Tuesday, September 25, 2018

~ Growing in Unity ~ Day Two ~ Be Merry

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of my Growing in Unity week!

My next Source of Inspiration is Color! Now for today's post I decided to go with Non-Traditional Christmas Colors. I received a wonderful gift last year from a friend that included card stock samples for Papertrey Ink card stock, so I pulled those little sample cards out to decide on my color combos. I had so much fun combining color combos that I got a little carried away and made four cards to share today. So grab a cuppa and let's get to it!


My first card using Unity's Christmas Magic stamp set has Aqua Mist, Olive Twist, Pure Poppy (Red), and my favorite... Kraft. For the main image I used the following Copic markers ~ R14, R27, Y000, Y06, Y13, YG93, YG95, YG97, N0, N3, N5, N8, E41, BG11, BG32. I stamped the sentiment with Memento tuxedo black ink and then mat the focal image on a piece of Aqua Mist card stock. I wrapped it a few times with a red and white twine... tied it off with a bow. I then popped up the panel onto a Kraft card base using dimensionals.


Here's a closer look... showing the glossy accents on the little Christmas lights in the wreath and the windows on the truck. I even put some on the brake lights. There's some clear wink of stella on the red bow and my final touch for this card was some red enamel dots.


I absolutely had to share this new wintry Angie Girl called Emerson Girl... isn't she beautiful. Now for this card I went with a color combo of Pinefeather, New Leaf, Green Parakeet, and Amethyst Allure. I love how this one turned out! I colored Emerson using the following Copic markers ~ R20, E000, E000, E00, E23, E25, E29, E79, N0, N1, G17, G29, V0000, V12, V15, V17. I mat the main panel on a piece of Amethyst Allure card stock and set it aside. When color is your inspiration sometimes it's a challenge to find the right coordinating items... and I got a little nervous trying to find the right papers for this card. Luckily for me, I'm a bit of a paper hoarder so I found these great papers with greens that work perfectly... it's from The Paper Studio and it's called 12 Days of Christmas. I adhered all of my layers to a Pinefeather card base. I wrapped some purple baker's twine around the last layer of green. I then popped up Emerson on the card and decided to not add a sentiment since the background paper says Merry Christmas. My final touch for this card was some clear wink of stella in the hat and scarf... sadly the picture doesn't show that. 


My next card features this gorgeous stamp set by Tierra Jackson called Cozy Mitts. Now for this card, I wanted a rich color palette with a pop of pink... so I went with Raspberry Fizz, Royal Velvet, Plum Pudding, and Enchanted Evening. I colored the main image using the following Copic markers ~ G17, G29, V04, V06, V09, RV17, R30, E25, E74. I also added some gold accents to the tips of the pine cone using a Uniball gold pen. For the sentiment, I decided to mask it off and just stamp the word Cozy. I stamped the entire sentiment on the inside of the card (no picture ~ sorry) on a white panel that I adhered inside. I found these beautiful wood panel with music notes papers in my stash... they're from The Paper Studio and they're called Pine St. Square. I adhered my layers to an Enchanted Evening card base, also adding a few brads and that finished off card number three.


My final card you may recognize from my entry into the Interactive Card Challenge in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group. I used a few different stamp sets for this card, starting with the Days a Little Off set that has this sweet snowman. My color combo for this card is Sweet Blush, New Leaf, Berry Sorbet, and Weathervane. I started with a Weathervane card base that I cut the scalloped square window from. I stamped the snowman on a piece of white card stock and then colored it in with the following Copic markers ~ N0, N3, R00, R01, R05, R12, R22, B0000, B000, Yg23, YG25, E35, E57. I then adhered it on the inside of the card so the snowman peeked through the window. I die cut the Merry Christmas sentiment out of white and Berry Sorbet card stock. I adhered them together leaving a bit of the white peeking out. I die cut the holly and berries, sponged a little color on the edges, and then popped them up on the front of the card.


That white panel left from the peeking snowman was not pretty since the Copic markers bled through, but I just covered that up with a piece of Weathervane card stock that I had stamped and heat embossed the sentiment from the Cheerful Prancing sentiment kit.


And now for the Shadow Box portion of the card. Jennifer McGuire has a great video showing how to create these Shadow Box cards. I altered mine just slightly to fit my card. I stamped the trees from the So & So Loves set on a white panel and then colored it in using the same Copic markers I used for the snowman, excluding the greens and browns. I trimmed that panel down and adhered it behind the window. I stamped another snowman and colored it just like the first snowman. I fussy cut it out and adhered it to the side of the window. I had die cut another set of holly and berries that I adhered to the top corner. My final touch for this card was touches of clear wink of stella in the hearts of the trees, the die cut berries, and of course the snowman's hat, scarf and buttons.

