2019 Spring Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

It's time!!!  Love when the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop happens...having lived in Seattle for almost 18 years.....I have a good collection of coffee themed items...so I love to participate in this hop!!  So...welcome to my first card for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop!

I've been watercoloring a lot lately and enjoying the feel of imperfection that can come from using this medium.  For my first card I stamped the images from the Warmth of Winter Unity KOTM 12/14 onto watercolor paper using Versafine black ink.  I then used Prima Pan Watercolors to color her in.  I just love this image and have used it a lot for cooler weather greeting cards and projects.

I then trimmed the image and rounded the corners.  I then inked the edges and added some glossy accents to the heart on her cup.  I then rounded the corners on the pattern paper and added it to the card base; rounding the corners on it as well. 

Since tomorrow is Monday....this sentiment is very true...Caffeine is a girl's best friend...

I hope you will pull out your coffee themed items and join in the fun!  I've got a few more cards in the works...

Happy crafting...Lynda

It's time for a Growing In Unity gal blog hop!!!

It's that time again....for the Growing In Unity gals from this quarter to hop along and share with you creations we have made using some of our favorite images from Unity Stamp Company.

I've been a HUGE unity fan from the very beginning of their start.  I was one of the first members of their group on Splitcoast Stampers and looked forward to every HIPHOP event they ever had on that site!  Having been a fan for such a long time...lets just say that I have quite a collection of Unity images in my studio!!

To show my love of Unity for this hop I decided to share with you a project I have recently made for our neighbor's daughter.  She is a HUGE horse lover and loves to swim, so I knew right away which images I would use to make her a collection of cards and matching envelopes.  We recently learned they are moving away, so these are the perfect gift to give her so she can keep in touch with friends.

I'm using three sets by Phyllis Harris for my cards:

Easier with you by my side by  

Felt with the heart 

and depth of life  

I adore her imagery and really find the images soothing.  I love coloring them and find myself using them as a go to for cards for children.

Each image was stamped using Memento ink and colored with Copic markers.  I then used chalk to create the backgrounds for the images.  I find that chalk is much more forgiving when creating large areas of color.  I then used a spray fixative to keep the chalk in place.

You can see on the envelopes that I only stamped part of the image and left a good bit of the envelope plain for addressing.


here is the full set of cards and envelopes:

I hope you like my card and envelope set.  Be sure to leave comments along the way for each blog stop!!!

From here you will hop along to Lee Ann's blog...

Here is the hop order in case you should get lost:

Unity blog:  http://theunitystampco.blogspot.com/

Anna Natalia Eatseemake.blogspot.com
Shannon Horch http://giugirlshannon.blogspot.com/?m=1
Suzanne Shaft www.addatouchofsparkle.com
Heather Bolli https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/
Linda Pekrul www.BlueSkyScrapping.blogspot.ca
Lynda Lindley http://positive-force.blogspot.com/  <----- are="" br="" here...="" nbsp="" you="">  <----- are="" br="" here...="" you="">
Lee Ann Barrett Greytpapercrafts.blogspot.com
Belinda Beshirs https://belscraftingaddiction.wordpress.com/
Suzi Baker McKenzie suzannebakermckenzie.blogspot.com
Monica Edwards scraps2treasure.blogspot.com
Alyson Kerr Esposito  http://alysonesposito.blogspot.com/


Happy crafting....Lynda

Winner winner Chicken dinner......

Or for this....Who will I tag, who will I tag to win a grab bag????

First, let me say how very much I appreciated reading every sweet comment that was left on my posts from last week as a Growing In Unity Gal.  It has been one of my favorite things to do and I have been so lucky to have been able to participate for a few years in a row.

Now...on to what you are waiting for....my winners:

Random comment from my post on Day Four:

Denise Bryant who left me this lovely comment:

Love that pretty flower image from the KOTM! Beautiful colors on your cards!     and random comment from my post on Day One:   Karina Arreguin:   Wow that's lovely     If you would both please send me your mailing addresses I will forward them along to Unity so they can send out your prizes!!!   Thank you again for spending some time with me last week...and I hope to share with you again my love of all stamps Unity again soon!!!   Happy crafting...Lynda

Growing in Unity Final day....day five

Hello for one last time my Unity Friends.  I am so sad that my week has come to an end, but I have a great pair of cards to share with you today.

