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Freebie Friday at Catch The Bug

Bugaboo Stamps

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! Comment Winners from my GIU week!

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my daily posts for my GIU week for Unity Stamp Company! I have drawn two lucky winners to receive a grab bage of stamps from Unity Stamp Company!

And the winners are.......


Avra Williams from AvrasBlog

and

StacyB from A Little Piece of Paper

Congrats Ladies!  Please email me your addresses so You grab bags can be sent out!

Thank you, again, to everyone who left comments!

Paint The World With Your Beauty - Growing In Unity Day 5

Wow, the time has sure flown by! I can't believe This the last day of my GIU week for Unity Stamps! It's been an awesome week and I've had so much fun! So many wonderful comments and so much support from everyone! Thank you, Unity Stamp Company, for the opportunity to be a GIU girl this week! It has truly been a thrill and an honor! One day I'd love to be able to create with and for you all the time!

I saved my most unusual and fun "first time" project, for last!  I've decided I wanted to try altering a paint brush.  I've seen them on Pinterest and it's an idea that has intrigued me for a long time.  Being that I've devoted my GIU week for Unity Stamps to trying new things. I thought this would be the first time! Not to mention that I was motivated and inspired by this gorgeous Faceless Beauty stamp set from Unity Stamps. I fell in love with this awesome stamp when I first seen it and when I decided to alter my first paint brush, I knew this set would be perfect!

I started with a basic paint brush from Michaels and added color to the wooden handle, as well as the metal tab holding the brush (Cant really see it in the pic) with alcohol inks, then left it to dry. For this project, my hot glue gun was my friend - and also my enemy, because the hot little sucker kept oozing and burning my fingers! (Yes, yes, I know what you are thinking - Then why did you touch the oozing hotness you fool - You knew you'd get burned?! So true, that thought, but, somehow, I couldn't help myself - Guess it's my own fault I have no fingerprints left! LOL!) Once the alcohol inks were dry, I used the evil glue gun of hotness to adhere a layer of white lace over the metal part of the paint brush. Once that was in place, I added a layer of pink ruffled tulle trim, then, over that, a layer of beaded trim.  I especially love this trim, because of the tear drop shaped pearls. It just seems to fit perfectly with the white lace and pink ruffled tulle. doesn't it?  After  adding my trims, I added my stamped image, Faceless Beauty, from Unity Stamp Company, colored with markers and fussy cut.  Next, I added some leaves I cut off a swag bought at Hobby Lobby (Aka "The Lob!). Once my leaves were placed, I added in my flowers, from Petaloo.  I finished off my cluster of flowers by adding two sprigs of crystal pearls that jumped in my cart during a past shopping trip, again, to Hobby Lobby (The Lob - OMG I so LOVE that place!). I finished off the paint brush by added the sentiment, from Faceless Beauty, which i fussy cut.

This project was so much fun and I'm sure I'll definitely be doing more in the future!

This brings my GIU week for Unity Stamps, to a close. I've loved each and every minute of my GIU week and hope you've enjoyed my posts as much as I've enjoyed doing them. I hope I was able to bring you some inspiration and motivation to try new things.

A quick reminder, be sure to each of my GIU posts this week, for your chance to win a grab bag of stamps from Unity Stamp Company. (Thier grab bags rock, too!) I'll be drawing two commentors, who've commented on every one of my GIU post this week, as my lucky winners! But, hurry, you are running out of time to get your comments in! I'll be drawing my winners by Monday night at the latest! So, if you haven't, already, get busy commenting!

Also stop by Teresa's blog this week, Purple Bunny Paper Crafts, and comment each day, there, on her GIU post, for two more chances to win! That's right, she has two Unity Stamp grab bags to giveaway, as well!

Thank you, again, everyone for your support this week and for your lovely comments.  Thank you, also, Unity Stamp Company, for this awesome opportunity!

I am entering this altered paintbrush in the following challenges:

Challenge #276-277 Anything Goes at Word Art Wednesday
Challenge # 187 Photo Inspiration at PINspirational Challenge
Shabby Chic at Eclectic Ellapu April Challenge
Challenge #38 Anything Goes at Lemon Shortbread Challenge
Show Us Your Lace at The Sisterhood of Crafters
Challenge #338 Anything Goes at Crafty Creations Challenge
Challenge #125 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination

Thinking Good Thoughts Growing in Unity - Day 4

Hello! Welcome back to my blog for Day 4 of my week as a GIU girl for Unity Stamp Company!  As you know, I've decided to try a different project type, technique or product type this week.

For today's project, I decided to try my hand at watercoloring with Tim Holtz distress crayons.  I had seen these crayons in the store many times but never really knew what to do with them or how they worked.  Of course, each time, I had to resist the urge to buy them.  I have so many other things I've bought out of curiosity or impulse and never used, so I really am making an effort to try and buy only things I need.  Unfortunately for my pocketbook, all these fun products keep jumping into my cart and the next thing I know, they are coming home with me! What's a crafty girl to do?!

