Unity - Peony Ledger Birthday

 Happy Saturday!

Today I have a birthday card using a stamp set from Unity called Peony Ledger.  The image is colored with Copic Markers.  The papers are from The Paper Studio - The Basics.  I chose 3 papers from the pad and made a patchwork.  

I have not done sewing on my cards in quite awhile. My sewing machine wasn't working quite right and I hadn't taken the time to troubleshoot the problem, but with some help from YouTube I got it threaded and tensioned correctly.

Added the sewed patchwork to a white base card and the stitched banner with the Happy Birthday sentiment.

Copic Colors: RV10, RV11, RV13, RV14; 

YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97; YR12, YR14; B000

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity - Peony Mother's Day

Happy Saturday!

With Mother's Day tomorrow, I have this years Mother's Day card to share today.  I used a Stamp and layered Stencil from Unity called Peony.  

I saw this card layout on Facebook with large flowers in the lower left and upper right corners with an embossed background.  It was the inspiration I needed to use some pieces I had sitting on my desk.   

I had the Spellbinders Tufted 3D embossed panel in my stash.  I created it when I got the folder so I could see when it was like.  

I actually bought the stencil first, there were several sample cards with a white outline so I thought they only used the stencil.  I just could not get it to look right, although I think I used watercolor paints, that could have been my problem.  So, I bought the coordinating stamp set and die when they were on sale.  When I got the Peony stamp and die, I tried it out, stamping the flower cluster on some white cardstock and colored it using the multi-layer stencil.  

The stencil is on 1 large mylar sheet but has 3 steps for the flower and 2 steps for the leaves.  I used PTI Sweet Blush (upper left), Pale Peony (upper middle) and Hibiscus Burst (upper right) ink and blending brush for the flower petals.  The leaves were colored with PTI Green Parakeet and New Leaf ink. The center of the flower was colored with markers. Then, I die cut the colored image.  And there the colored peony images sat for several months on my desk.

One colored image was used for the card, which was the clever part of the layout.  I mounted the larger bloom in the lower left hand corner of the embossed panel (3.75 x 5") with pop dots, the bud is in the corner, then trimmed it.  The medium bloom was mostly cut off and this remanent was used in the upper right corner and trimmed.

I matted the image panel on 4" x 5.25" PTI New Leaf cardstock.  The base card (4.25 x 5.5" folded) is PTI white cardstock.  The sentiment is a Spellbinders stamp set "Sentiments to you". The Happy Mother's Day was stamped on white cardstock and cut with a Spellbinders circle die and matted with a PTI New Leaf circle and added to the front of the card. 

A bright and cheery Mother's Day card.  

It would make a great birthday card too.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

 

Unity - Otterly Devoted Anniversary

Happy Saturday!

Today I have the card I made for Mark for our anniversary.  The stamp set is from Unity, "Otterly Devoted".  I stamped the image on PTI Vintage Cream cardstock.  The notebook edge was created by a die from My Favorite Things. 

The image was colored with Copic Markers.

Copic Colors: E30, E34, E35, R02, R05, R08, BG11, BG43

I inked the edges using PTI Kraft ink and blending brush and matted the image with PTI True Black cardstock.  A strip of vintage old newspaper paper finished the card.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity - Reel Great Guy

Happy Saturday!

Today, I have a birthday card to share.  The image is Unity - "Reel Great Guy", which is a great set for masculine cards.  I used Unity Postage Nested die to cut the cream linen texture cardstock, then stamped the image of the fishing lures.  The lures were colored with Copic markers.

Copic Colors: E30, E34, E35, R05, R08, BG45, 

BG49, Y32, Y35, YG13, YG17

I aged the edges of the colored image with PTI Kraft ink and a blending brush and matted it with PTI True Black cardstock.  The base card is PTI Vintage Cream.  I used some scraps of barnwood papers and vintage newspaper papers to cover the base card, then added the image and some twine.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity - Level Up Birthday

Happy Saturday!

Today I have a birthday card I made for our nephew who turned 40 this week.  I thought this stamp set from Unity - Level Up was perfect.  I remember getting him Gameboy games for his birthday 25-30 years ago, so this image had all the nostalgia along with a fun gaming sentiment. 

I stamped the Loading image on white cardstock then used DieNamics - Stitched Basics Edges die to create the angle cut.  Used a stitch banner die for the sentiment.  I added a stenciled chevron in Soft Stone ink to the white cardstock.  The Gameboy image was colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut out and adhered to the front panel with pop dots.  The base card is white.  I added a piece of blue Bazzill cardstock, then added the white front panel with the image and sentiment.

