~ 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! :)

Inky Paws Challenge #232 - Cozy Fall!

 I struggle with fall cards...."fall" in Florida is basically the same as summer! Also, I don't typically send fall-ish cards! Soooooo, BIRTHDAY CARDS it is!

I created the plaid background based on the inspiration photo. Evergreen bough, festive berries, scattered straw and tea dye are the colors I used. I blended over a plaid builder stencil by Unity Stamp Co. Then I splattered some watered down white acrylic paint and some distress stain in vintage photo.  I die cut the panels with a Tim Holtz nesting die set called Stacked Deckle. Then I ink blended around the edges with more vintage photo and arranged them as I thought would look best. On to this cuuuuute mouse!! This little guy is from Newton's Nook Designs set called Garden Mice. Colored with some kingart alcohol markers and then used the matching die set to cut him out. The sentiment is from an older NND set called Simply Sentimental (sorry, it's no longer available). Stamped onto kraft with versamark and white embossing powder then tore the ends. Added some enamel dots, a cute little paperclip and a couple little accent flags for extra detail! Hope you like this one! It took awhile for me to figure out what to do! LOLOL

~ September 2024 Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Color Challenge!

Here we are...September! Whew that was fast! The Friends of Unity are hopping again! This month is a color challenge! Just in time for all the fall/thanksgiving cards! 

 If you have arrived here from Jane's blog and wanted to start at the beginning.....you can click here to be taken to Crystal's blog!

Living in Florida, doesn't give much of this color pallette during the fall! I am originally from Southeastern Lower Michigan so I have experienced it in my lifetime but definitely missing the beautiful colors, crisp fall air, cider mills this time of year!

Unity Background of the Month August 2024 ...rustic foliage, stamped onto ink blended panel. 

I started with a piece of white cardstock, then blended scattered straw, wild honey, crackling campfire, walnut stain and black soot, around and around blending as I went. This is when I die cut it with the scalloped and stitched edge nesting die. The yellow got a little muddy when I went back in after I had stamped the background on. Sentiment from September 2023 harvest hues stamped in black onto kraft, die cut and mounted with foam adhesive, may arts ribbon burlap string and gina marie designs matte enamel dots.

Next is a completely different look, but similar fall colors.

Image and sentient from August 2024 KOM {thanks in all the things}. 

Started with a piece of white cardstock and stamped the image in black. Then started the coloring with Tim holtz watercolor pencils. I'm new to using these, so some of my colored parts don't really look like I had wanted, but all in all its a thumbs up!

 Spritzed some of the colors all over the panel. I then cut the colored panel with the largest rectangle from the scallops and rectangle nesting dies and then distressed it a bit with a distressing tool. I did ink blend around the edges a bit both before and after the distressing with walnut stain and some vintage photo. I added a white mat so that it popped a little more off the black background (also die cut with the largest scalloped rectangle), then added white bakers twine, clear dew drops.

Next is a card that I created using a background technique from Crystal from a few months back....double background stamping. 

The backgrounds I chose are September 2023 BOM ...off the grid and August 2024 BOM ...rustic foliage. Started with a white piece of cardstock. Stamped the grid using vintage photo. Next the fall foliage was stamped using several different oxides stamped all over to show all the colors! Crackling campfire, wild honey, vintage photo, scattered straw. After die cutting with the scalloped and stitched nesting die, I blended on some black soot along the edges. 

Typically I do not send a bunch of fall cards, so thought I would make this one a birthday card! These colors were perfect to create this monarch butterfly (from April 2020 Whit Kit grow. transform. evolve) which was stamped in black and then colored with Tombow Art Markers and some white uni-ball white gel pen and fussy cut. 

I popped up the top, but glued the bottom to the cardbase.

And last but not least, I created a card based on a card I saw on pinterest. It was an advertisement for Walmart so it did not have a name attached to it, so I cannot give credit.

When I viewed the original, it appeared to be ink smooshing in a few different colors, then a black silhouetted image on top of that. So that's what I went with! Colors are wild honey, scattered straw, walnut stain, tea dye, crackling campfire and black soot. Tree line is from December 2023 Whit Kit (radiant moonlit forest) and the sentiment is from April 2024 KOM {petal post}. 

This somber looking scene didn't feel like a "happy birthday" or a "happy fall," definitely feels like a sympathy card. I am very pleased with how this turned out!

This was midway through.

Thanks so much for visiting! If you've made it this far, congrats!! This was a long one! Next on the hop is Dawn!

Be sure to leave me some love, I am so thankful to hear your feedback! 

Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Non-Traditional Colors

 This card is a little unusual! I searched in Pinterest for "non-traditional Christmas colors" and this combo popped up! Love Love LOVE!! The Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party is close to setting a record for entries! Be sure yours is entered before midnight on Friday!

As with another post from earlier this week, I am entering this into another challenge blog as well as this one! The Hero Arts Blog has their current challenge going called "color my world!" To me that means lots of colors! Vibrant, crisp, distinct!

This one came about with a lot of indecision on my part! Let me start at the beginning. I started off with a white panel of cardstock. I taped down a Hero Arts stencil from the Flower Swirls stencil pack. I started in the center with scattered straw, next I went to the edges with old paper. The middle is two different pinks, worn lipstick and spun sugar. As I said above I searched for "non-traditional CHRISTMAS colors" so when I finished with this I struggled to create a Christmas card. But I was determined, so I cut the panel in half and will use the other half for likely a birthday card! After I ink blended, I took some white acrylic paint thinned down and splattered it on. Then I added some distress mica spray in tarnished brass to an acrylic block and splattered that on as well. It's super sparkly! Since it shimmers so much, I found a piece of gold cardstock that I used as the base. Distressed the edges a bit and glued it on. Here is where the indecision came in......white or black "merry?" I cut both, put them both on and still couldn't decide. So I took the negative of the white and stuck the black die cut inside and it solved that! I used the die as a template for the outside. I drew around it with a pencil and then fussy cut it out! :) I stamped the "& bright" onto the gold and then embossed with clear embossing powder. I added some gems from PinkFresh Studio and it's perfect! :)

see how pretty it is!?!?

Thanks for visiting!!

{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