Friends of Unity September Blog Hop

 Welcome to a gorgeous color scheme for this month’s Friends of Unity Blog Hop! Just in time for preparing for the Fall season! Fall is my favorite season, so this was a ton of fun!

As a reminder, if you add your comments along the way as you are blog hopping, you’ll have an opportunity to win prizes from our Friends group! All prizes are from our personal stash. Last month, I posted I’d be doing another giveaway, so I’d like to congratulate 

Kathy Sheely

on winning! Please PM me your contact info so I can get a package out to you! Thanks for commenting!

I went a bit wild this month creating 3 cards trying to get the colors just right! Needless to say, I used a bunch of Unity stamps in my efforts (and 1 Stampendous kit). Of course, this color scheme screams both fall and Halloween (see what I did there), so I had some autumn fun with it!  First up, I watercolored the stamp from Autumn’s Embrace. I ended up painting this stamp set, pairing it with their Falling Leaves paper pack, and black paper, embossing powder and enamel dots.

 

For the second card, I used a bunch of stamps from October 2023 membership kit called, Golden Glow. I used the kit to create both the background paper and the primary image. I even used the small circle stamps to create texture on the image’s clothes and in the background. I pulled in a Sizzix embossing folder highlighted with gold and copper paint to put the fussy cut image on. I used watercolors on the image and markers on the Seth Apter embossed flowers and stamped leaves in the background. I added the gold embossed sentiment, used dark brown paper underneath and added gold/copper sequins and thread to complete the card. I actually love how this one turned out! 

For the final card I pulled out some Tim Holtz Halloween themed Mica sprays to create a background. I then found an old Unity distressed fence stamp with a bird on it from a retired SMAK kit and black embossed it onto the sprayed background. I used markers to add color to the fence. Here’s where I used a random bat stamp to augment the background. I coupled this with the watercolored pumpkins and a sentiment from August 2023’s Phases Kit. I created a shaker card using random stamps to create the window frame. I added black dots to complete this one.

Thanks for stopping by for a little seasonal inspiration! This month Friends are setting up this particular color challenge in an album in Unity’s Show and Tell FB group…where you’ll have another opportunity to win a Prize! So join in the fun!

Now on to the rest of the hop - 

You made have come here from - Tammy’ s Blog

Next up is - Jane’s Blog

Or, you can start from the beginning, here at - Crystal’s Blog

Artist Trading Cards Summer 2024

 Got back into having some fun creating Artist Trading Cards for a small group I trade with. Love my small group as we have agreed to be free to create whatever we want, using whatever skills, techniques and products we want, and on whatever schedule we want! No stress just an opportunity to share and receive vibes on a whim!

So my first ATC set was created using an old retired Unity March 2020 SMAK stamp set, an old Prima paper pack, called En Francais, Washi tape, a Divinity Designs stencil, Tim Holtz sentiment strips and Brutus Monroe sequins. After using watercolors on the image, I paper pieced clothing using paper from the pack. I always add shading to paper pieced items. I added cut up ephemera pieces using images from the paper and also cut up pieces of the Washi tape to add to the design. It was so fun finding Washi tape that color matched. I used more stamps from the kit for background effects, filled in with stenciling and added background shading to the image. I love how the sequin and cut up Washi tape created a little dream catcher effect. I added paper strips at the bottom and sentiment strips to complete the cards.

For the second set, I started with creating a watercolored background that I could add a stamped grass image to. Using green and purple oxide inks, I stamped a tiny Nellie’s Choice Blooming Grass clear stamp that I had picked up at a stamp expo. To create the foundation for the stamp I tore up and glued together coordinating scrap paper strips. I added to the background watercolored stalks and stamped sentiments from Hobby Arts Greenfingers sentiment stamp set. To complete these ATCs, I added twine and clear crystals. I love the sentiment on these as I have dozens of flowers in my own gardens that I enjoy daily.

So fun and freeing to try to create tiny cards with impactful messages. Thanks for stopping by!

