Hi, it’s Rachel. I live in Bothell, WA about 30 minutes from Seattle. I have three teenagers, two Havanese dogs, two fish tanks and a husband who supports and understands my stamp habit. I first attended a stamp party in 1999. It sparked an interest I have never lost (except for a short moment while raising 3 young children)! The true obsession began when I discovered Unity Stamp Company just over a year ago. What I love about stamping is how relaxing and fun it is to create something in a short amount of time that can be used to brighten someone’s day.
My oldest is a freshman at WSU, and I send him a card once a week to say “hello”. Choosing a stamp, creating a design, and hoping it will make him laugh or smile is the best! A few days back, he told me he will keep the cards forever! I also have two daughters in high school who love art, but have not yet caught the stamping bug. Kids often think snail mail is a thing of the past, but as they get older, they begin to understand the value of something handmade, delivered in the mail, that can be held and opened.
I volunteered for 10 years as an art docent at the elementary school my children attended. A famous painting or art piece is brought into the classroom once a month. The students discuss the painting, learn history about the artist and create a “masterpiece” to reflect the art. I am currently on the Northshore School District’s Art Docent Training Team. Art for youth is so important, as it gives each and every child an outlet to express themselves in a positive way. Other activities I love are gardening, running (maybe love is too strong a word), walking, and drinking coffee!
Day 1
This is my first time taking part in the GIU week. I love Unity stamps and everything about this company. The quality of the product is outstanding, the live videos are fun and informative, the overall feeling of community is awesome. It truly is more than just a stamp company!
It all began with this Phyllis Harris stamp kit “Your Wings Exist”. While surfing the internet for card ideas, I saw this girl and I knew I had to find her! I look at her and I see the world through a child’s eyes where life is carefree and all I might be feeling is the wind in my hair and the grass in my feet! So of course I chose this image to begin my week.
I paper pieced the dress. If you are new at paper piecing, this image is very easy. I used prismacolor pencils for the grass, dirt, skin and hair. I used a touch of pink chalk for the cheeks. The cloud background came from a paper pack of photographs of nature. The die around the perimeter of the card is a Gina Marie rectangular wonky stitched die.
The sentiment is framed with Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 2. The paper is a water colored scrap and the ink is Versafine Black Onyx. I almost forgot the silver dot, it is a Nuvo drop.
I tend to be a visual person so I am including a photo of some of the supplies I used to create my card.
I love this kit. It has three wonderful sentiments as well as this incredible girl. I love images that express action or an emotion that doesn’t need to be spoken or explained.
Thank you for taking the time to visit. I hope you enjoyed my first post. Please leave a comment for a chance to win Unity stamps. Have a great day!
Rachel
“I choose love because hate is too great a burden to bare.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Blue Skies... 
Nicely done! I like that you didn’t just use one method or medium to create interest.
LikeLike
Beautiful card. Especially love the colorful sentiment. Great job.
LikeLike
Wonderful card. I feel the exact same way about Unity Stamp Co & am also enchanted especially with Phyllis’ heartfelt images. I really enjoyed getting to know you in this blog post and can’t wait to visit each day this week to be inspired by your beautiful creations and attitude toward life.
LikeLike
Love this card, the sky, the colorful sentiment, all of it!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this lovely card and you’re thoughts behind it 💜
LikeLike
Simply gorgeous! This was also one of my first UNITY sets! Everything on the card comes together perfectly!
LikeLike
Wonderful first post. As a visual learner also, thank you for the picture of your supplies. This card is beautiful and you’re right, this girl says many things without saying a word. Looking forward to your week.
LikeLike
This is so pretty. This is one of my favorite stamps, but then I have so many favorite stamps.
LikeLike
Beautiful card. Love that image and sentiment. Your cloudy sky is fab and I love the ribbon detail. Hugz
LikeLike
Nice card. I love how such a simple image can give such a wonderful feeling of being carefree.
LikeLike
What a lovely card! I have a number of Phyllis Harris, but not this one… it’s now on my wishlist! I, too, enjoyed getting to know about you in this first blog post. I’m looking forward to the rest of your GIU week!
