Friends of Unity December Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity December Blog Hop. This month the theme is “All is Calm”. With that theme, I opted to find winter images that evoked feelings of peacefulness and serenity. On any given winter day, you can find that just looking out the window. Snow as far as the eye can see... in my world, when I’m not working I call that reading weather. This month we are also celebrating two years of crafty goodness with Unity. I am already looking forward to 2020 and what the new year will bring.

 

With my first card I created a galaxy background to represent the night sky. I stamped some tree images over the background to create an outdoor ambiance perfect for stargazing or watching the snowfall. Our young lady is enjoying her cocoa or coffee to keep warm.

The second card uses the beautiful snowflake from the November 2019 SMAK kit. I stamped the image with versamark than lightly dusted the image and cardstock with perfect pearls to give it all a light shimmer. I dipped the Joy sentiment in versamark and heat set a glitter embossing powder to give the card some extra sparkle.

Here is what we have planned... our usual giveaways PLUS we have 2 HUGE prize packages that Angela Magnuson put together just for this celebration. Comment on my blog to be entered in my giveaway, plus there are lots of other personal giveaways this month to celebrate our two year anniversary in addition to the two grand prizes. 

Crystal O. Minkler

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)
Joyce Verdon

Dawn Bryson
Alaine Tanner
Kim Klinkovsky
Amber Trubiak
Jeanie Hayes
Dawn Fields
Robyn Jordan
Donna Baes (Guest Designer)
Shannon Edwards (Guest Designer)
Jessica Pickeral (Guest Designer)

Stamps:
Winter Wild SMAK 10/17 (Unity Stamp Company) Card 1
Dream of Being So Loved (Unity) Card 1
Beauty of Life SMAK 11/19 (Unity) Card 2

Paper:
True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (Papertrey)
Cold Press Watercolor Paper (Tim Holtz)
Dark Indigo (Papertrey)
Silver Shimmer (Papertrey)

Ink:
Tuxedo Black (Memento)
VersaMark
Seedless Preserves Distress Oxide
Wild Honey Distress Oxide
Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide
Salty Ocean Distress Oxide
Black Soot Distress Oxide

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot
Slanted Sentiment Strips (My Favorite Things)
Bold Borders: Flurries Die (Papertrey)
Perfect Pearls (SimonSaysStamp)
Holographic Embossing Powder (Simon)

Copic Sketch Markers

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Friends of Unity November Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity November Blog Hop. This month the theme is “Give Thanks”. Thanksgiving was the first thought that came to my mind, followed by some fancy thank you cards, or even cards of appreciation or admiration. But since I’m a outside of the box thinker, I opted for a different occasion that rightfully fits this topic... Veterans Day.

My family is rich with military service... my husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, siblings, even my in-laws. They have served in every branch of the armed forces, some even seeing combat for many years. I have a great deal of respect for the military and our flag. We spent this past weekend in Washington DC, and I was reminded of just how much we have to be grateful for. This is a picture of one of my two favorite memorials.

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

Crystal O. Minkler

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Kim Klinkovsky
Alaine Tanner
Jeanie Hayes
Dawn Bryson
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Joyce Verdon

Dawn Fields

Robyn Jordan

Stamps:
Ragged Ol’ Flag (Unity Stamp Company)
Flourish Wonder (Unity)
Stars & Stripes Forever (Unity)

Paper:
Classic Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (Papertrey)
Pure Poppy Bitty Big (Papertrey)
Pacific Point (Stampin Up)

Ink:
Real Red (Stampin Up)
Pacific Point (Stampin Up)
Crumb Cake (Stampin Up)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Lucky Stars Embossing Folder (Stampin Up)
Washi Label Punch (Stampin Up)

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Friends of Unity October Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity October Blog Hop. This month the theme is change. With summer turning to autumn and all the beautiful colors changing around me, I easily could have easily found my inspiration right outside my window. Instead, I went in a uniquely different direction with the theme.

My inspiration for this card was sending a note to a far away friend or maybe the sender had recently moved away and was mailing a letter back to someone in their hometown. I then realized that after a friend recently switched jobs, this could also make a great retirement card, or even a little pick me up for a college student who is away from home at school.

