Friday, March 27, 2015

Friends with Flair Friday

TGIF!  Time for Unity Friends with Flair!  So yesterday afternoon I realized it was Thursday and I really needed something for FWF! I pulled out my Dylusions journal (I have both sizes but I used the smaller one) this one:

I used the new Dylusions paints


These paints are AMAZING!  I heard Dyan was releasing paints and thought yeah whatever.  I then saw her demo them at CHA via youtube and was intrigued but still like ok it's paint.  She describes them as different from regular craft paint and they dry fast.

WELL I got them all 12 of course and using a small round foam dauber (the Ranger ones) I covered the background of one of the pages in a grid format like she showed in her video. First of all it dried FAST!  Secondly, it DOES NOT feel like paint!  I kid you not!  You know how when you use crafty paints from Michael's and you rub your hand over the dried page it's gritty, or chalky?  You can feel it? It's weird right?  THIS paint didn't feel like that AT ALL!  It was smooth and it feels like the paper not paint!  Hard to explain but you should try them!

Here is what I made yesterday using Unity Stamps:





I used yellow and orange with a baby wipe for the background color, nothing fancy.  I then used a Dylusions stencil in the background along with lots of Unity Stamps.  The image that looks like writing in the background is Unity's She Script by Christy Tomlinson.

I used some of the paint and watercolor to fill this in.

Finished

I never used glue sticks.  But I saw Dyan use them in videos and thought what the heck it's less messy then the gel mediums I use.  This glue stick is awesome.  I've only used it in this journal over the paints and inks and not in other journals where I used a lot of other mediums so I don't know how it holds up there.

Stamps and paper used



Thanks for stopping by!!

Maria

Monday, March 23, 2015

Growing in Unity Winners!

Just a super quick post to announce the winners from my Growing in Unity week last week!  Thanks to all who visited and left me such sweet comments I appreciated all of them!  


The 2 winners picked at random are:

Carol Cox
Sweet April

Please contact me with your mailing address!

Thanks!

Maria


Saturday, March 21, 2015

Just Us Girls Color Week





I used a Unity Itty Bitty called: "Love Is the Tie"

Be sure to swing on by the JUST US GIRLS DT:

March Guest Designer - Jen Mitchell 
  Cheryl
Nancy                                                              


Just a reminder:  If you win Chic of the Week in any of our March challenges, you are in the running to be chosen as our Guest Designer for the month of May.
How to play: Please copy and use our graphic on your post. You need to upload your new project [no back dating please] for this week's challenge to your online blog or to a public photo gallery. Leave a link that goes directly to your project in the Linky Tools form at the bottom of this post. If you upload to online galleries, please use the keyword or tag, JUGS284. After you post to Linky Tools you may also leave a comment here.  We ♥ love hearing what you think of our challenges!
Please limit your entries to 3.
Deadline to be considered for the "Chic of the Week" is 9:00 PM EST on Thursday, March 26th.  The Linky Tools form will close at that time.  Our "Chic of the Week", will be announced the following Friday morning. Thanks for playing along.  We can't wait to see what you create for Just Us Girls!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Maria

Friday, March 20, 2015

Growing in Unity Day 5 & Friends With Flair Friday

TGIF!  It's day 5 of my GIU week!  I had a great time sharing my Unity creations and thanks for all the wonderful comments!

Today I'm going to share this simple friendship themed card that I made for a blog hop (so it is posted in a separate post today as well) but figured it's ok to use for my GIU and I didn't want to combine the posts.  However if you want to go on a fun blog hop with lots of great prizes along the way check out my previous post today titled Julie's Blogoversary Blog Hop.  Every year Julie Odil celebrates her blogoversary with a great blog hop!

Here is the card I made:


I used Unity Stamp Co stamps.  The sentiment is from an old SOTM from 2012 and the girl is an itty bitty called "Faceless Beauty".

I also want to share a few other Unity cards that I have made recently.  Most of these were previously posted but perhaps you haven't seen them yet :-)








Thanks so much for following me all week it was wonderful! I had a blast sharing!  I hope that you will continue to stop on by when you can!  Tomorrow I have another card for the new Just Us Girls Challenge and it's Unity!  Be sure to swing on by UNITY THIS WEEKEND FOR A GREAT SALE! LOADS OF KITS UNDER $10!  I just put Besty the Butterfly Fairy in my cart!

Thanks for stopping by!