LikeLike
Can’t go wrong with any of Phyllis Harris’ sets. They are all so wonderful. And your card is beautiful & well designed.
LikeLike
Phyllis Harris stamps are what first brought me to Unity also and are still some of my favorites although my collection has broadened with the other artists! I so enjoyed reading your post and love your card. Looking forward to the rest of your weeks inspiration!
LikeLike
Love your card! I hadn’t noticed this stamp set before. Thank you for using it. I’ll have to get it now. I’m looking forward to your next post.
LikeLike
Such a sweet card! Phyllis Harris is one of my favourite designers too!Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself . Looking forward to seeing what other beautiful things you will share this week!😊❤️
LikeLike
Such a beautiful card today. I just love the wonderful coloring, perfect with this sweet unity stamp set. I can’t wait to see all the creations you do this week
LikeLike
This is such a lovely image, I love how you have designed the card – a great result
LikeLike
Beautiful card! This set has been on my wish list; you have inspired me to move it to the top of my list! Looking forward to the rest of your posts!
LikeLike
Amazing card so full of beauty, inspiration and creativity. Love it, so simple and yet the little girl says a lot. Hope your week is stupendous.
LikeLike
Adorable card Rachel!! The image is so sweet! Great start of the week!!
LikeLike
Such a beautiful card- love the DP you used for the sky as a backdrop to your paper pieced little girl! Love the rainbow sentiment as well! Keep those cards postal- mine saved all of the once I mailed to them : ) Congrats on your GIU week. I love Unity as well!!!
LikeLike
I really love your card and have looked at this set a number of times and have not yet ordered it, but may have to do so after seeing this!!
LikeLike
Thank you for the story, as well as the beautiful card ❤
LikeLike
Beautiful Rachel! I love all the colors and the use of multi techniques.
Charmaine
LikeLike
I love your coloring! Awesome card!❤️❤️❤️❤️
LikeLike
Pretty card! I love the stamps you used and the scene you created! Congrats on your GIU week. I look forward to seeing your creations each day!
LikeLike
I love your coloring, paper piecing, and design. Just a lovely card. Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLike
Very cute. I love the sentiment!
LikeLike
Love this card. Great job
LikeLike
That’s the sweetest card. Congrats on being growing in unity girl!
LikeLike
Lovely card! I love the rainbow colors on the sentiment… really makes it pop!
LikeLike
So pretty and I love the vintage feel of your work. Then three ladies made my heart smile this morning over my cup of coffee😊❤️
LikeLike
One of my favorite PH stamps! I love the way you did your sky background. Beautiful!
LikeLike
Such a sweet card. Love the coloring. Reminds me of my daughter.
LikeLike
Aw
She’s so sweet with her hair blowing back. Congrats on being a GIU chosen. Your card is simple with big impact
LikeLike
I love that stamp. And your card is the sweetest!
LikeLike
LOVE LOVE LOVE! IT’S THE SWEETEST! Also congrats on being GIU!
LikeLike
Love this stamp and colorful sentiment and the paper pieced dress.
LikeLike
I love this card!!! Now I need this stamp kit 😂
LikeLike
I love that you are teaching art to our children. I encouraged mine towards the arts and all three excelled. I taught elementary children for 28 years and always found time for art. It is so very important. Thank you! Your card is perfect!!
LikeLike
Beautiful!
LikeLike
So cute, Rachel! Love the use of the cloudy background and the pop of color from the sentiment!
LikeLike
Love phylis Harris stamp of the blowing hair and the rainbow statement
LikeLike
You can so feel the wind in her hair. And the colors you used highlight this image perfectly! So so adorable!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing what brought you to Unity! I read your posts in reverse. What a fantastic week of cards you shared! I’m glad you got a GIU spot!
LikeLike
I love this stamp and I love your card!! ♥️
LikeLike
Every card you make is so unique. I love the little dots in the girl’s dress with the sparkles on them. So precious. Beautiful, Rachel! Just beautiful!
LikeLike
I have noticed you don’t monetize home.blog, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn additional cash every
month with new monetization method. This is the best adsense
alternative for any type of website (they approve all sites), for more
info simply search in gooogle: murgrabia’s tools
LikeLike