Hi, it’s Rachel. I live in Bothell, WA about 30 minutes from Seattle. I have three teenagers, two Havanese dogs, two fish tanks and a husband who supports and understands my stamp habit. I first attended a stamp party in 1999. It sparked an interest I have never lost (except for a short moment while raising 3 young children)! The true obsession began when I discovered Unity Stamp Company just over a year ago. What I love about stamping is how relaxing and fun it is to create something in a short amount of time that can be used to brighten someone’s day.
My oldest is a freshman at WSU, and I send him a card once a week to say “hello”. Choosing a stamp, creating a design, and hoping it will make him laugh or smile is the best! A few days back, he told me he will keep the cards forever! I also have two daughters in high school who love art, but have not yet caught the stamping bug. Kids often think snail mail is a thing of the past, but as they get older, they begin to understand the value of something handmade, delivered in the mail, that can be held and opened.
I volunteered for 10 years as an art docent at the elementary school my children attended. A famous painting or art piece is brought into the classroom once a month. The students discuss the painting, learn history about the artist and create a “masterpiece” to reflect the art. I am currently on the Northshore School District’s Art Docent Training Team. Art for youth is so important, as it gives each and every child an outlet to express themselves in a positive way. Other activities I love are gardening, running (maybe love is too strong a word), walking, and drinking coffee!
Day 1
This is my first time taking part in the GIU week. I love Unity stamps and everything about this company. The quality of the product is outstanding, the live videos are fun and informative, the overall feeling of community is awesome. It truly is more than just a stamp company!

It all began with this Phyllis Harris stamp kit “Your Wings Exist”. While surfing the internet for card ideas, I saw this girl and I knew I had to find her! I look at her and I see the world through a child’s eyes where life is carefree and all I might be feeling is the wind in my hair and the grass in my feet! So of course I chose this image to begin my week.

I paper pieced the dress. If you are new at paper piecing, this image is very easy. I used prismacolor pencils for the grass, dirt, skin and hair. I used a touch of pink chalk for the cheeks. The cloud background came from a paper pack of photographs of nature. The die around the perimeter of the card is a Gina Marie rectangular wonky stitched die.
The sentiment is framed with Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 2. The paper is a water colored scrap and the ink is Versafine Black Onyx. I almost forgot the silver dot, it is a Nuvo drop.

I tend to be a visual person so I am including a photo of some of the supplies I used to create my card.
I love this kit. It has three wonderful sentiments as well as this incredible girl. I love images that express action or an emotion that doesn’t need to be spoken or explained.
Thank you for taking the time to visit. I hope you enjoyed my first post. Please leave a comment for a chance to win Unity stamps. Have a great day!
Rachel
“I choose love because hate is too great a burden to bare.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.