Day 5 ~ Growing In Unity

As the weekend approaches I hope you get to enjoy rest and relaxation with friends and family. Get-togethers this summer take on a special meaning for many as it might be the first time in a long time seeing one another.

This border stamp says it all. I have visions of a nighttime campfire with laughter and warm conversation, roasting marshmallows and creating the most delicious s’mores. Look at the marshmallows, they are roasted just right as the ends are a medium toasty color!

**I stamped the border with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with Ranger silver embossing powder. I painted the images using metallic watercolors.**

**I heat embossed the sentiment and framed it on silver cardstock**.

**“S’mores” border background stamp by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company.**

**Not planning to make this a 4th of July card, I realize this is a 4th of July card!** **How awesome is that?! Sometimes things work out perfectly!**

As this week comes to a close, I want to thank you all for joining me. I have had an absolute blast! Your encouraging words and kind comments have been so appreciated.

Please comment one more time and two names will be randomly chosen to win $20 gift cards to Unity!

Thank you to Unity Stamp Company for giving me a chance to share my cards! Your company is so generous. I love the sense of community you provide and the many beautiful images you release. There is something here for everyone.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Rachel

You can find me on Instagram and Tik Tok @cardartbyrachel

**“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” Dieter Uchtdorf (photo from my garden)**

Day 4 ~ Growing In Unity

A camera is an essential for me as I go about my day. I love to capture a new bloom or critter while walking in my garden. Have you seen this stamp? It is just awesome and fun to color. I love how the branch is wrapped around the camera strap.

**Today I am back to bright colors and all that is exciting, alive and refreshing! I stamped the image on lime green cardstock with a stitched die-cut border.**

**One of my favorite embellishments is 3D-Crystal Lacquer. It adds a 3 dimensional gloss and is great to enhance any image. This is perfect for eyeglasses, vases, water, windows and mirrors.**

**Using distress inks, I watercolored the image. I tried to keep the colors as bold as possible specifically for the flower** **as this is my focal point.**

“**Focus on the Things” by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Compan**y

To finish the card I blended distress ink around the border with a Tim Holtz bubble stencil and a mosaic stencil for the background of the sentiment. I heat embossed the sentiment with clear embossing powder. Finally washi tape, sheer ribbon, a copper element and sequins complete the card.

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to visit. Please don’t forget to comment. At the end of the week I will randomly pick two recipients of $20 gift certificates to Unity Stamp Company!

Have a wonderful day and I hope to see you tomorrow.

Rachel

You can also find me on Instagram and Tik Tok @cardartbyrachel

Growing In Unity ~ Day 3

This is my card for today. It is all about the heatwave we are going through here in the Pacific Northwest minus the palm tree!

I created this card with a postcard feel in mind. I stamped the palm tree slightly off the page. I stamped the smaller images on die-cuts with scalloped edges. I loosely colored them with Copic Markers not concerned with staying in the lines.

**I created the background by blending distress oxide inks together inside a taped rectangular die. This created a nice white border. I sprayed water on the card for texture**.

**I stamped this fun sentiment on the card masking the stamp so I could separate each line of words. I tied a double burlap twine bow to adhere at the top to fill empty space.**

**I chose three embellishments to balance out the design. Also the** **palm tree has the most fine detail, I love it!**

**I stayed with three main colors for continuity. I wanted to convey a warm summer day. This hot day wouldn’t seem so hot if it were spent relaxing at the beach!**

With the record breaking high temperatures, I hope 109 degrees is the highest for this summer. I know it can be challenging cardmaking in the extreme heat. Just do little things at your leisure! Thanks for stopping by.

Rachel

You can also find me on Instagram and tik tok @cardartbyrachel

Growing In Unity ~ Day 2!

As much as I love bright colors, I also adore pale and muted ones too! It is my own curiosity that encourages me to try as many styles and ideas that I see. My second card depicts a beautiful scene of two children with a toy sailboat.

I stamped this image using Ink On 3’s fadeout ink. Using only a few colors of distress ink, I lightly wash in the images. The soft, undefined lines give the scene a dreamy feel as if it were a memory **from the past.**

Next I die-cut the focal point and popped it up for dimension. Often I cut out two or more layers of the shape and glue it under the image to give it a balanced height. Dimensionals such as pop-up dots can be used as well.

Then I added my favorite embellishment, burlap twine, and I framed the sentiment with charcoal gray cardstock. I was careful to leave only a thin amount of gray showing to keep with the delicate lines.

