Welcome to the Unity Spring Blog hop.  A collection of talented women are to follow me with some amazing inspiration.  Be sure to comment on each blog and 2 winners will be randomly selected to win a Unity prize package!

Like most places back east and up north, Spring is a long ways away or at least is sure feel like it. I am reminded of the Proverb that says "No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."  Thanks for that tid-bit of wisdom Mr. Proverb, now go shovel my sidewalk!  He's always quick with the obvious isn't he?

I'll be honest, it's been hard to keep these creations in the vault until I could share them with you.  The best part of the Unity Show & Tell is the instant feel back you get on your creations!  All of you people are a great source of inspiration and support. I humbly present the following cards for your instant admiration.  LOL.  Seriously, I'm not kidding. you better like these cards

"Being Who You Are" 

Technique:
I watercolored the focal image onto the Bristol paper and fussy cut the image out so I could use foam tape to give this card some dimension.  I was careful to cut the image out closely to the line so it kept the integrity of the heart shape. If you cut a white margin around the heart , it will look like a big blob. A pretty blob, but still a blob. I then stamped the image again onto Bristol so I could color and fussy cut some of the larger flowers.  I curled the pedals and adhered with a glue dots

Using the stencil, I lightly added the green ink onto the Arches watercolor paper to give it a subtle texture. I followed it up by stamping the sentiment and adding the twine.

Finally I mounted my card assembly onto a white card base using foam tape.


Supplies:

• Arches watercolor paper
• Strathmore smooth Bristol 100 lb paper
• Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens.
• Melissa Francil Dot sencil
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Twisted Citron
• American Crafts Lavender baker's twine
• 3M foam tape
• Micron 03 pen for added dot shading
• Zots glue dots
• micro gems

Here are a couple of other "springy" creations.  I was experimenting with getting different looks out of the same stamp.

"Slow and Steady & "Spark"

"Slow & Steady & "Travel Wagon" 

Thanks for stopping by.  Next on the list is Ms. Shannon Allred-Sunnarborg.  She's got some mad skills!  

Annie Sterner-(START HERE) Follow the golden path and comment along the way, a prize is possibly on its your way!

Shannon Allred-Sunnarborg
Pamela J. Duncan
Kathryn Belmonte
Beth Fiscus
Denise Wesley Beard
Jennie Davis Amaker
Stephanie Seelye
Unity Stamp Company Blog

Spread Happiness

Do you ever get stuck in a rut?  You feel like you are making the same card over and over again?  I feel that way these days.  I'm stuck in the "Oh goodness that is so cute" rut.  I'm not sure I'm ready to move out of it either!

Today's installment of "OGTISC" (I'll let you figure out that mnemonic device) is a card featuring Mama Elephant's "Up We Go"

Card:

• Mama Elephant- Up We Go

Paper- 

• Strathmoore Bristol Vellum 100 lbs
• Card Base- Berkley Square box cards by The Paper Studio

Ink

• Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copic Markers- R20,R21, R22 Y02,Y04. Y08, V01, V04, V06, BG000, BG01, BG02, W5
• Signo Uni Ball- White

Die

• Lawn Fawn Stitched Square

Embellishments

• Heart Washi by the Paper Studio
• Teal Doily by the Paper Studio
• Deco paper by Queen & Co.
• Clear sequins by Darice

And the Oscars go to.... Oh wait, that's a different prize.

The results have been tabulated and the winners of the Growing In Unity prize packages are.....

Before I tell you, I just wanted to thank you all again for the kind comments you all left on my blog.  I so gratefully appreciate you taking the time to play along with my shenanigans.  When it comes to card making, I like to keep things light.  I mean, none of my cards are going to land in the Louvre or anything. So, lets have some fun while we paste & color.  In fact, I do believe most of my cards will eventually be used as a make shift dust pan at some point.

What do you think happens to the cards you send to people? Refrigerator masterpiece, or dust receptacle?

Seriously, it's all about the creative journey right? My idle hands will be found around someones neck if I don't keep them busy!  I encourage you to keep yourself busy by continually developing your creativity. No better way to improve but to be inspired by other GIU and Unity Show & Tell members.  Check them out too!

