Growing in Unity Blog Hop

Hi Stampers!  Welcome to Stop #1 on today's Growing in Unity Blog Hop!  If you arrived from the Unity Blog, you're in the right place!  Each of the stops on this hop belongs to one of the lucky ladies who served as Growing in Unity gals over the last month or so.  We're big Unity Stamp Company fans!

• Kim  (You Are Here!)
• Tammy
• Terry
• Cynthia
• Annie
• Renee
• Chris
• Becky
• Brianna
• Amber

       

My project features stamps from the May 2016 Kit of the Month shown here:

  

   

The card is fairly simple and easy to reproduce.  It incorporates light pinks and minty green.  I colored in the heart on the cup with a pink Copic marker.

    

   
I'm not a coffee person by any means, but the buzz surrounding the Unicorn Frappuccino from Starbucks was undeniable.  Did you get to try one?
   

Thanks for visiting!  Please don't forget to leave a comment here, on the other hop blogs and on the Unity blog for the most chances to win. Winners have been drawn and announced.  Thank you!

  

Happy Stamping & Happy Hopping!

FWF: Be Led by Your Dreams

It's Friday again!  Today, I'm sharing a card that is hitting the newsstands as we speak in the October 2015 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts.
   

 

      

I stamped the butterfly and the sentiment onto patterned papers (from Prima) with Memento dye ink in Rhubarb Stalk.  I then took some water and a brush, and watercolored more of the Rhubarb Stalk color throughout the butterfly's wings.   I added brown to the body of the butterfly with a Copic marker.  Quick embellishments included flowers (from Prima), pearls, and awesome Sea Grass thread in Soft Pink from The Thread Gatherer.

This weekend I've got two fun stamping sessions scheduled with different groups of friends.  Are you going to have a chance to create?

Happy Stamping!

Weekly Challenge #33 - Monochromatic

#33

Challenge:   Monochromatic 

August 20 - 26th, 2013

Here's an example of a monochromatic card for you... this time in Turquoise!  I live in Idaho where there are fires running rampant and the temperature continues to hover around 100° F, so I opted for a theme of cold weather that I just can't wait for!

I used four different Paper Smooches sets on this card.  I think that might be a record for me!  Can you guess them all? 

The four PS sets I used are:  Winter Groves, Geo-Graphic, He Said She Said, and Hang Ups.  This card also includes Bazzill Basics cardstock, VersaMark & Memento Bahama Blue inks, Washi Tape from WeRMK, Nestabilities, Copic Markers, and a gem from TPC Studio. 

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.

Please play along and join in the fun!  We will be announcing the winners on August 30, 2013.  You can link your project Here. 

Happy Stamping!

Clean & Simple Cards Challenge - Week 30

#30

Challenge:  Clean and Simple Cards

July 30 - August 5, 2013

It's Tuesday, and time for another great challenge from Cuttin' and Stampin'!  This time, the theme is "Clean and Simple Cards".  I think that the Clean & Simple idea can be summed up this way:  Less Is More.  It features color and design, and does away with most layers and embellishments. 

For my card, I chose images and the sentiment from the adorable Surf and Turf set from Paper Smooches.  I stamped the images with the Copic-friendly Memento inks from Tsukineko and then colored in the fish with Copics.  Then I mounted the white cardstock panel onto a coordinating turquoise card.

Yes, the explanation of the card sounds simple.  Believe me, there was a lot of hemming and hawing over colors and placement.  Then some "should I add ______?" conundrums.  In the end, it didn't need glitter or buttons or patterned paper.  The fish and the sentiment can stand alone.

So let's see your Clean and Simple cards!   Don't be afraid to let the white space show!

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.  You can link your project HERE.

Thanks for playing along!  We will be announcing the winners on August 9, 2013.

Happy Stamping!

Quick & Cute Valentine

It's time for a brand new challenge and a sweet project!

This week's challenge is to create a Quick & Cute Valentine.  For my Quick & Cute Valentine card, I had to go sweet.  I just can't resist the stamps in the A Muse Studio's Sweet Love set.

Here's a sneak peek of my project:

You'll have to head over to Cuttin and Stampin to see the whole card and to participate in this week's challenge.

Happy Stamping!

New Years Stampolution

I'm not usually one to make New Years Resolutions, so I'm going to have a New Years Stampolution instead. In 2013, I will be stamping more (and, therefore, posting more) and having more fun! I'm looking forward to lots of wonderful things in 2013, including a cool new challenge blog that will be kicking off later this week and an adorable new cat set that is debuting at Paper Smooches tomorrow. Speaking of PS, I really dig Kim Hughes' designs. They're super-cute and I thought I'd make a card to thank you for coming to my blog this year.

