Blogger Challenge: Week 217

This week’s blogger challenge is a great sketch. I used one of Unity’s new Itty Bittys for my card. I love this whimsical roller skate pair and the matching sentiment--they make a fun card to send to a friend just because!

I colored the roller skate image just a bit with Copic markers and cut them out. The little hearts on the skates are sparkled up with a touch of a Lipstick Spica pen. I set the skates on an aqua panel using a dimensional dot, then stamped the “how’s it rollin’?” sentiment underneath them in Lady Bug ink.

I used an aqua tone on tone diagonal striped paper for the panel that covers most of the cardfront. A red dot embossed circle panel sits under the skates with a multicolored dotted strip running across the bottom. After setting the image panel in place, I added a tab made from red faux suede ribbon and anchored with a matching red button tied with gray baker’s twine.

For more ideas using this sketch, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list. And, don't forget to check out the list of Friends with Flair players for more Unity inspiration.



Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. How’s it Rollin’? Itty Bitty, X-Press white Copic cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks, Copic markers (BG0000, BG000, BG10, BG11, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5) and Lipstick Spica pen, Echo Park Dots & Stripes –Metropolitan 6x6 paper pad, My Mind’s Eye Lime Twist-Out of the Blue 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle dies, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine gray baker’s twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Aqua Mist and Soft Stone cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

IHP's Hopping and Shopping with Unity

Today the i {heart} papers design team is Hip Hopping along with the Unity Stamp Co. design team. You'll want to be sure to check all their blogs, plus the IHP DT, for fabulous projects showcasing Unity!

In celebration of this little hop, ALL full-sized kits are $12 or less! But, there is VERY limited inventory and these past kits will not be restocked so don’t wait or you might miss your chance to get them at this price. Happy hopping and happy SHOPPING!

I used one of Unity’s Echo Park co-branded kits, In the Clouds, along with this week’s CPS sketch for my card. I inked the kit’s cloud image in Summer Sky ink, then stamped off once before stamping the image on white cardstock to get the super pale blue dotted clouds. After cutting the clouds out, I sprayed them with a little shimmer spritz. They’re attached to a piece of blue on blue striped paper from Echo Park’s Dots & Stripes-Candy Shoppe line. I love the look of dots and stripes together!

The kit’s plane image was inked with Lady Bug and London Fog inks for the two-toned look, then stamped on white cardstock and cut out. The centers of the wheels are dotted with a little bit of white Enamel Accents for a raised, hub-cab like look. The red plane stands out nicely against the pale blue backdrop. To get the look of a plane pulling a message behind it, I used one of the stickers from the coordinating Little Boy Collection Kit and some baker’s twine, fastening them at the back of the plane, then using dimensional dots to secure the pieces to the cardfront.

Be sure to check out what the other IHP DT members have created using Unity products. Here’s where to find them:
Tracy
Carolyn
Kendra
Kate
Lori--you're here!
Deb
Lynn
Gretchen
Loretta

And, don’t forget to stop by the store to pick up some Unity for yourself!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Echo Park In the Clouds Kit , X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Summer Sky, Lady Bug, and London Fog inks and Sparkle Shimmer Spritz, Echo Park Dots & Stripes-Candy Shoppe 6x6 paper pad, Little Boy Collection Kit, Divine Twine cherry red baker’s twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Ranger white Enamel Accents

other: Not Quite Navy cardstock (Stampin’ Up!)

You Are My Sunshine

Happy Friday! I'm heading home from Chicago this afternoon after a fun week with my crafting friends at CHA. I'm looking forward to hanging out with Chloe the cutie puppy--I've missed her and I'm sure my parents are happy to be returning her to me!

This super bright and cheerful card uses this month's Kit of the Month sketch--and I made sure to use a KOTM this time instead of a store kit like I did last month--and includes the latest All Things Unity challenge to use twine on your project. I went way back with this one, picking a kit from July 2009 for my card. Love that big sun! It's colored with Copic markers and cut out, then spritzed with a little shimmer spray for a little sparkle and shine.

