It’s August and Grunge is the theme! Welcome to The Friends of Unity Blog Hop, I hope summer finds you well. There is something so satisfying about a grungy creation– nothing is off the table and more is more?!

Card #1 ~ It’s Your Day! Unity Stamp Company – Kit of the Month

I have to admit I get so excited to “grunge” up my cards and then I look at it and wonder if I should have added more layers. Tons of paint layers went into it but as for physical dimension, I could have piled on more. I began with a sheet of textured watercolor paper and covered most of it with water. I added one color in various places, let it run and continued with another color and so on. I blotted with a paper towel and dried the paint in areas I did not want the colors to run. This will keep them from getting muddy.

Next I stamped the image on nontextured watercolor paper. I love this version of the Pissy Kitty, what a pampered feline! I painted her in with MozArt Komorebi watercolors and metallic highlights for the head wrap and the robe. I added laquer to the spectacles–yes the laquer, in its new consistency should be smooth but mine is not and I actually like the bumpy texture! I glued the cardfront to a turquoise cardbase and adhered the image. I blended Hero Arts layering balloons (stencils) around the image. To achieve a rough appearance, a paintbrush and water worked great! Then metallic paint on a patterned stencil for the balloons. I love the effect when light hits it!

I stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink. To complete the card, I added a Nuvo crystal drop in antique rose!

Card #2 ~ Meet Frank! Unity Stamp Company – Kit of the Month

It’s not too early to make a few Halloween cards. The monster is just the cutest of cute and I could not resist! Unlike my previous card (mostly paint layers) this card I used multiple dimensional elements. I really got into adding lots and lots of stuff. Sometimes I feel like too much going on creates chaos and the focal point gets lost–I tried to keep that in mind and I think Frank still comes out the main event!

First I created a background using Halloween colors, green, orange, purple. I stamped Frank and painted him in with only green and black. I wanted the background to show through. Do you see the frog?!

From here it is hard to remember which step comes next but I will do my best! I tore a strip of orange cardstock and stamped the sentiment. I adhered it above Frank. I used a Poppystamps Scalloped Pinpoint Frames diecut in lime and glued it on top. I added a bit of greyish paint to add grunge to the frame. Strips of orange under the frame look great as well as a purple embossed scrap.

I wrapped thin twine around the left side and tied a bow. Just underneath, a strip of the background is folded and stapled . a square of washi tape set on top just kind of looked good there! Then I glued the monstrosity, I mean masterpiece, to a grey cardbase!

Unity adds fun ephemera freebies in the Kit of the Month stamps, so I cut out this moon and glued it onto the top right. Poppystamps Trimmed Trees add a nice breath of nature and for a final bit of interest, I splattered tiny specks of black paint. Nuvo drops as in the previous card and a gold jewel for a little bit of pizazz complete the card!

Below is the list of friends on the hop. Click on the names and it will take you to their fantastically creative grungy cards!

Crystal

Jane

Von Marie

Toni

Jenni

Joyce

Rachel (me)

Dawn

Until September, have a grungy, great time crafting and creating!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi to all and happy 4th of July! How fitting that our blog hop is a red, white and blue color challenge! I chose my images and had a blast using the three colors and no others. With colors already decided, it makes it one less decision to ponder.

Card #1 ~ Beary Bunch, Whit Kit by Unity Stamp Co.

This set comes with three adorable bears. I could not resist getting these and did I ever mention how much I love teddy bears and dogs? I do and I have collected Beanie Babies and other stuffies in the past. You could say I collect bear and dog stamps as well!

I stamped the bear image in distress oxide red ink. I blended in the ink and allowed it to move around a bit. I watercolored the overalls with blue Prang watercolor paint. I love the effect of the thin red lines and the splotchy look of the overalls. Next I stamped the sentiment on the side of the bear. I liked the shaped of the sentiment and it fit nicely with the curves of the bear. I roughed up the edges of the image with a scissor.

Then I blended Prize Ribbon and Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Ink onto a blue A2 cardfront and spritzed it with water. After it dried, I ran it through a fireworks embossing folder. I adhered it to a white cardbase. A thin red burlap string ties at the top of the crease finishes the card.

