Friends of Unity November 2024 Hop, Gratitude

Hi there wonderful people! I missed everyone last month, but now I'm back for another amazing hop. Hope everyone had a nice Halloween. Now it's time to express our gratitude.

Aren't these images beautiful? I love fall with all its glorious colors and smells. I created two cards for this hop. Here is the first one:

I just adore this image. She seems to be in a peaceful state of mind, ready for whatever comes her way. She is from the October 2023 Kit of the Month, golden glow. I stamped her on heavy weight, white card stock, and colored her with various colored pencils. I fussy cut her and set her aside. Heavy weight green card stock was used for the card base. I took a piece of pattern paper and cut it with a deckle and stitches die by Unity. It is one of my favorite dies by them. I stamped two floral images, also from the same Kit of the Month, onto the pattern paper. Two pieces of acetate ephemera I received as a free gift, were layered over the stamped flowers. I took a piece of leftover paper from when I cut out the main panel and stamped the sentiment on it. The sweet sentiment is from the October 2022 Kit of the Month, change and direction. This peaceful lady was adhered with foam adhesive. Both kits are truly beautiful. I even stamped the floral images on the envelope which is made from mulberry paper.

Now for my second card:

Since Veterans Day is in two weeks, I thought it would be fitting to create a card expressing gratitude for a soldier's sacrifice and service. I always ship military cards for free in my ETSY shop. At the moment, I do not know the names of the two sets I used in creating this card. I will continue my search and add them later. I created a similar card for Veterans Day about 5 years ago. I really enjoy creating cards for Veterans Day, letting the recipients know how much they are appreciated.

Well, that's all for me folks. Next up in our hop is the beautiful and super talented, Jenni. 

See you back here in December for another inspirational hop.

Keep crafting in peace,

Dawn

Friends of Unity September 2024 Hop, Color Challenge

Hey friends! I did not participate in last month's hop. I had a busy August. Our youngest graduated from the University of Cincinnati and my hubby had surgery. I took some time off from work to nurse him back to health. We both returned to work last week. He is doing great. 

I love a good color challenge, but I especially love this one. Why? Because it has the beautiful colors of fall. This hop is extra special. We are hosting this very color challenge on the Unity Show & Tell Page. Post your creations for your chance to win a prize. I'm so excited to see what everyone creates. This is going to be so fun.

Here are the colors:

I have been wanting to make this card ever since I saw a gorgeous card Melissa Phillips made with acorn stamps. I remembered that Unity has an acorn stamp in an older Kit of the Month. I always thought it was a pretty stamp. 

Here is my acorn card; I am so happy with how it turned out:

This card was created on cream card stock. I used a Gina Marie mini slim line die on a piece of fall themed pattern paper. This piece was placed directly onto the card base. I layered a Stampin' Up paper lattice over the die cut. The leaf stamp is from the August 2022 Kit of the Month, hope is stronger. I fussy cut the leaves and placed them on my card using foam adhesive. I cut two skeleton leaves using Gina Marie dies on pattern paper and layered them over the stamped leaves. I then layered 49 and Market acetate pieces over the skeleton leaves. Two green leaves (Prima) were placed over the 49 and Market acetate pieces. I stamped the acorn on water color paper and used Karin markers to color. This beautiful acorn stamp is from the August 2019 Kit of the Month, warm and cozy. This is a gorgeous kit. I fussy cut the acorn and placed it on my card with foam adhesive. I then stamped the sentiment, give thanks, and cut it out using an oval cutter. The sentiment is from the August 2020 Kit of the Month, count your blessings. I love how bold the font is. I added a Making Memories pumpkin brad and Gina Marie enamel dots for more interest.

Thank you for taking the time and hopping with us. We appreciate your support and lovely comments. Here is the hop order once again, in case you need it.

Crystal

Kari

Tammy

Joyce

Jane

Jenni

me

Rachel

Remember to participate in our challenge on the Unity Show & Tell FB page. Thanks for hanging with us. See you next month!

