Hi there! Today is a special day for the Colorado Craft Company. They have released a brand new line of absolutely darling stamps created by Anita Jeram, the illustrator for the popular Guess How Much I Love You children’s book. I personally adore this illustrative style: kinda sketchy, whimsical, but still an element of elegance! I’m not the best scene-builder in the world, and the majority of these new stamps have the scenes already built for you. All you have to do is stamp and color! You can view the entire release here at Simon Says Stamp and here at Ellen Hutson. The entire release is full of gorgeous images, from cats to deer to birthday bunnies. My little guys are going through a cognitive leap this week, making them extra clingy and unusually cranky, but I managed to make two cards with some of my favorite sets from this release: Kittens and Mittens (EH|SSS) and Snow Happy (EH|SSS). Let’s get started with the details!
If you’ve ever read the Guess How Much I Love You book, you’ll have noticed the beautiful, detailed illustrations straight away. I tried to maintain this whimsical watercolored style with both of my projects today by stamping the main images on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper using Ink On 3 Fadeout Ink (my favorite for no-line watercoloring), then watercoloring with my Daniel Smith watercolor palette.
For me, the key to no-line watercolor is to work in segments, keeping the wet sections away from each other so that you can maintain crisp lines and avoid different colors bleeding into each other. Once I had stamped the images onto the watercolor paper, I maintained a cool color palette for both projects, adding in lavenders and blues to the snow on the Snow Happy (EH|SSS) card. I just love holiday cards featuring deer. Something about a deer in the snow conjures peace for me, reminding me of a crisp, cold Christmas Day.
Once it had dried, I trimmed down the watercolored panel and adhered it to a light gray A2 card base. I also added a charcoal gray foil frame, cut from the Essentials by Ellen Essential Rectangle dies and some dark gray foil. (I’ll link both below.) The final step was to add a simple greeting from the Christmas Tree Cat set using some black pigment ink to make it nice and crisp. I just love the simplicity of this project, and it will be super easy to place in an envelope and pop in the mailbox!
For my second project, I focused on the darling Kittens and Mittens (EH|SSS) stamp set. Not only does this set have a sweet little trio of felines, but it also features some wonderful sentiments, such as “Like mittens in winter you warm my heart!” I’m not huge on schmaltzy sentiments on my projects; I feel like it’s more of a challenge to pair with just the right recipient, therefore making them more difficult to send. These sentiments, however, are so sweet that I think anybody would love to receive them!
I began by stamping the image from Kittens and Mittens (EH|SSS) again on a panel of Arches Cold Press watercolor paper using Ink on 3 Fadeout Ink, but this time I used a wide brush to create a wintry sky before adding details to my kittens. I wanted to pull the lavender down behind the kitties, but still maintain that super light fade into white, so I laid down my blue to purple ombre, pulling the super diluted color down even over the top of the kitty images. I allowed background to dry completely before moving on to adding paint to the kitties. Ensuring the panel is completely dry before adding the details will help to avoid feathering and bleeding when adding color to the stamped images.
After I’d finished watercoloring all of the felines, I used some white gouache to add snowflakes, first by flicking my paint-loaded paintbrush at my panel, then adding individual dots of white so that we got different sized snowflakes. I also added a few white pearls for extra dimension. I white embossed a greeting on some light gray yardstick, then added it to the watercolored panel with foam tape. Finally, I matted the watercolor panel to a slightly larger piece of charcoal gray cardstock, then mounted it on a cornflower blue A2 card base.
To celebrate their new release illustrated by Anita Jeram, Colorado Craft Company is generously giving away a $35 gift certificate to their store for each blogger participating in the reveal! To enter the giveaway, simply leave me a comment telling me which of the new sets is your favorite. I will leave the contest open until the end of the day on October 7, 2020.
Here are all of the links of everyone participating in the release:
Thank you so much for stopping by today, and have a marvelous weekend!
I love the blues and lavender you used on your cards. So cool and crisp looking. I absolutely adore these new stamps!! The Christmas Tree Cat is my favorite, I have already ordered it!
Beautiful and whimsical!
Absolutely Stunning. What fun images to color–and the colors are outstanding! This will be fun to follow along as more images are released. Thanks for sharing!
The world needs these right now! Just amazing! Love the critters!
I love the Snow Happy Set! What gorgeous coloring!!!
Really beautiful cards. The illustrations on these sets are beautiful!
Beautiful cards and your coloring is amazing.
I just LOVE these stamps!! And your coloring is beautiful!
Sweet and beautiful cards, Emily! Love your coloring technique!
Your use and selection of colors are gorgeous❣️
Beautiful cards. As always, your coloring is amazing. I’m trying to work up the courage to try no-line watercoloring, but I’m not there yet. I love the adorable Kittens and Mittens set, but I think my favorite is the Snow Happy set — so elegant.
