It’s Cake Time

Hi there! It’s Rachel with a bright and cheerful birthday card. Even though it’s winter, the sun is out and the Poppystamps Fancy Party and Birthday penguins are ready for cake.

To create this card I die cut the penguins out of glossy black and white cardstock. I colored the eyes, beak and feet with permanenet markers. The penguin dies come with party hats but I opted to leave them off the card. I die cut the sunglasses with gold glittered paper and glossy black for the lenses. The Poppystamps Layer Cakes candles were cut in gold and purple specialty glitter papers. They are listed below. The cake in pearl white and yellow paper make it a beautiful cake.

The Poppystamps Nordic Swirl Tree dies are next. I love their rounded layers and gorgeous detail. Beginning at the top, I die cut the three layers in a gradient of green– Key Lime, Leaf Sprout and Cilantro.

I glued the pieces together for the penguins, cake and trees. So much fun!

Then I cut a white cardfront measuring approximately 4″ x 5.25″, just enough to leave a border from the Key Lime cardbase. I laid the Nordic Bloom Stencil over the cardfront and gently applied Mustard Seed Oxide Ink over it. I glued the cardfront to the cardbase.

I arranged the elements and when I found a design I liked, I glued it down. Finally I stamped the sentiments on the top right and the lower center. The picture above shows the magic of the specialty papers. Fabulous!

I guess I better be going as I don’t want to miss the cake! It was a fun time creating this card. I hope you take a look at the Poppystamps penguin release. It is so versatile and easy to put together. I love every single piece in this collection!

Supplies

2696 Layer Cakes

2701 Birthday Penguin

2700 Fancy Party Penguin

2737 Nordic Swirl Tree

T107 Nordic Bloom Stencil

SH44004 Black Glossy Paper

SH44005 Key Lime Paper Pack

SH44006 Leaf Sprout Paper Pack

SH44007 Cilantro Paper Pack

SH44018 Summer Squash Paper Pack

FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ 2026

Hi crafty friends! It’s Rachel here with the theme for our January blog hop. The theme is –Case’d. The ideabehind the theme is to see another creator’s card and take at least one element and “case” or copy it.

Card #1 – Pawsitively Wrapped Up by Lisa Arana for Unity Stamp Co

This dog is too funny wrapped up in ribbon. Of course I love any opportunity to use Stickles glitter glue. The cased technique I used is creating a stenciled background. The layered stencils are by Poppystamps. I used Distress Oxide ink in black and brown on watercolor paper. I also went over the edge in black.

A close-up of the sparkly ribbon, yappy birthday cut out in metallic cardstock by Poppystamps and a border die by Poppystamps too!

Turquoise Nuvo Drops give the card a more dimension and color.

I stamped the dog in black Versafine ink and watercolored black to color him in!

Card #2 – Resolutions are Rubbish Pissy Kitty

This fancy kitty is just too stylish! The technique I cased is from the Unity site where cards can be ordered already stamped and ready to send out.

I couldn’t help myself, I had to add a bit of color even though I told myself I wouldn’t! Glitter glue was used on the flower and fancy eyelashes.

I added clear laquer gloss to the champagne and the eyes. My glue was very thick and I couldn’t get a smooth effect. Turns out, I kind of like the crackle effect!

The coloring was subtle and I also painted dark blue in the shaded areas on the cat for dimension.

Card #3 – Happy Little Abode by Lisa Glanz for Unity Stamp Co.

I happened on this camper scrap when I was foraging through my stashes. I think I might have posted a similar card months back. The technique I feature here is taking a stamp and stamping half of it in one place and the other half in another.

I taped the area of the stamp I don’t want to use and apply ink. Before pressing on the paper, I remove the tape. That’s it!

Between the split stamped image I added a birthday die in kraft. I also used a Poppystamps border fie cut in light teal.

Turquoise Nuvo drops for the “i” in birthday and a few more added for balance.

I stamped the camper in Versafine ink on lime green cardstock. I watercolored the image with a rustic vibe.

Please continue on the hop with the links listed below. The team have Case’d some amazing cards from talented card makers all over the globe!

