The Friends Of Unity Blog Hop • November 2022

Hello Friends! It’s November and this month is all about watercolor! I have to say when I think of watercoloring my first palette of colors that come to mind are dreamy, flowing, soft images…. so I created a few until I came to realize it’s Fall and the holidays are upon us! I changed up my hues and I am sharing holiday cards too. Sometimes creating just takes me away to another place. Does it do that for you too?

Card #1

When I discovered the theme for this month, I immediately thought of watercoloring this image. Tucked away were Staedtler watercolor crayons, never to be thought of until something jogged my memory. How perfect to use them now for the hop! These crayons took me back in time to memories of coloring for hours as a child.

Steps to create this card
1. I began with heat embossing the image with winter white embossing powder on a white card base.
2. Next I scribbled color along the edges of the blossom. I dipped a brush in water and blended the color around.
3. I hot foiled the negative piece of a Poppystamps sentiment using a Pinkfresh solid hot foil plate. The worn look gave it a distressed feel.
4. I stamped the “be” and “extraordinary” sentiments separately by inking directly on the stamp one word at a time. I did this to avoid stamping over the stem.
5. Then I coiled up fishing line and taped it under the area where the sentiment would go.
6. I popped up the “Happy Birthday” sentiment and adhered it to the card front.
7. After that I placed Nuvo glue dots on the card to frame the blossom.
8. Finally I adhered the card front to a light gray card base.

Not exact and overlapping colors, I went with a hot foiled sentiment that has a worn finish paired with an imperfectly stamped sentiment below it.

“You are Important” by Donna Downey for Unity Stamp Company

Coiled fishing line for a little extra element to mimic the curved lines of the petals.

Card #2

There is something so sweet about these characters. I love the even, thin lines and the tiny close-set eyes. Adorable!

Steps to create this card
1. First I stamped the images in Versafine black ink somewhat evenly spaced and running off the page. I also wanted the reindeer near the center to be a focal point.
2. I chose a holiday color palette and mixtures of these colors to create variations for the clothing, accessories, etc. I painted the images loosely with layers of color, leaving bits of white patches for character. I had fun creating printed dress for Mrs. Kringle!
3. Next I die cut the card front using a Gina Marie die and glued it to a white card base.
4. Then I covered a strip of card stock with washi tape and cut the end at an angle.
5. I stamped the sentiment in Versafine ink and fussy-cut it out along the border.
6. After that I glued the sentiment on the Washi strip and adhered to card front.
7. Finally, I added Stickles on Santa’s hat, the little girl’s barrette, and the nose for “Rudolph”. I also used a gold pen on Santa’s buckle.

“Little North Pole” by Tiffany DeGough for Unity Stamp Company and supplies I used

Watercoloring in uneven layers of color lend so much freedom to the colorist as well as intrigue to the viewer.

Card #3

I often forget that a background can almost always be made with a stamp set. This card makes me happy; the faces are just so sweet and delightful!

Card #3

These butterflies are beautiful and carry a multitude of emotions. To capture the sparkle of the embossing glitter, I snapped this photo at an angle. This image takes me away to another place…

Steps to create this card
1. I stamped this image with black Versafine ink and heat embossed it with Tim Holtz’s Ranger black embossing glitter. Tip: Do not overheat as the glitter may lose its sparkle.
2. Next I chose a color palette of distress inks and began painting the butterflies. A spot of every color on each image emphasizing lights and darks for contrast.
3. I loosely washed color randomly over the background. I tried to keep it looking natural. A lot of water helps to achieve this. Tip: Dark and light areas add depth.
4. Then I adhered the card front to a light blue card base.
5. I stamped the “Miss You” sentiment on a scrap from the watercolor background. I used two inks in brown and orange to give it a two-tone look. I adhered it to the card.
6. I die cut a Gina Marie scalloped border and glued it onto the card front.
7. Finally I adhered iridescent sequins to finish the card.

The iridescent sequins are subtle but so beautiful and enhance the butterflies sparkle without competition.

“It’s Been Too Long” by Unity Stamp Company

The sentiment comes with this kit. As I expressed previously, this image could be paired with numerous sentiments for an array of occasions. I just love it!

