Create Your Own DP: Using Heat Embossing & Markers

While I was blog hopping and in the SCS gallery, I noticed lots of coloring on kraft cardstock and heat embossing of white. Kinda the trendy things happening right now as I can tell. What do I know? Anyhow, I thought it would be fun to create a white heat embossed, colored background on kraft cardstock to use as my own designer paper. As mentioned in my video (soon to be uploaded), I have this HUGE container of white embossing powder that, as a newbie about seven years ago, I just had to have. It sat and sat and sat...kinda like Horton on the egg if anyone knows that story. With this project, I actually put a dent into my stash of that!

The stamps are not ones that haven't been inked up before. I adore this set by Samantha Walker and Unity called Decadent Pear. I remember searching for this when it was not available on the Unity site. I am so glad that it keeps getting use. I have a couple other cards posted here using it.

I decided to use the scraps from the first card to create another the second one, which I have NEVER done before. The shopping ban gets better and better!

Shopping Ban Challenge: A Week of Unity

This has been week one of my shopping ban creative challenge and I have to say it felt soooo good! I was unable to make anything new yesterday as I was out of town most of the day and beat by the time I got home.  Check previous posts concerning the challenge and prizes. Love using my KOM! Have a super weekend and hope to see you here on Friday!

Unity FWF Card for a Friend

I had a whole week off from grad school last week...still had to work, but it was AMAZING how much time I had. Did I craft? Barely. lol! I did, however, find this fabulous paper from the Stella and Rose Collection by My Mind's Eye called Hattie. Love it! I picked up a couple other designs from that line, too.

As I had mentioned in my last post, I have become newly reacquainted with my Cricut in the past month or so. Discovering what I can do with it along with some design software. The card base is made by welding images from the Lacey Labels cartridge and the cute folder (with the ticket stamp from last month's Unity kit) was made by welding a couple of images from From My Kitchen. I had a blast experimenting in between cleaning up after a sick kiddo. I'm afraid Fiona is next. She has a cough and low grade fever. Hoping she will be better in the AM, so I can go to work!

Oh...also adore the Prima candy beads...so sweet. Mitch made me a copper tree just like the wire for the beads. I think I am going to try my hand at my own variation of Prima's creation! Have a warm weekend!!!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity February KOTM
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: Hattie - Stella & Rose Collection (My Mind's Eye), Kraft, Baja Blue
Accessories: Cork, Paper Rose (Prima), Candy Beads (Prima), Pearls, Embossing Folder (CB), From th Kitchen (Cricut), Lacey Labels (Cricut), Gypsy

Fiona & Haley at Cody & Megan's Wedding 

Liam loves frozen peas and frozen corn. I couldn't resist when I saw this on sale!

FWF So and So Loves

It's been tough lately with two little ones...trying to find time and energy to spend on each other. We need to make the time. No matter how much I love our little family, we wouldn't be a family without the two of us. This was Mitch's Valentine's Day card. Looking forward to many more good times to come...and a date night!

Supplies
Stamps: So and So Loves (Unity)
Ink: Rich Cocoa
Paper: Kraft, Gina K Luxury White
Accessories: Woodgrain Impression Plate (PTI), Nestabilities Label Die, Bic Markers, Linen Thread, Shimmer Mist

FWF Simple Hearts

Something sweet and simple this week. I needed simplicity! Blessing for a fabulous weekend!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity November In-Store KOTM
Ink: Poppy Parade, Tangerine Tango, Rich Cocoa
Paper: Gina K. White
Accessories: Gems, Dazzling Diamonds

FWF Give Thanks

Right now I am thankful that my bed is close. We are prepping for a barn raising party on Saturday and I am beat. I had to embrace these fabulous fall colors with a sentiment from Unity's September KOM. Hope you have a wonderful fall weekend with many things for which to be thankful.

Supplies

Stamps: Unity September KOM

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Cocoa, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Basic Grey, Confetti Cream

Accessories: Button (PTI-Autumn Mix), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Linen thread, Crocheted Lace, Scallop punch

Too Sweet!

FWF: Even at One O'Clock in the Morning

So, I should be sleeping. I am absolutely exhausted and know that I will be up within the next couple of hours for Fiona's next feeding, then up with Liam and Fiona a few hours from the end of her feeding. Instead of sleeping I made this...lol!