I used foam tape to set the sun on a oval panel stamped with the coordinating "you are my sunshine" sentiment. The pieces are set on a yellow dotted panel with machine stitched edges. For the two panels running across the card, I used a strip of orange grosgrain ribbon, wrapped with some orange twine, and a coordinating chevron patterned paper. It's brighter than I usually go (and I'm not afraid of bold, bright colors!), but I like it.

Be sure to check out the Unity blog for the full list of this week's Friends with Flair players.

Materials Used:
July 2009 Kit of the Month {pocket full of . . .} (Unity Stamp Co.); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Frost Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Seafoam chalk ink (Recollections); Party Animals 6x6 paper pad (KaiserCraft); petite oval die (Spellbinders); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); orange baker's twine (Divine Twine); sewing machine; foam tape

Friends with Flair: Enjoy

Happy Friday! I’m glad the weekend’s here since it’s been a busy week. Chloe the cutie puppy started doggy day care this week. Like I’ve said before, she’s both super social and super energetic, so hopefully interacting with other dogs at day care will give her what she needs to keep her happy and out of trouble. This has changed our schedule just a little since it takes me extra time to get her there and back at the start and end of my work day and I’m still trying to figure out the timing of things. And, the US Open golf tournament being played near my home hasn't helped. My house is just about a mile from the big satellite parking lot (15 miles from the golf course!) and traffic has been even more of a nightmare the last few days than it usually is. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!

On to my card, which is for the latest Unity challenge to create a sun and fun themed card. I went with a tropical drink theme here, which makes me think of rest and relaxation and time at the beach—all good summertime things! I also used this week’s Color Throwdown colors again since they’re perfect for a summery card.

The focal image is the margarita glass from Margarita Moments. I colored the glass with Copic markers and added a little Dazzling Diamonds “sugar” around the rim of the glass. It’s paired with a little chevron patterned paper set on a daffodil card base. I ran a strip of matching seam binding along the edge of the patterned paper. I wanted to use orange grosgrain ribbon for a stronger contrast, but the new roll I just opened has somehow disappeared on my table. Guess I’ll be looking for that over the weekend . . . The colored glass is layered on a kiwi circle, then set on the card base. I added a trio of clear crystals around the circle’s edge as an accent, then stamped the “enjoy” sentiment from an older Kit of the Month next to it in orange.

Be sure to stop by the Unity blog for the full list of Friends with Flair players!

Materials Used:
Margarita Moments and June 2009 Kit of the Month {perfect in every way} (Unity Stamp Co.); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pumpkin Pie Classic ink, Daffodil Delight and Kiwi Kiss cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Lime Twist-Fly a Kite “Spring” Zag patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye); circle dies (Spellbinders); seam binding (Martha Stewart); Bow Easy

Friends with Flair: Cupcake Love

Here’s my card with for this week’s Friends with Flair. I used this month’s Unity Kit of the Month challenge sketch, but realized after finishing the card that this cupcake image (also available as an Itty Bitty) comes from one of the Store KOTM’s, so I don’t know if that really counts . . . Anyway, with its food theme, it also counts for the current All Things Unity "from the hearth" challenge, so let’s just go with that—LOL!

I stamped the cupcake image on a Labels 1 die cut panel and colored the image with Copic markers. It’s layered on a brown Labels 1 mat to match the chocolate-y colored cupcake.

I used a chevron patterned paper to cover most of the cardfront. Since the chevron pattern’s kind of busy, I used a solid red strip, edged with kraft, for the diagonal piece that runs across the card. To add some texture, I stretched a piece of red faux suede ribbon along the diagonal piece. After setting the image panel over that, I used a dimensional dot to add the matching sentiment, stamped on a circle. I used my stamp positioner to get the sentiment arranged to fit the circle. The sentiment’s little heart is colored with red Spica pen for some sparkle and a little bit of knotted red ribbon sits at the top.

Be sure to check out the Unity blog for the full list of Friends with Flair players.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. I'll Always Love You Itty Bitty, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (E25, E31, E34, R12, R22, R24, W00, W-1, W-3) and Lipstick Spica pen, Spellbinders large and small Labels 1 dies, My Mind’s Eye Stella & Rose-Gertie 6 x 6 paper pad, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Zva Creative dimensional dot

other: Riding Hood Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); circle punches (EK Success)

Blogger Challenge: Week 206/Friends with Flair

Happy Friday! I’ve combined my Friends with Flair post with this week’s blogger challenge pets theme and this week’s Mojo Monday sketch for this super sweet puppy card.

