Happy October 1st! Are you ready for Fall and all that nature has to offer this month?! As the leaves turn their brilliant colors, the days get shorter and the air is crisp. I welcome the idea of more time for papercrafting. “Anything But a Card” is October’s theme. I love this, it reminds me how far and wide these Unity stamps can go in the world of crafting. The projects I am sharing are quick, easy and fun to make, I hope you like them!
Blender brush holder
Not only is this fun to make, but it is so useful too! You can personalize it for your craft room…. any theme, color or size.Here are the steps to create a brush holder. 1. Find a tin that fits what you plan to put inside. For blender brushes, I needed a wide low tin. 2. Using medium weight watercolor paper, measure the height and cut the paper accordingly. 3. Stamp the floral image in gray to create a background and paint it with your chosen colors. 4. Splatter DecoArt metallic acrylic paint in random areas. My paint was a bit too thick so it smudged more than splattered but I love it! 5. Stamp a sentiment in black ink so it stands out from the background. 6. Adhere the finished paper with glue to tin. I used a glue stick. 7. If the paper is not long enough to cover the tin, cut a strip from the same paper to piece in the open area and cover with a piece of washi tape. 8. Grab your blender brushes and see how great they look in the holder!
Another view!
The image is stamped in gray and the sentiment stamped in black. This brings the sentiment front and forward.
Metallic paint in rose gold.
“Sakura” by Ann Corbiere Scott for Unity Stamp Companyand the supplies Iused to make this brush holder. This stamp is huge and fills up more that an A2 size card!The watercolor paper I used didn’t quite fit around the tin, so I cut a strip of watercolor paper and adhered washi tape that coordinated with the colors I used.
Look how lovely these brushes are in their new home!
2.Memory Dex file
This is a Memorydex file. It is similar to a Rolodex, but larger and can be used for addresses, recipes, inspirational quotes or for anything you like. How fun would it be to trade files and when you receive your file, you have a great place to display it?! Here are the steps to recreate this card. 1. Die cut the file using watercolor paper. 2. Stamp the image in black Versafine ink and heat emboss with clear powder. 3. Paint the image. 4. Stamp the sentiment in green VersaFine clair ink. 5. Stamp the lower sentiment on black cardstock in Versamark ink and heat emboss in gold powder, 6. Adhere embellishments. Washi tape, heart button and Stickles on the dandelion. 7. Blend Tea Dye Distress ink around the edges of the file. 8. Insert your file in the Memorydex or mail it to a fellow Memorydex friend!
“…every wish” by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company and some of the supplies I used.
Stickles on the flower to add a dramatic touch.
A close-up of the orange heart button and sentiments in green ink and gold embossing powder
Trade this or create to keep at home with sentiments that make you happy. The files can also act as an be idea book to scroll through during those times when you might have a crafting block or need a little more inspiration!
3.Bookmark
I can’t think of a better project for this time of year than a bookmark. Besides crafting, Fall is a wonderful time to read! Here are the steps to make a bookmark. 1. Die cut a rectangle on heavy cream cardstock. This die is a mini-slimline from Gina Marie Designs. 2. Die cut a larger coordinating one in kraft. 3. Stamp the image in Versafine Clair ink. 3. Heat emboss with clear powder. 4. Stamp leaves to give the scene a Fall look. 5. Ink blend around the edges with Mowed Lawn Distress Ink. 6. Punch a hole at the top and die cut two reinforcement circles. 7. Tie 1mm burlap string at the top. 8. Go get your favorite book and try out your bookmark! Tip: keep embellishments to a minimum as the less bulk the better. Also, heavy ink could bleed onto pages if moisture is present.
“beauty around you” by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company and supplies I used.
A quote about reading or your favorite author’s quote would be awesome on the front or backof this bookmark.
A close-up, I love the point-of-view from this adorable image.
4. Travertine Drink Coaster
This is literally a five minute project! Why on earth would I use a partially broken tile? I love vintage and imperfections. it has character and is a great conversation piece… maybe?! Steps to create this coaster. 1. Start with a travertinetile or a tile with a rough surface. 1a. Rent a jackhammer to break off the top right corner. 2. Stamp the image with StazOn black ink. This will STAIN your stamp! There is stamp cleaner for this ink but DO NOT USE this CLEANER for CLEAR STAMPS, it will ruin them. 3. Heat set the ink. 4. Paint the image with ink smooshed on a palette, preferably not distress ink. 5. With the thinnest of layers, scrub on DuraClear varnish. Keep applications so light that you cannot see brush lines. 6. Add craft foam, cork, or felt for the back. 7. Grab a cup of coffee and set it on your new coaster. Better yet, make a set of four, wrap up with a ribbon and surprise a friend! One more thing…I use my handmade coasters daily and they are awesome…. strong, sturdy and hold up perfectly.
Supplies I used. The stamp is an Ittty Bitty by Unity Stamp Company called “Your Season”. It also comes with a sentiment.
