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Cool Goose Summer Stamp Set Cardmaking Tutorial | Unity Stamps

There is something especially inviting about a clean and simple card that lets a fun image take center stage. Rick is back with another Membership Thursday blog post, sharing a cheerful summer-inspired project featuring the Cool Goose Summer Stamp Set, part of the July 2026 Whit-Kit Card Kit. In today’s project, you’ll see how simple stamping, alcohol marker coloring, and thoughtful design choices come together to create a handmade card that feels lighthearted, balanced, and relaxing.

 

Project Overview

This card embraces a clean and simple design by giving the adorable goose image plenty of room to shine. A generous white background keeps the layout open and uncluttered, while a narrow blue mat frames the focal panel and adds just enough contrast to draw the eye inward.

The sentiment is positioned above the image, creating a natural visual flow that leads the viewer from the greeting down to the illustrated scene. A few coordinating embellishments complete the design without overwhelming it, proving that small details can have a big impact when used intentionally.

This style of layout is especially beginner-friendly because it relies on balance and spacing rather than lots of layers or complicated techniques. It’s an excellent reminder that clean and simple cards can still feel polished and complete.

Technique Highlights

This project combines three approachable techniques that work beautifully together.

Stamping

A crisp stamped image creates the foundation for the entire design. When the image is detailed and expressive, it doesn’t require an elaborate background to make an impact. Allowing the stamped illustration to remain the focal point helps create a card that feels clean and organized.

Alcohol Marker Coloring

Alcohol markers bring the playful goose to life with smooth, vibrant color. Because the surrounding design remains simple, the coloring naturally becomes the star of the project.

If you’re newer to alcohol markers, remember that you don’t need dozens of shades to achieve pleasing results. Even a small color palette can create depth by adding slightly darker tones where natural shadows would appear while leaving lighter areas for highlights.

Clean and Simple Card Design

One of the strengths of clean and simple cardmaking is knowing when to stop adding elements. White space isn’t empty space—it helps emphasize your focal image and sentiment while making the finished design feel fresh and uncluttered.

Using a limited color palette also contributes to the overall harmony of the card. Repeating the deep blue from the mat throughout the design creates a cohesive look without requiring additional embellishments or patterned backgrounds.

Product Education

The Cool Goose Summer Stamp Set, included in the July 2026 Whit-Kit Card Kit, makes creating cheerful seasonal cards easy thanks to its expressive focal image and coordinating sentiment.

The detailed illustration offers plenty of opportunities for coloring, making it equally enjoyable whether you prefer simple coloring or more advanced blending techniques. Because the image carries so much personality, it works beautifully as the primary focal point on a clean and simple layout.

The coordinating sentiment pairs naturally with the relaxed summer theme, making it easy to create cards that celebrate warm weather, vacations, birthdays, or simply sending a smile to someone who could use a little encouragement.

This versatility allows the stamp set to be used across multiple card styles while still producing designs that feel fresh and unique.

Closing

Clean and simple designs are a wonderful way to let both your stamping and coloring skills shine without feeling like every inch of the card needs to be filled. Try changing the color palette, adjusting the card orientation, or experimenting with different placements for the sentiment to give this design your own creative twist.

Whether you’re just beginning your cardmaking journey or looking for a relaxing project to enjoy, this design is a great reminder that simple techniques can produce beautiful handmade cards. We hope this project inspires you to reach for the Cool Goose Summer Stamp Set and create your own cheerful summer cards.

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Summer Beach Card Making with Whit-Kit

Hello friends.  Welcome to the Unity blog.  I’m Gaylynn.  Enjoy Summer beach card making with a seaside goose. To build the scene, I added beach stenciling, sweet duck stamping, masking, fussy cutting and alcohol ink coloring. It is close to a one layer card with the exception of the sentiment tag.

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For this, ink blending was easy with the beach stencil. The featured Unity Stamp Company stamp and sentiment are from the July 2026 Whit-Kit card kit membership called Cool Goose Summer. To make the scene pop, I used die-cuts from Deckle and Stitches nesting dies.

To begin, here is a look at the finished card.
Sentiment:  Soak up the sunshine!

Additionally, this is a look at the Whit-Kit Membership for July 2026.  There is also a
one-time full kit and the stamps only.

Helpful Tips:

1.       Prepare a vertical scored white card base 4 ¼” x 5 ½”.
2.       Die-cut a rectangle on white cardstock using the next-to-largest Deckle & Stitches nesting die.
3.       Stamp the goose twice: once on the bottom right of the deckle rectangle piece and again on masking or scrap paper.
4.       Fussy cut (cut out) the extra duck.
5.       Color the duck using markers of choice.  I used shades of tan, yellow, light orange, red and light gray.
6.       Mask the duck.  Place repositionable adhesive behind the cut duck piece or use masking sheets.
7.       Temporarily adhere the cut duck piece over the colorful duck on the rectangle panel.
8.       Using By the Shore stencil, ink blend the beachy scene with light tan and three shades of teal dye ink.
9.       Remove the duck masking.
10.    Stamp then trim the sentiment onto white cardstock.
11.    Adhere the card front and sentiment tag over the card base using double-sided foam tape or glue.

