Sixth Street Sundries

Emily Midgett

Simon Says Stamp Rain or Shine Blog Hop- Day 1!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

Hi friends! I am hopping along with Simon Says Stamp today for Day 1 of a 2-day blog hop to help introduce their newest release, called Rain or Shine! You should have arrived here from Debby Hughes, and your next stop is Lisa Addesa. You can also see the full hop list over at the Simon Says Stamp Blog. From sweet little bunnies to flowers to farm critters to elegant embossing folders, this Rain or Shine release truly has such a wide variety that there’s something for everybody! I have been having such fun playing with the different products, putting a wide variety of techniques to use, and I even pulled out my sadly-neglected watercolors to create this detailed watercolored embossing folder card. Let’s get started with the details!

*I have gathered links to all of the products used at the bottom of the post for your convenience, using affiliate links. Thank you for shopping with my links! I truly appreciate your support for my work!*

To begin my project, I ran a panel of Arches Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper through my die cutting machine using the new Soaring Swallows Embossing Folder. I love using Arches Cold Press for embossing folders, because the suepr textured cardstock holds up beautifully with the incredible details of the 3D embossing folders. Once I had finished embossing the image, I used some painter’s tape to adhere it down to my watercolor board, which helps to minimize warping .

I began my project by painting the sky, using super diluted blue watercolor and lots of clean water to create a blue summer sky, complete with wispy clouds. I used plenty of water to keep the background light, which enabled me to create not just the subtle clouds but also allowed me to paint more freely without worrying about keeping the edges of the images themselves super clean. I used a large paintbrush to paint over the entire panel, then when the panel was completely dry, I used more concentrated color to add details to the swallows and foliage. Moisture will seek out moisture with watercolor, and by allowing the background to dry completely before adding my details, I was able to add the details with precision and not have to worry about the new wet color blooming into the old damp color.

After I had added the color, I used some white gouache to enhance a few of the edges of the feathers and add some highlights on the swallows. Having covered the entire card front with pale blue watercolor for the sky made the birds’ highlights a bit more difficult, but glazing the highlights with white gouache helps to add that contrast between dark and light!

After I had finished watercoloring the panel and it had dried completely, I trimmed down the edges and matted the watercolored scene on a full sized A2 panel of coordinating dusty blue cardstock, creating a monochromatic frame around the detailed watercoloring. I pulled out the new Loving Thoughts stamp set, which has two different accompanying die sets: one for the images in the set and one for the beautiful sentiments. To keep the color palette simple, I heat embossed the sentiment from Loving Thoughts onto some more of the dusty blue cardstock, then die cut it with its’ coordinating, super detailed die. I popped it up in the center of the card front with some foam adhesive, then added a few Dusk Pawsitively Dazzling Gems. I just love how this card came out, even with the simple color palette.

Well, that’s all for my project today. Now for some fun giveaway information!

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop, selected from the blog comment section. Winners will be selected and posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday the 26th of March. Winners can email Simon Says Stamp to claim his/her prize. 

Simon Says Stamp is also offering a fabulous freebie to celebrate not only the release, but their twenty-third birthday! Simply purchase $23 of products from the new Rain or Shine release and the darling Balloon Bouquet die will be automatically added to your cart. No code needed!

Your next stop is Lisa Addesa.

Don’t forget to check out the second day of our Rain or Shine blog hop for even more inspiration and prizes! Happy birthday to Simon, and happy shopping and hopping to you!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Emily this is absolutely stunning! I wish there was a video so I could learn from you. Watercoloring is not easy for me however your work is so good!!!!! Makes me want to try it again.

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  11. Love, love,love your card! I love watercolor and never used it with an embossing folder. So soft and beautiful! Thank you

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  16. This is an absolutely stunning card. I was on the fence about ordering this folder, but this put it right into my cart.

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  21. Everything is so sweet in this release! Thanks for the ideas!!! Love the cards!!! (bought this stuff…!!!)

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  30. Love your use of blue for the swallows. Your card is beautiful ! Love the new SSS Rise & Shine release.

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  31. What an exquisite card! So elegant and colorful. I love what you did with this embossing plate. If I only could color like this!!

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  34. Oh my gosh! stunning!!! love what you did! sounds out of this world for me with watercolours! haha but it is AMAZING!!!!

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  35. Dear Emily –
    I’m glad I got to see your work since I’m not going to get to see YOU in May at CREATE. I love what you have shared. It’s MAGNIFICENT and yay that your watercolors are no longer considered “neglected.” This is a work of art!! I cannot imagine getting this in the mail. I would feel unbelievably honored were I to receive something of this quality.
    Lori S in PA

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  51. Beautiful card!! Your watercoloring is stunning and the colors perfection!! Love this card. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent, tips, and inspiration.

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  52. Fabulous new release! Beautiful watercolor card! Love how you used embossing folder on watercolor paper.

    Reply

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