Membership Wednesday ~ July 2024 BOM Fiesta Flutters ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a lovely card featuring the gorgeous stamp from the July 2024 Background of the Month membership called Fiesta Flutters from Unity. I am seriously loving this gorgeous background stamp! Butterflies are my jam! Haha...

I once again ink smooshed a few Distress Inks on Kraft card stock from Papertrey Ink. I love how the colors look on Kraft card stock! I ink smooshed Carved Pumpkin, Cracked Pistachio, and Festive Berries Distress Inks. This was such a different combo for me... what do you think?! I am loving it! 

I dried the ink smooshed panel completely with a Wagner Precision Heat Tool. I then prepped the card stock using a TE Anti-Static Powder Tool from Taylored Expressions. I stamped the gorgeous butterfly background using Sugar Cube White Pigment Ink, also from Taylored Expressions, and added Alabaster White Embossing Powder from Brutus Monroe to the wet ink. I then melted the powder using my heat tool. 

I die cut the butterfly background using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set. I then adhered the butterfly panel to a white A2 top fold card base. I stamped the sentiment from the Bitty Birthday Bash stamps on a long scrap of white card stock using the Festive Berries Distress Ink. I trimmed up the sentiment and adhered it to the card. To finish off the card, I added a few glittery white enamel dots from my stash. 

 

Here's a quick look at this month's Background of the Month membership! I love it so much!!

Well, that's it for me today! I hope you've been inspired to play with your membership stamps! 

Hope you have an ink-redible day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Unity Get Together Make & Take ~ Butterfly Breeze Meadow ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

A couple of weeks ago I went to a fun Unity get together with crafty friends from Missouri and Kansas {and a sneaky friend from Florida! Hi Doreen!} in Deepwater, Missouri at the awesome crafty store called The Craft Lab. I shared a few tips & tricks for Copic Coloring with the ladies that attended. Sadly, not everyone was able to participate. Mostly because Copic coloring can take so long and we ran out of time!

My card features the beautiful Butterfly Breeze Meadow background stamp and the Paper Wings stamp from Unity. I can't get enough of the butterfly stamps at Unity. Paper Wings is one of my absolute favorites though. And Butterfly Breeze Meadow is definitely my favorite background stamp. It makes such a pretty card!

Check out this fab group of ladies! Each one is a sweetheart and oh, so talented!

Anywho, I offered to do a video to share with the group and figured I'd just share it here on my blog as well. This isn't my typical video as you'll notice it's much longer. It's also not fast forwarded as much. A 1hr. 15min. video plus editing time - definitely a labor of crafty love. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the video - please only constructive criticism. I love to share what I do as a cardmaker and colorist and hope that you enjoy the video. If you have any questions about the video or Copic coloring, ask in the comments. I'll answer as soon as possible.

I also used a cut apart sentiment {I'm not seeing it on the website, but here's a different one... Cut Apart Sentiment Strips} and the awesome Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set. I die cut a white panel for the inside of the card too. You can see that in the video but I didn't take a photo.

Speaking of the video! You can check it out here... Copic Color with Me: Tips & Tricks | Butterfly Breeze Meadow | Unity Stamp Co.

Here's a quick list of the Copic Markers I used:

Flower Petals: Y11, Y15, Y38

Flower Centers: YR21, YR15, YR14

Leaf / Greenery: YG11, YG23, YG45

Paper Wings Butterfly: BG000, BG15, BG45, BV20, BV11, BV34, C00, C1, C3

Background Butterflies: BG000, BG15, BG45, Y11, Y15, Y38, BV20, BV11, BV34

Background: B0000 

I had so much fun coloring and chatting with the ladies. It's a wonderful time of crafty fellowship and it rejuvenates my crafty soul each year. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have an ink-tastic day! 

See ya next time.

Inky hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ June 2024 KOM and BOM ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a pretty card featuring a gorgeous stamp from the June 2024 Kit of the Month membership called Whisper of Summer from Unity. And I paired it up with the awesome June 2024 Background of the Month membership called Starry Splendor. These awesome stamps were meant for each other!

I stamped the butterfly {or is it a moth?} on a piece of Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink using Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks. I softened the lines of the ink using a blending brush.

I die cut the butterfly {or moth} using a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies} and set it aside. I stamped the background using the same three inks only this time I worked diagonally. I stamped directly on the front of a white A2 top fold card base. 

I stamped the sentiment using the Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink and trimmed it up fussy cutting a tail on the one end. I adhered it to the circle and then added foam tape on the back of both pieces. I removed the backing and popped them up on the card. I finished off the card with a few rhinestones from the Spring Bling rhinestones from Gina Marie Designs.

