Spring into Christmas 2021 by shchop

#springintochristmas2021byshchop

Because I make and donate cards to military overseas I'm always trying to get a jump start on making Christmas cards. Last Christmas I made and donated 700 cards. 500 that were signed and 200 that were blank for military to send home to family and friends. Here is one of the designs that I am doing this Christmas.

I decided to use a background stamp from Unity stamp company and decided that since the card stock I was using was thicker I would watercolor the images to make it go quicker.

This card is an A2 size card which is what I normally make and donate. I've been making and donating now for eight years.

Growing In Unity Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome to my blog.

I am so thrilled to be a part of the Growing In Unity Blog Hop. 

I truly hope you enjoy seeing all that I've created. 

Remember to leave a comment.

For my first card I used a cloud embossing folder for the background.

For this cute and quick card I used the Itty Bitty called 

"Some Bunny Thinking Of You" by Tracey Malnofski.

Don't let the "Itty Bitty" deter you!. They are good size stamps!.

I colored up the image and then stamped the sentiment 

separately and cut into a banner. 

Used a lilac colored cardstock for base for a2 card.

I love how this card came out. I had an idea in my head and love when things come together, don't you....smiling.

I used the "Explore" background stamp and 

stamped on white cardstock.

I then used Distress Inks and Ink blended the background using 

three colors to resemble a map. 

For the sentiment I used it from "Koala-ty Friend" Stamp Set.

A fun card to create.

For this card I used the stamp set "Surround Yourself".

I love this stamp because it is large enough for the front of an a2

sized card and is awesome when you want to create a quick card.

Colored up with Spectrum Noir Markers, and 

used a yellow card base.

For this card I used a light purple cardstock for the base and used a polka dot embossing folder. I chose the Unity Stamp Company

Sentiment Kit from March 2017 by Lisa Arana called

"...Bunny Keep You Forever". 

I love this stamp set as it has so many awesome stamps for Easter.

I just stamped the bunny on white card stock and cut out,

and also stamped the sentiment and cut out into a banner.

For my last card I used the stamp set entitled

"You Are Enough Raindrops" by Jake Wangen.

I decided to do a quick card. I think this is a great reminder

to anyone that they are enough.

I stamped the image and sentiment in a blue distress ink on

an a2 card front I cut down. Matted with black and put on

a blue card base.

I truly hope you enjoyed seeing all that I created using the

phenomenal Unity Stamp Company stamps!.

I am a Unity Stamp Company Addict indeed lol.

PS. I mentioned all the kits I used....Enabler Alert lol.

You can thank me later....smiling lol.

If you have an account with Unity, you can go on and create a 

"Wish List". Then you can sign in and see what you wanted.

Its great when there is a sale as you can see whats on sale from your list, and then remove after purchase. You are welcome lol. 

Here is the blog hop order incase you get lost.

Stay safe and Happy Crafting!. Stamping Hugs!!.

Your next blog to go be inspired from is Denise:

 https://greetingcardgarage.blogspot.com

Teresa https://purplebunnypapercrafts.blogspot.com

Aimee https://aimeesstampingadventures.blogspot.com

Denise https://greetingcardgarage.blogspot.com

Helen http://www.htbcreations.com

Shanon https://snowyowldesigns198.blogspot.com

Amy https://akwilliams76.wixsite.com

Joyce https://joycielcreations.blogspot.com

Lynda https://positive-force.blogspot.com

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Feb 26, 2021 - Growing In Unity Day 5 Other Projects Using Unity Stamps

Hello and welcome to day 5 of my week as a Growing in Unity girl. I hope that you've enjoyed all that I've made this past week and that some way I've inspired you. Please remember to comment daily as I will pick two winners for a $20 gift card to Unity stamp company. After all we can never have too much Unity goodness. And if you're ready here are my three projects I created.

For my first project using Unity I decided to use an 8 by 10 canvas. I proceeded to tape it off with blue tape to create the checkerboard effect. I then used a black paint pen to fill in all the squares. After it was dried I removed the tape to create the background.

The poppies were used from the stamp kit entitled Unusual Day Poppy by Graciellie Designs. I used not only the image but the sentiment from this kit. For the poppies I decided to watercolor them.

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For my second project I decided to make coasters. This was actually therapeutic for me LOL. I purchased ceramic 4 by 4 tiles from Home Depot at $0.15 each.

I then decided to use four different sunflower images from stamp sets that I had to create the images on top of the coasters. All images were stamped and then colored with Spectrum Noir markers.

I then Modge Podge them onto the front and used a project I was recommended by Americana DecoArt called duraclear gloss varnish. To finish these coasters I applied three or four coats using a cheap foam brush and gave it at least a day between to dry.

