Simon Says Stamp BE CREATIVE Release Blog Hop Day 1

Today is the first day of a two day blog hop celebrating the new SSS release called Be Creative. I shared this card yesterday using the new CZ You Did stamp and die set. You can see the blog post here.

Today I have a card to share with you using the new CZ Big Old Birthday stamp and dies and the Bunch of Balloons cling stamp. Here is an image of both of these products:

I love this Bunch of Balloons cling stamp because it is all about coloring! I think it would be fun to try Copic Markers with. The lines are very fine which I like. I decided to watercolor it, so I embossed it as I find it is easier to have embossed lines when watercoloring. I used SSS Extra Fine White Embossing Powder on Arches Watercolor Paper. I die-cut this piece with a SSS A2 Thin Frame Die. 

I used my Karin Brushmarkers to paint the balloons. I love them because they give you such depth of color. I wet the balloon and then applied the marker directly to the paper around the outside edges. Then I used a wet paintbrush to bring the color inward. I painted the balloons over each other letting the colors of both mix. This looks great with some of the colors and terrible with others haha. Purple and orange and range and green, not so good. Thus my strategically placed greeting! I used a light blue wash for the areas between the balloons by just touching my wet brush to the tip of the marker so the color was light. Once it was dry, I attached it to a white cardstock card base. 

I embossed a sentiment from the CZ Big Old Birthday stamp set using Kitsch Flamingo Embossing Glaze. This is my favorite (and only) true bright pink embossing powder! If you have a recommendation for a good one, let me know. I die-cut it out with the Big Old Birthday matching dies. I attached it over the ugly color mixes using foam tape behind it. Kind of a weird location for it, but I like it! I just ordered the Concord and 9th Dew Drop Assortment, so I used them over the balloons around the sentiment. I love these as they are the first ones I have ordered that are truly clear and look like dew drops! Most look like plastic lumps, so I highly recommend these! And this little container comes with all different sizes. 

BLOG HOP DETAILS:

• Today is day one of the two day blog hop. The hop is on February 17th and 18th. You can start on the SSS Blog to see all participants both days.
• Visit the SSS Be Creative Gallery to see ALL of the creations that have been shared using these releases. And make sure to post your cards with the releases in the galleries as well. If you are on Instagram, you can see all of the projects under the hashtag #sssbecreative.
• Below is a graphic that shows the promotion that is part of this blog hop. Use the code ART4U to get the Handcrafted with Love 3x4 stamp set FREE with any purchase! This promotion will expire 2/19 at 11:59 pm EST.
• You can see the entire BE CREATIVE RELEASE HERE in the Simon Says Stamp store. I have linked to all of the products I used in this post below.
• SSS is giving away a $25 coupon on every stop of the hop from the blog comment section. They will choose the winners and post them on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, the 22nd of February. You can email them to claim your prize. 
• Next on the hop is Amy Rysavy from Prairie Paper & Ink

Comments

[Roxann Schneder]

The Big Old Birthday is so festive! Super fun balloons!

[Lisa S]

I love this. I use Karin art markers too.

[Nancy K Rodeberg]

Your watercoloring of the balloon background stamp is fantastic!

[roxanne tellini]

That wedding card is so cool! Super fun use of the smaller images.

[Sharon Gullikson]

I especially love the balloons. They are so pretty

[Wendy Little]

Wonderful cards! Thank you for sharing

[Robin Phillips]

Love the markers

[Barbara Lassiter]

Lovely cards and I especially love the birthday wishes one!

[Joni Morrill]

So pretty!

[Suzanne Hebb]

Love your very different wedding card! The colors you used for Happy Birthday just beautiful

[Karen Duffey]

Wow! What a wonderful idea for such a great card thank you.

[Janet D.]

These are so creative and your coloring is fabulous!

[Heather Jacobs]

SO colorful and beautiful! Great job!

[Susan Heard-Brandano]

Wow' good idea to use embossing powder on the thin balloon lines. I am not good at coloring with pens do I like the watercolor idea

[Lori Spitzer]

Hi, Suzy - Love both cards but that birthday one really speaks to me. I send SO many b-day cards.... to elderly people at my church and in the community (nursing homes, etc.) as well as to people at my school and, of course, friends and family. It's a knockout!
Lori S in PA

[Carol DuFrene]

What a fun birthday card...anyone would love to find it in their mailbox!

[Debbie Eslinger]

the coloring on the balloons is perfect

[Alexandra Y]

Beautiful! I love watercolour on balloons - it really lends itself to the translucent look of balloons!

[Leigh Norris]

Your coloring always blows me away. I love your cards and I often use your inspiration to get started making cards when I am not sure what I want to do, then ideas just spring from that jumping off point! I love these! Love the release, especially that balloon background stamp. HAVE TO HAVE IT! Thanks for sharing!

[Melissa SunshineHoneyBee]

Wonderful coloring.
Melissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"

[Kay Furnish]

I am SO impressed with your watercolored balloons! I've never quite mastered watercoloring, so I always appreciate a talented artist who can make a card looks as good as yours! Thanks for sharing a beautiful creation!

[Cathy C]

Wow beautiful cards; love how you colored the balloons!! thank you for the inspiration!!

[Amy Solovay at the Knitting, Crochet and Crafts Blog]

Your cards are so colorful, unique and creative! Super inspiring!

[Laurie Black]

Lovely card, beautifully colored!

[Alyson]

Beautiful Cards, love your color choices and your coloring.