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Sakura

It’s Friday and so much more!  We’re celebrating Unity’s 14th Birthday with so many amazing new stamps and awesome discounts!  Today, I’m sharing the new “Sakura” stamp set and it’s HUGE!  Perfect for slimline cards, A2 cards and even scrapbooks!  I love big stamps and I cannot lie!

For the coloring of this giant stamp, I started with the cherry blossoms.  The colors I used were:  V99, R56, R83, RV93 and RV91.  For the leaves and the branches, I used G85, G82 and E25.  And as much as I wanted to fill in the background, I wasn’t sure if I had enough ink in some of my Copics, so I used a different technique called stippling.

Stippling: /ˈstip(ə)liNG/  (noun) the art or process of drawing, painting, or engraving using numerous small dots or specks.

I used three different Copic colors:  BG75, BG72 and BG70.  Without coloring, you can still create shadows by using the darker color at the edge and dotting out towards the lighter colors.  This is an incredibly easy way to color without ever worrying about perfect blends.

To finish this card, I added a sentiment from the “Thankful and Grateful Fall” Sentiment Kit (September 2018).  To make it stand out a bit, I heat embossed the sentiment to give a little dimension.

Make sure to join the celebration with all of the great deals at UnityStampCo.com.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you found some inspiration.  Until next time…

Happy Crafting!

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Warm Wishes for Your Home on Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!  This is Julissa of Paper Gems by Jules on the blog today and I’m so happy to celebrate this holiday with all of you!  Today I’m sharing one of the newest releases called “Warm Wishes for Your Home.”  With all the distance that this year has created, this beautiful image allows us to send warm wishes from miles away.

This is a simple card because the image is just so detailed and it doesn’t require much more than coloring.  And the sentiments… well, they really do send so much warmth.  I colored this image using Copic markers and a little distress ink to create the sky.  The die is a new slimline die by Gina Marie Designs.  And for a little added dimension, I used glittery glue to add a snowy sparkle around the image.

This holiday season, I’d like to wish each and every one of you the gift of health, the gift of peace and the gift of hope.  Even though we are still apart, it is important to try to stay united.

Thank you so much for a wonderful year with Unity and I hope you have a blessed holiday.  Know that through these trying times, you, my friend, are loved.  You’re not alone.  We are in this together.  Remember to continue to give the gift of love and understanding this holiday season and all the days after.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Jules

See every set in Unity’s Christmas stamps collection — red rubber, made in the USA.

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Wishing You Peace and Happiness

The holidays are here and there is so much still going on.  I wanted to make a card that I could send to anyone right now…. and I wish I could make a thousand of them to send to you all.  Hi everyone, this is Julissa of Paper Gems by Jules on the blog today sharing a slimline card made with hope using the stamps from the September 2015 Kit of the Month: Our Hearts to Yours.

When I saw this Christmas tree I just love the subtle details.  Embedded in this beautiful red rubber image, there are words of hope… “believe, blessings, love, christmas” and many more.  I wanted to make a card that would highlight this image so I used white space to highlight it.  Below I put some step by step details and photos in case you’d like to try this idea.

Step 1.  Lightly stamp the image.  Just so you can place it on the card and get some ideas of the background.  A Misti is perfect for restamping, but you can use any of your stamping tools.

Step 2.  Using a hillside stencil, I added a little snowmound in the background with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.

Step 3-A.  Using that same Tumbled Glass Distress Ink on the left and right edge of the slim line piece. Make sure not to color in the top center as this will be a source of light.

Step 3-B.  Next, using Faded Jeans Distress Ink, color the left and right side again just a little less further in than the first layer.  Again, not coloring in the center.

Step 3-C.  Doing the same thing, but this time using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink.

Step 3-D.  Last color is Black Soot Distress Ink.  This color makes the white space in the middle light up and give you more of that late night feeling.

Step 4.  Put this piece back into your Misti and restamp.  This time, make sure the image is crisp and all lines get inked.

Step 5-A.  Time to color our tree.  Starting with the greens:  YG45, YG67 & G29.  I started by coloring the whole tree with the lightest color and added layers of the darker colors.

Step 5-B.  Now to light the tree with Y08 on every single start. So cheery already!

Step 5-C.  To color the ornaments, I kept it simple and colored each of the balls with a little R29.  I also added a little shadow of the tree using B41.

Step 6.  Red rubbers stamps has one disadvantage, they can be tough to line up because we can’t see through them.  I use an acetone grid to see where the words fall.  I can realign the stamp and just test it out before making that FINAL stamp.

And this is the result…

Step 7.  Don’t feel like making a mask… here’s a secret tip.  Clean the stamp and then lay it down over the sentiment or image of that said stamp.

Boom… you’ve got a mask.  Next, I splattered white Distress Spray Paint over the entire card.

Step 8.  Layer it up.  I added another layer of black card stock to frame the image and then adhered it to the card base.

The dark edges light this card up and make this beautiful tree come to life.  Now, if you’re not a Kit of the Month Member, you can also get this beautiful Christmas tree with the Spruce Up the Season stamp set {retired}.  However, if you are a KOM member and don’t have this kit, you can purchase it at a discount!

My next blog will be after Christmas, so know that I’m wishing each of you peace and happiness this holiday season.  I hope you are blessed with health and love for this season and all the days that follow.  Until next time, happy crafting!

Jules

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Glitz glitter slim card + ink blending ~ succulents

Hello, Gaylynn here. For Technique Time, I share a glitz glitter slim card with succulents using stamping, stenciling and different color mediums.
Making a glitz glitter slim card background with sparkle pairs nicely with the succulent stamping.

 

Sentiment:  Grow, bloom, thrive always.