The second card uses the same layout and the gaming controller from the same stamp set. I fussy cut the controller out, so the plug was free and wrapped around the sentiment.  A fun detail I saw on a Unity card sample for this set.

Copic Colors:  B14, B16, Y32, Y35, R14, R46, W1, W2, W3, 0

Cardstock: Bazzill Loganberry Pie, PTI White

Ink: PTI Soft Stone

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity - Bot you a Present - Birthday

 Happy Saturday!

Today I have a couple more cards I made with Unity - Bot you a Present.  Similar layout to the Valentine's day card from last month, I changed the die cut to a scallop and base card to PTI Aqua Mist.  The patterned papers are Unity - Love Notes.  I added a sentiment from the stamp set to make it a birthday card.

A third card using patterned paper scraps.

The image is colored with Copic Markers.

Copic Colors: BG11, W0, W1, W2, W3, W7, 

R00, R32, R35, R37, YG05, YG06

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity - Robot Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I have the card I made for Mark.  It uses a stamps and papers from Unity, called "Bot you a present" and "Love Notes".

I stamped the robot image on white cardstock with Memento ink and colored it with Copic markers.  Then cut it out the shape using Unity Postage nesting dies.

The base card is PTI Pure Poppy.  

Copic Colors: BG11, YG05, YG06, R00, R02, R32, R35, R37, R39

W2, W3, W4, W7, 0

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity - Someone Left the Gate Open

 

Happy Saturday!

Today, I have a birthday card I made for my sister-in-law, who I found out over Christmas loves cows.  I saw this image from Unity - Someone Left the Gate Open and had to get it.  I think is a really fun image and was on sale.

I stamped the cow image on the PTI Vintage Cream base card and also on white cardstock.  The image stamped on white cardstock was colored with Copic markers.  I extended the neck of the cow image slightly, maybe 1/4".  

  I fussy cut the colored image cutting off the whiskers and adhered it to the base card which was stamped also to show the whiskers.  Then, added some weathered barnwood patterned paper to create a wall for the cow to look over, with sentiment sign and black cardstock trim.  

I saw a card sample on Unity's website with the cow image looking out the barn door which was the inspiration for this card.

Copic colors:

0, E50, E51, W0, W1, W2, W3, N7, YR01

This card just makes me smile.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity - Nature's Escape Birthday

 

Happy Saturday!

Today, I have a birthday card using Unity "Nature's Escape" which was a stamp of the month in June 2024.  Took my quite awhile to use it, I had a subscription in 2024 and I still have a few from that year to ink up.  I stamped the image on white cardstock with Memento Ink.  The image seemed daunting to color at first.  I used Copic markers.  I was pleasantly surprised how this card turned out.

I used some PTI Kraft ink and a blending brush to age the edges of the colored image and sentiment.  To add some texture, I used a woodgrain embossing folder and Chocolate cardstock for the panel to mount the image and sentiment.

I was looking through my stash of brads, looking for something like a screw head brad and found this brad with a loop.  I forgot about these, added some twine to the loop on the brad and knotted the ends.  The perfect embellishment.

Copic Colors: YR23, YR68, R46, R59, B12, B16, B21, 

YG13, YG17, YG67, E31, E33, E35, E37 and 0 for blending. 

Cardstock: PaperTrey Ink White, Kraft, Chocolate

Embossing folder: Big Shot Pinewood Plank

Embellishment: Brad with loop and twine

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

BetterPress - To my Favorite Person

Happy Saturday!

It's my first post of 2026!  I have the birthday card I made for our niece to share today.  She turned 29 a couple weeks ago.  I'm not sure where the time has gone.  Seems like yesterday we picked her up at daycare, which is a sweet memory. She was playing in the sandbox and looked up to see us, then ran to us with the biggest smile.

I used the BetterPress plate that came with the Spellbinders BetterPress system.  It did not have a name on it, but the sentiment is 'to my favorite person".  

I used a Unity scalloped nested die to cut some PaperTrey Ink white cardstock and taped it to the clear plate.  Then positioned the BetterPress image plate on the magnetic mat, applied Memento ink and ran the BetterPress through my Spellbinders Platinum Machine.  The sentiment is from PaperTrey Ink retired Fillable Frames #4.  I colored the flowers and leaves with Prismacolor colored pencils. 

I experimented with the special inks and paper the system came with; they are nice.  However, I think the even pressure you get putting the BetterPress through the Spellbinders machine is really the key to the crisp image and the beauty of this system. 