The sketch is from Tuesday's stamp club project, which I need to photo and upload, too. Super cute! I also used one of the new SU In-Colors...Crushed Concord. Makes me want some Welch's Grape Juice! I colored the floral stamp with markers, spritzed it with water then stamped it on confetti cream cardstock. After I matted all of the layers I spritzed the entire card with iridescent gold glimmer most, which is impossible to see in this photo.Very subtle. Love the results! Happy hopping through Unity creations!

Supplies

Stamps: Key to Joy, The Right Words, Moments in Bloom (All Unity)

Ink: Desert Sand, Crushed Concord, Orchid Opulence, Pear Pizazz, Old Olive, Versamark

Paper: Crush Concord, Confetti Cream, Daffodil Delight, Lavendar Lace

Accessories: Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist, Corner Rounder, Eyelets, Linen Thread, Pearls

Dream Stickle/ FWF /Unity Anniversary Week

 I decided to go retro with my Unity today! 

This is one of the first KOM sets I purchased and a later in-store KOM.

It's hard to see but I used white rub-ons on the twill tape as well as a cute little bird on the circle with the flowers.
This card is for the Unity 2nd Anniversary Martini Sketch Challenge.

Have a wonderful day!

Supplies

Stamps: All Unity

Paper: Kioshi (Basic Grey), Kraft, White (Gina K.)

Ink: Summer Sky, Yellow, Black (All Memento)

Accessories: Dewdrops, Shimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Distressed Stickles, Rub-ons (Kaiser), 

Twill Tape (SU)

Flair Friday Sweetness

A little extra sugar-coated sweetness for you today!

Again, looking so forward to the weekend after a long week of state testing with one more week to go.

This is the first project I have made using Smooch paints. Love them! I have had them in my stash since at least Christmas. Sad, I know!
Blessing for a beautiful weekend!

Supplies

Stamps: Adventures in Happiness

Ink: Rich Cocoa

Paper: Real Red, Nook & Pantry (Basic Grey). Cool Caribbean

Accessories: Smooth Acrylic Paints, Nestablilities, Copics, Gems, White Souffle Gel Pen, Chocolate Grosgrain

FWF Unity/ Adventures in Happiness

"Gray Skies Are Just Clouds Passing By."

- Duke Ellington

I know that life always throws us curve balls. Everyone has burdens to carry. Some large, some small. These are the things of life that make us who we are. We have a choice. We can choose to let those things shape us into positively driven individuals or let them break us. I have to be honest to say that I have let those experiences do both, however my determination to focus on the potential of the future, along with faith, helps me to know that I do have a happy life. I am blessed. I hope that you are able to find those blessings in your life, especially if you are going through difficult times, to forge ahead with confidence that life can be a happy place for you.

...oh, and if you don't like staples used on cards you better just move along! 

I can never get that darn ribbon to stick, so what better way than driving an office supply through it. lol!

Supplies

Stamps: Adventures in Happiness (Unity)

Ink: Rich Cocoa, Summer Sky (Memento)

Paper: DP (no clue), kraft (SU), Summer Sunrise (PTI), White

Accessories: Twill Tape (SU), Hemp Twine, Buttons (PTI). Stitched Ribbon, Kraft Ribbon (SU), Staples, Nestabilities

So, It's Friday...

And thank goodness! I am ready for the weekend! Quick post of my Unity Flair and a pic of Liam in his construction guy outfit that he got for his birthday. We had his party on Easter with the family. What a blessing!

Start Here at Unity for More Friends with Flair Posts!!!

No takers on the Use Your Stash Challenge this week. :( Maybe next week...
I would have thought among us there would be more hoarders. lol! Guess not!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Liam!

Supplies
Stamps: Nothing but Blues Skies & Adventures in Happiness (Unity)
Ink: Rich Cocoa & Desert Sand (Memento)
Paper: Kraft (SU), DP (Cosmo Cricket), Vanilla, Red (Archiver's)
Accessories: Kraft Ribbon, Copics, Sakura Stardust Clear Gel Pen

Unity FWF/ Use Your Stash Challenge

The theme for today is one-layer cards. I'm hearing a few of you groan...yeah, I know. Me, too.I was working on {ippity} materials for a craft show on Saturday and noticed that I had plenty of samples with bling and layers (nesties/CB), but nothing that a newbie may not feel overwhelmed by doing the first time out. These designs also lend themselves to easily changing the sentiment from "thank you" to "happy birthday" to "sympathy", etc.