Card #4

Fruit, pinecones and berries are such a welcoming, timeless holiday sight! I can picture this as a centerpiece on a dining room table. Fresh, hot apple cider is brewing in the kitchen….

Following are the steps to create this card
1. First I stamped this image with Versafine ink on watercolor paper.
2. Next I painted the apples using red and green Tim Holtz distress inks. I continued on with the pinecones, leaves and berries. The blossoms, I added a little bit of color for the shadow to enhance the overall white color.
3. I die cut the image with a fancy stitched square die. I love a square card!
4. Then I stamped the sentiment slightly off center. I used “happy holidays” because I thought it encompassed so many holidays during the fall/winter months.
5. I glued the card front on a light gray card base.
6. Finally I double wrapped red string along the fold to finish the card.

Sometimes I like to keep a card simple. This card can be embellished with so many extras. Glossy Accents on the apples, gold glitter on the pinecones, and glitter on the berries and centers of the blossoms. Sequins or drops around the image too!

I was excited to paint these apples my favorite colors as I see them in nature!

I chose a cool green for the leaves to give it an airy, crisp feel.

“Winter Apple Blossom” by Graciellie Design for Unity Stamp Company

I thought about grounding this with a shadow or giving it a background. I decided to leave it just the way it was and perhaps I might change my mind or make the next one with those options. Also, I originally had the red string tied in a bow but untied it and kept it simple.

Friends of Unity Blog Hop cards for November 2022 ~ Watercolor

Here are the friends in the hop. I can’t wait for you to see their amazing watercolor cards. Please don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a “thank you” gift. I will announce the winner in the next month’s hop. And now for the winner of October……Glennis F.! Congratulations! Please message me your address and I will get the prize in the mail, thank you so much for your comment. We appreciate you!

Rachel (me)

Watercoloring offers so many ways to color an image. Light and fluid, dark and intense, even a mix of both. It is forgiving and not exact. I find watercoloring makes setting a mood so much easier than other mediums! Hope you enjoyed the hop.

Until December, have a wonderful month of crafting and cozy days.

Rachel

I’m on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel. Please follow me for short videos of how I made these cards.

Nature does not hurry and yet everything is accomplished.
Lao Tsu
(Coral Bark Japanese Maple from my backyard)

Fanciful Fall

Hi! I am here to bring you sparkle and glitter for the upcoming Holiday season! I used lots and lots of Poppystamps goodness to create layers of rich, warm Autumn decadence.

Capturing the beauty of this card, I angled it toward the natural light.

Here are the steps to create this card.
1. Die cut the Poppystamps “Evangeline Pinpoint Frame” from the Memory Box “Earth Neutral Collection”.
2. Die cut the ” Fanciful Fall Leaves ” from the shimmering cardstock by Memory Box “Festive Glitter Pad” and the acorns with kraft cardstock.

3. Color the top half of the acorns with the Distress embossing pen and heat emboss with Vintage Photo glaze.
4. Color the lower portion of the acorn with the pen to give it a wet look.

5. Hot foil and die cut the “Hello” sentiment with the Poppystamps “Birthday Wishes Poe Script” set in Spellbinders Glimmer Rose Gold Foil. Use cardstock from the Memory Box “Lush Green Collection”.
6. Hof foil and die cut the “You are the Best” sentiment with the “Modest Greetings 2” set in gold foil. Use a medium to heavy weight cardstock in white.

These are the dies and now it’s almost time to start gluing the pieces together!

7. Cut a strip of kraft cardstock large enough to leave a fine border of kraft at the top and orange glitter at the bottom. Glue together as pictured.
8. Cut a strip of gold glitter cardstock and cut it at an angle on the left side for interest. Glue “Hello” on the gold strip.
9. Cut a 4.25 x 5.5 panel in green. Glue the panel on a kraft card base.
10. Arrange the pieces as you like. A few things before gluing together–The orange oak leaf on the gold strip has an extra piece where it is on the grey background to keep it level. The adjacent acorns are three layers thick for dimension.
11. Affix an orange jewel from the Open Studio “Autumn Fairy Jewels” on the sentiment to finish the card!

Make sure to wear sunglasses when viewing this card, it is a brilliant display of sparkle and glitter outside!

