Saturday, November 3, 2018

Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ Strength

Welcome to November, friends. My favorite Month of the year!

I was eager to share in this months blog hop because of the "Strength" cue. I knew it would be inspiring and encouraging. I, personally, can't wait to visit all of the blogs in this hop.

My first thought on creating with the cue strength turned immediately to who I am in Christ, and the strength I draw from Him daily. I was so excited to see this verse in the Nov. 13' KOM. The verse name of Proverbs is not part of this kit, but luckily I had this verse in a photopolymer stamp. I stamped and cut it from there. I thought Brandi Girl was a great representation of this verse. I love her mint green skirt, and her brown purse! You?

I do wish photos on the blog would show up as clearly as they do on FB and/or IG. To truly appreciate the colors/design, I invite you to go see the cards on my social media. (Link under my blog heading.) :)

 
I die cut the top with a die from MFT and placed a small piece of DSP I had been wanting to use. I love the added sentiment this little piece of paper added. The washi covers up blemishes that I explain to you in the next few paragraphs lol. I love that I had washi that matched her perfectly!

I stamped her using Clair's Fallen Leaves and then colored her with my Arteza Brush Pens. It was so fun that I plan to stamp her out a few more times, and give her several outfits. She is a beauty to color! I discovered a new technique with my brush pens that I am certain many of you already know, but I'll share for those who may not. I was so excited and so relieved to discover I could go over a dark coloring I'm not entirely happy with, using a lighter marker of the same shade and lighten it up! I wasn't originally happy with how I had colored her purse and jacket. So much so, that I almost scrapped and started over. I love that the lighter marker saved my project.
 
If you notice all of the marking at the top of the paper. I hadn't actually intended on using this specific one for my card. I was just practicing with coloring this lady, and when finished decided that I just had to use her! This is the part where the edge die came in handy. I was able to cut away almost all of my ink practice and cover the last bit with the matching washi. ;) I will never again go against my own rule of practicing colors on a separate sheet of the exact paper I'm creating with.


My 2nd thought regarding strength was who we surround ourselves with. Our circle of friends should inspire & encourage us. We must be able to draw strength from one another. I have a very small circle of friends, and they are often strong for me when I am weak. And I for them. I have discovered this same sense of comradery within the crafting community, as well. For this I am so incredibly grateful.

The selfie girls were perfect for this circle of friends expression of "Strength". This was my first time using these beauties, and I am excited to use them again as a celebration of my daughters and daughters-in-law. I also stamped them with Clair's Fallen Leaves. I've really been impressed with the VersaFine Clair inks and am adding to my collection with each order from Unity!
 
 I feel the reason for the mixed ethnicities are self explanatory. I love to love all. Not just some. It is true; some people strengthen others just by being the kind of person they are. I want to be that person. This is one of my favorite sentiments I stamped using Gina K's Amalgam ink. It's an itty bitty called "Being Kind Strengthens OTHERS".


 
 
I wasn't originally going to make a tag from these beauties, but am very happy with how it all came together.  I cut the tag with my WeR Mem Keepers Tag punch board. It looks smaller in the photo but it is actually 3.5 in x 7.5 in. The punch board only cuts up to 3" in width so I had to help it along, but it helped me to achieve the straight edges!
 
Here I wanted you to see how I stacked the different layers. Both the top and bottom pieces are separate and popped up with foam tape. This tag actually gave me a fit and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to use it. I stepped back, rethought the design, and am very pleased with the result. I love all the different use of dots. I love designing with dots and am very pleased with how they all played out on this tag. I had some dot washi that I forgot to use! Do you ever do that?!


I also colored these ladies with my Arteza brush pens. I typically watercolor with them, but have really been enjoying coloring with them lately. I love this set as equally as I love my Zigs.  The Arteza set has 3 wonderful flesh colored markers, which being a huge fan of Angie Girls, was an absolute joy to discover!


Next weekend I will have a blog with my mini calendar easel cards! I know many of you were eager for the tutorial and photos!

For those of you who fully read my blog, I thank you so very much. I love being able to express myself through creating and writing, and I love sharing both with you.

I hope you have a chance to visit each blog. I know they are all equally as wonderful and unique!  If you've not, please see the blog hop list at the bottom of this post and prepare 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. --->
(Not the follow by email, it's up just a bit from it.) Thank you so much!
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! Including one from myself! 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.)
 
Speaking of prizes!! Congratulations to Amanda Rhodes for being my winner from last months FOU blog hop! Please message me your contact information.

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.


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ME

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Forgive any grammar mistakes you may find. However, I am always open to friendly and constructive criticism or correction. Please know, I write my blog out of absolute enjoyment and do not stress over possible minor errors within the layout. I appreciate you, friends!