A pretty card, with some patterned paper, an ribbed embossed panel and white organza ribbon from my stash.  I'm trying really hard to use all the pretty things I've accumulated over my many years of cardmaking.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

Unity Simple Little Wishes

 Happy Saturday!

Today is day 6 of my 2025 Christmas creations.

The postage stamp die cut is from Unity.  I cut PTI White cardstock with the die.  The stamp set is from Unity Stamps - Simple Little Wishes, which I stamped with Black Memento ink on the die cut and colored with Copic markers.  I gave it a vintage look using PTI Kraft ink and a blending brush, inking the edges.  I added a bit of Copic white paint to the red bulb on the tree.  I love this nostalgic image.

The patterned papers were from a Michaels 12x12 Christmas paper pad from 10-15 years ago.  One thing I have been trying to do the last couple years is to use what I have for Christmas cards.  This means creating more designs; last year I believe I had 7 designs, this year 9 card designs!

I ran the Kraft ink pad over the edges of the patterned papers and the PTI White base card too.  I added a few gems from Amazon to finish it off. 

The second version has the reversed patterned papers.

I'm not sure which version I like better.
I know the plaid was easier to line up the image.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

 

Watercolor flowers - Mother's Day

Happy Saturday and Mother's Day!

Today I have the Mother's day card I made for my mom.  I got a new watercolor set and was playing around creating free-hand flowers.  

I created several images when experimenting, some I water colored the blooms then added a black pen outline and others I drew some flowers and water colored them.  The watercolor set I found on Amazon, Grabie is the brand.  The paints are in a metal travel carrying case and came with several brushes.  

I used a Unity postage stamp die to mat the water colored image. To add some texture and interest, I used a Spellbinders 3D embossing folder called Efflorescent Flora, which was Jan 2024 Embossing folder of the month.  The base card is PaperTrey Ink Aqua Mist.

Close Up:

I made a few more images with multi-color flowers. Paring them with pink and purple base cards.  They make great any occasion cards.

Base Card PaperTrey Ink Pale Peony

Base Card PaperTrey Ink Amethyst Allure

Base Card PaperTrey Ink Raspberry Fizz

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings to you,

Deb

Watercolor Birthday

 Happy Saturday!

Today I have a birthday card I made for my grand-niece.  I bought a new watercolor set in January and was playing around creating free-hand flowers.  I have a couple monochrome images to share today.  I have several multicolor images to share in an upcoming post. 

The watercolor set I found on Amazon, Grabie is the brand.  The paints are in a metal travel carrying case and came with several brushes.  It also came with a color swatch card which really helps identify the color you are looking for.

The first card is a pink version.  I chose colors that went with PaperTrey Ink Raspberry Fizz cardstock.  I used 140lb cold press watercolor paper.  The blooms and stems were painted freehand, then I added a black marker outline to define the center of the flowers and buds.

Here is a close up...

I used a Unity postage stamp die to mat the water colored image. I used a Spellbinders 3D embossing folder called Efflorescent Flora, which was Jan 2024 Embossing folder of the month, to add some texture and interest.

I made a second card in purples.

The cardstock is PaperTrey Ink Lilac Grace.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings to you,

Deb

Unity - Emotions Unfolded Birthday 2

 Happy Saturday!

Today I have a birthday card using Unity Emotions Unfolded.  I made a similar card last year, however I wanted to try it with purples.  The distress inks I used were Peeled Paint (green color), Dusty Concord (purple color), Seedless Preserves (pink/purple) and Gather Twigs (used on the edges).

The distress inks were smeared on the silicone pad and spritzed with water.  I used a piece of bunched up cling wrap to pick up the ink and transfer it to the image. The edges were torn and aged with the Gather Twigs ink and a blending brush.  Then I added some mica powders using a paint brush.  

The butterfly was stamped on a separate piece of cardstock and painted with mica powder paint.  Then the wing was cut out and glued to the body and the edge of the wing is "popped" with a pop dot.  

The patterned papers are My Minds Eye Graceful.  The birthday sentiment is from PTI Cutaway Tags - Summer stamp set.

 Card 2 - Blue/Gold Version

The distress inks I used were Peeled Paint (green color), Broken China (blue color) and Gather Twigs (used on the edges).  The patterned papers are My Minds Eye Stella Rose.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings to you,

Deb

Unity - Snow Buddies Birthday

Happy Saturday!

Today, I have another card using a 2024 Uniquely Unity Stamp of the Month set.  This is Unity "Snow Buddies" which was the November 2024 stamp.  I made a birthday card for our grand-niece whose birthday in mid-January, a little winter whimsy for a girl who lives in Alabama.

