Unity Stamp Co Growing in Unity (GIU) Tuesday

Hello everyone!  I hope you are having a lovely Tuesday.  

I'm continuing with my theme of cards to send while we're staying close to home.  Many of us have recently made the transition to working from home, so this stapler set "Keeping it Together" seemed like a great set to use!  I'll send this to a coworker who I miss from my job. 

Can you guess what household item I used to make my background? 

I used Dylusions and Color Box Spritzers ink sprays to make my background. While I think ink sprays are a lot of fun, they often overpower the small canvas of an A2 card or at least I haven't figured out how to get less output.  So, I wanted to contain the spray to a smaller spot.  What was the mystery item?  No guesses?  Alright, I'll let you in on the trick.  I put an empty toilet paper cardboard roll on the cardstock and sprayed my ink down into the tube.  The best part was that I don't have to clean off a stencil; I can just pop it into the recycling.  If Americans' recent hoarding of TP is any indication, you all should have a few at your house too!  You might notice that the orange circle in the middle has a bit of a blue border.  I like the effect, but if you want to avoid it, either start with the lightest colors or have a tube per color. 

Remember to leave a comment on this post, and on every post this week.  Unity Stamp Company graciously provides a grab bag of 25 stamps to two random commenters this week and every GIU week!   I'll have a prize that I'll personally send out to someone who comments and answers the question at the bottom of the post. 

Have you been working from home during the COVID-19 outbreak?  My last normal day at work as a math coach and teacher was March 13th.  We are closed for at least four more weeks but online instruction will happen to keep kids learning while we can't be together.  I'm lucky, I guess, that my craft table can double as my teaching desk while I'm working from home!   

I hope you are staying safe and well during this challenging time.


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Proud Operation Write Home Alumni
Cards shipped to OWH in 2014: 21
Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 829 blank and 301 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Unity Stamp Co Growing in Unity (GIU) Monday

Hello everyone!  I am pleased to be your GIU gal for the week of March 30th.  I've been collecting Unity stamps for almost ten years now and they are by far my favorite of any manufacturers I've tried.  The red rubber is absolutely the best for stamping!

This week, my theme will be cards to send to friends and family during these times of people self-isolating.  Unity has tons of inspiring and uplifting sentiments that will work well for this time.  The set Faith has great scripture with a fun text style that can really shine on a project, even without a central image.

This card uses two fun ink techniques.  Give one a try; they are both fun for kids to try, too, if you need an art project to keep your children entertained if school is closed.  I think kids as little as 4 years old could do them with some assistance, but beware they do have a messy factor!  If you'll be worried that their fingers are ink stained for days, this may be a technique to skip until gloves are plentiful. 

The back panel is made by dripping a few drops of ink refill onto a smooth base of shaving cream, dragging the ink through the shaving cream to make a marble design (using a popsicle stick, fork, etc), and then pressing cardstock into the shaving cream (gently).  You'll then scrape the remaining shaving cream off of the card stock (a used-up store gift card works great) to reveal a pretty pattern.  You can make several sheets of cardstock on the same shaving cream.  And since we're all social distancing, no need to shave, am I right?  We might as well use that shaving cream for fun!  Bonus- if your shaving cream has a fragrance, so will your paper.

The front panel was a technique for kid's markers (water-based, not alcohol-based).  Find an acrylic or glass surface (I used a large stamping block) and scribble all over it with a couple of complementary colors.  Spritz lightly with water.  You can use another stamping block to press the colors together and get some interesting mixes and designs.  Then press your cardstock into the "watercolor" you've created.  You may need do it a few times to get the coverage you want.  I find it helpful to have a paper towel on hand to blot off excess water so your paper doesn't curl up too much.  I stamped the sentiment after the panel was dry so my ink wouldn't bleed. 

Remember to leave a comment on this post, and on every post this week.  Unity Stamp Company graciously provides a grab bag of 25 stamps to two random commenters this week and every GIU week!   I'll have a prize that I'll personally send out to someone who comments and answers the question at the bottom of the post. 

How have you been spending this time of social distancing or shelter-in-place restrictions?  Personally, I am planning to get married this summer and move from my home to my fiancé's home.  I've been off of work for the past two weeks while our school system transitions to this new phase of life, so I used my time to pack boxes and small furniture I could fit in my car to take it to my new place.  Half of my craft room is in each place, so making my GIU entries has been an exercise in creativity to use the items I have at home.  :) 

I hope you are staying safe and well during this challenging time.



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Proud Operation Write Home Alumni
Cards shipped to OWH in 2014: 21
Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 829 blank and 301 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695