~ December 2024 Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Winter Wonderland

 

Welcome to my stop on the Friends of Unity December 2024 Blog Hop!! Winter Wonderland! Fun fact.......December's Blog Hop marks 7 years of hops! I'm pretty sure I've been following since the beginning and now I'm a part of it! So amazing!!

Here in Florida, there isn't much "wintery" winter. Coming from Michigan, I know winter! Seems like there are one or two days that I do miss the cold snowy winter scene....Christmas Day and New Years Day! But I digress! Winter to me is peace and love and calmness. Waiting for the new year, spending time with family, being present in the moment. As busy as we all are, this time of year gives me the feeling of reflection and being thankful for all that I have been blessed with!

This card was created with a watercolored ink smooshed background. Created with several different colors, then more colors were added after I stamped the Unity Heart of Christmas. Colors used include peacock feathers, stormy sky, faded jeans, speckled egg, broken china. I spritzed some white acrylic paint and distress spray stain in vintage photo onto the panel too. I stamped the image with versamark ink then embossed with Gina K. White embossing powder. After the embossing was finished I then die cut the heart with a Unity Stitched up Heart {nesting die} set. I have to figure out a better way to get the die cut lined up in the opening! It's off, but not by much! I added some foam tape to the back of the heart to pop it up. I took some inspiration from the example on the Unity website done by Lea Johnston (Keisling) with the cut out word and the banner across the heart.

I used the coordinating die set for this set to cut out the word "peace." I stamped with black versafine clair, heat embossed with clear embossing powder then cut out the word and the banner with Unity dies. After all was assembled, I added some clear flat sequins for a little extra sparkle. 

This cutie came about during my week as Growing in Unity (last week) while I was making cards from scraps. Yes, everything but the snowman piece was laying on my desk! Snowmen scream winter wonderland to me! I started with the scraps from the PhotoPlay It's a Wonderful Christmas paper pack. The snowflake panel was die cut from a piece that was stamped with the Heart of Christmas, that didn't get used. The die set is the postage stamp nesting dies. I picked this snowman (Snow Buddies UU 11/24) because he's just so cute! Stamped onto 110lb cardstock, die cut with the same nesting die set and then colored with KingArt Alcohol Markers to match the plaid paper. 

The sentiment was stamped in black onto a red scrap with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. It comes from the Winter Cheer & Deer set.

To start the hop from the beginning, you want to visit Crystal's blog here. If you are ready to move on, Rachel is next! 

I would like to take this time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! Much love and peace to you and your families! See you all in 2025!

Growing in Unity - Final Day!

 It's amazing how fast a week goes by when you are having so much fun! Welcome to day 5 of my Growing in Unity Week! Thank you for each and every comment and kind word both here and on Facebook....I am truly thankful and humbled by each one!

If you "know" me, then you know how I am a hoarder.......of scraps! It's so fun to find things that go together, but aren't supposed to go together! LOL Between all the Christmas card making, birthday card making, Thanksgiving card making, etc. my desk is covered with scraps. All sizes, all occasions, some solid cardstock, some red and white peppermint stripe paper! Not only that but bits and pieces of things....sentiments not used, leftover circles from a die cuts, just a hodge-podge of stuff! So for the last day of my week.....it's all about the scraps!

This is the beginning ^ picture! Paper, sentiments, images, vellum, all the things! Let's get to work!

All in all I made 3 birthday cards, one friend card and 4 holiday cards (one not pictured going on my Friends of Unity post {stay tuned} :) I can honestly say that there is plenty more scrap cards to come, two factors contributed to there not being more.....I've been fighting a cold all week and Thanksgiving Prep and subsequent cleanup! LOL ;)

Through this process, I used a bunch of sketches that can be found either at {BYSHC} Facebook Page, or on Tawny Owl Paperie Facebook Page! I am a sucker for a good sketch! Sketches are there to "inspire not require!"

I hope you give your scraps some love! Remember you kept them for a reason! That reason is now! I so enjoyed my week with ya'll! See you again soon!!