48 comments:

  1. Your coloring is stunning. Love your brutal honesty about the crafting process and your practice coloring. So real. Fabulous examples of strength.

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  2. Wonderful post today,
    enjoyed reading it.
    Your card and tag
    are both so pretty
    and uplifting.
    Carla from Utah

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    1. Thank you, Carla! Appreciate you reading and commenting!

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  3. Beautiful post. I enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed your creations. I saw the sneak peek of the tag on Instagram and love what you did with it. And I am pretty sure I will be using the edge dies at the top of my paper now as well.

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  4. How very beautiful this is with all the different ladies. And I also love polka dots (and stripes!), but don't tend to use them much in my designs lately. Must remedy that - thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. Enjoyed reading your post today and your creations. Love the diversity of the ladies in your tag! It was nice to read about your experience with the Arteza brush pens as I have been eyeing the watercolor pencils but may have to go back and look at the brush pens!

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  6. Love your work. The tag is the bomb! Makes me want to go make it. I really need it! Lol Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you so much, Donna! Go make one!! I wanna see it!

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  7. I LOVE reading your blog, Bobbie Sue! You such an inspiration to me!
    Your cards, and tags are just the cherry on top!
    I love each of your projects this month!!
    Thank you for the giveaway!! You're a Rock Star!!

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  8. Beautifully coloured images and I LOVE the focus on strength coming from women and friendship.

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  9. Just wonderful, Bobbie Sue. I am inspired by your coloring, tips, and designs. Such strong women for sure, coming together to support one another is so important. I'm glad I'm getting to know you better through our group and your writing. Just amazing projects. Great job!

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    1. Kim, thank you so much for this comment. I’m touched. I’m humbled! ♥️

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  10. Great card and tag, Bobbie Sue! So inspirational! Love the sentiments!

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  11. I LOVE how you colored her skirt!!! And that tag is darling!

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  12. I loved reading your blog entry. Your card and tag came out beautiful and you chose perfect sentiments for strength!

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  13. I love both your card and tag but I have to say your tag is my favorite I love your dots they add so much! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  14. Bobbie Sue, I love both your projects posted. Your coloring is amazing! I was looking at Brandi Girl last night and am considering putting her in my cart. You are so inspiring to all of us!

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  15. Wonderful projects Bobbie Sue! I love the layout of the first one with the curve at the top!

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  16. Your coloring is fabulous, as always, Bobbie Sue! I loved reading your inspiration and thoughts on Strength! Your creations are absolutely gorgeous!

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  17. I love both the card and the tag!

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  18. Beautiful. I like the coloring and the verses you used.

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  19. Bobbie Sue, both creations are gorgeous! I love the design on your card. I have to purchase the itty bitty you used on your tag. 😍 You are such an inspiration. I love reading your blog posts.

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  20. Each of these are so beautiful! I do agree that Christ is our strength! Pam Foy

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  21. Your coloring is just wonderful and the sentiments are great.

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  22. Wow! That's a great theme this month!!!
    Love the gorgeous colors and the sentiments of your card and tag!
    Congrats to Amanda!!!

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  23. I love your coloring, but especially the book mark! I love to read your blog, your words are so inspiring. <3

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  24. Bobbie Sue, you never fail to inspire me with your words and your art! I really love the tag with the ladies and how we need to be strong for each other. I have that group of friends❤️

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  25. I love all your creations ,you give us all so many great tips and ideas you help to inspire us to try new things

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  26. What a lovely post! Great coloring!!

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  27. I love your card and tag. The tag is amazing and now I am determined to get it on my next order. I love the Angie girl card too. The layout is really beautiful as well as your coloring. I am inspired!

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  28. Your card and tag are both amazing! I love your coloring and I also love your write up! You are so right- our circle of friends- inspiring and strengthening us- and I am so lucky to have found that in so many blogging friends as well. Amazing work!

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  29. I am inspired by your coloring. The group tag would be perfect for a book marker for my womens bible study! Thanks for sharing.

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  30. wow! These are gorgeous and give me the feels for sure... I wonder if I just ordered either of these sentiments... I saw them... I know I almost did if I didn't...lol! I'm hoping I did... And your designs are so beautiful!

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  31. Beautiful card and tag! They so perfectly represent strength and are so wonderfully designed.

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  32. Your card and tag are absolutely gorgeous! And I think your ink coloring mistakes made for an even lovelier card! I really like the little bit of washi on the top corner! I think it looks good with her outfit! And I am glad that you didn't trash your card! I love how the purse and her sweater turned out!

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  33. Pretty card and tag! Love the stamps you used and your pretty coloring!

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