Unity Stamp Co. Monochromatic Tear it and Tone it Challenge - Trust in the Lord

Here I am with yet another challenge! This time it's the Unity Stamp Co. Show and Tell FB Page Tear it and tone it challenge!

I loved the idea of the inspiration photo to create four cards with the same image but in different colors.....so that's what I did.....I made four!

The set I chose to highlight is called One of Those People. I then grabbed an itty bitty called Just have Trust for the sentiment. It fit into the "circle" sentiment space better. For each card I utilized some of the Unity dies....Scallops and Circles Nesting Die Set and Scallops and Rectangle Nesting Die Set.

For the above two cards I used the Tuscan Tile Background for the background. Top one is done with Antique Linen Distress Oxide and the bottom one I used Peeled Paint Distress Oxide. Both of these backgrounds, the purple background and all of the other patterned paper and solid cardstock came directly from my scraps. The backgrounds used were created previously and not used for their initial intended purpose!

This background was created with ink smooshing. I used several different purple ink pads on this one and created waaaaayyyyy too many panels to be used for the initial project! Hence the leftover background!

This one I used a scrap piece of patterned paper and found a coordinating scrap of solid in my stash. It was a bonus that this peach colored cardstock is embossed with a swirly pattern.

As well as the cardstock and ink, I also used some embellishments. Foam tape for the sentiments, chipboard hearts from Heidi Swapp, green and purple enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs, and pearls from my stash.

~ 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!

Lucky!

 I do not typically make St. Patrick's Day cards....but with the Saturday at the Market event coming up this weekend, I thought I should have a couple on hand just in case! I did a quick Pinterest search and found this amazing background idea! 

I guessed on the supplies used and went with what I had and I absolutely love the two backgrounds I created!! This card was made with the lighter of the two.

Stencil from Tim Holtz (harlequin THS016), Distress oxide in cracked pistachio and lucky clover were used. I inked the stencil, spritzed with water, then pressed it down onto the 110# cardstock. Spritzed some leftover distress oxide on to that, then added some Distress Mica Spray in Antique Bronze, and Distress spray stain in Vintage Photo. I ink blended over the edges after distressing with a distressing tool.  The black border line is hand drawn. The stamp set is here.

I then went digging for a "match" of a background paper color. Cut it and distressed the edges on it as well. I found in the scrap pile some paper I tore to reveal the white edges. I created the bronze looking one myself by spraying the mica spray on a scrap piece of paper. Some brown twine (jillibeansoup) and transparent enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs to finish it off!

close up of the background!

Growing in Unity - Day #3

Half way through the week! Whew, that was fast! Since discovering Unity, I have learned so many techniques. I have also learned a bunch of things on Pinterest. It's a great place to find inspiration for all the things! 

I have done this technique before...white embossing, ink blending....but I found this set of cards on Pinterest and thought I had to give it a go! I have a bunch of Birthday's kicking off my new year, so Birthday cards are on my mind!

This card started as a full sheet of watercolor paper. I cut it up into 4 - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panels. Since it happens to be "UNITY MEMBERSHIP MAKES," I grabbed a large mandala that happens to be from the February 2017 Kit of the Month. I purchased it second hand. I stamped this large stamp using VersaMark embossing ink and my Misti so that I could be sure the image was stamped fully and ready to accept embossing powder! White embossing powder and a heat gun, then on to the ink blending with some Salvaged Patina distress oxide. I then wiped the excess ink off of the embossing, then sprinkled some water on to give it depth. 

I then found a strip of patterned paper and added it to the edge, then a strip of black cardstock to divide the edge. Happy Birthday (from gotta love sentiments) was stamped with versamark and embossed with white embossing powder.

I added some white enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and it's done! I plan on making more of these in different colors!

Don't forget to comment to have a chance to win one of two $20 gift cards to Unity!

Inky Paws Challenge 232 - Fall Birthday

 I managed to create another cozy fall birthday card for the Newton's Nook Designs Inky Paws Challenge!

Started with a  Spellbinders embossing folder...plaid company...to which I added some vintage photo to one side and then embossed a piece of kraft cardstock. I ink blended around the edges with first some wild honey, then more vintage photo, then die cut with the largest scallops and rectangles nesting die set from Unity. Onto the image! The stamp set is from NND, called Loads of Blooms. I'm sure this is meant to be a "spring" stamp set, but just change the colors and viola it's fall! :) After I stamped it onto white cardstock, I die cut it with a tag die set called fancy edges tag die. Colored according to the inspiration picture....reds, oranges, yellows, greens. Sentiment is also from that stamp set and was stamped onto kraft, embossed with clear embossing powder, then die cut using a stitched banner die from Unity. Ink blended around the tag and the sentiment with some vintage photo. Tied on a few colors of twine, burlap twine (MayArts Ribbon), and two colors of bakers twine (Timeless Twine by BellaCreationz). Popped it up with some foam adhesive and added some enamel dots for an extra shine.

