Hi crafty friends, it’s August and our Friends of Unity Blog Hop is here! The theme is “Technique”, so I made my cards with a technique in mind. I hope the cards might spark a little inspiration and maybe something you will try if you haven’t done so already!

Card #1 ~ Distressed and monochromatic- Gingko Greetings by Sandhya Iyer for Unity Stamp Company

My first card is a beautiful set of Gingko leaves. My neighbor has a Gingko tree in her backyard and I love the fan-shaped leaves. I began with a sheet of watercolor paper. I stamped the images in Versafine black ink. I loosely painted the leaves and the background in green and teal using Prang watercolors. A lot of water haelped make the color move around the cardfront. I stamped a sentiment from another set I used for this hop on a strip of the same paper. I love the font, so delicate and incursive.

I roughed up the card edges and added washi tape at small angles. Then I glued the cardfront onto a forest background and then onto a light blue cardbase.

Card #2 ~ Patterned paper and watercolor – I Really Love You – Unity Stamp Company

This tree is so beautiful. The hearts make this a heart tree! The fine lines are so fun. For this card I focused on pattern paper. I picked it out and glued it to a pastel blue A2 card. Next I stamped the image on watercolor paper. I added black-brown to the bark. I loosely painted the image tree with like colors to go with the paper. I cut the cardfront down and framed it in eggplant and then framed it again in lavender. I glued it to the card.

I painted the hearts pink and after it dried I added Stckler glitter glue. I stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink. I glued it down in the lower, part of the card. I stamped the image. Finally I added mirrored embe;llishments around the ears.

Card #3 – Mash-Up – Fan Club Pissy Kitty – Unity Stamp Company

What is a mash-up technique?! I might have made it up but I call a mash-up technique on a card when 3 stamps or die sets are mashed together and used for making cards. This kitty is too funny and I just had to use him. I stamped the image and “stay cool” sentiment on watercolor paper in black Versafine ink. I lightly watercolored a bit of orange on the face and paws. I die cut the bottles from a Tim Holtz die set. I stamped the Chemistry and all sentiments using a My Favorite Things set. I glued the flasks together and tied a baker’s twine around one. I diecut the cardfront with a Gina Marie Designs border die. I lightly blended a teal oxide ink on the lower part of the card. Finally I arranged the card pieces to my liking and glued them down on a kraft cardbase.

A group of friends asked me to make a card for a chemistry engineering student going off to school. He also loves cats. I also think he is pretty cool. So–I hope this card makes sense! This face is too hilarious.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Following is the list of friends on the blog hop. Just click on each person’s name and it will take you to their blog.

Crystal

Jenni

Toni

Rachel (me)

Dawn

Joyce

Enjoy the rest of your day and please let me know if you have any questions. I hope you find a few techniques to try this month.

See you in September!

Rachel

Please follow mew on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi crafty friends! Welcome to our blog hop. July’s theme is Mixed Media/Grunge–an art using layering, textures, found objects and distressed effects where imperfections are welcomed. In my mind it means that anything goes! How refreshing and freeing! I found myself asking if this matches or looks good and my answer was that it doesn’t matter so just go for it.

Card #1 ~ Squeeze the Sweetness from Unity Stamp Company, The Kit of the Month – June

This girl is looking out and contemplating her next adventure. I created this card with a lime paper. I placed a stencil over the right side and spread Tim Holtz Distressed Texture Paste over the words. I stamped the figure going off the page in black Versafine ink. Next I masked her off and brushed watercolor over the stamp and pressed on the left siding going all the way down. Then I used a heart die from Poppystamps and painted the outline with many hues ending up with a deep purple, I watercolored inside the heart with rich teals and greens.

I paper pieced the hat and dress, adding more paint to each. I love how the hat goes off the edge. Hero Arts glitter gue adorns the ribbons. on the image. I punched 2 holes in the lower left portion of the cardfront and found a wire ribbon in shiny crimson and gold metallic threads. I wanted a few of my family members about their opinion on the bow and they both said it doesn’t go with the card and I should remove it. I don’t know why but I loved it and kept it anyway! Continuing on, I roughed up the edges with a scissor.

I stapled the top right for a grungy element. I adhered the cardfront to a purple wash on a pink paper, tore the edge and adhered it to a white A2 cardbase. I stamped the sentiment on white, cut it at an angle, affixed a photo corner protector and a black brad over a folded edge and glued it down. Finally a sequin and a pearl and glitter on the drink….phew! Card complete!

