~ April 2026 - Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Earth Day/Recycle

 Hello and welcome to April! The Friends of Unity are hopping today with some wonderful inspiration! April is a month of rebirth. Spring should be "springing" up all around you with flowers blooming, skies clearing....in Florida that typically means *pollen* but let's not talk about *sneeze* that yet! LOL

I have been saving all kinds of stuff for a few months in anticipation of this month's theme! Typically I am a scrap hoarder anyway, but let's just say my scrap pile is bursting at the seams!

First up is a shaker card that I created with a previously created background, a stamped image that has been hanging around for "just the right color" and some plastic wrapping that I will be using to make the actual shaker part! 

I started with an amazing and super colorful background that I created some time ago....I made an entire sheet and this is one of the quarters! Packaging from an online purchase was the perfect size for this A2-ish panel. I cut the plastic bag to remove the edges, then used some tear tape to attach the plastic to the card panel, being sure to leave the top edge open to load up the shaker bits. These bits are from several sources, Unity clear flat sequins (that got a bit out of hand while going into the bag), some tiny yellow star bits and cupcake confetti both from Twiddler's Nook, as well as a few dots of scrap paper that were paper punched! I attached the completed shaker panel to a piece of black on my card base. To that I added the Happy Birthday! It's from the Unity set called Many More Birthdays along with the coordinating die. I had made this quite some time ago, but it just never coordinated with anything until now! I attached it with more tear tape, right smack in the center! It was stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne and heat embossed with some clear embossing powder (p.s. Unity also has clear embossing powder, I just don't have it yet!)

I just love a shaker card sound!

Next up is another birthday card, but a little less "loud!" 

I saved the box that held my kitchen trash bags. I loved the color combo on it! 

Dark pink, light pink, lime green and wood grain. I maneuvered the smallest of the scallops and banners dies, as well as another banner die set that was in a Whit Kit, to get as many cuts as I could! Next I grabbed a roll of natural color burlap ribbon that I saved from a gift basket that was sent to my family. I have two different sizes of this actually from two different gifts! The green ribbon has been in my ribbon box forever! There wasn't enough lime green on the box to get one more strip, so I utilized my Unity paper stash! Rainbow Alcohol Ink Papers from the April 2023 Whit Kit to the rescue! I see now from the picture that some are not exactly straight but I can fix it later! The sentiment is from ...aging gorgeously, enamel dots (my favorite) from Gina Marie Designs.

I have so many recycled things and ideas that I just need to keep going! This is just a good reminder that there are so many items in everyday life that can be recycled for other uses! Between the two elements above that I've rescued from the landfill, I also have at the ready.....bread bag clip, used dryer sheets, plastic packaging from a container of blueberries and another box that the entire inside is pink! :) 

Ok, I digress....onto the next one!

A used dryer sheet sprayed with Plain Jane ink spray by My Tattered Angels in Tiger Lilly, glued to a piece of cardstock with elmers glue! After spraying the dryer sheet with the ink, I found some old elmer's glue (from the slime making days IYKYK) and spread it all over the cardstock and sort of "smooshed" it around to give some texture. This took forever to dry! 

In the meantime, I die cut another piece of cardstock with the deckle & stitches nesting dies to make a frame. I had the white embossed moth (Nocturnal Nature) from a previous project. I stamped a birthday wish (...aging gorgeously) and attached it to the frame. Foam tape on both the frame and the moth which both were attached directly over the dryer sheet/glue/cardstock panel.

This is likely my last one.....but its a cute one!

The box from the "scrub mommy" I just brought home had this beautiful hot pink on the inside of the box! The other elements on this one are also "recycled" in a way! The white piece cut from the frame above was used on this one.....as well as the sentiment which is so old....I don't even remember when I stamped it! 

I used the pink box for the background on this one. The yellow polka dot paper was laying on the desktop so I tore it up and added some washi tape and a staple and it looks like a Tenia card! LOL Stamped the girl from Echo of Kindness with Versafine Clair Nocturne, colored her with KingArt Alcohol Markers. I then added some foam tape to both the colored image and the sentiment along with enamel dots to finish it off! 

I do love ALL of these recycled cards! I definitely had to think outside the box on a few, but Pinterest is one of my favorite sources for ideas!

With all the goodies I have saved, I am sure there will be more cards to come!

Thank you for visiting and don't forget that April 22 is Earth Day, but you can make a difference EVERY day! To start the hop at the beginning, visit Crystal's blog. If you are ready to move on...Toni is your next stop!

{BYSHC} Sketch 68 - Merry Christmas

Hello and HAPPY APRIL!!! Wow, how quickly this year is going! The {BYSHC} Design Team are working on this month's sketch....#68!  Our sponsor this month is Jaded Blossom!

If you know anything about me....it's that I am a collector of scraps! This sketch is perfect for me! I cut the strips into 1/2"-ish sizes. Then cut the strips into 1 1/2" pieces. I arranged them according to the sketch in a brick-like pattern. These brown/tan scraps are from multiple manufacturers and paper weight....just glue them on and watch the magic happen! The stamp set I've chosen is from Unity Stamp Co., the November 2022 Whit Kit Ornamental Greetings. This particular set came with a coordinating "ornament" shaker die that I utilized just the die parts...not the shaker parts!  I masked off the dots and snowflakes on the stamp in order to add them back onto the ornament with a white gel pen. I then added some foam tape and a couple colors of bakers twine from BellaCreationz.