Happy crafting,

Dawn

Friends of Unity July 2024 Hop, Technique

Hello friends! I am so extra excited right now. We have a new puppy...just rescued her on June 30th. Her name at the shelter was Rosalind, but we gave her the name River. Another pup in her litter had this name and I fell in love with it, so we, too, have a River. And who knows, maybe the other River isn't even River anymore. It really doesn't matter, though, right? It's not like we will see her sister. Well, enough of that. Welcome to our new hop:

I decided to play with my gelli plate for this hop. I do not use it nearly enough. I definitely need to practice more, but I'm happy with the results. 

First I have an ATC to share with you:

I did not set out to make an ATC. It just kinda sorta happened. I brayered different paint colors onto my gelli plate and placed a stencil on it rolling the brayer over it. I really liked the background I created. I cut it down, but I just was not happy with it after I stamped the image on it. I then stamped a sentiment from the same SMAK (May 2016, Sentimental Journey). I still was not happy. I stamped another image from the same SMAK and I just made it worse...ughhh. I decided to take the first image I stamped to create an ATC. I just could not let this background go to waste. I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock in green and in black. The sentiment is from the July 2018 Layers of Life, never random. I cut the sentiment into strips and glued them onto the ATC. Lastly, I used a notched corner punch on the edges.

Next, I have a card:

I brayered different colors of paint onto my gelli plate and used different stencils to create the background. Next, I stamped rectified poppies onto the background. I ran this panel through my Big Shot Plus with a textured die plate. I used a Tim Holtz die to make the flower. The flower was created using a piece of the gelli background I created. I then stamped, so many thanks (from the December 2020 Sentiment Kit, no better words). I cut it down to size and layered it over the flower die cut. Lastly, I added pink enamel dots.

Well, thanks for hopping with us. Next up in the hop is, our wonderful friend, Rachel.

See everyone next month! 

Take care,

Dawn

Friends of Unity June 2024 Hop, Celebrations

 As I am writing this blog, I have only two days left of work. I love being an educator and having summers off. Let the celebrating begin. Our cue this month just so happens to be celebrations:

My winner from last month's hop is Robin. Congratulations! You have won a fabulous grab bag of Unity Stamps. Please message me on Facebook with your address so I can get your prize to you.

For this hop, I knew I was making a welcome home card, but I thought my second card would have a wedding theme. Well, as you can see later in my post, my second card turned out to be for Father's Day.

Here is my first card: 

There is nothing like buying a home, especially your very first home. I have always loved this image from the May 2022 Kit of the Month, one friend. It's perfect to celebrate the purchase of a new home. So many gorgeous stamps in this kit. I colored this welcoming scene with colored pencils and blended with Gamsol. The sentiment is from the December 2022 Kit of the Month, a new chapter. I cut it out with the smallest scallops and arches die.

Here is my second card:

I absolutely adore this sweet image. I bought it with intention to make birthday cards, but then I thought it would make great Father's Day cards. So here we are. Image is from a Phyllis Harris set called, thank you kindly. I stamped it on pattern paper and colored with colored pencils and used Gamsol to blend. Sentiment is from the May 2020 Kit of the Month, beginning of anything. I added some acrylic hearts, which are also Unity. I kind of messed up one of the branches, so I covered it with a metal charm...voila!

As always we appreciate you visiting our blogs and leaving comments. We are grateful for your support. Next up in the hop is the lovely and talented Rachel.

Make sure you leave comments on all our posts for a chance to win some Unity from us.

See you next month!

Inky hugs,

Dawn

Friends of Unity May 2024 Hop, Masculine

Hello everyone! My winner from last month is, Wilma DeGraffenreid. Congratulations Wilma! You are the winner of a few Itty Bitty's. I can't wait to ship your goodies to you. Please message me on FB your address. I am giving away a prize for this month's hop as well. Be sure to leave a comment on each of our blogs to be eligible for our giveaways.

Now, let's get to our amazing cue for this month:

I knew for sure that I was creating a card with ties on it, but look what happened...not a tie in sight. Lol

I really wanted to create one more card for this hop, but time got away from me. I really enjoy creating cards for the guys. For this card, I used a stencil to create the background and cut it with one of Unity's deckle and stitches dies. This piece was placed on textured black card stock. Washi tape was adhered near the top along with filmstrip near the bottom. I used pattern paper with a gears die and cut it down to size. It was layered over the washi tape and filmstrip. The steampunk image from the August 2013 Layers of Life was stamped in black on white card stock. The set is called ever changing (through time). I cut it with one of Unity's postage dies. I then grunged it up with some ink. I stamped the sentiment in black ink on white card stock and cut it down to size. It is from the June 2023 Kit of the Month, from the countryside. A metal steampunk gear was added last. I love how it compliments the stamped image.

