Growing in Unity Blog Hop -- Too Sweet!

Looking for the Sunday Sketch & Stamp Birthday Hop?  Click HERE!
Looking for the 3 Girl JAM "All Things Spring" Blog Hop?  Click HERE!

I was sooo excited when I was asked if I wanted to hop with some other Growing In Unity girls today.  Having a whole week to play with Unity stamps is great fun.  Getting a bonus day, out of the blue, was a wonderful surprise!

Here's the hop order, in case you just stumbled across my blog:

1. Paula McClane --http://scrapaddictsattic.blogspot.com/
2. Corrie Wagner -- www.corriescrafts.blogspot.com
3. Brittany Kohl -- http://britkdesigns.blogspot.com
4. Jessica Yoder-Jones -- http://countryscrapfarmgirl.blogspot.com
5. Julie Odil -- http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com (you're HERE!)
6. Karen Nofziger -- http://karey2005.blogspot.com (go HERE next)
7. KristyLee Deyette -- kristyleesworld.WordPress.com

We were all given this coming week's Unity Stamp of the Week to work with.  You'll see 7 different takes on the same stamp -- fun idea!

I love shaped cards, so here's what I did:

I started out making my shaped card.  It is a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe. You can find it HERE.  The papers are from October Afternoon, and are actually Christmas papers, but I liked the colors for a strawberry.  After I got the shaped card assembled, I stamped the berries image on watercolor paper.  I used my Tim Holtz distress markers and water, with a paint brush, and painted the berries.  I stamped the sentiment directly on the DP.  A little embellishing with 3 Girl JAM ribbon and some bling from Close To My Heart, and my card was complete.

Before I send you off hopping, I want to offer you a little blog candy.  I am a Unity Stamp of the Week member, so I will get 2 of these stamp sets.  If you would like one for yourself, please follow my blog.  In your comments, tell my that you would like the set, and I'll include you in the drawing.  I'll announce the winner next Friday at Friends With Flair.

Now off you go to the fabulously talented Karen's blog.  You'll love what she did with this set!

Growing In Unity, day 5, Pinque Peacock, and FWF

Looking for the Simply White Timeless Twine Blog Hop? Click HERE!

Day 5 already of my Growing In Unity week.  I've enjoyed the whole week! Make sure you visit each blog post throughout the week and leave comments to increase your chances of winning two free Itty Bitties from Unity Stamp Company.

I've had a heart theme going all week, and today's card is no exception. Plus, I used another of my favorite stamps -- a Unity/Phyllis Harris stamp.

This is "Brandy & Emma, Let It Snow" by Unity/Phyllis Harris. And what better way to decorate up the card than with some wonderful Pinque Peacock embellishments.  The heart behind the image (colored with Copics, BTW) is a Felt Heartie found at The Discount Hut @Pinque Peacock.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM, and it's the Hot Chocolate from the Hot & Cold Bundle. And that great button in the middle of the ribbon? It's a Pinque Peacock 3/4 inch Red Corduroy button.

Papers used were:  Echo Park Keepin' Cozy 6x6 papers, and the card base is Close To My Heart Cashmere card stock. I used a Spellbinders die on the image. 

Thanks for a wonderful week!

Growing In Unity, day 4, and 3 Girl JAM

Looking for the Simply White Timeless Twine Blog Hop? Click HERE!

Hello, crafty friends.  I'm so glad you are here today!  I couldn't let a Growing In Unity week go by without pulling out some of my favorite stamps.  And those would be Unity/Phyllis Harris stamps.  I can't get enough of these!  I have one today and one tomorrow.  And, speaking of favorites.  I have a new favorite from 3 Girl JAM.  L-A-C-E!  Wait until you try this stuff! I can't get enough of this either!