This time I'm using an image from the Fly Free Kit of the Month from 6/10:

I started with some watercolor card bases.  I stamped the flowers and sentiment using Stazon ink.  I then picked an acrylic block and added ink directly to the surface and stamped it over the flowers to create the color block behind the flowers.  I then colored the flowers using Distress Markers.  I then added some washi tape along the edges of the cards and inked the edges with the same color.  I then made a mask of the sentiment and used the same ink to color it in as well.  I then used some Stazon Studio Glaze in the centers of the flowers to make them dimensional.

Just like I have done on a couple of other days this week...I created two cards for you using the same image and techniques...but the looks are different...

Be sure to leave a comment on this post and the others from this week as I get to pick one lucky person to receive an awesome prize from Unity!!

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments this week...it has been so much fun sharing my work with you and I hope to have inspired you to try a few new things with you Unity Stamps!

Happy crafting...Lynda

Growing in Unity Day Four

Welcome Unity Friends!!!  It's day four of my week as one of the Growing In Unity gals and I am super excited to share my projects with you today!!!

For my cards I used this wonderful floral image from the Warmth of Winter KOTM 12/14:

For both cards I stamped the image onto white cardstock using Memento ink.  I then picked out Prismacolor pencils that I wanted to use and colored each image...the first was colored with reds, maroons, and black.

For the second card I decided, while waiting for my daughter who was at her drawing lesson, to really mix it up and picked a bunch of grey tone colors and went to town.  I really love mixing colored pencil colors to create all kinds of highlights and shadows on an image.

and here is the final image on a card:

So...which do you like best?  I love how a single image can look so many different ways based on how it's colored!!!

I hope you'll leave a comment on this post and my others from this week, as I get to pick a winner of an awesome prize from Unity when my week is up.

Happy crafting....Lynda

Growing in Unity Day Three and the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Welcome Unity Friends and Coffee Lovers!!!  I am so excited to share with you my day three projects and also participate in the 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!  I have been doing these hops each and every time and look forward to all the inspiration that comes from the amazing projects submitted!

For my cards today I used this wonderful Itty Bitty image titled Coffee Side by Side:

I stamped the images using Memento black ink.  I then colored them in using my Prismacolor pencils.  I got a HUGE set of them for Christmas this past year, doubling the number of colors I had.  I then trimmed the cardstock down and matted each with coordinating colors.  I then found these wonderful summery pattern papers in my stash and used them as the base for my cards.  Summer for me here in California means flowers...lots and lots of flowers, so I had to pick papers that reflect the colors of the flowers in my garden.  I love how different each card looks using the same stamp, but different colors!

I hope you are inspired to maybe create a coffee themed project and link it up on the 2017 Coffee Lovers Hop post.

And don't forget to leave a comment on each post this week...I get to pick one lucky person to win an awesome prize from Unity!!!

Happy crafting...Lynda

Growing in Unity Day Two

Happy day two my Unity Friends!!!

Today I am sharing with you a card I created using two of my favorite Unity Stamp Company Fashionista images...  Anastasia and Claire:

For my card I first stamped Anastasia and then created a mask of her.  I then stamped the Claire image so it appeared as if Anastasia's arm was in front of Claire.

I then ran the cardstock through my printer once I decided on the sentiment for the card front.

I then colored both girls using Copic markers.  I then used markers to crate the speckled background behind the girls.  I then added some Wink of Stella to Claire's bow and dress; and Anastasia's gloves and boots.  I love how the little extra pop of sparkle makes any card extra special!!

I love how these Fashionista girl images all coordinate together and allow you to create such fun cards and projects.

I hope you will come back and join me again tomorrow...oh and don't forget to leave a comment on each post this week...I'll be selecting one random commenter to receive an awesome prize from Unity!