 

Next, here is the first part of the process:


Finally, this shows the last part of the process.

 

Also, take another look at the finished project.

 

In summary, this was relatively simple to make.  Just pick your stamp and a complementary background and put them inside the same scene together.

 

 

Lastly, be sure to visit my other features here on the Unity Stamp Co. blog:
Technique Time and Watercolor Wednesday.

 

In closing, I hope you try this project and share your makes in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook Group.  Feel free to tag me so that I can see what you make.

Thanks so much for visiting.

Best,
Gaylynn

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Quick Watercolor Card with Daisy Defined

Hi friends, Lisa here with some quick but bold watercolor using Daisy Defined.

Featured Unity Supplies

Daisy Defined
Daisy Defined

USC		 Postage Stamp {die}
Postage Stamp {die}

USC		 Zig Zag Rectangles {nesting dies}
Zig Zag Rectangles {nesting dies}

USC

*Affiliate Links may be used at no additional cost to you. I appreciate the support if you are inspired to shop through my links.

Daisy Defined Watercolor

I stamped Daisy Defined and kept the petals white so the daisies would stay bright against the watercolor. The background came together with quick Distress Ink watercoloring, and the deeper blue made such a big difference. I added yellow to the flower centers, and once it touched the wet blue around the stems, it made that pretty green happen. At the end after it dried, I used a little white acrylic paint to clean up the petals and add some splatters.

Distress Ink Colors: Uncharted Mariner, Mustard Seed

I die cut the daisies with the larger rectangle die from the Zig Zag Rectangles Nesting Dies turned sideways. That way it has the stitched border on the top and bottom. Then I added some simple layers behind with torn cardstock and vellum.

For the greeting, I die cut the sentiment with a Postage Stamp die. The vellum heart and loopy string die cut add a soft little cluster, while the white sentiment piece ties back to the daisies. A lovely way to add a little joy to someone’s day.

Watch the Quick Video

Thank you for joining me today. I sincerely hope that today’s project inspires you. If you create something, feel free to tag me, @dahlhousedesigns, on social media as I would be thrilled to see it! Plus, join us in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group to share your Unity creations. It is such a fun and loving group of creators.

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Sweet Bee Blooms Acetate Mini Slimline

Hi Everyone! Welcome to the first Make It Monday blog with me, Sarah. Today I’ll be sharing with you how to create an acetate mini slimline card using the Sweet Bee Blooms set from the Unity Stamp Co. July ’26 Kit of the Month.

This post may include affiliate links. That means that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links provided at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Supplies:

  1. Sweet Bee Blooms stamp set
  2. StazOn Jet Black ink
  3. Acetate
  4. Kraft cardstock
  5. Acrylic markers
  6. Double sided adhesive tape

Tutorial:

Step 1: Trim a piece of kraft cardstock to 4″x6.” Score on the 4″ side at 0.5″ and burnish. Add a piece of double sided adhesive tape to the inside 0.5″ flap.

Step 2: Stamp the Sweet Bee Blooms set and a sentiment with StazOn Jet Black ink onto a piece of acetate.

Step 3: After the ink dries, flip the acetate panel over and color the back side with acrylic markers. Acrylic markers can be more translucent than paint from a bottle or tube, so color in a second layer for a bolder look.

Crafty Tip: Don’t worry about coloring over the black lines. The stamped image is on the front of the acetate. Once it’s flipped over, you will see the image.

Step 4: Trim the acetate panel to 3.5″x6.0.”

Step 5: Peel off the backing from the adhesive tape on the 0.5″ kraft card base flap. Align the acetate panel facing forward with the kraft card base and adhere the flap onto the front left of the acetate panel.

Now you have a beautiful acetate mini slime card! The blooms and bees are a perfect summer card to show someone you care. I hope you give this card a try! If you do, tag me on social media @apapermoment so that I can see your creation. Also, be sure to join us on the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group to share your creations and to be inspired by other creators.

Have a great day!

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Paper Piecing Perfection with Daisy, Defined

There’s something timeless about a daisy. It’s simple, cheerful, and always manages to brighten the day. For this card, I wanted to let the July 2026 Background of the Month: Daisy, Defined take center stage while adding a little extra dimension with one of my favorite techniques—paper piecing.

By combining a few coordinating products, this design comes together quickly while still looking detailed and elegant.

Paper Piecing for Beautiful Dimension

Instead of coloring the entire stamped image, I stamped the Daisy, Defined background twice—once on kraft cardstock and again on white cardstock.

After coloring the flowers on the white cardstock with Copic markers, I carefully fussy cut each bloom and adhered them over the kraft image. The result is a layered, dimensional look that makes the daisies pop without adding a lot of bulk.

I love how the warm kraft background gives the card a vintage feel while the crisp white petals keep everything fresh and clean.

Add Texture Without the Fuss

To frame the focal panel, I used the Scallop & Square Nesting Die Set, creating a polished layered look with very little effort.

For the card base, I embossed white cardstock using the Sunflower Meadow Embossing Folder. The subtle floral texture adds interest without competing with the focal image, creating the perfect backdrop for the paper-pieced daisies.

