Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

Wow, this week is really flying by, isn't it?   Today is already day 4 of my week as the Growing In Unity Gal!

My something 'old' is this Smoothies cardstock I've had in my stash for a long time.   New?   The Authentique patterned paper.   The company is just launching its first products.   Borrowed?  This adorable peacock image.   I was playing with Unity stamps at a friend's house, and I stamped off a few images of this peacock.  Blue is everywhere in this project.

Supplies:
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co.
Paper:  Journey Collection PP (Authentique) ; Ocean Breeze Smoothies (Bazzill Basics)
Paint/Ink: Memento Ink in Danube Blue (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Scalloped Circle Nestabilities Dies (Spellbinders); Markers C0, B02, B04, YR04 (Copic)

Happy Stamping!

Butterflies Challenge

Today is day 3 of my week as the Growing In Unity Gal!  Let's feature a challenge today: All Things Unity.  This is ATU #34, Let's Fly Away, featuring butterflies.

Supplies:
Stamps: Key to Joy & Imagine It (Unity Stamp Co.)
Paper: PP (Memory Box); Manila Tag (Ranger)
Paint/Ink: Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa, Bamboo Leaves, Desert Sand (Tsukineko); Glimmer Mist Marshmallow (Tattered Angels)
Accessories: Flower Punches (EK Success); Markers E39 (Copic); Distress Tool (Tonic)

I love the Marshmallow Glimmer Mist.  As you can see in the closeup below, it gives such a fine and pretty sparkle!

Happy Stamping!

Many Kinds of Sisters

Today is day 2 of my week as the Growing In Unity Gal, and I'm having an absolute blast so far!

This project features one of my favorite things about Unity Stamp Company: free stamps!  This "sisters" stamp was one I received during one of Unity's many giveaways.  It was a random goody in one of my orders, and I don't even know what set it's from.

Instead of coming up with something for my biological sister (sorry, Kris!), I opted for versatility and created something for sorority sisters.   See, while school's out, members of the Greek community are not just sitting around idle.  They're in meetings and workshops getting ready for the start of school and their upcoming recruitment period.

Supplies:
Stamp: Unity Stamp Co.
Paper: Rich Razzleberry CS & Cottage Wall PP (Stampin' Up!)
Paint/Ink: Rich Razzleberry Dye Ink (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Greek Alphabet Die (QuicKutz/Lifestyle Crafts)

The card's layout is provided by Card Positioning Systems (CPS) sketch 225.

If you'll indulge me, I'd like to send a shout-out to my Tri-Sigma sisters around the country, and especially to Zeta Epsilon chapter at Florida International University in Miami.  Hi Ladies!  Our chapter's 20th anniversary is coming up this Fall, and we're all very excited and proud.

Happy Stamping! 

Projects, Prizes, and Patriotism!

This is going to be a wonderful week!  Today is my first day as the Growing In Unity Gal!  There will be new projects Monday through Friday this week, each featuring Unity stamps!

Today is July 4th, which is Independence Day here in the United States.  It's only appropriate for me to feature the Unity in America stamp set.  It includes words like "honor", "hero", and "freedom", along with symbols from various military branches.  Perfect for honoring our veterans (like my Dad) and those brave men & women serving our country so we can enjoy the freedoms we do today.

Supplies:
Stamps: Unity in America (Unity Stamp Co.)
Paper: Yankee Doodles PP (We R Memory Keepers); Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Paint/Ink: Memento Ink in Dandelion (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Rectangle & Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Markers Y15, N0 (Copic); Self-adhesive Gems (MAMBI); Suture Thread (The Stamp Doctor)


To add some physical dimension to the card, I added bright yellow gemstones to the stars in the ribbon.  For visual dimension, I added a shadow to the stamped image using an N0 {very light neutral gray} Copic marker.  

This stamp set has lots of additional versatility!   For example, you could color the ribbon with markers of other colors & omit the words.  The awareness ribbon stamp could take on pink for breast cancer, red for heart disease, etc.  I have a very special green awareness ribbon pin that I'll treasure.  When my mom passed away suddenly & unexpectedly 10 years ago this week, we followed her wishes and donated her organs and tissues.  What a cherished card this stamp set could make for a donor family with a green ribbon and the "thank you" sentiment!

Please come back and visit each day because in addition to the projects, you'll have a chance to win Unity stamps just for leaving comments.  I'll choose a grand prize winner from all of the comments left on this week's posts to win a Unity Stamp Set sponsored by Unity Stamp Co.!  The winner will get his/her choice from a selected list of sets.  One comment per day per person, please.   The drawing has been held and the prize has been awarded.   Thank you!

Go out and enjoy some fireworks tonight.  See you tomorrow & Happy Stamping!

Happy WCMD!

I hope everyone enjoys a fabulous World Card Making Day today!   I won't be celebrating by making cards today.   We moved a little while ago and I still haven't unpacked my stamping stuff.

What's finally gotten my creative juices flowing, you ask?  The wonderful classes I enjoyed, taught by the amazing Fred Mullett at delightful local store White Swan Rubber Stamps.  Everything about the classes was great... the material, the freedom Fred gave us to 'let go and create,' the other students, the hostess.  I was happily exhausted at the end of 2 four-hour classes.  I wanted to take the third class the following day, but I'm almost glad I didn't.  I slept the whole day!

The first class was called "Dancing Rubber Fish" and explored all sorts of wonderful embossing techniques.   There's a big craft consignment sale coming up, and I'm so glad I didn't part with any of my embossing powders!   But if I need a color that I simply don't have, I now know how to create my own colors with alcohol inks and Copic marker refills!  (See why I can't wait to unpack my craft room?)

This first fish is quite large -- the stamp is over 7" across!   It's called Big Pompano, and I couldn't help buying it!  We practiced embossing techniques, color theory, and watercoloring.   The middle fish is showing off a new color we learned:  brownge.

Then we were offered the chance to choose another of Fred's stamps that he brought, or to use a stamp that we brought.  I had a few of his stamps already, so I decided to try the technique on the much smaller Longnose Butterfly.

Yes, we did all that in one four-hour period!   My mind was on overdrive thinking of different stamp designs and how they would look using these new techniques we learned.  There's definitely a lot of embossing in my future.

I had originally planned to spend the afternoon at the Scrap & Stamp Fest at the fairgrounds to visit further with Nami (of DeNami Design) and Tanya, and to photograph the fabulous DeNami sample boards.  One of my classmates was on call, though, and had to leave before class 2 started.  She offered her seat to me!   I was sad that I missed stopping back at the DeNami booth, but I'm sure I'll see them again. 

Happy Stamping!