This whale stamp is one of several adorable sea creatures and sweet sentiments from the Surf & Turf stamp set. Love it! The plaid paper is from My Mind's Eye.

Happy New Year & Happy Stamping!

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!

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!

News & Happenings

I got my artist's copy of Just Cards! yesterday. This is the first time I've had projects published in this magazine. The four cards they printed are: Starlight, Make the Most of Yourself, Hugs and Kisses, and Valentine Be Mine.

I'm excited to announce that I've joined the design team for The Rubber Café -- I even have a card to share with you. Purple is my favorite color, but I rarely work with it. Why? Well, if I make purple cards, I'll have to use up my purple paper, cardstock, embellishments, etc. I hoard purple stuff like crazy. Do you have the same trouble? (And in case it's not clear in the photo... the card is purple and it was photographed against a light olive background.)



Supplies:
Stamps: African Violets & Words of Faith (The Rubber Café)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Corduroy Textured Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)
Paint/Ink: Angel Wings Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Tuxedo Black Memento Dye Ink & VersaMark (Tsukineko); Sketch Markers (Copic)
Accessories: Petite Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Happy Stamping!

Today's the Day!

Big news and some fabulous projects for you to check out today over at the Shimmerz blog! Three new limited edition colors (Beeswax, Rustic Red, and Sagebrush) were released for this fall. Here's a project I made using the Beeswax gold:

His feathers were already paper-pieced in a gorgeous golden color thanks to patterned paper from Scenic Route.


Supplies:
Stamps: America the Beautiful and U R A Hoot by Kim Hughes (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Criss Cross Cardstock in Ladybug (Bazzill); PP from Scenic Route
Paint/Ink: Beeswax Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger); VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Night Sky (Tsukineko); Cool Grey C01 Marker (Copic)

Now if you happen to have offered blog candy and mailed me this stamp set as a prize, you might see this card in person very soon. :) Thanks, Kim!

Happy Stamping!

It came. It went....

...but we're STILL going to party. My 1-year blogaversary (which coincided with my sister's birthday) was last week. I didn't forget, but never did get around to posting about it or the blog candy I've been collecting for it. Happy Birthday, Kris!

Here's the scoop on what's been going on around here:

- I am working on building a design team for Shimmerz paints. They are so much fun to play with! Last night, I made earrings from beads that were painted with Shimmerz. They're so incredibly shimmery and they dry on slick surfaces. {singsong}Love It!

- Speaking of earrings, I learned to make earrings last fall. They are now for sale at a new, artsy consignment store in downtown Nampa called Sparrow Clothing, which had their soft opening on May 10th and sold 30 pairs by June 1st... and they didn't even have their Grand Opening yet. All 30 replacement pairs are made, and now there's the matter of getting the holders printed and assembled before sending them out there.

- I've been helping out at Creative Cuts & More, with blog buttons and newsletter formatting. Terry has lots of terrific new dies and new products that she'll be adding the the Web site very soon. Bazzill Bling and Tacky-Tape shapes... here we come!

On July 4th weekend, I'll be hosting a Wish-RAK challenge at Splitcoast for patriotic cards to send to overseas troops to send home to their friends/family. I can't WAIT to see what people come up with! I'm planning on making my samples from the Kim Hughes "America the Beautiful" set.

Here's a birthday cupcake for Kris and my blog. I'll have goodies for both sometime soon. :)


Supplies:
Stamp: Clear Design Cupcakes CL158 (Hero Arts)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah)
Paint/Ink: Golden Wheat, Magenta, Royal Purple and Bubble Gum Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Brick Beige E31 Marker (Copic); Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger)

We'll be heading off to Dave's coloring class this weekend, and then first thing Monday morning my husband is scheduled for abdominal surgery... so it may be another week or so before I'm able to post. Until then...

Happy Stamping!

Kim Hughes Release & Blitz

So far, the first few hours of the Kim Hughes Blitz over at Cornish Heritage farms has been a total blast! Two winners were randomly selected from those who posted on the forum, and it turned out that Lila and I were selected. Pretty cool! Fall Silhouettes is on its way to my door!

