Friends of Unity August 2026 Blog Hop

 Hello everyone. Happy August. Yay I'm so excited we are hopping today for the Friends Of Unity August 2026 Blog Hop. Our Cue this month is Grunge. So much fun!

Let's Get Started:

On my first card, I had fun using Lindy's Magicals for my background with Mixed Media Arches 140 pounds cardstock. I cut a panel about 6x6. I used sprays like UFO yellow, Blushing Polar Bear, and Blazing sun shimmer. I also used Bling-y Blonde Magical Powder that I used with water. I also used Ranger Acrylic Paint in Night from Dina Wakley that I used with a paint brush and a little water. When dried my background was cut to A2 size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

This cute robot stamp is from Heart Mode:Activated. I stamped him with Memento tuxedo black ink and colored with my Copic Markers Y08, C4, N3, W5, R20, V000. I then fussy cut it out.  I used Black Soot Distress Oxide ink to ink around my background to make it more grungy. My sentiment was stamped on a tag from Unity as well as the string is from Unity. I stapled my string to my tag with my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.I glued all to a A2 gray card base 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and used some Ranger black liquid pearls.

On my second card, I also used some sprays from Lindys Gang in Starburst, Ice Burg Azure, Martian Magenta, and Brushed Nickel on Arches Mixed Media Paper 140 lbs. I had fun spraying my cardstock in my spray box. I really wanted to used the Paper Apothecary background stamp from the KOM June 2026. I embossed this background stamp with Zing Mustard Embossing Powder. I think it looks pretty on that Lindy's Magical background.

I stamped and heat embossed the One Of The Good Ones Stamp set and I thought I was using Versamark with white embossing powder but no it was clear embossing powder. I still wanted to use it as it looked great I thought for a grungy card. What are the white dots? I have no idea LOL. I did tear my paper and added black torn paper that is a soft specialty cardstock. I also had another strip of my background so I glued all together onto a A2 black card base 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. I added a sentiment from the same stamp and this time with white embossing powder and Versamark. I fussy cut my sentiment and added it to my card. I love all 3 embossings on this card.

Now my last card, I used KOM July 2026. I just love these chickens and I love Halloween. This stamp is called The Coop is Haunted. I stamped this image with Memento Tuxedo ink on Neenah Solar white cardstock 110 pounds. I also used masking paper from Inkadinkado and stamped and cut the mask out to place on my image. I then began to ink blend with Uncharted Mariner and Black Soot Distress Oxide inks. I took the lid off of Picket Fence Spray and flicked my inked masked background which gave me white drops. I also sprayed with Mica spray Stain in Winter Frost and Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide spray. 

When my background was dry, I colored my chickens with Altenew alcohol markers. I colored the ground and sprayed the bottom of my background with Distress Spray Stain in Forest Moss. I also flicked some more Picked Fence Distress Spray Stain towards the bottom to match the top of my background.  Lastly, I stamped a sentiment from the KOM on white cardstock with Versafine Onyx ink. I think it's a funny sentiment. I fussy cut it and applied it with 2 pieces of scrap paper for dimension instead of foam tape. My background was cut to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and glued to a A2 card base.

  I had so much fun making these cards. I hope I succeeded a little using the cue!

Now let's see how my Friends used the Cue:

Crystal

Jane

Von Marie (Me)

Toni Up Next

Jenni

Joyce

Rachel

Dawn

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party Day 8

 Hello everyone Today's the last day for the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026. I have had so much fun this week and I really enjoyed seeing all of your Holiday cards too. You still have until tonight, so still time to get your Holiday cards linked.  Use Hashtag  #byshccij2026lp Cards must be Christmas, Holiday, Winter. Hanukkah, etc..  We have so many Sponsors too! Good Luck and Have Fun!! 

Let's Get Started:

I used our New Sponsor Stampingbella. I stamped Uptown Girl Wren and Her Wreath with Memento Tuxedo ink on white cardstock. I also stamped her dress using Sponsor Not 2 Shabby Shop Winter Love Paper Pack. It had been a while paper piecing. I colored the image with my Copic Markers and fussy cut around my image. I used a dark marker to clean up my fussy cutting lines and glued the fussy cut pattern paper dress onto the image.