I used the cute dog image from Unity’s I Ruff You kit as the focal image. The dog is colored with Copic markers and cut out. I used dimensional dots to attach it to the pink circle panel.

The cardfront is made from a large scalloped circle die cut. I used two different patterned papers to cover most of the scallop edged cardfront. Once they were in place, I attached the image panel and ran a strip of ruffle edged faux suede ribbon across the cardfront. A button is attached to the ruffled strip using some pink baker’s twine. I stamped “ruff u” on a pink strip and slipped the end of the strip underneath the button.

And since this post is all about pets (and I’ve chattered a lot about min this week), I couldn’t end this post without a photo of my adorable Chloe the cutie puppy. She’s almost 17 months old now and weighs in at about 60 pounds. Hopefully, that’s full grown! Quite a change from these photos, right? She’s a fun and feisty one with pretty much boundless energy and curiosity. She definitely keeps me on my toes—when she’s not making me trip over hers!


This photo was taken just a few days ago. For some reason, she was enjoying “sunbathing” in the backyard in the 95+ degree heat.

For more pet themed ideas, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list. And, for lots of Unity inspiration, don’t miss the list of FWF players on the Unity blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. I Ruff You kit, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (E31, E34, E99, YR21, YR24, R21), Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies, My Mind’s Eye Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6 x 6 paper pad, May Arts white ruffle edge faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine Cotton Candy Pink baker’s twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Riding Hood Red and Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); button (Michaels); corner rounder

Friends with Flair: This Moment

Happy Friday! I’m looking forward to the long weekend! Since Chloe the cutie puppy’s been battling canine pink eye this week, we’re going to take it easy and hang out at home. Fortunately, as the week's gone on, she’s looking a little less pink and we’ve seemed to come to an uneasy understanding about the eye drops she needs 3 times a day (I won!). I may even do some stamp room clean up—we’ll see about that!

Here’s my card for this week’s Friends with Flair. It’s based on this month’s Kit of the Month sketch challenge. I went way back in the archives and pulled out an older kit, {delightful moments}, from December 2009. I inked up the kit’s clock (now available as an Itty Bitty) to represent the sketch’s circle element. The last time I used this stamp was on New Year’s Eve in 2009 and I was really in a down mood. So, I’m glad that my outlook’s a little sunnier this time around. Anyway, I used teardrop shaped red and black Memento inks to get the clock image inked in the two different colors. I added a little shading and coloring with Copic markers before cutting out the image.

The image is set on a patterned paper panel with machine stitched edges. The matching sentiment is stamped underneath the image. I stamped it a second time on a scrap of red cardstock, cut out the letters in "be happy" and attached them to the panel for a nice contrast. I attached a pair of layered scallop edge strips, also cut from patterned paper, along the bottom of the panel and topped them with a piece of red faux suede ribbon. A piece of black baker’s twine is wrapped around the ribbon and tied in a bow.

Be sure to check out the full list of FWF players on the Unity blog for lots of Unity inspiration!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Happy for This Moment Itty Bitty, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (B000, B0000, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5), Lily Bee Picket Fence and This & That Tiny Tablets, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine Black Licorice baker’s twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); medium scallop edge die (Papertrey Ink); sewing machine

Friends with Flair: The Sweetest Day

Happy Friday! My card for today’s Friends with Flair is the perfect bright and cheerful, end of the work week card. I went super clean and simple here, using the strawberry from the Sweetest Day Itty Bitty and just a bit of patterned paper. It's the first time I've used this stamp, so it works for the latest All Things Unity challenge, and it's a fruity image, so it also fits this month's Unity challenge theme. Wow--all that in one single, simple card!

I colored the berry with Copic markers and dotted the seeds with a little Stardust Stickles for some sparkle and shine. I used kraft cardstock with curved corners for my card base. A piece of lime chevron patterned paper runs across the bottom of the card. I broke up the pattern with a strip of red faux suede ribbon dressed up with a red button, tied with matching baker’s twine.

