SSS DieCember Release Blog Hop Day 1!

 Hey guys!

Today, I'm excited to be a part of the Simon Says Stamp DieCember release blog hop!

 

DieCember is such a fun month and Simon always starts it out with a dies-only release. It's filled with so many amazing dies! There's something for everyone! 

FREE GIFT:

As you can see from the banner above, Simon is giving away a free American Crafts Christmas Tag Kit, with any purchase, while supplies last. Use code JINGLE at checkout. Offer expires on 12/4, at 11:59pm EDT.

 

GIVEAWAY:

Simon is also giving away a $25 gift certificate at every stop along the hop, from the comment sections! Be sure to leave a comment below for a chance to win. Simon will announce the winners on their blog, on Wednesday, December 9th.

 

SIMON GALLERIES:

Did you know Simon has card galleries for each of their releases and their 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 DieCember gallery. There is so much inspiration to see! I encourage you to check them out and add your own cards/projects.

 

MY CARDS: All products are listed below in the affiliate links, at no cost to you.

I had lots of fun playing with some of the new dies! For this first card, I used the Paper Hugs die. I cut out two of them so I could create a shadow effect. Then I just did a little ink blending and paired it with an embossed gray background. So quick and easy!

 

 

For my next card, I used the Sneaky Kitties die. It's a "line die" so it cuts all the way across. It's difficult to see in the photo but I actually took the negative portion of the die and then cut away each kitty, quickly colored them with Copic markers and then I paper-pieced them back into the negative spaces. So fun!

 

I must admit, this next one was tough for me. And it was not because of the product, it was me! I think I made three cards and threw them all away before deciding that this one was okay. (still don't love it) Does that ever happen to you? It was frustrating but it's a beautiful die when you use it correctly! *cough, cough* Anyway, It's the Sunflower Petals die set and I have seen some AMAZING cards done already from some of Simon's other designers!

 

 

 

Can ya see a theme here? I guess I've been on a gray kick recently. Not sure why but I'm loving all the grays lately. And even though this next card doesn't have any gray, the blues I used are definitely grayish-blues - ha! I used the Simple Stem die and cut it out several times to create a sprig of leaves. I colored the white diecuts with Copics. The hugs die is also a new release product and is from the Small Script Trio die set. That set also comes with a "thanks" die and a "loved" die.

 

Okay, so that's it for my stop on the hop. Don't forget to stop by Simon's blog again tomorrow for day 2 of the hop! There is so much more inspiration coming your way!

 

I hope I've given you a few ideas on how to use some of the awesome products in this release! Next up is the fabulously talented Lea Lawson! 

 

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

 

 

HOP ORDER:

 

Simon Says Stamp Blog   

Kristina Werner

Cathy Zielske

Nina-Marie Trapani

Nichol Spohr

Caly Person

Suzy Plantamura

Amy Rysavy

Lisa Addesa

Heather Ruwe

Sidnie Des Jardins

Cheiron Brandon

Barb Engler

Lea Lawson

Jo Nevill

     Yana Smakula

 

NEW RELEASE PRODUCTS AND OTHER PRODUCTS USED: affiliate links used at no extra cost to you.

Guest Designing With Concord & 9th!

 Hey guys!

I am so excited, honored and grateful to be guest designing this month for Concord & 9th! 

For our first Feature Friday post, guest designers are sharing projects they created using the Postmarked Turnabout stamp set and the Snail Mail Bundle stamp and die set.

Winter has arrived here in Minnesota, bringing cold temps and snow, and I'm already missing seeing color around me, so I thought I'd use some fun, bright colors to stamp the Postmarked Turnabout stamp. 

 

 

 I also used the adorable snail image, some dies and a sentiment from the Snail Mail Bundle stamp and die set. These colors make me happy! 

 

I love that Concord & 9th has beautiful ink colors that match their fabulous cardstock! And if you haven't tried their Turnabout stamp sets yet, you really should! It's a brilliant product idea, there are so many different ones to choose from and they're very easy to use! 

For my second card, I kept it neutral, using only gray and white, along with the Snail Mail stamp and die set.

I haven't used the shadow stamping (or off-set stamping) technique in a long time but I always love the results! All you need is a white pigment ink and another dark colored ink. I used C&9's Mushroom ink and cardstock. Give this technique a try! It gives a dimensional look without any dimension. So fun!

I hope you've enjoyed these cards today! A big thank you to Lindsie and Concord & 9th for inviting me to guest design this month and thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Product's used with affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!