He Counts the Stars

I have always been intrigued by the galaxy background. I have watched several videos, repinned posts, even pestered a few fellow bloggers. I even bought a specific stamp with the sole purpose to use it in conjunction with a galaxy background. I finally set aside a day in which I was going to take the time to try and see if I could do it. I set upon a Jennifer McGuire video. She makes everything seem easy, and with a slight modification of my own, I was able to accomplish the background you see below. A link to her video is HERE.

Stamps:
Year of Psalms: December (Papertrey Ink)
 
Paper:
True Black (PTI)
Stamper's Select Vellum (PTI)
Watercolor Paper

Ink:
Seedless Preserves Distress Oxide (Blitsy)
Wild Honey Distress Oxide (Blitsy)
Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide (Blitsy)
Salty Ocean Distress Oxide(Blisty)
Black Soot Distress Oxide (Blitsy)
Versamark (Stampin Up)

Accessories:
White Embossing Powder (SU)
White Acrylic Paint
Vellum Tape (Amazon)

Hey, Gullfriend!

When I saw this stamp set it was just too cute to pass up. I also couldn’t resist having a “punny” seagull stamp set in my collection. Especially since I didn’t already have one. I waited for both pieces to be in stock together and I bought them. Lucky for one of my besties, the set arrived just a few days before her birthday. Her and I share the same sense of humor, so I knew she would enjoy this card.

This horizontal cover plate from Papertrey Ink makes for a perfect template to cut out and then inlay the ombré of colors to represent the sky background. Several of the sentiments from this stamp set fit perfectly between the horizontal layers... but I chose the one I knew would make my friend laugh out loud when she saw the card. My Tim Holtz Stamp Platform was used and my sentiment was straight on the very first try.

Stamps:

Seaside Seagulls (My Favorite Things)

Ink:

Memento Tuxedo Black (Stampin Up)

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Enchanted Evening (PTI)

Blueberry Sky (PTI)

Spring Rain (PTI)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot (SU)

Cover Plate: Stripes Horizontal Die (PTI)

Die-Namics Seaside Seagulls (MFT)

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform (Blitsy)

Copic Sketch Markers (Jerry's Artarama)

Growing in Unity Day Five

Hello and Welcome back to my Growing in Unity Day Five post. If you missed my previous posts,  you can view them here:
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY

If I was to stamp a self portrait, this would be it. Always with a book in hand and always with a stack of books nearby to read at any one time. Notice the cat in the background... thats me too. I have one, and my adult children have jokingly heard me refer to her as our best behaved daughter. I have been a life long reader... I can remember reading before starting school. In Kindergarten when the other students were learning how to read, I was allowed to go to the library. My love of mystery stories started with Nancy Drew... I read all the copies that our little school library had.

I work as a librarian... which I call my dream job. The greatest joy of my work day is finding books for young readers, who like myself would read three and four books a week. I still enjoy reading the books of my youth as well as the NYT best sellers. Many times you will find me in my craft room listening to an audiobook while I craft... one of the best ways to multi task. It allows me to get two of my favorite things done without being forced to choose.

Don't forget to comment to be entered to win a prize pack supplied by Unity!

Stamps:
Start Something New (Unity Stamp Company)
Library Background (Brutus Monroe)

Paper:
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
True Black (PTI)
Pure Poppy (PTI)

Ink:
Memento Tuxedo Black (SU)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Petite Ovals Large (Spellbinders)
Petite Scalloped Ovals Large (Spellbinders)
Copic Sketch Markers (Jerry's Artarama)

Growing in Unity Day Four

Hello and Welcome back to my Growing in Unity Day Four post. If you missed my previous posts,  you can view them here:
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY

I don't have many itty bitty stamps, but this is one of my favorites. I like this stamp exactly how it is presented. Silhouetted against a technique background. Bokeh is a new technique for me, as I learned how to do it earlier this year. This stamp is a reminder of my youth and simpler times when I could ride my bike just about anywhere as long as I was home for dinner. Life in a small town was wonderful, and I have great memories that will never be forgotten.

Don't forget to comment to be entered to win a prize pack supplied by Unity!

Stamps:
Enjoy this Day (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Flirty Flamingo (Stampin Up)
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
True Black (PTI)

Ink:
Flirty Flamingo (SU)
Daffodil Delight (SU)
Melon Mambo (SU)
White Craft Ink (SU)
Black Onyx Versafine (Simon Says Stamp)
Versamark (SU)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
White Embossing Powder (SU)
Clear Embossing Powder (Unity)
Die-namics Essential Fishtail Sentiments Strips (My Favorite Things)

Growing in Unity Day Three

Hello and Welcome back to my Growing in Unity Day Three post. If you missed my previous posts,  you can view them here:
MONDAY
TUESDAY

This single stamp here is the reason why I signed up for the Kit of the Month. My friend had been posting some really cute stuff that she made with some recent KOM's, and I looked into them. Not sure if I wanted the commitment... I decided to wait a month. Well... a sneak peek came out a few day before and it revealed this beauty. This confirmed my decision and signed up right on the 1st!

