GIU Blog hop 2017 Unity Stamp Co.

Welcome to the to the GIU (growing in unity) blog hop! For a chance to win a Unity prize package (there will be TWO lucky winners) please visit and comment on everyone's blog that is participating in the  blog hop and don't forget the Unity Stamp Co. blog. The blog list is at the bottom of this post.
 For my project I chose to make a Christmas card using Aw Shucks Lulu It is a simple layered A2 sized CAS card. I colored the Lulu image with a variety on alcohol markers and used dies to cut out the layers. For an in depth tutorial
 please click HERE to watch my YouTube video.
Happy hopping
BLOG HOP PARTICIPANTS
Denise Sayers
Lori Simonson YOU ARE HERE
Shannon Edwards
Amber Sheaves
Kim Chong
Angela Bode
MariLynn DeGroot
Amanda Rhodes
Paula McClane 
Amanda Garrett
Crystal O. Minkler
Unity Stamp Blog

GIU 2017 winners selected!!

THANKS to everyone who participated in my Growing in Unity Gal week.
I have selected two Unity Stamp Co. prize package winners and they are Heather Clay and Debbie Vignola. Please contact me with your mailing info.
Have a great week everyone.

Crochet Santa face tutorial instructions

Crochet Santa face tutorial instructions
This written pattern is really a companion to my video and work/make more sense in conjunction to my tutorial video which can be found HERE The pattern is in my head so I don't have a written pattern, I learned how to crochet these over 20 yrs ago from my grandma.
FACE Magic ring then chain 3, 12 DC in magic ring, total of 13.
Close magic ring then in top of chain 3 insert hook and finish off work.
BEARD/HAIR Join white yarn in any stitch, chain 3, DC in same space as chain 3, 2 DC in each stitch a round, total of 26 DC including the ch3, finish off in top of the ch 3 stitch.
HAT red yarn. join in any stitch, ch 3, dc in next 3 stitches, total of 4 dc. 2 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch,  dc in next 4 stitches,  total of 12 stitches. ch one turn your work,  decrease by inserting hook into ch one space pull up a loop, then insert hook into next space pull up a loop then pull through all 3 stiches on hook, single crochet in next eight stitches, decrease by inserting hook in next stitch pull up a loop, insert hook into top of ch 3 stitch pull up a loop then pull through all 3 loops, ch one turn work, decrease by inserting hook into nextstitch pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch pull up a loop then pull through all 3 loops, sc in next 8 stitches, single crochet 3 stiches down the post with last sc going into the stitch where red and white yarn meet(see video at 9:36), ch 3, turn your work, sc in next 2 chains, 12 sc across, slip stitch 3 times down post, skip a stitch and the last slip stitch going into the white of beard (see video at 11:41), finish off work.
1st ROW BEARD white yarn, join yarn in white dc near the hat(right side of your work should be facing you), ch 3, in third ch from hook sc, in next stitch sc, then ch 3, in 3rd ch from hook sc, in next ch sc, repeat around face total of 15 picot, to finish off sc in next stitch and then finish off.
2nd ROW BEARD start in post underneath 1st picot, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook, go underneath next post sc, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook, in next post sc, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch, repeat in all the posts, total of 15 picots, finish off by going underneath last post, sc then finsh off.
3rd FINAL ROW BEARD start in face post that is diagonal from 1st picot of 2nd row, go underneath face post, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook, sc, next post, ch 3, sc in 3rd chain from hook, next post sc, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook,  next post sc, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook, next post sc, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook, in last post sc then finish off. Weave in yarn tails with yarn needle
4TH Moustache is basically just white yard wrapped around a couple of fingers a bunch of times. then slide off and tie in middle with a piece of yarn, leave long tails, and use those tails to tie moustache in the appropriate place.

