Keep The Wild In You

I'm so saddened to say this is my last day as a Growing In Unity girl, for Unity Stamp Company.  I've had such a blast and I wish it didn't have to end! (I wonder if I wrote a letter to Santa, wishing for a spot on the Unity DT, if he'd be kind enough to help me out?! Doesn't hurt to try, right?!)

I cannot say enough about Unity Stamp Company.  Their stamp quality and customer service is fabulous!  Each order you place, is made just for you. You don't find many companies that cook your order just for you. Whitney's husband, Nick, also makes custom name stamps, for use on the backs of your cards - With the Same great Unity quality!  If you haven't given Unity a chance yet, please check them out and support this family owned business that prides itself on quality!

Today's card, is my favorite, by far. I went out of my comfort zone and made my own background, to bring out my "wild side!" I created the background by using alcohol inks on glossy cardstock. Then, I stamped on the background panel, in black with stamps from the Keep Wild set by Unity Stamp Company. I used the Amalgam ink, from Gina K, for my stamping. (LOVE this ink, by the way!)  The sentiment, from the same set, has been mounted on black and fussy cut. I wanted to do something different with the sentiment and make it stand out - Cuz, like, I'm trying to get wild, right?! I tore up some gauze I had in my First aid Kit, inked it up with the Gina K ink and placed it between the pink panel and the alcohol ink panel. I was trying to add a "wild" element, to go with the card theme.  I have to say, it was my first time using gauze on a card, But, I think I rather like it!

This is your last chance to comment on all of my Unity posts for this week, for your chance to win a grab bag! Two winners will be chosen, so, what are you waiting for, leave me some love, baby!

I want to say thank you, again, to Unity Stamp Company, for giving me the opportunity to be a Growing In Unity girl, this week. I've had so much fun and have loved every minute of it! Thank you, also, Unity, for giving me two stamp grab bags to giveaway to two lucky commenters on this week's post!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #378 Anything Goes at Crafty Creations
Challenge #81 Anything Goes at lemon Shortbread Challenge
Challenge #47 Anything Goes at Digi Choosday
Anything Goes for November at Crafting By Designs
Challenge #1846 Anything Goes at Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge
Challenge #372 Anything Goes at I Love Promarkers
Challenge #179 Fall Colors (Changing Leaves) at Crafty Gals Corner
Anything Goes Nov 20 at Through The Craft Room Door
Challenge #157 World Hello Day at Creative Moments
Challenge 4 CC #430 Anything Goes at 4 Crafty Chicks
Challenge #209 Anything Goes at Artistic Inspirations
Challenge #154 Anything Goes at Scrapbook Stamp Society
Challenge #471 Use Three of Something (Colors of Alcohol Ink) at Passion For Promarkers
Something Sweet (Butterflies) at Crafting By Designs
Mood Board at The Sisterhood of Crafters
Challenge #407 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty
Anything Goes 362-363 at Word Art Wednesday
Challenge #202 Anything Goes at Little Miss Muffet Stamps
Challenge #38 Use A Sentiment at Unicorn Challenge
Challenge #11 Anything Goes at A Perfect Time To Craft
Fall Colors at The paper nest Dolls Challenge
Anything Goes at Whoopsi Daisy
Challenge #45 Anything Goes at Crafting With An Attitude
Challenge #11 Anything Goes at Corrosive Challenge
Crafty Hazelnut's November Patterned Paper Challenge
Challenge #54 Anything Goes at The Crafty Addicts Challenge


Challenge #47 Anything Goes at Colour Crazy Challenge
Challenge #439 Anything Goes at Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge
Challenge #76 Anything Goes at Crafting With Friends
FFC #261 Anything Goes at Jo's Scrap Shack
Challene #323 Anything Goes at QKR Stampede
Challenge #47 Anything Goes at Polkadoodles
Challenge #151 Anything Goes at Creatalicious Challenges
Challenge #115 Things of Fall (Fall Colors) at Sparkles Forum Challenge

Always Be On The Lookout, In The Presence of Wonder

Woot, woot, woot! Growing in Unity Day 4! Are you loving all of my creations so far?! I hope so! I also hope you're remembering to comment on my Unity post every day this week! You don't want to miss out on your chance to win a stamp grab bag from Unity Stamp Company!