I know today's post was much longer and if you've made it this far, I thank you!
I hope you've enjoyed these cards and found some inspiration to use fun color combos for your cards, be it Christmas or any occasion.


Be sure to leave a comment on each of my GIU blog posts for a chance to win one of two fabulous grab bags of 25 stamps from Unity Stamp Company!!! 
If you missed Day One, you can check it out... here.

Come back tomorrow for my next Source of Inspiration post (I promise, tomorrow's post is shorter)!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.
~ Crystal


106 comments:

  1. Just stunning! I LOVE Papertrey paper too, one of my favs for card bases. Just lovely coloring, layers, stamps, and design. Just wonderful cards. And that shadow box is amazing. You are so inspirational! Thank you, friend. Great job!

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    1. Thank you, Kim! Ohh... Papertrey Ink paper is the best!! Thank you for your kind words! I truly appreciate it my friend!

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  2. Wow! What gorgeous cards! I love using nontraditional colors for Christmas cards. Just lovely!

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    1. Thank you so much, Wilma! It's definitely a great way to change up the usual Christmas cards! :)

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  3. Those are absolutely stunning. The coloring is perfect. Those are the type of cards that should be framed.

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  4. Wonderful holiday cards!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  5. Gorgeous cards, I wish I could color half as good. Beautiful job.

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  6. I like the non traditional colors you used. I love the vintage truck. I have several of those truck stamps for on Unity. I enjoy using them. The mitten stamp card was beautiful. The shadow box card was so cute but I have never tried that. I will have to check out a video. Thanks for the inspiration today

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    1. Thank you so much, Debbie! I just adore the vintage trucks that Unity sells... I'm a bit obsessed with them! :)

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  7. What wonderful cards Crystal!! I love the color combos... makes me want to start creating my Christmas cards!!!🎄😊

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    1. Thank you so much, Dorothy! I can't wait to see some of your Christmas cards... I hope you share to the USnT group! :)

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  8. These are all stunning but Cozy Mitts is my absolute favorite! It must be the combo of pink and purple. You've set the bar high for the rest of the week <3

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    1. Oh, wow... thank you so much, Lea! I'm a bit worried now. I hope my next few posts don't disappoint. ;)

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  9. Wow!!! Beautiful cards. Very inspirational!!'

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  10. Just WOW!!! These are fabulous!
    I love you deep, rich colors...my favorite thing is how you wrapped the purple twine around the paper!! I must do this soon!! Brilliant!!
    Love your week so far!!

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    1. Awww... thank you, my friend! You're always so kind and supportive... I appreciate you so much! <3

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  11. I love seeing your cards Crystal...they always inspire me. As much as I love your interactive card, my favorite is the first one...the combo of Olive Twist and Aqua really makes the truck pop out. Can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve this week.

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    1. Thank you so much, Stacy! I have to be honest... I think my first card is also my favorite! Probably because it's one of my most fave color combos. :)

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  12. Great use of non-traditional colors for your holiday cards. I especially like the green and purple together along with letting the background paper be the sentiment.

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  13. All of your cards are wonderful!! So many fun details! 😊

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  14. Thanks for sharing your wonderful cards. Love the colors you used..

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  15. My goodness my friend! Your coloring is incredible. Emerson Girl is beautiful!! The color on those mittens!! Bravo!!!

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    1. Awww... thank you so very much, Bobbie Sue! Your kind words always make my day!

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  16. All these cards look
    fabulous! Great colors,
    love the mittens card.
    Carla from Utah

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  17. Very nice!!! I'm into so many years (20?) of making my own Christmas cards and it gets harder and harder to come up with "new" ideas..... color is one way to go, as you did with your cards!!!

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    1. Thank you, Jen! You're so right... it seems us cardmakers that have been at it for so long repeat so many designs, but color is a great way to change things up! :)

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  18. Great cards. I like your coloring, layers and the shadow box on the last one.

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    1. Thank you so much, Sue! I'm so glad you like them all. :)

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  19. Oh thank you so much for all the possibilities and ideas! I am ready to start Christmas cards. I love the vintage truck card. It is amazing!

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    1. I'm so glad that you liked my cards! Thank you so much! I hope you share what you make in the USnT group. :)

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  20. wonderful cards full of some beautiful colors (& coloring!). Love the pretty color used on the truck. And amethyst is my birthstone so I'm so happy to see it!! That shadowbox card looks like it was so fun to decorate! I'll have to try one of those.

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    1. Thank you so much, Becca! I definitely had fun coloring these images... Unity makes it so easy with such beautiful images!

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  21. You are well on your way for Christmas.

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    1. In all my busyness getting my posts ready for my GIU week... I didn't realize it, but you are right! 4 Christmas cards done! Thanks for checking out my post!