EASY bookmark GIU day 5 project

Hey there! It's day FIVE!
 Its my last day as a Growing in Unity Gal (also known as GIU).
 I've had a great time creating these projects for Unity Stamp Co..
 For my last project I decided to make a SUPER EASY bookmark.
 I simply picked some stamps from Unitys KOTM and stamped onto the appropriate sized card stock with Stazon gothic purple ink pad and Fun stampers Journey black ink.
 I placed the bookmark in a Book mark sleeve.
 Bam! My bookmark is finished! How easy was that?
 For a fun video walk through of my project please visit HERE
 For your chance to win a Unity prize package please comment here on my blog, on my YouTube video, the GIU facebook group, or my Instagram. You can comment on each social media all five days for a better chance to win. Two winners will be chosen after Friday. THANK YOU for all your kindness it's been fun!

Altered Rolodex/Memorydex card GIU day 4

Good Morning/Afternoon or Evening!

 This is my fourth day of being a Growing in Unity Gal! Also known as GIU.
 For todays project I altered a rolodex card with the cute retro looking Jukebox Jive itty bitty stamp.
 I colored the stamped image with Spectrum Noir markers.
 I used my Brother Scan N Cut2 to perfectly cut out the Jukebox.
 The die I used to cut out the rolodex card is a die from Heidi Swapp.
  To see a quick walk through of my altered rolodex/memorydex card GIU project 4. Please visit my YouTube video HERE
 For your chance to win a Unity prize package please comment here on my blog, on my YouTube video, the GIU facebook group, or my Instagram. You can comment on each social media all five days for a better chance to win. Two winners will be chosen after Friday. Thanks for your support and Comments!

GIU day 3 MINI pocket letter

Hiddy Ho my friends!

 This is my third day of being a Growing in Unity Gal! Also known as GIU.
 For todays project I created a fun mini pocket letter with a shaker pocket. Using Hallow Eves Kitty and Little Batty stamps. 
  To see a quick walk through of my mini pocket letter GIU project 3. Please visit my YouTube video HERE
 For your chance to win a Unity prize package please comment here on my blog, on my YouTube video, the GIU facebook group, or my Instagram. You can comment on each social media all five days for a better chance to win. Two winners will be chosen after Friday. Thanks for visiting my blog today!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! GIU day 2

Happy Halloween!
 This is my second day of being a Growing in Unity Gal! Also known as GIU.
 I'm Sharing my super cute Witch card with you today.
 The stamp I used is Drive a witch stick.
  For a detailed process video of my GIU project 2 with lots of fast speed coloring with alcohol markers and tips and trick for cutting out this Cute witch with a Scan n cut 2 please click HERE.
 For your chance to win a Unity prize package please comment here on my blog, on my YouTube video, the GIU facebook group, or my Instagram. You can comment on each social media all five days for a better chance to win. Two winners will be chosen after Friday. Be safe and have a GREAT Halloween!
Amazon links are my affiliate links.

GIU day 1 Witchy planner pages

Hello Everyone!
 Welcome to my first day of being a Growing in Unity Gal! Also known as GIU.
 I'm super excited to share my Oct.  planner pages with you.
 I have a Prima A5 planner so for the right side of my planner page towards the bottom I stamped Esmerelda Girl with Memento Tuxedo black ink using my Tonic Studios Tim Holtz Stamp Platform and colored her with Faber Castell Polychromos Colored pencils . On the right page at the top I stamped the adorable Spooktacular Spider. For the left side of the page in the upper left corner I stamped the cutsie Little Batty stamp three times. I colored both with a black Faber Castell Polychromo colored pencil.
 I replaced the pages in my planner and my October spread is finished.
 For a detailed process video of my GIU day 1 project please click HERE.
 For your chance to win a Unity prize package please comment here on my blog, on my YouTube video, the GIU facebook group, or my Instagram. You can comment on each social media all five days for a better chance to win. Two winners will be chosen after Friday. Thanks for stopping by!
Amazon links are my affiliate links.