Next, I used a scalloped rectangle die from Sponsor Unity Stamps Co. and cut blue faux glitter pattern paper for my background and cut some red faux glitter patter paper and a hearts pattern paper from the Not 2 Shabby Shop Winter Love Pattern Paper Pack. I stamped a sentiment from the Stampingbella stamp set on white cardstock with black ink and then fussy cut it out. I cut out a red cardstock panel 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. I also picked out some ephemera from Not 2 Shabby Shop Valentine Critters for the tree and and pine with bow. All was glued to a A2 card base.  I didn't feel this card needed embellishments.  I had fun making this card.

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Affiliate links may have been added and no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Friends of Unity July 2026 Blog Hop

 Hello everyone.  Happy 4th of July.  Today I'm so excited for our Friends Of Unity Blog Hop and the Cue this month is a Color Challenge for July. I love these colors and I really tried to use stamps I normally wouldn't use in this color combo and I had so much fun. There are 4 prizes up for grabs all you need to do is use the color challenge inspiration photo and upload to the Unity Album Show and Tell FB group. It's not 4th of July themed but if that is what inspires you then go ahead!

Let's Get Started:

Since there is Christmas in July, I chose to do a Holiday card. I used a retired stamp set called Believe in the Magic and stamped my image with Memento Tuxedo ink on a white panel 4 x 5 1/4.  I then colored with my Copic Markers. B16, B06, R27, R35. I also stamped a sentiment from the same stamp set.

Next, I layered my panel onto a red cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 panel. I added some white snowflake embellishments from a Unity Stamp Co. Advent Calendar and added red cranberry stickles to my ornament toppers. I then glued everything to a white top folding card base 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

Well, I was so excited to make this card. I used KOM May 2026 for the Still Kickin' stamp set. I stamped him on Neenah Desert Storm cardstock 85 pounds with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored in with my colored Prismacolor Pencils. I think he's celebrating America's 250th Birthday. I think this stamp is adorable. I fussy cut him and put him aside.

Next, I  stamped the Polka Dance Background stamp on white cardstock with Hero Hues inks in Deep Ocean and Cherry. I stamped a sentiment from the same set with black ink onto my background and cut my background to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and glued to a A2 top folding card base.

And here is card 3. I used A Light To Weather by June 2026 Background of the month stamp. I stamped this light house on a white A2 cardstock panel with Memento Nautical Blue ink. I also stamped the birds too with the same ink. I stamped the sentiment with Hero Arts Cherry ink.  I love this stamp I knew it would be perfect for this Cue. I ink blended some red ink using Memento Ladybug ink and also ink blended Nautical blue ink using small blending brushes.

I loved creating all my cards for this month's cue.  I hope you like them!

I can't wait to see what my friends came up with. Visit my friends for more inspiration!!!

Crystal

Von Marie  (Me)

Jenni (Next)

Rachel

Toni

Joyce

Doreen

Friends of Unity June 2026 Blog Hop

 Hello everyone.  Welcome to our June 2026 Monthly Hop!  I'm sooo excited. This is my first Blog Hop Post for Friends With Unity.  I'm so excited to join this team and hopping with my friends!!! I love all things Unity Stamp Co. and this Blog Hop Cue this month is so much fun it's Food & Drink.

Let's Get Started:

On my first card, I had to use these donuts image stamp from Unity Stamp Co. called Donut Birthday illustrated by Angie Blom.  Donuts are a favorite food for me I know they are bad but they are so tasty.  What is your favorite Donut? I have a few but I'll take an Apple Fritter anytime or a Cinnamon Roll with my coffee please.

I stamped this rubber stamp using the larger size as there is 2 sizes in this set. I used Memento Tuxedo black ink on Hammermill cardstock 100 pounds using my stamping platform.  I chose to color with my Copic and Altenew Alcohol Markers.  I also stamped my sentiment at the same time as stamping my image.

My panel was then cut to be 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  I usually don't do this clean and simple but I do like it. I hope you do too. This panel was glued to a pink A2 card base, I also like that my pink card base showing make it extra girly.  Lastly, I added a pink bow that was given in one of my previous packages from Unity Stamp Co. I also added some Glossy Accents to some of my donuts and flame on my candle.