When I look at this card, I feel tons of energy and excitement anticipating the approaching festivities! I can’t wait to create more projects with these amazing Poppystamps dies and glitter paper. I hope you get chance to check out the website – http://www.poppystamps.com They are so awesome!
Until next time, hop you have a day that sparkles and shines!

Rachel

I am on TikTok, Instagram, Flick and Pinterest @cardartbyrachel

Melted Snowman

Thinking ahead about the long winter months, I couldn’t wait to take out my Poppystamps “Melted Snowman” die. I envision this as a “thank you” for presents received over the Holidays and also an “I can’t wait for Spring” card as well! A clean and simple style that can be made in multiples and very little coloring is involved.

This is the “Melting Snowman” Poppystamps die. It has few pieces and oh, so adorable!
Below are the steps to create this fun card.
1. Die cut the snowman three times in medium weight white cardstock.

2. Using watercolor paints, lightly paint random areas of pale blue on the snowman for shadow
3. Paint the arms brown, the scarf reds/oranges and the nose orange. Let dry.
4. Die cut the “thank you” sentiment from the Poppystamps “Thank You Stitched Tag”. Cut two sentiments depending on how high you would like it to lay on the card.
5. Adhere the pieces to a kraft cardbase.
One layer for the body directly on the cardbase.
Two layers for the head, the arms, and the scarf.
Three layers for the nose. This keeps the nose at the highest point and gives it dimension.

6. Glue two layers of the sentiment to the cardbase above the melting snowman.
7. Embellish the sentiment with embossing glitter or Stickles, etc. to finish the card!

Create an all-white card and no coloring for another option. A sentiment in a colored ink would look wonderful too!

Have a cozy day and see you very soon! Check out the Poppystamps.com site for these products and so many more! Thanks for stopping by before Frosty goes…thumpity thump thump…over the hills of snow!

Rachel
I am on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel for more inspiration and short, fun videos!

Whittle Gnome Tag

Hi there! I am here to share a quick and easy Holiday gift tag I made. It’s not too early to start getting ready for the festivities! And this tag is simple, but has two parts to make it especially fun. And who doesn’t love plaid?! I do!

These are the Poppystamps dies I used.

I also cut plaid options from the Memory Box “Jolly Christmas” paper pad

Steps to create this tag.
1. Die cut the Poppystamps “Thank You Stitched Tag” three times, once in plaid and twice in kraft.
2. Die cut the “Whittle Gnome” in white, red, and peach.
3. Die cut the “joy Freestyle Script” in black.

4. Glue pieces together. The nose has three layers. The plaid tag has the 2nd kraft tag glued to the back. The hat has two layers.
5. Trim the ends of the joy sentiment.
6. Glue clear sparkles on the end of the hat. Mine are not visible, but they look great!

Thanks so much for stopping by! The products I used are on the http://www.poppystamps.com site. There are so many amazing Poppystamps papercraft dies to choose from, have fun shopping!

Rachel
Please follow me on Instagram and TikTok for short videos @cardartbyrachel

Old World Deer

Hello, let’s welcome Fall, the season of crisp air, leaves turning color and days getting shorter with an “Old World”card! What is “Old World”?! It’s a style that is worn, slightly tattered, yet familiar and nostalgic. Finishings are distressed and faded. I love this look!
To create this card I am using the Poppystamps “Pondering Layered Deer” and the “Leafy Branch Oval”. The dies are from the Fall and Christmas 2022 releases. I hope you like it!

Here are the steps to create this card.
1. Die cut the Poppystamps “Pondering Layered Deer” out of kraft cardstock.
Die cut the scarf in burgundy.
2. Lightly blend brown ink on the deer to create shadow and interest.
3. Adhere the pieces together.

4. Using a fine tipped black marker, dot in the eye.
5. Using a snow marker, add highlights and spots on the deer. It does not need to be exact or realistic.

6. Die cut the Poppystamps “Leafy Branch Oval” in brown and yellow. Use small scraps for green, lime, yellow, orange and burgundy. They will be used for the leaves.
7. Take the yellow die cut and trim off the branches of the oval frame.
Distress the frame unevenly with brown ink.
8. Take the brown die cut and paint it in a wash of darker brown.
9. Trim green, lime, yellow, orange and burgundy leaves off the die cuts. Glue leaves onto the brown branches of the die cut.