Easy planner dashboard with mixed media pin up girl

HIDDY HO! Everyone! Lori here Guest Designer for Little Blue Button stamps
I've been wanting to make a dashboard for my A5 Prima planner but could never find the "right" image until I found Mixed Media Pin Up girl in the LBBS store. Isn't she cute??
 I colored her up as a blondie with Copics and Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, gave her hair flower a little glittery gel pen accent, cut her out on my Scan N Cut 2 and glued her to some pretty card stock.
 The A5 photo sleeve I used as my dashboard has two skinny pockets and 2 larger pockets that I filled with pretty things. I reserved the larger top pocket for my Mixed Media Pin Up girl.
TaaDaa! My lovely dashboard is finished and ready for my planner.  How easy was that?
If you'd like to see a video of my dashboard that I made please visit my YouTube channel CraftyLori by clicking HERE
Thank you to LBBS for letting me be a Guest Designer. Have a Great day!

Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop 2017

This is my first time participating in the Fall coffee lovers blog hop hosted by coffee loving card makers blog.
 Some of the products I used to make my blah bunny by Honey Bee Stamps coffee card are from Tupelo Designs LLC they always have FREE U.S. shipping with no minimum purchase and discounted international shipping!
 I have a process video along with a detailed description with links of how I made this adorable card on my YouTube channel. So if you would like to watch me create the card or just need more info just click HERE.
I had a great time making this super cute card and enjoyed being in #fall2017clh blog hop.
Please leave a comment and thanks for stopping by.

CAS card starring LBBS digi stamp

Hello everyone!
I am thrilled to be a Guest Design Team Member for Little Blue Button Stamps they have a GREAT selection of super cute digital stamps at FANTASTIC prices.
 I chose to make a CAS card with the digi stamp Charlie with teapot .
 The first thing I did was print out Charlie on Georgia Pacific card stock with my laser printer. I then colored her up with alcohol markers by Copic and Spectrum Noir. I added a few glitter gel pen accents.
 She was a breeze to cut out with my Scan N Cut 2.
 Using two dies from the MFT dienamics Mod rectangle stax, I cut one mod rectangle from yellow patterned paper and a slightly smaller mod rectangle from white paper.
 I layered both mood rectangle die cuts onto a standard A2 size blue card base using a tombow dot tape runner.
I decided a shadow spot was necessary and cute for Charlie to stand on so I cut one out of black paper from the MFT dienamics shadow spot die.
I glued the shadow spot and Charlie onto the layers with liquid adhesive along with a speech bubble from the Sweet Stamp Shop speech bubble die set. I had printed out the words "Hello Friend" for the speech bubble.
I used foam tape to adhere the speech bubble to the card.
Lastly I added 3 blue sequins to the card.
 My CAS card is finished and looks adorable.
If you'd like to watch me make this card you can click HERE to view my speed process YouTube video.
Have a wonderful day and create something great!

 

Art rocks, faux painted rocks to hide

Happy Monday!. My daughter and I faux painted rocks to hide.  The concept of the rocks is to paint rocks and hide them for others to find.

The painted rock craze has just started to show up around our area. I don't paint very well especially on rocks so we decoupaged colored images onto our rocks.

The stamps that I used are Windswept pine, ATC Pansies, and Roaring Tiger and Crescent Moon
The rocks were first completely painted with light colored acrylic paint, then with a natural sponge blue, pink and purple acrylic paint was sponged on each of the painted rocks. My daughter did a great job with the painting of the rocks.

While the rocks were drying I used my stamping tool to stamp each of the images onto white tissue paper with a water proof ink.

Using Prisma colored pencils I colored each image carefully so I didn't rip the tissue paper.
With the coloring complete I carefully tore the extra tissue paper from around the images until they would fit perfectly on the rocks.

Using a matte decoupage glue I glued the images to the rocks adding at least 3 layers of the glue.
I taped a piece of tissue paper onto cardstock which I then ran through my laser printer, printing out this info "This painted rock was hidden for you to find & keep. Painted by Tabitha and Lori. contact us here paintbrushrock@gmail.com. Stamps used by artneko.com" I decoupaged this onto the bottom of the rocks.