Card #2 ~ Little Weirdo by Unity Stamp Co

I love this silly bird so much! He is so funny and makes me laugh. I stamped the image on watercolor paper with Versafine black ink. I used Prang watercolor paints in deep blue and orange red and red for the beak.

I covered the bird and splattered the same blue paint over the cardfront. I was thinking I would frame it in black but I decided against it and went with a simple square shape, no border. I adhered the cardfront to a white cardbase.

Finally I die cut a hello sentiment by Hero Arts and the card is complete!

Card #3 ~ Books and Quiet Moments, Whit Kit by Unity Stamp Co

The girl and book store images are beautiful. I love images that tell a story and can be turned into cards that reflect a person’s interests. So many love to read and books are the best way to escape into another world.

I stamped the images on watercolor paper–the girl in Versafine black ink, and I masked her off and stamped the bookstore in Ink Off stamp cleaner. The stamp cleaner makes a great grey image as my pad is well used and full of pigment. I painted them with Prang watercolors giving the figure more pigment as she is in the forefront.

I die cut the mid-upper left area with a Sizzix pattern die. I thought it nicely followed the top border of the bookstore!

Then I stamped the sentiment ( I love this sentiment!) and adhered it onto a color coordinated watercolored strip. I glued it above the die cut pattern. I adhered it onto a red cardfront and then to a white cardbase. Finally I added red jewels and a red bow to embellish the card.

Please continue along on the hop. Below is the list of our friends sharing their color challenge red, white and blue cards.

Crystal

Von Marie

Jenni

Rachel (me)

Toni

Joyce

Doreen

Hope you enjoyed our July Color Challenge Hop and have tons of fun ideas for card creations.

Have a safe and happy 4th!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi crafty friends! It’s Rachel here with a bright and happy floral thank you card! I am featuring the Poppystamps Nordic Scatter Flowers and the Nordic Scalloped Flower Pots. I love the vibrant pearlized pink and magenta papers.

I began with a blue background I had watercolored a few years ago. It gave me inspiration on what my color palette would be. Next I die cut the Poppystamps Nordic Scalloped Flower Pots in lavender, white and purple glitter paper. I glued the pots together.

I diecut the blossoms in specialty papers. Did I mention I love the pearlized paper pack? They are awesome with the mix of pearl in the color, giving it the right amount of soft sheen. I also cut the blossom bases in Leaf Sprout green paper, and I die cut three in pink to resemble tulips!

Next I cut the Nordic Leafy Stems in Leaf Sprout and Cilantro green sheets of paper. The leaves are Key Lime and Leaf Sprout. Then I decided on the colors for the blossoms and then glued them together. Once this was done, it was so much easier to move the blossoms around when designing the card.

I glued it all down and adhered it to a pale pink cardbase. I die cut the Poppystamps Thank You Tender Script in a rich, sparkly royal blue. I cut out the background for the script in thin vellum and adhered it to the card at an angle.

Embellishments of Fairy Drops act as water droplets and a thin lavender thread finishes the card!

Thank you for stopping by. The Poppystamps Nordic Scatter Flowers dies are definitely a must have die set. They are funky and fun and so versatile for so many card themes. Until next time, have a beautiful crafty day!

Supplies

2773 Nordic Scatter Flowers

2785 Nordic Leafy Stems

2782 Nordic Scalloped Flower Pots

2776 Thank You Tender Script

SP1010 Lagoon 6×6 pack

FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad

DRP101 Fairy Drops

SH44005 Key Lime Paper Pack

SH44006 Leaf Sprout Paper Pack

SH44007 Cilantro Paper Pack

It’s June and we are hopping with food and drink in hand. Lots of summer barbecues are in the works! In between all the parties, don’t forget to set aside crafting fun.

Card #1 – One Sip at a Time by Graciellie for Unity

My first card is a burst of busy, bright and bold color. I chose a grunge/mixed media vibe but my favorite part is the Blue Cosmos! Did you know that blue flowers are least occurring in nature? I love blue so I am always looking for blue blossoms.