Copic Markers:

E00, E51, E93, E55,YR000, E87, E07, B000, BG000, B01, RV55, Y15

Altenew Markers:

Y911, Y821, WG07

On my next cards, I chose to use Melon One. It's a Itty Bitty stamp but I love it and one of my favorite fruits is Watermelon anytime or mostly during the Summer.  So good. I stamped my melon images 2 times with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock.  I knew I wanted to use the Make A Tag Die Set so I stamped them far from each other also stamping the sentiment.  I colored with my Copic Markers Rll, R22, G46, and BG10. I then used the tag dies and cut my melon and sentiments out.

I made my backgrounds by using white cardstock and stamping the melons with Catherine Pooler Coral Cabana ink and the sentiment with Catherine Pooler Mardi Gras ink. I just had fun stamping all over my cardtock.  I did ink my tags with Coral Cabana ink around the edges to match.  I then used my paper trimmer and cut my backgrounds out as I stamped enough for 2 backgrounds. I cut out red cardstock also...2 different reds as they were scraps in my scrap bin.  I layered my tags cutting out another tag with white cardstock.  I stapled one ribbon to a tag and the other I just pulled my ribbon through the hole reinforcer. I glued all to A2 card bases 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. 

I had some clear round gems from a 2024 advent calendar that I scattered on my cards.  I love Unity's Advent Calendars.

Well that finishes my cards I had so much fun! Yay 

Let's Hop and check out my friends and see what they came up with:

Crystal O. Minkler

Von Marie (Me)

Jenni Shamblin Up Next

Toni Tessler

Joyce Verdon

Dawn Fields

Rachel Duong

Thank you for leaving us some love. If Anonymous please let me know who you are.

Inspired By...Butterfly With Color Inspiration And A New Card Sketch

 Hello everyone.  I'm back with a New card for Inspired by...Blog Challenge #IB389.  This week it's Butterfly or Bumblebee and lovely colors and a New Card Sketch.

Let's Get Started:

I was inspired by the Butterfly theme and colors and I had this New Butterfly Stamp waiting to be used from Unity Stamp Co. called A Thought Flew By that was a April KOM. I stamped this Big Butterfly with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and colored with my Copic markers. I gave my butterfly blue eyes. I then fussy cut my butterfly with a white border.

I ink blended on another sheet of white cardstock using a Rectangle Stencil from MFT Stamps it has the negative piece easily blend with 2 ink colors. You can use a die and masking paper too. I then used Hero Arts Soft Vanilla ink and Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide ink. I cut my stenciled background to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

Next, I stamped my sentiment with VersaFine CLAIR ink in Nocturne on white cardstock and fussy cut it out. I glued my stenciled background to a pink A2 card base and popped up my butterfly and sentiment with foam tape. I think it came out so cute and I used the yellow, brown, pink, and blue colors from the inspiration photo.

You still have time to join us!

Join me on the Inspired by Blog every Tuesday!!!

How to participate: 

 Create a card inspired by the photo OR 

Create a card inspired by the sketch OR 

 Create a card inspired by BOTH. Upload your card and how you were inspired to a blog and/or Instagram and copy/paste the link to the Inlinkz Link Party.

Don't forget to tag inspired_by_challenge on the socials. #inspiredbychallenges and share in the FB group.

If you do Butterfly or Bumblebee it will be fine 

GIU Day 5 Coffee Is Not Enough...

 Hello everyone.  It's Day 5 of my GIU Week!! Can you believe it??  What an Amazing week.  I have another card today that I really love a lot.  Leave comments here on my blog, IG, and Unity Stamps Co. FB Groups for a chance to win a $20 GC to Unity Stamps Co. 2 Lucky winners will be announced in the Unity FB Groups.

Let's Get Started:

Isn't she a delight?  I love her. I had fun with this one.  I used Coffee is not enough stamp set stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I colored her with my Altenew and Copic markers.  I then fussy cut her out.  I grabbed a gold doily, pattern paper, a button, and some ephemera pieces.  Do you enjoy playing Bingo?  I'm thinking this lady had a fun night playing Bingo on a weeknight the night before and she obviously needs a lot of coffee today LOL.  Do you think she won? 

