REASON TO SMILE

You’ve been seeing peeks on social media but now it’s finally time to unveil the Reason To Smile release from Simon Says Stamp! Spring is in the air with critters, flowers, clouds, birds, gingham and more; take a look:

SSS Wool Felt Sheets SSS Wool Felt Sheets White SSS PLUSH BUNNY EGGS BASKET Set SSS PLUSH EASTER EGG Dies SSS PLUSH POLKADOT EGG Dies SSS PLUSH PARTY BUNNY Dies SSS PLUSH BUTTON EGG Dies SSS PLUSH SPRINGTIME BASKET Dies SSS FRIENDSHIP BLOOMS Set SSS FRIENDSHIP BLOOMS SSS FRIENDSHIP BLOOMS Dies SSS CLOUDY SKIES Set SSS CLOUDY SKY SSS CLOUDS Dies SSS MELODY’S EASTER Set SSS MELODY’S EASTER SSS MELODY’S EASTER Dies SSS SPRINGTIME IMAGES WITH BACKGROUNDS Set SSS PATTERN SWATCHES SSS SPRINGTIME SHAPES Dies SSS PEEPS AND GINGHAM Set SSS PEEPS BACKGROUND SSS GINGHAM BACKGROUND SSS SUZY’S WATERCOLOR SPRING HAS SPRUNG Water Color Paintable Prints SSS SPRING FLOWERS SSS SPRINGTIME CRITTERS SSS HOPPY EASTER SSS CHOOSE HAPPY SSS CHURCHES Dies SSS ANTIQUE GOLD Embossing Powder SSS ROSE GOLD Embossing Powder

Adorable! Felt and plush dies! And did you notice the two new colors of embossing powder also?

WATERCOLORED EASTER SCENE

For now, lets jump in to todays card using the new Melody’s Easter set. Such cute images just perfect for coloring. On Arches watercolor card I stamped each of the images with Versafine Onyx Black ink as this will take watercolor. I stamped the rabbit first, stamping him also on masking paper and trimmed out to protect the image while I stamped Melody so it looked like she was standing slightly behind the rabbit. I then masked Melody’s dress and legs so that I could stamp the basket of eggs behind her.

Now that I had my scene set I was about to start watercoloring but then decided a polka dot dress was in order and the easiest way to do that is to add dots of masking fluid and letting it dry before painting. I used a variety of watercolors – my collection is growing! I totally blame Dawn Woleslagle and Kristina Werner LOL. My current aim is to play with all the pretty colors and then to pick my favorites to keep in a tin palette which holds half pans. Some of my watercolors are already in half pan format and some are in tubes so I bought some empty half pans to fill from the tubes. This way I get all my favorite colors in a compact case. Only thing is I can’t decide which are my favorites LOL! My current collection of ‘artist’ quality are from brands such as Winsor & Newton, Schmincke, Dahler Rowney, Daniel Smith …… I thoroughly enjoyed painting this scene; adding a light wash, letting it dry, adding more layers bit by bit until I was happy. I really relax when I’m coloring, be that watercolors, Copics, whatever, I just enjoy the process.

When the watercolors were dry I rubbed away the masking fluid to reveal the polka dots, die cut the panel with a Stitched Rectangle and then stamped the sentiment from the Melody’s Easter set, again with Versafine Onyx Black. I didn’t quite get the sentiment centred as I wanted it so I added a heart cut from a scrap of watercolored card with the Mini Hearts Outline die. I then foam mounted the panel on a Fog card base.

You can check out Melody’s Easter and the whole of the The Reason To Smile release here. I’ve lots to share with you over the next few days so I hope you will call by again soon :D

SUPPLIES

You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or wording to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support.

SSS MELODY’S EASTER Set SSS MELODY’S EASTER SSS MELODY’S EASTER Dies SSS MINI HEARTS OUTLINE Die SSS STITCHED RECTANGLES SSS FOG Card Arches COLD PRESS WATERCOLOR PAD 9×12 VersaFine ONYX BLACK Inkadinkado STAMPING MASK PAPER Fineline MASKING FLUID PEN Ranger MULTI MEDIUM MATTE 3M MASKING PAINTER’S TAPE 3M DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE MISTI Stamping Tool Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Martha Stewart MINI SCORING BOARD SSS SMALL TEFLON BONE FOLDER