Card #2~Thank You Kindly by Phyllis Harris for Unity Stamp Company

I love this card. It is so sweet and the bear, even though he is quite large, looks very friendly. I stamped the card in brown ink on yellow paper and heat embossed with clear powder. I watercolored the scene and included metallic paint on th leaves. A painted die cut frame– I adhered to the card.

Next I glued the image to a black cardbase. I found gold foiled black paper and framed the image.

Beautiful sequins adorn the tree. I embossed the sentiment in silver on black and then placed it partially over a strip of purple/brown/bronze paper and adhered it to the card. I added Magenta Stickles glitter glue is on the dress and flowers.

Finally I bent a copper wire and tied various pieces of ribbon around it!

Thanks so much for hopping! Below is the list of the friends sharing cards on the hop.

Crystal

Jenni

Toni

Rachel (me)

Doreen

Joyce

Thanks for hopping! Have a great July!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Love and Laughter. Hi everyone, today is day 5 and my last day to share my cards as the GIU stamper! I couldn’t decide which card to post so I thought I would post both of them! What I like about this the most is that the first card is a little more quiet and soft, The second– hilarious and fun.

Beautiful is the Calla Lily blossom, I love how majestic they stand strong and brave.

To begin I watercolored the background in a wash of hues and greens. After drying, I stamped the image in green distress ink. Next I combined Prang and MozArt komorebi watercolor paints using a generous amount of water over the layers of color to allow them to bleed and create a soft appearance.

When I was satisfied with the color, I blended white over the areas I wanted to stand out a bit. I adhered the cardfront to a pastel blue cardbase. The I stamped the sentiment in a purple Distress Oxide ink. I let it smudge a little to keep with the feel of the card. I trimmed it down to a strip and adhered it to the card. Finally, an aqua bow glued to the stem adorns the card.

I love how the fower gives off the serenity feel so I kept the card design simple hoping to keep the view on the stand alone Calla Lilly.

Now for alot of laughter! What I love about this lady is her spunk for dressing fancy and her details accesories. She has a flair for fashion and has her own individual style.

I began with a stencil from A Colorful Life Designs and blended Distress Oxide inks over the teal card. I stamped the image and the sentiment in versafine Ink directly over the stenciled pattern. Finally, a pastel blue organza ribbon finishes the card.

This card was a quick make because I didn’t color or embellish the image. I kept her image stamped light so the pattern underneath stood out. I love3 the sentiment because it is clear this lady is a stunner now, more than ever!

Thank you so much To Unity Stamp Company for allowing me the opportunity to be the GIU creator this week. The thousands of images, customer service and sense of community you have built for us is outstanding!

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment on my cards. It has been a pleasure! Happy 4th of July!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi there! It’s day 4 of my GIU week. I am switching gears to a new image from Unity Stamp company’s Kit of The Month membership set. I love all the happy summer treats that are here to cool us off on those hot days! What is your favorite treat to cool you off?

To create this card I stamped the popsicle in Versafine black ink on watercolor paper. I painted it in the colors of the rainbow. The popsicle is dipped a silver metallic magic chocolate! I used the MozArt Komorebi watercolor set. I die cut this using a Gina Marie Designs border die.

Next I chose a white A2 cardbase. I used A Colorful Life Designs stencil and blended yellow Distress Oxide ink over it allowing the edges to fade. I went back, blending the the middle space to give the image a nice bold color to stand out from. I adhered the image to the cardfront.

Then I stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink and cut it into individual words. I adhered these to the cardfront at varying angles with dimensionals for the 3D effect. I also placed the words a bit overlapping for interest. (Look at the spectacular metallic paint)

Last but not least are the embellishments. I used a combination of bakers twine and colorful jute all tied together for the confetti energy vibe.

Beautiful Picket Fence Studios sequins complete the card!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a sweet day, see you tomorrow and remember…anything is popsicle!

Rachel

Check out the memberships at Unity Stamp Company. They never disappoint!

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi everyone, it’s day 3 of my GIU week and I am having a blast! I’ve got one more card to share with you from Unity Stamp Company’s Rescue Tales Collection. This handsome guy is not fluffy or furry but is lovable and content sunbathing in the warm rays shining through the windowsill. He turns a beautiful orange when content and happy. Do you know what this is without scrolling?!

