Happy Friday!

Well, another week is coming to a close and with that, so is my week of posting in Growing in Unity (GUI). It's Day 5 and I have enjoyed bringing my creations to you so much! For my last GUI post, I decided to use the Spooky Spirits stamp set from Unity! Halloween is one my favorite days of the year and Unity really delivers with their variety of spooky stamps perfect for this season.

Check out my creation for today! If you like Halloween, I think you will enjoy this one :) I included a couple of close ups too so you can see the satin card stock I used for layering and that spooky drink!

I love how this turned out. I took a few creative liberties with the spider web stamp to extend the reach to the sides and to the pumpkin. Hammermill Premium Card Stock, 100lb was used for the card base as well as the card front for the images. Next, I layered Flourishing Green Satin and Purple Mist Satin card stock under the image to bring the all colors together.

Now for the card front, I used the Coloring Layering Pumpkin Bunch Stencil Set from Hero Arts, I used my blending brushes with Catherine Pooler Inks in just 2 colors, Orange Peel and Grass Skirt. I dabbed the brush in the ink and then rubbed of excess on a scratch paper and lightly rubbed the brush over the first stencil layer. The second layer of both colors is the same color for a tone on tone look. 

The edges are blotted with Tim Holtz, Distress Mica Spray in Fortune Teller. You can't really see the mica but the color is fantastic!

The images and sentiment were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. And once again, I used my Ohuhu Alcohol Markers to color the image of the eyeball martini. Here's the list of markers I used in case you have the same ones.

• Drink: 0, 45, 47, 48, 49, 59
• Eyeballs (hehe): 83, 84, WG1
• Glass: 68, 49, BG1, GG1

Thanks for following me in GUI this week and for all of your sweet and kind comments here on my blog and on the FB posts. Don't forget to comment below or on my FB posts for one of two chances to win a store credit from Unity!!! Have a great weekend! 

Keep it Crafty,

xx Crafty Deb

Wow! Hello Crafty Friends,

It's Day 4 of my Growing in Unity (GUI) Week already! Time flies when you're having fun they say - and I am definitely having fun! I hope you are too and you've had a chance to check out some of the past GUI posts as well. 

The card for today is inspired by my ginger kitty named Archie and my favorite blue coffee mug. What better way to create than to be inspired by things we love?? Archie, aka Archie-Doodle, is such a love bug and he curls up on me or right next me just like the kitty in the stamp set I used for my card today. The stamp set is called Catnap and Unity did a fantastic job of creating an image that look likes many of our cat lover's desks. At least, I imagine most every hooman owned by a cat or two has a desk that looks similar to this. :)  More space for the cat than for you to create! Am I right??!! I see you nodding and thinking 'Yep, that's me!!' LOL

Here's a look at my desk...I mean my card for today!

Since this IS my week of GROWING in Unity, I've using different things between styles, techniques and color mediums. Today, I chose Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils. I love how colored pencil lines add life to your project. I am forever trying to blend blend blend my colors to achieve a rich smooth look with alcohol markers. With the pencils, the lines create a more life like look - at least to me. You can create texture with the direction of your coloring. You can also create a smoother look with a light hand and a blending pencil or the use of gamsol. 

Here is a list of the supplies I used today:

• Dark Brown card stock from stash
• Neenah Classic Crest 80lb card stock
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils
• Archie or the kitty was colored using:
• Light Yellow Ochre, 9201-185
• Sanguine, 9201-188
• Cadmium Orange, 9201-111
• Burnt Ochre, 9201-187
• Brown Ochre, 9201-182
• Blanket:
• Burnt Sienna, 9201-283
• Bistre, 9201-179
• Nougat, 9201-178
• Walnut Brown, 9201-177
• Burnt Umber, 9201-280
• Coffee Cup
• Sky Blue, 9201-146
• Light Ultramarine, 9201-140
• Ultramarine, 9201-120
• Helioblue-Reddish, 9201-151
• Bistre, 9201-179
• Nougat, 9201-178
• Pencil
• Dark Cadmium Yellow, 9201-108
• Brown Ochre, 9201-187
• Rose Carmine, 9201-124
• Silver, 9201-251
• Note & Shadows
• Warm Grey I (Used for Note & Shadow), 9201-270
• Warm Grey II (Used for Note & Shadow), 9201-271
• Warm Grey III (Used for Shadow), 9201-272
• Warm Grey IV (Used for Shadow), 9201-273

WOW! That's a lot of pencils!! While I clean up all of these, I hope you'll take time to comment for one of two chances to win a store credit from Unity. Tune in tomorrow for my last post as your GUI Creator of the Week. Have a fabulous day!

Keep it Crafty,

xx Crafty Deb

Hello!

It's already Wednesday and Day 3 of my Growing in Unity (GUI) Week! This has been so much fun and I couldn't wait to share today's card with you!

