Thursday Unity Hip Hop Challenges

Hip Hop!

I didn't really get a chance to go online to Hip Hop with the girls today. :(
Just really hard to get on the computer during the day and by the time I get on at night, the challenges and chats are just about over. But I figured I can still Hip Hop and have fun this way.
Maybe once we settle into summer, I can participate during the day. :)

Ken graduated from Kindergarten today!
He was among 4 in his class to have perfect attendance but the only one to not have any tardies!!
I now have a first grader!!



I also have a wicked migraine tonight. Instead of staying up until the wee hours of the morning crafting, I think I will go to bed early for once. Unfortunately, this means no brand new cards to post tonight. Luckily, I happened to already have cards from a few months back that meet today's Hip Hop challenges! Oldies but goodies!

Before I post those, I do have a new project to share that I had worked on for Memories Live On, using a stamp from Unity's This is the Time set.



Photo: Melita's family
Paper: K & Co Que Sera Sera Silhouettes
Stamp: This is the Time (Unity)
Ink: Memento
Accessories: clipboard, ribbon, Layered Blossoms "Sunny Day" (Sassafras Lass), brad (SU)


Hip Hop Challenge: Get Krafty!
Make a card or project using Unity stamps with Kraft cardstock (or any brown or tan).




Stamps: Birds of a Feather (Unity)
Paper: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Whisper White Craft, Kraft
Accessories: Copic Markers, sponge daubers, heart punch (SU), Cuttlebug embossing folders (With Love, Swiss Dots), stampin' dimensionals

Hip Hop Challenge: Piece, Love, and Unity!
Make a card or project using Unity stamps using Paper Piecing.
If you are not familiar to the technique you can see a tutorial, HERE.

I made this card way back at the start of the year. It made it to Unity's booth at Winter CHA!


Stamps: Birds of a Feather (Unity)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Flirty (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Black Tuxedo (Memento), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Silver brads, Marvy Giga Oval, sponge daubers, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Pop-up Glue Dots


Hip Hop!!!

Unity World Record Inspirational Blog Hop and an early Monday's Fun Day Giveaway

View the Inspirational Blog Hop by starting at Unity!


"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." ~ Starr






Yes ladies, these are the projects for my April class at Memories Live On!

Stamp set: Bird's of a Feather, Label It!
Paper: My Mind's Eye (Bloom & Grow), Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Bazzill
Accessories: Copics, Nestabilities, ribbon, Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle punch


MONDAY'S FUN DAY GIVEAWAY!!
In honor of this awesome event, I am doing Monday's Fun Day a couple of days early.
This cute stamp is up for grabs, compliments of Memories Live On!


Just leave a post here and spread the word! I will select a number next Sunday!


Now get ready for some amazing talent!
Hop on over to visit with Tanis and check out her fabulous blog:
Paper Princess at Play.

Happy Hopping!

Using your Copic "0" Blender Marker

I had a few questions come through about how to use the "0" Blender Pen.
A couple of emails sounded frustrated and I can relate! It is a colorless marker that is called a "Blender" and it doesn't really do what we think it is "supposed" to do. A blender pen is supposed to blend, right?

What I have learned is that the Copic Colorless "0" Blender Marker is a "pusher" (Marianne called these markers that in class and I have been using it ever since). If you play around with the Blender Marker, you will see that instead of truly blending your colors together, it merely pushes the color in the direction you are using the marker. It also lightens the area that you are working in and thus the color fades as you go. The blending really comes as part of the package as you push the color and it lightens and fades.



This sample and the next were done on Papertrey Ink white cardstock that Rachel and Lorie kindly sent to me. Thank you, ladies!! The paper is amazing!
Now, take a look at the back of the last sample I just did... it shows off the quality of the cardstock. I put on at least 12 layers of colorless blender inside that circle and the ring of color still held strong.




One of the questions that I received was "Why doesn't my coloring look as smooth? It has lines and splotches!"