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

Crystal O. Minkler
Kim Klinkovsky

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)
Alaine Tanner

Dawn Bryson

Joyce Verdon
Dawn Fields

Stamps:
Stay in Touch (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Flirty Flamingo (Stampin Up)
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Just Be You (Echo Park)

Ink:
Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories:

Copic Sketch Markers
Sizzix Big Shot
To the Point Edgers Die (Papertrey Ink)

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Friends of Unity September Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity September Blog Hop. This month the theme is fall colors. Summer is my favorite season, but my husband loves the fall. I will admit the colors and flavors of the fall are some of my absolute favorite. The changing of the leaves, pumpkin flavors as far as the eye can see, and let’s not forget candy corn! I only dislike fall because it is the season right before winter.

For this months theme, I opted not to use just fall colors, but to select some seasonal cues that summer is drawing to a close. With my first card I chose the butterfly border stamp “Migration of Beauty” and opted to spotlight one butterfly. Working in a library we have milkweed plants that grow near our entrance way. We have many families that use the large leaves for caterpillar feedings, teaching their young children about chrysalis formation. I love to hear the many stories about butterfly hatchings under their care.

With my second card I selected the July 2019 Kit “Shimmer & Shine” which features beautiful sunflowers. I dusted off an old technique and made a triple layer card. This is a kit that I have been itching to ink up since I purchased it. When brainstorming for this blog hop, this was the first stamp I grabbed. Sunflowers stamps are some of my favorites.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see their creations...Pssst! There is are giveaways too!
Speaking of giveaways... congratulations to Amy Williams you won the giveaway from my August blog. Message me your address and I will get your goodies in the mail ASAP!

Crystal O. Minkler

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Robyn Jordan
Dawn Bryson
Alaine Tanner
Kim Klinkovsky

Dawn Fields

Joyce Verdon
Jeanie Hayes
Bobbie Sue McConathy

Stamps:
Migration of Beauty (Unity Stamp Company)
Shimmer & Shine (Unity)

Paper:
True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (PTI)
Crushed Curry (Stampin Up)

Ink:
Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories:

Copic Sketch Markers

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Unity~ Be A Lot KOM

The following creations were made as part of the August 2019 challenge titled “one kit three ways”. While work has been busy, I had two free days to attempt to complete this in hopes that it would not detract from other crafting that I originally had planned for this short stretch of free time.

Card one was selected using a layout design that I had saved from Pinterest. The original used a larger floral spray that was cut diagonally. I used the layout idea, but reversed the flower to the opposite corner. The image is embossed in white and sponged lightly with white craft ink. The center sentiment was cut out several times to give it height and dimension and placed on a vellum layer. 

Card two might be a little trickier to explain. Start by stamping your image with Stazon on a window sheet and than color the reverse side with alcohol markers. Use mini glue dots to adhere the image to a silver glitter sheet and fussy cut it out, trimming close to the edge. For best results don’t over color your image and don’t try to blend. 

Card three was a simple spotlight technique. Lining up this card was tricky, but after a few attempts I learned to start with the sentiment first.

Stamps:
Be A Lot 7/19 KOM (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Classic Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (PTI)
True Black (PTI)
Vellum
Silver Glitter Card Stock

Ink:
Tuxedo Black (Memento)
VersaMark
White Craft
Stazon

Accessories:
Alabaster Embossing Powder  (Brutus Monroe)
Marvy Heat Tool
Sizzix Big Shot
All About You Dies (Concord & 9th)

Copic Sketch Markers

Friends of Unity August Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity August Blog Hop. This month the theme is Furry Friends. While I won’t sit here and bore you to death talking about my cat... I will say that I am an animal lover of almost every kind. Our four legged fur baby has been with us for 8 years this fall, and life has never been better. I now can fully understand the concept of “pets are like family”.