**Far to the right, I added a mahogany heart button with string threaded through. Buttons give that extra bit of vintage, nostalgic and timeless beauty.**

“**…best day includes you” by Phyllis Harris** **for Unity Stamp Company**

**Finally I decided I needed a swoosh of color at the top of the card to ground the burlap twine. It is very subtle, but accomplishes what I was hoping it would. Yay!**

Please comment on this post and your name will be added into the drawing for 2 – $20 gift cards at Unity Stamp Company!

Thank you for stopping by. Please let me know if you have any questions or ideas, I love feedback! Have an awesome day, see you tomorrow.

Rachel

You can also find me on instagram and Tik Tok @cardartbyrachel

Growing In Unity 2021

Hi my name is Rachel, I am the GIU person this week. I’ve been a stamp “collector” since 1999, and I really got into the cardmaking craze in the past 5 years. You can find me in my craft room daily because stamping for me is relaxing, therapeutic and it allows me a path into the world of art and creativity. I think of cards as little pieces of art that can be shared with someone to brighten their day.

Unity Stamp Company refreshed and energized my love of stamping when I discovered their wide range of unique stamps and the quality of the deeply etched images. I also fell in love with the community of talented cardmakers surrounding this company.

I have three kids ages 17, 19 and 21 and two dogs. While my husband and kids are not yet stampers, they support my habit and each are super artistic in their own way. Beside stamping, I love to garden and each Spring my goal is to create the most beautiful outdoor living space in our backyard!

I hope you enjoy this week and may something I share ignite a bit of creativity and excitement in you that I find in this wonderful world of cardmaking!

I’m starting the week out with bright, rainbow colors to celebrate Pride month and the great achievements made by the LGBTQ community.

**I heat embossed the image with clear powder on a double stitched die. Using distress inks, I painted the colors of the rainbow beginning with red on the beautiful gown and moving the colors out.**

**I painted the girl’s sun hat and dress. I enjoyed creating my own print for the hat and the skirt I dabbed various spots of the same color yet varying the intensity.** **I added music notes with a Tim Holtz stencil in picked raspberry distress inks.**

**Beach Girl by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company**

**To finish the card, I stamped the sentiment and ink blended the edges. I added Scrapper’s Floss and a gem.**

Thank you for taking the time to visit! Please leave a comment. At the end of the week, two names will be randomly chosen to win $20 gift cards to spend at Unity Stamp Company.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a wonderful day!

You can also find me on these platforms – Instagram @cardartbyrachel. Tik Tok @cardartbyrachel.

Rachel

“Life is a great big canvas. Throw all the paint you can on it.” Danny Kaye

Summer awaits! – June 2021 Friends of Unity Hop is here

The cue this month is Masculine. How awesome it was going through my treasure trove of stamps and picking out the ones that fit this theme. Loving the images, I hope you do too!

This man is holding a heart for someone special! I chose the wood plank background and stamped it with gray on gray cardstock. I fussy-cut the image and loosely watercolored it with distress ink. I chose a sentiment to go with the image, I love the bold font. And to add a bit of interest and texture, I die cut the top right corner, blending inks underneath with gray, blueprint sketch and black soot. I wonder who will receive this heart?!

**Background stamp by Brutus Monroe and Unity Stamp Company**, **man image from a KOTM, sentiment from another kit**

Fishing happens to be a favorite around here… and that’s an understatement! When I saw this image, it immediately went on my wish list. I love the point of view, I can imagine the person sitting right at the edge of the page holding the pole. I stamped the image on a light watercolor paper. I used a Gina Marie die cut for added interest. The entire scene is watercolored with shades of blue and aqua. The sentiment and hooks are popped up… I love the hooks shaped in a heart and why not a knot adhered to the heart?! Finally I framed it onto cream and then a black card base. I left a thin edge to mimic the black lines in the card. **Burlap twine, my favorite, to wrap around the top.**

**Supplies** **I used and “Wanna Hook Up” by Tierra Jackson for Unity Stamp Company**

**For many, an ice cold beer sounds nice in the summer. For me, a beer takes me down memory lane to “keggers” out in the country during the cold, snowy winter months**! **I stamped the mug on a separate piece of paper and colored it with Copic markers and fussy-cut it out. To** **create the background, I stenciled in dots using Tim Holtz distress oxide inks**. A bit of blending and spritzing around the edges frames the beer mug. Next I used a stamp to create the top left interest. This could be hand drawn in too! **Then to make the foam, I laid the same stencil over cardstock and pressed Versamark ink over it. I heat embossed with puffy embossing powder, repeating this four times.** **Foam spilling over the side was the look I was trying to achieve! Finally, I stamped the sentiment with Brutus Monroe alabaster embossing powde**r.

