Simon Says Stamp Sunny Days Ahead Blog Hop - Day 1

Happy Friday, crafty friends! It's always a happy day when we are celebrating a brand new release from Simon Says stamp, right?! What is even better is that Simon has been able to resume shipping with extra safety precautions to keep their staff and customers as safe from COVID-19 as possible. Keep in mind that they have a lot to catch up on and shipping is just slower in general these days. But we are just so happy that one of our favorite craft stores is able to get back to work!

Their latest collection is called Sunny Days Ahead, and is full of gorgeous mother's day and graduation products! SSS is also giving a free intense black ink pad with any purchase purchase using the code sssink. This is valid until Sunday, 04/26 at 11:59pm or while supplies last.

This is day 1 of the Sunny Days Ahead Blog Hop, and we've got quite the lineup for you! I will put all of the blog hop details at the end of my post, but how about we get to my card first? Today I've created a rainbow stamped grad card using some of the newest products! I really feel for grads this year, especially those leaving high school. I remember all the fun I had during my final days of high school, and it is very sad that they are having to miss out on all of that. It is more important than ever that we celebrate the grads in our life as much as we can this year, and make sure they know how much they are loved!

"Congrats on a Job Well Done" grad card features:

• Grad Party stamp set
• 2020 outline die
• Pinkfresh Studio premium dye inks

I would love for you to watch my card come together today. You can view my video below, or HERE in HD.

I hope you enjoyed my video for today. I would love for you to give it a thumbs up if you did, and subscribe to my channel if you don't already!

If videos aren't your thing, here is a little info on how I created this card! I started by stamping the largest grad cap from the Grad Party stamp set in a rainbow gradient using Pinkfresh Studio premium dye inks. I am MISTI reliant, but if you are good with a clear block then you could stamp it that way too! All of the colors I've used are in the link list at the end of my post. When I finished the stamping, I diecut the panel with the largest Essentials: Stitched Rectangles die, then mounted a full panel of foam adhesive to the back. I have found the most cost effective way to create these is by using a block of white fun foam and backing each side with 5 inch Scor Tape. I added white splatters to the front with Amsterdam acrylic ink in titanium white, then set it aside to dry.

Next I stamped the sentiment from Grad Party to white cardstock in onyx black Versafine. I used my Mini MISTI so that I could lightly stamp the sentiment three times. This letters in this sentiment are fairly small and thin, and pressing too hard while stamping could cause them to squish and halo. I have found that I get better results using a lighter touch on these smaller sentiments! I diecut it with one of the smaller Essentials: Basic Label Frames, then trimmed the left side off.

 Next I diecut the 2020 outline die four times: once from glitter paper and three times from white cardstock. I used a gold/champagne toned glitter paper that is in my crafty stash, but you could definitely substitute it with many options from this SSS glitter cardstock assortment. I adhered and stacked the four layers together with a Zig glue pen.

At this point it was time to assemble the card to the front of a black A2 card base. I mounted the stamped panel to the front, then glued the 2020 diecut with mixed media adhesive. I adhered the sentiment label with foam tape, then finished by accenting the card with the Essentials: Crystals Mix. I used my new Studio Katia embellishment wand, which works great!

That is everything I have for you today! If you have any questions about my card, feel free to leave them in the comments and I will be sure to reply.

How about we get to all the fun blog hop info now?

PRIZES:
Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop from the blog comment section. They will choose the winners and post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday. Winners can email SSS to claim their prize.

BLOG HOP LINK LIST:  

Be sure to hop along and leave comments along the way for your best chance to win one of the prizes!

Simon Says Stamp Blog
Jennifer McGuire
Kristina Werner
Cathy Zielske
Nina-Marie Trapani
Nichol Spohr
Lisa Addesa
Heather Ruwe
Suzy Plantamura
Kathy Racoosin
Barb Engler
Cheiron Brandon
Lea Lawson
Betty Wright
Bobbi Lemanski
Lin Brandyberry

Wow....what a lineup that is! I know I am excited to grab a cup of coffee and see what everyone else created!

Finally, if you'd like to see even MORE inspiration from this release, check out the Sunny Days Ahead gallery. And be sure to link up YOUR creations too!

Before you move along to the next stop, I wanted to invite you to follow me on social media before you move on with your day. I would love to be crafty friends online!

INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

Alright friends! Happy hopping, and happy Friday!

SUPPLY LIST 

For your shopping convenience, all products are linked below, including affiliate linking when possible - this allows small compensation for me at no cost to you. I only support legitimate retail sites, that are true partners to stamp, die and scrapbooking wholesalers. Today I will only be linking to Simon Says Stamp.