Simon Says Stamp You Are My Favorite Blog Hop Day 1

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 1 of the You Are My Favorite Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and you might have arrived here from Emily Midgett’s blog, but if not, and you want to catch up with everyone who is participating in this hop, then don't worry because you can head back to the beginning, by clicking HERE and if you would like to see the entire product release , then pop on over to HERE.

For my card and gift tag make, I was inspired by the colours of Spring and made my projects using the products that I was sent from the release, which included the Receding Squares Stencil for the background, Inside Greetings 1 stamp set and the Squovals die set. I combined these with an older die set, Swing Blossoms as I wanted a focal point for this card set.

So let's get started and here's how I created my projects for this fun blog hop...

To begin with I made the card bases from Tim Holtz Heavystock Kraft Card using the Squovals die set. For the card is used the largest die in the set and for the tag, I used the die to cut a card base measuring, 9.5 x 6.5cm. Each card needs two separate die cuts to form 1 card blank.

Taking the two larger die cuts, I scored a horizontal line, 2cm from the top edge and folded along the scoreline. After placing red line tape onto the 2cm fold, I then attached the second die cut shape to form my card. Repeat this to make the smaller tag.

We're now ready to make the individual pieces.

CARD

When complete this card fits into the A2 Paper Bag envelopes.

LAYERS AND BACKGROUND

Using the dies in descending order, I took the next size down in the die set and cut a panel of Mixed Media Heavystock card and after inking the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, I machine stitched a border around the outside of the panel.

I then took the next size down to cut a panel of green Kraft stash card. I sanded the edges of the Kraft card, to reveal the core and then adhered this to my larger stitched panel. Finally, I used the next size of down of the dies, to cut a second panel of the Mixed Media Heavystock card. 

To create the background, I chose to use the Receding Squares Stencil. This stencil is designed to create the look of *clue in the title*, Receding Squares but for my project, I used the stencil to create a slightly different design to my panel, I wanted more white space on my background ~ so, I created straight lines, instead of the Receding Squares.

I inked the design through the stencil using Blending Brushes to apply, Salvaged Patina and Twisted Citron oxide inks. Once I was happy, I removed the stencil and then flipped it over, lined it up with the previous line of stencilling and then proceeded to ink through the design to create a continuous, horizontal pattern. After removing the stencil, I inked around the edges of panel with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, added a few splatters of ink and then machine stitched a border.

I then laid the stencil back over the inked design and using a black fine line pen, I outlined each of the tiny squares through the stencil. Flip the stencil over again and then repeat.

I matted this inked panel onto the green Kraft card and then layered this over the larger panels of card. Mount the layers onto the front of the die cut Squoval card blank using foam pads.

The base is now ready for the sentiment and decoration.

DIE CUT SENTIMENT

For the sentiment, I used the 6.8 x 3.8cm die to cut a piece of the green Kraft stash card, followed by another piece of the Mixed Media Heavystock.

I used exactly the same technique of inking through the stencil to create the background on the smaller die cut piece that I will use for the sentiment but this time I didn't add the black lines around the inking.

Instead, I inked one of the sentiments in the Inside Greetings 1 stamp set, "You Are The Best" using Black Soot Archival Ink, and stamped the sentiment onto the inked panel before matting this onto the green card. I mounted the sentiment onto the card front using foam pads to add dimension.

We're nearly there and all that's left is to make the flowers inspired by cherry blossom and attach these to the card front, together with some tiny details.

FLOWERS

I used the Blossom Swing die set to make these beautiful tiny die cut flowers.

I cut multiple pieces of Mixed Media Heavystock card using the die and then inked the stems using Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters and Bundled Sage Oxide Inks, applied with Blending Brushes.

I then inked the flower heads using Spun Sugar, and added darker centreswith Picked Raspberry and a touch of Spiced Marmalade.

I shaped and attached each of the flower heads onto the main stems using Simon's Precision Glue and then attached them to my card front. To create the arrangement, I snipped into the die cut to create tiny pieces that can fill in.

DETAILS

For the finishing touches, I added a No 4725 rub on from a Tim Holtz Remnant Rub pack that I have in my stash, but you can also use numbers from the Specimen Remnant Rub set...

...and to complete the card, I added tiny pearls to the centres of each of the flowers and then attached a Mini Clip to the top left hand corner.

GIFT TAG

The gift tag is created in exactly the same way as the card, I just used smaller dies from the Squoval set and a different sentiment from the Inside Greetings 1 stamp set.

I then attached the flowers to the top left hand corner to complete the tag...

...before using Black Soot Archival Ink to stamp another sentiment, "thanks for everything' inside.

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the blog hop from the blog comment section! So, this means you can leave a comment here and on every stop along the way to increase your chances. Winners will be notified and they will be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, 30th April and all winners will need to contact/email Simon Says Stamp to claim their prize. 

Also, don't forget that you have until the 27th April at 11:59 EDT or whilst stocks last, to grab yourselves the exclusive Sunny Fern Emboss and Cut Folder which will be automatically added to your card it if contains $30 or more of You Are My Favorite release products.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and don't forget to go and check out Day 2 of the hop tomorrow!!!

See you soon, love Emma x

HOP ORDER:

Simon Says Stamp Blog  

Caly Person

Barbara Tarayao

Heather Hoffman

Keisha Charles

Lisa Addesa

Emily Midgett

Emma Williams

Mindy Eggen

Bobbi Lemanski

Lorraine Aquilina

Rachel Alvarado

Barb Engler

Nicki Baxley

Dana Joy

Mary Reiner

CLICK HERE to shop all products used to make this card

Simon Says Stamp: Receding Squares Stencil, Inside Greetings 1, Squovals Die Set, Swing Blossom

Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Frayed Burlap

Tim Holtz Oxide Inks: Salvaged Patina, Twisted Citron, Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Bundled Sage

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Precision Glue, SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Black Soot Archival, Black Pen

Surfaces: Kraft Card, Mixed Media Heavystock Card

Altenew Pearl Dots

Tim Holtz idea-ology Mini Clips, 

Tools: Blending Brushes, Blending Tool

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat

Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Machine

Twine from my own stash

Now, it's time to hop to the next stop...Mindy Eggen