BYSHC Sketch 48 Holiday Cards

 Got back into the swing of card making, after a short break, with this interesting sketch from the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers group - 

For the first card (and second), I used an old pretty pack by Craft Smith, called Say Freeze. I ended up using one of the papers and layering on cut up plaid strips from another paper from the pad to form the background. I stamped and colored (with watercolors and pens) the image from Unity’s Angie Blom’s Planner Girl: Cold Outside on bristol paper. I ended up paper piecing cut up clothing stamped onto papers from the same pack. I added snow effects using a Posca pen. I used a Sizzix embossing folder to die cut a circle background and matched the diagonal slant of the sketch. I used a cut up sentiment from the pack, enamel dots and ribbon to complete the card.

The second card was so easy to pull together with just the use of this pretty paper pack. I cut down the background from the paper pack on a slant. I then fussy cut the image and sentiment from the paper pack, and added matching shiny green/gold ombré paper to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by and hope these cards provided a little inspiration for cardmaking using simple methods and limited supplies.

Friends of Unity August Blog Hop

 Hey there… long time no see! Back after a break and getting back into the crafting mind space! Here for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop, this time, focused on friendship!

So, a reminder - comment on blogs in the hop to be eligible to win some Unity goodies from our stash! My last FOU hop was in May and I promised to do a giveaway that month. Since I’m just back participating, I’m going to now announce my May Winner…. Congrats to

Jodie Powers

Pm me and I’ll get out a package in the next 2 weeks! Congrats again! I will be doing another giveaway this month as well…so be sure to comment!

My first card shows off my rusty skills along with a yearning to try out my old collage skills. For this card, I used March 2024’s Love and Good Vibes kit. I ended up using a combo of watercolors and markers on the image. I pulled out a very old Prima paper pad, called Romance Novel for the background and ephemera pieces I cut from the pad. I stamped the sentiment from the kit on scrap paper and distressed all the paper edges. I randomly cut and adhered paper scraps to the cards background. To complete the card, I added twine and enamel dots. I think it came out okay and somewhat interesting.

 

 On the second card, I used Unity’s Hello Fresh Start kit. I stamped the image using a Hero Arts Contour ink on Kraft paper. I then found and pulled out a pretty random sheet of paper from my stash, that I decided to use as color inspiration and a background. After finding some Netflix pics, I proceeded to color it in! Okay, it took awhile as it was a lot more detailed than I was prepared for… but I finally finished! I did end up using a little brown pen for detailing the image.

I decided I wanted the background paper to show through, so I fussy cut the image down. I then found a Simon Says Stamp Privet Branch wafer die I could use to augment the card. I found a coordinating navy sheet I could as a base on the ivory card base and for die cutting. I also used Kraft and tan paper scraps to add more branches for variation. I white embossed the sentiment and finally added lace and navy sequins to complete the card. Ended up creating a busy card, but hopefully pleasing to the eye! I at least got to practice coloring and die cutting!

Hope these cards provided some ideas for friendship cards! 

Thanks for stopping by… reminder to comment on blogs for a chance to win goodies (especially mine😊)! Now, on to the rest of the hop!

You may have come here from:

Tammy’s Blog

Next up is:

Rachel’s Blog

Or, you can start from the beginning with:

Crystal’s Blog

Graphic 45 Let It Snow Cards

 So continuing efforts to oil my rusty skills after a few month’s hiatus, I delved into a Graphic 45 collection I picked up at a whim. Probably during a sale, I had splurged on an 8x8 pad, journaling cards and a set of chipboards from the collection. Must admit it’s fun to use sets like these to create cute holiday cards!

For the first card, I first backed a journaling card with paper from the pad and holographic paper. I then cut down another sheet and used holographic paper as the base layer. I used dimensional tape to layer the pieces. I then used a frame chipboard piece with leftover paper and a red crystal to create one of the embellishments. I added a button and twine to the second embellishment. I then added matching crystals to complete the card.

For the second card, again I used a journaling card, backed it with paper from the collection and a solid tan colored paper for the top layer. I then used another patterned paper from the collection and tan paper as the bottom layer, separating the 2 layers with foam tape. Again, I added chipboard piece and twine for embellishments. I also added green crystals and red candy canes. For an added touch, I spattered white acrylic ink all over the final card.

I do believe the cards turned out festive and am glad I finally delved into this collection that’s been gathering dust! Well, that’s it for today…thanks for stopping by! Till next time, happy crafting!