I've used the Mystical Mermaid stamp set from Unity with Daniel Smith's Watercolor Confetti palette. I absolutely love the subtle shimmer of the of the iridescent, pearlescent and duochrome colors. For this card, I used Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor Paper. The 3 colors I used are Iridescent Electric Blue, Duochrome Cabo Blue and Duochrome Emerald. They came together beautifully to create the background for the Mystical Mermaid image. Take a look!

Here's a closeup of the shimmer...

I've never used the Daniel Smith colors before and I'm quite pleased with the results. I sprayed the color palette and my paper with water and began swiping the colors across the paper. I added more color until I was satisfied with the look and then waited for it to dry. I then stamped the image and sentiment using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink.

I hand cut the wavy pattern around the mermaid to create interest and popped it up on foam dots. I used my trimmer for the sentiment since I can't a straight EVEN WITH a trimmer! LOL Can you cut a straight line? That has got to be one of the hardest craft maneuvers on the planet! 

Lastly, I added confetti sequins in an iridescent blue. These will be available soon at Scrapsalot. 

Anywho...I hope you love this card as much as I do. Leave me a comment below or on the FB post for your chance to win one of two store credits from Unity! That's right - simply leave a comment and I'll pick winners at the end of my week of GUI.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, Keep it Crafty!

xx Crafty Deb

Hello Friends,

For my Day 2 of Growing in Unity (GUI), I'm using the stamp set, Strength in Wisdom. This beautiful mason jar of flowers is just the perfect size for an A2 card. It comes with a sprig of leaves and 2 sentiments that both are great positive messages. 

In the world today, it's more important than ever to spread kindness and positivity - at least in my opinion. :) We often find ourselves surrounded by less than positive energy. Can you just imagine how much this would brighten your day when you find it in your mailbox for no reason at all? A positive message or reinforcement is just what we need on any given day.

Take a look at what I created to send just that - a positive message - and don't forget to comment for your chance at winning one of two store credits from Unity!

Here are the supplies I used:

• Strength in Wisdom image & sentiment stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Neenah classic Crest, 80lb card stock
• Navy card base from my stash
• Sparkly gems from stash

I decided to be adventurous today and use the Ohuhu alcohol markers I have been hoarding. The colors I used are: 0, 4, 7, 8, 9, 42, 67, 68, 77, 99, BG1, CG1, GG1. 

Have you used these markers or others before? I typically use Copic markers, and will occasionally use another alcohol marker brand with them. Using all Ohuhu interesting to say the least. I feel like it took more time to blend the colors. I'm happy with how it turned out, but having only bullet nibs make blending a lot of extra work. LOL

Annnnnnd Day 2 of GUI is a wrap! Stay tuned for a new creation each day as part of my GUI Week. Until next time...

Keep it Crafty,

xx Crafty Deb

Hi Crafty Friends!

It's Monday and guess what??!! I'm featured this week on the Growing in Unity (GUI) Facebook Group! I'm so excited to be a part of this and I hope you enjoy my posts this week. I'll provide the link below to the Unity groups so you follow me all week and see all of the other wonderful creators that have posted.

Before we get started, I want to let you know that if you comment below, you will have a chance to win one of two store credits from Unity! How exciting is that?!?! Pssst...it's how I got my very first Unity stamp and I absolutely LOVE them!

Now, on to the card for today...I went a vintage look.

Here's a closer look...

This stamp set is one of my absolute favorites! It's called Take Care of You and it can found HERE. t, I I started out by stamping the full image in Desert Sand ink. I then went back in with Tuxedo Black ink in a sort of highlight manner on the stamp. I added Gold ink mostly to just the flower and stem - it's really hard to see in the photos, but it's a subtle hint of gold in person. I tore the edges around the image - don't freak out! It's only paper! Then I inked the torn edges with all 3 Memento inks listed below. I also lightly swiped the Desert Sand and the Rich Cocoa across the image. Next, I used a glue stick to adhere the tissue like collage paper to the card base. I added the image to the dark brown card stock and wrapped it with dark brown twine from my stash. The sentiment is heat embossed with  Gold Embossing Powder. I tried to the make the piece look vintage by crinkling it, rolling the ends, and adding ink to the edges and surface. I popped it up with foam squares to create more dimension. Here are some of the supplies I used:

• Take Care of You stamp set from Unity.
• Neenah Classic Crest White 80lb was used for the card base and the piece the image is stamped on.
• Collage Paper from TH's Idea-ology line 
• The dark brown card stock as well the cream piece the sentiment is on are from my stash and likely Recollections 65lb.
• Inks: Memento Desert Sand, Memento Rich Cocoa, Memento Tuxedo Black and ColorBox Color POP Mini in Gold
• Versamark Embossing Ink
• Gold Embossing Powder from Ranger

I had fun creating this vintage look/style card. Let me know your thoughts below too! I'd love to hear from you. :) 

Remember to follow me all week on the GUI Facebook Group - you can find it HERE. I can also be found in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook Group - join me HERE. And don't forget - when you comment below, you'll have a chance to win one of two store credits from Unity!!

