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