 

Here's a quick look at this month's Kit of the Month membership! LOVE it!! So many wonderful stamps!

And here's a look at the awesome Background of the Month membership! I love it! 

Well, that's it for me today! I hope you've been inspired to play with your membership stamps! 

Have an ink-redible day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ May 2024 BOM Grandma's Rose ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a super quick vintage card featuring the awesome background stamp from the May 2024 Background of the Month membership from Unity. This background reminds me of my grandparents couch when I was a kid. I just had to do a reddish pink hue to capture the color of their couch.

I ink smooshed a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" piece of Kraft card stock from Papertrey Ink using Festive Berries and Tattered Rose Distress Oxide Inks. I completely dried the background using a Wagner Precision heat tool. And then I stamped the Grandma's Rose Background stamp using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

I die cut the Grandma's Rose background stamp using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. Adhered it to a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" piece of Early Espresso Card Stock from Stampin' Up that I then adhered to a Kraft A2 top fold card base. I stamped the sassy vintage gal from Queen of the Universe. Love her sass! She actually reminds me of my Granny!

I went ahead and used the Vintage Photo Distress Ink to stamp the Queen of the Universe and the sentiment onto scraps of Kraft card stock. I die cut the queen using a die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies. I mat both pieces using scraps of the Early Espresso card stock. I adhered the sentiment overlapping the queen just a bit and then added foam tape to the back of both pieces. I removed the backing and popped them up on the card. I felt like the card needed a little something so I tied a pretty bow of Dark Chocolate 1/2" Satin Solid Ribbon from Papertrey Ink and adhered it to the card using a glue dot.

 

And here's a look at the awesome Background of the Month membership! So nostalgic! I love it! Well, that's it for me today! I hope you've been inspired to play with your membership stamps!

Have an ink-redible day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ April 2024 KOM & BOM ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a sweet card featuring the beautiful house stamp from the April 2024 Kit of the Month membership along with the awesome April 2024 Background of the Month membership... both from Unity. I wasn't lying when I said I thought I'd play with this month's KOM again! Loving all the fab stamps in the kit!

I stamped the house on a large scrap of Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink using Black Amalgam Ink from Gina K. Designs. I also stamped the background on a card front measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" and stamped the sentiment on a scrap of card stock. I colored up the house using my Copic markers. Fussy cut it on the line around the house and leaving a bit of a border around the plants.

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

House: BG000, BG02, BG05, E21, E23

Trim: E21, E23, E25, E27

Roof / Stairs: N1, N3, N5

Window: Y11, Y15

Plants / Grass: YG11, G23

I had planned on Copic coloring the houses in the background stamp, as well, but last minute decided to ink smoosh with similar colors to the house. I used Vintage Photo and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink. In retrospect, I kinda wish I had done a different color combo so the house would pop a bit more on the background. What do you think? I die cut the background using the largest stitched die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I also die cut a scalloped and stitched rectangle from True Black card stock using the largest die from the same die set.

To help the house pop a bit, I die cut a stitched circle from Vellum card stock using a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. Adhered it to the background just in the center of the circle using liquid glue. I die cut the sentiment and a black mat using dies from the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies. Adhered the sentiment to the bottom of the house and popped them up using a bunch of foam tape.

 

Here's a quick look at this month's Kit of the Month membership! LOVE!! So many fabulous stamps this month! I want to ink them all up!

And here's a look at the awesome Background of the Month membership! Such a fun stamp!

 Well, that's it for me today! I hope you've been inspired to play with your membership stamps!

Hope you have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ March 2024 BOM & UU ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a fun coffee card featuring the fabulous March 2024 Background of the Month membership along with the awesome coffee cup stamp from the March 2024 Uniquely Unity membership from Unity. These stamps were made for each other!!

I ink smooshed a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" piece of Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink using Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Inks. Once I was happy with my ink smooshed background, I stamped the awesome Global Brew background stamp using Ground Espresso Distress Oxide ink. I cleaned off my stamp and also inked it up with the Antique Linen oxide ink but just at a diagonal across the stamp. I love how it gives a distressed look to the background.

I die cut the background using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I stamped the coffee ring and coffee bean a few times on the background using Vintage Photo Distress Oxide ink. I adhered the background to a white A2 top fold card base. 

