Friday, November 12, 2021

SSS Handmade Holiday Blog Hop

*This post contains affiliate links to Simon Says Stamp


Hi folks!  Today I'm happy to be participating in a blog hop celebrating the Handmade Holiday release from Simon Says Stamp.  

This is the second day of a two day blog hop.  If you haven't participated in the first day, head over here to check out yesterday's posts.  It's definitely worth a look especially since there's a $25 credit to Simon Says Stamp being given away at every stop over the two days.  To be entered to win, just leave a comment.  Winners will be announced on the Simon Says Stamp blog on November 17th.

There's also a special offer available through this weekend.  Use HDMADE4U to get a free Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide pad free with any purchase!

My cards feature a couple of the new embossing folders from the release.  I started off both of these cards by adding inking with a Tim Holtz blending tool, and then enhancing the images with Copics.




After embossing a panel of white cardstock, I used Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink to enhance the panel, inking more heavily along the edges and more lightly towards the center of the card.  

What I love about this technique is that it takes a bit of the guesswork out of coloring the image.  Once I was done with the inking, I basically had a blueprint for how to color as some of the pine needles naturally inked up darker and others lighter.

I used three blue Copics to enhance the inking:  B95, B97, and B37.


Not every pine needle was colored, I tried to keep the darker blues to the outside edges, and mimicked the inking with the lighter colors leaving some of the pine needles uncolored to enhance the depth of the panel.

The sentiment is from the XL Christmas Greetings set.

Next, I pulled out the Holly Branch Embossing Folder.


This time I used Hickory Smoke to ink up the panel.  This helps to define the images, including adding the details in the leaves.

Then I went in with Copics to add some very simple coloring.  My goal was basically to define the images, but to add veyr light color so that you can still see all the details/veining in the leaves that the inking brought out.

For the leaves I used BG70, BG93, and BG96, I used RV11, R39, and F89 for the berries, and E70, E74, and E95 for the branches.

I added a simple mat and a sentiment from the From All of Us sentiment strips which was gold foiled.


Thanks so much for stopping by.  The next stop on the hop is Tina Smith, but I've included the full list below.  Happy Hopping!



73 comments:

  1. The embossing folders in this release are fantastic, and the holly one is probably my favorite. Love what you did with it.

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  2. Love all the new embossing folders and love how you have used them!

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  3. These are so crisp and clean! They are perfect cards.

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  4. Love all the new embossing folders! Thanks for sharing this beautiful inspiration:)

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  5. I especially love the holly. So simple and pretty

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  6. Oh I am so glad that you made these - I ordered those products.

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  7. Great job! The holly is my favorite.

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  8. Both of these embossing folders are on my wish list. I love what you did - these cards are just beautiful!!

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  9. I have never seen this technique! Thanks for sharing it. The cards are beautiful!

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  10. Beautiful cards! I love all the new embossing folders.

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  11. I love your Holly Branch card! Perfect for use with gift tags also I would imagine.

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  12. The new release is just gorgeous i want everything!

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  13. Lovely contemporary style! The holly embossing folder is beautiful!

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  14. Beautiful cards! Thank you for sharing your technique of using the markers to enhance the embossing on the card! I had not thought of that!

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  15. Wonderful inking, coloring, embossing & more.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

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  16. These are both stunning! LOVE the holly!

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  17. Beautiful cards. I love the Holly Branch Embossing Folder.

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  18. your technique is gorgeous - so unique. I got great new ideas.

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  19. Stunning! I love the blue pine needles! Such a beautiful card!

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  20. Beautiful cards using the embossing folders! Love the delicate coloring on the holly leaves. Thanks for sharing your creativity!

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  21. Your cards are so pretty! I love the blue ink blending on the first one!

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  22. Amazing cards Miriam. Love the coloring of the dry embossed images! So cool! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  23. Hi, Miriam - Well, mystery solved! I saw that holly branch card on the SSS site and thought it was an absolute KNOCKOUT! I wondered whose it was and I am most of the way through the hop and hadn't seen it yet. SURPRISE! It's yours. LOVE IT and the pine bough card as well - Such talent!! TFS!!!
    Lori S in PA

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  24. Beautiful job of ink blending on both cards. I love the pale colors and how they give a wintery vibe!

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  25. Love the holly branch. Thank you!

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  26. Love your cards; very different styles.

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  27. Aren't all the embossing folders in this release amazing? Your cards showcase them beautifully.

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  28. Love the color combination of the holly. Very different!

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  29. Gorgeous cards! Love the embossing folders…
    Thanks for sharing.

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  30. What striking cards. The blues really look so pretty.

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  31. I love the Pine Needles EF but had no clue how I'd colour it. I'm so happy to have read what you've done to simplify it & still make it look wonderful.

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  32. Awesome embossing folders and coloring techniques! 😃

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  33. Loe the branch of holly with the
    berries. Great cards. thanks for
    sharing. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  34. Beautiful cards! You've shown off these embossing folders so well!

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  35. Love these embossing folder designs! Lovely cards!

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  36. So many products on my wish list. Beautiful designs and coloring, thanks for sharing.

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  37. Stunning use of EF and colouring to bring them to life! Love them all! Thanks so much for the great inspiration! Stay safe! :)

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  38. Where is your video?? I love what you did with the holly leaves.

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  39. Okay I must try these different colouring techniques. I have so many embossing folders I hardly ever use and this release has so many great ones! I am determined to put them to use! :D

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  40. Wow wow wow! These are so beautiful, well done!

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  41. Such pretty cards!
    Thanks for sharing your talent.

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  42. These would make a wonderful gift box of cards. Love the softness of the holly... and we decorate in blue so that's super pretty.

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  43. Love these inked & colored embossed cards!!

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  44. I like this clean and simple design. It's very elegant.

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  45. Such beautiful and inspirational cards!! Love this release, especially the embossing folders!

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  46. The Holly leaf embossed card is one of my favorites I have seen this year. Calm and beautiful.

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  47. Love how you used the embossing folders!

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  48. I've become a huge fan of 3D embossing folders so I was glad to see your beautifully done cards! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  49. Beautiful cards. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  50. There are SO many embossing folders in this release, so it is nice to see some examples of how to use and embellish them. These cards are lovely!

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  51. I like how you created these pretty cards.

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  52. So glad Christmas card season has begun.

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  53. Beautiful cards, I love the one with the holy, so pretty. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  54. I love these simply beautiful cards.

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  55. Great techniques with both embossing folders! I love your choice of blue colors with the first card & how you let the details of the leaves veins come out in the second card. Very nice! 😊

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  56. Great techniques with both embossing folders! I totally love it.

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  57. Love the way you have added colour to the embossed images.

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