Growing in Unity blog hop

 

I'm happy to announce that I am included in this Growing in Unity (GIU) blog hop because earlier this year I was one of the GIU gals. It is always a pleasure to guest blog for Unity stamp co., they have some of the best deep red rubber stamps.

As it reads in the above picture please visit each blog linked up below and leave a comment for a chance to win one of two Unity filled prize packs.

The above cards using Unity Cuddlebug Butterfly, Moments of Bliss and Time to Refresh stamp sets.  I did the acrylic block technique for the backgrounds on these card, which you can get more details on this technique in this post with a video.

In this second set of cards I used Unity Floral Tapestry big background stamp.  For these cards I did a gelato background technique, that you can see more details in this post with a video.

Here are the blog links for you to visit for your chance to win a prize pack from Unity.

1. Chandhini https://thecreativetwins.blogspot.com/

2. Sue https://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

3. Sammie https://www.littlestampededesigns.com/

4. Suzi https://suzannebakermckenzie.blogspot.com/

5. Kristina https://mamasanity.blogspot.com/

6. Sue https://suzyqstudio.wordpress.com/

I have totally enjoyed doing my GIU week earlier this week and today's blog hop.

Good luck!

*****CONGRATULATIONS to our latest winners from the GIU hop!!!! Thank you to all that commented on all the blogs.

From Chandhini's Blog: Claire (Mrs H)1 June 2021 at 13:37That background is so striking

From Suzi's Blog: Penny A. said…What a great page. So many different techniques and colors. It looks great.*****

Thank you for stopping by and come back again soon.

GIU day 5 - Perfect Pearls with video

 Perfect Pearls

                     PP technique #1                 

                                          all images by Unity stamp co. Vroom (car background) and Friendship                                                                                                       Blooms

It's my last day as GIU gal for the week.  It has been fun showing off Unity stamps with different techniques that I hope you found interesting.  Just a reminder to comment (with an email to be contacted) so you can be entered into drawing for a $20 gift certificate from Unity stamp co.

Today I played with an old product called Perfect Pearls pigment powders.  They have a binder in them, but I still like to set them with a Fixative that I spray on them outside. There will be a video at the end of this post but you can also go to my you tube channel to watch it, and more videos.

PP technique #1

Basic instructions:

Perfect Pearls technique #1

1.  ink up cardstock with clear embossing ink (any brand should work).

2.  add Perfect Pearls with a brush all over inked card.  tap off excess powder onto craft sheet to use for bonus background shown in video.

bonus backgrounds - watch video to see how this is done.

3.  ink up stamp with clear embossing ink and press into powdered card.  You can repeat stamp your image if you are using a stamp positioner but please remember to clean stamp each time before stamping.

Perfect Pearls technique #2

PP technique #2

1.  ink stamp with clear embossing ink and stamp on dark cardstock. 

2.  add Perfect Pearls to inked image with a soft brush and pouncing technique.

3.  burnish Perfect Pearls into card with soft brush then buff with swifter cloth or any soft cloth.

tip:  both techniques should be set with a spray of Fixative.  spray outside or in a well ventilated area.

You can see more on Perfect Pearls here.  If you want to see more samples using Perfect Pearls I've done, just type Perfect Pearls in the search box on my sidebar.

Thank you for visiting my blog this week and please come back again soon.  Don't forget to comment to be included in drawing for Unity gift certificate.  Please include an email to contact when commenting for the Unity gift certificate.  Winners will be announced soon.

GIU day 4 - Masking tape stripes

 Masking tape stripes

It's Thursday and my week of guest blogging for Growing In Unity gal week is almost over. I am enjoying showing off all my Unity stamps, and hopefully inspiring you to try one of the background techniques I have shown you.  

Today's technique is using ordinary masking tape and your ink pads!  You will be getting inky with this background technique.

                                                            all images by Unity stamp co.

basic instructions:

1.  rip off a piece of masking tape and press it into an ink pad.  I used dye ink pads ... any brand should work.

2.  press the inked tape onto cardstock, then gently pull the tape off cardstock.

3.  repeat step #2 till you have as many stripes as you like on your card.

4.  stamp image directly over stripes with any black ink of choice.

Tip:  #1. I used white cardstock but it is fun to do this technique on other colors of cardstock ... I would suggest light color cardstocks. 

Tip:  #2.  add extra color with color pencils to image if desired.

You can see more masking tape stripes technique here from the past that I have done.  

Thank you for stopping by and come back tomorrow for another technique.  Also don't forget to comment (with an email to be contacted) to be included in the drawing for a $20 gift certificate from Unity stamp co.

