The Friends Of Unity Blog Hop • November 2022

Hello Friends! It’s November and this month is all about watercolor! I have to say when I think of watercoloring my first palette of colors that come to mind are dreamy, flowing, soft images…. so I created a few until I came to realize it’s Fall and the holidays are upon us! I changed up my hues and I am sharing holiday cards too. Sometimes creating just takes me away to another place. Does it do that for you too?

Card #1

When I discovered the theme for this month, I immediately thought of watercoloring this image. Tucked away were Staedtler watercolor crayons, never to be thought of until something jogged my memory. How perfect to use them now for the hop! These crayons took me back in time to memories of coloring for hours as a child.

Steps to create this card
1. I began with heat embossing the image with winter white embossing powder on a white card base.
2. Next I scribbled color along the edges of the blossom. I dipped a brush in water and blended the color around.
3. I hot foiled the negative piece of a Poppystamps sentiment using a Pinkfresh solid hot foil plate. The worn look gave it a distressed feel.
4. I stamped the “be” and “extraordinary” sentiments separately by inking directly on the stamp one word at a time. I did this to avoid stamping over the stem.
5. Then I coiled up fishing line and taped it under the area where the sentiment would go.
6. I popped up the “Happy Birthday” sentiment and adhered it to the card front.
7. After that I placed Nuvo glue dots on the card to frame the blossom.
8. Finally I adhered the card front to a light gray card base.

Card #2

There is something so sweet about these characters. I love the even, thin lines and the tiny close-set eyes. Adorable!

Steps to create this card
1. First I stamped the images in Versafine black ink somewhat evenly spaced and running off the page. I also wanted the reindeer near the center to be a focal point.
2. I chose a holiday color palette and mixtures of these colors to create variations for the clothing, accessories, etc. I painted the images loosely with layers of color, leaving bits of white patches for character. I had fun creating printed dress for Mrs. Kringle!
3. Next I die cut the card front using a Gina Marie die and glued it to a white card base.
4. Then I covered a strip of card stock with washi tape and cut the end at an angle.
5. I stamped the sentiment in Versafine ink and fussy-cut it out along the border.
6. After that I glued the sentiment on the Washi strip and adhered to card front.
7. Finally, I added Stickles on Santa’s hat, the little girl’s barrette, and the nose for “Rudolph”. I also used a gold pen on Santa’s buckle.

Card #3

Card #3

These butterflies are beautiful and carry a multitude of emotions. To capture the sparkle of the embossing glitter, I snapped this photo at an angle. This image takes me away to another place…

Steps to create this card
1. I stamped this image with black Versafine ink and heat embossed it with Tim Holtz’s Ranger black embossing glitter. Tip: Do not overheat as the glitter may lose its sparkle.
2. Next I chose a color palette of distress inks and began painting the butterflies. A spot of every color on each image emphasizing lights and darks for contrast.
3. I loosely washed color randomly over the background. I tried to keep it looking natural. A lot of water helps to achieve this. Tip: Dark and light areas add depth.
4. Then I adhered the card front to a light blue card base.
5. I stamped the “Miss You” sentiment on a scrap from the watercolor background. I used two inks in brown and orange to give it a two-tone look. I adhered it to the card.
6. I die cut a Gina Marie scalloped border and glued it onto the card front.
7. Finally I adhered iridescent sequins to finish the card.

Card #4

Fruit, pinecones and berries are such a welcoming, timeless holiday sight! I can picture this as a centerpiece on a dining room table. Fresh, hot apple cider is brewing in the kitchen….

Following are the steps to create this card
1. First I stamped this image with Versafine ink on watercolor paper.
2. Next I painted the apples using red and green Tim Holtz distress inks. I continued on with the pinecones, leaves and berries. The blossoms, I added a little bit of color for the shadow to enhance the overall white color.
3. I die cut the image with a fancy stitched square die. I love a square card!
4. Then I stamped the sentiment slightly off center. I used “happy holidays” because I thought it encompassed so many holidays during the fall/winter months.
5. I glued the card front on a light gray card base.
6. Finally I double wrapped red string along the fold to finish the card.

Here are the friends in the hop. I can’t wait for you to see their amazing watercolor cards. Please don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a “thank you” gift. I will announce the winner in the next month’s hop. And now for the winner of October……Glennis F.! Congratulations! Please message me your address and I will get the prize in the mail, thank you so much for your comment. We appreciate you!

Crystal

Amber

Alaine

Bobbie Sue

Kim

April

Gaylynn

Dawn B.

Dawn F.

Joyce

Rachel (me)

Watercoloring offers so many ways to color an image. Light and fluid, dark and intense, even a mix of both. It is forgiving and not exact. I find watercoloring makes setting a mood so much easier than other mediums! Hope you enjoyed the hop.

Until December, have a wonderful month of crafting and cozy days.

Rachel

I’m on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel. Please follow me for short videos of how I made these cards.