October 2020 friends of unity blog hop!

  Happy October everyone, the most fabulous months of the year, the start of fall and for me the holiday season, not to mention it happens to be my birthday month as well.

  Today I focused on a fall themed birthday card, using fall colors.   I wish you could see the glimmer on this card.  

  I colored an angie girl with copic markers, I simply die cut the sentiment to match her shirt, the leaves were a lot of fun.    I used the new crackling fire distress spray with a little oxide brown spray and die cut.  They look so good irl.   that is really it guys super easy.  Hope you take a look at all the lovely stamps at Unity stamp co.   Remember birthday cards do not need to be all cupcakes and stuff.  It can be seasonal or really what ever you want.    Have a fabulous day.

If you would like to start at the beginning of the hop please go visit Crystal

Next on the hop is the lovely Alaine.

Happy fall, 

Dawn

August 2020 Friends of Unity Blog hop!

  Sympathy cards are one of the hardest cards to make.  I always try to make a few a head of time.  I find it extremely hard to make one on the spot when you know a friend or loved one is grieving.   I hope today's cards encourage you to do the same.

  This first card is pet geared, loosing a precious pet can be so very hard, letting someone know your thinking of them in this way can be very comforting.  I went with blue and red as it is for a boy dog, you can easily use pinks to make this for a girl dog.   I simply water colored the images with Karin Markers.   For the sentiment I just water colored the edge so that my blue would match.  Added some hearts and Blue splatters and your done.   Super quick and easy.  The set I used is fur baby love.

Thank you for stopping by, My blog is primarily vacant these days, as I am finding creative time very hard.    I hope you enjoy the hop.

To start at the beginning Go visit CRYSTAL MINKLERS blog.

Next in line is the Amazing KIM!

  See you next month,

Dawn

Friends of Unity, June HOP!

  This month we have a great challenge for you, WINGS!   Today, I have two cards to share!


This first Card uses, Forest Butterfly this is a newer Unity stamp.   Butterflies, have special meaning in our family, so anytime Unity comes out with one I'm getting it.

CARD #1

1.  Color square with distress oxide broken china and spritz with water.
2.  Stamp image with, versafine clair ink, then clear emboss.
3. Color image with  Distress ink in, Picked Raspberry
4. Attach Image with foam tape.
5. Flick entire card with Pixie Dust (add a little water to a drop or two)
6. Stamp and die cut sentiment and affix to front

There ya have card one, in no time at all.  For the square of color I did use a stencil, but you can mask off with purple tape as well.   I hope you give this card a go!

This second card uses Hope & Strength, another newer Unity stamp set.

CARD #2

1. Using both distress oxide and regular distress sprays ink up a background.
2. stamp dragonflies onto the sprayed panel, and fussy cut the wings.
3. Ink blend a cloud background
4. Stamp the dragonflies, and color the eyes and body
5. attach wings (I meant to pop them up but forgot, so you can do wither)
6. color up the wings with some pixie dust and DONE!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO START FROM THE BEGINNING PLEASE GO VISIT CRYSTAL.!

NEXT ON THE HOP IS THE FABULOUS, KIM!

Have an AMAZING day,

Dawn Bryson

Unity love!

If you have ever visited my blog, it's no secret I am a HUGE unity fan.    I have been blogging for them the last few weeks.  It's been amazing I have really loved it.  It's a lot of work but, I've been pushed to really take my time and do the best I can.

My husband is positive for covid 19, I posted on the unity page about it for support as I am struggling.   And, not only did tons and tons of Unies come to my aid by praying, and loving on me the owner also mentioned that she was sending love our way.  WHO DOES this.  I tell you who. Angela Magnuson, owner of unity.   How many companies know their customers enough to do this.  Maybe other companies do this and I am just oblivious.  But I have NEVER seen this type of love.

It's been amazing.

Check out the Unity blog every Thursday through June to see my creations.  I'll share them here after the fact.  If I remember lol!

Continue to pray for my family, '

Thank you,

Dawn

Covid 19, You suck!

  My husband Jon is a nurse, He in my eyes  really is a hero .  He went to school later in life, worked his tail off to not only provide what he could, but to get through school after being out of it for so long.  

  

 He is one of those guys, who never calls out of work, has a love for the Lord, like I've never seen. Speaks only truth and sticks up for what he believes.