My project today is one my favorites! I just love this mermaid,.from Unity's Angie Girls line.  I am drawn to black, purple and green together, for some reason.   I've used the stamp set, Adella Girl,  colored with promarkers, for this card.  All papers were scraps from my stash.  The stamp was colored with markers. Tiny black pearls were used to embellish. The sentiment is mounted with foam mounting tape, for dimension.

I am having such a great time with my Growing in Unity week - I hope you're enjoying the eye candy I've been providing.  I admit, though, tomorrow's project is my favorite - So I've saved that one for last! Make sure you are here, tomorrow to see my last Growing in Unity project!

As always, don't forget to comment before you leave, today!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #471 Use 3 of Something (Papers) at Passion For Promarkers
Anything Goes for November at Crafting By Designs
Anything Goes 362-363 at Word Art Wednesday
Challenge #154 Anything Goes at Scrapbook Stamp Society
Challenge #38 Use A Sentiment at Unicorn Challenge
Challenge #407 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty

Challenge 4 CC #430 Anything Goes at 4 Crafty Chicks

Challenge #209 Anything Goes at Artistic Inspirations
Challenge #47 Anything Goes at Digi Choosday
Challenge #1846 Anything Goes at Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge
Challenge #372 Anything Goes at I Love Promarkers
Anything Goes at Whoopsi Daisy
Challenge #157 World Hello Day at Creative Moments
Anything Goes Nov 20 at Through The Craft Room Door

Something Sweet (Mermaid) at Crafting By Designs
Challenge #378 Anything Goes at Crafty Creations
Crafty Hazelnut's November Patterned Paper Challenge

Include A Sentiment at Di's Digi Designs

Challenge #11 Anything Goes at A Perfect Time To Craft
Challenge #45 Anything Goes at Crafting With An Attitude
Challenge #11 Anything Goes at Corrosive Challenge

Challenge #151 Anything Goes at Creatalicious Challenges

Challenge #54 Anything Goes at The Crafty Addicts Challenge

Sympathy With A Feathered Friend

Yippee, here I am, again! I hope you aren't getting tired of me, yet! I'm here with another project for you - Day 3 of My Growing in Unity Week, with Unity Stamp Company! Today, I have a sympathy card to show you.  If you're like me, you always struggle with making sympathy cards.  Usually, my go to stamped images are flowers, for sympathy cards... But, I got to thinking - How about using a stamped image that is more cheerful, so I cam up with this, and, I think it turned out nicely - Hopefully it will help comfort the recipient.

Today's card uses the bird from the Sometimes I Wonder (March 2016) sentiment kit, from Unity Stamp Company The sentiment is also from Unity Stamp Company, but it came in a grab bag, so I'm not sure which set it is from. By the way, did you know that Unity releases a new sentiment kit each month?! How cool is that?! Most sentiment kits also have an image or two in them, as well.  Be sure you check out the sentiment kits at Unity, they're awesome!

Anyway, back to the card details. I've colored the bird with Promarkers.  All papers are from my stash.  I went with a clean simple look today, too, being its a sympathy card - Therefore, I feel it shouldnt' be all sparkly and busy.

Don't forget to leave some love, today! Comment every day this week for a chance to win a Unity Grab bag. Be sure to come back tomorrow, too - You're going to really enjoy tomorrow's project!