I'm still teetering on the edge of doing these as a make and take at the booth. The jury is out, but I need to decide soon in order to prep my materials.

Supplies
Stamps: Where You Should Be
Ink: Memento Greens, Black
Paper: Kraft
Accessories: Wide Grosgrain - Lemongrass (Offray)

Supplies
Stamps: Regal Greetings
Ink: Black
Paper: White
Accessories: Black Pearls

I also make a bag for their new {ippity} purchase. Got the idea from the great gals on the Unity Opportuniy blog. Inspired by the talented, Stephanie Zito.

The "use your stash" winner for this week is...

Gwen

Gwen will receive a few fun items from my personal stash.
One can only use so many of those lovelies that one accumulates, so why not share them?

PLEASE POST THE LINK TO YOUR CARD/PROJECT ON THIS POST FOR NEXT WEEK. LIST THE ITEM(S) YOU HAVE USED FROM YOUR STASH.

My item this week was that cool green wide grosgrain ribbon that I have had in the package forever!!! It's gorgeous!

"Use Your Stash" Challenge Free {ippity}!!!!/FWF Friday

Post your creation here with your "stash" item and get a chance to win some FREE {IPPITY} stamps!!!!!
Winner announced on Monday {ippity} post!

Who among you can say with all honesty that you don't have a stash of some papercrafting supplies? Come on...admit it! I am among those individuals who, frankly, has more than she needs. (This does not keep me from collecting more...) Maybe I am the only one...yeah, didn't think so. I would love you to join me on an adventure through unopened packages of embellishments, stamps that have never seen ink, pricey designer papers hidden on shelves and all the other things we swore we would use "some day". During this trip, we may discover creativity in places we would have never expected. Inspiration among the clutter.

My challenge to you...grab something...anything that you have horded or just "had to have" and have yet to use. Use that item(s) as your inspiration for a creation to post in the comments section here for all to see!

I would think, for most of us, this would be something fairly simple to do every week. A challenge that may help to dwindle the extras if only get more treasures to add to the pile. ;)

My item for today is...
Stickles
I probably have 20+ bottles and only use about 2-3 of them on a regular basis.

Supplies
Stamps: March In-store KOM (Unity)
Ink: Tuxedo Black
Paper: Kraft, Amuse Kitchen
Accessories: Stickles, Glossy Accents, Nestabilities, Gemstones, Butterfly Embosslits (SU), Copics

Simple Ippity Butterfly

Good morning/afternoon/evening...whenever you happen to stop in today/tomorrow/down the road. I never know when I will actually be hopping or how long I will have time to do it before work/family/stuff detracts me from the serious business of checking out some fabulous blogs!

I love what Mitch said when I brought the card upstairs to show him this evening, "That's not what it looked like at 9:00." I had to have a chuckle at that. At 9:00, it was a far cry from being finished. It looked more like a jumble of individual pieces setting out on the table with little linking it together than a general color scheme. An hour later...finished. I have a very limited number of Copic markers, so the butterfly colors are not really what I had in my head. Life goes on. ;)

Life is simple, it's just not easy.
~unknown

Supplies
Stamps: Devotion, Life is Simple (Both ippity)
Ink: Tuxedo Black, Blue Sky, Opaque White
Paper: Kioshi (Basic Grey), Kraft, New Leaf, Moss, White, Black
Accessories: SU Border Punch, Nestabilities Labels, White Satin Ribbon, Clear Stardust Gel Pen (Sakura), Iridescent Gold Shimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Black Pearls, Copics

Super Fast Unity FWF

Made it home from parent/teacher conferences after a 12-hour day at school and remembered that I still needed to create something for Unity's Friday Friends with Flair. So, here is what I made while watching Burn Notice...ah, Michael Westin...now blogging in bed. So close to crashing!

Have a Beautiful Friday!