 Today, he is home sick because COVID-19 has reared it's ugly head.   It's what I expected to happen but was in NO way prepared for.   I wish I could go back and put things in place for him and us.

 I am sleeping on an air mattress in the living room.   I have the boys bathroom I can use.  I have my craft room down here, (although, I'm so worried I'm not sure I can craft, though i will try)

So, how is he??  He feels pretty crappy, he has a cough that is annoying but not to the point we need to go to ER.   He does have a fever that goes up and down with Tylenol.  This all started yesterday, so we are at the very beginning.   We go tomorrow to get the official test.   Considering hes had covid patients and other nurses on his floor have it, we know it is but need it to be official.

If your the Praying type Please send them our way. 

I hope to show some cards soon, 

Happy Crafting,

Dawn 

May Friends of Unity blog hop!

  This month we have an Angie girl, Challenge.  I absolutely love the Angie girl line.  I feel like the represent so many of us and are perfect for sending cards to our girlfriends.

This first card, has such a great Spring feel to it. Her name is Poppy Girl, I have used her cutting off the flowers too.  For this card I used a nice brick pattern paper that was in my stash. I did simple water color with Zig markers.   I cut her with a Pretty Pink Posh die. I cut that twice to add the blue edge to bring the color of her shirt into the card. Added a few Sequins and done. So, simple and easy. Add a sentiment or leave it blank. 

 As graduation season is right around the corner.   (My heart goes out to those Seniors effected by Covid-19)  I don't buy a lot of graduation stamps, as I don't have really anyone graduating any more, so I bought this set called SENTIMENTS FOR GRADUATES.   This way you have appropriate sentiments and can use whatever stamp goes with the grad.   One of my favorite girls graduates this year, So I wanted something that would reflect her.  I think I nailed it.  I absolutely love how this card turned out.

 What I did to add texture to the background paper, was Added some distress ink in grey around the edge.  I then took a stencil and added a design.   After that I went ahead and added some stars with Nuvo glacier paste in quick silver.  To finish off the card, I went ahead and added a film ribbon from Tim Holtz, and the 2020 from my stash. (sorry It's older I don't have a source)  I colored the image with copics.   For her shirt I flick the ink up leaving that sharp edge for a tie dyed look.  yes her hair is Blue, as the recipients hair is blue.  At least this week.  haha  This Angie girl is called Cierra girl

To see the whole line of Angie girls go HERE!

IF you happened  here on chance and would like to start at the beginning of the hop Go visit CRYSTAL

Next on the hop is Robyn

Thanks for visiting me today,

Dawn

May Unity Challenge!

Hey guys,

 I am up on the Unity Blog again, This month we have a Floral challenge for you.

I did a Video, showing simple water coloring on flowers.

You can see it on  YouTube

Head over to the Unity blog to see the finish product. 

Have a great day, Be Safe,

Dawn

Unity April Inspiration!

Good Morning, I am up on the UNITY BLOG  Today.   Did you know Unity has an AMAZING FACEBOOK GROUP That is full of Inspiration.   Every month they do a challenge, you enter your cards to the designated album and at the end of the month they pick a few winners to receive some Unity goodness.  It's a uplifting group, I've not seen a group like this since the 2PP's days.   

  I am hosting those challenges in April, May and June.  I hope you check it out and play along.   If you go on over the the Unity blog you'll see three cards I did using the sketch.  Below, is the sketch I did and my favorite card for this weeks blog post.  Please join us, you won't regret it

A quick description of how I made the card above is on the Unity page.

Hope you are all staying in and staying safe,

Dawn

 

Friends of Unity, April blog hop!

Welcome to the friends of Unity blog hop.  This Month we have a sketch challenge.   I happen to really like sketches.   I was inspired by a card Bobbie Sue sent me, for this sketch.   If you see a card you like you can drawl a sketch to inspire you later.  Take the layout and make it your own.   I have tons of sketches pinned on pinterest you can find that board here!  If your looking for further inspiration.

The Sketch!

    For this first card, I used Thrive always and a sentiment from Jane girl.   I took the lighter gina k ink and just used a brush to make a pattern that would fit behind my image, after that I took a shade darker Tranquil teal and used a stencil to go over it.  This adds a little texture.  colored the image with zig markers, added some enamel dots from Gina Marie design.  This is super quick and easy,  my hope is to show you how to make a few quick cards with little effort and big results.

