What’s On My Work Desk This Week?
Happy WOYWW to you, dear friends!
When was the last time you stumbled across a stamp company you fell head over heels in love with?
A few weeks ago, while surfing the Internet, I discovered a website called Unity Stamp Company that specializes in high-quality, unmounted rubber stamps. Although the company has been in business for many years, they were new to me. Since they were having a huge sale that weekend, I started browsing through their website and fell in love with a number of their designs! I took a chance and ordered a few of their stamps.
Well, I wanted to share that although I’ve been primarily stamping with clear stamps for the past few years – Unity Stamps has re-ignited my love for red rubber! They offer a wide variety of designs – many from some of the most well-known designers in the business. They are pre-cut – generously cushioned – deeply etched – and a sheer pleasure to stamp with.
If you currently own clear stamps, you can use them with the acrylic blocks that you already own. I used mine with my Close To My Heart acrylic blocks and they stamped beautifully. You can see through the block for easy positioning and when you stamp, the padding and deep etching provide a clean, crisp stamped image!
For the best prices, be sure to visit them on the weekends when you’re most likely to find a sale. I’ve picked up some fabulous stamps that I’ll be sharing in the months to come!
(By the way, I share this information out of pure excitement over finding a product I love! I was not asked to write about this company or their products, and I did not receive anything in exchange for sharing this information with you!)
What Did I Create This Week?
Today, I wanted to share the first card I created with my new Unity Stamps. The stamp I chose to work with is called Dream Girl and it is part of their January 2015 release. The stamp consists of one beautiful 2.75 x 4 inch image by artist Angie Blom, but you could easily double your fun by cutting the stamped image in half and using the image and the sentiment separately. For my first project, however, I opted to use the image in its original form.
The quote on the stamp reads:
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember you have within you
The strength the patience and the passion
To reach for the stars to change the world.
Isn’t that a lovely sentiment?
You can see what other artists did with this stamp by visiting Unity Stamp – Dream Girl.
Now for my design… When I look at this image, I imagine a beautiful girl in a garden, so I surrounded our dreamer with mini-CTMH flowers in my favorite colors, pink and blue, creating a touch of spring.
I also incorporated that gorgeous Scotch Washi-like tape – which made its debut on my Refuge And Strength card – into this design as an intermediary element to tie the foreground and background together. I love this tape! It is a pleasure to work with and goes with everything I do!
I don’t get to color as often on my projects as I’d like, but this week, I had a chance to pull out a few ProMarkers and play! This meant I also got to break into one of my two unopened Memento Stamp Pads (awesome ink!) and stamp and color on my Papertrey cardstock (which I love – at 110 lb. weight, it’s my absolute favorite for stamping, coloring and supporting heavy embellishments!)
Finally, after digging through several boxes of ribbons, I literally tied the project together with a beautiful, delicate, multi-colored fiber.
Here’s the Supply List for those of you who like to keep tabs:
- Dream Girl – Unity Stamp Company
- Mini Flowers & Mini Brads – Close To My Heart
- Letraset Promarkers
- Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
- Colorbox Chalk Ink – Orchid Pastel (Distressing)
- Scotch Decorative Tape
- Recollections, Storytellers and Papertrey Cardstock
- Dew Drops/Skittles
- Fiber
Where Are The Crafty Cats?
For those of you who were hoping to catch glimpses of Magellan batting around the flowers or chasing the fiber all around my craft room, I have an even better adventure to share. Drop by Wordless Wednesday – Magellan Sees A Squirrel to learn what’s even more fascinating than crafting goodies in a cat’s eyes!
Now it’s your turn to inspire us with your creativity! What’s inspiring you this week? What have you created? Be sure to share your latest creations with us at one of our weekly parties!
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by to see what’s on my work desk this week!
Creative Art Challenges
Are you ready to jump-start your creativity? Here’s this week’s list of Creative Art Challenges to inspire you (organized alphabetically by Theme or Anything Goes!)