Once the decoupage glue was dry, I sprayed all the rocks with a waterproof non yellowing lacquer. The rocks are ready for hiding!

I really hope whoever finds these pretty rocks contacts us at the special email I created just for the rocks. For a detailed process video of how I created these rocks click HERE. Have a great week!

Just relax!

It doesn't get any better then a penguin in a donut floatie, wearing a polka dot bikini, sipping a cool drink!
 This fun interactive action wobble card was created with supplies from Tupelo Designs LLC where U.S. shipping is always free with no minimum purchase and international shipping is discounted.
 I started by stamping the Whimsy Stamps "lazy days of summer" penguin stamp on Neenah cardstock with memento tuxedo black ink. I used my new Tonic Studios/Tim Holtz stamping platform to get a nice crisp image.
 Spectrum noir alcohol markers were used to color this summery stamped image. I then cut out the colored image.
 To create the background I used one of my favorite techniques the "smooshing" technique with distress crayon salty ocean and distress oxide ink broken china and a bit of water.
 Whimsy stamps hand stitched rectangle die was used to cut out a panel from my smooshed background.
 To make my layering card front the background panel was glued onto a 3.75X5 inch blue panel which was then glued onto a standard A2 sized aqua blue card base.
 From my printer I printed the word "relax" from the same smooshed background. Cut that into a banner. with foam tape it was glued onto the card front.
 Application of the action wobbler onto the back of the penguin and card was super easy thanks to the peel and stick that is already on the action wobbler.
 My last finishing touch was 3 blue sequins.
 A great summery card was created!
 I have a detailed process video of this card on my YouTube channel just click HERE to watch the video.

Mail Art! Useable postcard

How fun would it be to make a postcard that you actually can mail to someone as is? No envelope, no layers just a postcard! Personalize it, make your own scene, the possibilities are endless! Plus its cheaper postage then a card!
The supplies I used are from Tupelo Designs LLC they have FREE U.S. shipping with no minimum purchase and International shipping is discounted.
 I used 110Lb water color cardstock sized to 4.25 by 6 inches, I brushed on two different colors of Gansai Tambi water color paint let that dry.
I sprinkled some distress spray abandoned coral over the dried paint.
I used Altennew halftone circles to stamp random circles in three different sizes with distress oxide worn lipstick and Hero arts unicorn white inks.
Using my stamping tool I positioned the Stampendous house mouse coffee crazy stamp in the middle and using Stazon Ganache ink stamped it repeatedly to get a nice dark impression. I did the same with the Hello sentiment from the Altenew set.
On the back of the postcard I used my Memento marker to draw a line in the middle and to write "post card" "to" and "from". Finished! my mail art and its ready to mail. For a complete process video of this project on my YouTube channel CLICK HERE Thanks for stopping by!

Buzz! Bee kind!

Newest release from Ericraft Stamps is appropriately called "Buzz" I had so much fun coloring this digi stamp with copic and spectrum noir markers. This image makes a great card. All I did was color, use a Fun Stampers Journey die and layer it onto an A2 size card base. I used a vintage embossing label maker to print out BEE KIND for the perfect sentiment. CLICK HERE to see a detailed process video of how I made this cute and easy card.

