Friends of Unity November Blog Hop

Welcome! Friends of Unity are back with another blog hop for November with a very different theme, Strength! This one is sure to bring a variety of stamp selections to the hop.

Every month several friends offer giveaways. To WIN leave comments on EACH blog in the hop AND check back on next month’s hop for the WINNERS from this month’s giveaways. Thanks for playing along with us!

I originally decided to use birdcage stamps this month. Had the best intentions, until I literally cooked a stamp, or rather roasted it along with my veggies (but that’s a whole other story). I’ll start with my birdcages and finish with the substitute.

It is in Herself She will Find the Strength She Needs -
On this first card, I used a tag stamp from The Garden Whatnot Collection Kit. I used a sentiment from the 12/17 SMAK kit. I also used several background stamps trying to replicate the tag, bird’s from the Vintage Era Background Kit and leaves from the 9/15 SMAK kit. I also used a Tim Holtz embossing folder which creates a vintage frame around the edges and a striped stencil. I created the background and tag paper, and applied stamps (some embossed). I then found matching papers in brown and peach and added sequins, metal bird, wooden birdcage, ribbons and a button.

You are Stronger Than You Think/You Are Not Alone -
I then used another stamp I picked up in a swap and later found out it was retired. (Oh well, so sorry, but it’s been a busy month with delivery of new grandchild.) I created another collage card using only patterned Prima and Paper Studio paper. I also used 3 different die sets (border, sentiment and flourishes), ephemera, enamel dots and sequins. I spent some time adding color to the stamped birdcage from the set called Enchanted using pens, paint and pencil. I also used the bird from that kit, a sentiment from Everything Stronger, a bird stamp from 11/14 KOTM and a flourish stamp from You Can Do It. I love patterned paper and collage cards give me the opportu to indulge myself.

Others are Fighting Battles We Know Nothing About - 
The final card was meant to be created with the birdcage stamp from the Strongest People. At least I used the sentiment and paired it instead with a stamp from Don’t Be Like the Rest of Them. I colored the watercolor paper using Glimmer mists, embossed the image and sentiment and added color using Glitter inks and Glimmer Mists. I added ribbon, washi tap, an embossed and colored background paper to coordinate with image, and sequins and crystals.

Hope these cards and the others shared on this blog hop serve to inspire. Remember, if you wish to participate in the giveaways, be sure to comment on every blog entry in this Hop and check back next month. We, on the Friends of Unity design team, are always interested in your feedback! That’s why we use our own stash to offer giveaways.

We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co., but they approve our hop. We are huge fans of the company, their products, the owners and staff, and the Unity Show and Tell community, which is why this hop was started.

Friends of Unity blog hop:
Crystal Minkler
Kim Van Zant Klinkovsky
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Wynne Cochran Grob
Eileen Mathys
Robyn Jordan
Dawn Fields

You are here -> Joyce Verdon
Jeanie Marie Hays

Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, happy crafting!