Theme Challenges
- Addicted To Stamps Challenge #132 – Make Your Mark
- Allsorts Challenge #298 – Any Occasion Other Than Birthday (Friendship Day)
- ARTastic Challenge Blog – February Color Challenge
- Bunny Zoe’s Crafts February Challenge – For The Girls
- Crafting Desert Divas Linky Party 49 – Use Ribbon
- Crafts Galore Encore Challenges – Use A Stamp Or Digi For February
- Clear It Out Challenge – Theme: Holiday (Spring) and Stash: Gold/Yellow Things (Yellow Promarkers)
- Crafty Boots Challenges – Use A Sentiment
- Crafty Gals Corner Challenges #7 – Bingo (Middle Down – Bows, Flowers, Brads)
- Crafty Sentiments – Bling It On Challenge (Dew Drops/Skittles)
- Crazy Challenge #191 – For My Mom
- Creative Colors Challenge #30
- Creative Craft Cottage #33 – In The Garden
- Cute Card Thursday #361 – Floral Delight
- D.L. Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #150 – Use The Color Blue
- Dream It Up – Frilly And Fabulous
- Dream Valley Challenge #100 – Favorite Color Combination (Pink/Blue)
- Easter Eggs & Spring Colors Linky Party
- Fantasy Stamper’s Challenge #30 – Pretty In Pink
- Hiding In My Craft Room #187 – Super Scraps Saturday (leftover embellishments)
- Kitty Bee Designs – Aloha Friday Challenge #41 – Favorite Color Combo – Pink & Blue
- Kraftin Kimmie Stamps – Wonderful Wednesday
- Loves Rubber Stamps Challenges #139 – Let It Sparkle
- Make My Monday – Two Favorite Colors – Pink & Blue
- Noor Designs Challenge #3 – Spring
- Ooh La La Creations #174 – Add Some Green (Pale Green Flowers In Tape)
- Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge #28 – Sweetheart
- Papertake Weekly – Bingo (Diagonal – Ribbon/Free/Blooms)
- Pink Saturday
- Red Rubber Inspirationals #207 – So Sentimental
- Retarte #35 – Spring, Flowers or Anything Goes
- Simon Says Wednesday Challenge – Add A Little Texture
- Simply Create Too Challenge #79 – Anything Goes
- Stamps + Fun = Creativity #237 – Washi Tape
- Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog – Inspired By A Song (Dreamweaver)
- Top Tip Tuesday – Rubber Stamps Only
- Vintage Stamping Challenges #29 – Bring On Those Spring Colors
- Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Challenge #80 – Use A Sentiment
- Whoopsi Daisy – Pretty In Pink Challenge
- Words 2 Scrap By – Challenge #14 – Do Something Different (Coloring)
Be Creative – Anything Goes Challenges
- 613 Avenue Create – Anything Goes Challenge
- 7 Kids Challenge #119 – Anything Goes
- A Girl Who Crafts – Anything Goes (February)
- Card And Scraps #91 – Anything Goes
- Craft-Dee Bowz February Challenge – Anything Goes With A Handmade Bow
- Crafting By Designs – February Anything Goes Challenge
- Crafting From The Heart Challenge 47 – Anything Goes
- Crafty Calendar February Challenge – Anything Goes
- Craft Your Passion Challenges #249 – Almost Anything Goes
- Creative Fingers Challenge Blog #67 – Anything Goes
- Creative Moments #62 – Anything Goes with Optional Twist / Paper Piecing
- Cuttin and Stampin Bi-Weekly Challenge #8 – Anything Goes
- Dazzling Diva Challenge #63 – Mood Board or ANYTHING GOES
- DL Art February Linky Challenge – Anything Goes
- Imagination Crafts – February Anything Goes Challenge
- Inspiration Destination #21 – Anything Goes
- Love To Scrap Challenge Blog 48 – Anything Goes
- My Craft Creations – 2/16 to 2/28 – Anything Goes
- Not Just Cards Challenges #13 – Anything Goes
- Party Time Tuesdays #195 – Anything Goes Challenge
- Penny Black February Challenge – Anything Goes Except A Digi
- Scrappers Delights Challenge #41 – Anything Goes
- Scribble & Scrap Challenge 38 – Anything Goes
- Sister Act Card Challenge #93 – Anything Goes
- Sisters Of Craft February Challenge – Anything Goes
- Stamping Sensations February Challenge – Anything Goes
- Suzy Bee’s Bloomin Challenge Blog – Anything Goes With A Twist – Add A Bow
- The Paper Nest Dolls #2 – Anything Goes
- Through The Craftroom Door – Feb 17 – 23 – Anything Goes
- Word Art Wednesday 171 – Anything Goes
For More Creative Inspiration
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Pretty card. Have been a Unity fan for a while now, a new discovery is so inspiring!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Julia! So glad to hear you’re a fan – you’ll have to share some of your stamps on your desk for me! 🙂
A fab card and I love the quote….perfect for a young girl. Thank you for sharing it with us at OLL challenges. Wynn DT
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
You’re right Wynn – a young girl would love this card!
