored them. Beautiful
Posted by: Kelly Ennis | October 09, 2020 at 04:33 PM
Pretty cards! I love all of these watercolor cards! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Cindy Aguirre | October 09, 2020 at 04:54 PM
Your colored cards are always a delight and the little Christmas scene is adorable!
Posted by: Tami B | October 09, 2020 at 04:58 PM
What great cards!
Posted by: Kathy J in Ellicott City | October 09, 2020 at 05:12 PM
The sweater patterns look so very cozy. I love all the characters and the sentiments. I have purchased some of your other sets and thoroughly enjoy coloring them. Surely will add these to my list. Great Job!
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | October 09, 2020 at 05:21 PM
Absolutely beautiful
Posted by: Luci | October 09, 2020 at 06:09 PM
Beautiful card designs and love the bright colors!
Posted by: Kailash | October 09, 2020 at 06:23 PM
Absolutely beautiful cards!!
Posted by: Sandy Anderson | October 09, 2020 at 06:23 PM
I love these cards, the coloring is just stunning!
Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Starr Patrick | October 09, 2020 at 07:02 PM
Such pretty cards!! Great coloring!!
Posted by: Sheri Waddell | October 09, 2020 at 07:19 PM
Always love your watercolor cards.
Posted by: Diane Zalusky | October 09, 2020 at 07:29 PM
Cute Santa card! And your watercolor cards are gorgeous! I have some of your watercolor cards and can’t wait to try the tips/techniques you shared!!
Posted by: Kathy K | October 09, 2020 at 07:45 PM
Your coloring is amazing!
Posted by: Nancy K | October 09, 2020 at 07:52 PM
Gorgeous colouring as always!!
Posted by: Cheriese H | October 09, 2020 at 07:57 PM
Nice coloring! Especially like the circular leaves. Not too sure about the sweater background prints though...still nice coloring!
Posted by: Valerie | October 09, 2020 at 08:24 PM
You have created some adorable fall watercolor panels for coloring. You do such a remarkable job coloring.
Posted by: Phyllis Freese | October 09, 2020 at 08:24 PM
I just got my first set of your cards and I can’t wait to try them. I am so glad you have listed out all the tips on using them!
Posted by: Carol Lewis | October 09, 2020 at 08:28 PM
I absolutely love your coloring of those pre printed cards! I haven't tried any of those sets but these ones are actually beautiful and I might consider getting to color!
Posted by: Jessica Scott | October 09, 2020 at 08:47 PM
Each card is so beautiful, so much work but worth it! Lovely cards
Posted by: Jenny | October 09, 2020 at 08:48 PM
Awesome Cards and loving all those great backgrounds. Thankyou xxxoooo
Posted by: Jenny Dix | October 09, 2020 at 09:00 PM
What beautiful cards!
Posted by: Marisela Delgado | October 09, 2020 at 09:16 PM