~ July 2025 Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Mixed Media/Grunge

Welcome to the July 2025 Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! Hard to believe that July is already here and the year is half over!! Mixed media and grunge is the theme this month. To be honest, I didn't really think that I could pull off this theme so I did some research! LOL 

Mixed media art refers to artwork that combines more than one artistic medium or material. It can include elements such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and non-traditional materials like cloth, paper, wood, and found objects. Artists use mixed media to create intricate, layered pieces that break the boundaries between different art forms. 

This is the definition from Google, so I went with it! Layered pieces, different design elements, more than one artistic medium or material. Literally had no idea where to even begin. I found a card on Pinterest that was beautiful so I loosely followed it!

One thing that I did discover, is that pictures are hard to take and get all the elements to show at the same time! Sorry this first one is so dark, but I wanted to see everything! The background started as a piece of white cardstock, to which I ink smooshed some distress oxides in stormy sky, cracked pistachio, faded jeans, speckled egg, peeled paint and distress ink in evergreen bough. Then I sprayed some (new to me) dylusions ink sprays in periwinkle blue and vibrant turquoise. Once those were dry I started stamping! I used multiple stamp sets to create the background including Soul Mail, Numbers, etc. (retired), Winter Shakeup, Paper Wings and Extended celebration. I also used the stencil from the 10/2023 Whit Kit and some lunar paste in midnight snack in a few spots. I just kept adding stuff!! The lace is from stash, the flowers I have had forever! The butterflies, from Paper Wings, were stamped, colored and fussy cut. Added with liquid adhesive and foam tape on the wings for lift. Brads and clear sequins to finish it off!

WHEW that was a lot of work but also fun to just keep adding and adding until I liked the outcome!! LOL Onto the next one!!

I made a few sprayed backgrounds to start and then went back and figured out which one I would use. This is one of those. Ink smooshed with distress oxides in peeled paint, stormy sky and speckled egg. Then I sprayed on dylusions spray ink in vibrant turquoise and periwinkle blue. I stamped on a bunch of different background type stamps from Small Details, Rectified Poppies, Dinged Dots (appears to be retired), then added some of the elements from Soul Mail. The flower vase and sentiment came from that set as well. 

Something I wanted to try was stamping onto tissue paper and adding that. I stamped the script writing from Soul Mail to a piece of tissue paper, tore some pieces off and then used mod podge and glued the tissue on in several places. I think one of the hardest parts of mixed media is giving time to let all the layers dry! LOL I stamped, colored and then fussy cut the flower vase. Cut the sentiment into pieces and mounted everything with foam adhesive.

This is a fun technique that I do not do very often. In fact, may be the second time that I've done mixed media to this extent. I love the outcome, definitely not in my comfort zone but I dove in and took hold of it! It's fun giving new techniques a try! That's what this is all about! Stretching your creative brain! Give it a try!

I am the second on the hop, so if you came here from Crystal, you started at the beginning, next will be Toni. Please follow along and enjoy! 

See you in August!

{BYSHC} Sketch 59 - Sending Christmas Wishes

 Hello and welcome to July!! Sketch 59 is active until the end of the month!

Wow that was sooooo fast! Already July?!? 

My card for today was simple and easy! I love that kind! The papers are from Park Lane "Nice List." I measured and cut according to the sketch. I decided after I cut to tear the top and bottom edge of the center strip. The circle was stamped with the reindeer from the Unity Stamp Co. November 2023 Kit of the Month. Sentiment is from an old Stampin Up set from 2018 called Christmas Traditions. Stamped both in VersaFine Clair in Nocturne. Die cut the circle using the Unity Stamp Co. scallops and circles nesting dies, the sentiment was punched with a Stampin Up punch. 

I added a small piece of red ribbon tied in a bow onto the reindeer. I just felt he was too plain! I added both pieces with foam adhesive and then added some red pearls. The sketch is shown below! Enjoy!

Be sure to come back later this month and join us for the Christmas in July Linky Party! Lots of fun, prizes and inspiration to be had!! Mark your calendars!

{BYSHC} Sketch 58 - Merry Christmas Tree

 Hello again and welcome back! {BYSHC} Sketch 58 is still on our minds!

Today's card features more papers from Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party by PhotoPlay. These bright prints were perfect to be paired with the ornaments and tree from the Newton's Nook set called Scandi Christmas. After the background papers were chosen and cut to the rectangle size (I was off with the size again) of 4" x 5 1/4" I cut it diagonally down the center. 

This one came together pretty quickly as the vellum circle, the ornaments and tree were already stamped and/or cut and just waiting for the right moment! The elements were attached to the vellum circle, which was attached with foam adhesive to the base. 

~ June 2025 Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Masculine

Hello and welcome to the June 2025 Friends of Unity Blog Hop! This month the theme is all about the men in our lives! Masculine cards have always been a challenge for me, so I love hops like this to give me some inspiration!

