I finally had time to sit down and play with the Simon Says Stamps March Kit called Choose Joy.
You know that I love craft kits of all kinds. The Simon Says Stamps kits are always a great value, but the last two months Simon Says Stamps has been knocking it out of the park! These kits are amazing!
This month’s kit had 2 stamp sets, beautiful papers, card stock, metallic shimmer envelopes, NUVO Aqua Shimmer Pen, 2 ink pad cubes, 2 sheets of sticker die cuts, pom pom embellishments, some card bases and specialty paper. I played with only one stamp set from the kit today and there are still 4 stamps that I didn’t use from that set. I created 4 cards. I have 3 quick ones to share with you today and one to share tomorrow.
For the first card, I really wanted to watercolor the cute little rain boots filled with flowers. It’s such a pretty stamp and it just calls out to be watercolored. I actually stamped it twice and watercolored both images. I wanted a practice run and a spare.
The 6 x 6″ papers are from the Carta Bella Spring Market paper stack and they are stunners. They just scream spring scenes and they have soft pastel and natural colors. I loved this wood background paper and chose to do an inlaid die cutting technique. I used the Wonky Stitched Circle Stax of dies from My Favorite Things. The sentiment and the boot stamp both come from the same Choose Joy stamp set from Simon Says Stamps.
You can see that I didn’t fuss with the watercoloring. I used a wet-on-wet technique with my Altenew ink cubes. I just love the Altenew inks for this technique. I did also use the Hybrid ink cubes that came in the kit for a similar technique on the card I will be sharing with you tomorrow. I will definitely be getting more colors of the SSS hybrid inks to play with as well.
The sentiment is heat embossed in white on black card stock and the sequins are from Pretty Pink Posh. They have such pretty sequins!
The Altenew ink colors that I used include Warm Sunshine, Parrot, Forest Glades, Deep Iris, Coral Berry, Frosty Pink, Orange Cream and Lagoon around the outside of the image. I don’t usually purchase the ink cubes, but these came in a kit and they are very convenient to use for watercoloring. They are nice and small so I can easily squish them onto my Teflon craft sheet from Ranger, squirt them with water and paint away. I did cover my watercolor paper with water using a large flat brush to wet the paper and then I dabbed on the watered inks with an aqua painter.
I definitely think practicing coloring and doing these techniques every day really is making a difference. Honestly, if you do something every single day for a month, you have to be better at it by the end of the month.
For the second card, I used the scraps of the paper pack and a die cut from the kit. I wanted to see what I could do with minimal stamping. I stamped only the sentiment in the middle of the wreath.
The enamel dots are from Doodlebug Designs. I really love the patterned paper with the craft card base. I just feels like spring using that natural color, the natural linen thread and the pastels.
Cards are so quick and simple when you are using paper, glue and die cuts!
My last card is also from my leftovers. This is the second watercolored piece that I created and you will see has a bit too much blue lagoon in the bottom corner. I still liked it enough to use it. I did add the NUVO Aqua Shimmer pen to the top of the image just to see what it looked like. It is so pretty. I don’t know if you can see the sparkle, but in person it is really pretty. Who doesn’t love sparkle and shimmer?!
The little pink pennant is made from the left over stamped image on the card I will be sharing tomorrow and the tiny die cut that says “grow” is from one of the two sheets of die cut stickers that came in the kit. I added the linen thread and doodlebug dots from my stash. I’m thinking that I may mist this with one of my Altenew Ink Mists to give it a little splash of color and finish it off. Not a terrible card considering that I used the left over bits from other cards!
I have to find time to sit down and play with the other stamp set in the kit. It is called Showers and Flowers and it is just the perfect spring set. I plan to use some of the papers and dies for a scrapbook layout as well. I’m pretty sure these kits are all sold out, but you can usually purchase the pieces separately. The Carta Bella papers and stickers are really beautiful. I also have to say that these Simon Says Stamp monthly kits are worth every penny! I’ve never been unhappy with one and you get really cute stamp sets and at least one ink cube that you can use over and over. Plus, they send a page of ideas and sample photos from cards their design team created with the kits. They do a design team blog hop each month as well.
Why do I love kits so much?
You usually get almost everything you need in a box. I had to add a clear block, adhesive and cutting tools. I also usually add some techniques when I play with the kits. Sometimes though, I put on a movie and sit in front of the TV and create cards using just what is in the kits and my basic stamping tools. For around $30 a month, I get a set of cards that are usually seasonal and cards that I will use throughout the coming month. I also love that I have at least one stamp set that I can use over and over again. I usually get a relaxing afternoon or two from my kits and cards to add to my stash for when I need them.
I do tend to grab quite a bit from my stash to add to the cards, just because that is what I have the stash for. I love to buy the little embellishments just to add my own special touches to the cards that I make.
Just be careful…the card kits and monthly releases are addicting! You might need a bigger craft space if you’re not careful!
Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful week and that you find time to create. Remember to embrace the imperfections!