Back to the GIU winners.  Wait... Did I tell you about my cat?  Oh, I don't have a cat!  Fine. The winners are:

• Denise Beard
• Bernie Juracek

Congratulations!  Please send me your addresses and a Unity Stamp Co prize package will be mailed out to you soon. You have 2 weeks to claim your prize! I ain't got no time to hunt you down. Babes better be claiming their stamps!   So,  email me at lsterner35@gmail.com  

-Annie

Growing in Unity day 5

Well, the week has just flown by quickly hasn't it?  Unlike those bless-it Canada Geese I was talking about yesterday.  Most annoying bird IN THE WORLD.  I almost hit one yesterday on my way back from the LOB. A gaggle of them just standing there in the middle of the street...  looking at me like I'm in the way. ((deep breathing on my part). I moved closer with my car thinking they'd get the hint. But, NOOOO. They moved further into the street!  I honked, and I definitely saw one of them flip me the middle feather.  I ended up yelling out the window  YOU CAN FLY YOU STUPID STUPID BIRDS!  Finally, I just proceeded forward and figured if I hit one of those suckers, good riddance. As soon as I got close enough to look into their beady eyes, they hopped out of the way. Hopped Out Of The Way. notice I didn't say FLY?!   ((silent screams).  I was in such a good mood too!! The Lob always brings warm and fuzzy feelings.

Speaking of the LOB, have you folks checked out your local store yet?  Lots of clearance items. What's your favorite LOB (or any other big box store) purchase of late?  I don't know about you, but I always look like I'm casing the joint when I go in there.  I proceed directly to the paper crafting section. No stopping to look at the wall decor or fancy geese figurines- screw that.  (I'm still bitter, sorry). I then go methodically down one side of the aisle and then up the other. Evaluating all the yummy goodness the Lob has to offer.  Filling my basket along the way.  I then b-line it over to the clearance section, back to the stamp section, then meander over to the jewelry department, then proceed onward to fine arts. After that, I get the nagging feeling that I have missed something AWESOME and I work my way back to paper crafts. Every visit, with out fail.

I know you will  think I'm crazy, but every time I go in there, I hear an announcement calling a Code Pink for Carl.  I think Carl is the eye in the sky and he's being told to re-direct the camera on my pockets! I'd never tarnish the sanctity of the Lob.  But, it sure feels like they suspect shenanigans from me.  Maybe it's because I'm always digging in my purse for my wish list, or my phone.  That's not suspicious is it?!   again... I digress....

What does any of this have to to with my Growing In Unity Posts?  Nothing... absolutely nothing.  I was just trying to alert you that Hobby Lobby is starting to clearance out some paper crafting supplies and you should take a look.  I found some paper doilies in various colors for $.75 a pack!! (Happy Dance)).  It felt almost as rewarding as when Unity Stamps go on sale!!!   Oh, look... I had a correlation after all. Go Me! I hope you have a wonderful day and a crafty weekend!

Now on to the show

Today's project is more of a fun art piece that you could put on your fridge, or maybe hang up at your at work in your depressing cubicle.   It's a measures in at a whopping 6"x11". I'm sending this one to a friend who needs some support.  She may choose to line her bird cage with it.  I hear she likes Geese!

Stamp:

• Patience & Hugs
• Stronger than YOU THINK

Ink/Paint:

• Mijello Mission Gold- Bright Opera, Yellow Orange, Ivory Black, Indigo & Peacock Blue  
• Zig Clean Brush Markers- Peach Pink, Pale Gray & Flesh Color
• VersaFine Onyx Black
• Signo Uni-ball White

Paper:

• Strathmoore 300 series Watercolor Paper- 140 lbs

Miscellaneous:

• Scotch Blue Painters tape to mask off the boarder
• Silver- Black Velvet 300S #12 & #6 round paint brush

It's been a ball playing with you girls this week.  Please remember to leave a comment on the ol' blog to be entered into a drawing for some finely crafted red rubber Unity Stamps!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see more of you on the Unity Show & Tell Page. I'll be the one with my sassy pants on! Feel free to throw me an angry face every now and again when you see something you really like!

Growing in Unity Day 4

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night wide awake thinking about all the crafty projects you need to get done and then stressed yourself out?  Me either... last night was definitely not one of those nights at all. I woke up refreshed and perky.  My sassy pants clean and pressed.

I do know this week is flying by.  I can't believe we are on the backside of my GUI week of crafty goodness.    (Backside... see the reference?  Dang I'm funny)

Today's distraction in all things single layered is another one of Unity Stamp Company's Itty Bitty Line.  I'm not one to brag or anything, however,  this butt is so stinkin' CUTE.  I wish my behind made you want to pinch it!

Stamp:

• Elephant Behind.  

Technique:

• I used my Spellbinders die as a stencil.  I die cut a piece of paper and saved the heart shape to use another time.  I then used the negative piece as the stencil.  Works great and it extends your supplies!  