The shine of the thin coat of varnish.
Many more colors can be used. Keeping it simple, I love the brown, green and black together. If I were to add anything I would color the star. Holiday lights would be awesome too!
That’s it for this time, I am excited to see your projects. Thank you for visiting and please continue on the hop with my friends listed below. Don’t forget to comment on each blog for a chance to win a “thank you” prize. One commenter will be randomly selected to win.
The winner from September’s Hop is Andre! Congratulations! Thank you for commenting and please message me your mailing address and I will get your prize sent out to you.
My four projects all at one glance.
Thanks again, I would love to know which is your favorite project and any thoughts or ideas. I so enjoy all your comments. Until next month, have a wonderful October!
I am on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel. Please follow me for fun short videos of how I make my cards and projects.
Rachel
“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” Vincent van Gogh (more flowers from my backyard)
Oh my, these are such creative and genius projects. All so lovely. The canister art is something I want to try and also the coaster stamping. Fabulous work.
Wow, Rachel, amazing projects!! I am loving that you used a mini slimline die for your bookmark – genius!! I’m totally casing that idea! Absolutely love the coaster! I have a set that I got from a crafty friend years ago… I use them everyday and love them! Maybe it’s time I make a set to give! Thanks for the wonderful inspirations!
Lots of fabulous, fun inspiration here Rachel!! I love them all. I have a Memory Dex … need to make something for it; it’s been awhile! They are fun to make and I love yours – it’s my fave this month. BUT I also love the tile – I’ve made some of those, too, and they are also fun to work with.
That was fun. The bad and the good with this one. I was sure you stamped the brush holder upside down, that would drive me nuts on my area, but really pretty annnnnd made me stare at it forever. But those videos staring upward warms the heart sooooooo much, how stinkin precious. That really was fun and Happy Halloween!
Rachel, I LOVE your projects!!! I might need those Gina K slimline dies for my bookmarks. 😍 My favorite is your Travertine tile! 😂 On the jackhammer… I’m clumsy, so I’m sure I can break a tile without that. 😂
As usual, incredible projects! I love how you altered the tin to hold your blender brushes. It is so pretty. Sakura is one of my favorite stamps and I, too, used it for this month’s hop. Love when this happens. Your memory dex file is gorgeous. Love your coloring on it. Your book mark has all the fun feels and the drink coaster is amazing.
Blue Skies... 
Wow so many wonderful creations!! You ALWAYS blow me a way with your unique watercoloring, Rachel. That bush holder is oh my fantastic!
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Oooooo I love the tin!! So fun! Great use of slimline dies too on the bookmark!!
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Oh my, these are such creative and genius projects. All so lovely. The canister art is something I want to try and also the coaster stamping. Fabulous work.
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My goodness Rachel, you have great ideas for this months cue!!
That coaster….wow!! amazing!!
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Brilliant ideas Rachel, I love the tin for your brushes, so pretty!
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Wow, Rachel, amazing projects!! I am loving that you used a mini slimline die for your bookmark – genius!! I’m totally casing that idea! Absolutely love the coaster! I have a set that I got from a crafty friend years ago… I use them everyday and love them! Maybe it’s time I make a set to give! Thanks for the wonderful inspirations!
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Love all your projects but how you used the P. Harris image for fall is something I’ve thought of but never done it!! Thanks for inspiring me!!
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Unbelievable! I LOVE all the projects! Especially the blender brush holder!
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Lots of fabulous, fun inspiration here Rachel!! I love them all. I have a Memory Dex … need to make something for it; it’s been awhile! They are fun to make and I love yours – it’s my fave this month. BUT I also love the tile – I’ve made some of those, too, and they are also fun to work with.
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What fun creations!
Great ideas and love
the tiles.
Carla from Arizona
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Fabulous projects, I love the coaster!
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Such wonderful projects! It’s hard to choose my favorite, but I’m a bookworm, so I especially like the bookmark 🙂
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That was fun. The bad and the good with this one. I was sure you stamped the brush holder upside down, that would drive me nuts on my area, but really pretty annnnnd made me stare at it forever. But those videos staring upward warms the heart sooooooo much, how stinkin precious. That really was fun and Happy Halloween!
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Rachel, I LOVE your projects!!! I might need those Gina K slimline dies for my bookmarks. 😍 My favorite is your Travertine tile! 😂 On the jackhammer… I’m clumsy, so I’m sure I can break a tile without that. 😂
– Doreen @ whereisyourhappyplace.blogspot.com
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As usual, incredible projects! I love how you altered the tin to hold your blender brushes. It is so pretty. Sakura is one of my favorite stamps and I, too, used it for this month’s hop. Love when this happens. Your memory dex file is gorgeous. Love your coloring on it. Your book mark has all the fun feels and the drink coaster is amazing.
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Great projects for the hop! I love the blender brush holder you created…. pretty and functional!
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Wow! You really did think outside of the cardmaking box! All 4 of your projects turned out so well and are very creative.
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