{BYSHC} Sketch 61 - Let it Snow!

Hello and welcome to September! The first of the "ber" months! Sketch 61 goes through the end of the month so be sure to get any and all entries in before then! The sketch sponsor this month is Crafty Stamp Co.

I didn't have any products from this company which is a great excuse to do a little shopping! WOW! Such cute stuff!! I purchased the Christmas Cookie Gnomies which also included a Crafty Cut SVG cut file as well!! I also ordered a couple paper packs. The one I'm using for this card is called Christmas Snow. The paper is really nice! Double sided and good quality! My favorite part of the paper.....it came not only in a poly bag, but also a thicker plastic sleeve! Great idea!!

Followed the sketch, measured and cut as indicated. Cut the shapes from 80lb cardstock from PaperTreyInk, stamped the images, then colored with KingArt Alcohol Markers! The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Co. from Winter Shake Up. Mounted the gnome and the snowman with foam tape!

Be sure to check out this month's sponsor Crafty Stamp Co! Super cute stuff!! I'll include my referral link here!

~ September 2025 Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Anything But A Card!

 

Hello and welcome to the Friends of Unity September 2025 Blog Hop! I am so excited to share with you what this month's theme did to my creative brain! LOL

To start with I was having a serious case of "oh my goodness what do I make?!?!?" Creative block at its finest! What does any good crafter do at that moment?!? Look for inspiration! I started perusing Pinterest and came upon this idea that I had actually wanted to do for months.....Composition Book Covering! I already had a bunch of supplies all pulled out and ready, just didn't have time! Well now I may still not actually have time, but I now have a reason!

Around here school started almost a month ago and the stores are filled with school supplies! My book however is a recycled book from when my son was in elementary school (peep the sticker that says "bell work")! Those books barely got used and I just couldn't bear to throw them away! So I grabbed some patterned paper and got started!

Patterned papers are from the Unity Paper Pack Wallpaper & Warmth (January 2025 Whit Kit). The Green paper has tiny little lemons on it! Super cute!! Measure, measure, measure! Since the papers are 6x6 and the cover of the book is NOT, I had to improvise! I taped the two sheets together. I tore the yellow sheet in half in order to use both sides of the tear. If interested in the measurements....I scored the top edges at about 1 1/8" and the side at 3/4". Next I slathered the entire front cover with mod podge (it's homemade....found recipe on pinterest) and then added the green sheet. When it was pretty well stuck down I added the yellow sheet, being sure to line up the edge with the edge of the black binding. I grabbed a large piece of green woven ribbon from my stash then used some Tombo Mono Liquid Glue to wrap it entirely around the cover....all the way to the inside. Speaking of the inside, I cut a piece of kraft cardstock to 7 1/2" x 9 1/4". Added more liquid glue to the back and glued it to the inside cover....covering up all the "raw" edges of paper and ribbon on the inside that may not be too pretty!

Now the fun part......DECORATING!!! I'm trying to ignore the joining lines in the paper....it will be mostly covered by the decorations I put on the cover!  I am using some of the "thank you" gifts that have come from Unity which are included with my orders! A large manilla tag, wood butterfly and a sheet of crafting phrases. I went through all the Angie Girls I have and decided on Bryna. The tshirt, jeans and converse are one of my staple outfits! 

I colored her with KingArt Alcohol Markers and then used the paper backing (yes I saved it) to use as a mask to ink blend around her. I used whatever ink was left on the brushes, multiple colors likely! I cut up the sheet of phrases that was sent using my cutter-bee scissors. I looked on the website and didn't see them, but I LOVE THEM!!! They were perfect for this project! I attached them here and there, the torn paper behind is from takin' em fishin' (leftover piece from another card that I just tore up). The ribbon is from My Scrap Cabin Shop, color is daylily. This must be a favorite color because my skein is getting smaller! I typed and printed the verse with the crown myself. It's always a good reminder! :) I used the scallops and banner nesting dies to die cut the shape. I adjusted it to create a rectangle rather than a banner. The butterfly was added with some therm-o-web zots! The paperclip is very old....from an accessory kit from about 20 years ago....thinking Making Memories perhaps?

I hope you got some creative inspiration out of my project! I have been using this book to keep track of craft show and individual sales. I purchased a bunch of supplies to start participating in craft shows (a wagon, tablecloths, baskets, tier tray, blanket racks) and wanted to keep track of how long it took me to "pay it off" so to speak. The fall shows are getting ready to ramp up and now I'm ready! I may still add a pocket to the inside cover....to keep any receipts or notes I need to remember!

p.s. decided to make another paperclip.....used the second wooden butterfly that Unity had sent! :)

Attempting another project since this Composition Book cover took me less time than I expected....this next one took quite a bit of thought! Decided on a tag book. I've been sort of hoarding the tags that come in the thank you gifts from Unity. The smaller ones get used more often...because of their size. The giant tags that come, the 4" x 8" tags are harder to come up with a project other than a bookmark or something like that. So I searched for some inspiration and instruction on this and came up with this cute idea! A book made from the tags!