Ink:

• TH Distress Oxides- Wilted Violet, Peacock Feathers & Wild Honey
• Versafine Onyx Black
• Mijello Mission Gold- Ivory Black
• Zig Clean Color - Pink & Shadow Mauve

Paper

• Strathmore Bristol Vellum 110 lbs
• The Paper Studio- Kraft Cardstock for the card base

 Adhesive

• Tombow Xtreme

Miscellaneous

• Banner- Sizzix Big Wish die & Stamp Set
• Ranger Distress Sprayer (for water application)- not to drink out of or anything
• Enamel Dots-green

Growing In Unity Day 3

I don’t know about you, but in my opinion Wednesday is the Canada Goose of the week. It has no real urgency to move anywhere and it hisses at you when you need to get a move on. Like the goose, Wednesday has the ability to fly on by, yet it stares at you with lots of indignation while it stands there daring you to hit it with your car. You know if Wednesday had the ability, it would flip you the middle feather. Yep, that’s Wednesday.

There are two good solutions for getting through today. Cocktails and looking at pretty things. I can’t pour you a cocktail, but I can give you something pretty to look at.

I combined two sets to make this creation.  I don't know about you, but I love the confetti dots!

As always leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a Unity Stamp prize package!

Technique:

Color blending on Bristol paper to create background.  I then stamped, colored, and fussy cut another  girl. I added dimension by using foam tape to raise focal image.

Supplies Used
Stamps:

• Unity Stamp Company- Free Your Dreams {KOM 5/17}
• Unity Stamp Company- Confetti Kindness

Paper:

• Neenah Exact Index 110 lb for card base
• Strathmore Bristol Vellum 110 lb
• Misc. Patterned Paper (unidentifiable)

Ink:

• Versafine Black Onyx Pigment Ink
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink- Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers & Wild Honey
• Zig Clean Color Real Brush- Light Blue,Haze Blue,Yellow Green,Turquoise Green,Peach Pink & Brown
• Mijello Misson Gold watercolor paint- Burnt Umber
• Uni-ball Signo- White

Adhesive:

• Elmer's Tape Runner
• Scotch Foam Tape

Embellishment:

• Eyelet Outlet Enable Dot- Silver Sparkle

Growing in Unity Day 2

Hello. Hope your Monday didn't kick you in the lady parts too hard yesterday!  Monday is a cruel mistress and if anything, Tuesday is your neighbors yappy- yappy dog!

To give you a reprieve from the incessant barking that being an adult brings, here's a little Unity creation to keep you focused on what is important.  Some finely crafted red rubber stamps of course!

I've been really trying to master the one layer card lately.  Is it laziness or a sincere effort to making simplicity look effortless? I honestly don't know at this point.  My inspiration is a fickle mistress.  Some days she's there, other days I think she's playing Keno in Vegas.  I do know that clean and simple cards are the most difficult to master.  You can't HIDE your mistakes under anything.

(I know what you are thinking.. what's under that washi tape?  Nothing!!  No mistakes there at all.)

So, what's your perfered style of card. Clean and simple, grunge, layers, paper pieced, or just throw stuff at a piece of paper and hope it sticks?  Let's discuss!

Supplies used:

• Unity Stamp Company- "Birdie Conversation" 
• Strathmore Bristol vellum surface- 100 lbs
• Tim Holtz Distress ink.  Seedless Preserves, Picked Raspberry  Salty Ocean & Peacock Feathers
• Versafine Onxy Black pigment Ink
• American Crafts yellow & white baker's twine
• Mijello Mission Gold watercolors
• Bazzill Basics "Bazzill Purple" card stock
• Patterned Paper: Teresa Collins- "Family Stories"
• Neenah Exact Index 110 lb card base
• Eyelet Outlet enamle dots-teal
• Scotch Post-it notes for masking

Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for some Unity stamp prize!

Growing in Unity day 1

Welcome to my Growing In Unity week.  Remember to comment every day and you will be entered into a drawing for a Unity prize pack!

Supplies Used:

• Unity Stamp Company Out On a Limb  If you hurry it still may be on sale!
• Canson 98 lb Mixed Media paper
• "Wonky Rectangles" die set by Gina Marie
• Zig Clean Color Real Brush
  (Yellow Green, Geranium Red, Pale Gray,Shadow Mauve, Olive Green, Haze Blue, Light Blue)
• American Crafts red &white baker's twine
• Bazzill Basics Paper- "Buttons" button
• Polka Dot washi tape by The Paper Studio
• Patterned Paper:"Stationery Noted" by Teresa Collins
• Gemstones by The Paper Studio ( I colored them using Copic marker R27-Cadmium Red)
• Black cotton thread
• Craft card base measuring 4 x 5.5
• Tombo Xtreme permanent adhesive  

Any questions, please feel free to ask! 

