Growing In Unity Day 5 ~ Memory Dex

Day 5, friends. Wow. I am honestly going to miss spending this time with you all. I hope you will continue to visit my blog and chat with me. It would mean so much! Thank you for such a fantastic week!

 

I am so excited to share the Memory Dex I made with photos of my 2 oldest (and oh so precious) grandsons, Kentrell & Kyre. I used to design and swap memory dex cards with some friends. I purchased every craft item associated with Memeory Dex that Heidi Swapp created and can make my own memory dex card bases. (Although, these 2 were card bases I had purchased.)  Last year I discovered they no longer made many of the items. Including the dies and the rolodex. I hope they were put back into production and we will see them being sold again.

 

It has been some time since I had created one. This project reminded me how much I love making them, and my hope is to continue by creating some of all of our grandchildren. I just adore how these turned out.



 

 

 One of my friends took photos of the boys while they were here with us in Texas this Summer and she captured perfectly who they are as brothers.

The big beautiful camera is a Uniquely Unity from 10/17 called Possibilities Await. The word adore is a Donna Downey word collection called Inspire Words. There are actually 2 large word sets by Donna Downey. They are such lovely sets to own. I encourage you to put them on your wish list. I stamped the word out and had my scan n cut fussy cut it for me! ;) The sentiment "you've captured my heart" is from an itty bitty appropriately named Captured my Heart. It also has a camera stamp. It is perfectly fitting to describe what these boys have done to their Memaw!

I absolutely love bottlecap stickers and epoxy dots. I use them in many of my projects. How perfect is the camera one! I couldn't believe I had it!

 

 

I honestly can not pick a favorite out of these MD cards. This one is just as precious as the first. Look at that film strip stamp! My first time inking this one up. I absolutely love it! It is aptly named Photo Strip. In my opinion it is a must have if you document photos. The sentiment is from an itty bitty called Loved More. It also has a camera stamp. I am pretty sure I own every camera stamp Unity has put out! I also purchased from Unity the kraft pennant on the bottom. I added the puffy heart stickers.

 

And yes, the do fit perfectly in my rolodex. :)

 

I was also going make my mini calendar easel cards, and fridge magnets.  I have been sick for a couple weeks, and friends, I just didn't have it in me to make anything else this week. In a way I am glad I didn't because I am sure proud to showcase the MD creations using my grands. I will make them very soon so please continue to visit my blog. If you've never made them you are in for a treat, friend! I have some extra mini 2019 calendars in my stash for the first few of you who mention you would like one. Maybe you could come back and make one off of my tutorial!

 

 Upon the conclusion of my week as your GIU Friend, may I say, it has been both a joy and an honor.

 

 Be sure to leave a comment, here on my blog as I will be picking winners next week for 1 of 2 Unity prize packs. I will also be picking a winner (or 2) to receive a separate prize pack from me!

As always~

Thanks for spending time with me today!

Until next time~

Be blessed, friends!

Bobbie Sue

(Forgive any grammar mistakes you may find.

  I am always open to friendly & constructive criticism or correction.

Just please know, I write my blogs for complete enjoyment and do not stress over possible

mistakes within the layout. Thank you, friends.)

Growing In Unity Day 4 ~ New Things

Hello, friends! Day 4 in my GIU week and I don't want it to end! The creations today used techniques I had never tried before. It was definitely a learning experience. They didn't turn out quite as I had envisioned, but I am happy with the results as a newbie to these techniques. I will absolutely be doing them again. It was fun trying new things!

 

 

This love card was my first go at trying masking fluid. I had to practice a few times with the liquid so that I could learn how it flows from the bottle. Also, since I was writing with it, I wanted to make sure my word was written legibly. The "e" is a bit thick, but overall I am really happy with the result!

 

 I allowed the masking fluid to dry for about 20 minutes before I applied my color to the panel. You can see in this first photo the three distress ink colors I used, and the order I used them in. I love the look the Distress stencil brush gives as apposed to the Distress pads. I love using clear dew drops as it allows the color to shine through them. The word you is from the thank you stamp in the set "For the Guys".  See the little heart peaking from inside? I love that little heart. It is from Poppies & Love.

