The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ February 2024

Hi Crafty friends! February is here, I am enjoying a few blue skies and I can feel a hint of Spring. That makes me happy! Our theme for this month is a sketch (pictured above). Sketches are a great starting point, just fill in the spaces and there you have a card design. If you ever get into a creative slump, have no fear, try out a few sketches to get those ideas flowing.

Card #1 ~ “the heart of a bff” by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company

I love this stamp so much by Phyllis Harris. The fine lines, the two friends stretching into a heart shape, the carefree vibes… it’s all so good.

I stamped the image on watercolor paper and then die cut it out with a Gina Marie wonky stitched pattern. I trimmed off the sides to mimic the sketch. Next I grabbed a scrap of watercolored paper in greenish blues and a roll of washi tape with the same hues. Then I chose Tim Holtz distress inks and painted the image.

Keeping with the sketch, I added a sheer organza ribbon over the image. I added the washi tape to the background and die cut the love script in light pink. All of this went nicely on a rich lavendar cardbase. Just a tiny bit of a border adds so much.

Finally I embellished with Stickles glitter and Nuvo drops. I strategically placed the glitter to similate jewelry.

Card #2 ~ “Winnie the Pooh Rainbow Searching” by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company

This Pooh card is a completely different style than the previous one. I went for a grittier, grungier look. It’s always fun trying new things out, I never know if it works but love to share anyways!

I stamped the partial image using VersaFine Claire Morning Mist making sure the Pooh image was complete but faded out the umbrella. Next I stamped the “Love & Wisdom Background” by Sandhya Iyer for Unity in the upper right side and at the bottom. I watercolored Pooh and created a hint of a rainbow on the umbrella. Washi tape with hearts was adhered on the panel in keeping with the sketch.

I stamped the script again on a black cardbase masking off areas to avoid ink. I adhered the cardfront. Then I stamped the sentiment, cut it into two pieces and adhered at an angle. Finally I applied 3D Crystqal Laquer to Pooh and Stickles glitter over the raindrops.

Card #3 ~ “Hoppy & Hedgie” by Lisa Glanz for Unity Stamp Company

A funny thing about me is that I love coloring balloons but in real life I am actually afraid of them. The anticipation of sharp, loud popping noises makes me so uneasy! Anyways, I decided I was going to have fun creating balloons with a marbleized look to pair with a calico kitty!

After coloring the images, I wrapped fishing line around the panel with a threaded heart button. I wanted to keep in line with the sketch and I was toying with vellum vs. fishing line so that it did not completely cover the kitty. I framed the image on a muted lavender. Then I found a coordinating patterned paper and cut to fit the sketch. I glued it onto a buttery cream cardbase. I stamped the sentiment directly on the pattern, which I usually don’t do for fear of it getting lost in the pattern– I love how it turned out. Finally I positioned the front panel onto the base and that’s it!

What I love about this card is that the balloons go off the edge and it creates a feeling of upward movement to me.

I hope you found a few ideas and inspirations in my cards this month. Please play along with our sketch on the Unity (show & tell) Facebook group page and add your card to the album. I can’t wait to see your creations!

Below are links to the friends on the hop.

Crystal

Tammy

Gaylynn

Colleen

April

Dawn F

Amber

Joyce

Rachel (me)

Kim

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful month and Happy Valentines to you all! Did you notice I snuck in a heart on each card?!

Lots of Love,

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel