Unity Blog Hop 05.29.14!

Finally--next week is the last week of school--Yippee!!

How many projects did you help your children complete during the merry month of May?

How many school functions, field trips, open houses, orientations, parades, etc., have you attended?

By the time May is over, I’m ready for school to be over, too.

Today, I’m sharing the fabulousness of Unity on some cards and a TAG!  First up is a card using a new ANGIEgirl released last week--Harmony Girl!

She is glorious, stunning, and sophisticated! The sentiment is matched to perfection. Harmony is cool!

For the background of the card, I used a canvas texture with the paint tube and palette knife in Art Rage 4.  To color Harmony, I used the watercolor brush tool.  The card is a design I purchased through the Silhouette America Online store and includes the base of the card and the top shape of the card. Pumice Stone and Black Soot Distress inks were applied to the sides of the top layer of the card which was attached to the base of the card with 3D mounting foam.  Harmony was fussy cut using my Silhouette and was adhered to the top of the card using 3D Zots.

Now onto the tag . . . my Harmony tag!

I just couldn’t help it—I had to play with her again!  This time my canvas of choice was a chipboard tag.

For the background of the tag, I used a watercolor paper texture with the paint tube and palette knife in Art Rage 4.  Again, to color Harmony, I used the watercolor brush tool. The tag is by Tim Holtz/Sizzix but was cut with my Silhouette (I just like to do that). Pumice Stone, Mustard Seed, and Black Soot Distress inks were applied to the sides of the tag.  Harmony’s umbrella was fussy cut using my Silhouette and was adhered to the tag using 3D Zots. Jute was tied to the tag.

(clicking on the image will take you to the product pages at Unity)

Cards, CARDS! Two more cards! This time using May’s Sentiment Kit, Basically Said, with Project Life cards (Maggie Holmes Styleboard) to make CARDS!

May’s sentiment kit contains 21 stamps and is a kit you want in your card-making arsenal. I guarantee you will USE this kit for your card-making needs! If you have Project Life cards, and I’m sure quite a few of you do, use the sentiment kit to STAMP sentiments on them, adhere them to a card base, and brighten someone’s day.  This comes together quickly and easily.

(clicking on the image will take you to the product page at Unity)

May is winding down!  Below is another peek at this month’s Kit of the Month, SMAK Kit, and Layers of Life Kit. Only a few more days until you can still purchase them at the membership price.

(clicking on the images will take you to the member page at Unity)

We have TWO amazing Unity filled prize packages to giveaway.  Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) for your chance to win.  The winners will be announced Saturday night by Kris Lancaster on the Unity blog (does not include that fabulous Unity sign--unfortunately).Be sure you take advantage of Unity’s latest promotion by clicking the graphic below which is just like a magical portal that will take you away to Unity Stamp Company where you can SHOP—SHOP--SHOP!

SALE STARTS AT NOON CENTRAL TIME

PLEASE share your lovely creations on Facebook with the Unity {show & tell) Facebook group. Lots of us check-in there daily (I check in several times daily—I’m addicted to inspiration).

Below is my latest video to date which is a tour of my craft space which happens to be my laundry room.  Sometimes it looks nice, like in the video and is a craft haven where I love to create, and at other times, it looks like a laundry room or a study hall for my children.

THANK YOU to all who have subscribed, liked, or commented. Your support means the world to me and encourages me to make more video tutorials. 

Click on the next picture below to be taken to the next design team member’s blog for some Unity inspiration. Have fun hoppin’!

Unity Blog Hop 05.15.14!

This month is flying by! It’s almost summertime. Today in my neck of the woods, it’s forecasted to reach as high as 95 degrees! I’m not ready for that yet--I’m just not and don’t think I’ll ever be ready for that.

Today I’ve got some projects to share that I had the pleasure to put together recently using this month’s Kit of the Month, SMAK Kit, some Suzi Blu, and an ANGIEGirl!

Let’s start with a pillow!

A few years ago, I discovered a product (PhotoFabric) that allows one to assemble a scene or put together an image using your computer, print it using your home printer, and then use it as fabric to sew for use on pillows, bags, quilts, and a number of other sewable items. In order to use this technology with rubber stamps, you must make the rubber stamp a digital image. The way I do it with my stamp collection is I first stamp the image(s) onto white cardstock and then scan that piece into my computer using my scanner.  Once it’s in my computer, I can arrange the image(s) any way I like using Photoshop Elements. Then I print it onto Photofabric following their guidelines. It really is that simple. If you don’t own a scanner, stamp the images onto cardstock and then see if your local Staples print/copy center will scan them for you and save them to a jump drive, disk, etc. I think they can also email the images to you.

Pillows are an excellent beginner sewing project.  In fact, I often relate pillows in the sewing world to cards in the paper crafting industry.  You just arrange the scene however you want it, keep it simple, embellish or not—it’s up to you and your imagination. They make excellent gifts AND you can make a matching card to accompany your creation. If there’s some interest in this, please let me know below in the comments and I’ll see if I can put together a video showing how I accomplish this. Pillows are FUN and one of the most rewarding sewing projects around.