 

 

I'd love to know how you have used masking fluid! I am eager to try again.

 

This next project was my first time making an eclipse card. It was a bit time consuming as I cut out and glued several letters together for the popped up effect. I did this so that foam dots would not show underneath. I did end up using for very thin foam dots that you can not see. I was going to also use the word thanks from Bouquet Bunch of Thanks (it is a really beautiful font), but decided to allow GIVE to stand alone.  What an open-ended statement that word makes.

 

 

 

The letters were cut out using the Altenew Caps Bold Alphabet Die set. The pumpkin is from the September 2018 Kit of the Month. It is such a beautiful kit. I hadn't subscribed to KOM for a couple years. Until I saw this set. :) Another first with this card. I colored the pumpkin with my Prismacolor colored pencils that I had bought a few years ago to use in coloring books. Never to use in my cards. I like it. I will start using them more!

 

I will definitely be making more eclipse cards. Although time consuming, I do love the unique affect this technique gives. (Here's a funny for you. Can you believe I grappled with how to use the word affect. Here was my conclusion. The technique gave the affect. The card was the effect of the technique. Maybe I should have used the word impact. Ha. ;)

Be sure to leave a comment, here on my blog each day, for a chance to win 1 of 2 Unity prize packs. I will also be picking a winner to receive a separate prize pack from me!

I look forward to being with you all for my last day tomorrow as it will be all about mini calendars and memory dex cards!

As always~

Thanks for spending time with me today!

Until next time~

Be blessed, friends!

Bobbie Sue

(Forgive any grammar mistakes you may find.

  I am always open to friendly & constructive criticism or correction.

Just please know, I write my blogs for complete enjoyment and do not stress over possible

mistakes within the layout. Thank you, friends.)

Growing In Unity Day 3 ~ Summer Color Challenge

Good morning, friends! I do believe I am MOST excited for Day 3! I am absolutely in love with how these 4 cards turned out! Again, I have added several photos with commentary. I appreciate many of you telling me you like that!

 

Wilma, I hope you've had your coffee. You are in for a treat!

 

This summer I participated in a 30 day color challenge hosted by Kathy Rac. I had yet to do anything with the images I colored. Until this week! Below you will find some of my favorite ones turned in to cards. On each of the Angie Girl cards I used a set of border dies from Spellbinders.

 

I love everything about Beatrix Girl! Her mix-matched clothes, her boots and her grey hair. I water colored her with Arteza watercolor pencils.  Her profound statement is from a Graciellie Design set appropriately named "You Matter". This stamp set is fairly new and has some of the most beautiful affirmations. As well as, one of my favorite verses. The fonts she uses are just stunning.

 

 

 

This pretty lady is Elise Girl. I colored her with acrylics. It was a challenge blending them like water colors. I haven't used them since actually. Lol. Her beautiful statement is also from "You Matter". (You're able to read it better on the next photo.) This one is definitely being sent to my daughter, Samantha. She is my 27 year old flower child! What a soul that precious lady has. (Gianna Girl would have worked perfectly for my Samantha, too. I don't own her, but I'm thinking now I should!)

 

 

I love the look adding the wooden heart gave this piece.

 

 

I love this beautiful Anna Girl! The sentiment belongs to her. It fits her delicate disposition. I also used Arteza watercolor pencils on her. I was so excited when I came across the complimenting paper. I may have even exclaimed Eeek! :) The pinks in the DSP match her dress perfectly.

 

Can you pick a favorite of this trio of beautiful girls?! I think mine is Beatrix Girl. :)

 

 

This last one I turned into a birthday card for my Momma. I looked back in my photos and found the one I originally posted to my Instagram on June 20. Can you believe I watercolored this beautiful piece with Gelatos! They have such a gorgeous pearlescent look. I did end up mixing a tiny bit of green from a watercolor pencil to help the color of the leaves really pop.  I just love it!