I was inspired for the layout of this card by a similar card made by the talented Dawn Bryson. I liked the use of the cloud stencil background and decided to create a scene using dies and stencils to achieve a similar look. The cat and butterfly were fussy cut out and colored in with my Copic markers.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see their creations. I am hosting a giveaway too... Make sure to comment for a chance to win!

Crystal O. Minkler
Eileen Mathys (you’re here)
Kim Klinkovsky

Dawn Fields

Jeanie Hayes 

Joyce Verdon

Bobbie Sue McConathy

Robyn Jordan

Stamps:
Kitten Encouragement  (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Blueberry Sky (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (PTI)
Garden Green (Stampin Up)

Ink:
Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Spring Rain (PTI)

Accessories:
Clouds for Days Stencil (Simon Says Stamp)
Essential Fishtail Sentiment Strips (My Favorite Things)
Grassy Border (Lawn Fawn)

Copic Sketch Markers

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Friends of Unity July Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity July Blog Hop. This month the theme is vintage. While I don't have any stamps that portray the image of vintage, I knew I could create a vintage appearance on my cards using different techniques. Since both of my cards worked out, I will share them both with tutorial links as well.

The first card I created is probably the only true vintage stamp in my collection. I opted to make this a grainy ‘black and white’ picture, one that I could have seen in one of my grandmothers photo albums. I remember these pictures were always backed on black paper and when removed from the album, a rough trimmed black boarder always remained. The black ice technique was used to achieve this cards vintage look.

The second card I made is an old milk jug filled with flowers set against a patina background. Patina is a green or brown film on the surface of bronze produced by oxidation over a long period of time. That would make this one card vintage for sure! The patina technique was fun... especially watching it unfold as the layers of color were added.

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

Crystal O. Minkler
Kim Klinkovsky
Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Dawn Fields

Joyce Verdon
Jeanie Hays
Robyn Jordan

Stamps:
Better with Age KOM 11/17 (Unity Stamp Company)
Hello Gorgeous (Unity)

Paper:
Basic Gray (Stampin Up)
Smokey Slate (SU)
True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Silver Foil Paper (SU)
Classic Kraft (PTI)
Costal Cabana (SU)
Vintage Cream (PTI)

Ink:
Stazon Black
Versamark
Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Costal Cabana (SU)
Crumb Cake (SU)
Early Espresso (SU)
Costal Cabana (SU)
Garden Green (SU)

Accessories:
Clear Embossing Powder (Unity) 

Subtle Embossing Folder (SU)
Tin Tile Embossing Folder (SU)
Penny Embossing Powder (Brutus Monroe)
Copic Sketch Markers

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Friends of Unity June Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity June Blog Hop. The theme for this month is wedding. I don’t have anybody getting married anytime soon... but luckily a stamp set I recently bought for some anniversary cards had a sentiment that fit right in for this months project!

When I started to design this card, I was hoping for some patterned paper to fit this theme, but when I found nothing suitable I decided to grab a stencil and blend some ink and make my own background paper. I tend to always gravitate toward the same colors... so this time I opted for a different color scheme. I don’t find the pink hues too feminine, as I could have simply matched the colors found from the wedding invitation. The joy of handmade cards... you can make your card customized for the occasion.

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

Crystal O. Minkler
Eileen Mathys (you’re here)
Bobbie Sue McConathy
Dawn Fields

Jeanie Hayes
Robyn Jordan

Kim Klinkovsky

Stamps:
Love is a Magical Thing (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Autumn Rose (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (PTI)
True Black (PTI)

Ink:
Autumn Rose (PTI)
Sweet Blush (PTI)
Gina K Amalgam Ink Jet Black (Unity)
Versamark

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot
Subtle Embossing Folder (Stampin Up)
Window Frames Framelits (SU)
Gina K Water Droplets Stencil (SSS)
Sterling Embossing Powder (Brutus Monroe)

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Layered Butterflies ~ Lawn Fawn

I made this quick and easy butterfly card while teaching a card class to a group of ladies earlier this month. With work and life... I am just getting around to post about it! It was the favorite of the night. 