The berry is set at an angle at the top of the patterned paper strip using dimensional dots to keep it in place. The coordinating sentiment is stamped at the opposite side of the card in white ink--a nice change from the black I'd usually use.

Be sure to stop by the Unity blog for the full list of this week’s Friends with Flair players.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Sweetest Day Itty Bitty, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, YG0000, YG00, YG01, YG03, YG05, YG25), My Mind’s Eye Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6 x 6 paper pad, Ranger Stardust Stickles, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker’s twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); corner rounder

Friends with Flair: Birthday Trifecta

Happy Friday! Here’s my card for this week’s installment of Friends with Flair. My card is for the current All Things Unity challenge to make a card that includes these three elements: a 3 inch square, three types of embellishments, and a birthday or anniversary theme.

I went with a little birthday card using a cake image from the Sweet Birthday Celebration kit. I stamped the image in brown ink, omitting the star-shaped candle flames, and colored it with Copic markers. I added some clear crystals to the cake’s scallops as embellishment #1.

I covered the mini cardfront with a fun lime paper with polka dots. A piece of yellow velvet trim, matching the card base, stretches across the cardfront as embellishment #2. Before setting the cake in place on the card with dimensional dots, I stamped the star-shaped candles on the cardfront using Cantaloupe ink. The stars are filled in with Yellow Stickles for extra sparkle—and for embellishment #3! The kit’s “best day ever” sentiment is stamped next to the cake, filling in pretty much all the space I had to work with on the 3 inch surface.

Be sure to stop by the Unity blog for the full list of this week’s Friends with Flair players.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Sweet Birthday Celebration kit, Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa and Cantaloupe inks, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (YG13, YG21, YG25, R81, R83, R85), My Mind’s Eye Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6 x 6 paper pad, Ranger Yellow Stickles, Cosmo Cricket yellow scalloped velvet trimZva Creative clear crystals and dimensional dots

other: Daffodil Delight cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Friends with Flair: Leafy Thanks

Here’s my card for this week’s Friends with Flair and the current All Things Unity challenge to add texture to your card. I was going for a masculine look with this clean and simple thank you card design.

I stamped the leafy branch image from the Thanks a Bunch Itty Bitty in Pear Tart ink on a green panel—love the tone on tone look! After rounding the panel’s edges, I attached it to a circle, die cut from a piece of cork paper. It adds lots of texture while keeping with the masculine look.

I wrapped some twine around the edge of an avocado green panel, then layered the cork circle on to the panel. I attached a button to the cardfront, tied with the same twine. The “thanks a bunch” sentiment is stamped in brown ink on a gold panel. It fit nicely in the open space under the leaf image.

Check out the Unity blog for the full list of Friends with Flair players. And, don't miss the big National Scrapbooking Day sale event at i {heart} papers!


Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Thanks a Bunch Itty Bitty, Memento Pear Tart and Rich Cocoa inks , Creative Impressions cork paper and natural twine string thread, Spellbinders circle die

other: Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, and Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); button (Clear and Simple Stamps)

Friends with Flair: Ups & Downs, Inside & Out

Happy Friday! It’s been a long week here, as the week following a vacation usually is, but was made even longer due to lots of rainstorms, a broken air conditioning unit, and a keyed car. On a happier note, here’s my card for Friends with Flair using the I’m Here Itty Bitty.

I stamped the yoyo image twice on white cardstock and colored the image with Copic markers. To get a dimensional look, I cut out part of one of the image and layered it on top of the other one using a foam dot. The heart is glittered with some Stickles to accent it.

I kept the layout super simple, adding a red border to both sides of the image panel to set it off from the dotted paper I used on the cardfront. A strip of looped red and cream checked ribbon is set behind the image panel with a button, knotted with some twine, to anchor it at the top of the image panel. I stamped half of the set’s sentiment on the front of the card and the rest “I’m here” inside. If you look closely at the picture, you can sort of see my attempt at dressing up the inside of the card.

Be sure to stop by the Unity blog for links to the rest of this week's FWF players. And, if you're doing any shopping this weekend, stop by i {heart} papers. Kate's donating 10% of all orders placed through May 1 to the American Red Cross for their tornado relief fund to assist victims of this week's storms. What could be better than shopping and knowing you're contributing to a good cause at the same time?