10. Using a neutral cardfront, blend brown and green distress oxide inks mimicking an oval shape. Spritz water on each color and dry between applications for this effect.
11. Glue the finished “Leafy Branch Oval”on the card front.
12. Blend distress oxides and inks around the corners and edges. Trim down the cardfront to slightly smaller than an A2 size.
13. Glue the deer on the cardfront. Add a few leaves for embellishments and balance in the lower right corner.
14. Tie 1 mm burlap twine on the fold to complete the card.

Supplies I used. These dies can be purchased at http://www.poppystamps.com.

I hope my card finds you well. I love the heartwarming charm of this adorable deer. It has a timeless feel and I can see this deer in the forest, munching on leaves.
Both dies are great for so many occasions and events throughout the year.
Have a wonderful day!
Rachel
I am on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel

The Friends Of Unity Blog Hop ~ October 2022

Happy October 1st! Are you ready for Fall and all that nature has to offer this month?! As the leaves turn their brilliant colors, the days get shorter and the air is crisp. I welcome the idea of more time for papercrafting. “Anything But a Card” is October’s theme. I love this, it reminds me how far and wide these Unity stamps can go in the world of crafting. The projects I am sharing are quick, easy and fun to make, I hope you like them!

Blender brush holder

**Not only is this fun to make, but it is so useful too! You can personalize it for your craft room…. any theme, color or size.** Here are the steps to create a brush holder. 1. Find a tin that fits what you plan to put inside. For blender brushes, I needed a wide low tin. 2. Using medium weight watercolor paper, measure the height and cut the paper accordingly. 3. Stamp the floral image in gray to create a background and paint it with your chosen colors. 4. Splatter DecoArt metallic acrylic paint in random areas. My paint was a bit too thick so it smudged more than splattered but I love it! 5. Stamp a sentiment in black ink so it stands out from the background. 6. Adhere the finished paper with glue to tin. I used a glue stick. 7. If the paper is not long enough to cover the tin, cut a strip from the same paper to piece in the open area and cover with a piece of washi tape. 8. Grab your blender brushes and see how great they look in the holder!

**The image is stamped in gray and the sentiment stamped in black. This brings the sentiment front and forward.**

**“Sakura” by Ann Corbiere Scott for Unity Stamp Company** **and the supplies I** **used to make this brush holder. This stamp is huge and fills up more that an A2 size card!**

**The watercolor paper I used didn’t quite fit around the tin, so I cut a strip of watercolor paper and adhered washi tape that coordinated with the colors I used.**

**Look how lovely these brushes are in their new home!**

2. Memory Dex file

This is a Memorydex file. It is similar to a Rolodex, but larger and can be used for addresses, recipes, inspirational quotes or for anything you like. How fun would it be to trade files and when you receive your file, you have a great place to display it?! Here are the steps to recreate this card. 1. Die cut the file using watercolor paper. 2. Stamp the image in black Versafine ink and heat emboss with clear powder. 3. Paint the image. 4. Stamp the sentiment in green VersaFine clair ink. 5. Stamp the lower sentiment on black cardstock in Versamark ink and heat emboss in gold powder, 6. Adhere embellishments. Washi tape, heart button and Stickles on the dandelion. 7. Blend Tea Dye Distress ink around the edges of the file. 8. Insert your file in the Memorydex or mail it to a fellow Memorydex friend!

**“…every wish” by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company and some of the supplies I used.**

**Stickles on the flower to add a dramatic touch.**

**A close-up of the orange heart button and sentiments in green ink and gold embossing powder**

Trade this or create to keep at home with sentiments that make you happy. The files can also act as an be idea book to scroll through during those times when you might have a crafting block or need a little more inspiration!

3. Bookmark

I can’t think of a better project for this time of year than a bookmark. Besides crafting, Fall is a wonderful time to read! Here are the steps to make a bookmark. 1. Die cut a rectangle on heavy cream cardstock. This die is a mini-slimline from Gina Marie Designs. 2. Die cut a larger coordinating one in kraft. 3. Stamp the image in Versafine Clair ink. 3. Heat emboss with clear powder. 4. Stamp leaves to give the scene a Fall look. 5. Ink blend around the edges with Mowed Lawn Distress Ink. 6. Punch a hole at the top and die cut two reinforcement circles. 7. Tie 1mm burlap string at the top. 8. Go get your favorite book and try out your bookmark! Tip: keep embellishments to a minimum as the less bulk the better. Also, heavy ink could bleed onto pages if moisture is present.