Masculine spotlight technique card

Hey all! Check out my design team project for Art Neko Stamps It's a masculine spotlight technique card featuring Art Neko’s  Japanese Fishing Boat Silhouette stamp.
I know sometimes I struggle with making masculine cards this technique is a NO FAIL way to make a great masculine or really any card. All you have to do is stamp your image on white card stock I chose to use a 3.75X5 inch piece of cardstock and stamped my image right in the middle.
I placed a circle die on the image lower right just enough so I caught part of the image and part of white space, I ran it through my die cutter, removed the circle and water colored the circle with with distress inks tumbled glass, salty ocean and tea dye on the appropriate spots of the partial image on the circle.
I layered and glued the white card panel onto a medium blue card panel 4X5.25 inches then those 2 card panels were glued on a light blue card panel 5.5X4.25 inches. Now its time to replace that watered colored circle into the cut out circle(negative space), I like to use dry adhesive for this so there is no oozing of glue around the edges, I also make sure its not crooked.
Those layered card panels completed my card front so I then glued it onto a white standard A2 sized card base. I printed “Sail away with me” from my computer and cut that into 3.75 inch strip and glued it towards the top of my card so it is placed white on white.  That’s it all done! It looks great and was super quick. In the words of my husband when I asked him his opinion of the card “I’d give that that to a dude if it didn’t say sail away with me” LOL.
CLICK HERE to see a detailed process video of this card on my YouTube channel. That ends my blog post for today. Have a GREAT week and stay crafty!

Quick envelope art

For todays project I needed to make something quick but still looked great! So I chose to make envelope art, all I needed were some crafty supplies from Tupelo Designs LLC I LOVE this online store because not only do they have a large variety of craft supplies but they also have FREE U.S. shipping with no minimum purchase!! I grabbed some Tim Holtz distress oxide ink and my tonic studios blending brush, and proceeded to brush on broken china, worn lipstick, fossilized amber on the right side of my A2 sized envelope. Once the ink brushing was complete I used the Laurel Burch stamp Whiskers by Stampendous with blue Hawaii staz on ink and stamped half the kittys onto my envelope. For added touch I brushed on the very same oxide distress ink onto the flap of my envelope. That's it my envelope art is finished. How easy was that? Click here to watch my detailed YouTube video showing how to create envelope art. Click here to watch my detailed YouTube video showing how to create envelope art.

Gorillas, Gorillas, Gorillas!

Hi Everyone!
I'm so excited to be posting for the first time as an Art Neko DT member.
I've always had a fascination with gorillas, so when I seen this stamp from Art Neko Baby Gorillas in poses I knew I had to have it and make an inspirational card with it. I stamped the gorillas on white vellum with stazon black ink and overlayed that onto a leaf cover up die cut from Fun Stampers Journey that I had glued onto an A2 sized olive green card front, I used my sewing machine to add real wonky stitching to the card, which is super fun to do. I then glued with double sided tape the completed card front onto the same color olive green A2 sized card base. For the inside I found a quote from one of the leading pioneers of Gorilla research Dian Fossey, I printed that quote out from my PC onto white cardstock and cute it out with a rectangle die and glued that to the inside of the card "When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future." (Dian Fossey) This quote is so true! For a detailed process video on my YouTube channel CLICK HERE My blog post in Art Neko Galleries Blog Be sure to check out all the other GREAT blog posts from all the talented Art Neko Blog Design Team members!

GO GREEN! Reusable sandwich bags sewing tutorial

Are you tired of buying plastic sandwich bags for lunch boxes? I have a tutorial on my YouTube channel on how to sew zippered, reusable, washable sandwich bags. These bags are moisture proof so what that means is wet items can be put in the bags, now you can't fill the bags with water and expect the water to not leak out but your moist goods wont dry out and the bags are easily washable/wipeable for easy cleaning. These bags can be used for anything even holding wet wipes or a wet wash cloth while traveling.  I chose a zippered closure because theres nothing more embarrassing then that hook and loop tape sound that echos in a lunch room when that type of bag is opened lol, so a nice silent zipper prevents the stares lol. To watch a step by step video tutorial CLICK HERE to watch how to sew these easy reusable bags. NEVER buy a plastic sandwich bag again. Environment friendly, reusable, washable.

I spot a great friend!