Sometimes it’s the quiet details that make a handmade card feel extra special.

Give This Technique a Try

If you’ve never tried paper piecing, this is the perfect stamp to start with. It only takes one extra stamped image, a little fussy cutting, and adhesive to create a card that looks beautifully layered and full of dimension.

So grab your favorite Copic colors, a pair of detail scissors, and let these cheerful daisies inspire your next creative session. You might just find yourself reaching for this technique again and again!

Products Used

I hope this project inspires you to give paper piecing a try and create something beautiful today. Happy Crafting! 🌼

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Encouragement Card Tutorial | A Light to Weather By Stamp Set

Creating a handmade encouragement card is a meaningful way to remind someone they have the strength to face life’s challenges. Rick is back with another Membership Thursday post to share a clean and approachable card design featuring the A Light to Weather By {bom 6/26} Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company. In today’s project, you’ll see how simple stamping, soft ink blending, and alcohol marker coloring come together to create a thoughtful card that’s both striking and easy to recreate.

 

Project Overview

This encouragement card features a beautifully illustrated lighthouse as the focal point, paired with an uplifting sentiment that naturally draws the eye. The clean layout allows the detailed image to shine while leaving plenty of open space for a light, airy feel.

A layered mat of bold red, blue, and kraft cardstocks frames the design and echoes the colors within the lighthouse, creating a cohesive composition without overwhelming the focal image. Soft blue ink blending behind the stamped scene adds depth and atmosphere, while a few sparkling embellishments provide just enough finishing detail. The result is a balanced design that’s visually interesting yet approachable for beginner and intermediate cardmakers alike.

Technique Highlights

Combining a few foundational techniques can elevate even the simplest card design.

Stamping provides crisp details that make the lighthouse and accompanying sentiment stand out. A well-defined image creates an excellent foundation for adding color while keeping the project clean and polished.

Ink blending adds subtle dimension without requiring advanced skills. A light application of blue ink around portions of the scene helps create the feeling of open sky while maintaining plenty of white space. Building color gradually with a gentle hand produces the softest results and gives beginners greater control.

Alcohol marker coloring brings the lighthouse, shoreline, and water to life with vibrant color and smooth blends. Rather than trying to blend large areas at once, working in smaller sections can help create more even coverage and make coloring feel more manageable.

Together, these techniques complement one another beautifully. The soft background keeps the focus on the detailed stamped image, while the bold coloring adds energy and contrast.

Product Education

The A Light to Weather By {bom 6/26} Stamp Set makes it easy to create inspiring encouragement cards with a timeless coastal theme.

The detailed lighthouse image offers plenty of opportunities to explore coloring techniques while still producing beautiful results with simple color choices. Because the illustration contains natural textures and architectural details, it looks wonderful whether you prefer minimal coloring or more detailed shading.

The encouraging sentiments included in the set pair naturally with the scenic imagery, making it easy to create heartfelt cards for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re sending comfort, encouragement, or simply letting someone know you’re thinking of them, this stamp set provides a versatile starting point for meaningful handmade cards.

Closing

Encouragement cards never go out of style, and this design is easy to customize to fit your own creative style. Try changing the color palette to create a softer coastal look, experiment with different ink blending colors for the sky, or add additional layers for extra dimension.

Sometimes the simplest techniques create the most meaningful handmade cards. We hope this project inspires you to pull out the A Light to Weather By {bom 6/26} Stamp Set and create an encouragement card that reminds someone they are stronger than the storms they may be facing. Happy crafting!

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Pampered Cat with Simple Stamping and Patterned Paper

Hi friends.  Welcome to the Unity blog.  I’m Gaylynn.  Make an easy card design with simple stamping and patterned paper. I added alcohol markers, ink blending and splatters as accents.

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The featured Unity Stamp Company stamp and sentiment are from Pam-purr Yourself. To create this card, I used faux alcohol ink patterned paper and die-cuts from rectangle dies and oval dies. I include the project steps and supplies below.

 

To begin, here is a look at the finished card.
Sentiment: You Deserve to be pam-purred.

 

Helpful Tips

 

  • Prepare a horizontal white card base panel using smooth white cardstock, 4 ¼” x 5 ½” folded.

  • Stamp the cat scene with the sentiment onto smooth white cardstock using marker-friendly black ink.

  • Die-cut the cat scene and a black oval panel using oval nesting dies.

  • Color the scene. I used Copic markers in shades of teal, pink and brown.

  • Ink blend the scene background in light teal.

  • Die-cut rectangle background layers from Rectangles dies and patterned paper.

  • Die-cut a bow from gold cardstock.

  • Adhere and layer the panels, bow and embellishments over the card front using flat and foam tape plus glue.

Here is another look at this card project.

 

Take a look at the short video of the process:

 

 

Lastly, be sure to visit my other features here on the Unity Stamp Co. blog:
Technique Time and Watercolor Wednesday.

 

In closing, I hope you try this project and share your makes in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook Group.  Feel free to tag me so that I can see what you make.

Thanks for visiting.

Best,
Gaylynn