**“beauty around you” by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company and supplies I used.**

**A quote about reading or your favorite author’s quote would be awesome on the front or back** **of this bookmark.**

**A close-up, I love the point-of-view from this adorable image.**

4. Travertine Drink Coaster

This is literally a five minute project! Why on earth would I use a partially broken tile? I love vintage and imperfections. it has character and is a great conversation piece… maybe?! Steps to create this coaster. 1. Start with a travertine tile or a tile with a rough surface. 1a. Rent a jackhammer to break off the top right corner. 2. Stamp the image with StazOn black ink. This will STAIN your stamp! There is stamp cleaner for this ink but DO NOT USE this CLEANER for CLEAR STAMPS, it will ruin them. 3. Heat set the ink. 4. Paint the image with ink smooshed on a palette, preferably not distress ink. 5. With the thinnest of layers, scrub on DuraClear varnish. Keep applications so light that you cannot see brush lines. 6. Add craft foam, cork, or felt for the back. 7. Grab a cup of coffee and set it on your new coaster. Better yet, make a set of four, wrap up with a ribbon and surprise a friend! One more thing…I use my handmade coasters daily and they are awesome…. strong, sturdy and hold up perfectly.

**Supplies I used. The stamp is an Ittty Bitty by Unity Stamp Company called “Your Season”. It also comes with a sentiment.**

**The shine of the thin coat of varnish**.

**Many more colors can be used. Keeping it simple, I love the brown, green and black together. If I were to add anything I would color the star. Holiday lights would be awesome too!**

That’s it for this time, I am excited to see your projects. Thank you for visiting and please continue on the hop with my friends listed below. Don’t forget to comment on each blog for a chance to win a “thank you” prize. One commenter will be randomly selected to win.

Crystal

Amber

Kim

Rachel(me)

Bobbie Sue

Gaylynn

Dawn F.

Colleen

Eileen

Joyce

Dawn B.

Robyn

The winner from September’s Hop is Andre! Congratulations! Thank you for commenting and please message me your mailing address and I will get your prize sent out to you.

Thanks again, I would love to know which is your favorite project and any thoughts or ideas. I so enjoy all your comments. Until next month, have a wonderful October!

I am on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel. Please follow me for fun short videos of how I make my cards and projects.

Rachel

“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.”
**Vincent van Gogh**
(more flowers from my backyard)

A Bride and Frankenstein

Greetings! It’s not an ordinary-kind-of-day card, it’s Frankenstein and Corpse bride celebrating their wedding anniversary. This is a mix of many fabulous Poppystamps dies, paper and embellishments.

Please keep reading for directions on how I made this card…if you dare!

1. Die cut the “Whittle Witch” and the “Whittle Creatures” die sets onto watercolor paper or heavy cardstock. Additionally you can die cut an extra forehead for Frankenstein if you want it to stick out!

2. Die cut Frankenstein’s clothes and hair with black, shiny metallic paper from the “Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad”. Then die cut the Corpse Bride’s dress and shoes with glitter paper from the “Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad”.
3. Color the faces and foreheads of both figures and don’t forget the legs and bangs of the bride. I used markers but watercolor would work just as well.
4. Cut sections from a pale blue organza ribbon for the Corpse Bride’s dress and veil. Witchy tip: cut the dress’ ribbon a little longer to leave room for glue.
5. Cut two shades of pale blue embroidery thread for the Corpse Bride’s hair.

6. Hot foil and die cut the “Best Wishes” sentiment from “Modest Greetings 1” in gold and frame it with a slightly larger piece of cardstock.
7. Die cut the smaller piece of the two “Layer Cake Drip Icing” die set with glitter paper and the spiderweb from “Halloween Assemblage” in cardstock.
8. Cut a rectangle piece of gray cardstock from the Earth Neutral Collection slightly smaller than an A2 card and adhere to a white base.
9. Glue the figures and the coordinating pieces down.
10. Place a “Fairy Jewel” on the sentiment piece to finish the card.