It is a bearded dragon!! To create this card I stamped the image on Canson XL watercolor paper. To get the fine detail, smooth paper, Versafine Claire ink and a Misti stamping platform are key supplies needed.

Next I painted the bearded dragon using Prang watercolors. I had a picture of an actual fellow that I will introduce to you later!

Then I watercolored many layers of yellow outlining the image. I brushed water on the outer portion and then dripped the colors of the rainbow beginning at the top and coming down around the bearded dragon. I sized the cardfront down to approximately 4.0″ x 5.25″ and adhered it to an A2 white card base. A thin white border frames the card.

Finally I chose a sentiment from another set and stamped it with Versafine black ink on to the card. I refrained from using embellishments because sometimes I like keeping it simple when the dripped background already creates visual interest.

Meet Plopper! This handsome bearded dragon is one of my daughter’s boyfriends charming pet. He is happy and his orange appearance is stunning. He is even smiling! He gets baths and loves to roam around the room and sit with his peeps. (her boyfriend and his friends!)

Have a relaxing day and keep on crafting!

Rachel

instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi to all! Today I am sharing another Unity Stamp Company fur buddy from their Rescue Tales line.

To create this card I made a background of watercolors running into one another on a large sheet of textured watercolor paper. After drying I cut it slightly smaller than an A2 card and glued it to a white cardbase.

Next I stamped this adorable image on Canson heavy watercolor paper. The smoother texture creates a nice surface to stamp on. I painted the puppy and also watercolored the background using the same colors as the previous one.I went over the eyes and nose with a black Sharpie marker so the features stood out. I die cut the image using a Gina Marie Designs border die and glued it to the card.

Then I used a scrap of the first background and stamped the sentiment and glued strips from the same paper onto the sentiment for character. Gold matte brads were affixed to the right side and I adhered the piece to the card using glue dots to pop it up a bit. Finally, fuschia Stickles embellished the heart and mirrored confetti adds to the decor!

This is my inspiration for the card. Our sweet Moose is a Havanese puppy (12 years) who just got a short haircut from me– I thought he resembled this dog the most out of all the images in the Rescue Tales colllection. I’m pretty sure the dog stamp is most likely a terrier but his color markings sure matched Moose’s eyebrows and muzzle!

Hope you enjoyed this card, have a wonderful day!

Rachel

Please follow me on instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi crafty friends! Today is Day 1 as the GIU person of the week. I am looking forward to sharing my cards with you. I absolutely love Unity Stamp Company. The images they keep coming out with are ones that warm my heart and take my breath away. I may sound a little dramatic but my first card is just that! Before I begin, the best part is that I personalized these images to look similar to my grandkitten and grandbuns, the joy added to my life these past few years.

These adorable furry friends are from the Unity Rescue Tales line. When purchased, Unity donates to a shelter to help take care of the animals waiting to be adopted! I stamped these three on watercolor paper with Versafine black ink. I started with the kitten and then the lower bun in the corner. I masked off the bun and then stamped the other bun. I was careful to make sure the hearts were visible and in a good place on the cardfront.

Next I painted the images using Prang watercolors. With photographs I tried to make them look as close to the real life cuties as possible! Finally, I mounted the cardfront on a light grey cardbase and wrapped bakers twine around the top!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day.

Rachel

Please follow me on instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi everyone! It’s June and summer is approaching with wonderful long days of light and warm weather. Our theme this month is “Masculine” with Father’s Day, graduations, barbecues and camping adventures.

Card #1 – Dad Mode Grumpy Bunny

I just got this stamp and I had to use it. His eyes, his hair, his bathrobe… and the sentiment is hilarious. I began by stamping the bunny on watercolor paper with black Versafine ink. I die cut the image using a Poppystamps scalloped heart. I watercolored the bunny using Prang watercolors. I painted him blue to add a bit of drama.

Next I chose a greyish-green paper from the Unity Polka Dot Obsessed paper pack. I love the distressed look of each sheet. I cut it down to 4″ x 5.25″. Then brown paper to frame the cardfront. I glued the layers together and then popped up the heart with foam dimensionals.