Build Your Stash Holiday Cards Linky Party - Card 1

 Getting back into crafting takes time and exercise… here’s my first start… a holiday card using a little Simon Says Stamp stencil set, an old paper pack and an old die. Decided to join in the Linky party fun…

I used an old ornate square die to set off the image and a red glitter sheet for backgrounds and little die cuts. The snowflake and star dies came from an old crafting magazine.

Pretty simple card to dust off my craft space with. And yes… I created red trees…why not? Fun to get back into crafting after a long hiatus doing other stuff! Thanks for stopping by!

BYSHC Sketch 45 Holiday Cards

 Another month - another holiday sketch to play to continue building my Christmas card stash! Here’s the really fun simple sketch - 

This sketch really enabled me to reach into my stash and create simple but pretty cards using just dies, ephemera and pretty papers. I used a Concord and 9th edge die on both of these cards to create the basic sketch design. For this card, I used random papers that matched and a lovely Stamperia ephemera chip board piece. I used a Simon Says Stamp sentiment from the Snowflake edges kit. I added enamel dots for embellishment.

For this card I used pretty Studio Light Magical Christmas papers with gold foil on them and parried it with a Spellbinders sentiment die. For embellishment, I just added crystals and a gold flower.

I really like how this sketch lends itself to using pretty papers as the focal point. Try it yourself and let me know what you think! Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting till next time!

Friends of Unity May Blog Hop

 Oh, my, 2024 seems to be moving by fairly quickly! Welcome to May’s (already) Friends of Unity Blog Hop focusing on - 

cards! Before I started, I wanted to remind hoppers that giveaways are always part of the hop. My crafty friends volunteer to give away items from their own personal stash to lucky winners from those who post comments on their blogs! And, in fact, I’m giving away unused items from my personal stash to the lucky winner from last month’s hop! So, congratulations to

Deb Coughan

- please PM me your address and I’ll get your prize out to you shortly! Thanks for the lovely comment too! I’ll be doing another giveaway this month as well, so be sure to leave your NAME, along with your comment below for another chance at winning a prize.

So, before I begin, may I just take a humble moment to say, I really am not good at masculine cards… so this was a stretch! And… I have nontraditional guys I give cards too, making life harder than it needs to be🤣… not drinkers, not campers, not fishermen, not car, bike or motorcycle fans, no ties in their life right now, etc. But I did happen upon a couple themes that’ll work!

First off, I decided to make my husband this card! He’s a walker… in fact, he walk 12-15 miles about 3 times a week around our local town and hills, our golden California hills, that is! They look like this…

I used the following kits on this card: Looking Forward, September 2021 Kit of the Month, A Good Man and Some Butterflies, March 2023 Kit of the Month, and, for the map in the background, an old retired August 2017, Just Go, SMAK kit. 

I started with my watercolors on the stamped background. After loosely watercoloring the image, and ending pen marks, I cut it down. I then stamped the boots on Bristol paper and again added watercolor to coordinate with the hills. Finally, I pulled out some coordinating papers and added detail in the form of a map and boot prints.

 I added the sentiment, framed the image and backed with black paper. For embellishment, I just added enamel dots.

I think he’ll get the heartfelt message and hopefully appreciate the thinking behind it!

For the next card, I kept my son in mind! He’s enjoying the pleasures and burdens of being a first time homeowner! For this card I pulled a very old yellowing My Mind’s Eye paper pad and 2 Unity kits, Best Tool in the Box, Inspired Minds and another old SMAK kit, from May 2020, called Radiate Joy. I used the argyle patter on one of the papers from the pad and cut it down. I stamped and embossed the tools on Bristol paper and added watercolors to them. And I stamped the industrial looking cabinet like image on another paper from the pad and watercolored it too. I fussy cut the tools out (hmmm, 🧐 wonder where the screwdriver went 🤣). I used black paper to back everything and added a sentiment from the kit, string, sequins and pearl dots to complete this one!

Now, looking at the kits online, I should have checked the samples as there sure are some really cool cards on Unity’s site for all of these kits! But, then I wouldn’t have made them in my own wonky style!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think below, and be sure to include your name with your comment for a chance at winning this month’s prize. Check back next month to see if you’ve won! Now, to orient yourself to the rest of the hop, you may have come here from 

Rachel’s blog

But, you can start from the beginning with

Crystal’s blog

Spring Into Christmas 2024 Linky Party - Card 6

 My 6th card for the Spring Into Christmas 2024 Linky Partycard includes a variety of vendor products!