In the above pillow I used a sentiment and an image from this month’s Kit of the Month (link to KOM below) and Spring Flower Chic-Exclusive Stamp by Suzi Blu available at Unity Stamp Company.

(clicking on the image will take you to the product page at Unity)

Here are a couple of layouts for all of the animal lovers out there.  About five years ago, a couple of puppies from the same litter entered our lives and enchanted our family.  Their names are Dixie and Dottie.  If you’ve seen my latest video (StampTech Episode 2), you’ve met Dixie.  Well, this is Dottie, her sister.  They are both cuddlers and, with their small size, we call them our forever puppies. As soon as my butt hits the couch or bed, I’m owned by these two. This is a picture of me being owned (and loving it) by a pint-sized forever puppy named Dottie.

In this layout I used a sentiment (perfect friend) from the latest Kit of the Month, “Hey Girl”  with a stamped image (the stitches/stars) from the latest SMAK kit, “Day Dreaming” available at Unity Stamp Company.

(clicking on the images will take you to the product pages at Unity) Here’s another layout featuring my forever puppies, Dixie and Dottie, this time with an ANGIEGirl!  In this photo, my youngest daughter, Gwen, is enjoying some chicken tacos BUT Dottie is wanting Gwen to share these amazing tacos. What you may not notice at first, is where is Dixie in the photo?  Notice the bottom right corner of the photo and you’ll see her lying under Dottie, looking defeated. Her eyes say it all. This is one of my all-time favorite photos.(clicking on the image will take you to the product pages at Unity) Next up is a customized card I put together in Silhouette Studio using the balloon girl and quite a sassy, bold sentiment from this month’s Kit of the Month, “Hey Girl” (link to KOM above).Here’s another angle of the customized card, showing how the balloon girl swings out from the hinges.This image was watercolored using ArtRage 4 which is a stylish and easy-to-use painting software for your computer, iPad, iPhone, etc., with tools that feel just like the real thing. If you’re wanting to try your hand at water coloring and own an iPad, this might just be the software for you. It’s only $4.99. I use it with my PC and a Wacom tablet. I don’t have to buy/store watercolors, paper, etc., and there are a number of other intuitive tools included in the software. The software also comes with the ability to make images into stencils. It’s fun, trust me!  If there is enough interest in seeing how I use this software to watercolor, please let me know in the comments section below and I’ll put together a video.

We have TWO amazing Unity filled prize packages to giveaway.  Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) for your chance to win.  The winners will be announced Saturday night by Karen Maldonado on the Unity blog.

Be sure you take advantage of Unity’s latest promotion by clicking the graphics below which are just like magical portals that will take you away to Unity Stamp Company where you can SHOP—SHOP--SHOP!

SALE STARTS AT NOON CENTRAL TIME

PLEASE share your lovely creations on Facebook with the Unity {show & tell) Facebook group. Lots of us check-in there daily (I check in several times daily—I’m addicted to inspiration). Click on the next picture below to be taken to the next design team member’s blog for some Unity inspiration. Have fun hoppin’!

Happy Birthday Tag with Video

I love to make birthday cards BUT I enjoy making tags MORE!

Attaching tags to kraft colored gift bags is an awesome way to present a gift to a loved one, coworker, teacher, etc.

Make your tags ahead of time, stock up on gift bags, and you’ll always have a quick and easy way to present a gift.

Below is a video showing how I assembled the tag above.

Please post any questions, comments, or if there is anything you would like explained.

“Like” if you’re interested in seeing more videos.

Please subscribe to be notified about new videos.

I used the birthday cake stamp from this month’s Kit of the Month, entitled “Hey Girl”, on the tag above.

This is an impressive kit! LOOK—something for everyone!

(CLICK on the image--it will take you to the product page at Unity)

I hope you have an AMAZING week!

Awesome! It’s Friday!

Yikes! You have only TWO DAYS left to sign up for Unity's Stamp of the Week. You have until midnight on Saturday to add this red rubber stamp to your stash. For only $5.79 you will get a fabulous new stamp sent right to your door EVERY SINGLE WEEK!Check out the details and sign up here!

(CLICK on the image--it will take you to the product page at Unity) Summer is coming and this would be the perfect stamped image to add to everyday cards, invitations, spring/summer scrapbook pages, birthday party treats—you name it!

I’ve also put together a treat for you that coordinates with this week’s Stamp of the Week.

It’s a free svg file for the card pictured below!

(CLICK the card image which takes you to the free SVG download)

The download includes the shaped card base, a mat that fits over the top of the card base where the Stamp-of-the-Week sentiment fits at the bottom, and the circle shapes/scalloped shape that fit over the top of the card mat where the Stamp-of-the-Week image fits.

