Author: duongr

The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ April 2026

Hi crafty friends! April is here and our theme for The Friends of Unity Blog Hop is Earth Day/Recycle! I love this theme because every human being can help keep our world at it’s best by recycling and caring for nature as it was meant to be. Inspired by this theme in my cardmaking, I decided to use watercolor backgrounds left over from 1. an accidental ink spill, and 2. an extra watercolor background. This was my “recycle” portion of the theme. Then I chose beautiful images by artist Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company depicting love and respect for the beauty of this earth.

Card #1 ~ ….beauty in everything by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company

I love this image of a young girl looking at the view and taking it all in. Maybe she is thinking about the next milestone in her life or how mcuh she appreciates the wonderment of the land. I think about my younger years and not taking notice of nature in the way I do now. So happy am I that my grown kids seem to have understood the beauty in nature so much earlier than me!

I began with this background. The truth is that a few years back I accidentally spilled a little of Tim Holtz Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink. Panicking at the thought of my favorite color going to waste, I grabbed a pad of watercolor paper and began spritzing water on the ink and then smooshed the paper onto the ink! Thus I ended up with a a whole library of Blueprint Sketch backgrounds!

I stamped the image on the watercolor background in black Verafine Ink. I painted the scene with Prang watercolors.

Using a Gina Marie Designs wonky stitched border die, I added a nice edge to the cardfront.

Before gluing the cardfront down, I wrapped white tulle and lavender ribbon around the left side. I stappled it and glued it down to make sure it wouldn’t come apart. I adhered this to a white cardbase firmly but loosely to maintain the natural, imperfect feel I wanted for this card.

I masked off a portion of the sentiment to fit the person I want to give this card to. Lastly, mirrored, iridescent embellishments complete the card!

Card #2 ~ All Things New by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company

I absolutely love this image! Phyllis Harris has a gift for bringing out so much expression and emotion in her images. So many of her masterpieces depict the beauty of nature as this one does– a girl barefoot in the rain puddle. (The first card, she captures wind blowing through the hair and dress–gorgeous!)

I stamped the image on an old watercolor background with my stamp cleaner pad by Ink Off! It has been well used and residual ink is left that works out great as a light ink pad for the technique call no-line painting. The idea is to paint over the lines to make the image look as if it does not show a border, looking more realistic.

I used a mix of Prang watercolor and MozArt Kormorebi watercolor paints.

I stamped the sentiment and added Stickles glitter glue to the heart and gold glitter glue to the raindrops. In the light, the glitter adds so much sole and spirit to the card.

I tore the edges and adhered to a white cardbase.

I love the emotion of this card!

Crystal

Jenni

Toni

Joyce

Rachel (me)

Dawn

Thank you so much for hopping. Above is the list of friends on the hop. Please click on each friend to see their beautiful creations!

Until next time, stay save and enjoy all the wonders in nature, big and small. We can all participate in keeping our earth beautiful!

Take care~

Rachel

Please follow me on instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hooray Happy Birthday! by Rachel Duong

March 19, 2026Birthday, Congratulations, Glitter, Patterned Paper, Rachel Duong, Uncategorized, wreath

Hi friends, it’s Rachel here with a colorful balloon wreath on a fun, birthday card. I used the Poppystamps Festive Balloons and Balloon Bunch dies wrapped up with the Poppystamps Cute Bow. I had the best time die cutting so many balloons in all the colors — any extras? Of course, I saved them for many more cards to come!

After the balloons, I die cut the Cute Bow in a beautiful muted red. I used orange for the under side of the ribbon. I placed a ring-shaped base down and glued balloons onto it varying the colors and sizes overlapping them in all directions! The larger balloons went on the bottom and the smaller on top.

Next I cut a 3 1/8″ square from white cardstock. Slightly smaller I cut a pastel blue glitter square, slightly smaller a yellow square and then a 3 1/2″ white square. I adhered it all together.

I chose a pastel orange from the Birthday Fun paper pad and sized it to fit on an A2 card with a fine edge of the white cardbase showing.

I stamped the sentiment, HOORAY in orange and die cut it out. I love this bold stamp which comes with the die and many more stamp sentiments to go with it.

{ placed the wreath and the sentiment where I liked it best on the card. Then I stamped the wavy birthday sentiment in charcoal grey ink. I glued the pieces down. Finally I added a Fairy Dewdrop embellishment.

A fun card to make and it can be created with so many variations. I can’t wait to use this same card but die cut balloons in mirrored paper and glitter paper!I hope you feel inspired to try this out, it is a great card to have on hand for all ages and leave off the happy birthday to add a sentiment fit for another special occasion. Check out the birthday section of Poppystamps dies, there are so many to choose from!