 

 

The flower is from You Are Forever Beautiful and the sentiment from a Graciellie Design called Sweetness. I masked off sweet friend that was under the happy birthday. I fussy cut around the flower so that this beautiful background paper would show. I am so happy I found this in my ever growing stash of DSP! It matches just perfectly.

 

 

 

 

Here are most of the images I colored from the 30 day challenge. I will eventually make the remaining few into cards. I wish I would have had time to turn the planted pot into a card for you this week. (I still may.) It is a UU called Succulent Greetings. I love this stamp and was very happy with how the shading on this one turned out.

 

 

I sure hope you enjoyed today as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Be sure to leave a comment, here on my blog each day, for a chance to win 1 of 2 Unity prize packs. I will also be picking a winner to receive a separate prize pack from me!

I look forward to being with you all again tomorrow as it will be all about techniques I've never used before. Talk about nervous!

As always~

Thanks for spending time with me today!

Until next time~

Be blessed, friends!

Bobbie Sue

(Forgive any grammar mistakes you may find.

  I am always open to friendly & constructive criticism or correction.

Just please know, I write my blogs for complete enjoyment and do not stress over possible

mistakes within the layout. Thank you, friends.)

Growing In Unity Day 2 ~ Feathers

Hello friends! Welcome to day 2! I want to thank you all for the outpouring of love yesterday both on Facebook and here on my blog. I was truly humbled and grateful for your comments regarding my GIU bio, creations and blog post. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Do you like feathers!? I absolutely do! Unity has the most beautiful collection of feather stamps. I created 3 cards and 2 tags for today. There are several photos attached with brief descriptions. I know many of you do not enjoy the reading part, but I hope you will follow along! Please, humor me friends! Lol.  :) I was so very excited to share these with you all!

The first are a semi-simple trio notecard set. I included 3 photos of each because I wanted you to see them from different angles. I just love how beautifully they turned out! I used Vintage Photo distress ink on all three feathers and sentiments.  I had applied distress ink onto a peace of plastic backing, spritzed it with water, used a paintbrush to move the wet ink to desired places, and smooshed it onto my paper. This first one is done in the color Peacock Feathers. The feather is from the Feather Soft Love set, and the sentiment from Smile, Smile, Smile.

On this next one I used Spiced Marmalade. The feather, and sentiment are also from Feather Soft Love. I hadn't intended to put twine on this card, but I had to cover up a mistake I had made when I dropped an ink pad. I do like it though!

 

I used Dusty Concorde on this one. The feather is from Feel the Freedom, and the sentiment from Type Write. I think this one is my favorite. I just love this feather so much! Which of the three are your favorite?? I would love to know!! Notice the strip of matching color on the inside of each one. I simply masked off the edge and briskly dabbed the coordinating ink with a stencil brush! I love it.

Lastly are 2 tags I made to include as a gift in two of the note cards. I added two photos of each so you could see the lovely details. This first one I watercolored a background wash using Peacock Feathers and Dusty Concord. Splattering both colors on portions of the mid/bottom. The feathers and top sentiment are both from Feather Flight. The hello beautiful is stamped on to a piece of vellum and is from Quilted Wings. The feathers are embossed on and cut from a piece of acetate. Hence the glare. ;) I just love the added trim and eyelash string. (which I do believe I have gotten many of you addicted to as well heehee) It adds such beauty to this tag!

I absolutely love the crisp black & white of this second tag. Again, I embossed and cut the feathers from a piece of acetate. This time in white. I have really grown to love using acetate in my creations! The feathers and sentiment are both from Trio of Beauty. The background circle is from Keep Wild. (I bought this set several months ago because of an amazing card Shannon E. made!) Both tags are cut from a die set I bought from Papertrey Ink. There is a third die in the set that is very elegant and one of my favorites to use. Do you see the little heart charm hanging from the trim? Have I told you how much I love using charms in my paper creations!? ;) I would love to know which of these two tags are your favorite! It's a hard decision, but I really think I love the black & white one best!

Friend, if you made it this far I thank you!

Be sure to leave a comment, here on my blog each day, for a chance to win 1 of 2 Unity prize packs. I will also be picking a winner to receive a separate prize pack from me!

