~July 2026 - Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Color Challenge

Hello and welcome to the Friends of Unity July 2026 Blog Hop! 

We have a color theme this month! Where I live, Florida USA, we are marking the 250th birthday of the USA! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

I did NOT want to make only "4th of July" cards, so I created a mix!

My first card features a ink smooshed background (colors are Distress Oxides in stormy sky, faded jeans and speckled egg. Next I die cut that panel using the scallops and rectangle nesting dies. The boots are from the April 2022 Kit of the Month - True Colors which I colored with KingArt Alcohol Markers and then fussy cut out (cutter bee scissors are the best)! The sentiment is from Joy & Brighter Days. 

I then popped the image and sentiment up with foam adhesive and adorned with clear dew drops, thought they looked like rain.

Next up is a celebration card featuring lovely red flowers against a blue wood-look background.

The floral image and sentiment are from the July 2020 Front & Center Sentiment kit called ...aging gorgeously. I die cut it and the blue wood-look background paper (which is from rustic wood paper pack) using the scallops and rectangles nesting dies. I created a tag with the sentiment and attached it using some natural twine from Timeless Twine.

I added some Nuvo Aqua Shimmer in Glitter Gloss to the petals of the flowers. It was a little difficult to photograph, but it's there! :) I also added some enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs too!

Next up is a card that utilizes one of the amazing backgrounds of the month! 

I grabbed ...assorted blooms (BOM 2/2023), stamped it onto white cardstock with VersaFine Clair, colored with KingArt Alcohol Markers and then die cut with the scallops and rectangles nesting dies. Coordinating red polkadot paper was in with my scraps. The sentiment is from a grab bag I received, but the kit is Well Hello There, which I die cut by manipulating the scallops and banners nesting dies to accommodate the size I needed. I added some natural burlap twine from May arts designs and multiple colors of enamel dots and pearls from Gina Marie Designs.

And last but not least, what is red, white and blue without a cow!?!? I just felt the need to add a cow! LOL

I took some inspiration from the examples on the Unity website, created by Tammy Hawes and Shilo Miles. The postage stamp nesting dies are what makes this card! I grabbed the Barnyard Blowout paper pack, which has OOOOODLES of Red, White and Blue! Die cut the red gingham, then took the bandana page and cut it to fit. The cutest cow set..thinking of moo, was the set of choice! Such a sweet face!

If you came here from Von Marie, but want to start at the beginning, Crystal's blog is here. To continue to the next, please visit my friend Rachel's blog here.

Thanks for the visit! Please leave me some love in the comments! 🩷🩷

{BYSHC} Sketch 71 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Hello friends! Welcome to the {BYSHC} Sketch 71! Our sponsor this month is A Colorful Life Designs! 

My first card is a compilation of some scraps and leftover things! LOL If you have followed me at all in the past, you know that this is my thing! LOL The plaid paper is from RAM Stamps, the blue is the back of a birthday page! :) The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Co., Ornaments Greetings.

I utilized the scallops and circles nesting dies from Unity for both circles, one of kraft and one of vellum. Added some enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs.

Please keep an eye out for the start of the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party which starts on the 17th!!!

{BYSHC} Sketch 70 - Santa's on His Way!

Hello again and welcome back! There are only a few days remaining to enter the {BYSHC} Sketch 70! Our amazing sponsor, Crafty Stamp Co., is generously providing the prize this month!

My card for today features paper and stamps from Crafty Stamp Co.! The paper called, Season of Giving along with the stamp set called Here Comes Santa coordinate so well together!

Another quick reminder to mark your calendars for the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party set to begin July 17th!

 

~ June 2026 - Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Food & Drink

Hello friends! Welcome to June! The Friends of Unity are hoping this month with a super fun prompt....Food & Drink! I had a giant list of stamps at my disposal! Could only choose a few!