I am entering this card in the following Challenges:

Something Sweet (Bird) at Crafting By Designs
Challenge #209 Anything Goes at Artistic Inspirations
Challenge #154 Anything Goes at Scrapbook Stamp Society
Challenge #38 Use A Sentiment at Unicorn Challenge
Challenge #81 Anything Goes at lemon Shortbread Challenge
Challenge #157 World Hello Day at Creative Moments
Anything Goes 362-363 at Word Art Wednesday
Inspiration Palette N2118 at The House That Stamps Built

Challenge #407 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty

Challenge #471 Use 3 of Something (Papers) at Passion For Promarkers

Challenge #372 Anything Goes at I Love Promarkers
Include A Sentiment at Di's Digi Designs
Crafty Hazelnut's November Patterned Paper Challenge
Challenge #20 Anything Goes at Crafty Animals Challenge
Challenge #2 Anything Goes at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies
Challenge #151 Anything Goes at Creatalicious Challenges

Challenge #54 Anything Goes at The Crafty Addicts Challenge

Ahhhhhh Crap! I'm Sorry!

Good morning, all! Welcome back to my blog for Day 2 of my Growing In Unity Week! Today, I decided to use the Ahhh Crap set from Unity Stamp Company's "after Dark" line.  I admit, these are some of my favorites and right up my alley! I love humorous images/sentiments so the "after Dark" line is perfect for me! Anywho, this set is very versatile and has so many fun sentiments for making your humorous cards!  Do yourself a favor, if you like this kind of humor, and check out the Ahhh Crap set - You'll love the possibilities!

I decided to go with an apology card this time, because that toilet was just begging to be used on a card.  of course, I couldn't forget the plumber's friend, Mr plunger! I had to put him to work, too! I used markers to color in the stamped images.  Mr plunger was fussy cut by hand, All papers were scraps from my stash. No embellishments this round, because I wanted to keep it clean and simple, so this card could be used as a guy card, if needed.

Hopefully, you're enjoying my Growing in Unity week - I know I sure am!  Remember, you could win a grab bag of stamps from Unity Stamp Company. just for commenting on all of my Unity posts this week.  So, what are you waiting for, leave me some love! Oh, and be sure to come back tomorrow for another Unity project!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #209 Anything Goes at Artistic Inspirations
Challenge #81 Anything Goes at lemon Shortbread Challenge
Include A Sentiment at Di's Digi Designs
Challenge #11 Anything Goes at Corrosive Challenge
Challenge #38 Use A Sentiment at Unicorn Challenge

Challenge #151 Anything Goes at Creatalicious Challenges

Crafty Hazelnut's November Patterned Paper Challenge

Growing In Unity GIU Girl, Again! Woot!

Good Morning, Everyone! I'm thrilled to say that I'm lucky enough to have another opportunity to be a Growing in Unity GIU girl, for the week, for  Unity Stamp Company!  I'm sure you're familiar with their stamps, but, if you aren't, you really must check them out!  They're a small, family owned company and every order is cooked to order, just for you.  The quality of their stamps, and their customer service is amazing! Not to mention the fabulous selection of stamps, sentiments and inspiration. If you've never heard of Unity Stamp Company, please check them out! You'll be glad you did!

For My first project for this week, I was feeling a little fruity, so I've used one of thier smaller, sets, which they lovingly call "Itty Bitties."  (Gotta admit, I LOVE the name of this line)  This image and sentiment is from the set, Melon One, from Unity Stamp Company The image and stamp were stamped with  black Amalgam ink, by Gina K.  (Love this ink - Works great with any medium!) The images were colored with markers and fussy cut, by hand. All papers were from my stash, the banners were hand cut from scraps. I used black pearls in the center of the card, as well as in the upper right and lower left corners of the card. I also used tiny black pearls on the eyes of each watermelon slice.

I hope you enjoy the card today. Please, leave me some love in the comments. It's always great to hear from those who stop by and visit. And, you may even win some goodies for commenting! As a Growing In Unity GIU girl, I'm lucky enough to be able to give away a grab bag from Unity Stamp Company. to one lucky commenter, this week. How's that for awesome?! Want a chance to win? Stop by every day this week and leave a comment on my project.  At the end of the week, I'll draw one of you lucky ducks to win a grab bag of stamps from Unity Stamp Company, just for leaving me some love!