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. I’m Here Itty Bitty, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (Y21, Y23, Y26, YR30, R12, R22, R24, W00, W-1, W-3), My Mind’s Eye Stella & Rose-Gertie 6 x 6 paper pad, May Arts red and cream checked ribbon, Creative Impressions natural twine, Ranger Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles, Zva Creative dimensional dot

other: Real Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Friends with Flair: Owl Always

Happy Friday! I've been off of work all week, but I'm still glad to see Friday arrive. I'm heading out with some friends this morning to watch our hometown hockey team, the Washington Capitals, practice at their practice rink. This is the first time I've gone to a practice and I haven't gotten to any games this season, so I'm excited to see some hockey-like activity in person, especially after the team's dramatic, come from behind, overtime victory over the Rangers on Wednesday.

Here's my card for this week's Friends with Flair. It's a clean and simple one (I think you'll be seeing this layout again . . .) that includes a bird image per this month's Unity challenge.

I used the Owl Always Itty Bitty and matching sentiment as my focal image. The owls are stamped in brown ink on a piece of orange cardstock and cut out. It was bugging me that they didn't have eyes, so I went ahead and added them using tiny pearls.

I set a panel of patterned paper with shades of green, orange, and brown on the green cardfront, then layered the owls partially over it, using a dimensional dot to hold them in place. I stamped the matching sentiment on an orange strip and layered that over the opposite side of the patterned paper, adding some white pen faux stitching to anchor it. It's not my usual color combination, but I like how it turned out.

For more Unity inspiration, be sure to check out the full list of Friends with Flair players on the Unity blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Owl Always Itty Bitty, Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa ink, Zva Creative white pearl lines and dimensional dots, Jillibean Soup Dutch Mustard paper pad, Ranger Inkssentials white pen

other: Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizazz, and Close to Cocoa cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Friends with Flair: Things Ruff?

Happy Friday! It's an especially happy one here since it's the last day of work before my spring break--yay! I think Chloe the cutie puppy and I are going to head to the beach for a few days for a little rest and relaxation. Hopefully she will behave herself and be a good houseguest at my parents' house . . .

Here's my card for today's Friends with Flair. I used the super sweet dog image from the I Ruff You kit as the focal image on my card. I colored her up with my Copic markers in golden brown tones, just like my own Chloe the cutie puppy. The image is cut out and set on a polka dot embossed panel using dimensional dots.

I stitched a scalloped strip to the edge of a striped panel from Echo Park's Springtime collection, then attached it to the pink cardfront. The image is layered over this panel and the sentiment, accented with a big pink faux suede bow is layered over the bottom edge of the image panel.

Be sure to check out the Friends with Flair post on the Unity blog for the complete list of FWF players.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. I Ruff You kit, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (E23, E25, E31, E34, Y32, R21), QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, Echo Park Springtime Collection Kit, May Arts fuchsia faux suede ribbon, Bow Easy, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo cardstock (Stampin' Up!); medium scallop die (Papertrey Ink); sewing machine

Friends with Flair: Out of This World

Happy Friday! Here’s my project for this week’s Friends with Flair. I combined one of my favorite Itty Bittys, Out of This World, with this month’s Sketch for You to Try (sponsored by Unity!) for this sweet little card.

I stamped the image on a white panel, then stamped just the earth part a second time on a scrap of white. I colored the image stamped on the scrap using Copic markers and cut it out. It’s placed on the other image using dimensional dots. I covered it with Glossy Accents for a shiny look.

For the rest of the card, I used a coordinating blue and green color scheme. The green card base is covered with a piece of paper from Echo Park’s Little Boy line. I machine stitched around the edges of the panel for a nice, finished look. I added some solid strips across that, then a dotted panel, also from the Little Boy line, and finally, the colored image panel. A trio of super sparkly iridescent crystals attached along the bottom of the card complete the design.