I stamped the Thanks A Latte cup on white card stock using the Ground Espresso Distress Oxide ink. I smooshed the Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide ink pad on my round acrylic block and used my water pen to pull some ink and color the coffee cup. Since I stamped on white card stock and not watercolor paper, I didn't use a lot of water and I only went over the cup once with the ink. I then put my panel back in my stamp platform and stamped it again with the Ground Espresso Distress Oxide ink. This made any of the stamped areas that ran a bit with the water nice and crisp again. I fussy cut the cup and popped it up using a bunch of foam tape.

I die cut a scrap piece of white card stock using a die from the Scallops & Banners {nesting dies} and stamped the sentiment using the Ground Espresso oxide ink. I used an acetate grid to help me with placement. I had to shift the stamp a couple of times to get it just right. I adhered the sentiment directly to the card and trimmed off the excess from the top.

Here's a quick look at the Background of the Month membership this month! Love it! 

Here's a quick look at this month's Uniquely Unity membership! So amazing!

 Well, that's it for me today! Hope you have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ February 2024 KOM and BOM ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a lovely card featuring the fabulous February 2024 Kit of the Month membership along with the gorgeous background stamp from the February 2024 Background of the Month membership from Unity.

I stamped the beautiful Artistic Pallet background stamp on Crumb Cake card stock from Stampin' Up with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Super easy background for a pretty card!

I stamped the pretty cup of flowers from the Grace and More Grace KOM using Black Amalgam ink on Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink. I colored it up with some Copic markers and die cut it with a stitched tag die from the Make a Tag {die set}. I also die cut a mat from Chocolate Chip card stock {also from Stampin' Up} using the next largest tag die from the set. Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Cup: BG70, BG01, BG34

Leaves: YG03, YG93

Yellow Flowers: Y06, Y15, Y35, YR27

Orange Flower: Y15, Y35, YR15, YR27

Pink Flowers: R00, R83, R32

Purple Flowers: V000, V12, V15

Teal Flowers: BG01, BG34

Steam: C00, C1

Grounding: C00, C1, C3

I trimmed the background down to 4-1/8 x 5-3/8" and adhered it to a Chocolate Chip card stock mat. I adhered the tags together and adhered them to the card. I stamped a lovely sentiment from the recently released Navigating Grief {Edition One} sentiment kit. Love the sentiments in this kit!

Here's a quick look at the Background of the Month membership this month! Love it! 

Here's a quick look at this month's Kit of the Month membership! So amazing!

 Well, that's it for me today! Hope you have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ February 2024 Background of the Month Artistic Pallet ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend and Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I'm sharing a sweet card using the gorgeous background stamp from the February 2024 Background of the Month membership from Unity called Artistic Pallet. I paired it up with super sweet and adorable bunny from Whiskers and Wings - a brand new release that'll be available later today.

The Artistic Pallet background was stamped on Aqua Mist card stock from Papertrey Ink with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I die cut two small hearts from the background using the Dashes and Frills Hearts {die set}. A sneaky little trick I like to do when my focal piece will cover the hole. I also die cut the background using the largest scalloped die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. Distressed the edges of each of the pieces using the Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

I stamped the cute Whiskers and Wings and sentiment using Black Amalgam ink on Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink. I colored it up with some Copic markers and die cut it with a stitched die from the Scallops & Squares {nesting dies}. I also die cut a scrap of Kraft card stock {also from Papertrey Ink} using the next largest square die for a mat. I distressed the edges of the bunny die cut and adhered it to the mat. Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Bunny: E21, E23, E25

Leaves / Grass: G02, G05

Flowers: V12, V15, Y11, Y15, BG01, BG45, BG49

Butterfly: Y11, Y15, V12, V15

Sky: BG0000, BG11

I wrapped the background layer with a piece of {Natural} May Arts Burlap string and secured it on the back with a piece of scotch tape. Adhered the background to a Kraft A2 top fold card base. I then adhered the bunny layers to the card and the larger heart using liquid glue. I popped up the smaller heart and sentiment using foam tape. And finished off the card with a tiny brown button.

Here's a quick look at the Background of the Month membership this month! So amazing! Be sure to check out the new releases later today over at Unity! Well, that's it for me today! Hope you have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ January 2024 BOM Butterfly Breeze Meadow ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a quick sympathy card featuring the January 2024 Background of the Month membership from Unity called Butterfly Breeze Meadow. Yesterday was a rare day where I just didn't feel like coloring and a monochromatic card sounded perfect.

I stamped the beautiful A2 background stamp on Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink using Lost Shadow Distress Ink. I trimmed the panel down to 3-3/4 x 5".

I die cut a piece of Smokey Shadow Card Stock from Papertrey Ink using the largest die from the Postage Stamp {nesting dies}, also from Unity. I adhered the stamped background to the postage panel and then adhered the panel to a Stampers Select White Card Stock A2 card base.