I think that some splotches and lines are natural and depending on the "look" that you are going for, it actually may be desirable! I also think we are our own worst critic. ;)

You can try "wetting" your image by using a juicy Blending Marker first before laying down the color. If you are in my class, you will hear me say "Keep that marker moving!" If you stop, the ink will dry and when you pick up where you left off, you will see a slight streak. You want to work in circles and keep that marker moving so that the area stays wet as you go. If you go over it first with the Blender Marker, you are essentially "wetting" the area first so that it will give you a smoother finish. You have to work quickly before the area dries. This technique is especially terrific for coloring very large areas where streaks would be obvious. (pictures are coming)

My other answer is "Practice!" I know it sounds silly to hear, but in the end, it's about knowing your product. The more you play around with your markers, the better you will know how it reacts with your paper and ink and your "touch".

Moving on...

Colorless Blender Markers are terrific for touching up little mistakes, such as coloring outside the line. When you do this, be aware that you are pushing the color in front of the marker so go in the direction of the line but stop just before you get to the stamped line. Otherwise, you will get a build up of color on the other side that you may not want.





Fun techniques!

Marianne has done a few fun things with the Colorless Blender Marker on her awesome blog, I Like Markers. Here are a few links that you might be interested in!

Simple Bricks
Jeans
Air Bubbles


Coloring with one marker color and using the Colorless Blender Marker to highlight.

Here I started coloring one of my Unity "Birds Of A Feather" stamps using one color (BG10).



I am using Neenah Classic Crest Solar White and I found (for me) the marker bleeds outside the stamped line if I color too close to it. SO my solution is to color close to the line but not up against it. I allow the ink to soak into the paper and bleed out towards the line.



Here, I am going back over the shadows and then I am going out and smoothing the rest of the image so that I blend the darker areas with the lighter areas.



I could leave it as is but I wanted to lighten a few areas so I took the Colorless Blender marker and faded out the areas I wanted to add highlights.





Sunday, I will finish this image with another technique.

I hope you found this post helpful!

A few thanks and a couple of sneak peeks for Friday and Saturday!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all who have sent me "get well" wishes! I'm hanging in there!



BIG thanks to Rachel and Lorie for sending me PTI samples! I will be posting some Copic samples with them later tonight. The cards that came with them are amazing! They will be posted along with the samples!!

Sneak peeks to what I am working on for Friday night's Copic tutorials and the Inspirational Unity World Wide Blog Hop this Saturday!! *Phew* That was a mouthful! LOL!!







Don't forget to get to click up above on the "Monday's Fun Day" link and get yourself in for a chance to win a couple of really fun Thickers, courtesy of Memories Live On! BTW, that's not all you get! I always throw in a few extra goodies of my own! This Monday's Fun Day is up until this Saturday morning!!! I have another Monday's Fun Day that I am putting up extra early in honor of Unity's Inspirational World Wide Blog Hop so get in while it's still good!!!

Have a terrifc day!!

Come on, let's HIP HOP together!!

Before we get started, I need to let you in on something I just signed up for...
Saturday, March 28th
WORLD RECORD UNITY BLOG HOP
Angela's goal is to pull off a 200 person blog hop. I know that together, we can do it!
OH, YES WE CAN!! Join in on the fun!
Just click on the blue words and it will lead you straight to the thread.

Okay! Let's HIP HOP!!
I know y'all love getting free stuff.

Come on now... 'fess up! Free stuff is good!

Hip Hop on over to Unity and check it out for yourself!

Spend $10.00 get ONE stamp FREE
Spend $20.00 get TWO stamps FREE
Spend $30.00 get THREE stamps FREE... and so on!
This includes shipping!!
Uh huh! That's right! Your shipping counts toward FREE STAMPS!


Ready to HiP HoP with me?

First up is The Stamping Scrapbooker, Amber! OMG! You must check out her super adorable BABY BOY PLAID in Bashful Blue baby card!

Sweet Brooke! Her blog always makes me smile. "Whateva"... how cute is that? Most of you know I collect owls so you must know what I think of the owl that's on her banner! Take a look at the two layouts she has to share with us! Both are just FAB!! Love that blue she used!

A girl after my own heart! Go look at her heat embossing and cutting! Hee hee! I love her! Joslyn has posted a darling little card using the "Rain and Flowers" kit.

You will love Maren's three cards! Just when you think you didn't need those stamps! lol!
Her attention to detail is amazing!