This easy layered card was created using products from Tupelo Designs LLC U.S shipping is ALWAYS FREE with no minimum purchase and international shipping is discounted.  I started by stamping the MFT Lovable Leporards with memento tuxedo black ink  on Neenah classic crest solar white card stock and coloring the leporad with a variety of Spectrum noir alcohol markers. The three little birds were stamped with distress inks in the colors mermaid lagoon, wilted violet and candied apple. I then cut out the colored images. For the cardstock layers I used the green leaf paper from the 6X6 doodlebug at the zoo paper pad, I used an MFT edge die to curve a portion of white cardstock and layered them on an A2 size white card base. For the sentiment I picked "I spot a great friend" from the Lovable Leporads stamp set and stamped it on a MFT die cut from oval word window die set.  I used natural twine and a freebie button from Tupelo Designs LLC to add I little extra element to the card. My easy layered card is finished and ready to send to a friend! CLICK HERE to see my YouTube video of this card, I show a process video of how to create this cute card with a list of the products I used located in the description box of the video.

Are you a kitty lover??

I am a kitty lover, so I couldn't resist this new kitty set (kitty Tree)from Peachy Keen Stamps, I love how you can add different faces to the kittens. I colored up the stamped images using spectrum noir markers, cut them out on my SNC2 used Lawn Fawn and MFT dies to cut pattern and solid card stock for the card front and speech bubble, glued everything down onto an A2 size card base and VIOLA! a card fit for any kitty lover. Please be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to see all sorts of crafty goodness Click here to go to CraftyLori YT channel

EASY shaker card

For todays card I shopped at Tupelo Designs LLC for my supplies, they always have FREE U.S shipping! I don't like making shaker cards very much because you have to fiddle with making a foam edge and attach acetate etc. but with the MFT circle shaker pouches and circle window frame die that fiddly work is eliminated and makes shaker cards a breeze! I used the My Minds Eye Meow paper pad and Die Cuts to create the fun card.  The complete list to the supplies I used can be found in the description of my process video HERE on YouTube. This was SOOOO simple I see lots more shaker cards in the future.

I'm a BAD mom!!!

It was My daughters 9th birthday June 24th, No I didn't forget her Birthday but at 2AM on the 24th I realized I forgot to make her a B-day card *YIKES* how could I forget that??! She'd only been "reminding" us EVERY day for over a month that her Birthday was Jun 24th. So at 2AM I pulled this card together, the background is a basic smooshing technique with distress inks with some FSJ silk splashes, the mermaid stamped image is from The Greeting Farm colored with spectrum noir and copic markers, the scalloped rectangle is a Lawn Fawn die, 9 balloon is from Shaggy Dog Tails stamp set. Her B-day was great and I took a nap later in the afternoon *LOL*

Knock knock, whos there? Mer! Mer who?

Mermonkeys that's who! I created this SUPER cute card with the Waffle Flower stamp set "Little Mermaids" other stamp sets I used to complete the card were Little Acres Creations "Slow Mover" (the sign) and The Greeting Farms "Little Mermaids" (waving hello sentiment). I colored the images with spectrum noir markers, plus added some glitter gel pen accents. I used Nuvo glitter drops for the fish bubbles. The circle die cut is from Gina Marie "cross stitch" circle die set. Embossed background is a The Paper Studio embossing folder.

Altered Domino project

I altered a domino, It was very easy and fun to do.  I have a video on my YouTube channel showing how I alter a domino the easy way. A list of the supplies I used are in the description box of my YT video.

CLICK HERE to watch the video.

Techie Tuesday video info

I have a brand new Techie Tuesday video on my YouTube channel, if you've ever wanted to start a YT channel I show and tell you how in non-technical terms. check out the newest installment of my Techie Tuesday videos and be sure to watch em all!
Click here for the video

DT project for Ericraft Stamps

Today I have a super sweet card I made using a Ericcraft Stamp digi stamped called "Seeking Nectar".

I used spectrum noir markers to color the image and Pebbles chalk for the background. I also cut out an oval stitched window with the MFT "Oval word window" die for the sentiment I typed on my PC.

I have a fantastic video on my YouTube channel showing you my card.
https://youtu.be/wEqmIq868wk
Seeking Nectar digi image can be found here. At Ericcraft Stamps
Ericraft Shop on Etsy ,<<<<< Click here for the image