I absolutely love the blues and purples you’ve used in these cards. I have already gone over to figure out which set I’m going to order. I think on your cards I love the kitties the most because the blues just come out with the background paper.
My favorite is The Kittens & Their Mittens set! And I LOVE how you created both cards with blues and grays!
Beautiful painting on your cards with these delightful images! Thank you for sharing your creativity.
Oh Emily, you’ve done this release proud with your cards! I more than adore the Kittens & MIttens one & am so happy you’ve used watercolours so they are soft which suits these whimsical, gentle looking critters. Thanks for the chance to win. P.S. I remember “cranky” days, both with children & grand-children. Thankfully the other days more than make up for them.
My favorite from the line is the Snow Happy set, but it is so hard to pick just one! This line comes from our favorite book and I can’t wait to start getting them for myself. I love the colors that you have used to create such pretty cards.
Sweet cards you watercolored for this awesome release! Sorry your babes are having a tough week, but oh the milestones!
Your cards aren’t so gentle and pretty!
You are so sweet sharing your tricks of the trade with us! I was doing my graded background after painting and hating either the bleeding or the white halo around. I am going to try your order next!
— Dalis
Every set in this release is just darling. Thanks for sharing your techniques for coloring them.
Love you cards and the stamps!
I so love the story, and can’t wait to get the new one! Snow Happy is definitely amongst my favourites!
I love the Snow Happy set but they are all adorable.
Gorgeous! I love your color palette!
Those little kittens and their mittens are just the cutest.
Adorable cards. Beautiful watercoloring.
Lovely cards, beautifully colored. These stamps are so charming, love the adorable kittens.
Beautiful cards and great colouring ! I love the release !
Adorable!
Absolutely darling illustrations and some awesome coloring!!
These images are just wonderful and your coloring brings them to life beautifully! Thank you for such detailed commentary.
lovely cards – your no line images are wonderful. LOVE this release!
Oh your cards are so pretty & unique, & I love them! These stamp sets are just adorable & I want them all!!!
Great cards, adorable stamps
These are adorable, and your winter backgrounds have me longing for cool weather (as we cope w/ heat and choking smoke).
I love your cards. I would put the deer one on a frame 😀. It’s fun to look at all of the projects as I try to figure out what to order.
Adorable cards! You are so very talented! My favorite stamp set? That is very hard to decide they are all so cute! But I guess I will say the Christmas Tree cats!
I think you did a wonderful job on both cards. The Snow Happy is my favorite one. Nature and deer are such a great combination. Thanks for sharing your water color tips.
I can’t color as well as this but I can sure try. I love these characters. A lot.
I love your cards and I love this new collection. So perfect for today’s world. Thank you for sharing!
Your watercoloring is wonderful. These sets are great!
Beautiful stamps to make adorable cards. I love the limited color pallet – it works so well.
Gorgeous! I love this new release!
Wonderful no-line watercoloring technique! love the color meshing. And love this release!
perfect watercoloring on these adorable images! I’m so excited that Anita’s images will be available through 3C!
Such beautiful cards! I think my favorite is the Kittens and Mittens, although it’s really difficult to pick a favorite as I love all the stamps from this release.
The deer and bunny is an adorable stamp
Wow, you have made such beautiful cards…I am curious to know your favorite set. I think of these two, my favorite for cards would be the “Kittens and Mittens” set because that image conjures up thoughts of warm friendship, but I also love deer… Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.
Love the tip on no line water coloring. The soft colors are so beautiful!
I absolutely LOVE the colors you used on this magnificent card Emily! WOW!!! Thanks so much for sharing & inspiring!!! Stay well, blessings to you & your family!!!
The Snowy Day with the deer and the bunny is my favorite. But I am in awe over all the different looks people created on this hop with the same images. Your kitten card just pops!
So beautiful, Emily. Great colors!
What a pretty color palette you’ve chosen! Love the cool tones for winter. It’s a tough choice but my favorite set is the Ice Cream set. Summer may be over but it’s always time for ice cream!
Your colouring is so beautiful! It’s so hard to choose but I think Wishing You Happiness is my favourite set!
Beautiful adorable cards
Just beautiful cards. I love how you did the no line look.
Beautiful coloring and details on these sweet cards! Love the images!
You did such a beautiful job. I agree… deer in the snow is quiet and peaceful. I love this whole release but i think Snow Happy is my favorote.
I love the snow happy set. Your cards are so beautiful!
Gorgeous cards, amazing watercoloring!! Both cards are great!
These images are all so adorable. Your colouring of them really brings them to life, Emily! I love the use of the blues with the cats! It is so difficult to find a favourite but I love the Better Together set. Thanks so much for the inspiration! Take care! 🙂
Your watercoloring is just amazing! So beautiful! Love all these sweet images!
Your cards are amazing! I love love love the colors you chose and your coloring is perfect! Great job!
Love the color choice! Just beautiful ❤️
Thank you for the amazing inspiration ❤️
I love the cool tones you chose to use. Your cards are so sweet!
