Friday, January 9, 2026

Simon Says Stamp Heart to Heart Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to my blog! I am so happy to take part in the Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop to celebrate the new Heart to Heart release. If you are following along in the hop, you should have come here from the wonderful Kim Hamilton.

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.



The Heart to Heart release is filled with of a great variety of new and versatile stamps, embossing folders, stencils, dies, ink and sequins, perfect Valentine's crafting and many other themes. You can find the entire Heart to Heart release here.



The not-yet-released Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Friend Like You 3x4 Stamp Set, will be automatically added to carts with any purchase from the Heart to Heart collection. This gift with purchase is available through 1/11 at 11:59 pm EST or while supplies last.


Layers of ink - Friend tag tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I made a tag with a friendship theme, an inky background and lots of hearts. I used the new Simon Says Stamp Heart Suite for all the stamping and the Rounded Hearts to die cut the hearts. The hearts were die cut from both stamped hearts, vellum and old book paper.

Stamp Simon Says Stamp Heart Suite.

Start by white embossing the two sentiments, the ribbon and two hearts on a tag. I like how the word 'Friend' fits so well on the tag. 

Ink with Distress Ink.

Smear Distress Ink on a non-stick craft sheet and mist with water. Press the paper into the ink. Let dry.


Repeat to add more ink.


And even more ink, until you are happy with the look.

Add Distress Oxide ink

For the final inky layer I used Distress Oxide ink, but only a little.


I restamped the ribbon and the words with Uncharted Mariner, off-setting slightly to create a shadow effect.


Next, I used the text stamp on the Simon Says Stamp Heart Suite set and stamped it here and there. I really like this stamp and will be using it a lot.


The two solid hearts were embossed with white and clear powder on kraft cardstock. 


Die cut with hearts from Simon Says Stamp Rounded Hearts. This die set comes with ten dies. I am very fond of these types of die sets, with the same shape in different sizes. I also die cut it from old book paper and from Simon Says Stamp Silver Vellum.


Paint the clear embossed hearts with white Distress Paint and wipe the paint off from the embossed areas.


Layer the hearts together and gently fold up the sides. 


I also added two pairs of the smallest heart. Here with silver vellum and old book paper. The word 'hugs' at the top of the tag comes from the text stamp and was placed there on purpose.


The shape of the letters is just wonderful, especially that slanted line in the 'H'. The smaller sentiments and the label stamps also come from the Heart Suite set. It is a very versatile stamp set.


I added Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Dazzling Gems over the dots in the label stamps, and here and there on the background.



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 Simon Says Stamp 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 14 January.

Here are all the stops along the hop

Anna-Karin Evaldsson (you are here)

For more inspiration, remember to check out the Heart to Heart 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 Heart to Heart blog hop, don't miss blog hop number day number 2, which is tomorrow.


Thank you so much for stopping by here today! 


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.


25 comments:

  1. What a laborer of layers of love! This is really unique and beautiful!

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  2. SO many steps to create this amazing tag! I am so going to try the stamping of the sentiment on the bottom by offsetting it. Love that look

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  3. Spectacular!
    Thanks for walking us through your creative process step by step.
    Love the Mixed Media vibes, thanks for sharing.

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  4. Your tags and hearts are beautiful. I love the mixed media, ink mushing and all. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  5. So beautiful :) your mixed media is pretty!

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  6. This is stunning! Love the layered hearts and the overall layout.

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  7. Really great tag. Love the color combination you used and the offset sentiment, as well as the fanned heart. Really great ideas.

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  8. Thank you for sharing the detail on how you created the mixed media colors. I have oxides, but I still want to try this color combination!

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  9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tag!! My first thought was that this would make such a beautiful bookmark for my book loving friend!! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. Oh my gosh - this is absolutely STUNNING! I love the ink smooshing technique - you rocked it. You rocked everything about this tag. Gorgeous!!!!!

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  11. What a gorgeous tag- so many beautiful details and textures!

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  12. So artsy and pretty. I love all of the elements you added.

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  13. The layers and the colors are beautiful

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  14. Beautiful embossing and distress oxide inks! I LOVE your tag and texture!

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  15. Beautiful colors and such creativity. Love it!

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  16. You are the mixed media queen in these hops! Love these!

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  17. The step by step process was so helpful! Thank you for breaking it down! Beautiful card with the antique type feel.

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  18. Wow, what a gorgeous tag!! So pretty and so many details.

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  19. Love the inspiration to use non-traditional ‘valentine’ colors

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  20. Such a beautiful tag. Love that color.

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  21. Such a gorgeous tag, love your style.

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