I’ve also put together a little instructional video on how to use Silhouette’s print-and-cut technology as well as how I assembled it.

WARNING:  The first ten minutes of my video is very technical using the Silhouette Studio software on my computer, so if you’re familiar with Silhouette Studio and just want to see me assemble the card, skip to the last three minutes or so of the video.

It’s my first video and I’m so happy it’s for Unity!

Make sure you also check out the latest promotion going on…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNITY!

#6!

(click any graphic below which is just like a magical portal that will take you away to Unity Stamp Company where you can SHOP!)

Unity Blog Hop 05.01.14!

We’re hopping on the first Thursday of May, which happens to be the first day of a NEW month! There’s a new Kit of the Month, SMAK Kit, and Layers of Life Kit plus a TON of new releases. Wow-wee!  With all of these new releases on the very first day of a new month, it was hard to sleep.  I’m not kidding—I was counting stamps instead of sheep. 

Today I’ve put together a coffee cup treat bag featuring one of the NEW ANGIEgirls that were released last week, a cute little shaped card I made in Silhouette Studio featuring one of Phyllis Harris’s NEW releases, and a page for my thrift store art journal planner using one of the NEW Suzi Blu stamps coupled with the NEW Exclusive {ang.mag.} Kit, and the NEW SMAK Kit.

Let’s start with the coffee cup treat bag!The treat bag features a new ANGIEgirl named Ellie. She’s adorable, and just like me, she loves something hot with a good book!

(clicking on the image will take you to the product page at Unity)Here’s another view of the treat bag, a little more from the side. You can see that the treat bag holds two k-cup style coffee cups. This would be a great idea for a librarian, a hostess gift for a book club, a book lover, bookstore owner, etc. Heck, it’s just cute to give anyone!

Other Coffee Cup Treat Bag Supplies 

Patterned paper from Azure Collection Kit from digitalprojectlife.com

All print-and-cut items were printed and cut using Matte Photo Paper by Staples/Silhouette Cameo/Hewlett Packard Photosmart B8550.

Coffee cup treat bag and labels were purchased through the Silhouette America Online Store

Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder, Hugs & Kisses, on label

3D Zots were placed under Ellie and the label

Let’s move on to the welded shape card I made in Silhouette Studio. Do you like to weld shapes to make cards using Silhouette Studio? I do. Customization makes me happy.  This new stamp by Phyllis Harris captures the kid in me.  As soon as I saw it, I had to get started making a card.

Other Supplies for Card

Project Life cards from Maggie Holmes Styleboard Mini Kit and bits and pieces from Azure Collection Kit from digitalprojectlife.com

All print-and-cut items were printed and cut using Matte Photo Paper by Staples/Silhouette Cameo/Hewlett Packard Photosmart B8550.

3D Zots were placed under the little girl and the butterfly

A zigzag stitch using brown embroidery thread was applied just under the sentiment using my Singer Futura

Now onto a new page for my thrift store art journal planner—are you still with me? With this, I got the opportunity to work with a new Suzy Blu stamp.  I’m SO happy she’s back and I can’t wait to play with ALL of her new releases—YIPPEE!  They are just perfect for adding an artful sensation to a card, a project, and PERFECT for art journals. LOOK! I I also used a stamp from the BRAND NEW Exclusive {ang.mag.} Kit,  Beautifully Confused. I LOVE the sentiments in that kit AND it’s got a great big heart, too. The brushstrokes near the bottom were added using the brush-like stamp from this month’s awesome SMAK Kit.

(clicking on the images will take you to the product page at Unity)

 

Other Supplies for Thrift store Art Journal Planner Page

Repurposed planner from Thrift store

Spring Fling Paper Set by Nancie Rowe Janitz available at snapclicksupply.com

All print-and-cut items were printed and cut using Matte Photo Paper by Staples/Silhouette Cameo/Hewlett Packard Photosmart B8550.

3D Zots were placed under the girl

Gathered Twigs Distress Marker by Tim Holtz

We have TWO amazing Unity filled prize packages to giveaway.  Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) for your chance to win.  The winners will be announced Saturday night by Joslyn Nielson on the Unity blog. 

Remember, it’s Thursday!

Make sure you take advantage of Unity’s latest promotion by clicking the graphic below which is just like a magical portal that will take you away to Unity Stamp Company where you can SHOP—SHOP--SHOP!SALE STARTS AT NOON CENTRAL TIME PLEASE share your lovely creations on Facebook with the Unity {show & tell) Facebook group. Lots of us check-in there daily (I check in several times daily—I’m addicted to inspiration).

Link:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/434773279941105/

Erin is up next—she’s super cute and I LOVE her style!  Click on her adorable picture below to be taken to her blog for some Unity inspiration. Have fun hoppin’ on this glorious May day!

pssst . . . check back tomorrow on the Unity Blog (and this blog) for a free treat from me.