Saturday, September 4, 2021

Friends of Unity September Blog Hop

Hello, crafty friends! Welcome to my first hop back and my slow return to the crafting world. After 2 Carpel Tunnel surgeries, the last of which was 2 weeks ago, I am finding my high expectations on fast healing and being pain free need a little ratcheting down. However, knowing movement helps healing, I am determined to get back into a groove! I am also fettered by lack of a crafting space as my whole house is under renovation. So, please forgive my rusty skills and abilities right now!

I was determined to make it back for September’s Blog Hop, as the theme this month… 


was suggested by me, many, many moons ago! Love it! Note: They’ll be a color challenge album set up in USnT with additional giveaways! See Crystal’s blog for details!

A reminder, before I start, that Friends of Unity do giveaways every month from our own stash. This month, being no exception, I will be doing a giveaway. Check in to next month’s hop to see if you are a winner! Also, I promised in the last hop I participated in, that I would do a giveaway, so my winner from May is:

Sue D

Congratulations, Sue D! Please PM me your address and I’ll forward your package to you!

For the first card, I used 2 newer Unity kits, Olive Branch and Grace Will Lead You. I also used a couple old background stamps, Make Today and And Then One Day to embellish the image and Kraft card stock and to make the 500 embellishment. I started by stamping the stems onto watercolor paper using Versafine Brown ink. I then watercolored both pieces. I cut down an artist page from a Somerset Studio magazine for the background. I used dies to cut out tag and frame. I added  ephemera, a wooden heart, twine, the sentiment and white acrylic dots.

I used the Time to Grow kit on the second card, which turned out a little greener than I wanted, but hey… For the background paper, I used a sheet from 49 & Market Vintage Artistry Hike. This time, I used my Prismacolor pencils to color the image. For embellishments, I used Nuvo drops, white pearls, green ribbons and a white Gel pen.

Be sure to leave a comment if you’d like a chance at a giveaway from me. Thanks for stopping by! Now, on to some spectacular fellow crafter creations:

To go back one step in the hop, visit:

Bobbie Sue’s blog

 Next stop:

Dawn’s blog

To start at the beginning, visit:

Crystal’s blog

22 comments:

  1. It is so so so so so so goood to see you creating again. I am so happy to see your amazing creations again. I love them both, but that olive leaf is like OMG wow. happy to have you back

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  2. Oh how I've missed your creations, my friend!!! I absolutely LOVE your first card... the layers, the mix of die cuts and the colors! I am so glad that you suggested our color palette for the Color Challenge! It's an amazing color combo to play with...

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  3. Beautiful cards! I especially love the olive branch card with the different layers/textures! Love seeing the wonderful cards you create!

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  4. I could not pick a favorite because I love them both the same! They are stunning and look like they should be framed!I love the layers and the rich wood feel of the first card and the second one is full of life and growing and all that is beautiful!

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  5. Gorgeous coloring on those leaves - sooo pretty! I love all the layers on the first card. So beautiful and so interesting.

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  6. Both cards are beautiful, but the olive branch one is outstanding. Nobody does vintage looking cards like you, Joyce. Glad to hear you're back!

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  7. Welcome back! You've knocked it out of the ballpark on your return for sure. I absolutely love this color combination and both of your cards are fabulous!

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  8. Love your cards, this colour combo is stunning!

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  9. So wonderful to see you back crafting again, and back with us! I absolutely love your card with the Olive Branch. Loving all the layers and design! Great suggestion on this color combo!

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  10. I am so happy you’re on the mend and am excited to be hopping along with you this month! Your cards are absolutely gorgeous! I really love the layers and elements you used!

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  11. Welcome back and continue
    feeling better. Love your
    first card, so pretty.
    Carla from Arizona

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  12. Both such pretty cards. Happy to hear you are feeling better. 500 paper hugs :-)

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  13. Beautiful cards. I like the natural look. Hope your wrists heal soon and glad you are back creating. I see I am the winner of your last giveaway but do not know how to contact you. Here is my email: slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  14. Wow, I'm impressed that you made these gorgeous cards right after surgery! LOVE the colored pencil on kraft, and the rustic look of our first design.

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  15. Welcome back, you and your amazing projects were missed! Glad you are healing well. Your cards are just gorgeous. I love your details, the layering, the designs, and the wonderful stamps you chose. Just stunning! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  16. Welcome back...with a blast!
    Joyce, you are in my personal top 3 favorite designers!!
    You NEVER cease to amaze me!
    This month, and injured your cards are spectacular!!
    LoveLOVELove your crafty style my friend!!
    Hugs

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  17. Pretty layering and details on you cards! Love your color combos! Glad that you are on the mend!

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  18. I'm glad to see you back creating and these two cards are gorgeous as always! I particularly love your first card with all those layers and textures.

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  19. I have missed all of your amazing card creations. Welcome back my friend! These two cards are insanely gorgeous! Love all the layers on the first card! Two beauties!

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  20. Oh my goodness. Rusty, nope... gorgeous! I too had bilateral carpel tunnel... the beginning was a bit (a lot) rough, but now its wonderful, pain free, so glad I had it. Beautiful cards. Prayers for a speedy recovery!

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  21. Love love love these cards!! that one with kraft is so cozy looking and you aced the challenge! Hope you recover from surgery right away.

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