Simon Says Stamp Sending Sunshine Release: Stitched Sending Spring Love Card

Has everyone seen Simon Says Stamp’s latest Sending Sunshine release?  Oh my.  So many awesome products.  I was so happy to be able to create with their new Four Seasons Sayings stamps.  I loved this set as soon as I laid eyes on it… the sayings are so versatile and you can use it to create cards all year round.  So great!  

I used Simon’s More Spring Flowers to create the foundation of my card.  After watercoloring the flowers with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers, I used the stitch lines on the flowers to add some stitching to the flowers.  I also decided to stitch over the “Spring” in the sentiment to add more interest.  I then created an envelope with my envelope punch board and added even more stitching to that, tucking the flowers in an arrangement inside.  I then decided to mount the envelope on a panel that I ink blended with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink and finished the card with some Pretty Pink Posh sparkling clear sequins.  

I hope you enjoyed this walkthrough and the card!  

I Can Make Cards Without Flowers on Them #1: Watercolor Feathers

To look at my Instagram page right now is to be bombarded with flowers.  I personally love it, but I realize that not everyone might appreciate my obsession fascination with florals.  So I have decided to challenge myself to start a series called “I Can Make Cards Without Flowers on Them.”  And here we are with card #1!  Watercolor feathers made with Altenew’s beautiful Golden Feather stamp set.  

This card took some tinkering before I found a method that achieved the look I was going for… slightly soft, but with texture and defined borders.  I pulled out my Spectrum Aqua watercolor markers and colored on the stamp, making sure to mix the colors and place them in different spots across the stamp (excuse the stained stamp… this one got a workout on this card):

Then I started playing.  To achieve a soft look, I tried wetting the paper with a brush (resulting in  images sometimes too soft, sometimes not soft enough) and misting the stamp (way too soft).  Then I tried misting the paper and blotting up a little of the water with a paper towel.  Bingo!  Just soft enough.  

After stamping the panel and letting it air dry, I embossed the images with Ranger Gold Tinsel embossing powder and added some gold splatters.  I then die cut the whole panel with My Favorite Things wonky rectangle die and stitched it up in gold thread.  I stamped and embossed an extra center image and popped it up.  Some Pretty Pink Posh gold sequins and it was finished!  

Here is a sample of some of my practice feathers.  This technique will likely vary a little depending on the markers and paper you use (I used Arches cold press 140 lb. watercolor paper).  It is fun playing around, and I’m looking forward to using this with different mediums. 

Have a great day… I am off to make something with a flower.  😂  

Simon Says Stamp Best Days Release!

It's Simon Says Stamp release day!  I was SO thrilled when they asked me if I would like to create a project with a new product, and I squealed when I received their Bold Flowers stamp set.  There are so many looks you can achieve with this set - everything from modern and graphic to soft and pretty. I decided to take a hybrid approach and try a modern watercolor look.  I stamped the images with bright and colorful watercolor markers using my favorite Winsor & Newtons and Zig clean color real brush pens.  Here's a glimpse into how I did it.  

It really helps to use a stamp positioning tool in case you need to stamp an image twice, so I used my Misti.  I colored the stamp with a watercolor marker and stamped it.  

Your image will not look perfect and that's OK!  Next, take a damp brush and blend out the color: 

Looks better, right?  From there, I let the image dry and added layers of color as I wanted (always letting the image dry between layers so I didn't end up creating a muddy mess): 

After I was done watercoloring the panel, I cut a frame out of the edge using rectangle dies, did some stitching around the outer border, and popped it up using foam tape.  I then recessed the remainder of the panel inside the frame.  I watercolored a scrap in Payne's gray and die cut Simon's "Miss You" greeting.  I LOVE these sentiment dies... what I wouldn't do for Kristina Werner's handwriting!  😍  Some Pretty Pink Posh clear droplets and some Nuvo crystal glaze drops and the card was finished.  

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and card.  Be sure to check out Simon Says Stamp's new "Best Days" release.  It has something for everyone... I just love it.  ❤️