This card was enchanting to craft. It will be perfect for the couple who welcomes a Halloween or Fall themed wedding. I love that it is clean and simple, yet silly and fun. Thank you for visiting and now I am off to another festivity!

Check out Poppystamps.com for all the supplies I used. I am also on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel with short videos of how I made this card and many others.

Toil and Trouble

Today is going to be a hauntingly great day! Hi, it’s Rachel and I am sharing a little scary, but mostly fun Halloween card. These dies are from the “Whittles” line by Poppystamps. I love them–especially the “Whittle Witch!”

Here are the steps to create this card.

Using watercolorpaper, die cut 2 of each: “Whittle Witch”, Boo Poe Script”, “Halloween Assemblage”, and “Whittle Wood Picture Frames”.
Watercolor the images the colors of your choice.

3. Paint the “Boo Poe Script” sentiment in black distress ink. After that, lay the sentiment in a splatter box and generously splatter watered-down white acrylic paint over the die.

4. Randomly place the spiderweb die cut from the “Halloween Assemblage” dies on a black cardfront measuring approximately 4″ x 5.25″. Then blend white ink over the web to create a background. Uneven spiderweb images five the card character!

5. Glue the witch and the “Whittle Wood Picture Frames” (large frame) on the cardfront.

6. Cut and unravel orange/red/yellow embroidery thread into small pieces. Then glue around the top of the witches head–give her a haircut as needed. The messier the better!

7. Layer and glue a second die cut to the “Boo” and the broomstick for extra strength. Then adhere to the frame.

8. For the hat and the caldron, you can either glue a second die cut down as in the previous step, or cut off the area where the pieces overlap the witch. This will be the handle for the caldron and the brim for the hat.

9. Choose different sizes of the “Clear Fairy Drops” and glue for bubbles coming out of the caldron.

10. Glue gold Stickles onto the hat for extra sparkle

11. Adhere the cardfront to a black card base.

The “Whittles” and the new Poppystamps Halloween release are to DIE for! I am over the moon about them!

Have a BOO-tiful day, I will be back soon and until then, BEWARE of more creative posts!

Please follow me on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel for short videos of how I made this card.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ September 2022

Fall is in the air! Hello to crisp mornings and leaves turning their brilliant, beautiful colors! Welcome to our blog hop and definitely a favorite theme for me! Not a day goes by without many cups of coffee…. and if there is chocolate in our home, I will be inhaling it! My favorite drink has recently become Matcha Lattes, so so good.

Card #1 ~ Miss You!

**A hot drink on a cold autumn morning sounds wonderful! This stamp is so beautiful and it takes little time to watercolor.** **Following** are steps to create this card. 1. stamp the image in Versamark Ink. 2. Watercolor the image. 3. Ink blend Oxide ink to resemble sky and lightly spritz with water. 4. Die cut the image with a border die. 5. Stamp the sentiment with black ink and heat emboss with clear powder. 6. Using an embossing ink pen, color over the cup. 7. Sprinkle Distress glaze over the cup and apply heat to emboss. 8. Stamp the heart in distress oxide ink. 9. Wrap 1mm burlap string around the card front and glue it down to a black card base at an angle.

**Supplies I used and the stamp set featured is called “Take a Break” by Unity Stamp Company**

**A close-up view and I love the open heart in brown distress oxide ink.**

Card #2 ~ Vintage Teacups

**These teacups say vintage, elegant , fine detail, and light. Steps to create this card**. **1. Stamp the image** with a medium gray ink. If you only have black you could first stamp the image on a scrap and then without reinking, re-stamp again on card front for a lighter image. 2. Stamp the sentiment slightly overlapping the teacups. 3. Heat emboss the sentiment with clear powder. 4. Washi tape across the top and then again on the bottom leaving a torn area. 5. Sequins for interest. 6. Mount card front to a black border and then adhere to the grey card base.