Stop by, tomorrow, to see what I have up my sleeve, for Day 2!

I am entering this card in the following Challenges:

Challenge #38 Use A Sentiment at Unicorn Challenge
Challenge #151 Anything Goes at Creatalicious Challenges
Anything Goes for November at Crafting By Designs
Challenge #209 Anything Goes at Artistic Inspirations
Challenge #1846 Anything Goes at Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge
Include A Sentiment at Di's Digi Designs

Challenge #11 Anything Goes at A Perfect Time To Craft
Challenge #45 Anything Goes at Crafting With An Attitude
Crafty Hazelnut's November Patterned Paper Challenge

You're How Old?!

Hello friends and bloggers! Guess what time it is?! That's right, it's time for a new monthly challenge at Crafts Galore Encore! As always, the theme is Anything Goes, so it's the perfect challenge for you to play along with!

This time, we have a gift certificate from Sparkle and Sprinkle for one luck winner! You also have a chance to be selected as one of 5 Design Team favorites! Hop on over to Crafts Galore Encore and link up your creations for a chance to win!

For my card, today, I used a stencil, with texture paste, to create a textured brick wall background.  A white gel pen was used to add words to the bricks, to resemble graffiti. My birds and sentiment are from the adorable Cool Chicks set, from Sparkle and Sprinkle, colored with Promarkers

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #15 Anything Goes at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies
Challenge #06 Anything Goes at A Perfect Time To Craft
Challenge #15 Anything Goes at Crafty Animals Challenge
Anything Goes at Paper Nest Dolls Challenge
Challenge #58 Anything Goes at Simply Papercrafts
Anything Goes at Eclectic Ellapu
Challenge #139 For A Male at Simply Create Too
Anything Goes and Hand Colored at Whoopsi Daisy
Challenge #147 Anything That Flies at Patties Creations
Challenge #40 Anything Goes at Crafting With An Attitude
Challenge #48 Anything Goes at Crafty Girls Creations
Crafty Hazelnuts June Patterned Paper Challenge
The Written Word at Country View Challenges
Anything Goes at Oddball Art Challenge

Fluttering By To Say Thank You

Woot! I am here, today, with some awesome news! I've been accepted as part of the design team for Crafts Galore Encore! I've been out of the design team world, for awhile, due to having been taking care of my husband for the past several months.  I'm thrilled to be back, though, and so happy to have been accepted into a team that is super nice! Thank you, Crafts Galore Encore, for allowing me to join you!

Those of you not familiar with the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge, you should really check it out! We're a monthly challenge blog and the theme is always Anything Goes, so you can create anything your little heart desires, to link up with us! Of course, there's a prize - A $10 gift certificate to Fred She Said up for grabs and you could even be selected as one of the Design Team favorites! We'll be picking 5 favorites! So, what are you waiting for?! Come on over to Crafts Galore Encore and link up your creations for a chance to win!

Now that's out of the way, let's talk about my card!

For my card today, I've used the Marigolds and Morpho Digi set, from Fred She Said. Even though they're Marigolds, I went with colors that tickled my fancy, when coloring.  The images were colored with Promarkers. The "wild"  black and white paper is from my stash. I think it makes for a "wildly striking effect, with this image and colors I chose. I fussy cute all the images and I just love the way they turned out.  The butterflies were attached with foam tape, for added dimension.  I chose a beautiful silver and black ribbon to make a handmade bow, for embellishing the top of the frame.  Black pearls were added in the top left corner. It's difficult to see in the phot, but I used a clear star gelly roll pen to add glitter and sparkle to the center butterfly.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenges #365 Anything Goes at Crafty Creations
Challenge #164 Anything Goes at Crafty Gals Corner
Challenge #149 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination
Challenge #377 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty
Challenge #49 Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Leaves at Sisterhood of Crafters
Challenges #332-#333 Anything Goes at Word Art Wednesday
Challenge A2518 Anything Goes at The House That Stamps Built
Challenge #108 Wild at Time Out Challenges
Challenge #400 CAS at 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge
Challenge #414 Anything Goes at Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge
Challenge #66 Anything Goes at Crafting With Friends
Challenge #17 Anything Goes at Colour Crazy Challenge
FFC#231 Anything Goes at Jo's Scrap Shack
Challenge #293 Anything Goes at QKR Stampede
Challenge #17 Anything Goes at Polkadoodles Crafting
Challenge#82 Flowers at Crafty Friends Challenge
CIC#445 Photo Inspiration (Flowers) at Cupcake Creations
Challenge#80 Anything Goes at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Challenge #45 Anything Goes at Cardz TV 
Challenge #325 Anything Goes at Pixie's Crafty Playground