**Another angle like looking through beer goggles!**

Light and airy…. when I think of sailing, I feel calm and relaxed. I chose this sailboat because I love the lines in this image. I heat embossed it with Brutus Monroe alabaster embossing powder on lightweight watercolor paper. Next I watered down distress inks and while I was painting, I tried to keep the colors as light as possible. Then I die cut the window by Gina Marie and added bleached twine. Finally I stamped the sentiment in charcoal and added a clear bubble embellishment for the finish.

**Another angle with the waves in motion**

**“Set Sail” by Graciellie Designs for Unity Stamp Company**

**All four cards for the June hop grouped in one!** **Just for fun, which is your favorite?!**

I hope you are enjoying our June 2021-Friends of Unity Blog Hop. Please visit the next friend on the list. There are lots of great, amazing cards at each stop!

Crystal

Colleen

Eileen

Alaine

Kim

Dawn B.

Bobbie Sue

Rachel (me)

Robyn

The winner for the May hop is Subhashini S… Congratulations to you! Please message me your mailing address and I will send you your prize.

It was a pleasure to share my cards with you this month. I hope you find fresh new ideas that spark creativity. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Don’t forget to comment. One person will be randomly picked to receive a prize. It will be announced at the next hop.

June is a beautiful month full of sunshine and warmth. May you spend lots of time outdoors and crafting. Stay safe and healthy, see you next time!

Rachel

You can find me on Instagram and Tik Tok @cardartbyrachel. I post on these platforms often. Hope you get a chance to take a look at these sites.

“The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of.” Leonardo Da Vinci

Hi there! – May 2021 Friends of Unity Blog Hop is here

The cue this month is Flora and Fauna. What a great way to start the month thinking of nature and all that inhabits our earth!

**I immediately thought of these stamps when I heard the cue! It is actually a holiday set but the** deer can be used for anything. The expressions on their faces are so sweet. I have been seeing many clean, simple cards with little color being posted. I love them so much, I thought why not make one?! I resisted adding anything but the twine and the jewel. I stamped one deer off the edge for interest.

This floral image caught my eye when it first came out. It reminds me of my garden and some of the tightly packed flower blossoms I have growing. Double azaleas, roses and peonies... A sympathy card is not a card any of us like to make but I am hoping this floral image brings warm memories. It is wonderful for all occasions.

**My Condolences by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company**

A beautiful gold embossed butterfly on dark gray with metallic paints. This is my first time using the paints and they are magical! The photo is taken from this angle to capture the beauty with the light hitting it in just the right spot.

**Allow Yourself by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company**

**I never get tired of seeing butterflies**

Highland cattle are one of my absolute favorite animals besides dogs of course! I love everything about them and their long bangs are so carefree and happy. The sentiment is awesome too. I used distress oxide for the leaves. If you haven’t tried these inks, they are amazing on dark cardstock. I fussy-cut the cow to add depth. It boldly stands out!

**Take No Bull by Tierra Jackson for Unity Stamp Company**

**One more card**. **I used Versafine ink for the leaves. I used winter white embossing powder for the sentiment.**

And another card, I created the leaves by inking them up and spritzing with water before stamping on paper. I used pearl embossing powder and probably heated it too much so it lost the detail. I still love it so I wanted to share it. I have to say it kind of reminds me of a wooly mammoth!

**Here are my three Highland cow cards. Just for fun, which one do you like the most?!**

Please hop along to each Friends of Unity Blog Hop member and take a look at their Flora and Fauna creations!

Rachel (me)

The winner for last month’s hop is Linda Vigil! Congratulations Linda! Please message me your mailing address and I will send you your prize!

Thank you for taking the time to hop. Please let me know if you have any questions. I love talking about stamping and cardmaking! One person who comments will be randomly picked to receive a prize and announced next month.

Have a wonderful May and see you in June, stay safe and healthy!

Rachel

You can find me on Instagram and Tik Tok @cardartbyrachel

“Do everything with a good heart and expect nothing in return and you will never be disappointed”

Hello Spring! – April 2021 Friends of Unity Blog Hop

The cue this month is birds and bees. Just perfect as we transition from cooler weather to bright shiny days ahead. I loved the first morning I woke up and heard the birds chirping, for I knew Spring had sprung!

