SSS Cheer and Joy Release Blog Hop!

Hey guys!

Welcome to my stop on day 1 of the Simon Says Stamp, Cheer and Joy release blog hop!

You should have arrived here from the blog of my talented friend, Karin. If you'd like to start at the beginning of the hop, click here to be taken to Simon's blog.

I'm so excited to share my cards with you today but first, there's some exciting things I need to tell you about.

FREE GIFT:
As you can see in the graphic above, Simon is giving away their adorable Post Office Box pin, free with any purchase! How fun is that?! Just use the code: HPYML9 at checkout. This gift is valid until 10/13 at 11;59pm ET, or while supplies last.

GIVEAWAY: 
Simon is also giving away a $25 gift certificate at every stop along the hop, from the comment sections! Be sure leave a comment below for your chance to win! They'll announce all the winners on Wednesday, October 16th, on their blog.

SIMON GALLERIES:
Did you know Simon has card galleries for each of their releases and card kits, and even a video gallery? It's true and you can add your very own cards and projects to these galleries! Here's a link to all the Simon Brand Galleries and here's the link to the new, Cheer and Joy release gallery. There is so much inspiration to see! I encourage you to check them out.

CARDS: 
Okay, let's get to my cards because I know that's why you're all here - to see some inspiration. I had so much fun playing with some of the new products! 

For my first card, I used a sentiment from the new, "Holiday Greetings Mix 1" stamp set. I love this set!

It didn't take me very long to create this card. I just did a bit of Copic coloring, added some little star embellishments and popped the panel onto a couple of pieces of colored cardstock and I was done! 

 
My second card was created using the same sentiment set, along with the gorgeous new, "Marie Snowflake" Die.

I just love playing with snowflakes, don't you? And I mean the paper kind, not the real ones - ha! (I am not a winter lover) This is another very simple, quick card. A little ink blending, then cutting the snowflake from a couple of different glittery papers, layering and attaching them. I really love that sentiment too!

 
Okay, I'm gonna be honest with you now and tell ya that this next card is not my fave. I loved water coloring the image with my Zig Markers but I don't love my color choices. That's okay though - sometimes we make the wrong choice, but I still think it's a fun card and the "Christmas Kaleidoscope Background" cling stamp is awesome! I'm looking forward to playing with it again soon - but I'll leave out the purple next time. Lol!

The next two cards focus on the new, "Prayers" Die. I first used the word die by itself, along with some watercolor flowers from a previously released set.

Then I used both the word die and its shadow image, which comes in the set. A little Alcohol Inking was all it needed.

Okay, last one. And I have to tell you, I ADORE the new, "Winter Floral Layering Stencil Set!" Gosh, it's fun to play with! And seriously, so easy to use to create another quick Christmas card!

That's it for me. I hope I've given you some inspiration for using some of the awesome new products in this release! Next up on the hop is the very talented, Crystal Thompson!

HOP ORDER:

Simon Says Stamp Blog 

Jennifer McGuire

Cathy Zielske

Nina-Marie Trapani

Amy Rysavy

Suzy Plantamura

Lisa Addesa

Heather Ruwe

Gayatri Murali

Karin Åkesdotter

Barb Engler you are here

Crystal Thompson

Marge Yoon

Lea Lawson

Betty Wright

Thanks so much for your visit today! Enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget - day 2 of the hop is tomorrow!

Hugs and happy stamping!

New Release and Other Products Used: (affiliate links used at no extra cost to you.)