I first settled on using Simple Stories Tis the Season paper pad for the background and sentiments. I pulled out Paper Rose’s Tree Scene Circle die and first cut down the watercolor paper pieces using the die. I watercolored the pieces, matching the colors in the paper, to create a tree scene. I then pieced them together onto another circle. I added watercolor and white paint spatters. I then created an acetate shaker layer over the top, adding frosty Target shimmer sprinkles inside. I added sentiments using 2 different Simon Says stamp sets, Graceful Holiday Greetings and Winter Wonderland. To complete the card I added white enamel dots.

Challenging card to create as I’m not used to using and coloring this kind of die, but I think I pulled it off for a first try! Thanks for stopping by… remember, there’s a few more more days to link up your holiday cards for a chance to win a prize from one of the generous sponsors!

Spring Into Christmas 2024 Linky Party - Card 5

 Wow… I’m on a bit of a roll! I took the opportunity today to play with, a new to me, Paper Rose Card Kit.

I’ve never picked up any of these kits before, but I loved Paper Roses Silver Bells papers and this kit also had a beautiful floral poinsettia die, called Poinsettia Flowers. The kit also included cardbases. Here’s the sample suggestions:

Welp, I didn’t achieve any of these but I did have fun playing anyway! I die cut the flowers and layered several of the papers, adding white mesh over one of the pieces. I then fussy cut some poinsettias, cut down the sentiment from the paper pack, and added pearls and a shimmer layer over the flowers. This was so fun and a nice break from painting and coloring!

Here’s the final card:

Not my best, but a very good first try I think! These kits are pretty interesting and the papers and dies were beautiful!

Be sure to link up your own Christmas cards for a chance at winning a prize from one of our generous sponsors! Check out the blog for more info: https://byshcardmakers.blogspot.com/2024/04/spring-into-christmas-2024-byshc-linky.html

Thanks for stopping by!

BYSHC Spring Into Christmas 2024 - Fourth Card

 So happy I was given an excuse to break into this beautiful unique Stamperia collection for the BYSHC Spring into Christmas Linky Party!

I picked up several items from Stamperia’s Christmas Patchwork collection on sale a few years ago, as I wanted to try emulating this style sometime! Haven’t yet, but until then, pulled together a pretty easy card for the Linky Party instead! All I did, to create this 5x7 card, was cut down a paper, glued on some chipboards and added penned in strings for the ornaments. So easy, and yet, I love this card! And, luckily, I have several cat lovers, in my Christmas recipient list, that I think will enjoy this one!

Thanks for stopping by… be sure to link up some holiday cards for your chance at winning a prize! Check out BYSH cardmakers blog for more info!

BYSHC Spring Into Christmas 2024 - Third Card

 Continuing on with the the fun BYSHC Spring Into Christmas Linky Party, I linked up my third card!

I was inspired to make this one by Stamperia’s Sweet Winter paper collection and a pretty patterned vellum I picked up somewhere. I found a pretty winter scene pattern I could cut down to use with the vellum. It’s not a shaker, as I didn’t want to detract from the scene, but it’s the same raised shape. I added a die cut and stamped sentiment using sparkle embossing powder on both.  To complete the card, I added pearl and snowflake embellishments.

Simple but elegant card, I think. Thanks for stopping by - try linking up a Christmas card to be eligible to win a prize from one of our generous sponsors!

BYSHC Spring into Christmas and Sketch Challenge 44 Card

 Here’s another card for the Spring into Christmas Linky Party! It also happens to be a card using Sketch Challenge 44.

This fun card was made using a magazine paper scrap, Prima holiday background paper and 2 Unity stamp kits, Cozy Greetings and Festive Wreath! I used colored pencils on the little snowman. (I just love Jeannie Hays snowman design!) I just added enamel dots and 2 snowflake buttons to complete this one!

Join in the fun and add your cards to the Linky Party for a chance to win a prize from one of the many sponsors! Thanks for stopping by!