For my GIU Day 4 project, I'm actually breaking out the Tim Holtz distress crayons and trying them out.  Yay for using projects that have just been lying around. right?! I was inspired to try this technique, from watching the quick tip video on Unity Stamp Company's website. (They have tons of quick, fun videos! If you haven't checked them out already, you really need to! Link at the top of thier website at Unity Stamp Company).

I've used the set, Rosey Thoughts, from Unity Stamp Company, for this card.  Both the image and sentiment were stamped with Momento Ink. I used a water brush to color the stamp, as well as to put a light wash of color over the sentiment - One word of advice - Do NOT use this ink for watercoloring! I found that it bled and dulled my colors when watercoloring. This one turned out fine, but I found, later, when working on another project, that Momento Ink tends to bleed with watercoloring - Especially on the more detailed image.  (I could have sworn I read, somewhere, that Momento was the ink to use - Apparantly, I was wrong) Anyway, I since tried Versafine Onyx black ink and It has worked great so far! Lesson learned! Three cheers for experimenting and trying new things!

All papers used are from my stash. I used some green leaves, cut from a swag bought at hobby lobby, to add that extra touch to my card. (The swag - yet another thing that jumped into my cart while there, during a sale - And it begged to come home with me - So I gave in.  Couldn't let the poor thing be homeless, now, could I? Isn't it funny how we, as crafters, hear these voices from all these fun products, and they convince us to buy them and bring them home?  Well, that's my story, anyway, and I'm sticking to it! LOL!  Are any of the rest of you willing to admit that it happens to you, too? =)

Anyway, enough babbling from me.  If you haven't yet, you should really check out Unity Stamp Company, if you love good quality rubber stamps, empowering words and great sentiments! Oh and they even have monthly kit subscriptions, too, if your pocketbook allows for it! You won's be disappointed in any of their products!

I'd love it if you could leave me a comment while you are here.   If I can inspire just one person, with each post, it's such a good feeling. Oh and if you leave a comment on my post today, as well as my other Unity posts this week, you'll have a chance to win a grab bag of stamps from Unity Stamp Company! Two winners will be selected from everyone who comments on all my Unity posts this week!

Now, hope on over and visit this week's other Growing In Unity Girl,Teresa, at Purple Bunny Paper Crafts. She'll be giving away two grab bags of Unity stamps, this week, too!  She will be picking two winners, from her comments as well! 

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Challenge #276-277 Anything Goes at Word Art Wednesday
Challenge # 187 Photo Inspiration at PINspirational Challenge
Challenge #38 Anything Goes at Lemon Shortbread Challenge
Challenge #338 Anything Goes at Crafty Creations Challenge
Challenge #125 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination

Dirty Martini - Growing In Unity - Day 3

Happy Wednesday and welcome to Day 3 of my Growing in Unity week for Unity Stamp Company. I've been a fan of Unity Stamps for a  couple years now, so I am super thrilled to be a Growing In Unity Girl for a week!  I'm half way through, now, and am enjoying it, immensely!

For today's project, I decided to try experimenting with Colorbursts (by Ken Oliver).  I admit, I was reluctant to try, as I had no clue what I was doing.  I also did my first canvas piece! Two firsts in a day! Woot!  I wanted to start simple, at first, since it was my first time for both.  I went with subtle for the background, so the stamp and sentiment would stand out.

I started out with sprinkling a tiny amount of my chosen Colorburst powders.  I wasn't sure how bold the colors would be, so I used them very sparingly.  Once I had my powders sprinkled, I misted them with water to blend the and create my background, then set the canvas to the side to dry. Once dry, I stamped the martini and sentiment from the set,  I Like It Dirty, from Unity Stamp Company. I then added some hand doodled hearts and swirls to the corners of the canvas - Just because I felt it still needed something.  The hearts, olives and toothpick were colored with Promarkers.

All in all, I ended up being satisfied with how my canvas came out.  But, most importantly, I had fun and learned something new!  These Colorbursts were so much fun and I can't wait to get some more colors! I'd love to hear any ideas or experiences the rest of you have had! I'm always looking for trips and strategies for making things better, or new ways to use a product.

Don't forget -  Be sure to leave a comment on my Unity posts every day this week, for your chance to win  a grab bag of Unity Stamps!  There will be two lucky winners, chose from all those who comment on every Unity post this week!

Oh and please, also stop by Teresa's blog this week, at Purple Bunny Paper Crafts and leave her some love. She'll also be giving away two grab bags from Unity Stamp Company.

Challenges:

Challenge #125 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination

Be Bad Ass - Growing In Unity - Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of my Growing Unity week for Unity Stamp Company.

My inspiration for today's card is someone who is very near and dear to me and is going through very tough times.  Everyday, I am inspired by the courage, the fight and the strength they show.  I've made this card especially for this special someone, to show how much I believe in them and as a reminder to never give up - To keep the strength, to keep fighting and to continue to be brave. I honestly don't know how I could go through what they are going through and keep the positive attitude - This person is truly BADASS - Every day!