The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ March 2026

Screenshot

Hi crafty cardmakers! The March Friends of Unity Blog Hop has just begun. Our theme is a sketch, pictured above. I immediately saw a cathedral window for largest shape in it. What a wonderful starting point! Having said that, I have one card to share this month. With Easter and Spring awaiting, I chose this adorable bunny from the Unity Stamp Company Kit of the Month – January 2026 – The Margins of Ever After.

To create this card, I die cut the Poppystamps cathedral window out of heavy black cardstock. Next I picked out the two patterned papers, the dark floral blue for the background inside the window and the worn patterned white with blue horizontal cracked paint marks surrounding the outer edge of the window. I die cut the pieces accordingly.

Then I stamped the bunny image on watercolor paper and painted him soft pastel colors. I used a black Sharpie marker to darken the eyes. This is always a great way to make the eyes bright and captivating. I fussy-cut him out. Tip–When choosing an image to fit inside the window, I made sure it was an easy one to cut out with defined lines.

I adhered the background and referring to the sketch, I added a floral vellum band across the cardfront.

I came across a floral print on a pattern paper. I cut the piece to fit as if it were outside the window in a flower box. Then I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of watercolored background. The sentiment is included in the Kit of the Month.

After time playing around, arranging and rearranging, these are the pieces I decided on.

One last touch I added Stickles glitter glue to the heart and pom pom on the end of the hat!

I love this sweet bunny!

Please continue on the hop, the links are below!

Crystal

Doreen

Amber

Jenni

Joyce

Dawn

Rachel (me)

Toni

Jane

Thank you so much for hopping! Have a fabulous March full of fresh ideas and inspiring creations!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Growing In Unity 2026 ~ Day 5

Hi there, it’s day 5 and the last day to share my cards as the Growing in Unity girl. I’ve enjoyed this time with you immensely. Thank you Unity Stamp Company for the opportunity to be a part of this community. It’s been a great experience. Now onto my card — a mix of celebration, humor and lots of surprise balloons!

To create this card I stamped the hilarious Fluff Squad image on watercolor paper. I painted the fluffs with a mix of color.and kept their tummies light and less saturated. Notice the feet, I painted them a pale orange and noses a bit darker–I forgot they were cats and not birds but who noticed?! My favorite is the orange cat looking amused and not too serious. Which one do you like the most? A bright, yellow background depicting sunshine and a simple rectangle diecut finishes this portion of the card.

I die cut a square on the front flap of an A2 white cardbase. Next I chose a dotted patterned paper approximately 1/4″ smaller than the base and diecut a square placed directly over the previous one. I adhered the paper to the base.

Back to the inside, I lined up the image to hide the squad from the front view with the excepttion of one cat and the bird. I adhered it to the base. Checking again from the front view, I added a surprise of Poppystamp Festive Balloons in a mix of color, sparkle and shine. I glued burlap string at the base of each balloon. A quick alternative option — draw in tails with a fine permanent marker.

Then for the back of the front flap, I glued two balloons in a carefree manner. Balloons are everywhere!

Open view of the finished card.

The dimension and the light effects on the balloons. I love the sparkle and shine!

Last but not least, I double wrapped the fold with orange burlap string. I laid a few loops of shiny thread down before tying the orange string in a bow. I left extra long ends of the orange string. I tied a second bow with the long ends for dimension and interest. I adhered the Unity Stamp Company Happy Birthday die on a Poppystamps Scalloped Pinpoint Tag. A Nuvo turquoise dot for the “i” in Happy Birthday repeats the color of the paper. Silver and gold glittered dots glued on a few of the patterned paper dots finishes the card, phew!

My Growing In Unity card review. I hope you enjoyed this week as much as I have. Please don’t forget to comment on each card for the opportunity to win one of two gift cards to Unity Stamp Company. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog.

Thank you to Unity Stamp Company for the Growing In Unity program. I appreciate the chance to share my cards with this community of cardmakers. We share a love of handmade crafts that span across the continents. Have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions about my cards. I love talking about cardmaking any time, the day or night!

Wishing you much inspiration, creativity and passion ~

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Growing In Unity 2026 ~ Day 4

Hi friends, it’s Day 4 and my card today is a mix of fun and friendship. I love the dog and cat’s intense eyes expressing so many things to the viewer. Best of ‘Em by Unity Stamp Co. is the name of the set. At first looking for a snarky sentiment, I then decided the one that came with it was just right.

To create this card, I stamped the image on watercolor paper. I used Versafine black ink and lightly tapped the inked stamp in the positioner extra times for details without too much pressure. I watercolored the dog and cat with reddish browns and greys.

Next I diecut lights from Picket Fence Studios in black paper and glued it above the images. Copper Stickles on each bulb gave the lights a nice glow.

I embossed a kraft cardfront with a Tim Holtz Sizzix folder, Lumber. I also embossed a Poppystamps wood textured folder for the small strip at the top of the fence. I glued the fence, images and cross piece on a black cardbase.