To create this card I began by stamping the cup on watercolor paper in black. I watercolored the image and trimmed the edges with black photo corners. Next I stamped the three sentiments in black on pieces of scrap paper. I finished off all of these with a fuschia edge.

Then I die cut a border on a piece of watercolor paper using a Gina Marie die. I roughly painted fuschia on the border to match the sentiment. I adhered the border and its inner piece on a white cardbase. I arranged the pieces and adhered them with dimensionals to give depth. The top left sentiment was embellished with gold brads. I also added a bronze metal swirl at the lower right corner. A scrap from the image was used for interest and balance. Maybe it could act as a straw?!

I added a little piece of washi tape–also for interest. Then I threaded a heart button with fishing line. I laid all the pieces in place and splattered fuschia over the top.

A fun card design that made of texture and much to look at. Hmmm!

Card #2 – Happy Hour, Whit Kit July 2024

A happy hour sounds great even if it doesn’t involve a drink. I combined relaxation, a wave background and fruity drinks.

I had previously stamped the 3 layered wave by The Ton for another project a week ago. I thought about how I could make something a little bit more unique than my usual stamping and coloring. As I have done before, I stamped using the Ink on 3 – Ink Off stamp cleaner pad as an ink pad for a nice grey color. I have used mine so much it acts as both a cleaner and an ink pad!

I watercolored the images being careful not to saturate the paper too much as to avoid the paper from peeling. I colored them in using Prismacolor watercolor pencils and watercolor paint by MozArt Komorebi and Prang. I stamped the sentiment in black.

I mounted the cardfront onto a white cardbase. I wrapped the top with grey and white baker’s twine, tied it in a bow to offset the sentiment. The card is complete! Embellishments would be awesome–glitter, jewels, etc. but I went for less is more as the card has alot going on already. Oh, I almost forgot I also splattered color over the card for more wave action!

Card #3 – Kitty to Go by Angie Blom for Unity

A cool cat is a very true way to describe our felines! Cats decide when they are too cool for a pet or too cool to be held, but I am in awe of their athleticism and their mysterious ways they go about their day.

I began by stamping the coffee cup on watercolor paper. I was very heavy handed when I applied color to the image. I must have been in some kind of mood as I went a little intense on the pigment. I cut out the image and popped it up on a previously created puddle of red, pink, peach and orange. I kind of liked this display!

Before I did that, I die cut the cardfront using a Gina Marie stitched die.Sorry I got ahead of myself. Then I adhered it to a pale blush cardbase. I stamped the fun sentiment and added splatters in orange tones. I also filled in the eyes with Hero Arts Laquer Pen in a clear sparkle medium.

This card design is simple but probably not very clean. I actually like the contrast!

All the cards for this hop pictured together

Below is a list of our friends on the hop sharing their creations!

Crystal

Von Marie

Jenni

Toni

Joyce

Dawn

Rachel (me)

Thanks for hopping! Have a great June, see you in July and happy crafting!

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi there creative and crafty friends! It’s Rachel sharing a Poppystamps card featuring a brand new Nordic Garden release! I am so in love with it as I spend much of my time in my backyard flower gardening. Besides the gorgeous Nordic Scatter Flowers, I can’t say enough about the Fine Eyelet Frames and the Nordic Watering Can dies!

I began die cutting the Nordic Watering Can in pearlized silver. I wasn’t sure what my color scheme was going to be so I played around with lots of color combos.

Next I die cut the Nordic Scattered Flowers in more colors than I would like to admit! No worries, everything will be saved and used for another card! When I figured out the combinations, I diecut the largest Fine Eyelet Frames in rich, dark teal.

I love how these colors feel harmonious to me. I used 2 yellow a red-orange and a yellow-orange. light lemon glitter paper, mirrored blue paper and 2 greens for the stems. Have I mentioned how much I love all the Poppystamps cardstock?!

I glued all the blossoms together. Now back to the watering can….I die cut a light teal for the top layer and the darkest teal for the center. I wanted to make sure the color stood out against the background.

Then I glued the cardfront onto a white cardbase. The arrangement of blossoms came together beautifully.