GIU day 3 - Acrylic block stamping with video

 Acrylic block stamping

                                                           stamps used:  Unity stamp co.

For my third GIU day I decided to bring back an oldie but goodie background technique called Acrylic block stamping.  It's easy, fun and addictive! You can see more of my post on acrylic block stamping with a video here, here, and here.   There is a video at the end of this post.

basic instructions:

                                                        acrylic block stamping samples

1.  scribble water base marker or press ink pad onto any size acrylic block.

2.  spritz inked block with water and press onto cardstock.  hold it down for few seconds then lift straight up and off cardstock. allow to dry.

watch my video here in this post or at my you tube channel

Thanks for stopping by.  come back tomorrow to see more.  don't forget to comment (with an email to be contacted) so you are included in the drawing for Unity $20 gift certificate.

GIU day 2 - Dots! dots! and more dots!

 Dots!

                                                                  stamps used:  Unity

Day 2 of guest blogging for my GIU week and today it's all about dots!  simple dots but an effective look.  Pointillism is the theory or practice in art of applying small strokes or dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they blend together.  In the case for my card I'm calling it dots ... I saw someone do this recently online and decided to give it a try.  

basic instructions for Butterfly card:

1.  stamp butterfly randomly on card with black ink.

2.  with lightest color of water based marker (mine are Tombow) outline around the butterfly.

3.  add dots all around the butterfly starting with the lightest marker then repeat with darker markers.

tip:  I find a light touch with a brush marker gives a small dot but the bullet nib gives a more even small dot.  I personally prefer the bullet nib dots.

basic instructions for Caterpillar card:

1. stamp saying with dark brown ink on card, then stamp caterpillar randomly around the saying with the same dark brown ink.

Repeat steps #2 through #3 same as above.

Here another interpretation of the dots idea in this post. 

Simple, right?  now it's your turn. if or when you try this please show us all your dots!

thanks for stopping by and come back soon.  don't forget to comment (with an email to be contacted) so two of you will be entered in Unity's drawing for a $20 gift certificate. 

GIU day 1 - gelato background with video

 GIU (Growing in Unity) Gal week

stamps used:  Unity stamp co.

Welcome to my blog where I'm the GIU gal of the week.  This week we will be exploring old and/or improved backgrounds using Unity stamps.  At the end of the week I will be drawing two names for a $20 gift certificate each from Unity so please comment (with an email to be contacted) to be included in the drawing.  I hope you will enjoy my cards I will be showing you, and maybe a technique you see here will encourage you to create something.

Now on with the show!

The first background I will be showing you this week is using Faber Castell gelatos.  I have had these creamy crayon sticks in my stash for ages so thought it was time to bring them back to life.

gelato backgrounds

gelato backgrounds on card

basic instructions:

 ***If you continue to the end of this post there will be a video***

1. stamp image on dark cardstock with any embossing ink and heat emboss.

2. rub generously with gelato all over embossed image then buff with paper towel. (see video for more details)

3. spray with Fixative in well ventilated area or outside.  allow to dry then create your card.

watch video here or at my you tube channel

Thank you for stopping by.  come back tomorrow for more Unity ideas and don't forget to comment (with an email to be contacted) to be in the drawing.

A quick hello

Just a quick hello to remind you that tomorrow, March 31, 2019 is

GIU Winners!

Before I announce the two winners from my GIU gal week I just wanted to give a BIG THANK YOU to Unity for having me guest blog this past week.  I had a blast figuring out which stamps I would use and what theme I chose.  Another THANK YOU to all of you that visited my blog and left such nice comments on what I created all week.  I am so happy you liked what I created.

Now without anymore ramblings from me ....

drumroll .....

here are the two winners:

Debbie Farrell and Cara Malmrose please email (email in sidebar) me your complete mailing address so I can get the information off to Unity for your grab bags.

Thank you again for visiting me here and I hope you keep coming back and letting me know what you think.

GIU day 5 - Tunnel card with video

This is my last day of guest blogging for GIU!  It has been a fun week of posting for me and I hope you continue to visit my blog.  I want to say Thank you to Unity Stamp co. for having guest blog this week ... it's great fun and opportunity to show off Unity stamps.