Helpful tips:

Here are helpful tips to create this glitz glitter slim card.  To begin, pre-trim the card base and all of the card layers.  Die-cuts were used here, but are not necessary.  Next, stamp, color and cut out (fussy cut) the succulent potted plants and the sentiment.  Then, add ink blending of choice to the bottom front panel.  Next, add a thin layer of glitz glitter gel along with a stencil and a spatula in random sections where you want background interest.  Then, allow the gel to dry at least 30 minutes.  Finally, assemble the card front, to finish.

Card base cut approximately 9″ x 7 1/2″
Card front approximately 9″ x 3 3/4″
Envelope #9 or #10

Another look:

Here is my video tutorial for this project.  It will detail the full process.

Supplies include Unity Stamp Co. Thrive Always.
Also, distress oxide ink in walnut stain and worn lipstick, blending brush, Gina K. Designs bubblegum glitz glitter gel, Simon Says Stamp intense black ink, Faber-Castell spatula, Tim Holtz herringbone stencil, original Misti, flat and foam double-sided clear tape, Fiskars paper trimmer, scoring board, Pink Fresh Studio slim ornate edges and slim diagonal stitched rectangles; Copic markers R02, R20, E33, E13, YR24, B34, B01, G21, G28, G99.

Remember, if you want to view my other projects on the Unity blog, see my features linked below.

Technique Time
Watercolor Wednesday.

Please, tune in next Wednesday with a new project for Technique Time.
Thanks for visiting.

Gaylynn

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Tri-fold slim card + watercolor & diagonal cut tutorial

Hello, Gaylynn here. For Technique Time, I am sharing my tri-fold slim card made using watercolor and diagonal cut detail.
This tri-fold slim card is interactive, with art on the front and on the inside.  It was easy and fun to make.  It is an interesting design and interactive.

 

Sentiment:
This is us, our life, our story, our love
Through the ups and downs, I’d pick you again and again.
Happy Anniversary

Here are the measurements that I used for this trifold slim card base & envelope.  Please reference the video for the process and details for this project.

This tri-fold slim card size folded is approximately 3 5/8″ x 8 1/2″.
First, use an envelope #10 size or a 4 1/8″ x 9″ size.
Also, use one sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock for the base.

Score on one end of the long side at 3 5/8″.
Now, rotate the paper to score the other side of the long end at 3 5/8″.
You should have two vertical score lines on a horizontal sheet of cardstock.

Next, using a paper trimmer, align the cutting from about 2″ from the bottom left of the horizontal cardstock piece upwards to the top of the second fold line.  Then, cut a diagonal section from the cardstock, from those points.
Now, fold back the small cut section at the first fold line and fold inward at the second fold line.
Finally, decorate the front and the inside with stamping, watercolor and embellishments.

This card base and envelope example was made using an envelope that I happen to have on hand.

Please note, dies are not necessary.  A paper trimmer can be used to trim the desired card base and the layers.

Here is another look:

Here is my video tutorial for this project.  It will detail the full process.

Supplies include Unity Stamp Co. You Are My Always.
Also, Ranger archival jet black ink, cardstock, flat and foam double-sided clear tape, My Creative Time tall frame dies, tall frame die layers and tall kraft envelope; Pink Fresh Studio slim ornate banner dies, Altenew watercolor half pans and palette mat; watercolor brush, envelope, Canson watercolor paper, Fiskars paper trimmer, MSC scoring board, bone folder.

 

Remember, if you want to view my other projects on the Unity blog, see my features linked below.

Technique Time
Watercolor Wednesday.

Please, tune in next Wednesday with a new project for Technique Time.
Thanks for visiting.

Gaylynn

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3 Slim Card Base & Envelope Size Examples + Flamingo

Hello, Gaylynn here. For Technique Time, I am showing three slim card base & envelope size examples.  Plus I show the full flamingo card process.
Creating tall or slim card base & envelope size projects can be made custom style to fit either your envelope size or to match your cut sizes.

 

Sentiment:  I’m tickled pink that we are friends.

Here are the sizes that I use most often for slimline card bases & envelopes.   Please reference the video for the process and details for this project.

First, largest:

Envelope #10 size 4 1/8″ x 9 1/2″

Card base cut 9 1/4″ x 8″, Score on short end at 4″

Card size 9 1/4″ x 4″
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Second, medium:

Envelope size 4 1/8″ x 9″

Card base cut 7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″, Score at 3 3/4″

Card size 7 1/2″ x 3 3/4″

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Third, smallest

Envelope size 3 7/8″ x 7 1/2″

Card base cut 7 1/4″ x 7 1/4″, Score at 3 5/8″

Card size 7 1/4″ x 3 5/8″

These card base and envelope examples were made using envelopes that I happen to have on hand.  For card base sizes, I like to begin with the envelope size first.  Then, I cut the card base a bit smaller than the envelope size.  Next, I choose dies that fit best onto the trimmed card front.  Finally, dies are not necessary.  A paper trimmer can be used to trim the desired card base and the layers.

Here is another look:

Here is my video tutorial for this project.  It will detail the full process.

Supplies include Unity Stamp Co. Fabulous Flamingo.
Also, Simon Says Stamp intense black ink, cardstock, hole punch, twine, flat and foam double-sided clear tape, My Creative Time tall frame dies, tall frame die layers and tall kraft envelope; Pink Fresh Studio slim fancy diagonal stripes and slim ornate banner dies; Misti, Copic markers RV29, R32, R20, B0000, B01, C3, C7; Sakura Koi watercolor, paint brush, adhesive gems, Fiskars paper trimmer, MSC scoring board, bone folder.

Remember, if you want to view my other projects on the Unity blog, see my features linked below.

Technique Time
Watercolor Wednesday.

Please, tune in next Wednesday with a new project for Technique Time.
Thanks for visiting.

Gaylynn