Be sure to stop by the Unity blog for the full list of Friends with Flair players--and keep an eye out for the blinkie as you hop along!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Out of This World Itty Bitty, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (B0000, B00, B02, B04, YG05, YG07, YG11, R24), Echo Park Little Boy Collection Kit, Zva Creative dimensional dotsiridescent crystals, Ranger Glossy Accents

other: Tempting Turquoise and Gable Green cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); sewing machine and

Matching (Not!) Socks

Unity’s latest challenge is to make a fashion inspired card. The image I used is kind of a loose interpretation of the challenge, but it’s one of my favorite Unity Itty Bittys. I combined the image with this month’s Sketch for You to Try for this colorful creation.

I stamped the Matching Socks image on a white panel, leaving room to stamp the matching sentiment underneath. The socks are colored--mis-matched, of course--using Copic markers in complementary colors.

I used two different patterned papers from the Fine and Dandy True Blue paper pad for the large panels on the kraft card base. Instead of adding a third pattern to the mix, I used strips of gold cardstock for the trio of panels that run across the card, underneath the image panel. After matting the colored image on a blule panel, I attached it to the card base and added an orange button, tied with orange baker's twine, as an accent.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Matching Socks Itty Bitty, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YR12, YR16, YR24, YR30, Y21, Y23, Y38, BG0000, BG10, BG11, BG13, BG15, BG70, W00, W-1), My Mind’s Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue 6 x 6 paper pad, Divine Twine orange baker's twine

other: Harvest Gold, Hawaiian Shores, and Kraft cardstock, Orange Zest button (Papertrey Ink)

Friends with Flair: Blue Balloon

Happy Friday! Here’s my project for this week’s Friends with Flair. I went monochromatic, combining this week’s Mojo Monday sketch with images from Unity’s Bella Blvd. co-branded Sunny Happy Skies kit.

My card’s on the clean and simple side, using some pale blue polka dotted paper as a sky background for the kit’s hot air balloon image. The image was stamped on white cardstock in gray ink for a soft look, then colored with Copic markers and cut out. I used dimensional dots to attach the balloon to the panel and just glued the basket directly to the patterned paper.

I set the dotted panel on another piece of patterned paper from the same Echo Park Little Girl collection kit. The panel’s edges are machine stitched, mirroring the paper’s stitch-like pattern. A strip of light blue faux suede ribbon stretches over the panel, dressed up with a bow made with my Bow Easy. I replaced the sketch’s circle element with one of the kit’s cloud images, again stamped in gray and shaded with Copic markers. I added some Crystal Stickles around the edges for just a bit of sparkle.

For more Unity inspiration, check out the full list of FWF players on the Unity blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Sunny Happy Skies kit, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento London Fog ink, Copic markers (BG0000, BG000, BG10, BG11, BG13, BG15, BG70, E25, E31, E33), Echo Park Little Girl Collection Kit, Zva Creative dimensional dots, May Arts light blue faux suede ribbon, Bow Easy, Ranger Crystal Stickles

other: Soft Sky and Bermuda Bay cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); sewing machine

Little Boy Blue Birthday

Here’s my card for this week’s SCS sketch challenge. I used In the Clouds, one of Unity’s Echo Park co-branded kits to make a fun scene perfect for a little boy’s birthday.

I used the set’s cloud stamp to make my own background paper. Instead of white, I used Memento Summer Sky on pale blue cardstock. i {heart} papers now carries the Memento inks in the tiny dew drop pads in color assortments, so if you’re looking to add some inks to your collection, be sure to check these out. I love the tiny pads for inking up just a part of an image—and they’re an inexpensive way to add a lot of color variety to your ink collection.

I stamped the set’s plane image on a piece of white cardstock using a combination of Bahama Blue and London Fog inks and cut it out. Silver Liquid Pearls are dotted at the center of the wheels for some dimension. It’s set on the cloud patterned paper using a dimensional dot. I matted the panel on red cardstock for a little contrast and machine stitched around the edges. The panel is set on a darker blue card base. I stamped the sentiment on a strip of light blue cardstock and dressed it up with a little red baker’s twine—a great embellishment for a boyish card!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. In the Clouds stamp kit, Tsukineko Memento London Fog, Sorbet Scoops assortment and Gum Drop assortment inks, Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker’s twine

other: Real Red, Pacific Point, Soft Sky, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); sewing machine

Friends with Flair: Ups and Downs

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve played along in Unity's Friends with Flair, but I got one of the new Itty Bitty sets and wanted to try it out. I used the I'm Here set to create a card with an encouraging message.