The image is colored with Copic Markers.  The sentiment is from PTI Cutaway Tags - Summer.  The patterned papers are from my stash Pink Paislee "Snow Village".  The image and sentiment edges are aged with PTI Vintage Cream ink and a brush, then matted on PTI Tropical Teal cardstock.

Copic Colors: BG45, BG49; YR07; W1, W2; G40, G43, G48

Close Up:

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

 

Unity - Simply Holiday Deer

 Happy Saturday and New Year!

Last Year, I signed up for the Uniquely Unity Stamp of the Month subscription, this set "Simply Holiday Deer" was the October stamp.  I was pretty good at making a card using the monthly stamp, although there are a few from last year still waiting to be used; hopefully I will get to them this year.

I colored the image with Copic Markers and paired the image from my patterned paper in my stash.  This is one of my favorites - The Angel Company "Vintage Holiday".  The sentiment is stamped in PTI Scarlet Jewel ink and fussy cut out.  Base card is PTI White and matting PTI Pure Poppy. 

Copic Colors: Y35, Y38; R43, R46, G40, G43, G46, E53, E55, E57, E59  

Close Up:

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings to you,

Deb

Unity - Sweet as Honey Birthday 2

Happy Saturday! 

Today, I have a birthday card I made using a Unity Stamp Set "Sweet as Honey".  The patterned paper and cardstock is from PaperTrey ink, Amethyst Allure.

I stamped the flowers in the lower corner and colored it with Copic markers.

Colors - Flowers: V12, V15, V17; Leaves: YG93, YG95, YG97; 

Background: B0000, B000, B01, E40, E41 

Added some White Gel pen dots to the flowers.

The birthday sentiment is from a set called Blooming Branches from Technique Tuesday, which closed a couple years ago.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb 

Unity - Whiskey Birthday

Happy Saturday! 

Today I have a birthday card I made for my brother using a stamp set from Unity called If You Were Whiskey.  The patterned papers are Simple Stories Documented, white, ivory, kraft and black cardstock from PaperTrey Ink.

The Postage Stamp dies are from Unity. The whiskey glass is colored with Copic markers, E31, E35, E41, E50, T1.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings to you,

Deb

Unity - Plane and Simple Birthday

 
Happy Saturday!

Today I have a fun set from Unity Stamps "Plane and Simple", which I bought during their big Labor Day sale. These planes are so fun and this card was made for our grand-nephew for his 6th birthday.  

I stamped the 3 planes on white cardstock, colored with Copic markers and fussy cut them out.  Then, I laid the colored images out on the cloud paper and stamped the loopy trail, so I would know where to stamp the plane.  Then I popped the colored planes with double stick foam tape and placed them over the stamped plane images.

Copic Colors: R35, R37, B41, B45, YR21, YR23, W2

The main panel is matted with PaperTrey Ink Black and Pure Poppy cardstock and added to the white base card.  The sentiment is from a Technique Tuesday (shop closed) set called Blooming Branches (retired).

Thanks for stopping by...
Blessings, 
Deb

Unity - Emotions Unfolded Birthday

Happy Saturday!

Today, I have my version of a card I saw on Unity's Blog September 21 by Lisa Arana.  There is a video in the blog post showing how the card was made, which is so cool!  It used some techniques I had only heard about like distress ink "smooshing" and coloring with mica powders. If you are interested in seeing the techniques the blog link is above. 

I had just bought the stamp, Unity "Emotions Unfolded", the silicone mat she used was in my stash yet to opened and I ended up getting the distress ink pads and mica powders on Amazon.  The distress inks I used were Peeled Paint (green color), Broken China (blue color) and Gather Twigs (used on the edges).

The Peeled Paint and Broken China inks were smeared on the silicone pad and spritzed with water.  I used a piece of clear acetate to pick up the ink and transfer it to the image. The edges were aged with the Gather Twigs ink and a blending brush.  There was a good tip in the video regarding the mica powder. She added some blue and blue/green mica powders in a paint tray to create a custom color and spritzed it with water.  Then she added a drop of glue in the mixed mica paint as a binder, so the mica pigment would not rub off if touched.  It works...such a great tip.  The custom mica color was applied using a paint brush.  

The butterfly was stamped on a separate piece of cardstock, colored with distress ink and then painted with mica.  Then the wing was cut out and glued to the body and the edge of the wing is "popped" with a pop dot.  The sentiment is from Spellbinders "Garden Sentiments".

I used 3 scraps of patterned papers, My Minds Eye "Breeze", which had the right blues and greens.  The edges were torn and aged with Gather Twigs ink.  The edges of the base card were also inked.  I popped front panel with the image.

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessing,

Deb