summer

July 8, 2026 - by Gaylynn

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.

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

June 5, 2026 - by Julissa Sargo

Colorful Cabana Critics

Some friendships are built on deep conversations and heartfelt advice… and some are built on judging people walking by from the comfort of a poolside cabana. ????

Today’s card features the absolutely fabulous Cabana Critics from the June 2026 Kit of the Month and honestly? These ladies are a whole mood. The second I saw this image, I knew they deserved a bright tropical background and plenty of personality.

Bringing the Background to Life

The background started with a little ink-sprayed chaos — my favorite kind! I used three Distress Ink Sprays:

Saltwater Taffy
Mustard Seed
Cracked Pistachio

I sprayed the colors onto watercolor cardstock, letting them blend and mingle naturally for that carefree summer vibe. The mix of warm pinks, sunny yellows, and fresh greens instantly reminded me of retro resort colors and fruity poolside drinks.

The best part? Those spray colors completely inspired the Copic coloring for the ladies. I pulled similar tones into their outfits and accessories so everything would coordinate without feeling too matchy-matchy. The result feels bright, playful, and perfectly sassy — just like the image itself.

A Little Shade & A Lot of Style

Can we talk about their expressions for a second? These ladies look like they’ve already judged everyone’s swimsuit choices, ranked the resort cocktails, and started a rumor about someone named Linda.

And honestly… I support it. ????

I kept the design fairly clean so the image and colorful background could steal the spotlight. A few simple embellishments and layered die cuts were all this card needed.

Why I Love This Stamp

The Cabana Critics stamp perfectly captures that fun, cheeky summer energy. It’s playful, relatable, and packed with personality — which makes coloring it even more fun. If you love character stamps that tell a story, this one is definitely going to become a favorite.

The June 2026 Kit of the Month is filled with amazing images, and this stamp is one of those sets that instantly sparks creative ideas.

Supplies Used

June 2026 KOM
Cabana Critics Stamp
Make-a-Tag Die Set
Scallop & Sentiment Nesting Dies
Distress Ink Spray – Saltwater Taffy
Distress Ink Spray – Mustard Seed
Distress Ink Spray – Cracked Pistachio
Watercolor Cardstock
Copic Markers: R24, R14, R22, G05, G03, G02, Y19, Y18, Y15, E34, E33, E31, BV01, E11, C3, C1, W3, W1, C8, C6, G00, G000, G0000
Foam Adhesive
Sequins

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this colorful crew inspired you to pull out your ink sprays, embrace bold color combinations, and maybe channel a little cabana-side sass into your next project. ☀️

Until next time… Happy Crafting!

April 25, 2025 - by Julissa Sargo

A Shore Thing

Happy Friday! Today’s blog isn’t the usual highlight of new stamps, but rather just some crafty fun I had with my stash. I wanted to make my younger self a birthday card for my upcoming birthday! I used the Patience Girl and the Beach Shore Stencil from the July 2024 Whit Kit to create this beach scene… since this week I am in ARUBA! So meet me at the shore…

I started by creating the background with the Beach Shore Stencil. I used Distress Inks.

Next, I stamped the Angie Girl on Copic friendly paper and colored her in using Copics.

E11, E53, E51, Y19, Y15, BG72, BG70, E99, E15, E13, E44, E43

Next, I fussy cut the girl out and placed her on the background. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment on the lower right hand corner. I matted this on black card stock before adhering it to a white card base to complete this summer time reminder that YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Thank you so much for stopping by and celebrating my birthday. I hope that you always know that you are valued, you are loved and YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Until next time… Happy Crafting!

June 27, 2024 - by Natasha Vacca

Summer Celebration | Mixed Media Thursday

Hello Crafty Friends, I am excited to be back today to share a handmade tag for Mixed Media Thursday! Today I am celebrating the start of my summer and I am super excited!!!! Yesterday was my last day of school and I am ready to relax with my family, garden, relax by the pool, and of course crafting!!!! So let’s get started!

I started by creating my tag base using a tag die cut and hot press watercolor paper. Once the paper was die cut, I inked the background using Distress Oxide Ink in Shabby Shutters and Chipped Sapphire. I layered the ink, as well as added water droplets to the background to add texture. Once the ink was completely dry, I added collage paper to sections of the tag by ripping the paper and adhering the paper with collage medium. I allowed the paper and collage medium to dry. Once it was completely dry, I added more texture using Lindy’s Gang Starburst Spray.

Once the sprayed background was completely dry, I added droplets of spray to the background by removing the bottle top and using the nozzle to add the color. Next I stamped the butterfly image from the Let Adventure stamp set. I stamped the butterfly image two times, once onto the tag background using archival ink. I also stamped the butterfly onto a background from my stash. I then trimmed the butterfly out and set it aside.

Next I stamped texture onto the background of the tag using several sets: Love & Wisdom Background, Magical Motif, and Time to be Happy Again. I also stamped hearts onto a small tag from the Tiled Letters stamp set. I then inked the edges of the tag using Black Soot Distress Ink. I completed the tag with a piece of cheese cloth, then adhered the butterfly with foam tape, as well as a summer sentiment from Unity.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I will be back soon with more crafty inspiration!

