Friday, January 20, 2023

Simon Says Stamp Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop

Hi and welcome to my blog! I am so happy to take part in the Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop to celebrate two new releases namely Hugs and Kisses. The two releases coordinate very well with each other ('Hugs & Kisses') If you are following along in the hop, you should have come here from the creative Amanda Korotkova.

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

Simon Says Stamp Hugs and Kisses release.


The Hugs and Kisses releases are full of wonderful new stamps, stencils, dies, embossing folders and paper products. Perfect for Valentine's Day, but also for so many other themes. You can find the Hugs release here, and the Kisses release here. If you use the code RBW23 you can can get the End of the Rainbow stamp set FREE with any purchase. The promotion will expire 1/22 at 11:59 pm EST. 


Simon Says Stamp Kisses release


I combined both Hugs and Kisses in my projects and made an art journal page and an Artist Trading Card. Both projects can easily be turned into cards.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The art journal page is done in my Dylusions 8 x 8 in journal, using a neutral background, so that the focus would be on the circle in the center. I used the Painted Heart Wreath from the Kisses release and the Layered Love Letters stencil set from Hugs for the main images.  

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Ink background with Distress Ink.

I started by smearing Antique Linen and Pumice Stone on a non-stick craft sheet. Mist with water and press watercolor paper into the ink. Let dry.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Ink the Painted Heart Wreath with Distress Ink. Don't worry about getting it perfect. Mist with water and stamp on the paper. Since this is a big stamp, I used a Sizzix cutting pad as my stamping block.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Ink through Simon Says Stamp Layered Love Letters stencil.

Use a template or a plate to trace and cut a circle around the design. I used a plate. The Layered Love Letters stencil set consists of four stencils, but you only need three of them for the hot air balloon. Ink with Surf and Cappuccino Pawsitively Saturated inks, using Simon Says Stamp ink-blending brushes. Use Very Very Low Tack tape to protect the rest of the project when you are inking.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Continue with the next part of the design, using Surf and Cappucino ink.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Next add more color with the third stencil and Mocha and Cappucino inks. 

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Splatter with Distress Watercolor Pencils.

Stamp a sentiment on the balloon. 'You' comes from Swoopy Flowers and 'rock' from You're My Gal. Add details with a white gel pen and ink and distress the edges. Finally, splatter with Distress Watercolor Pencils.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I wanted a neutral background, with just a hint of texture. The page in my 8x8 Dylusions Journal was coated with gesso and when dry, painted with Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap Distress Paint. Mist heavily with water. When dry, I applied Salvaged Patina through Simon Says Stamp Snowfall and Banks stencil.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I cut another circle from Simon Says Stamp Peacock Teal cardstock and distressed the edge. Stitch together with a sewing machine. 

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The background was stamped here and there with the 'you' script stamp.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Gold metallic hearts.

I die cut the new Heart Chain from the Kisses release from the gorgeous new Champagne Matte Metallic Cardstock. The stars come from the Disco Hearts sequin set.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

This balloon is such a fun design and you can ink it with any color combo. Up close, you can see that I messed up the stamping of the word 'rock' and had to fix it with a black pen.

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The Heart Chain is a great die, not only do you get a pretty border, but you also get a whole bunch of lovely hearts. I added some back into the border and left some floating around on the page. 'Life' comes from the Wild About You Sentiment Strips

Layers of ink - Watercolor Hearts Art Journal Page Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

More hearts and star sequins.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.


Next I made an Artist Trading Card (2.5 x 2.3 in), using mainly shiny papers and sequins. The Champagne Matte Metallic Cardstock was embossed in the beautiful Spun Glass embossing folder. The small hearts are die cut from the new Rich Red Matte Metallic paper.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Start by cutting an ATC from the Champagne Matte Metallic cardstock and emboss in the Spun Glass folder.

Simon Says Stamp Love Paw.

Die cut the super cute Love Paw die from the Hugs release from Heavystock paper.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

White emboss 'You' from Swoopy Flowers on the heart.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Ink the heart with Distress Ink.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Stamp the rest of the sentiment with Cherry Pawsitively Saturated Ink.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Die cut Simon Says Stamp Heart Chain.

Die cut the Heart Chain from Rich Red Matte Metallic cardstock and from Mirror Ball cardstock. I ended up only using the red hearts, but you can find an example using the cool Mirror Ball paper on my Sisters tag, made mainly with products from the Hugs release.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Add two ribbons to the background and sequins from Disco Hearts. These two matte metallic papers are gorgeous.