Once they were dry I proceeded to use felt and glue them on the back using aleene's tacky glue.

The stamp sets I used for these were:

Itty bitty entitled Turn Toward the light

Beautiful like that stamp set and sentiment from Shimmer and shine sentiment kit

Both of the two bottom images were stamp sets by Phyllis Harris. The one is entitled face the sunshine and the other one is called Sunny Days.

The sentiment 4 the one in the red dress came from Shimmer and shine sentiment kit, and the other one came from Face the sunshine.

I truly hope you enjoyed seeing these coasters as they were so much fun to make.

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And finally for my last Unity creation for the week I decided to make a 12 x 12 canvas to put in my room to remind myself that I do have worth.

Welcome to my final project for my growing in unity girl week. For this I chose to use a 12 x 12 canvas. I used a piece of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper with writing and trimmed it down just a little all around. I applied it with Mod Podge. 

I proceeded to use the sunflowers from the Shimmer and shine sentiment kit. As you can see some of them were cut in half on the edges, and few left in entirety. 

The image in the center is Blooming Rebecca Girl by Angie Blom and the sentiment "Bloom where you are planted".

For all the sentiments I proceeded to use a variety of stamp kits that I had on hand. Here is a list of what I used. Enabler alert, Enabler Alert LOL.

From top left corner going clockwise.

You Are Amazing is from Difficult Roads by Gracielle Designs

You Can Do It is from Sunny Days by Phyllis Harris

Bloom Where You're Planted is from Blooming Rebecca Girl by Angie Blom

You Are Simply Wonderful was from a grab-bag I received

Keep Your Face To The Sunshine is from Face The Sunshine by Phyllis Harris

You Are So Incredibly Enough is from Simply blessed by Gracielle Designs

Difficult Roads is from Difficult Roads by Gracielle Designs

There's Always Sunshine is from Shimmer and Shine July 2019 sentiment kit

Strength is When You Have is from Prefer To Smile by Angie Blom

Sometimes is from Falling Into Place by Sandhya Iyer

And

Focus is from Focus On The Things by Angie Blom

Thank you for all those who shared in my week of using Unity stamps. Thank you for all the kind words that have been said and for my smiles. I hope that I was able to inspire you in some way and maybe add to your Unity stamp stash with a stamp set or two that I used.

Please remember to leave a comment daily for a chance to win one of two $20 gift cards to Unity stamp company. After all we can never have too much Unity Stamp goodness, can we? Smiling.

My other previous days for this week are posted on my blog as well.

Stay safe oh, keep smiling, and keep crafting.

Growing In Unity - Day 4 - Slimline Cards

 Growing In Unity Day 4

Slimline Cards

Hello and welcome back to my blog and today's post. Today I decided to create slimline cards to show some of my favorite stamp sets that I think are perfect for these type cards.

For my first card I chose to use "Difficult Roads" by Graciellie Designs. This is one of my favorite florals to use.

I used a red card base and a black mat for the basis card. 

I then stamped the background image using red ink and the "Criss Cross Hearts" Background stamp.

I colored the image with Spectrum Noir 

Markers and cut out. Took a small piece of card stock and made a shelf.  Stamped saying below and finished.

For my second card I used "Care And Hope Iris" by Sandhya Iyer.

This is a beautiful image and stamp set. 

I stamped the image on white card stock. 

I did try to color stamp with Spectrum Noir markers and I guess should have wet because now my beautiful iris stamp is part purple and green. I did sentiment in the same green. 

And finally I used January's Sentiment Kit called "Hello Fresh Start" by Lisa Arna. This has a stunning floral image that can be used for so many occasions. 

I decided to try something different and I took cardstock and cut in 1" stripes in some scrap paper I had. I then put next to each other and stamped the image on top.  

For the "Hello" I used a die that Unity Stamp Company carries.

I hope you enjoyed my 4th day as Growing In Unity Girl. 

Please remember to leave a comment for a chance to win one of two $20 gift cards from Unity.

Stay safe and Happy Crafting!.

 

Growing In Unity - Day 3 - Funny Cards

Day 3 :  Fun/Funny Cards Using Unity Stamps

Hello and welcome back to my blog and day 3.

I can't believe this week is half over with already. 

I hope you are enjoying what I have created and maybe I have inspired you to purchase some new stamp sets lol.

Here is what I have created. 

I thought with all that went on with the toilet paper shortage that was felt in Ohio at one point during 2020 this would fit.

 Here's hoping not to offend anyone. 

For this card I used the stamp set "Ah Crap" by Joslyn Nielson.

This stamp set has some fun sentiments like :

"Congrats on taking the plunge", and "that stinks".

I stamped this image on white cardstock and colored with Spectrum Noir markers. I then matted with black card stock and put on a piece of kraft cardstock that I embossed with a dotted embossing folder.