Natasha

Unity Stamp Company Supplies Used:

May 8, 2024 - by Gaylynn

Layered watercolor flowers and bees

Welcome to another Technique Time with Gaylynn. Take a look at this layered watercolor flowers and bees card. I used watercolor layers and paper frame layers to build this up.

Let the water do the work for you.

Sentiment:
You’re the bee’s knees.

Helpful Tips:

In summary, to make this layered watercolor flowers card, begin by stamping the large background in waterproof ink onto watercolor paper. Also, stamp the sentiment on a separate piece of watercolor paper. Next, trim down the background and the sentiment to fit onto your card project. I wanted a bit of a frame so my card front is smaller. Also, die-cut or trim pale yellow frame layers from cardstock. Then, choose two colors for the petals and one for the bees. I used peach with a touch of red for a variegated look. For each flower, paint the petals with water only first and then dab color over the water as you go. This creates a soft blend of color. Repeat for the whole background to your liking. For the sentiment label, add ink smooshing by dabbing the label into a mix of both colors. Finally, adhere all of the layers onto the card base, to finish.

Take a look at this card up close.

Here is a quick look at this card making process:

Don’t forget, you can find my other Unity Stamp Co. features and supply links below:

Technique Time and
Watercolor Wednesday.

I hope you try this project and share your makes in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook Group. Tag me so I can see what you make.

Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

July 11, 2023 - by Crystal O Minkler

Technique Tuesday ~ Fun with Background Stamps

Hello there crafty friend!

Crystal here from Tawny Owl Paperie and I’m back with another Technique Tuesday! On the 2nd Tuesday of each month I’ll be sharing a bit of inspiration and a video featuring a fun technique. I hope that you’ll be inspired to get inky and play along with some of the techniques that I share.

Today’s technique is a super fun one using background stamps that I learned about last year at a Unity Lovers Get Together for the Missouri/Kansas group that I am so honored to be a part of. I so wanted to share this technique for a challenge last year but other ideas kept getting in the way. Anywho, I’m super excited to share this fun technique with you today. I had a lot of fun creating some pretty backgrounds for my cards.

Flutter Card

First up, I used the gorgeous Rustic Flutter with the Worn Grid background stamps. I also paired it up with the beautiful new Paper Wings. Die cut the background using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangle {nesting dies} and I die cut the sentiment using a die from the Banner Nesting Dies. Adhered all the layers to an A2 top fold card. The butterflies bodies are adhered to the card so the wings can be up giving the card lots of dimension.

Summer Girl Card

Next up is a soft, summery background featuring the Bloomy and Linen background stamps. Coincidentally, both of these stamps were Background of the Month stamps for the month of April {one in 2022 and the latest in 2023}. I thought that was fun! And they are SO beautiful together! I paired up the pretty background with the summer girl in the July 2023 Kit of the Month. I couldn’t wait to color her up! So gorgeous! Die cut the background with the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies. And die cut the sentiment using a die from the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Die Set.

Typewriter Card

My third card features the A Faithful Letter, and the recently released, Wrinkle background… a collaboration with Brutus Monroe. My most favorite background right now, so I just had to use it! I paired it up with the beautiful typewriter stamp from the June 2023 Kit of the Month. I have had this sweet typewrite stamped and just sitting on my desk waiting to be on a card. So happy to finally use it! I love this stamp! Die cut the background using the largest die from the Postage Stamp Nesting Dies. I wrapped the background a few times with {Natural} May Arts Burlap String securing it on the back with some tape. I fussy cut the typewriter and popped it up on the card with foam tape.

Coffee Card

Last but not at all least, the fabulous coffee themed background featuring the Coffee Crazy and Coffee is Life background stamps. Such an easy background! I paired up this background with the sweet Ellie Girl. So delighted to finally ink up this beautiful girl. Die cut the background with the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. Grounded Ellie Girl with a strip of dark brown card stock that I also mat the sentiment on. This technique was so much fun!!

You can check out my process video here for creating the backgrounds… Fun with Background Stamps | Technique Tuesday | Unity Stamp Co.

All of the Copic markers and Distress Oxide inks I used are listed on my blog {link at the top of this blog post}. This was such a fun technique and so many possibilities depending on what colors you use and the mix of backgrounds, too! If you give this fun technique a try, I’d love to see what you create so please share your cards in the Unity Show & Tell group and tag me. Have an ink-tastic day!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

July 5, 2023 - by Gaylynn

Paper piecing lemon hugs card.

Hi there, Gaylynn here. Sending greetings is sweeter with paper piecing lemon hugs cards. This greeting card is decorated with stamped lemons and lemonade on patterned paper.

Coloring is optional while using patterned paper. But, I added additional shading onto the paper with markers in this project. The watercolor design in the paper still is the main color, but a touch of shade was added.

Sentiment: Sending Hugs.

In summary, to make this paper piecing lemon hugs card, begin by preparing an A2 card base. Then, dry emboss and die-cut a background panel on white. Next, stamp lemon icons onto the yellow watercolor patterned paper. Also, a helpful tip is to use color ink pads if you can. (Coloring is optional, but I did add a bit of Copic coloring for shading to the lemons.) Then, die-cut the sentiment and optionally layer it in triplicate to add dimension. Finally, layer it all onto the card base using flat and foam double-sided tape, to finish.

Here is a closer look.

See how this card was made.