Crystal

Amber

Toni

Jenni

Jane

Dawn

Rachel (me)

Have a wonderful January! Wishing you the best this year full of adventures and creativity in our crafting world!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

A Poppystamps Penguin Surprise!

Hi crafty friends! It’s Rachel here sharing a birthday card. Who would have thought a penguin would be jumping out of a present?! Surprise! It’s the Poppystamps Fancy Party Penguin! Birthday Penguin is joining in on the fun.

To create this card I used sparkle and shine specialty paper to give the card an extra burst of energy. I die cut the Poppystamps Fancy Party Penguin and the Birthday Penguin in glossy black cardstock and heavy white cardstock. The black paper is just gorgeous and reminds me of patent leather! I colored the eyes, nose and feet with permanent markers and adhered them together. I gave the Birthday Penguin an orange mirrored hat and a navy glitter top.

Next I die cut the Poppystamps “Fancy Gift” using mirrored raspberry paper for the box and two shades of glitter green for the ribbon. I glued the present together leaving the top box and bow separate.

Then I cut an A2 size cardfront out of Poppystamps Leaf Sprout paper. I framed the cardfront with the same green paper using the largest die of the Scalloped Pinpoint Frames. I adhered these pieces to an A2 white cardbase.

I arranged the penguins and glued them to the cardfront. I used dimensionals for the present to pop it up.

Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones placed around the card. the iridescent quality is fabulous!

A gold foiled black Greeting Tab in bold letters finishes the card.

Oh how I love the Poppystamp Penguins latest release. I went all out with loads of glitz on this card. So much fun to make, I hope you get a chance to check out all the goodies!

Supplies

2701 Birthday Penguin

2700 Fancy Party Penguin

2694 Fancy Gift

2751 Scalloped Pinpoint Frames

SH44004 Black Glossy Paper

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

GP1006 Festive Glitter Pad

SH44006 Leaf Sprout Paper Pack

GEM101 Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones

A Cool and Chilly Poppystamps Christmas!

Hi friends! A brand new Poppystamps release just arrived and I am super excited to share a cool and chilly Christmas card with you. An adorable set of Penguins in party mode with balloons, presents, cake and even a snazzy car. My very favorite die has got to be the Poppystamps Floating Igloo and Iceberg! Wow, a definite “must have!”

I die cut the Poppystamps Fancy Party Penguin and Floating Igloo and Iceberg out of watercolor paper. Next I loosely watercolored the pieces to give it a fluid appearance.

Then I cut an A2 size cardfront out of the 8.5 x 11 Powder Blue Paper Pack. I added a small portion of water to white acrylic paint. The consistency should be loose enough to splatter but thick enough to resemble snow. On this background, I loaded a fan paintbrush with the paint and tapped the handle onto the cardfront and snow appeared!. The first time the paint was too thin so I let it dry and went back and repeated the process with less water. The result was varied layers of splatters that were just the right consistency!

I trimmed the cardfront slightly smaller than an A2 size and adhered it onto a white cardbase. I glued the igloo and penguin together and placed them onto the cardfront. I couldn’t get over how adorable this looked ! I chose an Open Studio gold foiled greeting tab saying Merry Christmas. I decided it could use a bit of sparkle, so glitter glue on the glasses and top of hat added just the right amount. A Fairy Jewel next to the sentiment completes the card–so cool!

I can’t wait to make tons of cards using the Poppystamps Penguins. These adorables are quite the sought after arctic friend this season! I will be back very soon with another penguin card– a different style, but equally wonderful. Brrr, it’s getting chilly out here but it’s never too cold to be cool! Until then, check out this release. I guarantee you are going to love it just as much as I do!

Supplies

2700 Fancy Party Penguin

2698 Floating Igloo and Iceberg

SH44011 Powder Blue Paper Pack

JWL004 Autumn Fairy Jewels

The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ December 2025

Hi Friends! It’s December and this blog hop is all about a Mood Board. How do you feel when you take a look at the above picture? I immediately felt a sense of the holiday season filled with a bright and fresh new spirit. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of this time is chaotic and busy and I forget the simple joy of crisp days, mornings with a cup of coffee, the thoughts of past memories and future days that will engage our lives into something positive and new. I am grateful.