I started with 7 of the giant tags. This will create a front and back cover and 12 inside pages for decorating. They are all different colors but all have come from Unity! I had to figure out a "hinging" option. Did you know you can find just about anything on the internet! ;) 

I started by paperclipping the pages together to determine the number of hinges I needed to make. Then to determine a theme so I knew what papers and accessories to grab! Decided on a page a month!

Started with the cover! The paper is from The Secret of Change. I covered the page with two different patterns, tore the bottom one. I created the cover title piece using one of the postage stamp nesting dies, repositioning it to make it the size I wanted. The hearts were punched from scraps (those are the butterfly wings)! Some pink ribbon and a brad from eons ago! Onto the next!

The first page is of course January.... Mamma Mia! I used two different backgrounds (tuscan tile and ...damask grunge) and some distress ink in blueprint sketch to create the background. I cut the stamped images into 3/4" squares (used my fiskars trimmer) and positioned them opposite of each other to create the tile look. I then took a blue marker and colored in the "grout" lines! The arch was cut with the scallops and arches nesting dies. 

Next is my birthday month......February! This one uses patterned paper from Pastel Party Parade and many more birthdays stamp and die! I stamped the sentiment with versafine clair nocturne a couple times but it just wasn't juicy enough so I used ink-on-3 embossing ink to make it nice and sticky! Using the MISTI was key for this process! The page didn't move at all and I was able to re-ink multiple times and not have it shift! Then sprinkled on WOW! embossing powder in neutral ultra shimmer glitter, and heated it with Wagner Heat tool, to make it sparkle! Numbers were die cut with a tim holtz die set and I added some yellow gems from Pinkfresh Studio to make candles! Here's to 57!

The rest of the months will have to be done on my own time! LOL Ran out of time to get them done for the hop, but I think you get the idea! ;)

If you would like to start from the beginning, Crystal's blog is your starting point! If you are ready to move on, you can visit my friend Amber here!

Thanks for the visit and see you in October!

{BYSHC} Sketch 60 - Make it Merry

 Hello again friends! Sketch 60 is up until the end of the month! No time like the present to get those cards started!

This card was pretty simple. The paper pack did the work! LOL The pack is from Echo Park called Gnome for Christmas. I cut according to the sketch and then added everything together! I used foam adhesive to place the sentiment and the circle to the card base. The Gnome and sentiment were die cut from a piece of patterned paper as was the scalloped circle behind. The scalloped circle was die cut with the Unity Stamp Co. scallops and circles nesting die set.

{BYSHC} Sketch 60 - Bring on the Merry!

 Hello friends and welcome to August! August brings us to Sketch #60!

For this card I used patterned paper from Fancy Pants Designs Cottage Christmas. This is a paper pack that I purchased second hand....it's from 2018! The grey plaid piece was already cut to the right size! I grabbed a scrap of coordinating paper and cut it to size as well. The image is from a retired Newton's Nook Designs set called Christmas Trimmings. Colored with both KingArt Alcohol Markers and Tombow ABT Markers. Some spaces were just too small for the alcohol markers! LOL I die cut a circle from vellum using the Unity Stamp Co. scallops and circles {nesting dies} set, then added some foam adhesive to the sentiment and die cut image. This is a fun sketch! Give it a try!

~ August 2025 Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Technique

 

Hello Unity family! Welcome to the Friends of Unity Blog Hop for August 2025. The theme for this month's hop is technique! Technique is a pretty broad theme! There are so many that I love and that I want to try! I picked ink blending for my technique! There are so many ways to use ink blending, that's what I plan to show!

First is ink blending over white embossing. It's a favorite for sure! It's easy and such a dramatic effect!

I used the Unity February 2023 Background of the Month ...assorted blooms. I grabbed a piece of 110lb PaperTrey Ink cardstock, cut it down to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" and prepped it for embossing by running my homemade anti-static powder over it. I used the Ink on 3 Clear Embossing ink pad and Gina K. Designs Fine Detail White embossing powder. I used a Misti platform to keep everything steady and stamped it twice with the embossing ink to be sure I had it well covered.

Next I grabbed some Gina K. Designs inks...innocent pink and dusty rose. I started with the dusty rose on both ends, then blended in the innocent pink. The middle was just a blend of whatever was left on the blending brush. 

Once the blending is done, you may want/need to wipe a soft cloth over the panel to remove any excess ink from the white embossing. 

I added a simple sentiment from Unity August 2018 Sentiment Kit (now known as Front and Center) stamped onto white cardstock with versafine clair nocturne and embossed with clear embossing powder added with foam adhesive. I added some clear dew drops at the end and it's ready for giving!

Next technique I  love with ink blending is using a masking medium to create a strip of ink blending, not the entire panel. 