I'll leave the commenting until Sunday afternoon-ish and then will start the random-prize-winner-choosing-process! :)

{BYSHC} Sketch 49 - Have Yourself a Merry!

 Hello again! We are still working to fill our stash of Christmas and Holiday cards at {BYSHC}! Hope you have been following along all year! With Fall approaching, thoughts ultimately drift to Christmas and Holiday planning. 

The sponsor this month is Therm-O-Web! Be sure to get your cards into the sketch 49 album on Facebook for a chance at an awesome prize!

Today's card was inspired (loosely) by the cards Echo Noble posted on the Unity Stamp Co. website under this set...called Ornamental Greetings. This stamp set, the papers and the "ornament" die were all included in the November 2022 Whit Kit. 

I did decide to turn the card horizontal for this one, for no other reason than I had a horizontal card base laying out! LOL I started with the red background paper, then die cut some kraft using the largest scalloped and stitched rectangle die. This is where I didn't really think this through all the way before I glued everything together! LOL I glued everything together, then cut the patterned paper panel with the largest rectangle die. My papers were a bit thick! So had to go a couple times! (Learn from my mistake and just cut the papers to meet in the middle!)

The sentiment was stamped onto white cardstock, die cut with one of the circles from the scalloped and circle nesting dies and then distressed with some vintage photo. I also distressed the edge of the panel with the same. The red polka dot banners were added with a paperclip and don't forget the ornament topper!

{BYSHC} Sketch 49 - Merry & Bright

 We are half way through the month of September.  Plenty of time to get your entry in for sketch 49 at {BYSHC}. This sketch runs through the end of the month. The sponsor for this month's prize is Therm-O-Web! I had wanted to use Therm-O-Web products, but all I had on hand was the deco foil, tear tape and foam adhesive! So here ya go!

The stripes at the bottom are created using tear tape and deco foil from the Shades of Aqua pack! I tried to run the tape as close together as possible so that you couldn't see any white....it's there, but I guess I did the best I could! The snowflakes, sentiment and snowman are all from Unity Stamp Co. as is the banner die used on the sentiment. Two different sets were used.....the snowman and snowflakes are from Snow, Snow Cute and the sentiment is from Winter Cheer and Deer.  A couple staples, some foam tape and glitter enamel dots finish it off!

{BYSHC} Sketch #48 - Holiday Cheer

 Hello and welcome to August! After the Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party I still had a ton of scraps that I didn't get to use. What better way than to make another background! Unlike the Linky Party your submissions go into the appropriate sketch folder on the {BYSHC} FB Page! 

Sketch 48 is pictured below. The fun thing about sketch 48 is that it was inspired by one of my cards from last year! :) How fun is that?!? It too was created by stacking strips of scrap cardstock together to create an interesting background! The papers that I have used here are all different manufacturers! they just looked good together! Nothing scientific about it! :) This month's prize sponsor is Unity Stamp Co.! This is where the majority of my stamp and die supplies came from!

This card started with a piece of copy paper that I added some adhesive to and started stacking my strips. The strips are cut into 1/2" strips. Once they are all stuck down, I take my scissors and trim them down. The kraft cardstock mat is from Unity.  The reindeer and sentiment are from a Unity set called Winter Cheer and Deer. I stamped them both onto white cardstock, die cut the reindeer with the scalloped and circle nesting dies, distressed around the edges with vintage photo and a little walnut stain and then mounted it on the opposite side of the card. I thought he should be looking over the entire card instead of just the edge! ;)  Next I took the largest scalloped and rectangle nesting die and cut the entire thing. That way everything is pressed down and the circle edge matches! The sentiment was die cut using another Unity nesting die set called scallops and banners! I distressed it as well with vintage photo. After all was said and done, I added some red enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs to finish it off!