Well that's it for me. Next up in the hop is our talented Jane.

Thanks for visiting! Until next time, my friends.

Hugs

Friends of Unity April 2024 Hop, Mother's Day

Hello friends! My hubby and I spent a week in Cabo and it was marvelous. We are well rested and seriously missing the warmth, sunshine, food, people, and of course the beach. One of my makes this month might just reflect a time well spent. My winner from last month's hop is Dorothy Green. Thank you for your kind comments and support. Please message me on FB with your contact information. I will be sending you a grab bag of stamps with a few extras. 

We are celebrating all mothers for the month of April.

Card #1:

I really, really love how this card turned out. I think it's the color scheme I went with that pleases my eye. The seashell/starfish border stamp is from the July 2022 Kit of the Month, fresh air and sunshine. Woman is from the July 2023 Kit of the Month, anchored by love. Sentiment is from all sunshine & happy. I used colored pencils on both images.

Card #2:

This is a beautiful background stamp. It is the February 2023 Background Stamp, assorted blooms. It was a real joy to color all the blooms with Karin markers. Sentiment stamp is from Happy Mother's Day. I added some Prima florals for more interest.

Card #3:

I have a confession to make. I do not like coffee. Please do not hate me. I do enjoy, however, creating coffee themed projects. I used the Unity heart cover plate die for the first time. I forgot I had it. This is Bailey girl and she is a huge stamp. I had to cut her down to fit on my card. The stamp of hot beverages is from the December 2017 Kit of the Month, start of something new. Sentiment is from coffee & flowers. I used the heart cover plate die on a sheet of Unity's coffee themed paper and used a couple of the hearts as embellies. Lastly, I added an enamel sticker from Hobby Lobby. I think this card is my favorite of the 3. What's your's?

Next in the hop is the talented Rachel. Make sure you leave all of us some love to be eligible to win some Unity goodness. We always enjoy reading your sweet comments. Thanks for your continued support of the Friends of Unity.

Enjoy the solar eclipse!

P.S. I am having another giveaway this month.

March 2024 Friends of Unity Hop, Found in Nature

We have been having some weird weather in northeast Ohio...rain, snow, high winds, high temps. It is forecasted to get to 69 degrees next week. I hope this doesn't mean we will be hit with snow and cold in April going into May. I have been reading other posts on social media and it appears that others are experiencing weird weather as well. I do have a winner from February's Hop. Denise Bryant, you are the winner of my giveaway. Congratulations! I will be sending you the Monster Hugs stamp set. Please message me on FB with your address, since I have been having issues receiving your emails. Thank you for your continued support.

Well, let's get to our current hop. Here is our beautiful graphic! I LOVE creating cards with a nature theme. I am really happy with how my two cards turned out. Check them out below.

Card 1:

I got a little inky on this one. All the nature images are from the May 2022 Kit of the Month, one friend. I LOVE this gorgeous kit. It is a must have for your collection. I used four images from this kit. The Biblical verse was stamped on vellum. Verse is from My Heart Trusts, another gorgeous, must have kit.

Card 2: 

I guess I got a little inky on this one, too. The images are from the September 2022 Whit Kit, vintage naturalist. I LOVE this stunning kit. It is a must have for your collection. I also used a couple pieces of ephemera from this kit. The sentiment is from another beautiful Whit Kit. It is from February 2020 and is called, let your soul wonder. I LOVE this kit, too.

Thank you for hopping. We appreciate each and everyone of you. Make sure you comment on all of our posts for a chance to win some Unity. I have a giveaway for this month. If you want to start from the beginning, here is the hop order once again.

Crystal

Jane

Amber

Tammy

April

Colleen

Rachel

Kim

Gaylynn

Joyce

See you next month!

Get inky,

Dawn