First card has to be a birthday cupcake....right?!?!? I started with the January 2023 Kit of the Month {bloom and evolve}, the sentiment is from Gotta Love Sentiments. I have always been inspired by Tenia's designs so this one pays homage to her style! :)

Patterned paper is from Oh Hey! It's Your Day! After I stamped the image (with Versafine Clair) using my Misti....I die cut it with one of the tags from the Make a Tag Nesting Die set. I used my KingArt Alcohol Markers to color the yummy cupcake to coordinate with the polka dots on the paper. I added a scrap from the same paper pack, some red twine, some foam tape and a heart paperclip! 

Next up a big squeeze!

I created this background a few months ago and it's been sitting here waiting for the perfect chance to shine! Today is the day! I used the Slices of Summer layering stencil but used yellow ink to create lemons! I used cookie dough lunar paste to make the seeds! Die cut with the scallops and rectangle nesting dies!

I decided to add a refreshing lemonade to this for a summer "chill" card! The itty-bitty is called chillin'.  Stamped with VersaFine Clair, fussy cut with cutter bee scissors and added using foam tape! 

I was scrolling through my photos the other day....looking for something and I came across a screen-shot I took 12 years ago! :| 12 years ago?!? Are you kidding me?!?! Realized that it was a card posted by Heather Hoffman that inspired me to find this sweet citrus set! Obviously I had to make something with the need a squeeze itty bitty, sadly now retired. Just as the newest Tawny Owl Paperie sketch was released....seemed like the perfect timing!

I started with a sunburst stencil which was in the August 2023 Whit Kit. I used twisted citron, dried marigold and scattered straw for the burst. I die cut the circle with the scallops and circles nesting dies. I used the leftover ink on the blending brushes to shade in the citrus. Next colored with KingArt Art Markers. Printed the sentiment from the computer. Added some coordinating buttons from my stash for a little extra dimension!

So many choices....I had to do at least one more! :)

This sweet itty bitty has been in my collection for sooooo long! It's called berry sweet moments, since been retired but I still love it!

Stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne, colored with King Art Alcohol Markers. Die cut with the make a tag nesting dies. The background paper is from Rustic Farmhouse, the red plaid is from Barnyard Blowout. The polkadot is actually Christmas paper! LOL

I added some burlap and red twine from May Arts Ribbon and some clear flat sequins. As well as some foam adhesive. 

I felt that it needed "something" but wasn't sure what to do. Since I colored with Alcohol markers, I thought I'd try to move it around some. I grabbed some isopropyl alcohol....without a plan! :/  I added a few drops to see what would happen and this is the result! :/ I sprinkled some lumberjack plaid on as well......not sure if I've ruined it or not, but this is the result. I may need to adjust it again. 

I left this on the blog post to show that you could always try something new and see what happens. I almost took this whole part off, but sometimes things work and sometimes they don't exactly, but in the end its still art and you created it! :)

Thanks for visiting and following along! I'd love to hear your feedback!!

If you'd like to start over at the beginning, Crystal's blog is the place to be! If you are ready to move on, Toni is your girl! :)

p.s.  apologies….I just now realized that the majority of my cards feature stamps that have been retired! :/

 

{BYSHC} Sketch 70 - Merry & Sweet

 Hello friends and welcome to {BYSHC} Sketch 70! Our sponsor this month is Crafty Stamp Co. Stamps and paper are brought to you by this amazing sponsor!

This sweet card combines the cozy paper of nutcracker & cocoa, and the whimsy of Christmas Cookie Gnomes!

Mark your calendars.....the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party is on the way!

{BYSHC} Sketch 69 - Merry Christmas

  Hello friends! How are we here already?!? May is ending and summer is on the horizon! Well let's get right to it! :) Sketch 69 goes all month long and our amazing sponsor for this month is Newton's Nook Designs! 

The stamp set I've chosen is Scandi Christmas, which is unfortunately retired :( Papers are again scraps (shocker) from multiple manufacturers. I stamped the reindeer with kraft ink and fussy cut him out! Simple and elegant!

~ May 2026 - Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Farmhouse

Hello and welcome to the May 2026 Friends of Unity Blog Hop! Our theme this month is Farmhouse. Hope you enjoy the hop!

