Succulent Greetings

 So, I finally painted and penciled in this stamp set… just because! It’s Unity’s Succulent Greetings from 6/18. Wow, anyone else own stamp sets never used from years ago? I really need a no-buy year and to shop my stash!

I used Canson watercolor paper and stamped the image using Antique Linen oxide ink. I then watercolored as best I could the image. I added a background wash for tabletop as well. I turned to pencils to complete the image and add more details. I used a mixed media stamp from Change & Direction to add a pattern and color to the tabletop. I then used random coordinating papers to frame and back the image. To complete the card, I added the embossed sentiment and enamel dots.

Thanks for stopping by!

Artist Trading Cards January 2023

Struggled making ATCs in 2022, stopped for awhile and then restarted with a much smaller group. By then, my mojo was lost. Finally got my act together after Christmas and produced these. 

The first was created using 2 Unity kits, Soul Mail and Darkest Night, Brightest Day. I started by painting pale stripes down 2 sides of ATC cut watercolor paper, softening the edges. I then stamped the girl image. Using the script stamp, I cleared embossed the script around the girl. Then, I stamped a couple of the postage stamps around the ATC’s using distress inks. I ink blended a little more color on to make the script stand out in a few places and added spatters.

 I stamped the girl again on a pale sheet of Prima patterned paper. I used pink and yellow pencils to add color and shading to the clothing and face, and for a bit more dimension, a metallic gold pen. I colored in the hair with pencil and pens on the ATC. I fussy cut her clothing out and added it to the image with foam tape.

Finally, I stamped the sentiment, backed it with the other side of the Prima paper, pulled the ATC together and added crystals. For some reason, I was identifying with this girl… maybe it was a message to myself!

For the second ATC, inspired by Karen Rice and other YouTube videos, I watercolored a scene on Arches watercolor paper using my Schmincke watercolors. To do this, I basically took my pad and penciled out 4 4” x 4 1/2” sized sections. I then drew a somewhat similar scene on each one. I tried to create a hazy background with a hill that drops off. I then painted in the ATCs using 3 paints. I added white gouache spatter and cut the paintings down.  I white embossed the sentiment from Unity’s Hello Winter Days Kit. After fussy cutting the words, I added them to the ATCs and called them done!

So, here’s the individual set…

That’s it for today! Thanks for stopping by!

Friends of Unity January Blog Hop

 Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but I have some upcoming birthdays to get ready for, so our theme this month is perfect!

Before I start in on my cards, I wanted to remind everyone that our blog features giveaways every month, from our personal stash. I’ll be giving a giveaway this month! To be eligible, all you really need to do is leave a comment with your name… easy peasy! Winners are selected randomly from comments and are posted in next month’s blog post. I also announced a giveaway last month, so for December I’d like to announce that

Denise Bryant

has won some goodies! Please PM your address information and I’ll be sending out a package the following week!

The first card I created used the beautiful butterfly stamp set from Unity’s A Beautiful Mindset kit from 2021. I started with watercolor paper and stamped the image using black archival ink and then added rainbow watercolors to the butterflies. After feeling a fail coming on, I changed my mind. I decided I wanted a more colorful background, so I actually started painting colors onto the paper; mixing colors already laid down. Liking the look and wanting to intensify it, I sprinkled on Lindy’s Gang pigment onto the already wet watercolor paper, thus adding stronger colors to the background. By this time, I had already decided I was going to paper piece the butterflies on.

I stamped the butterflies again on leftover paper and used my Spectrum Noir Glitter pens on the butterflies and fussy cut them out. Then deciding I wanted to add more to the background paper, I took a TCW stencil, matte opaque paste and a mint green acrylic paint and added some texture. Finally, I added gold and black spatters. I used raised sticky dots to adhere the butterflies, adding some dimension. I used the sentiment from Fresh Air and Sunshine kit, embossed on black paper. I then found coordinating background paper I could use to frame the card and completed it by adding crystals.

For the second card, I was itching to use my pencils, so I pulled out the Friendship Blooms kit. I stamped the image onto blue toned sketch paper. I had already decided I was going to use a pretty paper from my Vintage Artistry Serenity 49 and Market paper pack. Using 5 pencils, I colored the image and fussy cut it out. I used a sentiment from one of Unity’s birthday sentiment kits. Using navy cardstock to back the paper, I added string and crystals to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by! For more inspiration and ideas, please continue hopping! You may have come here from 

Rachel’s Blog

Next stop is

Colleen’s Blog

Or you can start at the beginning with 

Crystal’s Blog

Another Sketch 29 Card - Unity FaLaLaLaLa Kit

 For this card, I wanted to finish using the papers I cut up for the last card! I promise…last one using this paper for awhile! It is challenging as the colors, although very pretty and soft, are muted versions, making matching colors more challenging! This time I went for an ornament stamp that I had fun using my pencils to add matching color and dimension. I used a stamp from Unity’s Fa-La-La-La-La Kit of the Month, from September 2022, and a Tonic die for the sentiment.

Must admit it was fun making the simple star ornament come to life!

Here’s the sketch again:

After arranging the papers, I decided to add a star background for the ornament. So, I used a star die set with a few coordinating scrap papers. I die cut the sentiment in matching colors.  To finish the card, I added enamel dots/pearls and a string bow.

Pretty simple card again, but I think the sketch and busy paper called for it. Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting till next time!

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 29 Extended

 Hello again and Happy New Year! Put together another holiday card using Sketch Challenge 29, which has been extended into January, this time using an older Unity stamp from the KOM, dated 9/15, Our Hearts to Yours! 

I started with paper from a craft magazine that I kept because of the colors, so soft and lovely. I then embossed the image onto watercolor paper using a sparkly Seth Apter powder. I challenged myself to mix watercolor paint for the background to match the purple toned tan of the paper and I think I nailed it! I used blues and shimmery white paint and Spectrum glitter pen for the ornament. I cut the paper down, used shimmery strips for diagonal detail, added a die cut frame, some thread, and finally, liquid drops. 

Pretty simple card, but loving the colors. That’s it for today! Happy crafting till next time!