Not sure I have another one in me today, but you just never know! :)

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2024 Linky Party - Silent Night

 Hello and welcome back! Today's card for the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2024 Linky Party is another digital image from RAM Stamps!

I have again chosen the Nativity Scene Builder from RAM Stamps! 

This sweet set has the essential nativity participants! Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, wise men, farm animals and of course a manger and stable! As I stated previously I just was enlightened that digital stamps are meant to be manipulated to create a scene and change sizes!! 

After resizing and positioning the items on my screen as I wanted, I printed this onto white 60# cardstock and die cut using the largest scallop and rectangle nesting die from Unity Stamp Co. I then distressed the edges with a little vintage photo ink blending. The angel and blessed family were printed separately and fussy cut. All were colored with Tombow brush markers and some white gel pen. I attached the angel and blessed family using some foam adhesive. 

Somewhat simple but still just as meaningful!

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you soon!

psssst...discount code from RAM Stamps! CHRISTMAS50

Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Merry & Bright

 Happy Wednesday! The Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party is still going! Friday at midnight is your deadline! Today's card combines two challenges!

The second challenge I'm talking about is at Hero Arts! Their challenge is called "color my world." I take that to mean lots of vibrant colors!!

I've taken their Flower Swirls Stencils, and the Merry Stamp & Cut to create this colorful card! The inks I used over the stencil are lumberjack plaid and twisted citron. After I removed the stencil I splattered some water on it to create a little distressing. The panel was then die cut with the largest scalloped and rectangle die from Unity Stamp Co. I then moved onto the sentiment. I die cut the "merry" from a scrap of white cardstock. Then stamped on the top and bottom part of the sentiment using WOW! Embossing ink and Gina K Designs white embossing powder. That black panel was then die cut with the scalloped and banner die set from Unity. Glued everything together then used some foam adhesive from therm-0-web to attach it to the background. Some green and red glitter enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs to finish it off!

Thanks for visiting!! Keep up the great work on these submissions! We are approaching a record number of entries!!

Falling for the Holidays 2023 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Blessed Winter

 I didn't plan on there being many more entries for the Falling for the Holidays 2023 {BYSHC} Linky Party but yet here I am.....posting another card! ;)

Angela at Unity Stamp Co. has been posting a few card tutorial videos! They are currently posted on the Unity Stamp Co. home page! Since it was going to be quick and easy....I thought I'd give it a try! She makes it look so easy! It took me longer than it did her! LOL

I used a set called Winter Blessings b y Graciellie Designs & Unity. I also used some kraft cardstock I purchased from Unity along with gina k. designs white pigment ink and white embossing powder.  Next I took some Distress Ink in Walnut Stain and stamped a few more pine sprigs. I then stamped the sentiment from the same kit with Distress Oxide in Vintage Photo and die cut it using the scallops and squares nesting dies. My sentiment was too large for the smallest and my paper was to small for the next size up....so I made my own shape! I splattered some watered down white acrylic paint and some yasutomo shimmer watercolor.  I added some white bakers twine and white enamel dots from gina marie designs and popped the sentiment up with foam tape. 

While it took me a little longer than it did Angela, I do love how this looks!!! 

{BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2023 Linky Party

 Welcome back! The {BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2023 Linky Party continues!

Another background that just wasn't the right color green and more reindeer! But I've added another element on top of the floral background.....a grid background stamp!

Started with a white card base then a plain white piece of cardstock was stamped with the Unity Stamp Co. background stamp called Tuscan Tile using Distress ink in Shabby shutters. I then stamped onto it a background called off the grid using distress oxides in antique linen and vintage photo. I die cut that panel along with a piece of brown cardstock using the Sizzix/Tim Holtz dies called Stacked Deckle. The green panel behind was distressed along the edge and then inked to show the distressing. The reindeer were stamped onto white with black and I thought it was a little too stark so I ink blended over them with vintage photo to darken them up a bit. I added some red twine and brads to finish it off. 

If we have learned anything.....if it doesn't work right now, save it because it will work for something else! :)

The party link will end on the 27th at midnight!