Card #1 – Gretchen Girl by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Co.

A beautiful image taking a moment to look out the window and enjoy a hot drink is all goodness. I watercolored the image and fussy cut it out. (very easy as it is mostly straight lines!) I chose a paper that looked like wallpaper and mounted it all on a slimline kraft cardbase. The image determined the height. I mounted the sentiment sign I stamped from Farm Fresh Girl, another image by Angie Blom, on patterned paper and cut out a cute piece from an ephemera pack by Unity and glued it on to suggest a picture on the wall?!

Burlap string in 1 mm thickness and glitter laquer on the mug by Hero Arts finishes the card.

Card #2 – A Little Dash by Unity Stamp Co.

Dash was not able to be passed up when I laid my eyes on him! Too cute for words, even though I have a million reindeer images, I had to have him. Stamped on watercolor paper, I painted him using Prang watercolors. I mounted the image previously cut in a square-ish shape on a beautiful dark forest green cardstock which was on a white cardbase. I adhered a cushioned green heart embellishment and decided I wanted to add a little more to the background.

I found an image of trees by Stampin’ Up and stamped them in random places using Versamark ink. Versamark ink used by itself creates a watermark appearance. I felt it still needed more. I stamped the trees in Fresh Ink Paper White pigment ink.

Card #3 – Cottage Lane by Lisa Arana for Unity Stamp Co.

This image was gorgeous and breathtaking when I saw it. It reminded me of Whistler, BC from over 30 years ago. I have a weakness for sceneries as I collect Thomas Kinkade images and have always loved his paintings of light.

If you look closely I added Stickles glitter glue in a bright yellow on the lamppost. Frosted Lace Stickles are on as many of the snowy areas I could find. Dark red jewels adorn the closest tree. I chose this color over bright red as to not compete with the lamppost. I mounted the scene on forest green and then on a white cardbase.

Card #4 – A Whiff of Christmas Cheer by Unity Stamp Company

I have to say I don’t have a skunk stamp until I got this sweet one. It’s not that I don’t love them, I just haven’t come across too many. If I may take you down memory lane–my little town I grew up in often had the scent or “whiff” of skunk spray around the farming fields. It was one of those fun moments when we would cover our noses and make funny faces until it passed!

Stamped on watercolor paper I painted a green background and used Prismacolor watercolor pencils for the candy cane and holly. I mounted the image on white and roughed up the edges. i chose a burgundy red patterned paper adhering it to a white cardbase, adhering the image and a fitting sentiment cut into a strip that comes with the stamp kit. A matching burgundy wide net ribbon completes the card.

My cards on the hop!

Below are the links to friends on the hop. Please be sure to click on them as they have beautiful creations to see!

Crystal

Doreen

Joyce

Toni

Jenni

Rachel (me)

Dawn

Thank you so much for visiting!

Until the New Year, I wish for you this month, thoughtful moments of past memories with loved ones and warm ones for the upcoming days ahead.

Peace, love and light to all of you,

Rachel

Please follow me on instagram @cardartbyrachel

Poppystamps Joy of the Season

Hi crafty friends! It’s Rachel here with a holiday card featuring the Poppystamps Nordic Serene Dove. It’s one dove that I adhered the wings in multiple ways to make the doves appear as more than one type.

I die cut the Poppystamps Nordic Layered Joy. I used a heavy white cardtock for the full letters and silver glitter paper for the lower half pieces. I arranged the doves on the card surrounding the sentiment. I glued the birds down to complete the card!

To create this card, I cut out the Nordic Serene Dove in midnight navy gold and silver glitter paper, white and cream cardstock and grey and gold pearl papers. I love this color combination. All the paper packs used are linked below.

I spent alot of time deciding what color I would make each dove. Next I glued the body pieces together. I glued the two pieces of the wings. Then the best part was deciding what each bird would be doing! One was dipping. one was flapping its wing in an arched position, one was perched and a few were in flight. I glued the bodies to the wings.
What a fun project!

