Pages

Saturday, April 25, 2020

SSS Sunny Days Ahead Blog Hop

Hello crafters and welcome to my blog! I hope you are all well and healthy. I am so happy to take part in the Simon Says Stamp Sunny Days Ahead blog hop, to celebrate the new release. You should have come here from the very creative JD Collins.


The Sunny Days Ahead release is filled with wonderful and versatile products. You can see them all here. I think the name for the release is perfect, there are sunny days ahead. You will find gorgeous graduation products, lots of ways to celebrate Mother's Day, and an many pretty spring florals. If you use the code sssink you get a free Intense Black ink pad with any purchase (offer valid until 4/26 at 11:59).


I made two projects for the blog hop and they are very different from each other. There is a mixed media canvas featuring a trio of roses, and a quick stamped and watercolored Mother's Day card.

 Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Here's the finished canvas. Mixed media projects look harder to do when you just see the finished product, but if you follow along in the tutorial below, you will discover that it isn't so hard. It is created layer upon layer. This would be a great Mother's Day gift and it is easy to send too, since many of us might not be able to see our mother in person on Mother's Day. Especially in these days. It's a 6 x 6 in canvas, but you can also turn the design into a card, if you use sturdy paper as a base. It was made with the Rose Trio Stencil.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Start with a layer of gesso (I forgot to take a photo of that step) and let it dry. The paint watered-down Distress Paints on the background, misting heavily with water.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Rose Trio stencil.

When dry, apply Texture Paste through the Rose Trio stencil.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Paint the roses.

Paint the roses with three shades of pink and red. The pink shade to the right is a mix of Picket Fence and Candied Apple.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Continue with darker shades, adding shadow areas on the inside of the petals. Blend into the lighter shade by using some of the lighter colors.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Add a little white for highlights.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Paint the leaves.

Paint the leaves with three shades of green, starting with the lighter one.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I wanted this canvas to have a light look and didn't add as many shadows as I often do, just a few lines here and there with a black marker. I also scribbled a white gel pen here and there for more highlights.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Stamp randomly with the You Matter background stamp. It's an older SSS stamp, and one of my favorites.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Add grit-paste.

For more texture, apply Opaque Grit-Paste around the edges with a palette knife. You can also use Texture Paste, but it will give a little less texture. Let dry.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

At first, I was going to use brown for the edges, but then I decided that I wanted to skip the brown and have more of a green feeling to the background. So I painted the grit-paste with Shabby Shutters, and added darker shades of Peeled Paint and Forest Moss. You can add paint directly to the grit-paste before applying it, but I usually like to paint it afterwards when it is dry. Some of the white will be visible and you get a better and more varied texture.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

And for some shimmer, I mixed an ice-cream stick scoop (just the tip of an ice cream stick is enough) of Perfect Pearls into water to make my own shimmer mist, and misted on the project.

 Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Cut sentiments from the Sentiment Strips Reverse Mom Days and drag a black ink pad along the edge to hide the white cutting line.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I used two sentiment strips and liked the contrast of the black strips against the background. Here you can see the texture of the grit-paste better.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Don't worry too much about mistakes when painting the roses, mistakes won't be visible in the end, especially not when you see the canvas from a little distance.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Red rose.

You can of course also paint all the roses in the same color, or make them white or yellow instead. The circle words was stamped with the Mom Word Mix 2 and Green Leaf ink.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Texture.

I like the shape of these leaves, with the soft curving lines.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The glimmer is a little hard to capture on photo, but you might see it better here.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

For a more grungier example with similar techniques, check out my Bouquet of Roses canvas tutorial.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The Mother's Day card is very different from the canvas and is quick and easy to make. You can use any colors that you'd like. I used the wonderful Luck and Hugs set. The circle flowers and overlapping open letters are so cool and fun to color. You can also use Distress Ink instead of watercolor paint.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Stamp with Luck and Hugs.

Start by white embossing the stamps that you want to use on watercolor paper. As you can see, there are lots of options in this great set, and many different sentiments.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Mix and test watercolors on a piece of scrap paper first. I always test my colors and how they will blend before painting on the actual project. Start with the 'h' and paint the whole letter, also the overlapping part. Continue with the next letter before the 'h' dries. You want the paints to blend. Paint over the edge here and there so that the outline of the letters will be visible.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Continue with the flowers. This is also a good exercise in wet-on-wet paint blending. As you can see the orange and the blue create a darkish color, which is why I didn't place them next to each other in the word. On the flowers, the dark areas add interest, but on the word, they would have been too strong.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Splatter a little paint on the card. The stamp the sentiments. They come from the Mom Word Mix 2 set.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Distress the edges of the watercolor panel before adhering it to a piece of blue cardstock and then to folded white cardstock.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

You can cover the word when splattering, but I liked having just a few splatters in the letters.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Here you can see how the paints blend with each other on the paper.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

These flowers made up by overlapping circles are such a fun design.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The heart was die cut with Tim Holtz Falling Hearts die from SSS glittery paper. It was a left-over from another project.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The colorful splatters add a nice playful touch to the card.