Just delightful! Beautiful work with these darling animals.
I love your cards. The kittens with the mittens are my favorite. TFS
Love this release!
Your little kittens with mittens Card is colored so beautifully! It really brings them to life!
Love you colors! They are great with these. Area!!
Hello, Emily – I’m new to your site and your work. I’ll be back, however. I love your color choices, esp in the snowy deer card. Just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your talent w/ the rest of us.
Lori in PA (USA)
Beautifully water colored. I like the winter blue sky. I can just feel that cold air and fluffy snow.
So in love with this release ❣️ Oh my! Another hit out of the park! Your cards have such a cuteness factor…Great coloring!
Such beautiful cards
and the images are
adorable!
Carla from Utah
Such beautiful cards – you really brought the drawings to life. I am not good at creating scenes either so these images are perfect. I love all the sets but Birthday Wishing is at the top of my wishlist!
I LOVE the cool colors you chose, so appropriate for Winter scenes.
Your cards are absolutely beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful cards ! Love the added snowflakes! I really love the Kittens and Mittens – such an adorable stamp set!
I just purchased the bunny and deer stamp set. I am so glad to see so many artist give examples of their work to inspire me.
I love Snow Happy. Your cards are beautiful!
I can so feel the coldness that the kittens are going thru on your card. So cute!
Your cards are soooo adorable <3
Your cards are both adorable and I just love the softness the watercolor gives them. I just adore the pops of blue and purple on the kittens.
Your cards are so beautiful. My favorite set is the ice cream set. I used to have an ice-cream truck, so I am partial to that set. BUT I would love to eventually have all of them.
Love the colors you used on these cards. Adorable!
Your cards are super adorable. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway. If I’m lucky, I would love to have Birthday Wishing stamp set, using which I would make a card for my sweet 9 yo daughter 🙂
Love this release. Your cards are gorgeous.
I love your cards… beautifully done!
Absolutely Adorable cards!!! LOVE!!!!
The blues and purples really make you think it is cold in your cards.
Kittens and Mittens is adorable!
Such a sweet card and stamp sets!
I’ve fallen in love with these sweet, beautiful stamps. Your cards are amazing.
Beautiful work, Emily! Your coloring was just perfect for this style of stamps, and I love the colors you chose. I feel the same about the peacefulness of deer in snow.
Your cards are incredible! So sweet and adorable. Amazing coloring!
Beautiful cards! I love the blue/gray of the Kittens and Mittens card. I have that one coming.
Ekkk your cards are precious!! This release has my heart. It’s so innocent and sweet!!!
Very soft and gentle colors make your cards absolutely beautiful! Love those Kittens and Mittens!
Beautiful cards! My first fave is the Christmas Tree Cat. I may have ordered it already lol
Such darling cards! I love this stamp series.
Beautiful look to the coloring.
This is such a sweet release… reminds me of reading books to my son when he was younger. How fun to create such beautiful characters through stamping!
Emily your cards are gorgeous! I love the blue color scheme!
Your cards are soft and gentle. Just feel good images. I have heard about the face away inks but never saw them disappear as you have done.
Amazingly beautiful cards! Your color choice & skill are inspirational as are all the images!
Gorgeous cards! I love the colors on your cat card!
These new sets are all adorable! It’s so hard to pick out a favorite because they all work so well together to mix and match! The happiness dog, the tiny bunnies – -each one is so cute!
I love the color palette you used!
Sweet and cute. Thanks for the watercolor tips.
Your watercolor is amazing!
Your coloring of Snow Happy is amazing!!. This is such a sweet stamp set. I think its my favorite from this release!. Thanks for my smile.
I really love how your take on this card with the blues. VERY nice job thank you. Makes me want to dig that book out and my kids are in their late 20’s!
Your cards are always beautiful! 💜
I love how easily these cards come together with these adorable designs
Oh my goodness. The colors you have used on those cats are completely different from other cards I’ve seen, and I love them!
Your colouring of these images is spectacular! Love the wintery look you achieved.
I love those little gray kittens!
Beautiful water coloring. Adorable animals!
This new line by Anita Jeram has my heart! Your creations are stunning! I love these stamp sets “to the moon and back”!! 🙂
The kitty siblings are so cute!!! I love how they are holding hands and walking…
I love everything about these new releases — I cannot wait to play with them as well! I enjoyed reading your blog and I have already subscribed. You have beautiful cards. I love anything kitty but I also love your deer in the snow card and how beautiful you colored the card! Thanks for the inspiration!
Love your blue creations! They are perfect for winter. And who can resist these amazing new stamps.
I love the snow happy set most of all. Thank you for your wonderful tips on online colouring !Also thanks for sharing your talents! Awesome!
These are so beautiful!
Lovely cards! My favorite set is “Better together” ^_^
Beautiful cards. Love the vibrant blues on your last card with the cats. Very inspiring