I stamped a sentiment from the same stamp set with black ink.  I sewed on my papers using my sewing machine and glued everything to a A2 card base 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  My button was glued to my card with a glue dot. I had a great week and I hope you enjoyed my week.  Thank you so much for visiting my blog and good luck!!

Also Join Me On Craft Roulette Tonight YAY Wish Me Luck!!! ❤️🎉

Here is where you can find me:

BLOG https://vonmariedesign.blogspot.com/

 IG https://www.instagram.com/vonmariedesign/?hl=en

 FB https://www.facebook.com/von.marie.50?mibextid=LQQJ4d

YT  https://www.youtube.com/@vonmariedesign

Pinterest https://pin.it/72DVIYC

GIU Day 4 Butterfly For You Notecard

 Hello everyone. It's Day 4 for GIU week Unity Stamps Co.  I have a Butterfly card today and you can win a $20 GC to shop at Unity Stamps. 2 Lucky winners.  Just comment here, FB groups, and IG to be eligible to win.

Let's Get Started:

Well this Butterfly comes from the KOM August 2025 called A Monarch Echo. I thought it was really pretty. I don't see many of these butterflies anymore. I usually see white ones in my backyard. I did go to a butterfly event before and WOW that was something, I would like to do that again one day as that was many years ago.

 I stamped this butterfly with Black Soot Distress ink on watercolor paper 98lbs.   I ended up using watercolor pencils from Tim Holtz. I kept laying down color with a little bit of water and a paint brush,  letting it dry and then I would apply more color.  After, when I was happy with my results I fussy cut out this butterfly and how I love it.  I found some orange gingham pattern paper in my stash and grabbed some black cardstock.  I ripped both papers.

I also used the A-Round & A-Round stamp it has some round solid stamps. I used one of those stamps with Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide ink on my Gingham paper for fun.

I placed my 2 papers on a cream colored A2 panel 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. Once all glued, I inked around my card panel with the Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide ink. I stamped a sentiment from the KOM with black ink onto the cream colored cardstock. I then glued my butterfly just so the center was attached I like bending the wings up and down. I did add some white gel pen dot accents to my butterfly. I like that this card is great for any Occasion, I will probably stamp inside when needed. Everything was then glued to a black A2 heavyweight card base and that makes this card finished.  I hope you like it.  I had fun making it.  See you on our last day, Day 5!

Here is where you can find me:

BLOG https://vonmariedesign.blogspot.com/

 IG https://www.instagram.com/vonmariedesign/?hl=en

 FB https://www.facebook.com/von.marie.50?mibextid=LQQJ4d

YT  https://www.youtube.com/@vonmariedesign

Pinterest https://pin.it/72DVIYC

GIU Growing In Unity Day 3 Curlers and Catitude

 Hello everyone.  I'm excited for Day 3 of (GIU) Growing in Unity. I've been having so much fun this week. I hope you have too.  I have a fun card card today.  Comment here on my blog IG and FB groups to be eligible to win a $20 GC to Unity Stamps. There will be 2 winners.

Let's Get Started:

Ohhhh how I love their Pissy Kitty Line of Stamps. I had to have this one!!! I love coffee so this stamp was a must have called Curlers and Catitude Pissy Kitty.  I stamped this kitty on Neenah Desert Storm cardstock 80lb. with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  This time I colored with my alcohol markers.  As for my background you can't see on camera but on green Matcha cardstock I used the Polka Dance Background rubber stamp with Gina K Designs White Pigment ink.  I also inked my background around the edges with Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide ink and I cut out my kitty and background using the Deckle and Stitches Nesting Dies. I inked around my kitty too.

I found some pattern paper in my stash Polkadots and inked it up too.  I glued everything to a A2 kraft card base 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  I popped up my pattern paper and kitty with foam tape.  I stamped a sentiment from the same stamp set and inked it also. I placed white paper behind and added a white button brad. Lastly, I added some white gel pen to the mug and eyes of my kitty.  I think it's cute.  I hope you like it.  See you on Day 4!

Here is where you can find me:

BLOG https://vonmariedesign.blogspot.com/

 IG https://www.instagram.com/vonmariedesign/?hl=en

 FB https://www.facebook.com/von.marie.50?mibextid=LQQJ4d

YT  https://www.youtube.com/@vonmariedesign

Pinterest https://pin.it/72DVIYC