Then I stamped the sentiment on black paper using white pigment ink. After it dried, I trimmed it and adhered it to a copper metallic paper.

Finally a fun touch, I diecut Gina Marie Little Mice in black cardstock. Adhering the silhouettes on top of the sentiment, they are interacting without bothering the dog and cat!

I noticed that the cat and dog’s eyes are looking directly at me no matter which way I turn the card. This picture is taken from the top with the card standing. How cool is that?

Thanks for stopping by. I hope the mice didn’t unsettle you.(They probably would have scared me) Next time will be frogs or squirrels!

Until tomorrow, have a creative fulfilling day!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Growing in Unity 2026 ~ Day 3

Hi to all! It’s Growing In Unity Day 3. I am sharing a card with the incredible image, Unwritten Sisterhood by Unity Stamp Company. I love the swooping, wavy lines giving the hair an artistic, yet realistic presence.

With a heavy hand I stamped and restamped the image on watercolor paper to create bold lines. Applying uneven pressure it allowed the lines to naturally break as if a crayon was used to scribble out a beautiful sketch.I applied black and grey watercolor paint to the hair. Then with water, I moved the paint around dabbing areas I wanted less intense for light and shadows. With teal green and fuschia orange, I painted the clothing. Varying the intensity of color, I love how they continue the feel of the fluid and flowing mood.

The background began with a light wash of lavender. I was not satisfied with the coolness of the appearance so I added reds, oranges and fuschia, most intense on the top and worked down with generous amounts of water.

I die cut the cardfront with a Gina Marie stitched die and adhered to a white cardbase. Using the strips of leftover background, I stamped the sentiment, roughed up the edges, and glued it to a wider strip.

I pulled out a heart brad that nearly matched the background, punched a hole through the strips and fastened it on. I adhered the strip to the upper half allowing it to extend to the card edges. All done!

Absolutely one of my favorite Unity Stamp Company images, I contemplate what the women are thinking, looking at and what the connection might be. Are they happy, content? Are they viewing a landscape, at a concert? Are they sisters, friends, partners?

Thanks for stopping by, have a fantastic day!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Growing In Unity 2026 ~ Day 2

Hi Crafty Friends! It’s Day Two as the Growing In Unity girl. I am sharing an irresistible robot card. Growing up I don’t remember the heart sign using two hands together, do you?– I think it is the most lovable, universal sign. I just love it! …and the robot becomes human when he makes the heart sign..

To create this card I stamped the Heart Mode: Activated stamp on watercolor paper in black Versafine ink. I painted the background immediately around the subject in Ultramarine Blue MoZArt Komorebi watercolors. The outer area, Azurite Blue. The two blues gives the piece movement and fluidity. I left the gloves whiteto make the sign stand out.

Next comes the really fun part! I painted the robot in Metallic White. So cool, I love it when light affects paint visually on a card–magic! The heart is a mix of Crimson, Carmine and Metallic Bronze. No worries on staying too much in the lines but if you find it annoying, leave the stamp in the platform (if you use one) so you can restamp it after painting. I used a permanent black marker to accentuate the eyes.

Then I chose a pale blue cardbase. I embossed a yellow cardstock with benday dots. I trimmed it slightly smaller than the base and adhered it. The tiniest hint of base showing through gives it a finished look. I love a blue and yellow (van Gogh) combination.

I ran the image through a Gina Marie stitched border die and adhered it to the layered cardbase.

Finally I stamped the sentiment on a Poppystamps Word Balloons die. The die is popped up a small amount by gluing two word balloons on top of one another. I stamped Feel better soon! on the inside.

The recipient of this card might go to a friend in a rough spot or exhaustion from the ongoings of life. One daughter tells me she knows when her social battery is low and it’s time to leave the party! I like that concept.

Unity Stamp Company has this stamp available on their site as well as a companion robot holding a balloon!

A blast to make, I hope you have a fully charged kind of day!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Growing In Unity 2026

Day 1 – A Cat With Most of the Hat!

So in love am I with the Pissy Kitty line of stamps Unity Stamp Company has introduced to us this past year. Forever a dog person, I am realizing I can love all animals! In the past few years bunnies and a cat have filled my heart and home (part-time) with a new sense of endearment. I keep dreaming of adding an alpaca to our family but would require moving.

Hissy Kringle Pissy Kitty is the name of the stamp set featuring the grumpy yet adorable, handsome feline. I masked off the tassel and pompom on the santa hat and stamped the image on watercolor paper. I used a permanent black marker to fill in the top of the hat–a beanie appeared. I watercolored the image with MoZArt Komorebi watercolor paints.