This time I (embarrassingly) couldn't find the masking medium so I made due! I grabbed a piece of 110lb cardstock, tore both edges and then cut it in half. Taped it down with pink tape and inked over it.  Wild Honey Distress Ink at the top and scattered straw in the middle. Using a masking medium would have made the edge a little crisper, but this pairs well with the softness of the feather stamp (Unity November 2018 KOM {whole lot of lovely}). Again I used the Misti to position the stamp over the inked strip to be sure the image was crisp.

I then took the panel and die cut it with a Tim Holtz Nesting Die set called Stacked Deckle. I took the blending brush I just used and added to the edges whatever was left on the brush. I put it back into the Misti to add the sentiment which is from Gotta Love Sentiments (A FAVORITE OF MINE)! I added some color to the center of the feather and the bubbles with some Tombow ABT Markers. Lastly I added some coordinating enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs!

Lastly is a technique that I wanted to try.....reverse stenciling over ink blending using baby wipes to remove some ink through the stencil. I'm sure there is a "technical" term for it, but that's what it is! LOL

I started with a piece of white cardstock. To that I added Distress Oxide in Cracked Pistachio and Broken China.

I grabbed a couple stencils, a distress linen look from the October 2023 Whit Kit and a harlequin stencil from Tim Holtz. I started by just rubbing a damp baby wipe across the stencil to remove the ink underneath. Watercolor paper may have been a better choice as the rubbing caused some damage to the actual cardstock. 

I stamped the large floral silhouette from Magical Motif and then a birthday sentiment from ...extended celebration. I tore the top and bottom edge then added a piece of patterned paper (from takin' em fishin') to which I also tore the top and bottom of as well. I blended some vintage photo over both torn edges. I added some clear flat sequins, burlap twine and foam adhesive. 

I recently saw a video re-posted by Gina K Designs. Didn't realize it was from 2022! For my last technique card, ink blending over a stencil! 

I started with a piece of white cardstock (should have cut it down a little bit before I started inking). I used a stencil, unsure of manufacturer, and blending brushes. I did use the stick & stamp mat from Unity to hold the cardstock and stencil edges in place! The Distress Inks I chose are festive berries, dried marigold, mustard seed, shabby shutters, stormy sky and milled lavender. Used my blending brushes and just blended over the stencil using each color while blending them together as I went along.

The sentiment is from the same kit as above....extended celebration. I simply trimmed the entire panel down a little bit, backed it with a mat of black cardstock and simply added it to a card base. Sequins, enamel dots, or other embellishments could be added, but it seems to stand on its own just as it is!

That's four cards using all different ink blending techniques, but still all ink blended! 

Thank you for visiting my blog and making it this far! Up next is Toni, but if you did not start from the beginning, Crystal's blog is where you should start!

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2025 Linky Party - Warm wishes

 

I'm sneaking in one more card for the Christmas in July 2025 {BYSHC} Linky Party! Never know, there may be one or two more! LOL

As I sit down to straighten up or check emails.....all the linky party leftovers are sitting right here in front of me! I had to make something! I found a sketch that worked with what I had and went with it! Sketch 7 (added below) and some Unity paper that came from a thank you gift! Cut and measured according to the sketch. The image is from Angie Blom Digital Designs, Christmas Joy Mugs. I die cut it with the smallest make a tag die set, then backed it with some grey cardstock. Stapled some ribbon to the top and added the sentiment. I colored it with KingArt Alcohol Markers. White enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and some foam adhesive to finish!

{BYSHC} Sketch 59 - All is Calm

 Hello again! {BYSHC} Sketch 59 would be a great way to get some cards entered for the Christmas in July 2025 {BYSHC} Linky Party! The party ends tonight! Lots of prizes to be randomly awarded!

It's been a busy busy few months around here! Graduation, dance nationals, college orientation and just plain summer things! So this card was created with just a pad of paper and some dies! The paper is Park Lane (Joanns [RIP]) Holiday Pine. I chose coordinating papers, cut according to the measurements in the sketch and added the background to the card base. The circles were cut using dies! The largest circle is from Unity's Scallops and circles nesting dies and the smaller one is from Stampin' Up. These were all cut from a piece of patterned paper in the pack as well as the sentiment! I then added some white enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and it's finished! It doesn't have to be hard to be beautiful! 

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2025 Linky Party - Peace Love Joy

 

I just can't stop making cards! LOL The Christmas in July 2025 {BYSHC} Linky Party ends on Friday! How many cards will be entered?!?

My card started with a piece of patterned paper that came in a "thank you" bag from Unity Stamp Co., not sure which pack it's from. I found a sketch that would work with the stamp set I grabbed (Unity's The Sweetest Snowman), and sketch 55 it is! Die cut the patterned paper with the largest die from the scallops and rectangles nesting dies. This one was easy to put together! Just colored this sweet guy in with King Art Alcohol Markers. The hardest part?!?!? Finding the right base colors for both the card base and the backer for the image! LOL Ultimately I found a dark green scrap big enough for the snowman, but not for the entire card! I added the sentiment to the snowman....couldn't figure out a better place! 

Feels a little plain, but the plaid is pretty predominant!