Unity’s Here Comes Amazon and Painted Poinsettias

 Fitting this in amongst other commitments, I quickly watercolored Unity’s Here Comes Amazon on watercolor paper. This paper was interesting as it had a very grainy lined texture, making for interesting water patterns. I’ll need to try this again, when I can spend more time with better techniques. I spattered the leftover paint over the sheet as well as spattering some gold Gansai Tambi paint.

I ended up gold embossing a sentiment from Painted Poinsettias, and added gold crystals. I backed with matching papers and a black paper. Think it turned out okay for a quick card! But, I really want to spend more time on this one!

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

Hero Arts Kit

 So, after a year (or two), I finally unpacked a Hero Arts kit and tried out a few things. I pulled out a random white with printed snowflakes scrap paper and started stenciling snowflakes using the 2 ink cubes included in the kit. I then found another snowflake stencil and used the glimmer spray included in the kit to add more interest. That shimmer texture and color are fabulous! The kit included a sparkly sheet that I used the Large Snowflakes and Swirls die on (it also came with the kit). I also used it on a coordinating DCWV glitter paper. I then found a coordinating AB Studio ephemera piece I thought I could use.

After drying, I mounted the paper on dark blue paper and started playing with designs.

I ended up adding a ribbon, clear crystals and liquid dots to complete the card! I found a random sentiment in my stash, and stamped the sentiment with one of the cubes. I then used the other cube to ink the edges and emboss with clear sparkle embossing powder. I used one of the included papers as a card base.

I’ll have to try all this again with the large background stamp I think the kit originally included…just need to find it ;-) ! But it was fun just playing around with all the pieces I gathered together! The die set and shimmer spray are clear winners here! 

Thanks for stopping by - till next time, happy crafting!

Holiday Card… Altenew + IndigoBlu

 Had a little crafty fun coloring this embossed card created with Altenew’s Pinecones embossing folder. I used watercolors on the background, and sponged distress oxides over the needles and pinecones. I then added TCW gold metallic paste and a shiny Picket Fence glaze over the pinecones. Finally, I added a little marker action on the branches and pine needles, then spattered white opaque paint over all. I cut down the panel and distressed the edges.

I then took a vintage holiday paper and added gold embossed details using IndigoBlu’s Christmas Wreath stamp set. I then embossed the sentiment on vellum, added a background paper and used a deckle edge die set to add a border with a DCWV high sheen paper. 

I die cut some branches with a TH die set, using a patterned green paper that I distressed with oxides. I then assembled the card on brown card stock, adding gold thread and gold sticky dots. Love the grungy feel of it!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy crafting till next time!

Friends of Unity November Blog Hop 2023

 It’s time for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop! Join in this fun challenge, check out the hop and comment for a chance to win sone Unity goodies! This month our challenge is:

Before, I continue on, wanted to remind you that giveaways are happening in this hop… just leave a comment for a chance to win a Unity goodie package! I’ll be giving away another package this month so be sure to comment on your fav card! And one last item, my winner from last month’s hop is 

Joan Howaniec

Just PM me your address, Joan, and I’ll send your package out!

So, this is a card type I rarely use, but I had fun challenging myself to create a few holiday cards! They turned out to be 2 of my favorite holiday cards that I’ve made so far this year! For the first card, I embraced a card style I picked up from watching many creative card makers. I first blended 3 different oxide inks onto a watercolor paper, Stormy Sky, Gathered Twigs and Iced Spruce. I then spattered water all over, let it sit for a minute then used a paper towel to lift off some of the pigment. 

I then pulled out a paper from Unity’s Festive Christmas paper pack and fussy cut out a bunch of pine cones. I stamped the branches from Winter Blessing randomly using Versafine Clair Pinecone. I white embossed berries from Trust in it Wings. I then gold embossed a script stamp from an old retired Unity Kit. Once the image was complete, I then used a die set to cut the panel to size and then cut a smaller panel out. Using the same die set, I cut a slightly larger panel out of a metallic gold paper. 

Knowing I needed some sentiments I found a very old full sheet Christmas set from Unity that had the sentiments I wanted. It is one stamp that I gold embossed onto brown card stock and then fussy cut out each word. To complete the card, I made a Kraft card base, and adhered the bottom panel. I then placed the fussy cut pine cones all over and used foam tape for the smaller panel. After adhering the sentiment strips, I called the card done!

For the next card, I wanted to play with the Jolly Ol Santa kit! First, I decided I wanted to create the illusion of a chimney. Using a Darice embossing folder and Kraft card stock, I started by smooshing oxide inks in red and rust colors over the raised brick side. Once embossed, I then used a watercolor brown pen to create shadows under the bricks. I then cut the chimney section out. I then used an embossing ink to randomly create snow.

I then stamped Santa and used watercolors and metallic pens on face and fur. I stamped him again on blue and red patterned paper and fussy cut out his clothes. I did use pens on his gloves and pocket. I then turned to the background.

I pulled out navy card stock that matched the colors, knowing I wanted to create a snowy night backdrop. I white embossed the pretty snowflakes from Flurry of Flakes twice. I then decided to hand create a sack. I drew it, cut it out, added pen and pencil shading and a little white embossed snow. I then slit an opening in the top to stuff Christmas goodies. I created 2 presents using Oh, Hey There, Winter. White embossed a candy cane chipboard and added a red paper back to it. I put the pieces into the bag and added a gingerbread button I had. Finally, for sentiments, I used the Santa Unity Kit and a Simon Says die. This one will go to a special 5 year old!

As you can see, I had fun playing and creating both of these cards! What a fun theme… try it! Remember to leave your comments for a chance at winning some goodies…and make sure you leave leave your name as well!

Now, check out the rest of the hop and all the wonderful creations! You can start at the top here:

Crystal’s Blog

{BYSHC} November Sketch Challenge #39

 It’s that time and getting closer to the holiday season! Time to start your holiday crafting, if you haven’t yet! Here’s the newest sketch challenge:

So, I played again this month with a few different styles! First off, I was inspired by a YouTube video by Dawn at WPlus9 Design. I created 2 backgrounds using Unity winter foliage stamps. Using watercolor paper, I would inked the stamp first (using complementary colored oxide inks), spritz it with water and then stamp it. I did this several times and while the ink was still wet, I added water to the paper with a wet paint brush and let the ink spread. I just love the soft look it creates.

I then gold embossed a Unity music sheet stamp over the design. 

Finally, I cut down the paper to size and added gold sticky metallic ribbons to complete the sketch! I used a gold card base and a Gina Marie die pine cone set and a pretty Spellbinders Stylish Merry Christmas die with vellum to complete the card! I also added a little sparkly glitter and gold crystals. Turned out pretty festive!

For my second card, I turned to a die set I picked up years ago from a craft magazine (never used). I die cut it on watercolor paper and used my watercolors and pens to add color to it. I die cut a few extra flowers from the set as well. I then cut down some random matching papers into the sketch design, added string, liquid drops and called it done! I didn’t have high expectations on this one, but I think it turned out pretty cute!

Let me know what you think! Join in the fun and add your holiday sketch cards in the Facebook group for a chance at winning some goodies! Thanks for stopping by and till next time, happy crafting!