There are of course prizes to be won, and at each stop on the hop SSS is giving away a $25 coupon, randomly drawn from those who leave a comment. The winners will be posted post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday, the 29th of April.

Your next stop on the hop is Amanda Korotkova and she will show you wonderful inspiration using the previously released Mother’s Day, Graduation, and spring floral Simon Exclusive products.

Here are all the stops along the hop:

Anna-Karin Evaldsson (you are here)

ADDITIONAL INSPIRATION using previous released Simon branded products.


For more Sunny Days inspiration, remember to check out the Sunny Days Ahead gallery at SSS, and if you make something with products from the range, it is fun if you post it in the gallery too. There are galleries for all releases, and for the card kits, full of inspiration. Part one of the Sunny Days Ahead blog hop was yesterday, so don't miss all the inspiration there.




Thank you so much for visiting today and I hope you will have a lovely weekend!

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:

* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.


118 comments:

  1. Your rose canvas was awesome. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  2. I especially like your hugs card. The watercoloring looks awesome. I'm going to try some more watercoloring today...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your canvas is beautiful, I hope you hang it. I love your bright happy mother's day cardtoo.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your canvas is just beautiful! I love it and your Mother's day card is very pretty too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an amazing canvas, I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Have never done any mixed media on canvas. Yours is lovely! I really like the card the best. I do have a question, or rather a comment about your ice cream scoop. Cant imagine one that small!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your comment Sarah and for discovering my mistake. It was supposed to be 'ice cream stick'. That would otherwise have had to have been some type of miniature ice cream scoop. So funny!

      Delete
  7. Great projects. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW! The texture and coloring is simply incredible! I LOVE THESE!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fabulous projects! Gorgeous canvas with amazing layers and textures. Beautiful, fresh and happy card design.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I absolutely love the art panel! Amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The mix media project looks awesome, and the card is so pretty!! Thanks for the photo tutorial!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Absolutely gorgeous! You are a true artist!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The mixed media one is awesome (Both are beautiful) I want to touch it! I can see the texture. Very cool

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! Although I've never done mixed media this is stunning! And I also LOVE your hugs card...clean, simple, and colorful! My kind of card!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your cards are terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow! Your canvas is gorgeous! Fun card too

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the mixed media work you did, very pretty. Lots of texture really makes it work.

    ReplyDelete
  18. the mixed media project is
    gorgeous. thanks for the
    detailed explanation.
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your canvas is awesome and is a perfect gift idea. I also love your card for it's bright and cheery vibe!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love the hugs card with pretty watercolors

    ReplyDelete
  21. OH MY WORD!!! The mixed media canvas is breathtaking!! I need to save to my Mixed Media board on Pinterest! I'm intrigued! Your HUGS cards are so refreshing and cheerful!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The card is pretty but my favorite is the canvas. It is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing with us. Stay safe and healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Both of your projects are amazing! Thanks for explaining your process in such detail. I love Mixed Media.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your rose canvas is my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I LOVE this! Usually a pastel cutsie gal but have just started to dabble with grunge- wow great dimension-colors-background awesome? Thanks for the inspiration and please be healthy!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Awesome Sunny Days Ahead Release! Awesome creations! I especially love the textured flower canvas!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Very cool projects!! Love the colors!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. WOW! Thanks for the step by step of the canvas - it is beautiful. Always did love your style!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great canvas! And the card is very bright and cheerful. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your canvas is gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your rose canvas looks like a piece of tapestry. Thanks so much for sharing the great details.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love your mixed media use of the roses stencil and the hugs stamp!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love that new rose stencil, your canvas is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lovely projects. I love the canvas. And the tutorial is much appreciated. I love the card too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for sharing, you do wonderful work!

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a great canvas and love the card too.

    ReplyDelete
  38. i especially love the way you colored the card. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Very creative. Your canvas is very cool and your card so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Loved the texture of the roses card. So realistic. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  41. beautiful canvas piece I love roses

    ReplyDelete
  42. I love your canvas project! It is really special!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you so much for the step-by-step instructions. Both pieces are lovely, and I really like the bright colors on the "hugs" card.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love the depth and texture of your floral canvas! It is just stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Lovely creations, love that stencil.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Gorgeous projects. Your mixed media canvas is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love the watercolor hugs! Very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Awwww I love the hugs card. It is so pretty and colorful.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wonderful mixed media project and sweet card.
    Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  50. The rose canvas is so pretty, with a vintage vibe.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Your mixed media flowers are beautiful, but so is your water colored hugs card! Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Your card & mixed media project are both so pretty, each in their own way. I've not done much mixed media, so I enjoy seeing what people create.

    ReplyDelete
  53. I haven't yet attempted mixed media canvas, but your work is inspiring! Love the mother's day card and its colors!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Gosh, these are both so very beautiful! I love mixed media.