Copper jewelry wire wrapped around the heart two times adds interest especially with the ends in spirals. I used a pencil to wrap the wire, ending up as ringlets. I stamped the sentiment on lavender paperand mounted on white. I glued it underneath the heart slightly off center.

I die cut the letters d a d using the Pinkfresh Heather alphabet in blue and purple. I overlapped the sentiment. Finally, an iridescent blue/purple sequin finishes the card.

This card definitely must go to a person with a sense of humor. it’s so funny!

Card #2 – Favorite Mustache

This Dad card was a fun one especially with the googily eyes and a polka dot mustache. I saw that Unity was going to carry googily eyes and I thought about the googily eyes I have stashed. the Unity eyes are self stick too.

To create this card, I stamped the large mustache in the center of the card in black Versafine Ink on a white card stock 3.5″ x 5.5″. Next I stamped the three little staches in the lower left side. Using the Nuts & Bolts Unity Itty Bitty, I stamped the nuts and bolts images using the Ink on 3 stamp cleaner! Then I stamped part of the sentiment from the “Dad Mode Grumpy Bunny” in red Versafine Claire.

Using the paper from the bunny card, I cut fine strips and adhered them to the white cardstock. Then I adhered the cardfront to a kraft cardbase. Googily eyes are next and I glued four pairs of eyes with Art Glitter glue over the staches. I decided on larger eyes on the large stache so I used sticky dots directly over the small eyes and adhered the large eyes. Finally I cut red and burlap twine and made three knots on the left and one on the right. I glued it down with sticky dots.

Card #3 – Happy Little Abode

This adorable camper is everything summer and the sentiment tells me this card is most likely going to one happy camper from another happy camper!

I stamped the image on 4″ x 4.5″ watercolor paper and painted it with Prang watercolors. I used citrus colors, giving it a cheerful, sunny glow. I stamped the sentiment above in black Versafine Ink. I layered it over teal for a bright border, roughed it up with a scissors blade, and mounted on a white cardbase.

On the left side of the card, bakers twine is double wrapped and tied in a bow. Lemon and orange fruit slices and a tiny flower embellishment made from clay finishes the card. Let’s go camping!

Thanks for stopping by. Below are links to the friends sharing their amazing “masculine” cards.

Crystal

Doreen

Jenni

Kari

Toni

Joyce

Rachel (me)

That’s all for June. Enjoy the beginning of summer and I look forward to seeing you next month. Until then, take care and happy crafting!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel

Hi to all! It’s May and “Bloom Where You Are Planted” is the theme for this hop. It occurred to me the title is so fitting as I spend tons of time flower gardening and looking for the perfect place to plant and transplant new flowers. I hope they like their new home and “bloom where theye are planted” but if not, I can always move and find a sunnier or more shaded spot! Just like flowers, we are constantly changing and finding that balance of where we might “bloom” the most! On to sharing my cards with you……

Card #1 ~ Vintage Blooms ~ “…so kind, so caring, so you” by Lisa Arana for Unity Stamp Co.

My first card is a beautiful vintage floral cluster with a mixed media vibe. I stamped directly on the cardbase over layered stencils!

I stenciled the background using the “Deco Fans stencil by A Colorful Life Designs on a teal cardbase. Next I stamped the image in Versafine black ink. Then I die cut a scalloped border by Gina Marie Designs in a dark forest green paper.

I added in more of the pointed part of the stencil used previously. Then I layered the Milky Way Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs. I heat embossed the sentiment by Poppystamps on a black strip adhering it to the side in a vertical orientation. Finally I embellished the blooms with Stickles and a mix of sequins, a pearl and mirrored bits.

Card #2 ~ Charming Gardeners ~” Make our Souls Blossom” by Joselyn Nielson

I absolutely love this sentiment and so I decided to make it the focal point. I used a punch resembling a notebook paper by Stampin’ Up on smooth white paper. I tore the edges. Next I stamped the image using Ink Off by Ink On 3 a stamp cleaner that has dual uses! I stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink directly on the image slightly up and to the left. I immediately stamped the top part of the sentiment again a slight bit to the left for character. I adhered this to a grey cardbase.

Now for the fun dies. I used many diecuts from Poppystamps dies in lavender, lime, forest green and specialty papers in pearl and glitter.

A cream organza bow and Stickles glitter glue completes the card.

Card #3 ~ “Handpicked Blooms” ~ Fall Stems by Unity Stamp Co.