I am using the Itty Bitty Stamp, Badass Every Day, from Unity Stamp Company.  I've used papers strictly from my stash. I went with black and white with pops of color, to make the perfect masculine card. I've kept it simple since it's all about the Strength, The Bravery and the Inspiration this special person brings to me.  I hope this card will serve as a reminder, to everyone, every day, to never give up.

Remember to leave a comment on my Unity posts every day this week. I'll be choosing two randoms winners from those who comment every day this week - And those two lucky ducks will win a grab bag of stamps from Unity Stamp Company!

For another chance to win, leave comments every day for Teresa, at Purple Bunny Paper Crafts. She is an  experienced Unity girl so she is super talented! She has two Unity grab bags up for grabs, as well.

I am entering this inspirational card in the following challenges:

Challenge #125 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Wooo Hoo - My First Day As A Growing In Unity Girl

Hello! My name is Samantha (known as Sammibug in the land of crafty bloggers) and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a Growing In Unity Girl for the very fist time! Woot! So excited! It's only for 5 days, but still, such an awesome opportunity! My dream, one day, is to be on the Unity DT.  We all have to have dreams, right?!

I've been crafting for many years and discovered my first rubber stamp in my teens - Then, I discovered card making - And I was just hooked! I am a self proclaimed paper and punch addict. Card making is my passion and a major stress reliever for me, but I also dabble in painting and other crafts. I am in love with the awesome high quality red rubber stamps from Unity Stamp Company and they are quickly becoming a new crafty addiction for me! I am so excited to be a Unity Girl this week!

For my growing in Unity week, I decided to try new things - Something different, each day. Sometimes a new type of project, sometimes just using a different product.  

Now, let's get on with the details of my first project for Day 1 of my GIU journey:  For my card, today, I used the stamp set, Beginnings & Growth, from Unity Stamp Company. I have been practicing coloring with different techniques lately and this is my first attempt at adding a faint hint of blue around the image and sentimen, to simulate a sky in the background.  It is very faint, so it may be difficult to see in the pic, but it bring a nice effect to it, if you actually see it in person.  (You don't want to know how many pics of this card I took, to try and get the right lighting to show off the faint blue around the image!) All papers used are from my stash.  I intentionally left this card without embellishments, because I wanted to show off the image and have the image and sentiment speak for itself.  This sentiment is so very true, so many big, wonderful things start as small beginnings.  I am thankful for all the small beginnings in my life, just as I am for the chance to be a Growing in Unity girl, even if it's just for a week!

If you haven't, yet, discovered Unity Stamp Company, you are missing out! They have so many wonderful stamps and inspirational quotes.  There's also a fun line of edgy stamps, called After Dark, that are a bit more daring. There's something for everyone at Unity Stamp Company.  Do yourself a favor and treat yourself by checking out thier awesome high quality stamps! Each order is baked just for you and the quality and service are amazing!

Oh and while you are here, be sure to leave a comment on my post today, as well as my other Unity posts this week, for your chance to win! I'll select two winners who comment on my Unity post every day this week, and those lucky ducks will each win a grab bag of Unity Stamps! Whoo Hoo! So, what are you waiting for?! Comment and leave me some love! Of course, if you'd like to become a new follower of my blog, that would be great too!

Make sure you check out this week's other Growing In Unity Girl - The Oh so talented Teresa, at her Blog, Purple Bunny Paper Crafts.  She'll be showcasing her talent every day this week, as well - And, if you leave a comment on her Unity posts every day this week, you'll have a chance there. too, to win a grab bag of Unity stamps!  She will be picking two winners, from her comments as well! Stop over and leave her some love on her posts. every day this week, too!  That's 4 chances to win, if you leave us both a comment every day this week - Two winners from my blog, and two winners from Theresa's blog, Purple Bunny Paper Crafts. Don't miss out on your chance to win - Leave us both some love!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Anything Goes at Crafty Sentiments
Challenge #13 Anything Goes at Digi Choosday Crafting Challenge
Challenge # 187 Photo Inspiration at PINspirational Challenge
Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
TTCRD Challenge 3/28 - 4/4 at Through The Craft Room Door
Challenge #38 Anything Goes at Lemon Shortbread Challenge
Challenge #176 Any Sentiment Other Than Birthday at Aud Sentiments
Challenge #116 Anything Goes at Crafty Gals Corner
Challenge #471 Warm Colors/Tones at Cute Card Thursday
Challenge #114 Anything Goes at Creative Moments Challenge
Challenge #125 Anything Goes at Inspiration Destination
Challenge #322 Anything Goes at Penny's Paper Crafty
Anything Goes at Kraftin Kimmie's Wonderful Wednesday
Challenge #276-277 Anything Goes at Word Art Wednesday
Challenge #271 Anything Goes at Creative Inspirations