Layers of ink - Metallic Artist Trading Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

All the hearts were adhere with Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Foam Tape.


Don't miss all the inspiration along the hop. There are of course prizes to be won too, 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 25h of  January.

Your next stop on the hop is my friend Cheiron Brandon. Don't miss to see the fantastic project she has created. If you get lost along the way, here are all the stops:
For more inspiration, remember to check out the Hugs gallery and the Kisses gallery at Simon Says Stamp, and if you make something with products from the range, it is fun if you post it in the galleries too. There are galleries for all releases, and for the card kits, full of inspiration.

This is the first Hugs and Kisses blog hop, don't miss blog hop day number 2 which takes place tomorrow.




Thank you so much for stopping by here today! 

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.


59 comments:

  1. You are incredibly talented - your card is amazing!

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  2. What a fun release! Love the dies especially. Sweet Card--love the design!

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  3. Wowie! Really special cards. TFS!

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  4. I especially love the first one. It is special and cool. Every single thing you added is perfect

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  5. Amazing embossed background. Awesome cards for this new release.

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  6. You Art Journal page is amazing! All the layers and techniques, wow. Love the new Simon release! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  7. So different from what I expected! Loving the colours and just how different your artwork is! Love it

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  8. Wonderful art journal, so creative.

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  9. OMGosh!! These are beautiful and so unique, thanks for laying out details on how you achieved these looks! Love them!

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  10. Wow! So great! You are a true artist!!

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  11. Such sophisticated use of color. You take valentines to a whole new level!

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  12. Fun projects! That Spun Glass embossing folder is truly amazing!

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  13. INCREDIBLE layering, inking, and mixed media!

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  14. That water color wreath is fabulous!

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  15. Beautiful! I love that hot air balloon! <3

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  16. Amazing cards and thank you for showing the steps you did.

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  17. All your projects are amazing! This is a fantastic release with so many possibilities!

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  18. wow - thanks for sharing how you made these cards - thanks for the inspiration

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  19. Both your journal page and card are beautiful and unique- love it!

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  20. Cool projects, I especially like the Artist trading card.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  21. The ATC is spectacular. Love that
    gold tufting. thanks for sharing.

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  22. Wonderful projects. Love the wreath on the first one.

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  23. Gorgeous projects, the embossed gold ATC looks amazing, Cathy x

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  24. Super pretty art work - love it

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  25. The jounal page would be a great scrapbook page or card too. I love the entire design, it's amazing. And the dimension in the other card is great

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  26. Your art journal page is amazing! I love it's style and the colors are outstanding.

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  27. Gorgeous projects! I love the way you used the heart wreath design and the colors you used! Beautiful card too!

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  28. I'm in love with your journal page color palette!!! Stunnning!

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  29. Anna-Karin,
    Your projects are, as always, phenomenal. I love the one w/ the Spun Glass embossing folder - EXCELLENT! Also love the You Rock one w/ the heart balloon. So dreamy and beautiful.
    Lori S in PA (US)

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  30. Beautiful cards. The first card is like a work of art. Gorgeous.

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  31. Great ideas using mixed media and texture. I love how you used the embossing folder. Gorgeous projects.

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  32. So fun to see your journal page and ATC to showcase this new release! Nice to see the products in different settings! Thanks for inspiring me :)

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  33. Beautiful journal page and what a gorgeous card!

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  34. Awesome projects! I really love the first one.

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  35. Beautiful projects! The use of the spun glass embossing folder especially caught my eye. Thanks for sharing!

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  36. WOW - you are so talented! I love these!

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  37. Oh my goodness these are totally gorgeous! So much texture!

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  38. Wow!!! These are Gorgeous!!!! I love the Spun Glass folder!!!

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  39. Love all the distressed elements on this project! Stunning.

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  40. These are such great projects! That embossing folder definitely caught my eye thanks to your lovely work!

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  41. Wow. Amazing combination of products.

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  42. Anna-Karin your cards are beautiful! I love the spun glass embossing folder and the look you created.

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  43. Oooooh the green looks marvelous! Love it!

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  44. Absolutely love your projects for this release!!

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  45. The spun glass embossed panel almost looks like fabric. Really nice one.

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  46. Oh, I love your last card so much! You do beautiful work!

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  47. Beautiful projects! Thanks for sharing.

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