This past month has been quite full for me, with my daughter graduating and getting ready to leave for college, the house (and craft room) are in an absolute upheaval!! LOL My craft space doubles as the guest room, which had to be abandoned mid-May to get ready for my parents visit to celebrate the graduation of their youngest grandchild! So unfortunately only time for one card this month! Hope you like it!

I really had no idea where I was going with this one when I started! LOL I started with this fishing stamp called somethin' is fishy. This has to be one of the first stamps I purchased from Unity! My husband is a fisherman, works in the fishing industry as do most of our friends! This was a must have!

I stamped it onto kraft cardstock with some vintage photo and then some black around the edges. I lightly tapped on some salvaged patina with a blending brush to give it a little color. I tore the top and bottom edge and then distressed with a little more vintage photo and some walnut stain as well. I backed it with a piece of brown cardstock that I tore as well as distressed the edges. The background panel was also a plain piece of kraft paper when I started! I stamped the topography background on to that with all of the colors listed above!

I distressed the edges with a tim holtz distressing tool and then tore off the corner. I had other plans for that corner, but it didn't come to fruition! I then used the favorite dad stamp set to create the sentiment. DAD was stamped with salvaged patina and the happy father's day was stamped on top with black. The black twine was added to hold the cute fishing boat charm! I added some foam tape to the brown tag and it's all done!

Thanks for joining us this month and I hope that some of these masculine cards inspire you! To start the hop at the beginning, you can visit Crystal's blog here. If you are ready to move on, Kari is your next stop!

 

{BYSHC} Sketch 58 - Merry Christmas Santa

 Hello again and welcome to {BYSHC} Sketch 58! 

Today's card was a combo of fun scraps and a recycled Christmas tag! The background papers are from Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party by PhotoPlay. I love this paper pack! It's so full of bright colors and fn prints! I need to see if I can find anymore! :)

I started with the 4" x 5 1/4" rectangle (except mine was 4 1/4" x 5 1/4") to which I cut it down the middle. I arranged the papers together and found this cute Santa tag! The sentiment is from Gotta Love Sentiments from Unity Stamp Co. Stamped in versafine clair in Nocturne and embossed with clear embossing powder.

Tied some red and white twine to the tag and mounted with foam adhesive! 

{BYSHC} Sketch 57 - Merry Christmas

 As we come to the end of May, can I just say WOWOW that was fast! {BYSHC} Sketch 57 will end on the 31st! 

Today's card came about when I remembered the sponsor this month is Newton's Nook and I have stamps that haven't been opened up yet! I found this set and went to their website for some quick inspiration. Looking through the "samples" I found a card that I loved so what better way to show love than to use it for inspiration! The papers are from Cottage Christmas from Fancy Pants Designs. I cut the paper according to the sketch (below) and arranged on the green background paper. The stamps are from the Scandi Christmas set (just noticed that this is on clearance...run and get it before its gone). Following the inspiration picture, I created a tag from kraft paper, added a red scrap to the top. Stamped the tree in peeled paint distress oxide and the reindeer in vintage photo distress oxide. I fussy cut them out (because I didn't get the matching die set :/). Added some foam tape to the tag and there ya go!

{BYSHC} Sketch 57 - Merry & Bright

Hello and welcome back! The {BYSHC} Sketch 57 is what's up! 

These past few weeks has flown by! Lots going on around here, with Graduation, party plans, college dorm piles.....its crazy!! Luckily I can craft and take a little stress off!

This cute card made with some paper I've had forever. Authentique Retro Christmas from 2016. I cut the papers according to the sketch (pictured below) and found this cute reindeer from the Unity Stamp Co. 2022 Advent Calendar. Cut with one of the scallops and squares nesting dies and placed in the space! The sentiment is also from Unity.....cheerful prancing sentiment kit!

 

{BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - Merry Christmas

 Hello and happy Thursday! You will have all of today, and all of tomorrow to get your entries in for the Spring Into Christmas {BYSHC} 2025 Linky Party! The link closes at Midnight Friday!

I wanted to see what I could come up with in about an hour before I had to get to work! I have had this plaid paper in my stash for about 100 years! LOL Well maybe not 100, but you get the picture! I followed {BYSHC} Sketch 41 (pictured below). I cut the pieces to size, I should have adjusted the length just a bit so it fit better on the card base, but it is what it is! LOL 

The sentiment is from Unity's Gotta Love Sentiments (one of my absolute favorites, gets used a lot!), The wreath is from the 2020 Advent Calendar. I cut the circles using the scallops and circles nesting dies. Colored the wreath with King Art Alcohol Markers. I added some clear Ranger EmbossIT pen to the ornaments on the wreath, then sprinkled with Nuvo Embossing powder in gold enchantment! After heating with a heat gun, I added some foam adhesive and some gold glitter enamel dots. 