Don't forget to join us in the coming weeks for the {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party! The sponsor list is amazing and the prizes are always very generous!

{BYSHC} Sketch 67 - Warm Winter Wishes

 Hello and TGIF! We are on the last round of sketch 67. Be sure to have your entries in before the 31st to be eligible for the $25 store voucher to Pajama Crafter Stamps!

My card today features a sweet penguin sending warm winter wishes! Stamp and coordinating die, called fluffy friends holiday, are from Taylored Expressions, paper is from Park Lane (rip Joann's) Nice List. I also used the scallops and squares die set from Unity Stamp Co., the sentiment is from Simply Holiday by Unity. Colored with my KingArt Alcohol Markers. Brick stencil is called Back Alley by Rabbit Hole Designs.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party! The fun starts April 10th!

Unity Sketch Challenge (Layered Layout) - Haaaaaaay!

 Another card that I managed to get put together for the Unity Stamp Co. Sketch Challenge that is going on over at the Show & Tell Facebook page.

It's sort of ironic that this card came together the same day Angela asked in the group if we clean up our space between projects....I answered honestly as a resounding NO! The reason it's ironic is that these papers and stamp set were already sitting on the side of the desk. I was going to make something a few weeks back with them and never got to it....so it was all still out. LOL

Set is called ...thinking of moo, the December 2024 Uniquely Unity set. The papers are from Barnyard Blowout paper pack. 

I die cut the square using the scallops and squares nesting dies, colored with KingArt Alcohol Markers and used the stamp backing paper as the mask for the ink blending. I added some burlap cording, a tiny piece of red and white gingham ribbon, some red enamel dots and foam tape to bring it all to life!

Crafty Stamp Co. March Sketch Challenge - Merry & Sweet

 Another day, another sketch challenge! I am the queen of procrastination! Again housework has taken a backseat to my need to be creative!

I have limited Crafty Stamp Co. supplies, so I used what I have available! The Christmas Cookie Gnomies and the Nutcracker & Cocoa paper pack! Crafty Stamp Co. is a frequent sponsor at {BYSHC} Challenges so that's what I have....Christmas! LOL 

I followed the sketch, stamped a few items. The sentiment is the same sentiment from the stamp set, however I unfortunately cannot locate it at the moment! :/ So I typed it on the computer and printed it on cardstock! Added some foam tape to a couple pieces and there you go! Super Cute!

Unity Sketch Challenge (Layered Layout) - Have Faith

I sure hope this happens to people other than me.....I am easily distracted by pretty paper! LOL I am supposed to be cleaning up this craft room and what do I do....sit down at the desk and make a card! LOL 

Unity Stamp Co. is sponsoring a sketch/layered layout challenge on their Show & Tell Facebook page.  Thought I would give it a shot!

I had taken out for another project the Bohemian Dream paper pack last week, so it was still sitting on the desk. I knew that there were some scraps in there, so I started going through it. I decided on these few papers and got started. The first thing I did was figure out which die to use, based on size, and then what stamp fits in that size square! 

Boho Blooms is a set of 3 florals set into a square frame. I stamped it (using my MISTI tool) with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne, die cut with one of the scallops and square nesting dies and colored with KingArt Alcohol Markers. I used a bit of green-ish distress oxides to soften the edges a bit. The sentiment "have faith" is from the Faith & Hope set. I added a few glitter enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and some twine for a little extra umph!

Thanks for visiting!

~ March 2026 - Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Sketch

 Hello and welcome to March! The Friends of Unity are hopping right into this new sketch! Be sure to follow along for ooodles of inspiration!

It's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of sketches! I am a visual person....I can see the sketch, how it's laid out, how layers are placed, all that's left is the creativity!

I have had this idea for a "welcome to your new home" card but wasn't sure how to execute it. I think this is perfect! I used a Unity Background that's no longer available (beautiful day in the neighborhood) but there is another that it really similar...it's called Village Patchwork. As you can see I used a couple of the nesting die sets too! Scallops and rectangles as well as scallops and arches. I stamped the background with Versafine Clair in Nocturne, then colored just one house with KingArt Alcohol Markers. The sentiment was printed on my computer and cut to fit. Instead of a circle, I found a heart shaped button that I felt worked well! Popped up with some foam tape and then tied with some burlap twine and a bow!

When I say you can find inspiration in the strangest places....this is what I'm talking about. As I sat down to my computer to type up this post, a facebook post caught my eye. It's from a group called "Dorm Room Mama's." My daughter started college last fall and this was my go-to site for all things dorm room inspiration! Well the post today was all about care packages! This is the picture that I saw....do you see it.....the rainbow card?!? BAAMMM! Genius!!!

Here's my take on it!

I love it when a plan comes together! :) I grabbed the April 2022 Whit Kit, Rainbow Wishes along with the coordinating stencil. Stamped everything in multiple colors and then die cut the piece with the scallops and arches nesting dies. I added some foam adhesive, stash flowers, dew drops....its sweet!

Thanks for visiting! Please visit Joyce, her blog post is here, to proceed along with the hop. If you'd like to start at the beginning....Crystal's blog link is here.