Like when I got this month’s Studio Calico kit with an exclusive stamp set from Lawn Fawn. It has the cutest heart and rays… making me want to play right away…

And that “hello sunshine” piece? It is wood veneer from the kit, just colored black. All the papers are from the kit, too…

Quick and easy to put together. That is the joy of kits! (For more information on SC kits, go HERE.)

Is it sunny where you are? Hope so…

Studio Calico Card Kit	Sizzix Circle Framelits Dies	FAVORITE THING: My Favorite Things Jumbo Cloud Dies	FAVORITE THING: Sizzix Vagabond Die Cut Machine	FAVORITE THING: Sizzix Vagabond Wafer Thing Die Adapter Plate
Hero Arts Orange Soda Mid-Tone Shadow Ink	Hero Arts Butter Bar Mid Tone Shadow Ink	FAVORITE THING: Neenah Classic White Cardstock 250 Sheets	FAVORITE THING: Neenah Classic White Cardstock 25 Sheets	Hero Arts Snow Notecards
Hero Arts Smooth Gemstones	Best Creation 3-D Foam Adhesive

Today I have a video for you showing how I used the goodies in this kit along with Tim Holtz Distress Markers for some soft watercoloring…

Distress Markers are so incredibly easy to watercolor with. SO easy. And by ironing off the embossing when you are done, you end up with a “how-did-she-do-that” look. These stamp images? Perfect for this technique. (For any coloring, for that matter!)

It is also simple to do a soft glow of a color around a stamp image with Distress Markers. For this card I used the Tumbled Glass blue marker.

Here is the stamp set in the kit – so classy – and a peek at the May kit. The kits are very reasonable – only $19.95 for subscribers. (Heck – a stamp set is only a bit less than that and you get one of those in it plus a lot more.) These kits have been selling out so you may want to subscribe to ensure you get one each month. (You can also get the stamp set separate, but it is definitely a better deal to get the kit! Oh, and I am dying to cross stitch on those grid images.)

Next be sure to head over to the next blog on the hop – the home of my fabulous friend Kristina Werner. I am sure she will rock this card kit. (If you want to start at the beginning, you can head to the Simon Says Stamp blog.)

Talk about AWESOME giveaways. Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $50 gift certificate on each of the blogs on this hop! (That’s $450 in total!) So leave a comment here by 11:59pmEST on 4/25/13 for your chance to win a $50 shopping spree. Good luck!

Simon Says Stamp May 2013 Card Kit	Simon Says Stamp Best Mom Ever Stamp Set	FAVORITE THING: Distress Markers	FAVORITE THING: SSS Watercolor Paper	FAVORITE THING: Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun
FAVORITE THING: Hero Arts White Embossing Powder	FAVORITE THING: VersaMark Ink	FAVORITE THING: Hero Arts Black Dye Ink	FAVORITE THING: Eclipse Art Masking Tape Sheets	FAVORITE THING: Ranger Craft Sheet
FAVORITE THING: Ranger Detailer Water Brush	Mister	Ranger Petal Pink Liquid Pearls

First up… our next Online Card Classes class – Pattern Play – starts on Monday. This one will be fun…

(That is a peek of one of my techniques in the class. The class includes a variety of styles – simple to techniquey – something for everyone!)

Here is a bit about the class, Pattern Play…

Love pretty patterned paper? Grab your favorites and join Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire and friends for Online Card Classes’ newest class – Pattern Play. Make the most of your patterned paper stash while learning tips and tricks and discovering both clean-and-simple and advanced techniques. Pattern Play includes many card ideas – all with videos – and a variety of card styles. Add step-by-step pdfs, a forum, giveaways, shopping discounts, additional inspiration and a gallery, and you’ll be ready to use your pretty papers in fun new ways. Class runs March 18-25 but you will have lifetime access to the content. Sign up now for only $16!

For more information, head HERE. Remember – all class cards have videos!

Hope to see you there!