The next hurdle was learning how to color... not just flat coloring of the image with one color, but to really color with depth and highlighting. I have been diligently watching videos and reading blogs. I am satisfied with what I have learned from everyone so far. I know I have a ways yet to go, but comparison is the thief of joy... so I will be happy with my progress and keep moving forward.

Don't forget to comment to be entered to win a prize pack supplied by Unity!

Stamps:
Its Going to be Beautiful July 2017 Kit of the Month (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Harvest Gold (PTI)
Pumpkin Spice (Pink & Main)

Ink:
Memento Tuxedo Black (SU)

Accessories:
Copic Sketch Markers (Jerry's Artarama)

Growing in Unity Day Two

Hello and Welcome back to my Growing in Unity Day Two post. If you missed yesterday's post, you can view it HERE.

I loved this stamp set when it first came out. Although it is not an Angie girl, it was my first stamp set to feature an "Angie" type girl on it, as all the other character stamp sets I had (at that point) had faces. This set really spoke to me. I love all the sentiments in this set and I chose the one that speaks most of ME. I am always thankful... even in the worst of situations. I always pause to remember that my situation could be worse, and that God has always given me the strength and the power, strength and courage to walk away.

I used my Tim Holtz Platform to create the background wording, as it was easy to keep the stamp in one position and move the paper slightly to achieve this look. I did it in one try, just another shameless plug for a stamp positioning tool! I used the empty space on the sentiment to place the cameo of the 'She'. Again, when looking for layout ideas... I love searching for card sketches on Pinterest for basic ideas and just running with it.

Don't forget to comment to be entered to win a prize pack supplied by Unity!

Stamps:
She Never Says Never (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Just Be You (Echo Park)
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Mint Julep (PTI)
Berry Sorbet (PTI)

Ink:
Memento Tuxedo Black (SU)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Petite Ovals Large (Spellbinders)
Petite Scalloped Ovals Large (Spellbinders)
Copic Sketch Markers (Jerry's Artarama)

Growing in Unity Day One

Hello, and welcome to my week of Growing in Unity. I have been paper crafting for the past 15+ years, but it seems that in just the past two years I have really expanded my personal paper crafting inventory by buying from other companies and trying new products. This really brought my crafting to a new level. My cards have always had a clean and simple look to them, usually without buttons, sequins, or ribbon. I hope that you enjoy my creations this week... I tried to pick images that are reflective of my personality.

This card was inspired by a week long video series using this stamp set. I really like the "love my tribe" sentiment because I consider myself a very loyal friend and I am drawn to friends just like me. The ones who you can tell you deepest secrets to and trust that they are safe.

The images on the vellum layer heat embossed nicely. The heart in this set was stamped and heat embossed in clear to give it an enamel look. I punched it out with a slightly smaller shaped heart die cut, as I didn't trust my hand to cut it out symmetrically. I used dimensionals to raise the banner layer to finish off the card.

Don't forget to comment to be entered to win a prize pack supplied by Unity!

Stamps:
Bohemian Backgrounds (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Kraft Cardstock (Papertrey Ink)
Vellum Cardstock (PTI)
Pure Poppy (PTI)
Brushed Silver (Recollections)

Ink:
Versamark (Stampin Up)

Accessories:
Clear Embossing Powder (Unity)
White Embossing Powder (SU)
Triple Banner Punch (SU)
Heart Punch (SU Retired)

Friends of Unity June Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity June Blog Hop. This month the theme is Masculine. Just like last month with the "Motherly Love" theme, both my father and my father in law, are not much for mushy type of cards. I honestly don't think they care if they get a card at all... kind of like when we were little kids, you read it quickly knowing the real prize was inside the card... Money. Instead of finding money in these cards, our fathers will find gift cards to their favorite hunting and fishing store. Somewhat a predictable gift... but one they look forward to and will use.

The layout for this card is one of my favorites. When I struggle with what to make, or sometimes when I need to make a quick card I generally fall back to sketches that I really like. That was not the case when designing this card... but as I figured the male figure looks picture perfect in his “Polaroid” snapshot. This Lawn Fawn lawn cut is one of my favorites with a space just wide enough on the bottom for the sentiment.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see their creations... (Psst! There is a giveaway too!)

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Amber Trubiak
Robyn Jordan
Crystal O. Minkler

Dawn Fields

Jeannie Hayes

Stamps:
Forrest Guy (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Enchanted Evening (Papertrey Ink)
Vintage Cream (PTI)
Crushed Curry (Stampin Up)
True Gentleman DSP (SU Retired)

Ink:
Memento Tuxedo Black (SU)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Say Cheese Lawn Cut (Lawn Fawn Retired)
Copic Sketch Markers (Jerry’s Artarama)