Simon Says Stamp "Just A Note" Release Blog Hop Day 1

Today is the first day of a two day blog hop celebrating the Simon Says Stamp "Just A Note" Release. I have a "one stamp, five ways" post to share with you using lots of the new products. I broke a few rules of my one stamp, five ways posts though. First I used the Darcy Bouquet Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies for my post which isn't a stamp. Secondly, I used the Plant Sentiments stamp set on all my cards, which is a stamp. Last, I actually made six cards, not five. So we should call this post "one stamp, one embossing folder and one cutting die, six ways". Confession over...

Here are images of the two products I used on all six of my cards. First is the Darcy Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies which was my favorite product from this release. Second is the Plant Sentiments stamp set which just goes perfectly with this floral embossing folder. Here are images of the two:

Here are my six cards and then I will have all of the details of the blog hop at the end of this post.

CARD 1:

I started by embossing a piece of Neenah 110 lb. cardstock with the Darcy Bouquet embossing folder. I then colored in the images with Copic Markers. I added some outlines and shading with colored pencils. 

I stamped a sentiment from the Plant Sentiments stamp set with Bubblegum PSInk on a SSS Sentiment Strip die. I attached that to the bottom of the card with foam tape beneath it. I then added some Honeybee ombre pearls around the bouquet. 

CARD 2:

I used the new Vines Embossing Folder for the background. I embossed it with white cardstock and then rubbed Sprout Pawsitively Saturated Ink on it using a Ranger Rounded Foam Blending Tool which gives me the softest application of ink. I die-cut two ovals from white cardstock using the SSS Nested Oval Dies. I attached them to the center of the background overlapping the two for more depth. I stamped the sentiment in the middle of the oval with Sprout Pawsitively Saturated Ink. 

I die-cut three sets of the three flowers in the Darcy Bouquet Embossing Folder and Cutting Die and then embossed them each. I die-cut two sets of leaves from the Fresh Cut Floral Stem die from this release and from the Windswept Leaves die from the Out of This World release. I rubbed Pawsitively Saturated Inks on the flowers using Bubblegum, Lemonade, and Marine. I used the Ranger Foam Applicator for the first coat and then a small SSS Blending Brush for shading the centers. I used Sprout on all the leaves and cut them apart. I arranged all of the flowers and leaves around the oval to form a wreath. I added some Little Things From Lucy pearls around the inside of the wreath.

CARD 3:

I am proud of this card as I really thought outside the box when using the embossing folder. Which is really the point of these posts! I die-cut a rectangle using the SSS Slimline Rectangle Dies from white cardstock. I stuck half of it in the embossing folder and embossed. I then stuck the other side of it in the embossing folder and embossed. I didn't run it all the way through so it wouldn't squish my first embossed side. Then the fun part! I colored in all of the flowers and leaves with Copic markers. I didn't want to add any pencil this time, but I had to outline a few of the items just to keep myself happy haha. 

I attached it to a dark peach card base. I then die-cut a SSS Stitched Oval Die. I embossed one of the sentiments from the Plant Sentiment stamp set on it using Abandoned Coral embossing glaze. I attached that to the center of the card. I added some Honeybee coral pearl stickers around the sentiment. 

CARD 4:

I used the new Gradient Dot embossing folder for the background. I used Arches Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper to emboss it. I then wet the paper very liberally and applied pink, purple, and blue stripes on it. I used my Karin Brushmarkers to add purple, blue, and pink stripes to it. The colors were really intense, so while it was still wet, I soaked up the water with paper towels and that really lightened it - maybe too  much! 

I die-cut and embossed the three flowers in the Darcy Bouquet embossing folder and cutting dies also using Arches watercolor paper. I also die-cut lots of leaves and stems using the same two dies as I did for the wreath card leaves - Fresh Cut Floral Stem and Windswept Leaves - also out of Arches watercolor paper! I painted the flowers and leaves with my Karin Brushmarkers. I then arranged them all on the front of the card. I die-cut a Honeybee Sentiment Banner out of the same Arches paper so it would match. I stamped a sentiment on it with Intense Black Ink from the Plant Sentiments stamp set. I added that to the bottom of the leaves with foam tape beneath it. I used some Honeybee Ombre Pearl Stickers around the plants. 

CARD 5:

For this card, I used a piece of 49 & Market patterned paper from the Color Swatch Ocean 6x8" set. I love this paper as it is really thick like cardstock and it has backsides that are plain and perfect for card backgrounds.  I have the pink set too and I use it all the time to color on. I embossed it and this time I colored the image with my Karin Decobrush Markers. They are like acrylic paints and blend so nicely when wet. I usually work on one petal at a time and use a lot of the white one (need to replace mine already!) to blend a color upward. I did outline some of the leaves with colored pencils - you know I couldn't resist.