I also wanted to give you a heads up about the April Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. It is up for sale now and it is the best one yet. Truly. Check out these colors… so very awesome. (I am using the same colors in my new studio.)

And that stamp set  in there? Delightful.

Great, huh?

So now is your chance to win! Leave a comment here by Saturday at 11:59pmEST for your chance to win one of THREE spots in the Pattern Play class… or one of the April Card Kits! (If you win a class spot and already signed up, you will be refunded your money.) Good luck!

I have a fun deal for my readers! Studio Calico is offering TWO free Studio Calico exclusive 6×6 paper pads to anyone who signs up for a card kit subscription. Just go HERE to join the card kit waiting list by 1/31/13 midnight EST. (You will need to sign in (or create a new user account) in order to join the list. While supplies last. Not valid on previous purchases. Free paper pads will be shipped right away for free. The first kit you will receive is March as February will sell out quickly.)

You can find the current kit HERE – it is a good one! (That exclusive stamp set looks awesome. Love the “let’s stay connected” and the script “hello” so very much!)

Their design team always creates incredible samples! I enjoy kits – they make creating so much easier…

I am so excited to give away a THREE month Studio Calico card kit subscription to a lucky winner! Just leave a comment here by Tuesday at 11:59pmEST for your chance. Good luck to all.

(Oh, and the winner of the Color Cubbies is Rebecca Ednie.)

This one features the Simon Says Stamp June Card Kit of the Month. This is a lovely kit. And the best part of it? The stamp set in it. So fabulous. I used this kit along with THIS great flip die to create this…

So when you open this card, it flips…

… revealing the message inside…

Cool huh?  And stamping with that fabulous stamp set on the front…

So you can find this great June Kit HERE (which includes the amazing stamp set). You can also subscribe to the monthly kit to save a few bucks HERE.

Here is the stamp set inside. Amazing, huh? (My girl Kristina created it.)

And how about that cool flip card design? Just cut with THIS die and add your papers and embellishments. So easy and it can be used with all the die cut machines. (My Christmas card this year had this design, but I didn’t have this die yet. This makes it easy.)

(And it comes in a square flip design, too, HERE.)

Yay! I have a June Kit to give away, thanks to the kind folks at Simon Says Stamp. Just leave a comment here by Friday at 11:59pmEST for your chance to win. Good luck.

SSS June Card Kit	SSS Card Kit of the Month Subscription	Vagabond Die Cutting Machine	Sizzix Circle Flip-Its Card Die
Heart Border Punch	Ink Blending Tool	Distress Inks	Hero Arts Black Dye Ink
Neenah White Cardstock 25 Sheets	Neenah White Cardstock 250 Sheets	Studio Calico Wood Veneer Hearts	Hero Arts Pearls
Glossy Accents	Tombow Stamp Runner Adhesive

Then I got in the mail my May Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. When I saw this greeting stamp + die cut in there, I knew I could take on the challenge…

And I can’t believe I did it. I am usually so slow. But I did! Used the May Simon Says Stamp Card Kit (so adorable, that kit is) and my favorite heart border punch to make the scattering of hearts. Must-haves….

(Supplies are below the big-belly photo…)

In other news, I have been getting a lot of emails about when the baby is due. Not to much longer… a few short weeks. Although he/she seems to act anxious to make an appearance, Colin stayed in extra long, so I don’t know what to expect. This has been rough on my apparently-too-old body, but the baby is happy as a clam in there. Thank you for all the kind emails – means a lot. And, yes, Colin is excited beyond words. I counted today – he kissed my belly 48 times. And sang 6 songs to it, said “be nice to mommy” 3 times and promised to share his legos with him/her twice. He is already so very much in love…

See you soon.

(Oh, the winner of the MME buttons was Mendi. I emailed you.)

Heart Border Punch	SSS May Card Kit	Eggshell Notecard	Distress Inks
Ink Blending Tool	Clear Foam Adhesive	Stamp Press	Hero Arts Black Dye Ink
Hero Arts Pearls