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  22. I love non traditional colors for Christmas.

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    1. I do, too! Adds that little special something to them. :)

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  23. Fantastic inspiration for Christmas - love them!

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  24. Oh my goodness Crystal your cards are to die for. So much pretty in your cards. I can see why you kept making these. ������

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    1. Thank you so much, Judy! I sure had a lot of fun making them. I almost couldn't stop! lol

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  25. How awesome! Your colors- non-traditional yet so perfect for Christmas and *snow season* (ugggg- which will be here soon!). Beautiful work and inspiration!!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Shelly! I'm so glad that you liked them. :)

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  26. Suxh great cards again and so much inspiration!! I love the cozy mittens, have those on my wishlist for a long time, think I need them now!!

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    1. Thank you, Sandra! I'm so glad that you liked them! :)

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  27. Fabulous cards! I really love the truck with the tree! Such pretty coloring! Awesome shadow box card also!

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  28. The snowman,...be still my heart! ❤️

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    1. Awww... I'm so glad that you liked my card. :) Thank you!

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  29. Oh how I love the truck. They are all beautiful and so vibrant in color I love them. The little truck is one of my favorites and I love the colors you used on the truck.

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    1. I'm so glad that you like my card, Patricia! Thank you so much!

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  30. Wow! I'm inspired to try different colors for Christmas instead of red and green! Your truck card is my favorite! Love all the details you put in your cards. You can tell you enjoy creating. Pam Foy

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad I was able to inspire you to change up your colors. Thank you so much for checking out my post! :)

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  31. Fabulous array of Christmas cards! I love non traditional colors for them!

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  32. Wow everyone of those cards is wonderful

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  33. Just got the truck Christmas stamp and can't wait to try it out! Your's is awesome. Love the other ones too!

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    1. Oh, I hope you share in the USnT group when you create with the truck stamp! I'd love to see! Thank you for checking out my blog post!

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  34. Love the color of the truck. Such a pretty card. And the purple mittens….wow!. You used such vibrant colors. I love them all. That little snowman is so cute. Green is my favorite color btw

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad that you liked my cards, Katy! Thank you for checking out my post today! :)

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  35. So many fun cards! I love the Emerson girl card!
    --Phaline Mays

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  36. I love your idea of choosing your color palette first. I always tell myself to do that and my cards are always better when I do that instead of coloring and then trying to find background papers and mats to match. Great job!

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    1. Yes! It's so much easier to choose the colors first but sometimes you just need to color and then figure out the rest of the design! There's really no right answer. :) Thanks so much for checking out my post!

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  37. That truck with tree and the snowman are on my wish list! Your coloring is amazing! I love the layout of the stuffed mittens! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you so much, Melanie! I'm so glad that you liked the cards I shared today!

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  38. Wow, these are all amazing cards! I struggle so with coloring and yours is perfection! ❤️

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad that you liked the cards I shared today. Thank you so much for checking out my blog post! :)

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  39. What a lovely collection of beautiful cards. I love how you've selected your colors of cardstock before coloring the image (so that your colors match). Brilliant!

    sue nagata

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    1. Thank you so much, Sue! I'll admit, I don't always start off choosing the colors first but it definitely worked for today's source of inspiration post. :)

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  40. Can't remember if I commented on this one or not...but it must be crazy good,bc I'm gonna comment even if I already did. Lol. ....girl!! That purple is amazing. You've taken these stamps to another level! That truck is amazing too! Stunning color choices!

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    1. Haha... I'm not sure if you did either, but I thank you so much for checking out my post and taking the time to comment, Jeannie! I'm so glad that you like the cards I shared! :)

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  41. I love every single one of these! Wow so inspiring! You do wonderful work 💕

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  42. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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  43. Love all your amazing cards! The first one is my favorite with the truck and the tree! Wonderful coloring you really brought the images to life.

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  44. That’s a great set of cards ! It’s always nice to have some non-traditional ideas for Holidays cards. Thanks for sharing. Love, Marjorie
    [margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]

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  45. I thought I had commented already on this one but I don't seem to see it? So anyway I just have to say you are truly an amazing artist! Your colors are just so bright and beautiful! And you come up with such amazing card fronts too!

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  46. Loved all of your cards! That shadow box is outstanding!

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  47. Christmas cards are so fun to make. Can’t wait to get started this year. Love the cards!

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  48. Your coloring is stunning! I have So & So Loves & I need more ideas on how to use it. Thanks!

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  49. Fun cards! I love the old time truck stamps!
    --Phaline Mays

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    1. Thank you, Phaline! The old truck stamps are some of my favorites!

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  50. You've shared a lovely range of cards today. Love the vintage vibe of the first card and the snowman is too cute. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

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