Happy crafting....Lynda

Growing in Unity Day one

Welcome Unity friends....I am so excited to be sharing with you again this year creations I have made using images from Unity Stamp Company!!!

Today I thought it would be fun to share with you how you can use some packaged cards and add some stamping to them to create unique one of a kind greetings.

I picked up these two different font style thank you cards from Michael's around the end of the year.  The paper is very gritty like a watercolor paper, so they were perfect for this project.  Here is what they looked like beforehand:

I then stamped this bird from the Love the Little Things KOTM June 2013 in Stazon ink onto each card.

I then colored the image with  Derwent Inktense Pencils and used a waterbrush to move the colors around and blend them to create the background. I love how these pencils allow you to create fun and unique backgrounds so easily.

I hope this project has you looking at packaged plain cards a bit differently from here on.  It really is a fun way to create unique one of a kind greetings!

Until tomorrow...have an awesome day!!!

Happy crafting....Lynda

Growing In Unity Day Five

Welcome to my final day as the Growing In Unity Guest Designer.  I have had such an amazing week and would like to thank Unity for the opportunity to share my love of stamping with you all.  And a special thank you to everyone that has dropped in along my journey this week.

In case you missed my Edit to my post yesterday...I realized when putting my stamped images into the spot where I keep them that the image from yesterday's card was not actually from the same kit as the other cards....so I set out last night to make an extra project for today's post to make up for it.

So, today I have two projects for you featuring the Wildflowers & Wings SMAK 4/14 kit.

This is the original project I created which is a card featuring the butterfly from the kit.  It was stamped with Stazon ink onto watercolor paper.  I colored the image using Derwent Inktense pencils.  I then backed the image with blue cardstock and mounted it onto a card base that I covered with this cute pattern paper.  I added the single strip of coordinating cardstock behind the image to balance out the card.  I then went in with a white gel pen and doodled all around the card.

For my final project I went back to the wonderful open flower from the kit.  I stamped it over and over again using Stazon ink onto watercolor paper.  In the end I had to make three masks to create this stacked flower arrangement look.  I then colored the image with Derwent Inktense pencils.

I then ran a piece of washi tape thru my printer to get the word on it.  Then put it and a piece of red washi along the spine of the journal.  I then adhered the colored image to the front of the journal.  This journal will be for my June List challenge.  I finished the image putting white and black dots along various parts of the flowers to add some depth and interest.

I hope you have enjoyed my projects this week featuring mostly the same kit, Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolor paper.  I have to say that I am hooked on these pencils now and how vibrant the colors are.

In case you missed any of the projects featured earlier this week:

Monday's project: 

 

Tuesday's project: 

 

 

 

Wednesday's project:   

Thursday's project: 
 


Please be sure to leave a comment on this post and the others from this week as I get to pick two lucky people to win a wonderful Unity prize!!!

Be sure to check back to see if it is you...

Happy crafting....Lynda

Oh...now...time for a shameless plug of sorts because I may still have your attention...

I wanted to take a moment to tell you a little bit about an organization that I am so proud to be part of....Hearts for Happiness.  This non-profit organization was established by my daughters sixth grade teacher in an effort to promote the spreading of kindness throughout our community.  You see here in our school district each sixth grader is required to participate in twenty hours of community service during the year and this teacher came up with an idea that has done such amazing things.  It started with the hearts...these are repurposed circles from wine barrels...and since we live in the middle of the California wine country it kind of makes sense to start there...well if you press them just so you can bend them into a heart shape.  The sixth graders learned to bend the bands into hearts.  And then we taught them how to tie beautiful bows for these hearts and we set up shop all around the community selling the hearts; in front of our school, at local farmers markets...at a holiday light show.  From the sale of these hearts Random Acts of Kindness are performed by the students throughout our community.  Simple things like baking cake pops and giving them out, recognizing kids on the playground doing kind things for others or as my daughters and I did this past weekend...making coffee filter flowers and leaving them on cars on Mother's Day.

