GIU Week - Day 2 - June 30, 2026

 Welcome to Day 2 of my GIU (Growing In Unity) week.

Again I am featuring this KOM:

Today I will be using the Dandelion Image for my cards. - There is another floral image in the kit to the left of it.  I did not use that image.

Click to enlarge images:

Card #1:

For this card I used the following colors of card stock:  Only Orange*-retired, Daffodil Delight,  Basic Black (SU) and Watercolor Paper.  Scallop/Rectangle Dies (Unity), Small corner punch (EK Success).

I started out by creating a mask out of printer paper that I had cut with a die and then lightly taped it down on the watercolor paper. I spritzed the paper lightly with water and then brushed water color paints in various shades over the masked area. I used a brush dipped in water and the paints.  Once that was done I let it dry and then tapped the splatter on with the Bronze Mica spray I used in yesterdays bear card.  I heat set everything and removed the mask. Then stamped the dandelion image with Versa Fine Nocturne ink in the corner.  I added punched photo corners and some enamel dots to complete the card. The sentiment was mounted with foam tape.

Card No. 2

I went a very different direction with the same stamp. - This time making strictly Black/White color scheme.

Card Base: Basic Black, Then a layer of Basic white that was embossed with Basket Weave Die (Concord and 9th).

Then I punched a strip of the black card stock with a border punch, (Daisy Scallop) from EK Success and added a strip of white grosgrain ribbon (SU) * retired. I glued that piece down over the embossed piece.  The dandelion image was cut out with a circle die from Unity and stamped with Hero Arts Unicorn Pigment ink. The sentiment was stamped with Basic Black in. Both the sentiment and focal image were mounted with foam tape and I added a tiny black heart to finish off the card.  This was a CAS (Clean and Simple) card

that looks like it took more time to make then it really did. 

That's today's cards. - Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a, $20 store credit from Unity Stamps.  If commenting anonymously please leave your name in the comment if you want a chance to win. 

Come back tomorrow to see which image from the KOM I'll be using for my next set of cards.

IB#336 - Lemons

 Hello & Welcome!

Today's card is being shared for the Inspired By challenge #336 - Lemons.

Here is the inspiration photo and sketch:

Here is the card I created for this challenge:

I was inspired by the colors of the photo and also the sketch which I altered a little to fit my squares into a patterned that worked for my card idea.

For this card I used a stamp set from Catherine Pooler,  Your Zest Life.  - I've featured this stamp set before on (this post) using the same paper but different stamps, So you'll have another idea for this stamp set.

Details: Card Base: SU - Night of Navy card stock.

Designer paper was purchased at a JoAnn's store. I used a Scallop Rectangle Die from Unity Stamps to cut it out.

Lemon slices stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink on SU Daffodil Delight card stock and cut out with the matching dies.

Lemon was stamped on SU Basic White card stock with Daffodil Delight Ink and cut out with the matching die.  I added sparkle to the lemon and slices with a Wink of Stella Pen.

The sentiment was stamped with Versa Mark ink and embossed with SU Bold Black embossing powder on a piece of textured yellow card stock.

The squares are from Stampin'Up! - Stylish Dies and were cut out with Navy textured card stock. I mounted the images over the squares with foam tape and added some homemade enamels dots:

thanks to Leslie Miller for this idea.

A sample of the sparkle from the Wink of Stella:

Thank you for stopping in and don't forget to check out the Design teams cards and 

#IB334 - Inspired by

Welcome .

Today's card features those adorable (Mayhem Monsters) from yesterday's card.  Plus it's for this weeks, Inspired by challenge:

Inspired by...smoothie bowl.

The idea is to be inspired by either the sketch, the photo or both.

Here is my card:  I was inspired by the colors of the photo although mine are a bit different as I leaned more towards purple and green which are in the photo.  Plus the blueberry color for the splatters.

My original idea was to follow the sketch but as often happens this card took on a mind of it's own and the sketch went the way of the "wild goose" as they say. - I hope you enjoy my interpretation of the inspiration photo.

I stamped the image on white card stock and colored it with my pencils (blended with gamsol). For a fun detail I used some Diamond Glaze on the teeth and added Crystal glitter.  I masked the image off and stamped the splatters with Azure Afternoon ink.  Some enamel dots were added to finish the card off.

Supplies: Stamp set - Monster Mayhem (Unity Stamps)

Pattern Paper - Monster Mayhem (Unity Stamps)

Card Stock: SU - Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather and Basic White

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Azure Afternoon (SU)

Colored Pencils, Blending Stubs, Gamsol.

Enamel dots, Glitter, Foam Tape, Diamond Glaze

Thanks for stopping by.  If you leave a comment please include your e-mail in the comment if you want a personal thank you.  

PP698 - Color Challenge and NBUS #

 Hello. - Thanks for stopping by.

Today I am sharing a card that I created for the Paper Players PP698.

This week was a color challenge (Black, Grey, Red and White).  This is one of my favorite color combos so I just had to play along.

Here is the card that I created for this challenge.  Since it uses new stamps and this was their first inking I'm also sharing with NBUS#64

Here is the card that I made:

Details:  Stamps used: Unity (Lil' Bloomer) Don't you think that little mouse is just the cutest thing? I sure do.

Before I go into further details I want to let you know that Unity stamps is also going to be selling "some" of their stamps now in Photopolymer (Clear) stamps!  I'm excited about that and I hope you will be as well.  They will continue to have their finely detailed line available only in the Red Rubber but now you will have options.

Back to the card now:  Card Stock Used, Basic Black, Basic White, Real Red, and Smoky Slate.

Dies: Unity Scallops and Rectangles, Fishtail die MFT

Punches: Retired SU heart punch and McGill Corner punch (for the tiny heart)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Prisma Color Premier Pencils, Gamsol, Blending Stubs

Staples, Foam tape, Lustre Brush (Scrapbook.com) for the splatters.

That's it for this card.  - Again I appreciate your visit and comments.

Have a wonderful day.