Then there was a really tricky challenge. We had to use orange, lime green, brown, and cream... along with buttons and a bow. I was baffled by the color combination until I ran across the 6x6 pad of LilyKate paper. Perfect! Here's a picture of the owl gal (eyelashes added).
If you'd like to see a peek at the whole card, click here.

Happy Stamping! :)

Tyson's a Girl

I'm enamored with my new toy, the Fiskars Threading Water punch. It is a scalloped border with dots. Very cute! I had to try it out, so here's a quick little card I made using it and the fabulous Kim Hughes stamps which were featured as the stamp-of-the-month at CHF in April.

There's been quite a hubbub over the Threading Water punch over at SCS. Stampers have had trouble finding it. I found mine at Archiver's. Don't have one in your area? No problem -- they ship!

Supplies:
Stamps: Kim Hughes April '08 Tyson the Turtle (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper: AnnaSophia Faded Floral, Worn Dots, and Multi Floral (Bo Bunny); Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories: Threading Water Punch (Fiskars); Sketch Markers YG93, R29, BG02, E000, and C0 (Copic); Nestabilities rectangle dies (Spellbinders)

Happy Stamping!

Fell in Love... in a Hotel Room

Yes, I admit it. I fell in love in a hotel room. It was autumn. And we were too tired to shop. So we stamped. And colored. With Copics. Sure, I mispronounced their names, but it was love.

Today, the new Stampers' Sampler Take Ten Catch Up Issue arrived. It's in a new format now. I appreciate updates. I do. But I'm not a big fan of the fact that this particular layout choice causes most cards to be partially obscured. If you have a copy, check out page 28, for example. There's a "Wanted" card with some string. Is it a lasso? A bow? And then with "Mona and Leo" on page 18... what's the rest of the saying?

How are the two related? "Winter Wishes" appears on page 97, and it was my very first Copic creation. There are visible lines in the coloring, but I'm armed with training and practice now... so future projects will be better. This snowman card was posted back in October, but here he is for an encore.

Supply List:
Stamps: Sentiment from Winter Wonder (Verve Visual); Snowman With Checkered Hat (Lockhart Stamp Company)
Paper: Peapod Notecard (Memory Box); Textured Cardstock in 2 shades of green (Bazzill); Gingham patterned paper (Making Memories Kids Collection); White
Ink: VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black (Tsukineko); ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink in Deep Green (ClearSnap)
Accessories: Sketch Markers and Glitter Pens (Copic); Dimensional Foam Squares (3M)

Today has been the warmest day so far this Spring. It got up to 79 today, but they're saying we're at a risk of snow tomorrow and Wednesday. Brrr. Better not put the fleece away yet.

Happy Stamping!

Velvet Flowers & Copic Topics

So much to talk about today! Let's start with a card that looks as springy as I feel. The temperature is nice, tulips are blooming, and little buds on the trees are making it feel like Spring is here.


This Chick-a-doo line from SEI is so cute... one of my very favorites ever. The pretty blues and greens are wonderful together, and they really pop when combined with the slightly darker green Bazzill. Y-U-M!

Supply List:
Paper: Lime Crush Cardstock (Bazzill Smoothies); French Blue, Cypress, and Mint velvet papers (SEI); Chick-a-doo patterned paper (SEI)
Accessories: A2 Card Die & Various Flower Dies (Creative Cuts & More); Glitter Brads & Gemstone Brads (Making Memories); Buttons (Autumn Leaves); Silk Ribbon (May Arts); Rub-On (Deja Views)

And onto Copic Topics. Copic doesn't rhyme with topic. It sounds more like taupe than top. Cope-ic. It'll take more practice for me, but I'm trying to consistently say it like Marianne and other other Copic folks pronounce it.

There are a few KEY things I took away from the training class in Eugene. They include:

* These markers are modular. You can purchase new tips, more ink... even empty markers. Customize them as you wish.

* Most versatile marker of all? The colorless blender marker. You can use it to make textures in a field of color (bricks, spatters, dots, cobblestones). It can help 'erase' mistakes. It can make colored-in jeans look faded.

* Grab a bottle of the colorless blender solution. You'll be refilling your marker. You can also put some in a spray bottle to play with.

* When coloring, don't hold back with the ink. It should soak through the paper. The back should look evenly soaked. Be sure to protect your table surface by coloring on top of other scrap paper or a glass mat or other barrier.

* Play and go crazy. Try things you wouldn't normally do. Seriously. Touch the red marker to the tip of the yellow marker. The red ink won't hurt the yellow marker. Mash hard on the brush tip of the marker. It won't fray. And even if the brush does break, no biggie! The marker isn't ruined... you just take out the old tip and slide in a new one.

