The Friends of Unity Blog Hop • February 2022!

Welcome! This month’s cue is a sketch. I love this exercise because it gives me an awesome starting point whether I am wrapped up in everyday business, feeling less motivated or maybe having a bit of a “creative block”. This is so helpful to get a jump start on cardmaking! I hope you get a chance to try this sketch out.

Card #1- A surprise special effect that’s out of this world!

Glow-in-the-dark embossing powder!!! What will they come up with next?! I was over the moon when I got this product and it’s my first time using it.
These are the steps to create this card. 1. I masked the balloon with tape. 2. Next I stamped the image with Versafine black ink on watercolor paper. I heat embossed it with clear powder. This set the image. 3. Then I stamped and embossed the balloon with Lawn Fawn Glow in the dark powder! I can’t say enough about how much fun this effect is! 4. With metallic paints, I colored the space alien and then regular green for the cute monster. Metallic paints really add a space-like touch! 5. Then I loosely blended distress oxide inks for the sky and planet. 6. I die cut the scene with a Gina Marie die. 7. I added a white strip of card stock with coordinating washi tape 8. Finally I stamped the sentiment right on the tape. A little crooked, I decided to keep it and add white dots as if it was supposed to be that way! (tip-the ink smeared a bit so next time I will try stazon ink and heat set it).
Actually the final step is holding the balloon up to a light. Then take it to a dark room to see the glow! Awesome!
Supplies I used
“Other Worldly Greetings” by Unity Stamp Company
Metallic watercolor on the alien’s suit! It really looks awesome in person and not so messy. :) Also I used vellum to extend the sentiment strip so that you could see the image underneath it.
Glow in the dark powder in action! This is a game changer for sure.
I stamped the top sentiment directly on the washi tape. It isn’t straight but I liked it and added white dots to take on a wavy look. Also I would use Stazon ink next time so it doesn’t smudge.

Card #2 – An elegant thinking of you

I love this floral and the hardest part was deciding what color my irises were going to be. I decided on my favorite color blue!
1. I die cut the watercolor paper with a beautiful Gina Marie Die. 2. Next I stamped the image with Versafine ink and painted it with blueprint sketch distress inks. 3. Then I used a larger matching die and using one side of it, I cut a strip for the top of the card. 4. I stamped the sentiment on a piece of white paper, I watercolored prize ribbon over it and also mounted it on white. 5. Finally I tied ivory burlap string on the strip of paper and blended it with the same blue ink. I glued down just the top portion to give it a valance-like feel!

This reminds me of an eyelet valance!
Supplies I used
“Care and Hope Iris” by Sandya Iyer for Unity Stamp Company

A card to send to almost anyone anytime when they need that little pick-me-up!

Card #3 – A sentimental Valentine’s Day card

A vintage kind of feel. I used two sets to make this card. 1. I tore the cardstock in a rectangular shape and stamped the envelope image on it. 2.
Next I ink blended the edges with distress ink. 3. I stamped the quill pen in Versafine ink and embossed it with sparkly black glitter! 4. I die cut out an area at the top for interest and added red paper underneath. This step may have been skipped as it is hard to see. 5. Then I heat embossed the “your story” sentiment in maroon. 6. Using vellum I stamped the “Love” sentiment and heat embossed it with gold. Three layers for thickness, I wrapped it around the edges and taped it to the back. 7. I added washi tape for interest and also to keep the vellum in place. 8. A cut out heart from a scrap of silver glitter foam added a sparkling final accent.
The feather pen embossed with sparkly black glitter powder.
Gold embossed love sentiment on vellum and a silver glitter heart cut from foam.
“All the Stories” and a layers of life kit by Unity Stamp Company
Supplies I used
A take on Valentine’s day or great for any lovely occasion!

Card #4 – A worldy illusion

Maybe this is a window into the world?! A color palette with a very earthy natural feel.
1. First I taped the stencil on a white card base and blended oxide ink over the sphere. I used shabby shutters oxide ink on the remaining areas. This stencil is amazing and offers a 3D illusion. 2. Next I stamped the world image in vintage photo and embossed it with clear powder. 3. I die cut a woodgrain frame by Hero Arts. It was a scrap with splattered white acrylic paint on it. 4. With gray washi tape, I covered a strip of white card stock and tied an olive organza ribbon on to soften the card. 5. Finally I stamped the sentiment and die cut a curvy edge. I blended coordinating colors around the edges.
I clear embossed the world to set the image and bring texture so it doesn’t disappear behind the frame.
Supplies I used
“Love brings you home” by Erin Schreiner for Unity Stamp Company
I love the sphere stencil! It is an optical illusion (Op Art) of a sphere with a strong 3D quality. You can reach out and grab it!

Thank you for hopping along with us, this was a fun sketch! Please hop to the next friend below to see tons of creativity and amazing ideas. Comment to win a “thank you” prize, the winner will be announced at next month’s hop.

Crystal

Eileen

Bobbie Sue

April

Dawn F.

Colleen

Rachel(me)

Kim

Joyce

Amber

Robyn

And now for the winner of last month’s hop…….Shelley Middleton! Thank you so much for hopping! Congratulations!!! Please message me you mailing address and I will get your prize sent out to you!

Cards for the hop!

Until March brings us back together, may you stay safe and healthy while creating tons of amazing and beautiful cards. I am so very hopeful for all that comes with thoughts of spring and the beautiful blue skies that surround.

Please visit me on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel for fun short process videos of how I made these cards.

Happy crafting my friends!

Rachel

19 thoughts on “The Friends of Unity Blog Hop • February 2022!

  1. Awesome cards, and each one so different. It’s amazing they all came from the same sketch inspiration. Love that glow in the dark EP!!

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  2. Such a fun out of this world card! Glow in the dark!! Wow! Loving the dicut overlay on those two cards. So so lovely, Rachel.

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  3. Your Valentine card is so romantic and just so pretty. I love a vintage vibe. And the Iris card is so lovely. The Iris always reminds me of my mom as it was her fave flower. Your cards are always so gorgeous.

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  4. That feather, wow… I’m so envious of those who can create such beauty from willinilly throwing everything into the pot and spilling it out into absolute gorgeous vintage beauty. The valance lace reminds me of mom… I cant ever remember a time when she wasn’t wearing a bit of cotton eyelet lace somewhere. Ha, love the glowing moon. I have that powder and never used it, but now I must make a moon, great idea! Fun cards thanks!

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  5. Your elegant valance on the iris card is just perfect but you can never go wrong with an iris card! All your makes are awesome you always share so many wonderful examples every hop! Thanks for sharing!!

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  6. Eeek!!! I think I need some of that glow in the dark embossing powder. My two girls would go nuts with it! Love love love your astronaut birthday card and all of the other amazing cards that you made for the hop.

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  7. Rachel, I must get my hands on the glow in the dark embossing powder. How cool is that? It looks great on your card. Your iris card is gorgeous. Beautiful design. I might have to buy this die. It is so pretty.

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  8. You presented such an amazing selection of cards this month. Love the glow in the dark feature of the first one. What kid would not love to get that one?! Thank you for sharing such fun!

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  9. Wowzers! Amazing cards! I LOVE the glow in the dark embossing powder. I have some, but have never used it, so thanks for the reminder. I LOVE iris flowers, so that is my favorite card and love the colors and the “eyelet” border completes this gorgeous card. Stunning vintage love card. Love the colors, layers, patterns, and the pop of gold. And I love the design and stencil of your last card, as a peak into the world. Very creative. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

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