GIU Day 5 - The Final Day

Hard to believe it's Friday already and the final day of my stint as the featured GIU stamper. - I have had a lot of fun this week creating cards and sharing them with you.

Once again here is the KOM that I chose to use for my cards:

 

For my final 2 cards I used the mouse with the leaf image.

Card #1:

This was another fun but messy card to make. - I used the "Bubble" technique for this card.  So I took 3 shades of ink refills (More Mustard*, Only Orange* retired colors and Old Olive) dropped a few drops in some plastic cups and mixed in a little water.  Next I took a straw and blew bubbles up to the top of the cup.  Then I brushed them off with the straw and placed them in various places onto watercolor paper letting the bubbles pop and dry. It makes for some very interesting patterns. Again I tapped the Mica spray onto the dried piece to add some shimmer.  Then it was cut out with a rectangle die and the mouse image was stamped with Early Espresso Ink.

I stamped the sentiment with the Espresso ink and punched it out with a circle punch. The Tangerine Tango panel was stamped with the Woodgrain Whisper background stamp using Versa Mark clear ink.  All panels were mounted onto Mossy Meadow card stock. I added some small punched hearts and tiny gems.  I also used a tab die to create the More Mustard tab on the right side of the card.

Card #2:

For the final card in this series:

This one was fun but time consuming (mostly because I messed part of it up and had to start over).

I wanted to use this piece of patterned paper from Paper Studio and purchased at Hobby Lobby for the wonderful fall colors it has.

I didn't realize until I was finished with the card that I'd used the same card base color (Mossy Meadow) as the first card. - Oh well...

I used another die plate from Concord & 9th with little circles on it. I die cut a piece of Early Espresso card stock, cut down the designer paper to fit inside the die and glued it down. Then I ran it through the die cut machine to add the circles on the patterned paper.  A strip of Cajun craze was also embossed with the die plate.  The mouse was color with pencils and fussy cut.  I mounted it with foam tape along with the sentiment and added some cream colored brads, another tab punch and a heart.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my card creations this week.

Don't forget to comment for a chance at a $20 Unity store credit.  If commenting (Anonymously) please leave your name in the comment so you can be identified if you want a change to win.

GIU Day 4 - June 29-July 3, 2026

Hi,  I've been having so much fun sharing these cards for my week as the featured GIU (Growing in Unity) stamper.  

 Once again today I will be featuring 2 cards from this KOM:

Today I'm featuring the sweet little bird image for my cards.

Card #1:  I loved another patterned paper pack (Daisy Day Dreams) and thought it would pair well with this bird image sitting on top of that little flower.

I chose the Purple pattern for this card.  My card base is,  Gorgeous Grape.  Then I layered a piece of the patterned paper.  I stamped the image with colored pencils (Prisma) and again blended with stumps using Gamsol.  The image was cut out with an oval die (MFT stamps*retired). I mounted it onto another oval cut with Blueberry Bushel card stock.  I added some yellow glitter to the center of the flower and used a white splatter pen to add the dots that mimic the ones on the patterned paper.  The sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink and punched with old SU punches on Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heater and Basic White cs. - I also cut a strip of the patterned paper in the polka dot and another in Highland Heather and mounted them to the card.  The image was raised with foam tape.  Some light lavender glossy dots were also added to complete the card.

Card #2 - This one took a totally different turn when I started deciding how I wanted it to look. 

  The card base is Calypso Coral.  Then I used a piece of patterned paper (Jubilant Tapestry)  I added a strip of Washi Tape over the bottom portion of the patterned paper and glue it down to the card base.  I started with a small strip of Vellum card stock and embossed the bird with Vanilla embossing powder from a company that is no longer in business.  After I embossed it I turned it over and colored the back of the images with various Permanent Markers (Shuttle Art) that I received as a Christmas gift. I used some micro glue dots to adhere the vellum to a piece of white card stock.  When you turn it over and glue it down it softens the colors and gave this a lovely pastel look.  I added small photo corners in petal pink card stock which helped cover up the glue dots.  Some die cut embossed leaves in a retired SU color (Sage Shadow) were added along with 3 white pearls and some light peach colored enamel dots to complete the card.

Please make sure to leave a comment for your chance at a $20 Unity store credit at the end of my week. - If commenting anonymously please leave your name in the comment to be eligible for the drawing.