* Need a different color? Buy an empty marker and mix up your own custom color. Get a very pale blue by mixing blue ink with blending solution.

* Re-inkers can be used just like alcohol inks. In fact, they ARE alcohol inks.

* These inks can color just about anything. Laurie, my tablemate in class was using the airbrush system to color blush on the cheeks of felt birds. The crew of a currently-running Broadway show in NYC uses them to color the microphones so they hide in the actor's hair.

* The type of alcohol used in the Copic markers is like ethanol. Know what else is made of a similar type of alcohol? Hand sanitizer gel! They're great as disinfectants... but even better as a craft medium! (OK, isn't everything better as a craft medium?) So keep a pump of hand gel on your crafting desk. It works like a charm for clean-up. I even found a purse-sized spray gel which will probably never make its way into my purse.

More key tips and thoughts to come.

Happy Stamping!

Bit by Bit

I'm home from my trip and feeling a little under the weather. I'm also feeling a little overwhelmed by trying to sum up my trip in just one post... so there'll be a few.

First, if you're ever in the vicinity of a Copic Marker Certification Class or other Copic class offered by Marianne Walker, jump at the opportunity. The course was full of valuable information. And Marianne? Let me sum her up with one word: WOW. She's an amazing artist. She helped us all to relax and play and learn. Her enthusiasm for and knowledge of the product line make her the perfect (coining a new term here) Spokesteacher.

Next, I found a little goody at JoAnn's in Ontario, OR. That JoAnn's is SO much bigger than the ones here in Boise. I have been to Ontario upwards of ten times for surgical procedures on Dad's hands... and we drove past the JoAnn's each time. We never went in because I haven't found anything to purchase at the local stores lately. Let's just say that I won't be just driving past the JoAnn's in Ontario anymore. In addition to the four stamp sets, four ink pads, bead packets and Bigz die I got... I found this little gem. It's a pack of 21 "Dangler Clips", found in the jewelry-making department and offered for $2.39 after the 40% discount. Look familiar? They're dead-ringers for the Clip-It-Up clips that retail for $7.

There is much more to tell. Until then... Happy Stamping!

News & Happenings

I'm heading down the road on another stamping adventure... this time to Eugene, Oregon for Copic Marker Certification Training. Through my regularly-scheduled blog-hopping, I learned that a few stamping stars (like Cambria and Joy) will be there, too. I can't wait!

I've highlighted a few places on the map that I'd like to stop. We're planning to cross paths with Courtney. Stampin' Cat Studio has been on my wish-list for months and I'm glad I'll get to stop there. We're heading there earlier in the trip than originally planned because our first route is too dangerous. That's right... one of the mountain passes is closed and another has 254" of snow on the side of the road (yes, upwards of TWENTY FEET). I'm also going to try to time it so I can visit Daisy Bucket on the way back. Dad is coming with me, and we're going to make an adventure out of it!

There are lots of fun new stamps and specials going on:
- CHF's Kim Hughes came out with two new sets: Nature's Silhouettes and Baked with Love
- I spy a new CUPCAKE!! It's part of Anna Wight's new birthday set at Whipper Snapper Designs, scheduled to be released on 4/15/08.
- Michael's has little plastic pebbles in their floral department that look just like Dew Drops. Yesterday, I grabbed their big bags on clearance for just $2.
- Save 35% on Crafty Secrets products at 7 Kids College Fund by using code CRAFTY35.
- justjohanna has a special savings set for April -- save 25% on a 5-stamp set which includes adorable owl
- Viva Las Vegastamps is having a big sale on their grab bags.
- Flourishes released Menswear and Siberian Iris.
- Gina K. Designs is preparing to launch a new line of stamps called Kindred Spirits.

Oh yes, and if you're local to Boise, don't miss the Re:Use Market. It's only about the size of a closet, but is it ever fun! The price is right, too -- everything's free for the taking. TIP: Bring a bag. They'll be open Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th -- check their Web site for hours. My last visit there was so much fun! I got a couple of 3-ring binders, a wallpaper sample book, 2 fabric sample books, some wonderful tile samples, a few small slabs of Corian, and a handful of rub-on letters. It's truly a treasure-trove for any crafter! I can't wait to run some of the fabric and wallpaper through my Big Shot!

I'll be gone for a while... learning, playing, and exploring.

Happy Stamping!