Thanks for dropping by from OLL – have a wonderful day!
Ah yes their stamps are really good, love what you have created. Happy stamping and happy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda #2
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Eliza,
Glad you like the card – so many Unity fans out there!
Have a wonderful day – will be by to visit you and Yoda in a bit! 🙂
What a fabulous stamp and your card design really shows it off well. Thanks for joining in at Crafty Boots Challenges this time.
Beautiful card. I love the sentiment. I have never visited unity stamps so I will have to look them up 🙂 Shel-PaperOctilloStudio #42
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Shel – so glad you like the card and sentiment!
You are in for a treat when you visit Unity!
Be sure to visit on the weekends when they are most likely to have a good sale – you can find some amazing deals then! 🙂
So colorful, bright and cheery!! Thanks for sharing your work with us this month at Paper Sweeties 🙂
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for dropping by Debbie – so happy I got to join you this month at Paper Sweeties! 🙂
Great card, wonderfully bright design and lovely image. Thank you for sharing your work with all of us at Crafty Boots Challenges.
Dionne
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Dionne,
So nice to see you again! Isn’t that image inspiring? Glad you like the design! 🙂
What a gorgeous card, love bright vibrant colours and such an unusual image, thanks so much for joining in at Stamping Sensations, Allsorts and Penny Black and More challenges.
B x
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Wow, Brenda, you are making the DT rounds today!
Thanks so much for stopping by – glad you like the card! 🙂
How fabulous! I have a few Unity Stamps. They are wonderful. I love how you colored her hair. Thanks so much for playing with us this week at Craftin Desert Divas Ribbon Linky Party. Hope to see you again soon 🙂
michelle (Craftin Desert Divas DT)
Purple Monkey Moments
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much Michelle! I always dream of wild creative hair but will probably never wear it that way in real life – so thought I’d have fun with it on this stamp!
Can’t believe everyone who has posted so far has a collection of Unity Stamps they’ve been hiding away! I want to see some photos and some cards! 🙂
Have a great week and thanks for another great party!
I’m a huge Unity fan myself! Wonderful company with wonderful products. They throw sales up all the time. Better watch out or you’ll become an addict like me!
Beautiful card!
-brenda lee #33
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for dropping by Brenda – looks like I’m the last one to jump on the Unity train!
I think your warning might be a little too late…
I’ve been tracking their website for those wonderful sales since my first visit and I think I may have a new addiction!
Glad you like the card! 🙂
Thanks for sharing and joining us at Inspiration Destination. Hope to see you again and good luck!
Ema
IDCB Owner
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thank you Andrea! 🙂
Gorgeous card. Thank you for playing along with our Challenge at Creative Craft Cottage. We would love to see you again … Anet DTx
Great card, thank you for calling in at sweet stampin’ this week. Dx
You’re right – this is a beautiful stamp, and you’ve done a great job with it. Your card is fantastic. Thank you for joining us in the Through The Craft Room Door challenge this week.
Hugz,
Linda O, DT
What a great design! I LOVE the bold colors and that stamp is amazing! Thanks for joining us at Paper Sweeties! HUGS! 🙂 Mynn xx
Beautiful card thanks for joining us at Whoopsi Daisy. Louise x
Nice card. Thanks for joining us at The Crazy Challenges.
/Pillan
Great card, lovely image and sentiment. Thanks for joining our challenge at Whoopsi Daisy and good luck in the draw. Jennifer DT member
Such a pretty and different stamp. Love the way you colored the image. Thanks so much for playing along with us at Inspiration Destination this week.
Such an interesting card… Glad you have joined our Loves Rubberstamps challenge this week, please come back soon,
Hugs Blankina
Very pretty card. I prefer red rubber stamps over acrylic any day. I think the images are more clear and they stamp more evenly. I love the way you’ve colored this image and the fiber bow is sweet! Thanks for joining us at Craft-Dee BowZ this month! Hugs, Gail
Lovely card – great stamp and colours used. Your ‘song’ choice is perfect for our challenge this week. Thank you for sharing and joining in with the fun at Sweet Stampin’ this week and good luck. Hugs Janine xx
Love how you colored the image and poem. Never would have guessed that you don’t color a lot! Thanks for joining us at Words 2 Scrap By.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much Bobbi for your kind words – especially about my coloring skills!