Here is my first card

I love this birdie with glasses and such a cute expression on it’s face. I colored the image with Copic markers using a dot style technique. I used a very pale greenish-blue over the glasses and added 3D Crystal Lacquer to give it that extra finish. The background is a Tim Holtz stencil. Stencils contribute so much to a card with empty space. I added washi tape and burlap twine. The washi tape I centered over the top of the card so it can be seen from the back. I repeated the washi tape at the bottom with a heart button for balance. I used my favorite sequins for more interest and a few fine paint splatters. A short sweet sentiment stamped with oxide ink to complete the card.

**I tried to capture the 3D Crystal Lacquer I added to the glasses!**

**Supplies I used for the bird with glasses card**

**Lil’ Smartie Pants by Lisa Arana for Unity Stamp Company**

**Another close-up look at this adorable image**

I wanted to create a pale, soft celebration card with a hint of joy and elation. I stamped the image and splattered paint in the blue and brown tones. The same colors I used for the eggs and nest. I heat embossed Ranger’s gold powder and added blue Stickles to the eggs. I heat embossed the sentiment with clear powder over the dark brown Memento and Versamark ink. I added Scrapper’s floss and a scalloped border by Gina Marie. The most time-consuming part of this card was taking the picture. It was a bit difficult to capture the embossed gold specks!

**Supplies I used for the bird’s nest card. The stamps are from two membership kits.**

**Another angle to capture the sparkle and shine**

**A bold image paired with a strong sentiment**

This kit is intriguing to me. I feel the owl is staring right into my soul and the sentiment is equally moving. To create this card, I ink blended three distress oxide inks. Next I spritzed the ink with water and dried it using a heat gun. Then I die cut the paper and stamped the owl. I stamped the sentiment using three inks. I chose colors that would stand out against the blended background. Finally I stamped the flower on a separate paper, fussy cut it out, and loaded it up with Stickles and a bead in the center.

**Supplies I used to create the owl card.**

**This kit is mesmerizing and dramatic and captivating…** **I love this sentiment, it is moody** **and the message is clear yet so beautifully written**

**These chicks are all kinds of happy!**

I love this kit because every stamp is used and I can move the chicks around to create many scenes. I stayed with one palette of yellow, using hints of orange and red. Do you see a speck of green on the leaves?! The first step was to ink up a grid stamp with two yellow distress inks. I spritzed the stamp with water and then pressed the paper on the stamp. Next I stamped the chicks and loosely painted them. I was happy to have white spots on the lower birds to create light effects. Then I die cut the scene with a Gina Marie die. Finally I stamped the long stem flower around the border of the card base. I added the sentiment with a black thin border and orange Scrapper’s floss to finish the card. A dot of Stickles on the flower center is barely visible.

**Scrapper’s Floss wrapped and adhered under the sentiment**

**The border I created with the flower that comes in the kit**

**Notice a hint of green on the leaves and a speck of glitter on the flower!**

**Supplies I used for the happy chicks card**

**Happy Places by Lisa Glanz for Unity Stamp Company**

**The four cards I created for the hop at a glance.**

Here are the Friends of Unity Blog Hoppers. Please click on the next person and enjoy the many wonderful cards to see!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Please stop by each person listed above. Lots of wonderful inspirations, ideas and techniques to try out. Let me know if you have any questions. I love talking about stamping and cardmaking any and all the time. Don’t forget to comment to be entered to win a prize. One person will be randomly chosen and announced at the next Friends of Unity blog hop.

The winner of last month’s hop is….Amy Williams!!!

Congratulations Amy! Please message me with your mailing address and I will send your prize!

Until May, thanks again I appreciate you. Stay safe and healthy. Enjoy all the beginnings of what Spring has to offer!

Rachel Duong

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel – I post often and if you tap on my profile picture I have coordinating videos on my story

I am also on TikTok @cardartbyrachel – I have coordinating videos showing how I created some of these cards!

“Keep shining beautiful one, the world needs your light.” author unknown

Welcome to the March 2021- Friends of Unity Blog Hop!

The cue for March is the sketch pictured below. This was a new, creative experience for me. I love how it took the layout design decision out of the equation and I spent more attention on choosing colors, stamps and embellishments. How great is that?! Please try using this sketch for your next card and be sure to share your creations in the Unity (Show and Tell) Facebook page!

Here is my first card.

I decided on a red card because playing at the beach makes me think of the hot sand on my feet and the warm sun. I die cut two circles and stamped the image on the white one. As I colored this girl using Copic markers, I kept with reds, browns and orange tones. I glued her onto a larger red circle. I chose three washi tapes and had a time deciding where which one would go. I mounted the washi tape on white cardstock for contrast against the red. The sentiments were embossed with clear and Brutus Monroe alabaster powders.