I die-cut this piece with the SSS A2 Thin Frame die and attached it to a dark blue card base. I die-cut a SSS Sentiment Label Die from white cardstock and embossed a sentiment from the Plant Sentiment stamp set using Steel Navy embossing powder. I attached that to the bottom of the card with foam tape. I added some pearls from the Honeybee Northwest Pearl Stickers. 

CARD 6 (the ugly one that wasn't suppose to be posted):

I embossed a piece of Ranger Watercolor Paper using the Darcy Bouquet embossing folder again. This time I embossed it slightly higher on the paper so it hung off the top (first part I didn't like). I then attempted to watercolor it with my Karin Brushmarkers and made the biggest mess of it. I used my Daniel Smith watercolors to try and improve it and decided I must have forgotten how to watercolor. Maybe it was a bad piece of paper? I tried another one on Arches and had no better luck. At this point I had spent a few hours, so I wasn't going to throw it away. I was determined to make it usable. 

I tried outlining all of the images with a fine tip black marker. Wasn't too fond of that look either. I used a white Uniball gel pen to attempt to color all my mistakes. There were lots. Then I colored over the white Uniball with Copics hahahahaha. I am the most determined person. I was about to throw it away and went ahead and made another card for my post to have five. But then as I was photographing, I figured why not stick a sentiment on it and show it too just to let everyone know we ALL make ugly cards and waste hours trying to make them good when we should have just given up long before. But I don't give up. That's usually a good trait of mine. Not so much this time. If you tell me you like this card in the comments I might lose my mind, so please don't hahahahahah. 

BLOG HOP DETAILS:

• Today is day one of the two day blog hop. The hop is on July 27th and July 28th. You can start on the SSS Blog to see all participants for both days.
• Visit the SSS Just A Note Gallery to see ALL of the creations that have been shared using these releases. And make sure to post your cards with the release in the gallery as well. If you are on Instagram, you can see all of the projects under the hashtag #sssjustanote.
• You can see the entire Just A Note release here in the SSS 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 (see graphic below). They will choose the winners and post them on the Simon Says Stamp blog on August 2nd. You can email them to claim your prize. 
• There is a gift with purchase for this release (see graphic below). Use the code ART to get the Handcrafted with Love stamp set free with your purchase. This gift with purchase will expire on 7/30 at 11:59 pm EDT.
• Next on the blog hop is Barbara Tarayao

Thanks so much for visiting today!!! I hope you enjoyed this "one stamp and embossing folder with cutting dies, six ways" blog post!!! xoxoxoxoxo suzy

SUPPLIES USED (had problems with link deli images tonight, so some don't have images sorry):

Comments

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[Michelle Cole]

Wow! Your coloring is exquisite!

[Orit Viderman]

I love your cards design, they are stunning. I love the colorful copic coloring.

[Viveca V]

These cards are stunningl! I appreciate the looks you achieved by using different coloring mediums. The embossing folder plus die is a craft item option that I am beginning to collect.

[Samantha Pfrimmer]

Wow Suzy! Your coloring skills are always so amazing! I am always so excited to see your gorgeous designs and these are no exception!

[Miesje]

WOW -the coloring genius! I love these.

[Melissa SunshineHoneyBee]

Wonderful coloring of floral creations.
Melissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"

[Gayle I.]

Love your bright and colorful floral cards!

[barbara lassiter]

Thanks for your creative ideas using the darcy bouquet and the vines embossing folders! Love your beautiful cards

[Resa Nichols]

Beautiful cards. So bright and cheerful.

[Sandy F]

Wow, love your colors. The flowers just jump off the paper and feel alive. Thanks for sharing. Sandy

[S. M.]

Beautiful cards - I especially love the blue one!! Thanks for sharing.

[Nancee Purdum]

Such pretty cards! Thanks for sharing!

[Lauryne Cunningham]

Wow! Your cards are stunning! Gorgeous coloring!

[Jane T]

Such happy cards! The coloring is gorgeous!

[Janet D.]

Gorgeous, as always!

[Lindar C]

Stunning cards! I love coloring embossed panels.

[Sandy]

All of your cards are absolutely beautiful!

[Cheyenne Harris]

The "Darcy Boquet" is beautiful. Thank-you for showcasing it on your awesome card designs!

[Terry Deason]

Beautiful cards!

[Merrill P]

Your slimline card is striking.

[Andrea Robert]

Your colors are so vibrant and uplifting! Beautiful cards!

[Jade]

Wow! I am blown away by your cards. Truly amazing. I love your cards! This embossing folder and die cuts is a must have. Thank you for the inspiration.

[Terrie D. (StarSpry)]

Your cards are gorgeous! I love how you colored everything :)

[Susan sonnier]

Beautiful coloring and cards