The image is "Hold Your Hand" by Phyllis Harris. The sentiment is from the Unity "Handmade Valentines" kit. The two layers of lace are the new "Light and Bright" lace from 3 Girl JAM. And the London Blue ribbon is from the Wine & Jewels Bundle.
If you'd like some of this lace for yourself (or ribbon, cotton muslin bags, Flair buttons, vintage buttons, jute string, etc), just use discount code JO10 at checkout to save 10% in the 3 Girl JAM store.  How easy is that? Get shopping! You gotta try this!
I colored the image with Copic markers, and sponged some Tim Holtz Spun Sugar distress ink around the outside of the die cut shape and on the sentiment. I used My Mind's Eye "Cambridge Court" Kate & Co. 6x6 designer paper on this card.
And, that's day 4 of Growing In Unity.  Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win two Itty Bitties from Unity Stamp Company.

Growing in Unity, Day 3 -- Trying Something New!

Looking for the Timeless Twine Simply White Blog Hop? Click HERE!

Hello, sweet friends, and thanks for visiting today.  If this is your first day here, don't forget to go back and leave comments on the other Growing In Unity posts for a chance to win 2 free Itty Bitties from Unity Stamp Company.  Isn't that awesome?!?

Today, I wanted to try something I hadn't tried before, so I got out my Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  I have 12 of them -- just got them -- and hadn't had a chance to use them.  Here's what I did with them for my first attempt at distress markers...

I used an Itty Bitty Stamp of the Week on this, "Beautiful You". Designer papers are My Mind's Eye, Follow Your Heart, Be Amazing 6x6 pad.  

Here's a close up of the butterflies and twine:

I used two colors of Timeless Twine on this card -- Lemonade Yellow and Aqua Blue.

I hope to see you again tomorrow for day 4 of Growing In Unity.

Growing In Unity, day 2 and The Cutting Cafe -- more Hearts!

Looking for the Simply White Timeless Twine blog hop? Click HERE!

Welcome back to day 2 of Growing in Unity.  I'm combining today's GIU card with my Cutting Cafe design team assignment because the 2 went together so well.  We were to use a variety of Valentine Window Card Tops this week for The Cutting Cafe, and it fit so well with what I had in mind for my GIU card.

When I first saw this Valentine Window Card Top, I had the idea to put this particular panda in the corner.  The panda is from Unity Stamp Company's April 2013 Stamp of the Month kit.  I cut the flower out of his left hand, and added the heart balloon to his right hand.  He needed a little contrast between him and the white background, so I added some burlap ribbon behind him.

For a chance to win 2 free Itty Bitty stamps from Unity Stamp Company, leave a comment on this post.  to increase your chances, visit my blog Monday-Friday and comment each day.  I'll pick a winner early next week.  For a chance to win three free sets of files and printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe, comment on the "Inspirational Time" posts each Thursday. 

I hope to see you again tomorrow!

Growing In Unity -- Day 1 -- Hearts, Hearts, Hearts

Looking for the Simply White Timeless Twine Blog Hop?  Click HERE!

Hello, and welcome! I'm so glad you are here, and I'm so excited to be the Growing In Unity girl this week.  Five days to play with Unity red rubbah.  Oh yeah!

Angela and the Unity girls are so generous that they give you a chance to win 2 Unity Itty Bitties of your choice. All you need to do is comment on this post.  Come back each day to increase your chances to win.  I'll choose a winner early next week.

OK, let's get to the FUN!  And, I'm also hoping for some feedback.  I have two cards to show you today.  I made the first card, and it just didn't click for me:

I spiced it up from the original card, adding the Timeless Twine behind the heart and the Timeless Twine bows to the punched hearts.  But, it still seems lacking to me.  Give me your ideas on how to bring it to life....
I used Unity Stamp Company's "Everything Love" stamp set on this card (both the heart and the sentiment.  I love the "Everything" sets -- they're so versatile!

The second card also uses hearts.  It's pretty much my theme for the week!

This card uses the Stamp of the Week Itty Bitty, "Love Makes the World".  I colored it with Copic markers and used a Lifestyle Crafts circle die to cut it out.  The heart behind it was cut out on my Cricut.  Those great chipboard hearts are from UmWow Studios and are Heart Confetti. Do you see the tiny heart over North America?  It's strategically placed over where I live.
Papers on both these cards are from Crate Paper Fourteen -- a 6x6 pad.  Timeless Twine colors used are Key Lime Sorbet and Bubblegum Pink.
Hope to see you again tomorrow for day 2!