Some Bunny says Hip Hop!

Hello Monday, Peeps! We have a brand new challenge for you this week at Simon Says Stamp - Hip Hop! Interpret it as you will...I'm looking forward to your take on this. Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate!

I decided to play with lots of pretty colors and Easter eggs and rabbits. The Some Bunny set from Simon is just a fun one to use! Lots of layers and hidden surprises, so let me share with you how I made this 

I started by using my MISTI and archival ink to stamp my images onto watercolor paper, then took a water brush and Peerless Watercolors to get these bright colors. And yes, you can see where I smeared, but I can use it anyway...after all - It's only paper, as we say!

I was looking for some old music paper to layer onto my tag, and when I came across The Russian Easter Overture, well that was just serendipity! (oh, I forgot - I had gessoed this tag awhile ago)

Next layer, some colorful dotty washi tape.

Now for the paint and stenciling - bubbles and woven.

A bit of stamping with heart on top...

And then, a whitewash layer to tone it down. If I added too much white, a baby wipe worked well to remove a bit and let more color through.

Then, using the same color palette, some drips from the ink sprays.

I fussy cut the eggs and bunnies, and the top bunny is mounted on a wobble spring. I used letters from Tim Holtz for my words - transparent alpha tiles and label letters. Final step, tie on some oh so lovely fibers from a friend to finish the tag!

details, details...

Happy Easter to all who celebrate! 

May the Easter bunny hop by your house with some goodies!

Thanks so much for visiting, and I hope you will join us this week in our Hip Hop challenge! I'm looking forward to your creation, and remember, one lucky person will win the voucher to shop at the store!!

SUPPLIES:

                                       

                                       

Simon is on Instagram! be sure to use #sssmchallenge

A great place to shop for all things creative! 

Let's head on over to the challenge page so we can check out the inspiration from the DT - they always amaze me!!

Simon Says: Use Your Favorite Tool!

Hello Monday! Our challenge for you this week at Simon Says Stamp is to use your favorite tool! Now, I thought about my scissors, which I did use, that I reach for all the time...but one of my favorite tools is my water brush, or should I say, my collection of them! 

I was inspired by one of my favorite whimsical artists, Joanne Sharpe, to create my own whimsical heartfelt bookmarks. This is the month of love, right? I love making these and giving them away as gifts. I have one myself that I've been using for a couple of years, and honestly, it looks as good as when I made it. 

So, here we go! On my first bookmark, I used the water brush to paint the heart with my Peerless Watercolors which I love, dripped water into the heart, and then stood it up to drip down. I like it! 

On my second, I painted my hearts, dripped water into them to create a soft watercolor effect, and blotted them with a paper towel.

I use my heat gun in-between adding colors to be sure they are dry, if I want to minimize color bleeding.

These are fun and easy to make, and don't need a lot of materials. I like to keep a small scrap of watercolor paper nearby to check colors, my paper towel for blotting (you can bet I will dry that and keep it for future use!), water brushes, watercolor paper, and pens for doodling.

This is what they look like once I finished adding all of my watercolors. You could easily decide to stop here if you like the way they look.

But, I also like to doodle these, using different pen sizes, black, white, colors...I do try to be sure to use a permanent pen. Once everything is dry, I went in with a bit of Wink Of Stella to add in some glitter, and punched a hole and added the bright, cheerful fibers.

Finished Bookmarks:

So, I am curious - what is your favorite tool? Let us know and share something you have created using it. Remember, Simon Says Stamp offers a $50 shopping voucher each week! 

SUPPLIES:

                                       

                                       

Simon is on Instagram! Use #sssmchallenge to share.

Curious about the DT's favorite tools? Be sure to head on over to the challenge to find out! 

 A great place to shop!!

Let There Be Snow!

Hello Monday! We have a brand new challenge for you this week at Simon Says Stamp! We are all about the snow this week, and I have been inspired by the snowstorms we have had already this year - maybe it will be a snow covered Christmas!  

I have found a new favorite company - Wild Rose Studio! This adorable snow family stamp and papers are from their line, and work so perfectly for this theme. 

 I made a few more Christmas cards by stamping the image, then watercoloring it with my Peerless watercolors. I also used my new Fuse tool to add the Fuseable Ruffles to a couple of the cards, and then some pretty bling from 28 Lilac Lane.

Enjoy!

The MISTI works great to get a nice clean image. Love my Ranger Archival Jet Black ink to use with watercolors!

Do you have a favorite? Let me know!

I must say, I have had a LOT of fun working outside of my usual color palette and images! So, now it's time for you to get out your mittens and boots and crafty stuff and make a project that let's it snow! I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Simon offers a $50 voucher to one lucky participant, could be you!

SUPPLIES:

                                       

                                       

A great place to shop! Fast and friendly!!

Simon is on Instagram, use #sssmondaychallenge.

Let's head on over the the Monday challenge blog and see how the DT has been inspired by snow! 

World Explorer!

Hello Friends! Are you ready to explore the world with us this week? I hope so, because that is this week's challenge!

I have always wanted to explore the world...when I was a child I wanted to be an adventurer and find new places on the Earth never before seen by humans! Well, in my lifetime I have seen many new areas of discovery and have been blessed in being able to travel to many wonderful places and meet awesome people.

 Are you inspired by travel shows? New discoveries? Do you love to go to new places and have adventures? If so, this challenge is perfect for you!

I started off spritzing a globe die cut...

While that was drying, I worked on the card background...

...and while that dried, I added color to my stamped images (Penny Black). BTW, I stamped the image multiple times with my MISTI, to get the crisp image - sometimes it is difficult to get a good image on watercolor paper, and this solves that problem! 

As you can see, I was testing my colors around the edges before I added them. I do think my little explorer might have a sunburn.

I took a piece of burlap textured surface and painted it randomly with Picket Fence and Salty Ocean, then cut it into a circle to go under the world.

Life is not a destination. It's a journey. 

oh, how I do believe that! I hope your journey is an awesome one!!

Are you ready to dig into your supplies and start crafting with us this week as we explore the world? Please, come join us in the fun!!

Simon offers a $50 voucher to shop at their store to one lucky participant! 

SUPPLIES:

                                       

                                       

A great place to shop!

Simon is on Instagram!

I get to work with amazingly creative people from around the world, and I just know they will explore the world in wonderful ways! Head on over to check out their work.