For my second card I chose Frankie by Lisa Glanz.

I absolutely love this stamp set. One of my favorites to color up.

This set has some adorable sentiments like:

Rough Day?, Mornings are not my strength, I've got an eye on you and the one I chose. 

I used an embossing folder for the card base, and then matted image with a small piece of black card stock. Once again using Spectrum Noir Markers to color up. He makes me laugh. 

And finally for today I chose to show you how you can make a super quick and easy card when you need a little "snark" lol.

This stamp set is called "She Used To Care" by Lisa Arana.

This stamp set has some sentiments that sound like something I might say and I think that's why I chose it lol.

Besides the sentiment I chose for this card there are three others in this stamp set:

Congratulations on your divorce. We didn't like him.

We're friends because you make me look sane.

And.....

I used to care, now I take a pill for that.

Okay, I had to add one final card. This was a stamp set that I recently received. It is by Joslyn Nielson and it's called Damn girl. It comes with an awesome old fashioned Girl and four awesome sentiments.

I absolutely love the funny and or snarky stamps that Unity carries. 

This Stamp Set comes with four sentiments. Two of my favorite sentiments are: "Happy Birthday to one of the few people I can actually tolerate on a daily basis", and "I try not to judge because I'm quite screwed up myself."

For this card I used Kraft cardstock and stamped the image on with vintage photo distress ink. I then matted it in black and used a cream color card base. I also did a little ink blending on the edges. Fun and quick card to make someone else smile.

I hope that you enjoyed my day of showing some of my favorite

funny or snarky stamp sets from Unity.

Please remember to comment daily on my blogs to have a chance to win a $20 gift card from Unity Stamp Company.

As always stay safe. Have a great day and happy stamping!!.

Growing In Unity - Day 2 - Miss You Cards

Welcome to Day 2 of my week as

Growing In Unity Girl. 

For today I chose to create a few 

Miss You cards.

For the first card I created I used the Sentiment Kit

"Trust It Will Be Okay" April 2020 by Lisa Arana.

This card was a quick one to make. I stamped image in red ink as well as the sentiment. I then matted with black cardstock and placed on red card stock. 

For the second card that I created I used the stamp sets

"Vintage Ledger" and "Distance" by Angie Blom.

I stamped ledger on white cardstock and stamped sentiment right on top. I then stamped and colored image and cut out to place on top of the ledger. This was one of my first background stamps from Unity and one of my favorite to use for card making.

And finally for today I created a card using two 

Unity Stamp Company stamp sets....

The first one I used is called "Vintage Postcard".

Love this stamp as it takes up most of the front of an a2 card which is the card size I make the most.

I then used the stamp set "Kinda Sorta Miss You" 

by Lisa Arana. 

I absolutely love coloring this image up as its fun and so colorful.

I added two sentiments from the same stamp set.

I truly hope you enjoyed seeing what I created for my 

Day 2 of being Growing In Unity Girl.

Please don't forget to leave me a comment daily 

for a chance to be one of two winners of a $20 gift card

from Unity Stamp Company.

(Can't have too much Unity right - smiling)

As always stay safe and happy crafting.

It's good for the soul!.

Growing In Unity Day 1 - Encouragement Cards

 

                    Growing In Unity Day One

                       Encouragement Cards

                

   Hello and welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy the cards I have created using Unity Stamp Company Stamps and maybe you find one or two that you didn't have that I inspired you to add to your collection - after all one can never have too much Unity.

For my first card I chose to use the Starburst Background stamp from Ann Butler and stamp in a Turquoise Ink. I matted it with black card stock and used a Turquoise card stock for base of A2 card.

For the image I used an Itty Bitty called "Stars In The Jar" which I love. Don't let the "Itty Bitty" fool you as most of the ones I have are actually good size stamps and fill the bag they come in.  

I stamped the image and colored with a few Spectrum Noir markers and matted also in black. Love the sentiment "Always Wishing You The Best".

For my second card made with Unity Stamps I chose to use "Planted" by Angie Blom. This is one of my favorite stamp sets to use. I love the main image for the stamp as its perfect to use for an A2 background. With the recent trend of slim line cards this would be great to stamp next to each other to fill a slim line card front. I used the sentiment that came with the kit. I love quotes and sayings and this is one of my favorites.

For the final card for today I chose to use a Uniquely Unity Stamp set entitled "Whole Love Story" from July 2017 by Angie Blom. I colored the image with Spectrum Noir Markers, matted with black card stock down side of card and used a gold colored card stock for the card base.

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Thank you for stopping by. Please leave a comment daily as at the end of the week I will pick two winners for a $20 Unity Stamp Company gift card.

Stay safe and keep crafting.