 This next card I used a flower from Blossoms beauty, and a sentiment from I am with you.  I smooshed shabby shutters in oxide and regular distress in the background, I tried to match the color of the leaf and the enamel dots.   I went ahead and took the picked raspberry oxide and inked the edges to pull in the pink from not only the enamel dot but the flower as well. 

For my final card today, I wanted to leave you with a little humor.    Most of the country is staying in and social distancing, and worried about the toilet paper supply (our town is still out, thank God, I bought a big pack just before this all started)  Anyway, I took a stencil and inked an area  around the image with distress oxide dried marigold.  I used oxide  on the edge with tumbled glass, added matching enamel dots  from gina marie design.  I like to pick the enamel dots first then match my colors.   She has great sets with a few colors so it's easy to get some color inspiration.  I struggle with color theory.  The stamp is called Crappy day!

Before I leave you I want you to know that I am thinking of all you, I am very worried about all of us.  My husband is a nurse and I work in dental, and am still working.  It's scary and anxiety is high for a lot of us right now.  Take a little time go in your craft space where ever that is and just create, smoosh some ink, color, what ever it takes, to bring your self a little peace at this extremely scary time.  Peace to you!

Stay Safe and Healthy my crafty friends.


If you would like to start at the beginning of the hop visit our wonderful leader Crystal HERE!

To continue on the journey go visit the wonderful Amber , you can find her HERE!

All the enamel dots can be found HERE!

One last thing, I am up on the Unity blog with the monthly challenge.  I'll be there every Thursday with inspiration.  I'd love for you to go take a look and play along.  Go visit the Unity blog HERE! and click on Aprils challenge, that will lead you to the show n tell page!

Happy Crafting,

Dawn

Unity blogger in the house!

I am thrilled to say that I was asked to host the monthly challenge over on the Unity blog.  I am hosting there your cards can be entered on the Unity show n tell page on facebook. 

  Thought I would share the cards I made here as well, this is the first one.  take a peek at the full post over on the UNITY site.

Quick note!

Hello, how are you all holding up?  Times are really hard right now, I hope you are all well.

This Thursday I will be up on the Unity blog, with a new Monthly challenge.  I hope you go check it out.

This Saturday is the friends of Unity hop, so be sure to check back.   

I hope to slow soon and get some creative time.  My husband is a nurse and i work in dental so things have been stressful and it's not good for the creative mojo.

but stay tuned I will be back soon.

hugs 

dawn

Covid 19,

Today, I sat in my craft room trying to get things done for all my upcoming blog duties.  It was hard.   All this crazy that is going on in the world is pretty much overwhelming.    My husband is a nurse. and I am a dental assistant still working, my hours have reduced slightly but i'm hanging on.   My mom has been laid off and were all staying in on our days off.   I did get supplies so that we hopefully don't have to leave unless we absolutely have too. 

I am sorry I have not done videos or anything, it's just been a lot lately and I am trying.   I hope you all take this time and slow down enjoy the time with the family go for a walk make homemade meals and treats and try to just breath.

I pray you and yours are safe healthy and peacful,

Dawn

Friends of Unity March hop, Designers choice!!

   Hello, and welcome to the March Friends of Unity blog hop. This month we have a Designers choice.  YAY!

  My first card, I wanted to do something to show you to not be afraid to add some ink to pattern paper.  Pattern paper is typically thin, and does not take a ton of water well, but you can add some dimension with distress ink.   I did some distress oxide on my glass matt and smooshed then dryed it with the ranger heat tool     If it's wrinkly you can run it through your die cut machine to flatten but I've never had a problem.  When doing this type of stuff less is more.   don't go overboard with thinner papers.  I then added a die cut from simon says stamp, and added a little glitter that is honeycomb shaped to the die cut.  I did a close up so you can see it.  Got it at target so dang cute!
  For this card I used Cuddlebug bee and you can find it here!

  This next card is a newer stamp, I love this style it's easy to color, and it's a really nice size.  I colored it with copic markers for the flowers I did r83 and r85 for the cup  I did y15 and y17  I added washi tape to the background, just to add something to the card.  GET THAT WASHI OUT. and use it.   I splatterd the card in gold.  and added a few sequins.  Easy peasy.  This stamp is called  Fresh Start and can be found HERE!  The gold splatters are done with water I did a super quick video on how to do this on you tube and it can be found HERE!  It's for a different card, but if you've not embossed like this with water it will show you how.   if you look close you'll see it on the black matting.   It's not real easy to see on camera on the white.  But IRL, you can see it.

  For my final card, I used a frame to highlight the image.  I just used a type paper in the background to break up the white and striped paper, sometimes, solid colors are a bit much but white on white was not working, so using a neutral kind of breaks things up.   I again just used copics to color the image.  pattern paper and a gina marie die.   This stamp is called hanging Botanicals and can be found HERE!

  Well, that is all I have for you today.  I hope these simple cards, motivate you to get your stamps out and play. 



If you would like to start at the beginning of the hop go visit the amazing Crystal HERE!

next on the hop is the fabulous Robyn and you can find her HERE!

Birthday card!

I love this image, I am not real good at coloring, but did my best.  I colored this image for the thirty day color challenge.  You can follow it on instagram, great stuff.

Today I took a few minutes to turn it into a card.

Have a great day!

Dawn

The daily marker 30, day 1

I tend to not be able to stick to things like this because I work longer days, but I am gonna give it a go this time around.   Weekends I have a lot more time to play.  So, I was able to make a card with my coloring for today.   I have A LOT to learn when it comes to coloring.   

I used a unity stamp, and a stencil from Gina Marie designs to make this card.   Tomorrow after work I have company coming but I'm gonna do my best to do a little coloring.  I have about ten images ready to color. So, I have enough to get me through.  I may not be able to get a whole image colored. But Im going to do my best.

Have a great day,

Dawn

Oh Where is my mojo?

I have a small craft room, (that I am beyond grateful for)  Lately it has been such a mess that it's squashing my mojo.  Have you had that happen?  So, this weekend I worked on one card that I can't show yet and then I worked on cleaning up.    It's getting better I got a nice piece of furniture from pier one on clearance it's a galvanized thing, that has 7 compartments, so that will help store some stuff, It's not fitting well but i'm gonna try to make it work.  (my room is not even a square, it's a small office that is  a bit of a wonky shape.)   Anyway, work week is short this week, so I plan to have some extra time to play.   I hope to get a long weekend of crafting in too.  So, hopefully I'll have some stuff to share soon.    I did get a used Gemini Jr.  I ordered plates and stuff for it today.   It works really well.   Since it's used I am not sure how much more I'll get out of the plates so, I figured I better have a set ready to go.   So far I like it a lot.   really nice.  I messed up the sandwich the first time and ruined the steel plate for intricate dies.  It's now a half circle.  Not sure how I did that but hey at least I did not break the machine. 

Well, I hope you all have a crafty week.   

Dawn

I miss your face!

It seems like sometimes all I do is miss people.    Most of my friends are super busy and we rarely spend time together.   I made this for one of those friends.   None of my family live in our state either so I send a lot of cards.   

I like to take pattern paper and use that to match the clothing.    Enjoy!

Spring in February!

I don't know what is happening in your part of the world, but here in southern NJ, it's unseasonable warm.   Today was in the 50's.  This time of year is usually our coldest.   This is when we get a tiny bit of snow (that I love) but, as of now we have seen no snow, and not to many days that it's been freezing.   I bought tons of stuff to make winter cards, but without the cold winter weather I've not been in the mood to use it.   Today was so sunny and nice that I thought I'd do a spring card, with the new stamp set from unity Fresh Start.  I love graciellie design stamps (found at unity) It's on sale now and you can find it HERE!  I am not the best at coloring but I have fun and that is all that matters.   I used an old paper pack and some enamal dots on this quick and easy card.   Hope you get some time to craft this weekend.

Happy Creating,

Dawn

Unusual day poppy

   I tried another youtube video, They are much harder than they look.  I am not trying to become famous I just want to share what I love and show people how to make neat things.   In this video I showed how to emboss with water,  Real easy quick video you can see it HERE!

I used Tim Holtz, water color paper for the image stamped with versafine clair ink.  Colored with distress ink and water.   The prayer is from SSS and it's called Prayers ssd111976   The stamp is of course Unity and can be found here!

I hope you try this technique,  it is so quick and easy.

Have a great day!

February, friends of Unity blog hop!

Good Morning Crafty friends, Thank you for joining us for another month of the Friends of Unity blog hop.

