Saturday, October 2, 2021

Friends of Unity October Blog Hop

 Hey there… time for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop! This month is all about technique!

Before I start, I wanted to congratulate Jan Vint on being my giveaway winner from last month’s hop. Congrats! Please PM me, Jan, with your address to claim your prize and I’ll send out your goodies as soon as I’m able to! Reminder, my friends and I regularly give out new Unity goodies from our own stash. To be eligible, all you need to do is enter a comment on each blog! 

For this exercise, I created 2 different Christmas cards… yeah, I know, I’m either too early or too late. These are my first for 2021! Anyway, for the first card, I unapologetically plagiarized a card from one of my favorite crafters, Tracy Evans (see Youtube video https://youtu.be/MsG_gkX-u2g). I can listen to her voice all day long. Anyway, she reminded me of one of the classic techniques, second generation stamping. In my case, I used branches from the Beauty of Life kit and oxide inks. She also used the cool technique of using circle dies to create Christmas ornaments and a frame. I decided to put a bird on my ornament as well and used the image from an old KOTM, Love the Little Things. I also used a music script from another kit to add further embellishment to the ornament and frame. I had received an ornament topper stamp from Unity to pair with their pattern stamps. I stamped that out to put at top of ornament. I also drew lines in. I first made a simpler version of the card, then changed it up by hand drawing berries in and adding color to the bird. You can let me know which you like better. I may make more of these. To complete the card, I backed with brown paper and added sprinkles and crystals.

Here’s the original:

Here’s the modified version:


For the second card, I used different favorite technique I picked up from Gina K, another talented lady. I used the September Kit of the Month, Looking Forward for this card! Ever since I saw this technique demoed bu Gina, I seem to make a holiday card every year using it. It’s quite simple - first start by white embossing the image and sentiment. Then using 3 coordinating inks, add color, using a blending tool, to the image, starting at the outside edge with the lightest color and moving toward the center with the darkest color. I them went back and added more to the leaves and the berries using a paintbrush. This time I used red to pink colors. This creates a very soft look and is easy to do. To complete the card, I backed the panel with a soft green glitter paper and a patterned paper, and added twine and crystals.

Hope you enjoy trying these “borrowed” techniques! I really cannot do either of them the justice they deserve! Remember to leave a comment! Now on to some fabulous cards from my crafty friends! You should have come to my blog from:

Dawn’s Blog

To continue, check out:

Alaine’s Blog

To start at the beginning, visit:

Crystal’s Blog

24 comments:

  1. Both cards are lovely Joyce, it is never too early to start making Christmas cards

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  2. I love all of your cards... all are so beautiful! And, no it's never too early to start on Christmas cards.

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  3. Gorgeous!!! Your first version of the first card is stunning but those extra touches of red really made it spectacular! I am a huge fan of pink for Christmas... so your last card is my fave!! Gorgeous!

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  4. The second generation stamping card is so gorgeous on a slimline card and I love the ornament set off the page....so so awesome. I can't wait to try the ink blending on the white embossing with the image. It looks so beautiful and I love the idea of not having to color it in the lines!

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  5. Two cute cards. Two solid techniques.

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  6. Oh love the little
    touch of colors on
    these cards!
    Carla from

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  7. I line both cards so much! That red bird on the 1st one really makes it pop! And I love Gina Ks emboss resist technique too, it's such a cool effect when you're done!

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  8. Beautiful cards! I especially love the Pointsettia one as it is elegant and yet easy enough to mass produce.

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  9. These cards are both so beautiful! Both so very Christmas! Thank you for sharing these cards and the techniques!

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  10. Oh goodness such beautiful cards! You have inkspired me to give this a try.

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  11. These cards are all fab and very inspiring for Christmas x

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  12. All of your cards are fantastic! I guess it is time to think about making Christmas cards 😜

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  13. Gorgeous work! I will need to try that technique you used on the poinsettia card! Thanks for the inspiration!
    Vannessa Osbourn

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  14. Gorgeous cards! love the creative design on your slimline.

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  15. The slimline card with the bird is my favorite, but between the two, I have a hard time choosing. They’re beautiful in their own way.

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  16. As always, your cards are so creative, Joyce. I can't decide which is my favorite between the two slim-lines - both are beautiful and evoke lovely Christmas memories. Your other card is beautiful too. The technique gives a gorgeous result!

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  17. Beautiful cards! I am a fan of yours!😊

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  18. Two gorgeous cards and techniques from two talented ladies. I recently discovered Tracy Evans myself and I recognized her influence as soon as I scrolled far enough to see your first card! The Gina K card is lovely too!

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    1. She is so talented and patient using her techniques. I need to learn that attribute.

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  19. Entering comment for Kim Otto… stunning cards!

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  20. I am so guilty of borrowing techniques and using cards as inspiration that I sometimes change very little when making a card for my friends or family. It is such a compliment to these talented ladies we watch and aspire to be. You my dear, are one of those ladies. You do such beautiful work.

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    1. Thank you for your kind word, Carol! So appreciated!

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