Simon Says Stamp Friend Like You Release

 

 

Hello, friends! I am excited to be sharing some cards that I made with the new  Friend Like You Release  from Simon Says Stamp. This is a really great release that has a lot of adorable stamps, beautiful dies and embossing folders. I have two cards to share today, and then I will be back on Saturday with more!

Note: all supplies are linked in the thumbnails at the end of this blog post.

My first card features the new Under Water Stencils, which is a set of four stencils. These are 6×6 stencils, but I masked them off so that my pattern wouldn’t cover the entire panel. I used Pinkfresh Studio inks in the following colors: Sky Blue, Summer Shower, Seaside and Storm. Once I was done stenciling, I added a few white gel pen highlights. For my sentiment, I chose one of the stamps from the So Swell Stamp Set. I stamped it first with Sweet Mustard ink from Pinkfresh Studio. I then stamped the middle word with Marigold ink, taking a blending brush to the stamp itself to soften out the edges before stamping. I did the same with the last word, using Clementine ink. This technique gives an ombre look to the entire stamp. I cut it with the matching die and adhered it to the panel with thin foam tape. I added a few sequins from the new Tidal Wave Embellishment Mix, and then I added a few birds to the top of the card. These birds come from the Spellbinders Guiding Light die set. 

My second card features the new Arctic Poppies die set. I used the Rounded Corner Rectangles die set from Simon to create the white panel and the shaped card base. Unfortunately, this die set is no longer available, but there are other rounded rectangle sets out there. I have been very into “coloring” my die cuts with backgrounds lately. I recently cut up some alcohol ink panels with my dies for some cards. You can click here to see those. This time, I used a technique that I haven’t done in awhile, and that is distress oxides on glossy paper. 

For this technique, it’s all about layering your oxides and heat setting in between. I smoosh my ink pads onto a mat and then blot them up with my paper. I then heat set and do this again with a new color. Because you’re heat setting in between layers, it helps prevent colors from turning to mud. Once you’re done, the panel looks pretty chalky and muted. But if you rub it with something like Ranger Micro Glaze, it brings out all the layers and turns it into a glossy, shiny amazing background. Now, sometimes these backgrounds are great for using as just that – backgrounds. The ones I made were a bit too crazy for backgrounds, but they were perfect to use for die cuts. So that’s how I created the Arctic Poppies. 

For my sentiment, I used the new EZ Strips Everyday Stamp Set. This stamp set is actually one large stamp that you can then die cut with the EZ Strips Rectangles Die. You can also isolate the stamps that you want and just stamp specific sentiments. 

I hope these cards bring a smile to your face. Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. Be sure to visit Simon’s website to check out the entire  Friend Like You Release.

Wishing you all a crafty day,

Allison

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