**Stamp set by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company. Just adorable!**

**Building sandcastles is the best time ever!**

Butterflies are beautiful and free! I stamped the main butterfly on paper, colored it and fussy cut it out. I added dimension to give it height as if it just landed on the card! I stamped the same image under the first one so that the antennae was visible. Before I glued the circle down, I blended ink around it. I took a larger circle mask and blended more ink to create a faint ring hoping to give the viewer a sense of movement.

**A close-up of the butterfly and the Stickles I used for sparkle!**

**Butterfly set by Graciellie Design for Unity Stamp Company. So unique and pretty!** **The sentiment is from another Unity set.**

**There is something so peaceful about butterflies. My dream is that they visit me often in my garden!**

Light washes of watercolor. I love the background florals in grey. Subtle but yet striking. I was really pleased with how the washi tape coordinated with the card and the animal print added that bit of style. I added burlap twine for keeping with the natural feel of the card.

**Stickles I used for the adornment in the bride’s hair. A wonderful finishing touch.**

**Main image came from a KOTM. I used the floral image and sentiment from this set by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company.**

**Another photo in a different light and backdrop. I am loving her pink hair!**

We have so many snails and slugs where I live. When my daughter was a little girl, she kept a dried slug in her pocket. Then one day I found it on her dresser for safe keeping. I guess she thought it was cute, it was her pet slug! I stamped the snail with a combination of Ink On 3 fadeout ink and Memento brown ink. I colored the snail using the no-line technique but needed stronger lines for the eyes. I used a Tim Holtz stencil for the tree background. He is a pretty handsome creature if you ask me!

**This sentiment comes in handy a little too often!**

**Stamp set by Lisa Glanz for Unity Stamp Company. It is great for love, laughs, forgetfulness, thanks and encouragement!**

**Photograph with a warm glow in true snail fashion!**

Friends of Unity: Please hop to the next person on the list after you finish here!

Rachel(me)

That’s it for this month. I hope you found some awesome, new ideas and inspiration. Don’t forget to comment below. One person will be randomly chosen to win a prize! The winner will be announced in the April Friends of Unity Blog Hop.

I almost forgot… the winner from last month’s blog hop is Neeter N. – Congratulations and thank you for participating in our hop! Please message me with your address and I will mail you your prize!

Have a wonderful March and looking forward to seeing you next month. Stay safe and healthy!

Rachel

Please visit me on Instagram and Tik Tok @cardartbyrachel

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”

Welcome to our February 2021 Friends of Unity Blog Hop!

I am thrilled to join the Friends of Unity group! I love Unity stamps and I hope to create cards every month that inspire and spark creativity.

The theme for this month is paper piecing. What a fun technique! When I heard this was our cue, I immediately took out my scissors and was ready to go!

This is my first card. I just love this lady so much.

**It was an absolute blast making this card. I paper pieced the dress with a happy floral print. Next I colored her hair with silver and violet** metallic colored pencils. I used Copic markers for the skin and purse. I added Ranger Liquid Pearls to her jewelry and 3D Crystal laquer to her eye glasses. Then I used Tim Holtz Distress oxide ink with a Tim Holtz music notes stencil for background interest. Last for embellishments, I rolled out the washi tape and Scrapper’s Floss to tie on the sentiment tag. I chose a button to finish it off…cute as a button!

**Unity has more stamps with this lovely lady. There is also a gentleman image too.**

I had such a fun time making the first card, I made another. This time I chose a darker, moodier pattern for paper piecing the dress. I used Copic markers to color the rest of the image, 3D Crystal laquer for the glasses and Ranger liquid pearls for her jewelry. I stamped the sentiment with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with Brutus Monroe alabaster embossing powder.

Paper piecing isn’t complete without a sofa and pillows! I like how it turned out but there are definitely things I could have done more carefully. I cut out each pillow and blanket and blended Tim Holtz distress ink on them to enhance their color. I used markers to color the drapes. The sentiment, I embossed with clear powder to give it dimension. I added Stickles on the hearts at the corners. A Gina Marie die cut frame completes the card. It was fun picking out colors and patterns while pretending I am an interior designer!

The sofa image is from this Kit of the Month.

One more paper pieced card. I used a fine patterned pink paper for the girl’s shirt.

and another… hat, gloves and mittens with blue polka dot patterned paper.

Friends of Unity :

Thanks for stopping by, I enjoyed sharing my paper piecing projects. Please let me know if you like this technique and what images you have paper pieced. I have a prize for one of you who comments below! The winner will be announced next month.

Have a wonderful day. Until next time, stay safe and healthy!

Rachel

You can also find me on Instagram at cardartbyrachel.

“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Amanda Gorman