Next I adhered a chartreuse patterned paper to a lime A2 cardbase. I diecut the left edge of the kitty panel using a Picket Fence Studios Scene Building Die and adhered it onto the patterned paper and cardbase.

For interest, I pieced together a Poppystamps Nordic Perched Cardinal in red glitter and mirrored paper. It landed right on top of the kitty’s cap, another reason to make the kitty “pissy”! Rummaging through my treasure trove of leftover pieces, I adhered hearts to the top of the card.

Rummaging through my treasure trove of leftover pieces, I adhered fancy hearts to symbolize the beautiful song the cardinal chirps.

Notice the way the card comes to life when the light catches the elements just right.

A popped up gold embossed sentiment onto a strip of glitterey green paper finishes the card!

Thanks for making my first day of Growing in Unity a great one. Until tomorrow, please let me know if you have any questions, comments and ideas.

Rachel

Please follow me on instagram @cardartbyrachel

Some Bunny Special!

Some Bunny Special!
by Rachel Duong

February 25, 2026Animals, Baby, Birthday, Bunnies, Congratulations, Distress Oxide Inks, Easter, Friendship, Glitter, Hearts, Love/Valentine, Nordic, Rachel Duong, Uncategorized

Hi crafty friends! It’s Rachel here with a super special bunny card. I used the Poppystamps Nordic Adorable Bunny die. My card is a little bit vintage, pastel, glittery, pearlescent and sweet. It can be used for a baby card, an Easter card, Birthday card or even a thinking of you card.

To create this card I diecut the Nordic Adorable Bunny in a heavy white cardstock. I colored in the black eyes and pink nose with permanent markers. I die cut the inner ears and sweater in pearl pink from the Memory Box Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad. I die cut the sweater overlay in silver pearl paper. I glued the pieces together.

Next I die cut the Poppystamps For Some Bunny Special die. I used the same pearl pink paper as the ears and sweater, for the sentiment. I love the font and the large-sized words.

I chose platinum silver, light teal, and pastel blue glitter paper to cut out the Poppystamps Nordic Heart. The heart is a Nordic pattern with punch outs and comes in three pieces.

Then I cut a white woodgrain textured paper to fit an A2 cardfront. I blended pink distress oxide inks over the edges and a bit of teal oxide ink. I distressed the edges with a scissor bladeto give it a vintage feel. I glued the cardfront onto the heavy white cardcase.

Finally I added sea blue burlap twine over the left side of the card. The sentiment cuts out a little heart located under the “e ” in some. I used a pale blue glitter. The pink heart I glued beside the bunny.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you like my bunny card. All the Poppystamps supplies I used are listed below. Until next post, have a wonderful day!

Supplies

2706

2721

2689

FP1002

GP1001

SH44001

Best Day Ever!

Best Day Ever!
by Rachel Duong

February 17, 2026Animals, Birds, Birthday, Dog, Flowers, Nordic, Patterned Paper, Rachel Duong, Spring, Uncategorized, Vellum

Hi Poppystamps friends!! It’s Rachel here with a Best Day Ever Spring card. The Corgi and Nordic Resting Cardinal dies make a great duo ready for spring.

To create this card I adhered a mint green patterned paper from the Poppystamps Birthday Fun paper pack to a heavy white cardbase. I die cut the Scallop Pinpoint Rings die in white. I used the second to the largest circle and adhered it to the cardfront. I die cut the same ring in heavy vellum and adhered it inside the white border.

Next I diecut the Poppystamps Nordic Resting Cardinal using the Memory Box Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad in blue. I used the pearl paper from the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad pearl teal for two of the wing parts. A tiny bit of black glossy paper was just right for the face and yellow paper for the beak. Did you notice I changed the bird to be a bluejay instead of a cardinal!

The Poppystamps Corgi is next so I used the same Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad for the orange metallic spots dies. I used black glossy paper for the eyes and nose and white cardstock for the body. The inside of the ears was also white with pink tone of oxide ink lightly brushed on.

It’s still chilly outside for this puppy so he will wear a warm sweater. I chose a beautiful Summer Squash yellow and Cilantro green for those walks outside. The cardstock is listed in the supplies below. I can’t say enough about the excellent quality of this cardstock. The vivid color and the thickness cuts perfectly with the dies. It makes a great cardbase too.

Then I stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink. I used the Hooray clear stamp kit.

Last but not least, I added a Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstone!

I am looking forward to spring and all the fresh and bright cardmaking. I hope you love my card. All the items used are by Poppustamps and available on the website.

Happy Crafting!

Supplies

2754 Nordic Resting Cardinal

2756 Happy Corgi

CL520 Hooray clear stamp set

Gem102 Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones

pp2100 Birthday Fun 6×6 pack

FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

SH44018 Summer Squash Paper Pack

SH44007 Cilantro Paper Pack

SH44004 Black Glossy Paper