Studio Monday with Nina-Marie: Encouragement Cards for Kids
Hello crafters, welcome back to a new Studio Monday video! Here at Simon Says Stamp we just had two BIG releases jam-packed with products that are perfect for encouraging the ones we love. Today I wanted to feature some of those products in a card set geared towards kids but could also be used for adults too!
There are a few easy techniques incorporated into these cards; one of which is watercolor smooshing. This is a really fun and easy way to achieve a watercolor effect with little thinking or planning involved.
I used a combination of both Zig Clean Color Felt and Real Brush markers with an Art Impressions palette to achieve the smooshing technique; however you can also do this same smooshing technique using any sort of slick surface.
The “yahoo” sentiment was stamped with one of the new Simon Exclusive CZ Design stamp sets; Everett Alphas. In place of one of O’s in the sentiment, I used the adorable Fingerprint Doodles stamp set and added little critters onto each of the cards. You could make this even more “authentic” by stamping your own fingerprint instead of using the fingerprint images included in the stamp set.
The supporting sentiment “so proud of you” is heat embossed onto coordinating colors of cardstock strips. Isn’t it fun to create your own sentiments by making use of letter stamps?
To finish up the cards, I put my stamped and watercolored panels onto card bases that are decorated with Simon’s new Stitched Alphabets stamp set. I wanted a bit of texture and pattern on the card bases, but nothing distracting. Using embossing ink, I was able to get a tone-on-tone effect that coordinates perfectly with the card design. To stamp those alphabet letters I did not remove them from the stamp packaging; this saved time in not having to line them onto a block or MISTI tool!
The watercolor smooshing technique is really fun and in the video I share some other tips and tricks as well… even a fix for a mistake I made during the creation process! I hope you enjoyed today’s post and will check out the video below to see how these cards came together! Thanks for stopping by; I’ll be back again tomorrow with more crafty inspiration to share with you!
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What a great idea. I’ll have to make some of these for my kids! Thank you
Cute cards and love the ink smooshing. stamped letters and images. Great idea. Bummer but good save on the hand smoosh paint mess up but great save. I usually add a sequin or button.. I will have to keep that in mind cause it gave a great look. Thanks for your videos. Would love to see a craft room tour sometime and your favorite products.. Especially favorite water color travel set.
Cute and adorable.
SUPER SWEET Cards!! THANKS for sharing the Video too!! =)
Love it, hey are so bright and playful
Fabulous cards Nina-Marie!
These are so cute! Love how you replaced the ‘o’ with a fingerprint critter!
You always inspire me to find new uses for my supplies and brighten my loved ones day! Thank you!
These are so cute.
I think these cards are so cute and so easy to make! Perfect for a little pick me up or encouragement for anyone! I really love watching the videos that you guys always post! So much fun!
great idea!!
Lovely and playful cards!tfs Nina!
I love fingerprint ideas. These cards are adorable!
So fun! Very clever designs Nina! TFS!
Very fun and cute !
What fun cards! I know my grandchildren would love receiving a card like this! Thanks so much for sharing!
These are great, I love the little critters in the greetings!