Blend those inks - Guest Designing for Simon Says Stamp

Hi Everyone,

I am super excited about today's post - I was asked to guest design for Simon Says Stamp, for their Flickr challenge! 

If you have never heard of that challenge before - Simon Says Stamp organises a bi-weekly challenge on Flickr, where - as per usual challenge requirements - you need to follow a certain theme in order to participate in it. Since the challenge is sponsored by Simon, the additional requirement is to use at least one SSS brand image on the project(s) you're entering - they have a huge range of stamp sets, stencils and dies, so I'm sure plenty of you have their products in your craft rooms already (and if you don't, I really recommend to check them out!). Two random winners are chosen each time, and they receive a $25 voucher to Simon's shop, so it's for sure worth a try! :o)

This time, the theme is "Blend those inks" - so you need to create anything related to ink blending in order to be able to participate. 

I made three cards, using slightly different ink blending techniques:

CARD 1

The first card is a Christmas card (yes, I am working on my stash of Christmas cards already!), with an ink blended sky. I used a SSS stencil, stamp set and some of their dies to make this card, and you can find all of the products at the end of this post. 

I am really happy with how it turned out - I like the combo of blue, white and gold. I think it looks quite elegant. 

CARD 2

This one, I think, is my favourite one of the three, probably because it's so cheerful and spring-like. I blended Distress Inks to "colour" my heat embossed images, before fussy cutting them and arranging them on the card. 

It's a simple and classy looking card, but I love how colourful and sparkly it is! Plus, its unusual shape and size also add to it looking a bit more "special". 

CARD 3

The final card has the whole background panel ink blended. I then heat embossed a leafy pattern on it, using a background stamp. Since the background is rather busy, I opted for a simple sentiment on a strip of vellum, and added a vellum butterfly (which I created from stamps that are meant to be flowers :o)), for additional interest. I finished off the card by adding two sparkly sequins to the sentiment strip. 

I hope you like my cards, I had lots of fun creating them! I am really grateful to Simon Says Stamp for inviting me to guest design for them - I love their products, so it was nice to be able to showcase them for such a special occasion. 

Have a great day, and I hope you will participate in the challenge (and the future ones, too!)!

Mirella

SUPPLY LIST - in order of appearance on the cards 
(please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Crafter's Companion: Printable vellum

Embossing Powder: Stampendous, Detail Gold Opaque
Enamel dots - from my stash