Well, here I am, finally!

Hello everyone! I have been absent from my blog for awhile.  Things have been hectic and chaotic.  My husband was diagnosed with a serious illness and I've been kept busy caring for him.  Things are starting to settle down some and I've found a little time to craft and relieve some stress.

I took inspiration from the Inspiration Challenge at the Altenew blog.  I've used some of the colors from their inspiration photo, but mostly I used the feeling of a "relaxing vacation," that I took from the inspiration photo.  My husband keeps telling me I need a vacation getaway to recoup from all that's been going on.  I agree, but, with me having been out of work to care for him, we cant afford a vacation right now, and I've exhausted all my vacation time and FMLA time, while I was off caring for him.  So, for now, my Spring Like vacation getaway will be in my mind, and depicted in this card. Any place tranquil and quiet would do just fine!

Along with the photo inspiration, I've used the Birch Land stamp set from Altenew, to create this tranquil vacation scene.  I fell in love with this stamp set as soon as I seen it, but I admit, once it arrived, I felt a little intimidated by it and all the elements.  I  am very happy with how it turned out though, for a first attempt.  The tree was stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink and has been colored with Arteza watercolor brush markers.  (My first time using them - There is a learning curve, which I'm still riding! LOL!) I stamped the lovely array of leaves in various gorgeous colors of Altenew crisp dye inks.  (LOVE thier inks! So awesome!)  I sponged the bottom with green ink to create a hillside.  I drew the birds by hand with a Versafine black marker. The clouds were done with a stencil and Altenew crisp dye ink. .This was my first time using the cloud stencil and I struggled with figuring out the positioning of the stencil.  All in all, I think it turned out decently and is the perfect getaway vacation in my mind.

I'm still deciding if I'm going to turn this into a card, or frame it.  What do you all think would be the best choice?

This is my first time entering challenges this year! I have just been so consumed with RL, that crafting got away from me! It's so good to be back into crafting again!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

March 2018 Inspiration Challenge at Altenew

Challenge #136 Use Green at Simply Create Too

Anything Goes at Whoopsi Daisy Challenge

Challenge #3 Anything Goes at Corrosive Challenge

Challenge at Crafts Galore Encore

Challenge #135 Anything Goes at Creatalicious

Challenge #102 Spring Is In The Air at Sparkles Forum Challenge

Challenge #276 Spring at Brown Sugar Challenge

Challenge #363 Anything Goes at Crafty Creations Challenge

Challenge #162 Anything Goes at Crafty Gals Corner

Challenge #147 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination

Ready For Spring at Mod Squad Challenge

Challenge #373 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty

Challenge #48 Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Any Occasion at Creative Inspirations Challenge

Challenge #22 Photo Inspiration at PINspirational Challenges

Challenge #137 Anything Goes at Scrapbook Stamp Society

Challenge #64 Anything Goes at lemon Shortbread Challenge

Challenge #292 Spring at Hanna and Friends Challenge

Challenge #80 Anything Goes at Crafty Friends Challenge

CARDZ TV Challenge #40 Anything Goes 

4CC #396 Anything Goes/Crazy Egg at 4 Crafty Chicks