I look forward to being with you all again tomorrow as it will be all about the 30 day color challenge!

As always~

Thanks for spending time with me today!

Until next time~

Be blessed, friends!

Bobbie Sue

(Forgive any grammar mistakes you may find.

  I am always open to friendly & constructive criticism or correction.

Just please know, I write my blogs for complete enjoyment and do not stress over possible

mistakes within the layout. Thank you, friends.)



Growing In Unity Day 1 ~ She Remembered...

Hello, friends! I am so incredibly excited to share this week with you as I embark on my first time as a GIU friend! (We are no longer GIU girls only as our very own Brandon Leggitt will be getting his opportunity to be featured very soon!) For those of you visiting outside of the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group I encourage you to join this group. It is full of amazing inspiration from patrons and Design Team members using Unity Stamp Company red rubber stamps!

 

I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to start my week of sharing with. I was very eager to share 2 pieces I had recently given teasing glimpses of.  The first is of a 6x7in wall hanging I made my daughter. I've always loved the look of watercolored lines. Look what I watercolored these lines with! A pineapple stem! I simply brushed my watercolor wash on the stem and pressed it onto my watercolor paper. So easy! I absolutely love the outcome! What are some unusual items you have used to paint with? I'd love to hear.

 

 

The flower is from Forever Beautiful. It has become my absolute favorite flower to stamp. The "She" sentiment is from an itty bitty called Her Own Hero. (Donna Downey has a full She set that I am absolutely in love with. If you do not own this set, I encourage you to put it on your wish list. It is a beautiful & encouraging set.) Be strong & believe is from Day Made.  Green and black are such beautiful color combinations. I used colors from the Altenew Watercolor set. Putting this photo on my blog dulled the vibrancy of the color. (You can see the beauty of the greens better on my IG. If you would like to visit, the link is found at the top of my blog.)

 

I wanted to show you how I do my splatters. I am a very messy splatterer! Haha. So I do them on the floor of my craftroom just like this ↑. The floor is usually covered in splatters, but it wipes up so easily. I reuse the papers as long as I possibly can. I simply cover up the parts I don't want splatter on. If you do not have a fan brush you should! It is perfect for heavy splattering.

 I also made this tag to mail to my daughter Samantha. As a matter of fact, many of the pieces you see in this weeks highlights I will be mailing her over the next few months. To encourage her spirit and shower her with love. I love the softness of this design and its colors.

 

Remember is from the fairly new beautiful stamp set Poppies & Love, by Angie Blom. As beautiful as the poppy is in this set, it is worth buying simply for the bold words. I just love them. I heat embossed remember onto a piece of acetate. Surprisingly, the acetate doesn't seem to bend with the heat like papers and vellum do. I actually heat embossed acetate for a couple of my projects for this week! I am a big fan of using metal and wooden charms in my creations. Keys being a favorite. They are a perfect element to add to the design. The background sentiments are from a 6x6 Balzer Designs stencil full of loving affirmations. It is from The Crafters Workshop and I ordered it from Amazon.  You will see where I darkened 2 of the sentiments in order to really make them pop as a statement. My hope is that they will speak boldly to my daughters heart!

 

I've used this titanium white Brea Reese texture paste on several of my pieces in the past and love the 3D effect it gives. I rubbed it with my finger over a Tim Holtz stencil appropriately named, Speckles. After it dried I placed the stencil back over and gave it a quick brush of vintage photo distress ink. Another product I encourage you to have in your stash are the Tim Holts stencil brushes. They are fantastic!

 

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win 1 of 2 Unity prize packs. I will also be picking a winner to receive a separate prize pack from me!

I look forward to being with you all again tomorrow as it will be all about feathers!

 

As always~

Thanks for spending time with me today!

 

Until next time~

 

Be blessed, friends!

 

Bobbie Sue

 

(Forgive any grammar mistakes you may find.

  I am always open to friendly & constructive criticism or correction.

Just please know, I write my blogs for complete enjoyment and do not stress over possible

mistakes within the layout. Thank you, friends.)

Friends of Unity September Blog Hop ~ Wings

Hello friends! Welcome to September &
Welcome to my blog!