Ever go to the dollar section of let's say Michael's and buy a few notebooks "to alter someday"? You are going to love what Patter did! She made a notebook for sketches! The idea is very clever but that cover... this kit is a must have!

From The Willow Garden come three pretty cards by AJ! Can you take a guess as to which is my fave of the three? Let's just say I am ready for Spring! lol!

Jimmi always knocks my socks off with her work! Her two Valentine cards are gorgeous! I think it's the way she combines colors with patterns and paper... just fabulous stuff!

Oh boy! I spy Daisy D's! I {heart} Daisy D's!
The lovely Laura has gone and done it now! LOL!
I was in the mood for distressed and *poof* I got my wish! It's wonderful!

You must run now... that's right. RUN over to Inky Paws (Jeanne) and take in her very chic birthday card and yummy hot air balloon, and then... STOP! That owl is "OWL MINE"! Just go check it out and tell me is it not the most cutest and the most shabby chic owl card you have ever seen?

Ready for some yummy treats? Check out this sweet treat topper by the one and only Heather B at In My Thoughts.

Hip hop over to Lynn's scraptastic blog, Pieces of Me. She has two layouts from the heart that are simply adorable! I just love all the little details that she adds to all of her layouts! My fave is the closeup of the stickpin with the "love" tag and thread. Beautiful stuff!

Jen just makes my day with her layouts. I think that she must have one fantastic sense of humor (or terrific outlook on life)... it really comes across in her work.

Do you like ladybugs or butterflies? Natalie has both to share... one really cute Ladybug Card and a fantastic Pottery Barn Kids inspired Butterfly made of buttons!

The talented Anne-Marie has a beautiful love-inspired layout to share on her newly made-over blog. I just love the heart with the ribbon accent and the "love you" tag.

Another fresh and fun scrapbook page from the ever creative Renee! The checklist on the layout is a must see! That picture of Mason is so adorable!

Next up is Jennifer over at The Buck Stamps Here with an adorable layout of her sweet little boy and two pretty cards. He's just the cutest little toddler!

Have you seen the new hearts background stamp? It's lovely!! Heather has made a beautiful Valentine card with it. Love all those layers!

Love what Linsey has posted for us! Let's just say it has to do with chocolates! :)Yummmy! The card that she has posted is so cute!!

I found a couple of seriously cool cards over on Wendy's blog, She's Gone Crafty. The textures that Wendy uses on her cards are just fabulous... really looks incredible in the photos.

You must visit Chelsea and take a good look at her amazing layout! I'm telling you, I am seriously in the mood for distressing. lol! This layout is just SO pretty! Taylor's story has touched my heart too. I just love that quote that Chelsea used on her layout that she took from one of the posts by Taylor's mom about Taylor's battle with cancer.
"Hug and kiss your kids and play like there's no tomorrow" ~ Gina Jones.

Hang in there! We're almost at the end!

Up next is Christi! I just love visiting her blog! This layout of hers is precious! Her two cards are so cute! Funny... I keep seeing that birdie paper everywhere. Hmmm....

OMG! Robyn! Stunning work! She has a gorgeous layout to show you and a card that will make you say "WOW"... guaranteed!

THAT's IT! You did it!

Now don't forget to stop and shop at UNITY and check out all of those ONE HUNDRED New releases are! You still have today to shop, shop, shop! Go, go, go!!

hugs,
Jane

It's time to Hip Hop!!

OMG! 21 blogs to hip hop through!
Come on... you can do it!

Start with Robyn!
You must go see what she did with Unity's Sweetheart Booties!

Then there's sweet Joslyn, guest designer and stamper extraordinnaire!
She used Flourishing Family Tree on her layout and Scrappy Flower on a card!

Onto amazing Amber!
She's taken the Flower with Stem stamp from a kit called Spring Has Sprung and made a card that is so pretty and happy!

Patter has two hip hoppin' recipes to share on her beautiful blog, Triple the Scraps.
She has used Floral Fantastical and Remember Happiness on one recipe, and Distressed Dots and Sweet Yummy Cupcakes on the other recipe. Both are delightful and the recipes sound delicious!

Check out Natalie's sophisticated black heart card!
It is a very creative Valentine's card... SO classy! Love the glitter!