I die cut a charcoal grey cardstock using the Poppystamps Scalloped Pinpoint largest frame.I adhered it to a heavy white card base. The white border is crisp and a nice border to frame the grey.

I love the beautiful sparkle and glow this card displays. It has an elegance just perfect when it catches the light just right.

This card was pure joy to create! The Poppystamps Nordic Serene Dove die is one that you will want to add to your collection. I hope I captured the beauty of this dove for you. Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time, have a joyful day!

Supplies

2747 Nordic Serene Dove

2762 Nordic Layered Joy

2751 Scalloped Pinpoint Frames

FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

GP1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

Poppystamps Corgi Wishes!

Hi, it’s Rachel here with a holiday card featuring the Poppystamps Happy Corgi die! He is so handsome in his shiny red sweater with the sparkly green trim. I’m sure he is ready for the next walk out on the town!

To create this card I die cut the corgi body in white cardstock. I watercolored the ears in a pale pink. The spots, outlined ears and tail, I used a creme paper and watercolored a warm caramel brown on them. The eyes and nose were cut out in black. The fancy sweater I cut out using the reflection and glitter pads listed below. I love these special papers so much!

The Poppystamps Cute Bow is gorgeous in shiny raspberry and red glitter paper. I die cut the Nordic Holly Sprig two times in three shades of green sheets of paper listed below. The stem is kraft cardstock from my stash and the berries are the red glitter paper I used on the bow!

I diecut the Poppystamps Diamond Oval Pinpoint Background in white and adhered it to a heavy white cardbase. Then I used the largest of the frames die from the Scalloped Pinpoint Frames and cut it out in Raspberry Sorbet. I adhered it onto the background.

I diecut the Warm Wishes Cheerful Script in glossy black paper also listed below. It also comes with the outline die which I will use at another time.

I glued all the pieces together and arranged them on the card. Once I had the composition just how I envisioned, I glued it onto the cardfront. Notice I overlapped the images onto the frame! The card is complete!

I must admit I love this card and the Corgi is absolutely one of my new favorite dies. You can omit the sweater for warmer temperatures and this dog will be useful for all year long. The Poppystamps holiday release is a must-have so please check it out, you won’t be disappointed! Until next time, happy crafting!

Supplies

2756 Happy Corgi

2749 Nordic Holly Sprig

2755 Warm Wishes Cheerful Script

2753 Cute Bow

2757 Diamond Oval Pinpoint Background

2751 Scalloped Pinpoint Frames

SH44005 Key Lime Paper Pack

SH44006 Leaf Sprout Paper Pack

SH44007 Cilantro Paper Pack

SH44004 Black Glossy Paper

SH44016 Raspberry Sorbet Paper Pack

GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6×6 pack

The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ November

Hi friends! November is here and Creating a Background is the theme for this month’s hop. There are so many ways to create a background with stamps and patterned papers but I decided to watercolor mine. Sometimes it is so relaxing to take a pad of watercolor paper and just make a whole bunch of backgrounds!

Card #1 – You Grow Girl, UU for Unity Stamp Company

Watercoloring a background is all about allowing water and color to intersect and freely run together naturally or manipulated with air or paintbrush. It is a practical technique because you can create a group of colors that you plan for your card design that may not be available in a patterned paper.

I inked up the plant portion of the images in green distress ink and the pots in brown distress ink. tip–I used the mini inks as it is much easier to control the area to ink up. Next I used a fine tipped paintbrush and Prang watercolors and began a no-line watercoloring technique. The idea is to paint over the lines with color as to erase any outline to make it appear more natural. I didn’t bother to follow coloring the leaves found in nature, I had fun using hues of green that I felt like using! I mounted the cardfront onto a kraft cardbase.

This card is simple in design yet full of dimension. I resisted the urge to add a burlap twine bow on the top. Even a sentiment strip, I saved it for the inside. Do you ever make cards without a sentiment on the front?

Card #2 – Write A New Story, Whit Kit for Unity Stamp Company

First of all, I giggled with the sentiment because the contrast of a pretty background paired with such a direct message is super funny to me! Is it just me or do you feel the same?!

