During this lockdown, I’ve enjoyed spending more time in my garden. I’m a keen gardener anyway and have always found it inspiring when watercolouring. However, during the current circumstances, the garden has provided benefits both mentally and physically and I am relishing each seed germinating, flower bud forming, fern fronds unfurling and the burst of colour as the flowers start to emerge. To celebrate all things floral, I picked out the So Beautiful set from Simon Says Stamp’s new Crafty Hugs release. I’ve linked all supplies with compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.

SIMON SAYS STAMP CRAFTY HUGS RELEASE

Here’s a closer look at the new Crafty Hugs release:

* SSS Crafty Hugs Release [ SSS ] * SSS WORK OF THE HEART set [ SSS ] * SSS WORK OF THE HEART [ SSS ] * SSS WORK OF THE HEART Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * CZ Design SO FAR SO GOOD set [ SSS ] * CZ Design SO FAR SO GOOD [ SSS ] * CZ Design SO FAR SO GOOD Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * SSS HEXAGON GREETINGS set [ SSS ] * SSS HEXAGON GREETINGS [ SSS ] * SSS HEXAGON GREETINGS Wafer Die [ SSS ] * SSS FIRST RESPONDERS set [ SSS ] * SSS FIRST RESPONDERS [ SSS ] * SSS FIRST RESPONDERS Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * CZ Design US OF CRAFT-AY set [ SSS ] * CZ Design US OF CRAFT-AY [ SSS ] * CZ Design US OF CRAFT-AY Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * SSS GREETINGS MIX 2 [ SSS ] * SSS CRAFTY BUNNIES [ SSS ] * SSS CENTER CUT HEXAGON FLORAL [ SSS ] * SSS SO BEAUTIFUL [ SSS ] * SSS PEONY BOUQUET [ SSS ] * SSS WORLD OF LOVE [ SSS ] * SSS THANK YOU TEXT [ SSS ] * SSS THANK YOU BACKGROUND [ SSS ] * CZ Design EXTRA LARGE THANK YOU… [ SSS ] * CZ Design WITH SYMPATHY Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * SSS THINKING OF YOU LINE Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * SSS YOU HAVE MY HEART Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * SSS SIMPLE SLIDER Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * SSS HIBISCUS BLOOM Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * CZ Design SO GOOD Wafer Dies [ SSS ] * SSS ETCHED LINEAR HEART Wafer Die [ SSS ] * SSS ETCHED SWIRL HEART Wafer Die [ SSS ] * SSS ETCHED DRAGONFLY Wafer Die [ SSS ] * SSS GEO LEAVES Stencil [ SSS ] * SSS RADIANT HEARTS Stencil [ SSS ] * SSS SENTIMENT STRIPS REVERSE SYMPATHY [ SSS ] * SSS SENTIMENT STRIPS GET WELL [ SSS ] * SSS Suzy’s AMAZING PEOPLE… [ SSS ] * SSS SPRING GREEN Sequins [ SSS ] * SSS RAINBOW PARTY Sequins [ SSS ] * SSS ASSORTED HOLOGRAPHIC Card [ SSS ]

From florals to thanks for our heroes there’s something for everyone in this release.

IDYLLIC FLORALS

KEY INGREDIENTS

• Simon Says Stamp So Beautiful
• Simon Says Stamp Reverse Sympathy Strips
• Watercolours – I used Mission Gold and Daniel Smith

STEP BY STEP HOW TO

• Stamp the So Beautiful set in a light, water-reactive ink such as Antique Linen on Arches Cold-Pressed watercolour card. Stamp off first, or dab off some of the ink to stamp the bearest of impressions to follow for a no-line look.
• Watercolour the flowers. Aim for a light hand – light layers are better than to intense colour from the get-go. I used a combination of Mission Gold and Daniel Smith watercolours.
• Accent the watercolour with coloured pencils and then splatter with white gouache and a solution of perfect pearls.
• Trim the watercoloured panel and foam mount to a Fog card base.
• Trim a sentiment from the Reverse Sympathy Strips and add with foam adhesive.
• Embellish with sequins, pearls and enamel dots.

TAKEAWAYS

This stamp set was a no-brainer for me, what could be better than beautiful floral stems to colour! There are no fancy tips for this one, just take your time and add light layers to block in the colours you want to use then go back in with more layers and deeper colour to bring it to life. I love the reverse sentiment strips which as the range increases has a sentiment for every occasion and so easy to trim out and add to your card.

FURTHER EXAMPLES

Here’s another romantic meadow effect this time using Altenew’s Wildflower Garden set. This time I stamped with the paints to get this very loose watercolour look. You can find the original post here.

SNEAK PEEK

Thinking of the new Crafty Hugs release, I’m part of a blog hop on Saturday to celebrate the new release and here’s a sneaky peek of what I’ll be sharing using the Center Cut Hexagon Floral set – one of my favourites from the release!

SUPPLIES

You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or shop icon to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Items marked with an asterisk (*) provided by a store or the manufacturer. You can read my affiliate and product disclosure here. I genuinely appreciate your support.

* SSS SO BEAUTIFUL [ SSS ] * SSS SENTIMENT STRIPS REVERSE SYMPATHY [ SSS ] * SSS Crafty Hugs Release [ SSS ] Mijello MISSION GOLD WATER COLOR PALETTE [ SSS ] Daniel Smith at Simon Says STAMP! [ SSS ] FABER CASTELL POLYCHROMOS at SSS [ SSS ] Winsor Newton WHITE GOUACHE [ SSS ] Little Things From Lucy’s Cards… [ SSS ] Hero Arts Hues PINKS Enamel Dots [ SSS ] * SSS Sequins [ SSS ] Ranger PERFECT PEARL Powder [ SSS ] Arches COLD PRESSED WATERCOLOR PAD [ SSS ] Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad… [ SSS ] SSS FOG Card [ SSS ] * Hero Arts Misti at Simon Says STAMP [ SSS ] * Hero Arts MISTI MINI BLACK [ SSS ] Hero Arts MISTI MINI MOUSE PAD [ SSS ] * Hero Arts MISTI BAR MAGNATE Black [ SSS ] 3M DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE [ SSS ] SSS SMALL TEFLON BONE FOLDER [ SSS ] Gina K Designs CONNECT GLUE [ SSS ] Tim Holtz Tonic GLASS MEDIA MAT [ SSS ] Tim Holtz Tonic GUILLOTINE [ SSS ] Scor-Pal Mini Scoring Board [ SSS ] EK Success CUTTER BEE Scissors [ SSS ] TWEEZERS [ SSS ] T SQUARE RULER [ SSS ]

PIN ME

Summary of the project which gives all the views of the card in one photo :D I’d love if you pinned and called by on Pinterest :D