I am so excited to be part of this organization and the message of spreading kindness that it represents.  We are working toward putting together a curriculum and a way to create small chapters of our program across the country...one school and district at a time.  If you could take a moment and like our facebook page....and if you know of a school in your area that could use a little kindness...drop us a message and we can share how you can start a program in your area to teach this wonderful life lesson!

Thank you...kindness matters!

Growing In Unity Day Four

Welcome to day four in my week as the Growing In Unity Guest Designer!  I am so thankful for the opportunity to share my love of Unity with you and for each one of you that has dropped in to take a peek this week!  I am having the BEST time and so appreciate all the sweet comments.

Edited...I realized this stamp is not from the same SMAK kit...this flower is from the No Clue How Beautiful SMAK 9/15 set...so tomorrow I will for sure have to share two from the other set...sorry for the confusion...I had images stamped ahead and had this one in the wrong bag...  For today's card I am using the Wildflowers & Wings SMAK 4/14 stamp set again.  This time I picked the floral grouping and stamped the image using Stazon ink onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I colored the image using Derwent Inktense Pencils.  I used my waterbrush to saturate the edges around the image and tore it from the page for a fun distressed look.  I then use the brush to pencil technique to put the darker intense color around the torn edge of the image.

I really like how fun these pencils are to watercolor with. 

I had someone ask me why I was focusing on just one stamp kit.  For me I like to see what all can be done with one kit and decided to challenge myself to see if I could create different  unique looks using the same stamp set and medium this week. 

So there is one more day after today....

 

So, if you missed either of my other posts from this week you can find them here:

 

Monday's project: 

 

Tuesday's project: 

 

 

 

Wednesday's project:   

I hope you will drop by again tomorrow to see what my final project is.  Also, be sure to leave a comment along the postings this week since I get to pick two winners that will each receive an awesome prize from Unity!!

Hope to see you tomorrow...
Happy crafting....Lynda

Growing In Unity Day Three

Welcome to Day three in my week as the Growing In Unity Guest Designer!!!  I am so happy you have stopped by!  And a special thank you to everyone that has dropped by my blog this week!

Well if you have been stopping by on prior two days you may have picked up on a theme for my cards this week... the Wildflowers & Wings Smak 4/14 kit.  When I was a Growing In Unity gal last year I showcased all five projects using the same paper from the same pad, so I thought this year I would make all my projects using the same stamp set.

For this card I used two images from the kit.  I used Stazon ink to stamp the image onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I then used Derwent Inktense pencils to color in the image.  I then washed the background with a few of the pencils.  I then scraped the image with my scissor edge to create this rough and uneven look.  I kept it simple and mounted it onto the single cardbase.

 

 

So, if you missed either of my other posts from this week you can find them here:

 

Monday's project: 

 

Tuesday's project: 

 

 

Be sure to leave a comment as I get to pick two names to receive a wonderful prize from Unity.

 

See you tomorrow...

Happy crafting...Lynda

 

 

 

Growing In Unity Day Two

Welcome back.  If you didn't drop by my blog yesterday pop back over and take a peek at what I shared on this post.  Thank you so much to everyone that did drop by yesterday!!

Today I'm using a different image from the same stamp kit as yesterday; Wildflowers and Wings SMAK kit 4/14.  I stamped this flower image onto Strathmore Watercolor cold press 140 lb paper using Stazon ink.  I then ran the paper through my printer and added the sentiment.  I then set the sentiment using my heat tool.  I then used my Derwent Inktense pencils to color the image.

I LOVE how vibrant these colors can be.  I created this color blocked looking background by simply scribbling three colors in random squares behind the flower.

Once the image was dry I backed it onto a piece of pattern paper that had this fun grid design and then onto a blue cardbase that I cut specific for this tall card.

I hope you will come back each day this week to see what I have created for you using these wonderful stamps from Unity!

Be sure to leave a comment as two lucky commenters from this week will win a wonderful prize from Unity!

Until tomorrow...
Happy crafting....Lynda