Maria


Julie's Blogoversary Blog Hop


Welcome to the 3rd Edition of "Julie's Blogoversary Blog Hop".  We're so glad you have joined us!  Julie has gathered together her friends and tons of sponsors to make this a GREAT event!
Here are our wonderful sponsors!

You'll be inspired by each stop of the hop.  The theme, "Lucky to Call You Friend" will be evident in the projects of Julie and her friends.  Many of the talented ladies have blog candy to give away on their blogs, so watch for that, and follow the individual rules on their blogs for how to win it.


Here is what I created for the hop:


I used Unity Stamp Co stamps.  The sentiment is from an old SOTM from 2012 and the girl is an itty bitty called "Faceless Beauty".

Here is the complete hop list:

Maria - http://riacreations.blogspot.com-- you are HERE
Karen - http://karey2005.blogspot.com/ - - go HERE next!


Do you want to know about the prizes, and how to win them?  Leave a comment on Julie's blog, with your email address, so she can send you the free digi paper that EVERYONE gets!  Leave a comment on each hop along the way.  Prizes will be hidden along the hop.  

Here are the prizes available:

The Cutting Cafe -- any 3 sets

DigiStamps4Joy -- 1st prize - $10 gift certificate and a Guest Designer spot on a challenge
                              2nd prize - 2 digis of choice

Fitztown -- 3 digis

Snapdragon Snippets -- $15 gift certificate

SVG Attic -- $15 gift certificate

3 Girl JAM -- $20 gift certificate

QKR Stampede -- 3 images

Eureka Stamps -- 3 images

Timeless Twine -- $20 gift certificate

Aurora Wings Stamps -- $15 in digis

Close To My Heart Stamp Set 

 Unity Stamp Company -- 25 random stamps

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles -- free digi paper for each participant
    3 mini sets of papers - grand prize
    3 individual sets for 3 other prizes
    Mini Heartland paper set 

Creative Bugs -- 5 images

Amy Doodle's Stamp Co. -- free image for everyone, plus 40% off of entire purchase for one lucky winner

Please enjoy this free image from Amy Doodle's Stamp Company -- Nerdy Girl!


It's time for the next stop on the hop!  Have fun, and thanks so much for participating!  Off you go to Amy's Blog!


Thanks for stopping by!

Maria


Thursday, March 19, 2015

Growing in Unity Day #4

It's day 4 already in my GIU week!  Time sure does fly by!

Today I'm sharing a pair of ATC cards I made.  SO funny story regarding why I made these.  I am part of a challenge blog called Mixed Media Mojo which I started last year.  And our March challenge is to make a pair of ATC cards with bird being the twist.  OK then I though I should go with that for one of my GIU days.  I sit down and create away come up with these cute cards that I do like (and hope do as well) HOWEVER, it's not exactly mixed media! LOL! At Mixed Media Mojo we describe Mixed Media as using at least 2  types of mediums.  Can I stretch here and say I used water colors and dye inks? LOL!





I used a Smak Kit from 2012 called True Story, the owl is from a KOTM from last year called Happy, Thankful & Blessed and an itty bitty called Tiny Vintage Banners.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Maria

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Growing in Unity Day #3

It's day 3 of my GIU week.  Today I decided to get a little mixed media and make a tag. 


Here are some steps and supplies:

I used water colors on the girl. The tag background is using Dylusions Sprays


Various Unity Stamps I used on the tag.


Thanks so much for stopping by I appreciate all the great comments this week!

Maria

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Growing in Unity Day #2

Hello and welcome to my Day 2 of Growing in Unity!  This week is the birthday week for my kids.  I have twins a boy and girl turning 9 on Saturday!  9! I can't believe it!  Originally I was thinking of making a birthday theme all week but that didn't pan out exactly.  

So here is a chickie birthday card for today:




I used the itty bitty called "Hey Birthday Chick".  I embossed a panel for the background using a Stamping Up embossing folder.  I used a simple water color set for the coloring.  I definately like using water colors to color because it's so much easier than dealing with markers.  I know I need more practice to make it look amazing but for now it's working out fine for me. 

Be sure to leave me a comment for your chance to win some Unity goodies!  Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Maria



Monday, March 16, 2015

Growing in Unity Week

HI there!  I'm excited because out of all the planning I do (which I love doing) I did remember to grab a Growing in Unity week for myself this year.  I've been helping out a few years now and it's been fabulous.  I love how excited all the gals get for their week, it's awesome.  And what's not to love with Unity right?  Thanks to Angela for letting me be a part of this great program!