Anne-Marie has a pretty layout to share!
It's so fresh and fun... beautiful!!

The ever talented Wendy has two super cute cards on her blog, She's Gone Crafty.
You must check out the turtles! :)

Feeling a little cold from the chilly weather out there?
Then you need to blog hop over to Jeanne!
There's Beach Days and Sun Rays to see!

I got to meet this lovely gal at CHA and she is just darling!
Maren has a fantastic mini album that she made to capture her CHA Unity memories.
It's just one really awesome album.

Linsey has two cute cards on her lovely blog, Outside the Lines.
The turtles are everywhere! lol! Her red and black card is SO pretty!

3" x 3" notecards with a little box are featured on Jimmi's blog, The Stamping Shopper.
She used the "Love is Toxic" set to create a simply sweet set of cards just perfect for Valentines!

Lynn's got two amazing layouts on her fabulous blog.
The colors just pop right out at you! They are really awesome layouts!

AH! Another CHA buddy! The talented Jennifer Buck!
She has two adorable cards and one delightful layout to share with you!

The Paper Princess, Heather M, has a peek to her Valentine's card for her David, and a pretty little vintage inspired ornament for you to see. She used January's Kit of the Month, and her favorite Worn Music Background stamp.

The ever crafty Christi Snow is hip hop happy over her handmade medallion made out of little cupcake paper liners! Christi also has the cutest altered notebook to show you!

Jen E. has a couple of really fun layouts. shut up! it's true!
I just adore the natural flair she adds to her layouts!

Next up is sweet Chelsea Cook and her super cute layout, appropriately titled "Sweet, Sassy and Serious at 2". Her pieced flower is just FAB!

Oh my goodness... Brooke! I got to meet this lovely gal at CHA too! Brooke has some GORGEOUS layouts that got me bouncin'! Sweet stuff!

Renee's layout is fabulous and her mini album is such a treasure!
The photos alone are incredible!

Laura is sending some Valentine love with these two terrific cards using January's Kit of the Month.

This wonderful gal just shines! I got to meet AJ as well at CHA... been looking forward to meeting her in person for a long time. AJ's cards are super cute! There's also a little something being offered so be sure to stop by The Willow Garden.

Did you leave some love for the Unity girls?

Now I need to get myself over to the craft table and get stamping!
I have so much inspiration floating around in my head.
Wasn't this a fun blog hop?
Come back again next week for another round!

hugs,
Jane

Hip Hop, Unity!!

Hip Hop, it was Thursday.... lol!

How about some CHA pictures from the fabulous UNITY booth?





Tisket a tasket... just look at those beautiful cards!!



These are all of the submissions for the Unity CHA display call...
ALL really amazing creations and really beautiful to see up close and in person!!











Look!! Mine made it up on the board!! Yippeeeee!




Just LOOK at the new AWESOME packaging!!!!!





My favorite group picture!! I had a blast... thank you!!

Hip Hop Thursday!

Hip Hop!

I got around to completing a Hip Hop "I {Heart} Unity" challenge that Jeanne S. hosted earlier today. The requirements: "Make a card using Unity Stamps with a hearts (image, patterned paper, embellishments, whatever)."

A couple of other challenges I met with this card:
Color Challenge #201 (CC201) - Not Quite Navy, Kraft, and Baja Breeze
Sketch Challenge #211 (SC211)
Whoopsie Daisy Gallery



Stamps: Birds of a Feather (Unity)
Paper: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Whisper White Craft, Kraft
Accessories: Copic Markers, sponge daubers, heart punch (SU), Cuttlebug embossing folders (With Love, Swiss Dots), stampin' dimensionals
Techniques: embossing, distressing


Ready to Hip Hop around with me?


You can go from blog to blog by following the link from each blog or, if you don't have a lot of time and need to come back from time to time, here are the direct links!

Enjoy!

Unity Stamp Company Blog
Sherry
Heather M.
Natalie
Jeanne
AJ
Renee
Maren
Brooke
Patter
Anne-Marie
Robyn
Lynn
Jennifer
Linsey
Chelsea
Wendy
Christi
Laura
Heather B.
Amber
Jen
Jimmi

So hip hop over to these fabulous blogs out if you have some time and don't forget to leave some love for them!