Come back tomorrow for my final 2 cards from this KOM that I've used this week.

Day 3 - GIU Week (June 29-July 3 2026)

Hello and Welcome.  We are midway through my week as the GIU featured stamper. - By now you realize I'm featuring 2 cards each day using the same stamped image.  I'm using the July 2025 KOM - Took me an entire year to get this set out and actually use it!  It has some great images/sentiments so I don't know why it took me so long to use it.

Card #1:

I fell in love with the adorable mushroom image in this set.  Then I realized I had forgotten to purchase the Designer Paper that coordinates with that image so beautifully.  Guess what?  I just had to buy it.  

Details on this card:  Card Base: Cajun Craze. Also used: More Mustard cs* retired.  I so miss a lot of the old SU colors but thankfully still have some of them in my card stock stash.  The patterned paper is from Unity (Spore the Love). My image was stamped with Versa Fine Clair Nocturne ink and colored with various Copic markers.  I did not write down which ones I used.  I've had Copics for several years but struggle to use them.  I'm trying to improve my skills so hopefully this isn't too bad. The mustard piece of card stock was embossed with a Swiss Dot embossing folder.  I rounded the corners with a corner punch. (KW-triO 3-Way) which was gifted to me by a good friend. The sentiment and focal image were mounted with foam tape and some sequins were added to complete the card.  Showing some of the details below:

Card #2:  The first card has a more (Fall) feel to it. - This one I tried to give a more summer like feel by changing up the colors.

Card Base: Real Red cs (SU) Then I cut out a rectangle of the patterned paper (Spore the Love) that had some brighter tones to it.

The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with pencils (Prisma Color) and blended with Gamsol/Blending Stumps.  I added some shimmer to the mushroom dots with a Wink of Stella pen. Hearts were left over from the first day's "Bear" card. I Stapled them onto another piece of the patterned paper.  Added some enamel dots and mounted the image with foam tape.  A couple of little gold gems add some extra sparkle.

Again you can see that I did one card in Landscape and one card in Portrait.  - Click to enlarge photos for better detail.

Don't forget to leave a comment to be eligible for a $20 store credit with Unity at the end of my week.  If commenting anonymously please leave your name in your comment so you can be identified if your comment is chosen. 

See you again tomorrow for image #4 from this Kit. 

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.

Welcome to my GIU Week

 Hello & Welcome.  Today is the first day of my week as the featured Growing In Unity stamper. - I have something special planned for this week which I hope you enjoy. - Click on images to enlarge.

Let's get started.  For my week I chose to feature a KOM (Kit of the Month) that I got a year ago. - It's called, Feelin' Fall The Things.

This set features 5 main images and sentiments to match them.  I will be using an image a day from this kit. Here's the "surprise part"...I'll use the same stamp 2 different ways!

Up first:  The adorable Bear image.

Yes I realize this was a (Fall) themed set but I wanted to show that you could turn it into a (Winter) themed card as well.  For this card I used:  Crumb cake card Stock for the card. The background paper (Sugar Plum Frost) is also from Unity. That is what I based my color scheme off of for the card. I cut it out with a Unity Scalloped Rectangle die. The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with pencils. - The sentiment is from another older Unity KOM - (Oh Christmas Tree - Oct. 2013)! The snowflakes are from a Die set from Momenta and an old punch I've had for forever. I added Wink of Stella to them for shimmer. - The image was mounted on Pretty in Pink (SU) card stock and the edges were distressed.  The ribbon is from a retired SU ribbon pack.  I added tiny pink pearls to the snowflakes (Queen and Company).

Okay now for the 2nd card... This one is totally different in so many ways. 

First the first card was done in (Landscape) and this one is done in (Portrait) style. Also there was no actual coloring of the focal image.

This one was so much fun and a little messy to make but worth it.

Card Base is: Early Espresso (SU). Same die was used but on watercolor paper.  So for this I started with some ink pads (Tim Holtz Distress ink in Dried Marigold, Brushed Corduroy, and a Distress Oxide, Rusty Hinge) that I pressed down on a piece of Acetate and spritzed with water then dabbed them down in various places on the paper. After it dried I used some Distress Mica Spray (Bronze) and did the same thing.  This added some awesome shimmer to the card.