Have you seen the Unity Blog Hop yesterday??  You need to check it out it's wonderful and I was actually able to join as well which also was so exciting and fun for me.  Be sure to swing in by the Unity Blog for the Hop and join us on the hop.

Now onto my Day 1 of GIU!


Foxes seem to be a popular image of sorts nowadays and this fox called "Foxy & Fabulous" is super cute.  I paired him with a "wood" like background I thought it made it look more "rustic" like he's hanging around a barn or something of the sort.  At least that is what I thought of when I was creating.

Be sure to swing on by Unity and check out the great deals from this weekend still going on!


I hope you will swing back tomorrow!  I will draw 2 lucky winners for a random prize from Unity (they are so generous) and I am thinking of pulling from my Unity stash to give something away myself, so stay tuned!

Till tomorrow!!!!

Maria





Sunday, March 15, 2015

GIU Blog Hop

Welcome to the 2nd Growing in Unity Blog Hop of 2015!


Super excited to be able to be a part of the GIU program for Unity. I love planning each week and the see the gals so excited to create! I was thrilled when Kelli sent me this great image to use so I can participate this month with the gals! I colored her with simple water color and used a Stamping Up embossing folder for the background.



Here is the order of the hop:

Maria - You are here
An'Jenic - Go Here next

So let's get started hop along with us and check out all the wonderful inspiration.  You will also have a chance to win some Unity goodies!  



Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to swing on by this week as it's my actual GIU week!

Maria


Saturday, March 14, 2015

Just Us Girls Trend Week



Sue is our hostess this week for Just Us Girls and it's trend week.  The challenge is to create splatters!  So for this I pulled out my Tim Holtz "Splatters" stencil :-)


Supplies I used:

Be sure to swing on by the JUST US GIRLS DT:

March Guest Designer - Jen Mitchell 
  Cheryl
Nancy                                                              


Just a reminder:  If you win Chic of the Week in any of our March challenges, you are in the running to be chosen as our Guest Designer for the month of May.
How to play: Please copy and use our graphic on your post. You need to upload your new project [no back dating please] for this week's challenge to your online blog or to a public photo gallery. Leave a link that goes directly to your project in the Linky Tools form at the bottom of this post. If you upload to online galleries, please use the keyword or tag, JUGS284. After you post to Linky Tools you may also leave a comment here.  We ♥ love hearing what you think of our challenges!
Please limit your entries to 3.
Deadline to be considered for the "Chic of the Week" is 9:00 PM EST on Thursday, March 19th.  The Linky Tools form will close at that time.  Our "Chic of the Week", will be announced the following Friday morning. Thanks for playing along.  We can't wait to see what you create for Just Us Girls!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Maria

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Mixed Media Card Challenges



This month's theme is Spring with a twist of Bird.  I was totally jammed at the end of February so I didn't come in with a card for the first but here I am now with my card.


Some supplies I used:




Come join us over at The Mixed Media Card Challenges!

Thanks for stopping by!

Maria

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Just Us Girls


It's word week at Just Us Girls and Ina is our hostess!  She picked the word masculine.  Why is it so difficult to make masculine cards?  Probably for me because I'm so drawn to all those pretty girl stamps and papers and never have enough "guy" stuff! 

Anyhow here is what I came up with using Unity Stamps:



Some supplies:



Be sure to swing on by the Just Us Girls Design Team:

Guest Designer for March - Jen Mitchell
Sharyn
Sue

Just a reminder:  If you win Chic of the Week in any of our March challenges, you are in the running to be chosen as our Guest Designer for the month of May
How to play: Please copy and use our graphic on your post. You need to upload your new project [no back dating please] for this week's challenge to your online blog or to a public photo gallery. Leave a link that goes directly to your project in the Linky Tools form at the bottom of the post on Just Us Girls. If you upload to online galleries, please use the keyword or tag, JUGS281. After you post to Linky Tools you may also leave a comment here.  We ♥ love hearing what you think of our challenges!

Please limit your entries to 3.
Deadline to be considered for the "Chic of the Week" is 9:00 PM EST on Thursday, March 12 . The Linky Tools form will close at that time.  Our "Chic of the Week", will be announced the following Friday morning. Thanks for playing along.  We can't wait to see what you create for Just Us Girls!

Thanks for stopping by!
Maria

Unity Stamp Co Tuesday Inspiration!

  I'm up on the UNITY BLOG today sharing some cards I made using 2 stamp sets! I used the February background of the month called   as...