It’s Simon Says Stamp card kit day! I’ll detail the new July Card Kit below, but I hadn’t had time to use the June Card Kit, so I pulled out the Beautiful Butterflies set and paired it with the Tim Holtz Stickers for an easy watercolour card (yet another in the easy watercolour background series) based on a botanical style. I say botanical, which the style reminds me of, but in fact, the star of the show is the little butterfly. So, I guess it entomological? I’ve linked all supplies with compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.
SIMON SAYS STAMP JULY CARD KIT
Here’s a closer look at what is included in the July Card Kit.
- Tim Holtz Ranger Speckled Egg Mini Distress Ink
- Simon Says Stamp Home Sweet Home 6×8 Stamp Set
- Simon Says Stamp CZ Design Postage Dies
- Waffle Flower Special Delivery Paper
- Mini Cosmic Shimmer Gilded Avocado
- Simon Says Stamp Soft Navy Cardstock
- Simon Says Stamp Cotton Candy Cardstock
- Simon Says Stamp Smoke Cardstock
- Neenah Solar White 80lb Cardstock
- Simon Says Stamp Soft Navy Envelope
- Simon Says Stamp Cotton Candy Envelope
- Simon Says Stamp Metallic Silver Envelope
- Simon Says Stamp White Envelope
- Simon Says Stamp Mini White Envelope
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First off, Speckled Egg Distress Ink! I adore this colour and it is a fabulous addition to the kit. Then there’s the on-trend colour scheme from the Waffle Flower papers, followed up by that lovely stamp set. If you click on over to the see the kit at Simon, then make sure you look at all the fabulous inspiration pictures in the little thumbnails under the main picture for lots of inspiration using this kit.
EASY WATERCOLOUR BACKGROUND – WATERCOLOUR BLOCKS
KEY INGREDIENTS
- Simon Says Stamp Beautiful Butterflies
- Tim Holtz Idea-ology Clippings Stickers
- Daniel Smith Watercolours, in particular, my favourite Undersea Green mixed with Payne’s Gray
STEP BY STEP HOW TO
- On scraps of watercolour card experiment with creating blocks of watercolour and look to include changes in colour, intensity, highlights and darker areas for interest.
- Try adding marks to the watercolour card with masking fluid before painting. The key with masking fluid is to leave it to dry thoroughly before painting over and then leaving the paint to dry thoroughly before rubbing away the masking fluid.
- Play around with adding white gel pen or pen and ink details to the blocks.
- On one of the blocks, stamp a butterfly from the Beautiful Butterflies set in Versafine Onyx Black ink and also a greeting on one of the other blocks.
- Trim out all the blocks and experiment with placement on a panel of watercolour card (for texture) die-cut with a Wonky Rectangle die.
- Punch a hole in one of the blocks and string with twine. Attach the twine on the back.
- Mount all the blocks onto the panel with foam adhesive.
- Embellish a couple of the blocks with Tim Holtz Stickers, again add with foam adhesive.
- Finally, add a Tim Holtz Typography Findings star kept in place with GinaK Connect Glue.
- Add the finished panel to a Neenah Desert Storm card base with foam adhesive.
TAKEAWAYS
I love to create watercolour splodges! Whenever I’m starting a new watercolour, I always test out the colours on scrap pieces of card. You’ll often see these swatches in my photos as I like to include a little of the evolution of the finished card. The watery pools of colour are so attractive to me, and that is the origin of this card. I like the organic nature of these watercolour blocks, and their imperfections add to the feel of the card. Talking of flaws, I much prefer the mark making with the masking fluid to the more precise white gel pen details on the sentiment block. My note to myself is to remember this and to embrace the imperfect, organic over the neat and tidy!
FURTHER EXAMPLES
Although this duo of cards using the Hero Arts Antique Bee And Flowers, Florals Sunflower and From The Vault Aged Shadow sets has no watercolouring at all but instead simple stamping, it has that same feel to it. You can find the original post here.
And just because I can’t resist Tonic jewels, take a look at this close up of the Golden Ovals on these cards.
I’m really enjoying looking back on my previous cards and hunting out the same themes and techniques from the archives as they support the idea of the day. I hope you enjoy seeing these too!
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.
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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
Hi Debby, I LOVE ALL of these WONDERFUL CARDS you’ve done with the SSS Kit! SO MANY WONDERFUL EXAMPLES!!! LOOOVE the Bee card & your Sunflowers!!!! You’re NOT going to believe this, but I am NOT receiving your e-mails again! :(
TLady/Becky Green
Thanks Becky! Ok, I’m off to check out the email thing again. I can’t believe it has glitched again!
Wow! Your art is gorgeous!
This card just speaks to me. This card looks like painted rocks, and I so adore the look. And I just love your easy water colour ideas. As it at my level! Oh, and I can’t resist a butterfly, I think they make up 1/2 of my stamp collection!
Wonderful cards! Thanks
Absolutely gorgeous! So much talent, your work is so inspiring!