This is another one of my favorite styles when I am trying to make a quick card and use up some of my endless supply of fancy paper. Sometimes it seems that patterned paper multiplies when I am not looking.  The great thing about this card is that it requires little stamping and the assembly is quick! I usually leave the occasion blank and fill it in right before I send the card. 

Stamps:
Banner Style (Papertrey Ink)

Paper:
Mint Julep (PTI)
Stampers Select White (PTI)

Ink:
Mint Julep (PTI)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot
Banner Style Die (PTI)
Layered Butterflies (Lawn Fawn)
Stitched Windy Backdrop (LF)

Warm Wishes ~ Neat and Tangled

I promised myself at the conclusion of last year, I would get a head start on Christmas cards this year. My intentions were to start in March, but I guess May is better than starting in the fall. Christmas stamps are totally my addiction. So I knew when I was going to start making Christmas cards, I should start with my uninked stamps. I would’ve have liked to have used this stamp last year, but it was sold out. This card was quick and easy, so I am glad to now have it in my collection. 

I love the large sentiment on this stamp, and wanted it to remain the focus of the card. I used a blended oxide combo on the die cut that used a coffee colored hue, with some wintery blue shades mixed in.  I watered down the oxide colors used to make a splatter background to tie it all together. 

Stamps:
Warm Wishes (Neat &Tangled)

Paper:
Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Blueberry Sky (PTI)
Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Ink:
Versamark 
Ground Espresso Distress Oxide
Faded Jeans Distress Oxide
Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide

Accessories:
Alabaster Embossing Powder (Brutus Monroe)
Sizzix Big Shot
Nesting Basics: Circle Dies (PTI)

Friends of Unity May Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity May Blog Hop. This month the theme is Fruitful. This can mean producing good or helpful results; productive. It can also mean fertile, producing many offspring. With that in mind, I decided to make this a “baby” themed card.

When I sat down to decide what set I would use, I quickly came upon the April KOM. The eggs in the nest reminded me of the storytime we recently had in my library for the Pre-K group. We read stories about birds, their nests, and made a cute craft that resembled a robins nest. I simply couldn’t pass this one by.

cghundley (Carla from Utah) you have been selected as the winner of my giveaway from the April Blog Hop. Please reach out to me at emathys93@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Thanks for stopping by, don’t forget to hop along to the other
Friends of Unity blogs and see their creations also. Psst... there are giveaways. Comment to win.  

Crystal O. Minkler

Robyn Jordan

Kim Klinkovsky
Bobbie Sue McConathy
 Dawn Fields
Jeanie Hays

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Stamps:
Have & Hold KOM 4/19 (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Aqua Mist (PTI)
Polka in the Meadow (Lawn Fawn)

Ink:
Memento Tuxedo Black (SU) 

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot
Copic Sketch Markers
Nesting Basics: Circle Dies (PTI) 

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Hallelujah by Graciellie Design

The cross in this stamp set was part of a stamp that when I first looked at it simply took my breath away. I was drawn to the elegance in the simplicity of the design that I knew I NEEDED in my collection. Not only did I want it to replace my well worn and over used “Easter Greetings” stamp, but this stamp would fit multiple religious occasions when paired with the proper sentiment. 

I did my best to duplicate the color scheme used for this sample as pictured on the Unity website. I wanted to keep the wood look realistic as shown in the sample. Once I started blending and shading, I was very satisfied with the finished product. 

Stamps:
Hallelujah (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:
Gorgeous Grape (Stampin Up)
New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (PTI)

Ink:
Memento Tuxedo Black (SU)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Subtle Embossing Folder (SU)
Petite Oval Dies (Spellbinders)
Petite Scallop Oval Dies (Spellbinders)
Essential Fishtail Sentiment Strips (My Favorite Things)
Copic Sketch Markers

Hello Cupcake

Birthday cards are something I always need, and always enjoy making. May is coming up and I need to get a jump on getting these cards made. I have three friends who even share the same birthday! Inspired by the love it, chop it concept... I looked at my pretty paper hoard and decided that this polka dot paper would make quick work for some fast cards. I think I have had this designer series paper since I became a demonstrator over seven years ago. 