The bear image was Stamped with Early Espresso Ink and done the same way as the background.  I then fussy cut the image out. The sentiment was stamped with the Espresso ink and fussy cut. I punched 2 hearts (retired SU punch) left over from the paper I used to create the background. I cut a circle from Crushed Curry card stock and mounted the bear, sentiment and hearts with foam tape.  Some sequins were added to finish the card off.

That's it for my first day as the GIU featured stamper.  Please leave a comment if you want to be eligible for a, $20 Store Credit at Unity Stamps. - If you comment (anonymously) please leave your name so I can know who you are if you get picked.

Join me again tomorrow for another set of cards from this kit.

Day 5 - GIU Week - Let's say, Hay!

 Hi,  - Wow the week went by fast.  Today is my last day as the featured GIU stamper.

Today's card is so fun.  If you haven't noticed by now I gravitate towards, "cutesy" stamps. and this one is no exception.  

Don't forget to leave a comment (contact name) for your chance at a Unity gift voucher of, $20.

So for this card I started with the (Thinking of Moo) Uniquely Unity set from December 2024. - I can't believe it took me this long to use it.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Watercolor paper and used watercolor pencils and a paintbrush/water to color it.  Then I cut it out with a Unity Die and added some photo corners.

I love that Unity has a great line of patterned papers and the (Hay.There.)  was the perfect choice for this little cow.

I cut one piece of the plaid and a strip of the Hay and then added a piece of Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon.  This was then mounted on a card base of Old Olive.

For the sentiment (which comes in the set) I stamped the Haaaaay!!! with Memento black ink and cut it out with a Unity Circle Die. Then I used a ruler and a black marker to underline the sentiment.  That was mounted on another circle of Pumpkin Pie cs.  

The image and sentiment were then mounted with foam tape and some orange gems were added for accent.

Almost forgot that I stamped the inside too. - those weird blobs are not on the card, shadows from the light coming in from the window.

It was so much fun creating cards for this week and I hope you have enjoyed seeing them as much as I did making them and sharing with you.

Day 4 - GIU Week - Let's Bee Weird

Hi,  Thanks for stopping by.

Today is Day 4 of my GIU week - I have another cute card to share.

This time I'm using the adorable stamp set, (Bee-hold) again. - I've used in once already on a card (see HERE) but just think these little bee's are to cute not to showcase them again.

For this card I started with a black card base.  The I used basic white and did some ink smooshing with distress inks.  - I stamped the bee on one panel and used the other for my second layer. I added some shimmer to the bee's wings with Wink of Stella and added googly eyes because they are so funny.  The sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink.  I distressed a square panel and a strip of black card stock.  Added some gold bee Washi Tape and some small black pearls to complete the card.

Don't forget to leave your name in the comment for a chance at that $20 gift voucher.

Come back tomorrow as I finish off my week with another card featuring another awesome Unity stamp set.

GIU Day 3 - Aw Nuts

 Hi and Welcome to Day 3 of my GIU week.  

I love the variety of stamps that Unity has, there is something for everyone's stamping fancy.

Today I'll be sharing a card that makes me smile and I hope itmakes you smile as well.

I have a love for squirrels and enjoy leaving peanuts out for them to eat.  They are always so comical to watch.  So when I saw the stamp set:  Stay Squirrelly I just knew it had to pop into my shopping cart.

Here is the card that I created using it:

 This was a easy card to put together.  I started with a base of Early Espresso (SU) cs.  Then a piece of designer paper and pieces of Old Olive and Balmy Blue.  

I used a leaf embossing folder (Paper Studio) and embossed the leaves on just a portion of it. Then I layered the designer paper and the strip of old olive down the center.

The squirrel was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black on White card stock and cut with a Grunge Tag. I colored the image with Pencils blended with Gamsol and blending stumps. I distressed the edges with Balmy Blue ink.

I added brown embroidery thread after punch a hole in the tag and mounted it on the card with foam tape.

  The small acorn is from the current September KOM . I added some Wink of Stella for a little shimmer on the acorn.  The sentiment was cut with a fishtail die.  Green enamel dots were added.

I think this will make a fun card to give to someone when you forget their birthday. 

Be sure to leave your name in the comment section for a chance at the $20 Gift Voucher for some Unity goodies.