    ReplyDelete
  55. That canvas is just, WOW, and your hugs card is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Two beautiful projects! Thank you so much for taking us through the process step by step!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Your mixed media canvas is very nice and I like your colorful hugs card!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Your canvas piece is so pretty and with the steps laid out it doesn't seem so hard. The colorful card is so cheery and fun.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Love your projects today - BUT OMG what a fabulous canvass project - LOVE the distresses and antique look of it - so yummy:)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Wow, love the colors and the torn edge on the blue base card!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Your mixed media card is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hugs, we all need them these days! Love your projects always,hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Love both of your examples. The canvas with the distress paints is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Love your cards!! So pretty! Thanks for the inspirations!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Love your work. But, absolutely fell in love with your first project! Thanks for the step by step instructions!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Ohhh wow, love it. Beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  67. What a beautiful title for a beautiful release. So many wonderful products and artists for us to follow. As an Australian 🇦🇺 I especially love the “Mum” die. A lot of the cards I used to make for my Mum, before she passed, had the top of the “O” cut out of them🙂 Thank you to Simon for the release and to you for the beautiful inspiration 💖

    ReplyDelete
  68. I love your mixed media canvas!! It makes me want to try it!! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Your canvas is gorgeous and I love your card too, so cheerful and pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Beautiful projects with these new stamps! I especially love the canvas artwork you created.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Thank you for sharing 2 wonderful projects with us. They are both very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Love the mixed media canvas and the card

    ReplyDelete
  73. Beautiful projects - your canvas is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Love your cards. Crazy for that new stencil.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Pretty canvas and card! Love the stencil you used for the canvas project! Awesome colors and textures! Beautiful card too, and a great color combo!

    ReplyDelete
  76. s gorgeous project - love all the texture and colours!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Such a lovely canvas...made me smile,scrolling down was so much fun...Thanks for beautiful inspirations!!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Nice instruction for the rose canvas build.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I especially like the "Hugs" card. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  80. WOW, absolutely amazing, I love all the details that went into creating your amazing projects, especially the first canvas!

    ReplyDelete
  81. What great projects. Very different from each other. I love your pretty floral canvas!

    ReplyDelete
  82. Wow... I love your first project.. It looks fantastic... Woww.

    ReplyDelete
  83. The rose canvases are very pretty. Love the hugs card.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Such a pretty canvas! You are right - it can be so intimidating. Thanks for breaking it down!

    ReplyDelete
  85. Both the creations are lovely, love the second card with embossing.

    ReplyDelete
  86. SWOON!! This is BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE this technique and can't wait to try it!! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!!

    ReplyDelete
  87. the texture paste roses! WOW! love that

    ReplyDelete
  88. Thanks for taking the time for the step by step photo's appreciated. Lots of great texture ...

    ReplyDelete
  89. I was very impressed with the steps to creating that lovely mixed media canvas. Thanks for sharing. And the 2nd card is very sweet. How much Mom deserves these expressions of love.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Your canvas is Stunning and I love your colorful card!!!

    ReplyDelete
  91. What a fabulous canvas!! Your Mother's Day card is sweet and pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  92. The canvas is stunning. You inspired me.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Simply gorgeous inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Beautiful canvas and cute card.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Wow! Gorgeous projects! Your color blending is amazing. TFS!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Great mixed media roses and very pretty card! Wonderful ways to use the great items in this new release! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  97. The vintage card is beautiful, and the watercolouring on the second colour is done so well! love the colours you chose

    ReplyDelete
  98. Lovely projects, once again :) It's true that your mixed media projects look complicated and difficult, but when you explain the process, it makes me think even I could create something similar. Thank you.
    I love the watercolor card as well, especially the torn edges against the vibrant blue mat; striking!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Beautiful work love the mix media tyfs

    ReplyDelete
  100. Love the roses! Wish it was a video though.

    ReplyDelete
  101. loved seeing the mixed media project, it is beautiful
    I love your card also
    thanks for sharing
    Barb Housner

    ReplyDelete
  102. Ooh the mixed media card is amazing! Lots of textures! Awesome work :)

    ReplyDelete
  103. Love both your projects. The colors on the card were bright & beautiful. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  104. Your canvas is beautiful. I love the layers and textures. Thanks for the tutorial. You make it sound very easy and I like easy:) Your card makes me feel happy with all the bright and pretty colors. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  105. all I can say is WOW.....Wow......wow ....thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  106. I can't believe you can create such amazing mixed media and then go clean and simple! What talent. I have never been able to do a mixed media distressed look before. Both are amazing and stunning creations. The floral's are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  107. Your mixed media canvas is inspiring. And your card delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Love the canvas with the text over the flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Both are such beautiful projects and your tutorials are great. I love the water color card - so simple but a lot of *pop*.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Just beautiful, can't decide which one I like the most. Love them!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Happy Crafting!