I wanted to make sure the watering can was tipped down as if watering the blossoms on the card. Then I die cut the Happy Birthday Tender Script 2 times in white and glued them together for strength and height. I adhered them where I there was a bit of blank space so that the letters were easy to read and it didn’t cover up the watering can too much. The first “p” is supposed to go above the “h” in birthday so I conveniently placed a flower there!

Hope you absolutely love this card as much as I do! The new summer release is amazing! I must say I am partial to the Poppystamps Nordic Watering Can! See you very soon!

Supplies

2764 Fine Eyelet Frames

2773 Nordic Scatter Flowers

2781 Nordic Watering Can

2768

SP1011

SP1010 Lagoon 6×6 pack

SP1013 Sunrise 6×6 pack

GP1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

Hi there! It’s May and the Friends of Unity Blog Hop is here. Farmhouse is the theme and it’s reminiscent of my childhood growing up in a small farming town. My family did not raise livestock or farm, but visiting friends and classmates who did was exciting and a fun experience.

Card #1 ~ Forever Rooted

I have a soft spot in my heart for all animals. The first time I remember seeing a Highland Cow in person, was approximately 8 years ago. I think about these cows all the time, they are as sweet in person as they are in pictures.

I stamped the image on textured watercolor paper. The texture of the paper gave the image broken lines and many areas not completely visible. Instead of starting over, I painted in carefree lines to close the gaps, giving the image a rough and raw appearance. Backing up, I used the Misti platform and inked up the eyes, ears, horns and noses in black, stamped it, and then a lighter color for the remainder.

I die cut the image and mounted it on a shiny white scrap I found on our kitchen counter! Turns out it was packaging from something that had not been tossed.I adhered it to a dust pink patterned paper on a pale pink cardbase. Then I stamped the sentiment in black. Finally a fancy matching string brings it all together!

Card #2 ~ Just Pig-Cause

An adorable pig for sure! I stamped him in Versafine Ink and like the previous card, the texture broke up lines but this image did not bave as much fine detail. I watercolored him in fuschia and white. I darkened the eyes and mouth with a Sharpie marker. I painted a liquid watercolor background.

Next I masked off the image with the rubber stamp backing and stamped the Where Fields Begin, background of the month, with my well used Ink 3 Ink Off stamp cleaner pad! I adhered it to a white cardbase. Thenk I stamped the sentiment on the scrap paper, framed it in brown and adhered it. A fun embellishment completes the card.

Card #3 ~ Little Miss Moo

The hilarious dairy cow is full of character and wit. I saw so much detail I immediately thought about a black and white gradient scheme.I stamped the image in Versafine black ink and though thid watercolor cardstock has texture, the image printed completely great. This paper was a different one from the previous cards. Using only black with varying amounts of water, I painted the image.

I trimmed the image and mounted it on black, leaving a thin border. Next I cut a dark grey cardstock slightly smaller than an A2 card. I saw I accidentally got a little smudge of lip balm on the grey paper. Instead of throwing it away, I added more! What do you think?! I glued it to an A2 light grey cardbase. No sentiment, I finally added a puffy heart at the bottom

I visited a classsmate’s dairy farm when I was growing up. The cows were in the barn mooing and it was fascinating to see that this was a part of everyday life milking the cows and feeding them!

Card #4 ~ Little Miss Moo 2!

Funny that his same cow image as in the previous card was the first one I stamped. Mistakenly I stamped on nonwatercolor paper. I went ahead and painted it but knowimg I would not use it for the hop. Then I added old glossy glue to the eyes, making a mess and adding uneven blotches. Oh well, I removed a bunch of it with a toothpick!

I ended up kind of loving the reckless abandon (inspo by Matisse!), so I sized it down and added fuschia to the edges. I adhered it to an orange cardstock in landscape orientation. I stamped the sentiment on the side vertically positioned. Two lime jewel embellishments for balance on the lower left corner and a chenille peachy-pink tie finishes the card!

Crystal

Toni

Jenni

Rachel (me)

Dawn

Doreen

I hope you find your day creative and fun. My cards are simple designs as I find the Unity images are so cute and awesome, they can stand alone quite nicely! Until next hop, take care and stay happy and carefree!

Rachel

please follow me on instagram @cardartbyrachel