On to my last card for the week ..... Tunnel card

This is another card that has been around for years but, I think has been neglected for too long so I'm bringing it back.  Yes, there will be a video at the end of this post or you can visit my you-tube channel to see this video plus more.

stamps used:  Unity Simply Vintage stamp set by Gina K. Designs

Measurements

base card: A2 note card 5 1/2" x 8 1/2 (unfolded)

inside folded card:  5 1/2" x 8 1/2"  score at 2 1/8", 4 1/4" and 6 3/8"

See in photo inside folded card is folded:  valley, mountain and valley.  The middle is punched out with a paper punch.  Tape each end to the inside of card.  You can see more details in video.

Thank you for stopping by all week to see all my card created with Unity stamps.  Remember to comment to be included in drawing.  Oh yeah, think I forgot to mention I will be drawing two names so that means there will be two grab bags up for grabs. I am closing the drawing for the grab bag at 8 p.m. est. so I can pick the winners. The winners will be announced here on my blog as soon as I get the o.k. from Unity so come back to see who wins.

GIU day 4 - step pop up card

It's Thursday day 4 for GIU guest blogging and in keeping with my theme ... in case you haven't figured it out ... it's pop up style cards.  Today I'm showing you the basic step pop up card.  It is the first pop up card I learned how to create.

stamps used:  Unity wreath builder stamp step by Gina K. designs

I couldn't resist to use my new wreath builder stamp set that just arrived a couple of days ago.  I did the basic wreath builder cards but you can watch videos from Gina K. or Jennifer McGuire for more advanced ideas.

The inside of this card is a basic step pop up card ... if you don't know what that is then take a look at these photos.

 step card templates

measurements:

inside step card - 5 1/4" x 8 1/4"

Fold in half then on the fold cut two parallel (two cuts next to each other). 

Fold the cut out back and forth.

Next unfold the card and reverse fold the cut out section.

That is all there is to it.

Here's a look inside the card with three steps.

Thanks for stopping by.  Remember to comment to be included in the Unity stamp grab bag.  Come back tomorrow for my last guest blogger post.

GIU gal day 3 - Corner pop-up card with video

Day 3 for GIU gal week

Here we are at mid-week for my guest blogging for GIU gal ..... the week is going by fast for me.  I sure hope you are enjoying the cards I am showing this week.

Today I'm featuring one of the Unity cuddlebugs ... caterpillar, she is adorb as Whitney would say. Although I'm not sure Whitney likes bugs especially a snake like one but I think this cuddlebug is adorb!  First I'll show photos including a template to make it easy to see how to fold this card.  It is easier than you would think once you make one or two.  After you look at the photos you can watch my video below or at  my you-tube channel where you can see more of my videos.

here is the video:

measurements:

base card:  8" x 8"  this card can be any size as long as you start with a square.

pattern papers:  3 3/4" x 3 3/4"

The bottom pattern paper is also 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" just cut diagonally in half.

Assembly:

Put the diagonal fold in the left top.  Cut quarter nest to diagonal fold section.

1.  fold down in half.

2.  fold up to create an "L" shape

3.  next fold bottom fold to the left.

4.  last fold top to bottom.  now you should have folded your card into a square.

It will be easier to understand once you watch my video.

Thank you for stopping by.  Keep commenting to be included in the Unity stamp grab bag prize.

GIU day 2 - pop out card

Here we are at day 2 for GIU gal week.

Today I'm showing a card that I'm not sure what to call it so I'm going to name it:

Pop-out accordion fold card

if anyone one has a better name just tell me when you comment because to be included in the drawing for the Unity stamp grab bag you need to comment.

I saw a card similar to mine on Pinterest but again ... no name or measurements so this is how I did it.

top folding card = 4 1/4" x 11"

folding mechanism:

strip 3 1/4" x 11"  score at 2 3/4", 5 1/2" and 8 1/4"

inside squares:

3" x 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" x 2 1/4"

Here are a couple of photos of sample of the inside of this card:

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to comment to be included in the Unity stamp grab bag prize.  See you tomorrow.

GIU day 1 - shaker card with tip video

Today is my first day as guest blogger for Growing in Unity (GIU for short) and I'm so happy to be able to show off Unity stamps for you here all week.  

Today I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and show you how to make a shaker card.  Shaker cards have been around for years but in the past we used to use foam board and craft knives!  no more! Now a days we use dies so no more little slices on our fingers from those craft knives.  Keep reading to bottom of post for video and more details how you can win some stamps.

So let's get started!

Check out below or at my you-tube channel to see a short video with my tips on making a shaker card.

Come back all week to see more and remember to comment each day to be included in the drawing for a grab bag of Unity stamps ...their choice. 
Also look back starting here, here, here, here, and here to see the last time I was a GIU gal back in September 2017.