hearts and flowers...

Hello my wonderful friends!

It's time for another Unity hop!

(and sale!)

I know, the new releases this week are all 'punny' stamps, and that's probably what you are hoping to see samples of... but honestly, they aren't really my style. And that is TOTALLY ok. One thing I {LOVE} about Unity is that they have SO many different styles and images! You're sure to find something that makes your heart sing!

(Magic of Beginnings)

February is kind of a crazy month for me. I've got kiddos to make Valentine's gifts and cards for, as well as a bunch of birthdays... So I figured I gotta get going on them!

Unfortunately, the photo doesn't do this one justice... This card has tons of sparkle and texture. The red panel is actually Ranger's Frosted Film. Because it is sticky back, it works for transfers. I simply stuck it onto some patterned paper, than soaked in water and rubbed the paper off. It leaves behind a fabulously distressed image (the more you rub, the more distressed) with the frosted, shimmery surface. SO pretty IRL!

(Trust Your Soul, Time to be Happy Again, Magic of Beginnings)

Here's one of the Valentines cards.... Since this is for my older nephew, I wanted to make sure it wasn't girlie and had kind of a rough-tough look to it. I started out with a pice of patterned card stock. I stamped the big heart with clear embossing ink and covered in clear embossing powder. I also swiped the ink pad around the edges and clear embossed them as well. After that, I used an ink blending tool to cover the whole thing with brown Distress Ink. The clear embossing will resist the ink allowing the color and pattern to show through!  Finally I stamped OVER the embossing using Archival Ink. It's important to use a permanent ink designed for non porous surfaces if you want the ink to stay on the embossed areas.  A few die cut hearts finished it off. Super quick, but looks awesome and complicated. Love that!

(Jar Full of Sweetness, My Heart Belongs)

To go with the cards, I found some large plastic tubes with cork tops {super cute!!!} and fill them with conversation hearts. They stacked up PERFECTLY. (you could also use gum balls, or any other small candy!) A little twine around the top along with a stamped tag.

Love these!

(Feb 2015 LOL: Much of a Good Thing, Heartfelt Sentiments) 

For those of you who follow Unity on FB (which you totally should, cuz we have FUN!), you may remember that a little while ago, Angela asked for input on what you guys wanted to learn.

I was impressed by how many of you were asking for coloring tutorials... both watercolor and Copics. Since I don't have any Copics, I couldn't help there...

I do, however, have watercolors. I have lots of different kinds... from crayons to tubes to pencils to markers.

One of my favorite is Distress inks... and more specifically Distress Markers.

So, here is a quick, EASY way to do watercolors without having to worry too much about precision or shadows... after all, it's supposed to look a little messy!

Step 1: I'm using the flower from this months LOL kit, I also knew I wanted a couple flowers... so the first step was to make masks. I just stamped the flower a bunch of times on a scrap paper, than carefully cut them out, and added just a bit of temporary adhesive on the back. This may seem tedious, but, if all you are doing is stamping with them, you can save your masks to use over and over again. I just slip them in the bag with the kit so they are ready for next time.

*note: If you want more durable masks, or masks that can be used for other mediums like sprays or paints, try stamping the image on clear acetate using a permanent ink. They will be durable and waterproof. YAY!*

Step 2: color your stamp with Distress Markers. You can do this same technique using Distress ink pads, but using the markers gives you complete control of which color goes where. And don't worry, there's no hurry. 

Step 3: Huff on your stamp (breathe heavy breaths)... The moisture in your breath will remoisten the ink (even if it's been on there for hours!), then stamp onto WATERCOLOR paper. It's important to use a water color paper (or at the very least, a good mixed media paper) so you get the best results. Regular card stock absorbs too much of the ink.

Step 4: Place your mask over you first flower. Remember, when masking, you work from the FRONT to the BACK. Whatever you stamp FIRST will be in FRONT of everything else. 

Step 5: repeat steps 2-4 until you have your desired design. 

Step 6: Using either a damp paint brush or, my preference, a water brush, quickly paint around the lines. The water will reactivate the ink letting it smear. Where you have thicker, or more concentrated lines you will automatically have darker color aka:shadows. Don't over think this, and don't over work it. Leave white areas. Leave it kinda messy... that gives it a classic watercolor feel. 

Oh... and just cuz I thought of it.... if you are good at doodling... have you ever noticed that if you flip this flower upside down and don't stamp the stem, you have a tutu... just waiting for a doodled dancer?

That 'flip the picture upside down to draw it' exercise we did in art class suddenly has real life application! LOL!

Don't forget---
 Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) for your chance to win.  The winners will be announced Monday on the Unity blog.

Enjoy!