See you again tomorrow for another fun card creation.  Thanks for stopping by.

GIU - Day 2 Stir The Pot (Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge).

 Welcome! - Today is Day 2 of my GIU (Growing in Unity) stamp week. -  I want to thank everyone who left comments on yesterday's card.  

Before I post today's card PLEASE leave a name in your comment so I can put you in for the $20 Voucher.  I had several comments yesterday that were (anonymous) and a name was not left in the comment.  If you left one on the Pumpkin card please check to see if you included your name so I can count you in for the drawing at the end of my term. 

Now let's get on with today's card.  -  I love Halloween and Cats so this card was a perfect combination for me. Click to enlarge photos.

This card used another stamp from the September KOM (Harvest to Holiday).  That little "witch kitty" just made me laugh when I saw it and I knew I had to use it for one of this weeks cards.

I used a piece of Granny Apple Green cs and stamped an old SU background Sanded with some white pigment ink but unless you look really close you can't see it because my pigment ink pad isn't the greatest.  I'll be investing in a better one soon.  I added a punch goo border that I punched from Old Olive cs and embossed with a Versa Mark pad & Clear Embossing powder 2 or 3 times to give it some dimension.

Card Base is Purple (one of SU retired colors though).  The designer paper is from DCWV. The witch cat was stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink and colored with Pencils and blended with Gamsol using blending stumps.  I added some light gray splatter with an old SU stamp (Itty Bitty Backgrounds).  I cut it out with a Square die (SU Stylish Dies) and then mounted it on a piece of Tangerine Tango* cs and distressed the edges. The sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I added sequins (Picket Fence Studio) to compete the card and mounted the focal image with foam tape.

Will be sharing this over on the Two Old Bats Halloween challenge as well.

What a fun mood board.  Love the cat and witch hats...thus the inspiration for this card.

Thanks for stopping by - Leave a comment, including your name for a chance to win that $20 gift voucher from Unity Stamps.

GUI Week - Day 1- Fall Blessings & Four Seasons Fall Challenge.

 Hello and Welcome!

Today is my first day as this weeks (Growing In Unity) featured stamper.  This is my 2nd year of doing this and I am excited to share my card creations with you this week.

Be sure to leave a comment (no anonymous comments) with a name as 2 lucky people will be chosen at the end of my week to receive a $20 Gift Voucher at Unity Stamps!  

Without further ado here is my first card for this week: (Click to enlarge) I'll also be sharing this for the Four seasons Fall Season challenge:   I think it meets the Mood Board theme (bottom right) with the wonderful pumpkin and colors.

 This card came together quickly thanks in part to the amazing pumpkin stamp found in the September KOM (Harvest to Holiday).

I started out by using a piece of designer paper from Unity's, Haunted Hues paper pack.  I cut out a piece using one of the dies from Unity's,  Scallop and Rectangles. Then using my Stamparatus*retired SU I stamped the pumpin in the corner using Memento Tuxedo black ink. - After I had the pumpkin stamped I distressed the edges of the piece using Ripe Persimmon and Rusty Hinge inks adding some depth of color.  Next I colored the stem with a Pale Olive (YG95) Copic Marker and highlighted the pumpkin curves with Honey (Y38) Copic Marker.  Next I spritzed the piece with Antique Bronze Distress Spray (Tim Holtz - Ranger) which added a really cool shimmer to the piece.

On the (Old Olive) piece I stamped a Unity Background, (Woodgrain Whisper) with a Versa mark ink pad.  You don't see much of the background but it does add some subtle detail to the olive portion of the card.

The sentiment is from the same KOM and was stamped on Very Vanilla card stock with Memento Tuxedo black ink and distressed the same way as the pumpkin background.  I also curled the edges with my fingernail.

I wrapped some twine around 2 corners, mounted the focal piece with foam tape as well as the sentiment.  These main card background is Basic Black cs.  To complete the card I added a few sequins.

Here is a close up of the shimmer created from the Distress Mica Spray:

You can also see the background that was stamped on the olive piece as well.

Lots of steps but a super fun card to make. - Be sure to leave a comment (with name or a way to contact you) for your chance to win that $20 gift voucher from Unity Stamp Company.

Come back tomorrow to see my next creation & Happy Stamping.