Since, it's February I had Pinks on the brain.  For this card I used distress oxide in  Festive berries, worn lipstick and Festive Berries. for the background.   I used a Tim Holtz stencil to give the cross hatch that looks like the kisses.xxx !  The stencil number is THS099   I put down the spun sugar first then went over that with the distress microglaze, I just use my finger.  Then I added the other colors going in that triangle shape adding where I thought it was needed.   I than colored the image with the same colors but used regular distress instead of the oxide.  I added washi and the little sticker for a touch of black.  black is probably not allowed buy I like to rebel so there.  haha  The tiny hearts that are in white are a die called mini hearts set from simon says stamp.   The cute little Cuddlebug is found HERE

I'll be posting a video onto the Unity show and tell page on how I did the background.    I am not 100% sure how to do all this yet but will give it a try.  I was unable to upload it here.  Still trying to figure this all out. Here is the link to the video on how I did this background https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO-kVXztIgI


If you would like to start at the beginning of the hop please visit CRYSTAL!

Next in line is the fabulous  Dawn (not me HAHA) , and you can visit her Here!

Remember to leave a comment as you hop along, some girls do pick random people for small prizes.  We are not sponsored by Unity but approved.  All freebies are from our own pocket unless other wise specified.

Thank you,

DAWN 

Dream

I love mixed media, I like ink I like stencils, I don't get to play with that stuff as often as I should.   I need a bigger craft room.   haha (don't we all)

I had some distress oxide sprays on my desk just sprayed some random color on, then went to regular distress ink and added the blue with  Tim stencil.  (all we have to do is say Tim, and we all know who that it is)  Added the wood embellishments and done easy peasy

The image is Unity, and is from a kit of the month. 

Enjoy your day,

Dawn

Stay warm and Cozy!

Today in my little corner of the world it is 60 degrees outside.  That is very warm for my area.  January and February are usually our coldest months.  They are awfully cold and usually frigid.   I'll take the nice weather and enjoy while I can.    Even though it's super warm, I am in the winter mood.

I took a stamp from Unity (who else) and added it to some carta bella paper and tada.  A quick and simple card. 

The winter colors of this one is a little different than your usually adding in the green, but I really like it.

Colored with copics, enamal dots are gina marie (sorry you can not see them I'm working on that)  The paper is carte bella and the image is unity.  

Enjoy your day,

Dawn

January 2020 friends of Unity, blog hop.

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and a great New Years!  I can not believe it's 2020, I hope you all have a creative and productive year.

For our first hop of 2020, We choose to look back at our favorite stamp of 2019.  Uh, how do you choose your favorite stamp, That is like choosing your favorite child.  HAHA

I really enjoy making winter themed cards, Lately I've been buying lots of things to embellish winter cards so I choose this newer stamp pure and simple, you can purchase her HERE!    Hope you enjoy.  

For this background I'm gonna break down how to do it.    When adding the layers of color, leave some white space, for depth.   It gives that cloudy snowy effect.

  You do not need to be perfect here, this is canson water color paper, it's not gonna be smooth, don't worry about that.   Also, these layers are going on dry you will be adding water at the end.

  When adding your hickory smoke go in a triangle adding top side and bottom, you don't need much just a touch for that winter look.  If you don't like the added grey don't add it.  It's totally up to you.

Now, add your broken china to the edge you can be heavy handed with this step, depending on the look you want.  In my final card I went a little heavier.   Just fyi, if you don't have a media Matt I suggest you get one they are fantastic.

Now, don't freak out, just go for it.   You can go more water or less, if it's too soupy just dab off with a paper towel ( I use a cloth that I got at walmart for 98 cents, it's washable and better for the environment it's called a flour sack and is in the area with dish towels)

Okay, so this is a 3d embossing folder by Tim Holtz, run it while still wet, run back and forth about 5 times for better impression.   As per Tim, himself.

  Now, dry with Tim Holtz dryer, or set aside while you color your image.  For my image I used the Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor.   They are very pigmented so I dab some onto my matt and add a little water.  I have A LOT to learn when it comes to these.

 Added a sentiment from Elsa girl, she can be found HERE!  A few sequins, and splattered with Pixie dust from ink on 3, Unity does carry it. (it may be sold out so check often)

Here is the final card, it's a fun one.

So, Next on the Hop is Amber, you can find her HERE!  If you would like to start at the beginning go check out  Crystal HERE!

Thanks for Visiting, Winners from last month have been contacted and claimed.  

Have an Amazing day,

Dawn