Keep it Crafty,

xx Crafty Deb

Hi Friends,

We made it to Friday!!! Whoop whoop! Hope you are able to squeeze in some crafting time this weekend for yourself. It's a great way to relax and destress from the week. I hope to do the same! Even though I am still working on the never ending destash and organization of my craft cave. LOL Anyone else? Yeah, I see you out there...let's do it! I'll report back on Monday how far I got. You can share your progress with me too!

I did manage to get in some card making this week and here's what I've got to share with you today.

This was so much fun to make! If you know me, you know how much I love color! I swiped the ink pads for a fun and different look. Here are the supplies I used:

• CC Designs, Happy Cat Day Stamp Set
• Stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• The banner was cut with the Papercut Party Banners Die from Waffle Flower.
• The mirror silver cardstock is called Chrome and it's Mirror Cardstock from Craft Perfect.
• The blue background paper is a scrap from my stash cut to 4.25"x5.5" - it's likely Recollections 65lb cardstock.
• The white layer is also from my stash and honestly not sure which brand that one is. 
• The enamel dots are from my stash - I believe it was a set from Echo Park, but the packaging is long gone.
• The ink pads I used for swiping are from Hero Arts mini ink cubes and one Mini Archival Distress ink pad. They are:
• Hero Arts: Key Lime Fizz, Grape Slush, Butter Bar, and Pink Grapefruit.
• Mini Archival Distress: Salvaged Patina.

I believe that covers everything. I would love to hear from you - let me know in the comments below if you like ink swiping. 

As always, the links (if provided) are to my online shop, Scrapsalot. We carry many of the items above and they may or may not be available online. If you are ever looking for something and you don't see it - please don't hesitate to contact me and ask. We may have it in stock and it just hasn't been added online. Soooo many products...soooo little time! LOL

Thanks for taking time to swing by and comment!

Keep it Crafty!

xx Crafty Deb

Hi Everyone!

Happy Thursday to all! I hope everyone is having a fantabulous week so far. I know I am! Today I decided to share a throwback card that I just love. I had so much fun making these - you will see below while they are essentially the same, they are just a little bit different. I made these for our two adult boys. LOL They love them by the way! 

Now, if you look closely...you can see the flock on the chicks! I used a Cricut Cut file I purchased for the chicks and their eggs. The clouds were made using dies from stash. I've had the dies a long time and back in the beginning, I didn't keep packaging. The banner is part of the cut file. Although, I did change the words from being cut to printed! I added little gems from my stash on either side of the banner too. All of the papers used are Bazzill. The chicks bottom layer with the wings is cut from Bazzill Shimmer Cardstock. I used the same black gems for the chick's eyes. 

I almost forgot the chicks body was cut out on card stock covered with double sided Scor-Tape sheets. Once cut, I peeled back the protective layer and placed it on the Sunshine Yellow Flock Sheets from Thermoweb. I burnished them with my fingers and when i peeled it back, it was fuzzy all over! Then, I glued them to the back layer of the chick. There are different ways to use the flock but this worked best for me on this project.

I have to tell you, both boys giggled when they realized the chicks were fuzzy! LOL They were 23 and 30 and this was from last year in 2022.

Well, that’s it for my throwback. I hope you like this card as much as I do. Remember, links are to my online store - they are not affiliate links. Shopping with me is supporting a small business that is owned and operated by me. Thank you all for looking and for your support. 

Keep it Crafty Peeps!

xx Crafty Deb

Hi Crafty Friends!

It's been a hot minute since my last blog post - and I DO MEAN H O T!! I'm in West Central Florida and this heat is no joke! 94 degrees and feels like 108 degrees is pretty much our daily right now - some days higher, not many lower. I know this crazy heat wave has been hitting all over the US and other countries too. I hope everyone stays cool and hydrated - remember hydrating is more than just water! You need to replenish electrolytes and sodium as well! Be safe out there!

At an rate, I'm happy to be back and posting here again! Now, on to the cards for today :) 

Today's cards use the stamp set, Raccoon Hugs from Ink on 3. I created 2 different color ways for the background and I love them both! Let me know which is your fave in the comments. Here they are:

I used grey cardstock from my stash with a layer of Bazzill Shimmer (Rosebud) cardstock on the first one. On the second, I used a white base and a layer of Bazzill Shimmer (Desert Sand) cardstock in a different color for the background.

I used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink to stamp both images. Copics used were: 100, W7, W5, C2, C0, N1. N2, N3, R20, R22, R24.

I used the Floral Heart w/Frame Die Set from Hero Arts to cut the large heart around the image. I attached the heart flat to the card for mailing, but it could easily be popped up with foam tape. The glue I used for this is Art Glitter Glue. I prefer liquid glue most often since it gives a minute to arrange things before it dries. Do you have a preference when it comes to building your cards or other projects?

Just a reminder that links provided will take you my store, Scrapsalot. These are not affiliate links. I appreciate you checking out the store and supporting my small business.

That's it for today - thanks for stopping by! I look forward to reading your comments and I'll be back tomorrow with more inspiration to share. Until tomorrow friends...

Keep it Crafty!

Crafty Deb