I stamped the image on watercolor paper and I had fun choosing what color each book should be. While coloring the books, I enjoyed thinking about reading and libraries and listening to books online. Turning pages and collecting physical books, especially ones with pictures, are still appealing to me. I am enjoying listening to audio books these days but my collection of art books is treasured.

I die cut the image using a Poppystamps Scallop PInpoint Hearts die. I painted a teal edge on it. I die cut a smaller heart on white and in the leftover background (to create the edge) and stamped the sentiment. I tied a pale blue bow vertically over the large heart, adhered the smaller one, roughed up the background edges and adhered it to a white cardbase. Pearl embellishments complete the card!

Card #3 – Love Brings You Home by Erin Schreiner for Unity Stamp Company

This watercolored background screamed water to me. World peace is a constant hope housed in my heart so I immediately thought about this beautiful image. I stamped it on the watercolor paper and went over it with black paint as the paper texture needed more color to fill in the image. I mounted the image on silver mirrored cardstock and then on a black cardbase.

Stickles glitter glue on the heart finishes the card. Upon looking at my pictures, the marks at the top of the card show up as black ink smudges but is actually silver!

Once again I opted to leave off a sentiment. It must have been my mood this hop! Watercolor backgrounds give so much depth and visual interest, I want to get lost in that instead of a preconceived thought. A beautiful quote by Robin Williams comes with the image–No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. Embossed in silver, the sentiment is perfect inside!

Thank you for hopping, following are my friends who have created amazing backgrounds. Just click on their names and it will take you to their blogs.

Crystal

Doreen

Amber

Dawn

Toni

Rachel (me)

Jenni

Joyce

Have a fulfilling and generous November. As the busy time of year approaches, take some time to create beautiful watercolor backgrounds and get lost in the joy of creating!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Poppystamps Warm Wishes

Hi, it’s Rachel here with a Poppystamps card full of mice and warn wishes! I used the Nordic Tiny Mouse and Nordic Cozy Cocoa dies along with lots of fancy papers to add a little holiday cheer.

To create this card I die cut the Poppystamps Nordic Tiny Mouse body and head four times out of watercolor paper. I painted the inner ear a pale pink and light grey to define the edges on the mice. I also made their cheeks pink too! Next I die cut the sweaters using three green Poppystamps cardstock–Key Lime, Leaf Sprout, and Cilantro. I adhered the pieces together.

I die cut the Nordic Cozy Cocoa. The foam is beautiful in blue sparkle from the Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad. The metallic fuschia cup and the pearl paper trim is gorgeous from the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad. I adhered the cup together but left the foam separate for the time being.

I die cut the Warm Wishes Cheerful Script in the same blue sparkle paper as the foam. I cut a few extra dies in white to add strength to the word.

I chose a Poppystamps Deep Turquoise cardfront and glued it to a white cardbase. I arranged the pieces on the cardfront and glued it down using dimensionals under the lower portion of the cup.

Using a lighter teal cardstock–Pool Party, I diecut the largest frame from the Scalloped Pinpoint Frames and adhered it to the cardfront.

Finally I added the Fairy Jewels in fuschia and teal.

I hope you love this card as much as I do! The Poppystamps holiday release does not disappoint. Until next time, have a very “mice” day!

Poppystamps Christmas Angel

Hi friends! Today I am sharing a Christmas card from the latest Poppystamps holiday release, the Nordic Sweet Angel die. I can’t say enough about how much I love this darling angel.

I used gorgeous glitter, metallic and pearl papers from the specialty 6 x 6 paper packs.

I diecut the angel’s face and hair out of watercolor paper and painted in the skin tone, hair and pink cheeks!

The background is Lavender Bloom paper from the Poppystamps 8.5 x 11 color cardstock. I used the largest frame from the Scalloped Pinpoint Frames. Five frames come in this die set.

I popped up the skirt and halo with dimensionals to level out the height of the wings.

I adhered the pieces together on a white cardbase. The finishing touch is the gold foiled greeting tab with a fairy jewel on top!

One more look at the beautiful effects of the specialty papers in the light.

Have a wonderful day, please check out the Poppystamps release @poppystamps.com. It is filled with so many amazing dies, I can’t say enough!