The Friends of Unity Blog Hop – March 2023

“What day is it?” asked Pooh. “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favourite day,” said Pooh.

Welcome to The Friends of Unity Blog Hop. It’s March already, I can’t believe it. The theme is none other than Winnie the Pooh! The quotes by Pooh are beautiful. I am just now realizing how many great ones there are. Intrigued, I am going to take some time to refamiliarize myself with the Hundred Acre Woods!

I took out my Pooh stamps, grabbed two types of watercolor paper, and stamped away! I had the best time coloring these adorable images and before I knew it I had seven card fronts to make into cards. I used Mozart Komorebi paints for all the cards except for one in which I used Prismacolor watercolor pencils. I am sharing them all with you. Honestly no worries if you want to just quickly scan the pictures. This is more than I meant to post. Thank you for coming along the way.

Card #1 – “Oh Dear”

I love how tiny Pooh is in this image. The tree is beautiful and I picture it being so large it touches the sky.
After I watercolored it, I added a hot foil sentiment “so proud of you” by Poppystamps. I thought it was fitting! I framed the card front in white and adhered it to a kraft card base.

Card #2 – “Pooh just knew”

Even though I am scared of heights and the anticipation of balloons popping, I think this image of Pooh and Piglet is so festive and fun.
I painted generous rows of color for the rainbow background. Each color blended into the next. I stamped the balloon three times, painted one, cut them out and glued them together for dimension.The “Happy Birthday”is a Poppystamps hot foiled sentiment in rainbow colors. I finished the card using Stickles glitter glue on the butterfly and cut out the card front with a Gina Marie border die.

This festive stamp set is called “Pooh just knew” by Sandhya Iyer for Unity Stamp Company.

Card #3 – “How do you spell love?”

As I watercolored this image I was thinking about my childhood… blowing and scattering dandelion seeds all over the place with no cares or thoughts. I also spent endless hours sitting on our lush green grass with my friend every chance we could get!
I cut the image out using a Spellbinders die and then framed it in teal. I lightly washed white over the edges to soften the bright color. The letters are the Heather lowercase alphabet by Pinkfresh Studios. Burlap twin and shiny embroidery thread tied at the top and sparkly Stickles on the dandelions finish the card. Also, I stamped a sentiment inside the card. You can see the inside pictured below in the post.

This sweet set is called “How do you spell love?” by Sandhya Iyer for Unity Stamp company.

Card #4 – “Thought of You Today”

Pooh is so intent on writing a letter to someone special. I find this image industrious and charming.
I colored this image with Prismacolor watercolor pencils. They are great for reaching small areas. When water hits the color, the pencils blend like butter. I used a background stamp in red with writings by Rumi, a Poppystamps hot foil sentiment in silver and Tim Holtz oxide ink blended around the border. Nuvo drops, and red glittery string finish the card. I almost forgot –the feather pen is covered in Stickles over blue marker for a special touch.

This wonderful Pooh stamp set is called “Thought of You Today” and the timeless background set is “Love & Wisdom Background” by Sandhya Iyer for Unity Stamp Company. It is a beautiful writing by Rumi.

Cards #5, #6, #7, “Making Memories with Pooh Bear” by Sandhya Iyer for Unity Stamp Company

This image definitely has a story to tell. It brings so many fun memories of lazy summer days to my mind. I grew up in a tiny faming town and canals were a familiar sight to irrigate crops in the fields.
I didn’t have a plan for these cards, so I stamped the image three times deciding to just play and enjoy the time. Then I started thinking about how I could make each one a little bit different by changing the color palette, intensity and adding elements. Below I break down each card in a little more detail. The picturesque stamp set is by Sandhya Iyer for Unity Stamp company.

Card #5 – “Morning is the best time of day”

Morning is the best time of day for me. I love getting up before light and drinking coffee as the sun wakes up. This card is mostly about the pastel sky and the sights, smells and sounds of the beginning of the day.
I began with a wash of very little color. Slowly I worked in more color on the images up close to create depth. Watercoloring is forgiving, I painted many areas again and again. I dabbed a paper towel in the places I thought were too bright and intense. It actually erases most of the color, awesome!

I left the front of this card blank because I wanted to keep the sky untouched. Inside the card is the sentiment the set came with. (it is pictured towards the end of this post)

Card #6 – “Just the 3 of us”

I was thinking about black and white, possibly vintage like an old photograph where a few of the images might be colored in. I remember when this was very popular years back. It gives me a feeling of nostalgia…of yesterday revisited.
I created a focal point using minimal color on this card, similar to a spotlight technique. Stickles in frosted lace for a subtle embellishment and a birthday sentiment die cut by Poppystamps. I framed the sides with a thin hint of black and adhered it to a cream card.

I love the yellow, black and white color combination. This is the only card where I left Christropher Robin’s shorts white. Painting the shorts a traditional blue might take away from the overall mood of the card.

Card #7 – “A Rainbow Connection”

In this scene, a storm has come and gone leaving a beautiful, unconventional rainbow.
My idea for this card was a rainbow and bright, intense color. . I organized my palette and then without thinking, I painted the swooshes of color over the sky. I realized the colors were upside down as I looked at photographs of rainbows! “Oh bother!” I thought and I left it for a few hours but bother me it did. A thought popped in my head…I will repeat the rainbow in the other direction–red became the middle and an unconventional rainbow appeared! Does it work? I hope so!

These a few of the many amazing Winnie the Pooh stamps available at Unity Stamp Company. The background stamp in the upper left corner I used for the “Thought of You Today” card. It is actual text by Rumi, so beautiful! Also I have Eeyore stamps on my wishlist and I heard Tigger will be introduced in a year or so… I can’t wait!

The first four cards together in one picture.

Phew! That’s it. I hope you are still with me. Thank you for taking the time to visit. Here are the friends on the hop. Please comment on each blog for a chance to win a “thank you” prize.

Crystal

Amber

Bobbie Sue

Gaylynn

Rachel (me)

Colleen

Kim

Eileen

Joyce

Alaine

And now for the winner of last month’s hop is….. Brenda Katrein! Congratulations Brenda, please message me your mailing address and I will send you your prize!

Have a wonderful day today and always. If you happen on a “blustery” day in March, I hope you get crafty and creative indoors waiting for the storm to pass..

Until next month, stay safe and happy!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel to see about short, fun videos for cardmaking enthusiasts.

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” – Winnie the Pooh