To be honest, I had a few ideas about this theme a few weeks before I got started, but when I sat down to create something, I was stumped! LOL I hope that I have sufficiently captured the theme of Farmhouse! :)

For those that "know" me....know that I am an avid (or should I say RABID) crocheter! I crochet A LOT!  I created the scalloped piece from some very fine yarn and attached it with some tear tape. Seemed like the most secure way to attach it! I used some Kraft cardstock and a piece of the Pastel Gingham Collection (Whit Kit 3/2024). The stamps used are from the December 2022 KOM {a new chapter}. I stamped the flower and sentiment with VersaFine Clair Nocturne, the distressed words with Antique Linen Distress Oxide. Colored the flower with Kingart Art Markers. Die cut with the smallest scallops and rectangle nesting dies and then tore the left side off....as well as tearing off the left side of the gingham panel too! Some foam tape, twine from May Arts and some enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and she's finished! :)

I know this may be a shocker, but this next card features some scraps that were left from the Country Lovin' paper pack and a few from Barnyard Blowout. They went together perfectly! With the scraps I had in front of me, I went on the hunt for a good sketch! Tawny Owl Paperie to the rescue! I found the perfect sketch from May 2025, Sketch 33 is pictured below.

What is more "Farm"house than a sweet cow! This cutie is from ...thinking of moo (12/2024 Uniquely Unity and the sentiment is from (one of my favorites) Gotta Love Sentiments. Stamped with versafine clair nocturne, die cut with the postage stamp nesting dies and colored with KingArt Art Markers. I added a teeny bit of distressing around the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I also used the scallops and banners nesting dies. I then added some twine from May Arts and some red enamel dots from Gina Marie designs and a cute little heart paperclip.

I have one last card to share. When I heard "farmhouse" thoughts of the super strong women who ran the whole thing popped into my head! 

I pulled out the Wallpaper & Warmth paper pack from the January 2025 Whit Kit and it just reminded me of the calico dresses and aprons that you see in old photos. I also grabbed another favorite set of mine, Difficult Roads. I absolutely love the detail in the mason jar vase with the cotton flowers. I found a picture on Pinterest that is not on the website, created by Karen Maldonado, and used it as inspiration! I stamped the image and the sentiment onto kraft cardstock. I then used my Tombow ABT Brush Markers to color. It created a softer color gradient that I was looking for. After coloring I trimmed the panel down a bit. For the backer, I used a piece of cardboard packing and ran it through the embossing machine with a woodgrain folder! I distressed both pieces with the Tim Holtz distressing tool and added some walnut stain distress ink to the edges. Even though you cannot see it, I did add some thicker burlap twine under the image. To that I tied a piece of seam binding from My Scrap Cabin in the color sea mist. 

The sentiment was a whole other project! LOL I cut it down two or three times and ended with the round top and bottom and squared sides. I felt it needed a little something more. I die cut a tag topper and attached it to the very tippy top edge. Tied on some natural twine and added it to the front! A few flat sequins and some Nuvo Aqua Shimmer in Glitter Gloss to finish!

I thought I was finished, until I saw the newest sketch from Tawny Owl Papiere! :)

I started with the paper choices, then moved onto the stamp set. I have to say that I switched multiple times in the search process! It's not always cut and dry! Sometimes it takes some tweaking and switching things around to get the result you are looking for! Ended up with the I'd Go Anywhere set along with the sentiment from Sing the Lord's Praise. Stamped both with VersaFine Clair Nocturne. Die cut the main image with the scallops and squares nesting dies. My paper choices were Rustic Farmhouse (11/2020 Whit Kit) and Simply Spring (5/2021 Whit Kit). I liked how Crystal tore the paper to make the diagonal....so that's what I did as well.

Lastly I colored with my Tombow ABT markers for better control of the color again. Added some natural bakers twine and enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs! While it was unexpected, I'm glad I took the time to create it! :)

If you would like to start over at the beginning, Crystal's blog is the place to start! If you are ready to move on....Rachel is your next stop! Enjoy the rest of the hop!

I would love to hear your thoughts! Please leave me some love! :) <3