{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - Merry & Bright Coffee

 One more "merry & bright" card to add to the {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party!

Every once in a while I just print or stamp a bunch of images and while I'm sitting with the family watching TV, I'll just color them up. It passes the time and gets the job done! This is one of those images. 

I had printed the "sheet" of Christmas Joy Mugs from Angie Blom Digital Designs and while watching TV colored on a lap table. I used King Art Alcohol Markers. I was inspired by Angie's card which is one of the samples on her website. After coloring I die cut it with the scallops and rectangle nesting dies from Unity. You may be saying to yourself.....that looks skinnier! It is. I moved the die around to get the shape that I needed.

The paper is an older Stampin Up bundle that I purchased second hand. I followed {BYSHC} Sketch 40 (pictured below) for my design. The {BYSHC} Facebook page has all of the sketches in albums! I am never without a sketch to inspire! The sentiment is also from the same set from Angie Blom. Some foam tape and a large pearl brad and it's all set!

{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - May your days be Merry and Bright

 Still "building my stash" of Christmas cards with the {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party!

These scraps are from a paper pack that is super old too! Authentique Retro Christmas from 2016! 

I followed the {BYSHC} Sketch 14 for this one! With scraps you don't usually have to do much cutting! I try to find a sketch that "matches" my scraps! Like a treasure hunt! I sort of cheated on this one....no actual stamping! I cut all the pieces according to the sketch, including the sentiment piece which I cut using one of the scallops and square nesting dies from Unity. Translucent green enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs to finish!

{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - Magic of Christmas

 Hello again!!! The {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party is rounding the corner and we are now at 3 days till the link is closed! 

This card, like the others was created with scraps! The background papers are from Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party by PhotoPlay. Scraps that I had left in the book to use together! The tag was stamped months ago and didn’t go with the vibe at the time…same with the sentiment! 

The sweet snowman is from the Uniquely Unity stamp set from 11/24 called Snow Buddies. I colored him very slightly with coordinating blue/green colors of King Art Alcohol Markers. The sentiment is from the Uniquely Unity stamp set from 10/24 called Magic of Christmas. I fussy cut out each line and mounted it with foam adhesive. Same with the tag, added foam adhesive as well. I went diving deep into the fiber/ribbon box for these! So old, not even sure where they are from! The flat sequins came from Unity!

I followed the {BYSHC} Sketch 16 for this one!

{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - Merry & Bright

 I am creating a stash of cards so that the December rush isn't quite as stressful! The Spring into Christmas {BYSHC} 2025 Linky Party is the best time to get some cards done!

Typically "scrap" cards start with the scraps, but this time the image was the scrap. I had colored this cute mug from Angie Blom Digital Designs set called Christmas Joy Mugs, die cut it and then set it aside.

With these bright colors, it was a challenge to find "Christmas" paper that would go! I did dig through my stash and found the Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party from PhotoPlay! Perfect! The bright green and blue of the paper matched well enough with the colors of the mug that I went with it! It's not your typical Christmas colored card, but definitely festive! 

The main image was colored with my KingArt Alcohol Markers, and then die cut using the postage stamp nesting die set from Unity. I took a blending brush and vintage photo distress oxide and darkened up the edges a bit. Popped the image up with some foam adhesive and added some matching green enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs. I followed the {BYSHC} Sketch 24 for my design!

{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - Happy Holidays!

 Hello again and welcome back! The Spring into Christmas {BYSHC} 2025 Linky Party is happening! 

My card was created with another scrap! I used My Mind's Eye "i believe" (circa 2010)! I used front and back of one scrap! 

I followed the {BYSHC} Sketch 42 (pictured below). I started with a previously printed image from Angie Blom Digital Designs, called blessings poinsettia. I colored with some KingArt Alcohol Markers, then attempted to watercolor the blue of the jar to look like water. Well it smeared the printed ink all over the place! LOL Luckily the sentiment can cover! I added a circle of vellum and popped the fussy cut image and sentiment up with foam adhesive and added some transparent green enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs as an extra little pop!

{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - Holly Jolly Christmas

 Hello again! I am still creating Christmas cards for the {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2025 Linky Party! 

The amount of scraps I have is overwhelming at times! I try to use the Linky Parties to grab up all those scraps and make something amazing! 

This card was created with a few scraps from an OLD paper pack (2015) from My Minds Eye called Cozy Christmas. I used {BYSHC} Sketch 56 for this one! I cut all the pieces and added them to a white card base using some Tombow Liquid Glue. The sentiment was stamped using VersaFine Clair ink in Nocturne onto a coordinating sticker that came with the paper pack. The sentiment is from Jolly Ol' Santa from Unity. The enamel dots are from Echo Park.

Off to find more scraps that I can create something new with! :)