I was excited for the framelits that were released to match this stamp set. I quickly grabbed them, and was surprised to see them sell out as quickly as they did. I have a scan n cut, but bringing items like these to my “stamp 101” classes or all day crafting events is so much easier. I tried a couple different color combinations when making this card, but really prefer the monochromatic look of the matching cupcake liner and frosting. 

Stamps:
Hello Cupcake (Stampin Up Retired)

Paper:
Melon Mambo (SU)
Whisper White (SU)

Ink:
Melon Mambo (SU)
So Saffro (SU)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Rectangle Stitched Framelits (SU)
Call Me Cupcake (SU Retired)

Friends of Unity April Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity April Blog Hop. This month the theme is Rainy Days. I took a detour of sorts with this theme, and opted for a rainy day color palate and simple stamp. The April 2019 sentiment kit has some wonderful sentiments that fit this theme beautifully! If you haven’t seen this kit yet, check it out here.

My background was inspired by an ink blending sample that Crystal Minkler created and shared earlier this year. I used three of my favorite oxide colors combinations and decided to add the larger stamp on top, knowing the edges would fade into the white spaces. I used the sentiment from Harmony Girl to tie in the theme.

Comment on my blog to be entered into my giveaway, then hop along to the other
Friends of Unity blogs and see their creations also. Psst... there are other giveaways too!

Crystal O. Minkler
Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Jeanie Hayes

Bobbie Sue McConathy
 Dawn Fields

Joyce Verdon
Kim Klinkovsky
 Robyn Jordan

Stamps:
Take Care of You (Unity Stamp Company)
Harmony Girl (Unity)

Paper:
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Dapper Denim (Stampin Up Retired)
Hawaiian Shores (PTI)

Ink:
Faded Jean Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)
Iced Spruce Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)
Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)
Gina K Amalgam Ink Jet Black (Unity)

Accessories:
None

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Friends of Unity March Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity March Blog Hop. This month the theme is “Creative”. My interpretation of this theme was to prompt ME to be creative. I searched techniques and fancy folds that I have not tried before. There were lots out there, but I wanted to find something that really inspired me. What I finally settled on was the technique called Northern Lights. For details on this technique, click here.

I live in a geographical area that MAYBE once a year if the conditions are JUST RIGHT, we might be able to see the northern lights. It is something I have truly only seen in pictures. One day when the time is right, My husband and I would like to travel to Alaska in hopes of viewing their gorgeous landscape and seeing this colorful nighttime show on display.

Comment on my blog to be entered into my giveaway, then hop along to the other
Friends of Unity blogs and see their creations also. Psst... there are other giveaways too!

Crystal O. Minkler
Joyce Verdon
Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Jeanie Hayes
Bobbie Sue McConathy
 Kim Klinkovsky
 Robyn Jordan
Dawn Fields

Stamps:
Give it Up- Let it Go (Unity Stamp Company) LOL 1/18

Wild Florals (Unity)

Paper:
True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Rich Razzleberry (Stampin Up)

Ink:
Gina K Amalgam Ink Jet Black (Unity)
Daffodil Delight (SU)
Old Olive (SU)
Pacific Point (SU)
Rich Razzleberry (SU)
Night of Navy (SU)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot
Subtle Dynamic EF (SU)
Elegant Rectangle STAX Die-Namics (My Favorite Things)

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Cuddly Cacti

Sometimes in life, you simply just don't have the right words to say. I have a friend going through a difficult time and I wanted to send her a card to let her know I was thinking about her. We met and had lunch a few weeks ago so we could have some girl time together, just to see how she was doing. It's one of those times in life where you know the best advice is no advice... but to just be an ear for the other person when they need someone to talk to. 

This stamp set I used was an exclusive set from Simon Says Stamp during Stamptember from Sugar Pea Designs. I am not sure why I needed it so much... but I am a big fan of 'punny' sentiments as that is my humor. I made my husband's valentine card with a different cactus from this set and lucky for me, he has a punny sense of humor as well. 

