Thursday, May 15, 2014

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!say it with love 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)SUZI-805A-SPRING-FLOWER-CHI

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.

perfect friend

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)MAY-2014-KOM-HEY-GIRL MAY-2014-DAY-DREAMING1 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.life is better 2(clicking on the image will take you to the product pages at Unity)ANGIE-1142A-SHARI-GIRL 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).i wouldnt say 1Here’s another angle of the customized card, showing how the balloon girl swings out from the hinges.i wouldnt say 2This 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.10253963_10202891514842283_6634543684100284897_n

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

10372556_10154138471160475_5986537078419196916_n10342489_10154138472150475_3116052123188045446_n10288718_10154138474590475_4290035839297756887_n 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).972110_582117025156248_318218395_n Click on the next picture below to be taken to the next design team member’s blog for some Unity inspiration. Have fun hoppin’!

38 comments:

Kailash said...

Wow all your projects are amazing but that pillow really tugs on my heart. It is absolutely beautifully crafted, love the idea!!!

Christina's Creations said...

Every one of your projects is just awesome! I absolutely want to see videos on the pillow and the digital watercoloring!

Cynthia said...

Fabulous projects, Camille. LOVE that pillow... so creative.

jolande said...

Wow you make a lot of samples< I like everything can't make a choice
Jolande

Lisa Angela said...

Wow all of your projects are simply awesome...but I'm really really loving that pillow! AMAZING!

Gaylynn said...

Omg these are awesome! I would love videos on the pillows and the digital water coloring. :)

crafty jo said...

i love all your wonderful projects and the pillow is beautiful

Leanne said...

All lovely projects. Love the pillow most.

mlady012 said...

All great projects!!Love all the info on incorporating your computer & your stamps!! Also love to mix & match stamp sets!

Linda said...

Wow great work and the video is very helpful!

Karenrhae said...

You have been BUSY! Love the pillow. So creative!

Cil A. said...

Each and every project is beautiful and so original.

Miwa said...

WOW, what amazing projects! All of them! My favorite is probably that pillow, though - SO COOL!!!

Julie Odil said...

Fun stuff, here, Camille! You always have new technique for me to explore.

michelegeorgern said...

I love all of your projects, but the pillow is awesome! TFS!

Kris said...

Wonderful post today Camille. Love all your projects but especially that pillow. It's gorgeous.

Miriam Prantner said...

Wow! These are amazing!!!! That pillow is gorgeous, totally unique and your cards and layouts, LOVE, especially that last card, what a fun surprise in the way it opens!

Ruby said...

WOW AMAZING projects. Loved all of them.

Teresa Godines #6857 said...

Your pillow is super adorable. TFS

Sue's Paper Crafts said...

LOVE your pillow, all of your projects are great. This is a wondeful blog hop, love the BBOG stamp.
Sue
http://suek86401.blogspot.com/

Berina RGA said...

love the pillow case... very nice... lovely projects..
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

Rebecca Wong said...

I'm not sure about others, but i always love your artworks, it's so awesome!

Unknown said...

Love the idea of making a pillow. Great way for kids to get involved.

Sue D said...

Great layouts and love the pillow!

Karen (karey2005) said...

Love your stuff, Camille. Love that pillow.....but I'd have to have a video first how to turn the machine on! OMG, the sewing machine.

Lagene said...

Amazing digitalized stamping on fabric!
Great job, thanks for the ideas!

Camille Robinson said...

Thanks for the input and the lovely comments! Soon I will put together a quickie video about ArtRage/watercoloring and in the next few weeks (once summer starts), I'll put together a beginner sewing video, nothing too involved.

Waving My Wand said...

Camille, gosh you are so awesome! Full of such crafty goodness! Love that pillow. Just beautiful.

Dawnll said...

My goodness you have been busy! Love the pillow idea and that hinged balloon girl is so adorable.

Shona said...

Your pillow is AMAZING !! All your projects are great, and I'd love to see how you did the watercolour.

Denise Bryant said...

LOVE that fabulous pillow! Awesome project!
Great cards and layout too!

loulou said...

Fantastic creations. That cushion is gorgeous. Unity don't mind if you turn a stamp into a digital image? Some companies are very strict about that. Even if you are just doing something personal.

Camille Robinson said...

The only time I ink my stamps anymore is to stamp before I scan them. Do NOT share the image with anyone. I've been scanning for the past couple of years and loving it.

Camille Robinson said...

Just cause I'm curious, what companies don't allow you to scan rubber stamps you paid for and are using for personal use? I just need to know as I've scanned quite a few stamps from other companies in the past. What are the consequences?

Camille Robinson said...

Also, just for info, when reading Unity's Angel Policy, that pertains to persons deciding to share their art for sale. I am in no way selling my projects. They are definitely for personal use ONLY.

Crystal said...

These are all amazing projects!!! I especially love that cute Life is better with a dog layout and the adorable girl with balloons card. Such happy projects!

Beejay said...

Love you fabulous pillow! Thanks for sharing your great techniques and designs!

Meggi Bischoff said...

wow, so schöne creationen.

glg meggi