**The few supplies I used and “the little things” itty bitty stamp set by Unity Stamp Company**

Card #3 ~ Coffee and a Cinnamon Stick

Fun with texture! This card was fun to add elements and mix patterns and elements. Here is how to create this card. 1. Stamp the coffee cup with Memento ink on pattern paper and fussy cut it out. 2. Stamp the image again on heavy card stock. and cut out. 3. Glue the two pieces together. 4. Emboss a light creme card front. 5. Color the coffee in the cup and the cinnamon stick. 6. Ink blend walnut stain distress ink around the edges of the coffee. 7. Add crystal laquer on the coffee for a shiny effect. 8. Stamp the heart and cut out and color. 9. Paint Pixie Dust on the heart and glue to card. 10. Die cut the shape and stamp the sentiment in brown ink. 11. Ink blend Purely Pomegranate on the sentiment and glue to card. 12. Adhere card front to a kraft base. 13. 2mm burlap string and a button in the lower left corner finishes the card.

**Supplies I used and stamps are by Unity Stamp Company**

**Pixie Dust on the heart and Crystal Laquer on the coffee for a little extra fun**

**I love cinnamon in my coffee. Mixing it with a cinnamon stick is even bette**r, isn’t it?

Card #4 ~ Coffee to Keep You Warm

This border stamp is a definite favorite! The many shapes of coffee cups are incredible. These are the steps to create this card. 1. Stamp the image with green ink and heat emboss with clear powder. 2. Watercolor images with various green and brown colors. 3. Using a crimping tool, run a strip of kraft through it and adhere to card front. This is to resemble corrugated hand protectors on coffee cups! 4. Die cut shape with heavyweight vellum. 5. Stamp the sentiment on pattern paper and die cut with the same shape as the vellum. Trim off the top and bottom. 6. Add a copper brad to the sentiment and glue down to the kraft strip. 7. Glue card front to a kraft card base.

**Supplies I used and “Hot Mess” border background stamp by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company**

A few close-ups. The crimper was fun to dig out to simulate a hand protector on a coffee-to-go. Brads are great because there is no fear of it falling off the card… I sometimes worry about glue holding down embellishments.

**Super fun to loosely paint this border stamp. Notice some of the cups actually have coffee in them!**

**The cards I made for the hop in an evening light. Don’t fall asleep now. (Yawn)**

Thank you for joining in the hop. Please keep hopping to the next friend on the list below. Also please comment and I will randomly pick one person to win a “thank you” prize! The winner will be announced next month.

Crystal

Eileen

Amber

Kim

Bobbie Sue

Rachel(me)

Dawn B.

Gaylynn

April

Colleen

Dawn F.

Robyn

Joyce

Alaine

And the winner from the August Hop is…. Stephanie Puccini! Congratulations Stephanie, thank you so much for your comment, we appreciate it! Please message me your mailing address and I will get your prize in the mail.

Have a wonderful September and take time to enjoy cardmaking as we welcome the new season!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel where I post videos on how I make these cards!

“**Blushing Bride” Hydrangea in my backyard**

“It’s not just about creativity, it is about the person you’re becoming while you’re creating” Charlie Peacock

A Poppystamps Butterfly Wish!

Hello! It’s a beautiful day to share a whimsical butterfly card with you. I love the Poppystamps Stained Glass Butterfly collage and the Large and Small Stained Glass Butterfly and Background. They can be used together or individually.

I chose a soft watercolor background of blue, green and purple swooshes to die cut the Stained Glass butterfly collage from.

Next I die cut the Large and Small Stained Glass butterfly and Background dies from heavy vellum. I glued the wings and antennae over the two butterflies with a glue dot adhering only the center. I also glued a small antenna on the butterfly without the layered wings.

A close-up view showing the dimension created with the wing layers. The vellum gives the butterflies a fluid, dreamy feel.

I chose the “Best Wishes” sentiment from the Modest Greetings 1 Hot Foil Plate and Die. I rolled the plate through the die machine for a letterpress look. Then I mounted the sentiment on a thin frame of the watercolor paper and mounted it again on white cardstock.

I glued two tiny butterflies from the Stained Glass Butterfly collage on the background. Finally I placed Autumn Fairy Jewels around the image for extra sparkle.

I love how this card turned out. It can be used for many occasions. I can’t wait to try more washes of color. Until next post, have a fantastic day!

You can also find me on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel for short videos of how I make my cards!