Stamps:

Cuddly Cacti (Sugar Pea Designs)

Paper:

Just be You (Echo Park)

Mint Macron (Stampin Up)

Night of Navy (SU)

Flirty Flamingo (SU)
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: 

Memento Tuxedo Black (SU)

Mint Macron (SU)

Accessories:

Copic Sketch Markers

Uncorked

My youngest turned 21 today. Nope... that doesn’t make me feel old at all. Age has always been a number to me. You’re only as old as you feel, right? One of my most favorite people in my life is an 80+ year old lady that visits me at work. She has more life and energy in her than people half her age. I can only hope to be as energetic as she is when I get older. 

I have fun, cutesy, even playful birthday stamps that I have used for several people. I bought this set to use as a different birthday and sentiment option for my mature adult friends. This wine stamp set in my opinion is very classy for birthdays but also can be used for a variety celebrations as well.

Stamps:
Uncorked (My Favorite Things)
Hit the Brick (Brutus Monroe for Unity Stamp Company)
En Francis (Stampin Up Retired)

Paper:
Scarlett Jewl (Papertrey Ink)
Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ripe Avocado (PTI)
Silver Glimmer paper (SU)
True Black (PTI)
 
Ink:
Scarlett Jewel (PTI)
Fine Linen (PTI)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Wine Service (MFT)
Elegant Rectangle Stax Die-Namics (MFT)
Subtle Dynamic TIEF (SU)

Friends of Unity February Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity February Blog Hop. This month the theme is Friendship. This was really a fun creation for me. This past month I was really able to see true friendship in action. At the end of December I was scheduled to have major surgery just two short weeks later. I only told a handful of friends about my surgery. I could definitely feel their prayers covering me the day of my surgery. These wonderful ladies checked in on me daily just to see how I was doing, offering to come and help anyway they could.

This is the first card I have created since my surgery. I was able to browse through my previous orders on the Unity website to help me determine which stamp sets I was going to use. This was easier for me since I could do that from my recliner instead of lugging out all my stamps and trying to decide.

On this card I used some blender pens and ink pads to give the flowers a water colored wash type look. The “hey friend” sentiment is embossed so that it stands out over the flowers. I embossed the smaller sentiment in white on a die cut panel from Papertrey Ink. This set is perfect for small thin sentiments!

Hop along to all the Friends of Unity blogs and see their amazing creations.
Dale Sue... you still have yet to claim my January prize package. Message me ASAP!
Psst... there are other giveaways too!

Crystal O. Minkler
 Dawn Fields
 Joyce Verdon 
Kim Klinkovsky
Bobbie Sue McConathy
 Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Stamps:

Flowers Aplenty (Unity Stamp Company)
Hey Friend (Unity)

Paper:

True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:
Amalgam Jet Black (Gina K Designs)
Flirty Flamingo (Stampin Up)
Mint Macaron (SU)
Crushed Curry (SU)
Marina Mist (SU)
Versamark
VersaFine Clair Nocturne (Unity)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Marvy Heat Tool
Blender Pens (SU)
Alabaster Embossing Powder (Brutus Monroe)
Clear Embossing Powder (WOW)
Skinny Mini Banners Die (PTI)

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Winter Wear

This stamp couldn’t be more fitting for our current weather trend. I absolutely adore her and all her versatility with the different mix or match pieces. It’s almost like playing dress up with rubber stamps. This was so much fun and easy to put together. If I had a matching hat and scarf I would totally be sporting these colors. I love this shade of blue (or is it green?) and tan together. 

Some winter stamps can have a heavy Christmas feel to them. Winter doesn’t end in December... in some years it is just getting started! The great thing about this stamp set and card is that paired with the right sentiment, it can be used through winter without having a recycled Christmas feel to it. Hoping the friend that receives this enjoys it, as we both share winter birthdays. 

Stamps:
Winter Wear (Concord &9th)
Snow is Glistening (Stampin Up Retired)

Paper:
Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Classic Kraft (PTI)
Ocean Tides (PTI)

Ink:
Memento Tuxedo Black (SU)
Ocean Tides (PTI)

Accessories:
Sizzix Big Shot (SU)
Stitched Rectangle Dies (PTI)
Copic Sketch Markers