Friends of Unity Blog Hop, August 2026, Grunge

Hello, how are you? I was M.I.A. last month. The hubs and I went to Hilton Head Island for the very first time. We will be back. The beaches were amazing and the food, woah, so delicious.

Our cue this month is Grunge. I love grunge! What about you?

Here is my card:

I had the most fun creating this card. It was quite simple to make and zero coloring. To create the background, I tapped a distress ink pad directly onto an acrylic block, spritzed with water, then smooshed it onto water color paper, and blotted with a napkin. I learned this technique by watching Katie Pertiet videos on Instagram. I used 4 different colors, one at a time. I then stamped this gorgeous moth, moon, and stars image from the June 2024 Kit of the Month, whisper of summer. I feel it has a grungy vibe to it. Underneath I stamped the sentiment which is from the March 2018 SMAK Kit, normal is boring. At the top of the card, I stamped an image from the August 2019 SMAK Kit, soul reflection. More grunge was added by layering ripped pieces of paper (Grit & Grace) to the top and bottom. The edges of the panel were distressed with ink as well as the ripped pieces.

I really wanted to make another grungy card using flowers, but as usual. time got away from me. 

Well folks, that's a wrap. I'm the last stop in our hop. To start from the very beginning, click on Crystal's name. As always, thanks for hopping and supporting us. We truly appreciate it.

See you next month,

Dawn

Friends of Unity Hop, June 2026, Food and Drink

Now, this is a cue I can definitely relate to. Lol! Two of my faves right here. I love my juices and various foods. If you need a taste tester, call me up. Here is our yummy cue for this month:

First card:

You're never too old for pom pom trim, right? When I knew I was going to use this sweet cupcake stamp, I thought pom pom trim would go perfectly with it. Luckily, I had some in my stash. The cupcake is from the January 2023 Kit of the Month, bloom and evolve. I colored it with Tim Holtz water color pencils and Lindy's Magicals. The postage die and pattern paper strip are also Unity. The paper pack is called Birthday Party. Both sentiments are from the July 2021 Sentiment Kit, tree of love. Unity does not make the sentiment kits anymore. I miss them.

Second card:

My husband and I love being beach side. We might head down to Hilton Head this summer. It will be our first time. I took a piece of pattern paper and cut it with a Unity postage die. I added a couple of rub ons. I have never indulged in one of these fancy, tropical drinks. Maybe it's time! Knowing me, I will appreciate the packaging more than the drink. The tropical drink stamp is from the May 2021 Kit of the Month, summer vibes. I added the umbrella to make it even more fun. The drink was fussy cut and layered over the rub ons. I colored the drink with Prima Tropical Watercolors and Lindy's Magicals. The lovely sentiment is from another sentiment kit. It is the July 2019 one, shimmer and shine. I love this sentiment kit. It has beautiful images and sentiments. 

I haven't given away any goodies lately. Let's have some fun! Leave comments on all of our posts and I will give away some Unity to two lucky winners. Next up in the hop is my lovely friend, Rachel.

Thanks for hopping! See you next month with a couple of winners!

Dawn

Growing in Unity May 2026, Day 5

Well, the gig is up! Today is my last day of Growing In Unity. I had a blast as usual. I saved something extra special for today. My book loving friends...you know how some companies are upping the ante on presentation of books and book related gifts. They arrive to your home beautifully wrapped with various ephemera, maybe a tea bag, fake floral stems, a bookmark or two, etc. Well, I wanted to give it a go. Here is what I came up with, but I'm not done with it just yet. I plan on decorating the cover, making a bookmark, adding a tea bag, and several paper, floral stems. All it needs is a gift card to their favorite book store. This pocket folder measures 6" x 6". The same pattern paper that is on the front, also adorns the back.

As you can see from the second photo, the card, metal bookmark, and journaling card slide easily into the pocket I made. All the things I want to add to this pocket folder will not fit into the pocket. I'm going to bundle it all up, and secure with pretty ribbon. What an exceptional gift this will make! For this creation, I used the February 2026 Whit Kit, Books & Quiet Moments. From it, I used a couple of stamps, some of the paper, and a journaling card.

Please be sure to leave a comment for your last chance to win some Unity goodness. Thanks for hanging with me this week. 

See you soon on the Unity Show & Tell page,

Dawn

P.S. I will be sharing the 2 winners on the Growing in Unity page on Facebook.

Growing In Unity May 2026 Day 4

Welcome Back! Today is Day 4 of my GIU journey! I am having the most amazing time. I love all the comments you have been leaving here and on the Unity Show & Tell Page. I appreciate each and everyone of you. Today, I am sharing a thank you card. One of my students' dad made lunch for several of us. It was delicious. Never in my 15 years of education, has a parent prepared a meal. This was extra special. I am going to miss her as she is going to the next school in the fall. They also gave us an entire cake. I volunteered to create a thank you card for this thoughtful family. I want them to know how truly grateful we all are.

One of my favorite techniques is stamping on pattern paper and adding a little bit of watercolor. That is what I did here. The large floral is from Floral and Buds. The sentiment is from the December 2021 Kit of the Month, smile wider laugh longer. This large floral made for a quick card.

Well, that's all I have today. Remember to comment for a chance to win free Unity.

Thank you for stopping by!

See you tomorrow,

Dawn

Growing in Unity May 2026 Day 3

Hello! So glad you are back for another day of my GIU journey. Today, I am sharing a card with a pinch of snark. I know many of us can relate to this image and sentiment. When I first saw this set, I just had to have it. She's a hot mess and the sentiments made me laugh and I love to laugh. So here we go!

The image and sentiment are from Coffee is Not Enough. I paper pieced her robe and slippers. The slippers are so fuzzy. If you look closely, the one brad says, laugh. Honestly, sometimes, you just have to laugh at yourself. Life is way too short. The page tab die is from the February 2026 Whit Kit, Books & Quiet Moments. I plan on using more from this kit for the Friday edition of my week.

Well, that's all for me! Thanks again, for stopping by, and remember to comment for a chance to win credit to Unity!

See you tomorrow,

Dawn

Growing in Unity May 2026 Day 2

Hey, you're back!? I appreciate you stopping by again. For my second day of GIU, I have a sweet wedding card with the sweetest couple. They are so adorable.

Both the image and sentiment are from the March 2026 Kit of the Month, Rooted and Radiant. A Scallops & Arches nesting die was also used. I wish you could see the sparkle on her veil and dress. It is so pretty. 

Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win an e-gift card from Unity. See you again, tomorrow.

Crafting in love,

Dawn

Growing in Unity May 2026 Day 1

Hello there! I'm so excited to be Growing in Unity this week. I hope you enjoy my creations and are inspired to get unused stamps inked up. All of the stamps I used for GIU were inked for the very first time. I love this sweet face. I had to have this stamp set in my arsenal. 

This stamp set is called Doxie Apology. Both the image and sentiments are from this kit. The fonts are so fun. I also used a grungy stamp next to the image. It is from the January 2021 Kit of the Month, made to be happy. I colored the image with Prima Woodland water colors. 

Make sure you comment on all of my blog posts this week. Two people will win e-gift cards from Unity Stamp Co. But you have to comment here to be eligible. 

See you tomorrow with another new card! 

Thanks for stopping by,

Dawn