Even if these blooms are Fall I decided to color them using bright colors on a cheery warm background! I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine ink in black. Prang watercolors painted on the images with orange outlines and the border with a varied yellow background contributed to the happy vibe.

I glued the panel to a heavy white cardbase. I used a Stampin’ Up splatter image in orange Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. Washi tape on the top and bottom adds border definition. The sentiment die in three colors is just the right size.

Baker’s twine in two colors complete the card. Love that happy feeling I got when I created this!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Below is the link to my friends and their beautiful creations!

Crystal

Amber

Kari

April

Jane

Toni

Dawn F.

Jenni

Joyce

Doreen

Rachel (me)

Have a wonderful day full of flowers and cardmaking!

Rachel

Hi Friends! April is here and our Friends of Unity Blog Hop theme is “use all scraps”. I decided I would do just that! I rummaged through my massive amounts of paper and I found four Unity images already stamped, one was even colored. It felt so good to use leftovers, what was there just waiting to be made into a card. Do you have alot of scraps? I try to keep mine organized but it’s difficult at times. I cna’t wait to share my cards with you so here goes…

Card #1 ~ Cozy Nook

I love this cozy nook. It’s a finely detailed image and full of time worn vibes. I colored the nook using Prismacolor watercolor pencils. I blended the background with Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks. Next I stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink. I die cut the border using a Waffleflower border and adhered it to a white cardbase.

I thought I was finished with the card, then I saw an extra teddy bear looking at me and I had to use it! It is from The Cat’s Pajamas. I tied a sheer organza bow in light peach on the bear and adhered it to the lower left corner of the card. So so cute!

I love the sentiment, it’s a beautiful message. I also love the fonts, they complement eachother.

Card #2 ~ Happy Birthday in Neon, “All Lit Up”

This card is bright. And a coincidence– I used this image from a past Kit Of The Month and Unity just released this image in a birthday set called “All Lit Up!” It’s a well used image, I hope you get this on your wish list! The balloons image was already embossed with a textured white embossing powder. All I had to do was paint the balloons. I used neon colors from a Mozart Komorebi watercolor set.

At a closer look, the neon paint is not as bright as I’d hoped for but these pigments work great on white cardstock. (in case you were wondering!) I mounted the image on a thin, black border, then on a wider lime one and finally on a turquoise cardbase.

I splattered watered-down white acrylic paint lightly over the top of the card. I used a fan shaped brush. I love this bright and happy card!

Card #3 – Lil’ Smartie Pants

I found this half-made card in one of my piles. I wonder why I hadn’t completed it? The window pane and the patterned paper on a white cardbase was all that was there. I also came across this adorable bird and I lightly watercolored it, added Hero Arts gloss on the bird’s glasses, and Stickles glitter glue on the hearts. (Not pictured, I die cut the bird using a stitched border and glued it on the inside of the card making sure it was correctly positioned when viewed through the window.)

Next I used alread-cut My Favorite Things curtains, a rod and finials to complete the window scene. Then I stamped a sentiment from another set (past UU, Too Much Cake), trimmed it and adhered it to the window at random angles.

Finally, I tied a bow in orange burlap string. and affixed matching orange jewels in the lower right corner. Tweet!

Card #4 – Happy Birthday to Moo, “Take No Bull” by Unity

Continuing with my rummaging, I found this bull image already colored and die cut! I love the long bangs and carefree hair-do. I adhered it to a tan cardfront and distressed the border with a scissor’s edge. I glued it to a kraft cardbase.

I grabbed a Happy Birthday diecut I saved from another card I was working on last week. Then I cut Unity washi tape dies from scraps of watercolor backgrounds I painted awhile ago. A copper brad for interest adorns the washi. Finally a puffy heart completes the card.

I left the lower portion empty. I thought about a sentiment, letters, a farm scene… Sometimes I leave it open to personalize when I decide who I will give it to!

Below is the list of all the friends on the hop. Just click on their names to see more awesome creations made from scraps!

Crystal

Kari

Amber

Jane

Jenni

Toni

Joyce

Rachel (me)

Dawn

Thanks so much for hopping! Have a wonderful April, the month where flowers bloom and my love of gardening comes alive! Of course, cardmaking too, is in full swing! Take care and see you in May!

Rachel

Please follow me on Instagram @cardartbyrachel