Supplies
Stamps: March KOM (Unity), Bevy of Butterflies
Ink: Cocoa, Dessert Sand
Paper: Kioshi (Basic Grey), Kraft
Accessories: Clear Sakura Stardust Gel Pen, Nestabilities, Buttons (PTI), Thread. Sizzix Label Die, Copics

Happy Birthday, Mom! This Flair's for You!

I have always felt that I didn't give enough time to birthday cards for my immediate family. I feel like I create and create for the sake of creating, then when the time comes to make something special for someone special I just don't deliver. I was hoping to change that with mom's birthday card this year. I love her for some many reasons...she supports me in everything I do, loves my husband and son, bakes like nobody's business, shows interest in my hobby when I know her true love is knitting...so many things.

All in all mom and my dad are truly wonderful people. (The previous post was my dad's birthday card...ironically, his birthday is after my mom's. Who has been procrastinating? lol!) They're not perfect parents. Mitch and I aren't perfect parents, but we all have done and are doing the best we can for our children. It is amazing the perspective you get when you have your own children and look back on what your parents have done for you.

Ok...done with the sappy part of my post. Hope you enjoy the card and all of the other wonderful creations by Unity customers. Go here to start your adventure with Friends with Flair.

Check out the new {ippity} stamp SALE here!

Supplies
Stamps:
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa
Paper: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Kraft, Wisteria (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Large Flower (Prima), Shimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Butterly Punch (Martha Stewart), Fabric Flower (K & Company), Leaves Die (Sizzix-SU), Border Punch (SU), Gemstones, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft)

Fabulous Friday

Friday Flair is the only thing that has gotten me motivated to stamp lately. Not that I don't want too, but rather that live has been crazy and moving at hyper speed lately. (Not to mention a wee bit of stress.) I am sure everyone knows what I mean.

I wish I could create a card in under two hours...too much tweaking, tearing apart and tossing. Ah well, if I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it. :) This card is a direct result of this long process. lol.

Unity has some super deals this week! Gotta check it out!

Hope everyone enjoys their Friday!

Supplies
Stamps: October In-Store KOM
Ink: Basic Brown, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Paper: DP (Basic Grey), Kraft, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Pearls, Ribbon, Paper Piercing Template, Copics

Sharing my Flair

Happy Friday again! I'm planning on enjoying mine. No school today! It is Central Ohio Teacher Association (COTA) Day and we have the day off. (Just a comp for Columbus Day, which we didn't have off. ) I was actually out sick Tuesday and Wednesday with a nasty sinus infection and back today. Still not 100%, but hoping I can work my way there over the weekend. :)

Looks like Angela has some terrific deals through this weekend. Be sure to stop by and get your Unity!

Supplies
Stamps: KOM September (Unity)
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Tuxedo Black
Paper: Gina K. Luxury White
Accessories: Gemstones, Ribbon

Happy World Cardmaking Day!!

I can't believe that I have been doing this now for six years. (I also can't believe I have had three blog posts in three days!) I'm so thankful that I found a way to release, relax and be creative. Being able to give people some personalized is important to me.

Friday night I decided to create a few fun designs with nothing particular in mind. Just using stamps that I haven't had the opportunity to ink up. I think I will make that a challenge for myself for World Cardmaking Day...ink up as many stamps as I can that haven't had he chance to enjoy. I hope you find an inspiration or challenge for today.

Supplies
Stamps: September KOM (Unity)
Ink: Black
Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Basic Grey DP
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Opalites, Nestabilities

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Supplies
Stamps: Just Rite Stampers
Ink: Black (Memento)
Accesories: Border Punch, Nestabilities, Copics, Glossy Accents, Souffle White Gel Pen

It's Friday! It's Friday! with Unity

While you are enjoying your blog hop I'm still at work. :) I do enjoy my job, but wish I could check just a couple blogs to break up the day. I usually don't make it completely through the hop until Sunday. Enjoying it slowly. Have a fabulous Friday!!!

Don't forget about World Cardmaking Day on Saturday! I heard a rumor that Unity has something fun planned.

Also, I'm cleaning out my craft room if you want to see what is available click here. :)

Supplies
Stamps: August KOM (Unity)
Ink: Cocoa (Memento)
Paper: Crushed Curry, Copper, Indian Summer (Basic Grey)
Accessories: Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Gems, Ribbon, Nestabilities, Victoria Embossing Folder (Provocraft 0 Cuttlebug)