I am so excited to share that I have been invited to join the Friends of Unity Blog Hoppers. I considered it an absolute honor to be asked to join such a talented group. Many of my very best crafty friends are a part of this blog hop, and I have been following their hop for quite awhile! 

 

This months theme is Wings. Such a beautiful theme!
 

 

I was stumped having realized I had very few stamps with wings. So grateful for Crystal helping expand my thinking to feathers. I had not used this set "Beautiful is Never Perfect" yet, and thought it perfect for this challenge. Unity Stamp Co. has a wide variety of the most beautiful feather stamps. They really do! Check them out here! You can think me later. 😏

I was eager to use the new Altenew watercolor set!  I purchased it a couple weeks ago and have only used it a few times. The colors are so rich and vibrant. I love the detail of this stamp. The flow of the design allows you to use many different colors. I stamped the image with Gina K black amalgam ink onto Canson watercolor paper.

 

  

I let the colored image sit overnight as I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to create. I decided it would make a great gift for my beautiful daughter Samantha, so I turned it into a tag. She keeps all the ones I have sent her tacked to a board in her bedroom, as a reminder of my love for her.  I love encouraging her with cards & tags. She always looks so forward to receiving my mail knowing I put my heart into each piece. A creation meant just for her.

 

 

I absolutely love the how it turned out! I searched through my collection of dies looking for the perfect frame to cut the image out with. I was disappointed when I just couldn't find the right one. Rather than making a rash design decision, I decided to just set it aside for a bit. As I was cleaning up a part of my desk that I'd let sit cluttered, there and behold was the perfect die just waiting to be used! I hadn't yet put it back in its packaging so it wasn't filed with the others. I just love it. The shape is beautiful and fit around the image of the stamp perfectly.

(Sorry friends, I can't recall the name of the die, but it is by Sizzix.)

 

Another happy accident were the scraps of ribbon I came across in a random drawer! They were the perfect color, and I knew immediately they were meant for this tag!

Green and purple are such a beautiful combination!

 

The sentiment is part of this same stamp set. I embossed the sentiment in black onto a cut off from the same watercolor paper I had stamped the image on. I loved the splatters that were on the cut off piece and thought the sentiment would look great stamped over them.

 

I die cut a second tag to put underneath. I love the layers and the colors peak out just enough to

add to the beautiful look of the tag. I was so happy when I came across the dragonfly charm. It added a perfect element to the "Wings" theme. I also love the affect it has on the tag itself.

I was skeptical about using the wooden heart, but absolutely love how it looks. Here's a funny for you. I accidently ripped the edge of the sentiment. I was so pleased with how it turned out that I did not want to discard of it. So, that sweet little heart is covering up my mishap.

I'd say that is a happy accident, as well! 😉

 

 

Oh, what a joy it has been to be a part of this blog hop. My first blog hop ever! Thank you for sharing in my excitement! I hope you have had a chance to visit each blog. I know they are all equally as wonderful and unique!  Please see the blog hop list at the bottom of this post and be prepared to be inspired!

 

If I may, I'd love to invite you to follow my blog.

There is a "follow" button up a bit and to the right. --->

It brings me so much joy sharing my thoughts and creations with all of you!

 

As always~

 

Thanks for spending time with me today!

 

Until next time~

 

Be blessed, friends!

 

Bobbie Sue

 

There are some pretty awesome giveaways with this hop! Be sure you comment on each blog post to be entered in the drawing. Winners announced during next months blog hop!

(I have a feeling you will comment anyway as a way of support and admiration to the artists.)

 

I encourage you to go back and visit any of these you may have missed during your hopping excitement!

 

 

       The hop started with

Crystal

 

Joyce

 

Eileen

 

Robyn

 

Kim

 

Dawn

 

Jeanie

 

 You are here

Me! 

Be sure you've visited all of the above!😉

 

 

 

Friends, please know that our hops are not sponsored. (Although, I know Unity Stamp Co lovingly approves) Because your support is so valuable and so appreciated, prizes are given from the creators own private stash of Unity stamps.