I could of sworn that Unity has or had a 'with sympathy' die but I looked through my stash and didn't find one and then I checked the website and didn't find one. Maybe I imagined it. I don't know, but I still wanted to go with a sentiment that conveyed the feeling of a sympathy card so I went with the On My Mind {die}. I die cut the sentiment from Weathervane Card Stock from Papertrey Ink two times. And then I die cut it from Smokey Shadow Card Stock. I adhered the layers of the sentiment together using the awesome Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue. I love the fine tip on this glue!! And it hasn't clogged up on me one time! Love, love, love it!!

Here's a quick look at the Background of the Month membership this month! So gorgeous!

 Well, that's it for me today! I'll be back next week with a card probably using a stamp from the January 2024 Kit of the Month. Not totally sure, but that's what I'm leaning towards. Until then, have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ October 2023 BOM & KOM ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a pretty Fall card using the awesome October 2023 Background of the Month membership from Unity called Woodgrain Whisper along with the October 2023 Kit of the Month membership from Unity called Golden Glow. 

A fun ink smooshed background of Fossilized Amber, Carved Pumpkin, Peeled Paint and Vintage Photo Distress Oxide inks. I stamped the Woodgrain Whisper background stamp over the ink smooshed background using Ground Espresso Distress Oxide ink. 

I stamped the pretty flower from the Golden Glow Kit of the Month membership using Squeezed Lemonade and Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide inks and a bit of Vintage Photo Distress ink in the center. I also painted the center of the flower using the Vintage Photo Distress ink. The leaves were stamped with Peeled Paint Distress Oxide ink.

The lines in the center of the flower were lost when I painted it so I used a white gel pen to add some highlights. I may have gone a little overboard with them. I also did some dots. I fussy cut the flower and the leaves and adhered them together. The sentiment from the October 2023 KOM was heat embossed with white pigment ink, white embossing powder and a heat tool.

Here's a look at the whole Kit of the Month for October!! Another great kit fill with Fall images! Can you believe that you get this full sheet of rubber for only $44.99. That includes shipping! You also get a $6.95 discount on every order from Unity over $45. And you can purchase any past kits for only $34 plus shipping. Such a great value!

Here's a quick look at the Background of the Month membership this month! So fun! This membership is available for only $18.99. That includes shipping! Included with both of these memberships is a wonderful inspiration sheet with pictures and step-by-step instructions for two cards so you can easily recreate the cards yourself. And now when you sign up you have the ability to pause, skip or cancel your subscription within your Unity account.

 Well, that's it for me today! I'll be back next week with inspiration using the gorgeous October 2023 Whit Kit. Have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Membership Wednesday ~ September 2023 BOM Off the Grid ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a fun card using the cool September 2023 Background of the Month membership from Unity called Off the Grid. I had a fun idea for a background only using a portion of the stamp.

I stamped a piece of white card stock using Sugar Cube Pigment ink from Taylored Expressions. I applied Alabaster White Embossing powder from Brutus Monroe and melted it with my heat tool. 

Then came the fun part... I ink smooshed some Candy Apple and Wilted Violet Distress Oxide inks. I also blended some of the inks to fill in the background.

I die cut the background using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies, also from Unity. I dried the background completely, added some white acrylic paint splatters, and then adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base.

I stamped the beautiful Zinnia on a scrap of white card stock really only focusing on the one flower. I didn't want the whole cluster for my card so the grid background would show. I colored up the zinnia with just a few purple Copic markers: V0000, V000, V12, V17. I didn't want it very dark so it would pop on the background. I stamped the 'hello' sentiment from the September 2023 Kit of the Month called Harvest Hues. Love the distressed look of the sentiment. The flower is fussy cut and I colored up the edges using a Memento Tuxedo Black marker to make it all nice and neat. I also fussy cut the sentiment but I left the edges white. Both are popped up on the card with foam tape.

Here's a quick look at the Background of the Month membership this month! So fun! This membership is available for only $18.99. That includes shipping! Included with both of these memberships is a wonderful inspiration sheet with pictures and step-by-step instructions for two cards so you can easily recreate the cards yourself. And now when you sign up you have the ability to pause, skip or cancel your subscription within your Unity account.

I'm playing along with the Color Hues Challenge #72: Purple & Red

 Well, that's it for me today! I'll be back in two weeks with inspiration for one of the fab October memberships. Just not sure at this point which one I want to play with first. {Be warned... they are ALL amazing!!} Until then, have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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