My inspiration card! <3

{BYSHC} Sketch #48 - Cup of Cheer

 My goal all year has been to use the monthly sponsored company's products on the cards that I post. I was so wrapped up in the Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party that I just grabbed this digi stamp from Not2Shabby and did the whole thing before I remembered the sponsor this month is Unity Stamp Co.! Unlike the Linky Party, this challenges entries are to be made in the appropriate album on the {BYSHC} Facebook page!

I created these strips of scrap pieces during the Linky Party, but thought they would be appropriate for this sketch! I am getting ready to attempt a video about how I did this background. I am shocked at the response it received when I did it for the Linky Party! The link to that written instruction can be found HERE. Once a video is ready, I'll add that link here too!

Started with a bunch of scraps cut into 1/2" strips, arranged them on a piece of copy paper, then cut them into 1/2" strips going the opposite way! Glued them down onto my cardstock base and this is the outcome! I did die cut the scrap panel and the kraft mat panel using the scalloped and rectangle nesting dies from Unity. The digi stamp as I said is from Not2Shabby which happens to be a freebie! After it was colored, I distressed the edges with some vintage photo and walnut stain. The "cookie" shapes are stickers from Miss Kate Cuttables. The red enamel dots finish it off and they are from Gina Marie Designs.

~August 2024 Friends of Unity - Friendship~

Hello and welcome to the August 2024 Friends of Unity Blog Hop! This month's inspiration is about friendship. I have some amazing friends! I love to share cards with them!  

Of course I send/give them handmade birthday cards and Christmas cards, but sometimes you just need a "hey there friend" kind of card! An encouraging word from a friend will certainly make anyone smile!

I've got a couple to share with you this month!

This lovely card was inspired by a card created by Unity Design Team member April Sarandrea. If you are not a member of the Unity Stamp Co. Show & Tell Facebook group, you should be! The talent and inspiration (and encouragement and love) that comes from that group is amazing!

This stamp set is so gorgeous! It's called He Provides and comes with some amazing sentiments as well! I stamped the image onto regular white cardstock with some VersaFine Clair nocturne, then colored with alcohol markers. The coloring was inspired by another DT Member Bobbie Sue! Her watercoloring is superb! Although this isn't watercolored, I wanted to give it some shine and used some gold pigment ink from Delicata (it came in a kit). I smooshed it onto an acrylic block, added water and brushed it on top of the coloring I had done. After that dried...I took more of the gold ink smooshing and splattered some onto the image...then took some white pigment ink and some of the alcohol inks and did the same thing! I die cut the panel using the largest non-scalloped and rectangle nesting die. So I know you are thinking....that's not a rectangle! I moved the die over to cut the other edge! 

After that was cut I took some black printed cardstock and a scrap of pink and tore them to create the edge. Glued everything together and wrapped it with Burlap Twine! The sentiment is from the Kit of the Month from March 2024 called Love and Good Vibes. I attached a scrap if light pink and stapled them together with some rose gold staples! Clear dew drops were also added for some sparkle!

My next card is another simple and cute "hey there friend" kind of card!

 

This also has some torn edges! Seems to be my thing this month! LOL The stamp set is an itty bitty called Glad we're Friends. Started with a sheet of patterned paper, then I tore some cardstock strips and glued them all down. The largest scalloped and rectangle nesting die set is definitely my most used die set! I die cut the entire panel! I added some burlap twine under the tag. The tag was cut with the Unity Make a tag set. I colored with a little bit of watercolor and added a cute little paperclip to the edge! The sentiment and tag were added using foam adhesive. Some Gina Marie Design enamel dots to finish it off!

I can honestly say that my friends *love* a handmade card! One said to me the other day, when I had given her a birthday gift and a handmade card...."No one has ever given me something they made just for me!" <3 You just never know what people are going through or have on their minds...a sweet message of "hey I was thinking of you" could be all that it takes to make someone's day! Love your friends hard and keep them close! <3

That's it for me! Thanks for visiting! Be sure to let me know what you think! To start the hop at the beginning, Crystal is the one! If you are ready for the next inspiration, you can find it here with April!

Enjoy!!

Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Peace on Earth

 Sneaking in one (maybe two) before the midnight deadline! Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party has 3-ish hours left! LOL

Definitely not a good picture of this cutie at all! It's 9pm and the sun is gone! :) Taken by the light of my craft room!

pulled papers literally from the scrap bag (picture below)!! The reindeer I had already stamped and die cut for another project that didn't get used. Grabbed a sketch from {BYSHC} #33 and cut to size! I added some twine and some white enamel dots to make it fun!!

Use what you have! I talk myself out of paper all the time! LOL I have so much and the scraps can create all by themselves! I've proven that this week!! I have so many more that I am sure I'll never get through them all! It's so fun!!

Thanks for joining us this week! I hope you enjoyed all the inspiration and good luck and I hope the "random.org" Gods are forever in your favor! :)

Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Christmas Joy

 Didn't expect to get another one in, but I did! Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party ends at midnight.

The only thing on this card that's "new" and not from the scrap bin is the die cut tag! It was a regular panel, but I cut it into a tag!

The snowflake panel didn't stamp perfectly the first time so it went in the scrap bin and has now gained new life!! I grabbed a sketch that matched the size and shape of the image. Sketch 33 fit the bill! I love being able to go through my scraps and see what I can come up with! It's like a treasure hunt! My desk is an absolute mess, but wow....what a fun week!!  The snowflake background, the scalloped and rectangle die set, the tag die and the sentiment strips are all from Unity! Enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and ribbon from stash!

Don't forget to get your cards in before midnight!

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

We've made it to the very last day of the Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party! Don't be sad...you still have time to submit any and all entries before midnight tonight!

Another quilted scrappy background card! I had no idea when I made the first one, the response I would get! I'm so blown away by the comments and other versions! It's so fun!! 

Another piece from the "later" box is this vellum sheet with the Farm Fresh Girl from Unity Stamp Co. After I had pieced all the background together, I die cut it with the largest scalloped and rectangle nesting die....also from Unity. So I had this vellum piece with the girl stamped and embossed just sitting here. I remembered seeing a video of a card using vellum just like this so I had to find it! The YouTube video by Heather Hoffman is here! 

I followed her instruction and stamped and fussy cut the girl out of white cardstock and attached it as she instructed. I didn't sew like she did, but after I glued the top on, I added a thick piece of ribbon to cover the glue mark!

LOVE THIS!! Thanks Heather for an amazing tutorial!!

Don't forget submit before midnight!

{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

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2024 Linky Party - Snowman

 Getting to the end of the party, but I'm still using scraps! Be sure to get your entries posted to the {BYSHC} Blog before midnight Friday to be eligible for the amazing prizes!

My next card is another "quilted" scrap card. This time I chose some blues and a little pop of red!

The image is from one of our sponsors, Not 2 Shabby. It's called Let it Snow! I die cut the scrap panel and the snowman image using the scallops and rectangles nesting dies from Unity Stamp Co. I cut the edges of the snowman panel to create a tag. I colored with my Tombow dual brush markers. I added some jute twine and some blue fluffy fibers to the top of the tag. Some foam tape and blue enamel dots to finish!

Thanks for visiting!

psssst......discount code from Not2Shabby 15% off (some exclusions may apply) BYSHC

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2024 Linky Party - Cup of Cheer

 Hello again! I have another card using up some scraps with an image from another sponsor! {BYSHC} have an amazing list of sponsors who will be providing prizes at the end of the party! Be sure to check the blog for the entire list!

Not 2 Shabby is the sponsor for this one! The digital image is called Have a Cup of Cheer. 

The red panel had been dry embossed (quite a while ago) with a 3d embossing folder from Stampin Up. I die cut the red and focal panel using the scallops and rectangles nesting dies from Unity Stamp Co. I colored the image with alcohol markers and then punched a few snowflakes from another scrap of cardstock! to the snowflakes I added some blue glitter enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs.

Thanks for visiting!

psssst....Not2Shabby discount code for 15% off (some exclusions may apply) BYSHC