You just made my day! 🙂
Don’t ya just love it when you find a product you are soooo happy with! Your card is wonderful, absolutely love the color choices. Thank you for joining us at Top Tip Tuesday! Brenda
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Brenda,
It is SO nice to find something that yout love!
Thanks for your nice comments!
Have a wonderful week and come visit me again soon! 🙂
I know exactly what you mean about discovering a new stamp company — it is a fabulous feeling! So glad you found this Unity stamp because you totally rocked this card. I especially love the “highlighted” words in your stamped sentiment. 🙂
Thanks so much for joining our do-something-different challenge at Words 2 Scrap By!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Sybrina – I was delighted to discover and join your challenge this week!
So glad you liked my design!
Hope you will come and visit us again – would love to see some of your designs at our Inspire Me Monday party! 🙂
Gorgeous card! Love your beautifully colored and stamped image! Thanks for joining us at Crafty Gals Corner!
Thanks for sharing your creation with us at Addicted to Stamps & More! Hugs & Smiles – *Vicki*-DT member
I love the 70s bright colors you’ve got going on here. It’s very funky and psychedelically cool! Thanks for sharing your art with Crafty Gals Corner!
Stunning and lovely card, the stamp is fantastic. The washi tape is beautiful. i love the colours thatyou chosen for this card.
Thank you for playing at SFC.
Francy
What a beautiful card and so very creative. Love all the colors. Thanks for sharing the links. When I scrapbook, I am always looking for ideas, and this dream motif is perfect for a girlie page. Enjoyed my visit to your blog. Visiting from Pink Saturday.
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal
Very cute, thanks for playing along with us at the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog.
I love the way you highlighted the sentiment with color. This is a great image. It is a very cheery card and the bling and flowers are a great addition. Thanks for joining us at Love to Scrap.
This is a gorgeous stamp & you’ve used it to perfection – love how you’ve taken our ARTastic inspiration pic to create it! Nice one:):) Thanks for joining us this month!!!
That’s one craft I have not tried. Sounds like fun though.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I love the stamp that you have used on your card and great colour choice. Thank you for taking the time to share with us at Dream Valley Challenges. Shona (DT Member) xx
Lovely vibrant colours and a fabulous stamp and sentiment
Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations this month
Joan
What a super sweet card. Love the bright colors you used. 😀 Thank you for joining us at Crafty Sentiments Challenge
Deborah DT
Great song choice! Suits the stamp and card very well!! Thanks for joining in our ‘inspired by a song’ challenge at Sweet Stampin’ this week. Hugs, Wends x Sweet Stampin’ DT
What a great stamp – love it, and you coloured her beautifully-very on trend for a young girl.
Thanks so much for sharing with us at OLLCB.
Lynn x
DT
Love your card, has such a modern twist to it.
Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.
Jo x
Wonderful card design, I love how you colored the gorgeous image!
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Penny Black and More!
xEllie
Lovely card, beautiful and elegant.Thank you for sharing with us.
Martha Lucia, DT
Hi,
Wauw, this is gorgous. So beautiful. Thanks for joining us at CCC and good luck.
Hugs
Claudia
DT CCC
Kjempefint kort.
Tusen takk for at du deltar hos Card and Scrap.
Fab card. Thank you for joining us over at the Scribble and Scrap Challenge. Good luck.
xx
Fabulous design and colors! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Add a Little Dazzle!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Lee – always a pleasure to join you!
Twitter: Imagesbycw
says:
Beautiful! I am sure if I ever made a card that intricate, I would have a hard time parting with it and sending it to someone – LOL
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much Claudia – sometimes I’m tempted to frame my faves! 🙂
This is a great creation, and the quote is quite inspirational! Thanks for playing in our neighborhood @613 Avenue Create.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Lisa – always a pleasure to join you!
Beautiful colors on your card!! Thank you for joining the challenge at the Red Rubber Inspirational blog this week! Lynda – DT Champion Red Rubber Designs
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Lynda – so happy I could join you this week!