I stamped the yoyo image twice on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. I cut out one of the images and layered it over the other using dimensional dots. I left enough room to stamp the first part of the matching sentiment at the top of the panel.

I used a strip of Cosmo Cricket’s Circa 1934 paper for the panel on the left side of the cardfront. It’s layered on a red mat, then attached to the gold card base. I embossed a circle die cut with a polka dot pattern and added that to the card before attaching the matted image panel. I used my stamp positioner to stamp the rest of the sentiment under the image panel. A pretty plaid bow, made with my Bow Easy, finishes the design.

Check out the Unity blog for the full list of this week's FWF players.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. I'm Here Itty Bitty, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YR0000, YR00, YR21, YR24, T26, Y32, E34, R12, R22, R24, R27, C-5, C-3, C-1, W-1, W00), Zva Creative dimensional dots, Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 mini deck, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, Bow Easy, May Arts ivory red check ribbon

Other: Riding Hood Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Corn cardstock (Gina K Designs)

Tickled Pink

Here’s my card for this week’s Hip Hop sketch challenge. I just got the Echo Park Little Girl Collection Kit from i {heart} papers and couldn’t wait to cut into it, so I made a sweet baby card using the sketch and Unity’s Tickled Pink Itty Bitty.

I stamped the stroller on a white panel and colored it in shades of pink using Copic markers. To make it really girly, I added some tiny clear crystals to the centers of the stroller’s wheels.

I used two papers from the Little Girl line for the card—a dotted one that covers most of the card and a fun striped one that’s placed under the image panel. I matted the striped paper on a green panel for some contrast and machine stitched along the edges, too. A piece of coordinating green crepe ribbon runs across the card and is tied in a bow. I used a bit of pink baker’s twine to make a second bow—love how it turned out! The image panel is layered on a rose panel, then set on the card, overlapping the pretty crepe ribbon. I didn’t have room for the coordinating “tickled pink” sentiment on the cardfront, so I went ahead and stamped it on the inside of the card.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Tickled Pink Itty Bitty, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (RV00, R81, R83, R85, B000, B0000, C-5, C-1)Zva Creative clear crystals, Spellbinders rectangle dies, Echo Park Little Girl Collection Kit, Creative Impressions celery crepe ribbon, Divine Twine Cotton Candy Pink baker’s twine

other: Sweet Blush cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Regal Rose cardstock (Stampin’ Up); sewing machine

Friends with Flair: Out of This World

Happy Friday! I'm so glad the work week's almost over and that it's a long weekend on top of that. I made a fun card for today's Friends with Flair incorporating both this week's Hip Hop sketch challenge and some hearts, this month's theme for Unity's new monthly challenge.

I used the Out of this World Itty Bitty. It has some tiny hearts, so it fits the challenge without being too love themed now that Valentine's Day's past. The image is colored with Copic markers. I stamped the earth part a second time, colored it in and cut it out, then used a dimensional dot to attach it to the image panel. It's hard to see in the photo, but the earth is covered with Glossy Accents for an epoxy sticker-like look. The hearts are dotted with some Stickles for just a bit of sparkle.

The rest of the card is pretty simple. I used two different patterned papers, one from Jillibean Soup and one from My Mind's Eye, on the cardfront. A strip of light blue faux suede ribbon runs across the cardfront. The sentiment is stamped above it. It's kind of hard to see, so I may go back and stamp it on a solid cardstock piece and add it to the card.

Be sure to stop by the Unity blog for the full list of Friends with Flair players. You don't want to miss out on the great Unity inspiration!

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Out of this World Itty Bitty, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (B0000, B000, B00, R12, R22, R24, R27, YG11, YG13, YG25), Spellbinders oval dies, Ranger Glossy Accents and Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Jillibean Soup Soup Staples patterned paper, My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy Tickled Pink 6x6 paper pad, May Arts light blue faux suede ribbon

other: Crumb Cake and Baja Breeze cardstock (Stampin' Up!); New Leaf cardstock (Papertrey Ink)