Thanks for joining me today.  I hope you come back tomorrow for some more inspiration and craft chat.

Hello Unity Stamp Company community member.  Welcome to my Growing In Unity week.  A little about me before we get started with some crafty inspiration.

I’m Annie, I’m a Unity-aholic ((Hi Annie)). I’ve been a cult member, uh “Loyal Customer” since 2012.   I currently hold the record of 5 purchases in one month before my husband gives me the stink eye for spending too much $$ on stamps. He never says anything, but I so get the “LOOK”.  You know the “LOOK”.  It’s the one your mom gave you when you told her at 7pm you needed a shoe box the next day for school.  That LOOK.  I love Unity, so the guilt only lasts until the next sale.

I’ve been stamping since 1995 and have a sizable stash of Non-Unity stamps and I really do like those too. But, I still feel like I’m cheating on the Unity Company when I use them, so that’s weird.  Not as weird as say, putting mayonnaise on your peanut butter sandwich weird. But odd in regard to the growing level of obsession, uh loyalty, yeah loyalty I have cultivated over these stamps these past few years.  Why is that so odd you ask? Well truth be told, if I had to pick between giving up one of my 4 kids, or giving up Unity, I’d have to write down a pros and cons list. #unitywinsoutmostdays.

This is my second go around as a GUI girl.  The first time was terrifying as the opportunity sort of landed into my lap at the last minute.  I never felt worthy of the honor.  I still don’t. What can I say that you might not know? Or produce what you’ve never seen a resemblance of before?   I’m not terribly creative.  No specialties to speak of. I haven’t mastered any one technique or medium.  I don’t really have a particular style of card making, unless you consider throwing enough stuff on piece of paper until your besties tell you it looks tacky is a style.  If it is, then I’m at an expert level. I am the queen of the “girl do you even know what you are doing?” look.  Also, known as “Princess Happy Accidents.” I think it’s because Bob Ross and I were cousins in a former life. I digress…  But, upon some reflection, I do have some unique advice as a Growing In Unity Girl that you may find very useful.

I’ve been able to surround myself with a quality Firm of girls who are my guidepost to creativity. Each with their unique style and eagerness to tell me when I lay down a stinker of a card. They are also there to boast my creative genius or to simply brainstorm.  You need those type of girls in your creative corner. If you want to be a better stamper, artist, paper crafter surround yourself with people that push you. They should encourage you to be better, to try new things, to expand your skill set.
My best friend is so dang talented I want to smack her with a wet ink pad most days. She’s the kind that just pulls awesomeness out her butt in blink of an eye. She has true vision. She’s so good you leave an angry emoji at nearly all her creations. She has vision that I just don’t have.  But, she’s the one that I go to when I’m stuck. The one that offers a solution that takes my card from simply “meh” to “ok, I’m not ashamed to show people this one.”

I’ve also been lucky because I found a couple of my girls on the Unity Show & Tell page. I wasn’t searching them out in a stalkery crafter on crafter way. Because, that would be super creepy.  They sorta landed in my lap.  They each bring their own unique talent and creative perspective to the table. More inspiration to soak up like a stinky sponge. They also enjoy a fair bit of hijinks on and off the Show & Tell page.  You love to hate their masterpieces day in and day out. You too secretly wish their inkpad would dry up.  You know you do.

These kinds of women are the secret to a successful career as a paper crafter/card maker. They are the key to really mastering this creative outlet.  I encourage you to find your own tribe of women who push you.  Be jealous of these women, compete against these women, listen to these women. But most importantly, cherish these women and you will see your creativity bloom. Your people are here in this community. Find them and devour them up like a freshy baked Krispy Kreme donut, just don’t put mayonnaise on them.  That would be weird.

If you made it through all of that nonsense... you deserve a medal.  Anyway... on to the real reason you are here.  CARDS!

The long absence

I won't lie.  It's been some time since I posted.  I have been a very craft girl of late.  I just forget to post anything here.  I mean, who really is following this blog anyway?  I never hear chants of  “Where's are you Annie?" Or “Where’s your amazing creations?”  First of all, those would be really-really bad chants  And second of all I make second rate cards at best.  Easily to forget.  But, hey- it keeps me out of jail.  So, there.  Here are a few cards for your amusement.

All Unity Stamp Company creations: