Growing In Unity Blog Hop!

Afternoon, ladies! A while back, I was given the fun opportunity to be a Growing In Unity girl; I spent a whole week creating stuff using Unity Stamp Co stamps to show you and I had a blast! Today, we are doing a GIU blog hop using this week's brand new stamp of the week!

One lucky crafter has the chance to win a MONTH of the stamp of the week--that's so awesome! Unity Stamp Co subscriptions are seriously the best around, hands down. I'm a KOTM subscriber and it's so awesome to get stamp love show up in your mailbox! :)

I got this week's SOTM in the mail and was so happy, it's a gorgeous wintery stamp that's perfect for any of the upcoming seasonal holidays! I love the retro feel. Take a look at what I made:

It's not amazing, but I kind of like it! I used a pretty, retro tree-printed paper from Anna Griffin's Christmas Kitsch paper collection and matched up a pretty celedon ink with it. I used my new Simon Says Stamp bracket dies to make that pretty shape on the front layer and add a few white iridescent sequins for some shine. I like that's it's fun and visually appealing, but lets the stamp really take the front stage! 

OK, all you need to go is hop hop hop and comment for your chance to win that month of stamp of the week! You should have come here from Sheryl and your next stop is Crystal! There's a full list below in case you've gotten lost. Thanks for stopping by and happy hopping!

Tracy http://queeniesscrapmad.blogspot.co.uk/

Kristy http://mamasanity.blogspot.com

Sheryl igottacraft.blogspot.com

Christina http://christinascreations1.blogspot.com

Crystal Crystalamariscreations.blogspot.com

Angela http://angelascraftyspot.blogspot.com

Mandi http://faithhopecrafts.blogspot.com

A Christmas Card for the Cutting Edge Blog Hop!

Hey hey hey! I've got a quick CAS Christmas card for you as part of the Pretty Pink Posh Cutting Edge Blog Hop! This is a very simple one, but I love how it came out! Take a look:

I am in love with the clean white and bright red. I used the Mama Elephant Dainty Bow Creative Cut die--isn't it adorable?! The bow is so easy to assemble and is such a cute little size. I should also mention a "behind the scenes/workhorse" type die I used here, and in most of my cards, are the Spellbinders A-2 Matting Basics sets. They're just the best die investment I've ever made and they help me keep my sanity by spacing my layers perfectly for me! :)

That pretty red is Real Red and stamp set is Wishing You, both from Stampin Up!

I wanted something simple, clean and a little "masculine." By leaving the cutesy tails off the bows, they almost look like little red bow ties. This will probably be a Christmas card for my manager, with just the right amount of cheer without being glittery or glitzy! Check out the inside sentiment:

I love the tiny present! Again, see that wonderful, perfect layering...yeah, I love those Spellbinders dies. :)

That's it for tonight; thanks for stopping by and make sure you hit some other creations on the hop!

Mountain Plains Crafters Christmas in July Blog Hop

Happy Friday and welcome to the Mountain Plains Crafters Christmas in July Blog Hop! This is the first blog hop I've had the privilege of being a part of, so I'm really excited. :) 

The ever-rad Clearsnap gave us three awesome products to play with: Colorbox ink, Smooch Spritz and Smooch pearlized accent ink! I've never used Smooch accent ink, so I was excited to try it for the first time. Here's what I came up with for our fabulous Christmas in July hop!

This is my absolute favorite Christmas stamp, Small Stuff Christmas from Unity Stamp Co! I used the Smooch Spritz in Cashmere to give my background some shimmer and texture. Next, I used the Colorbox ink in Saddle for both my sentiment and my tree. Note: Saddle is great for wood/branches when stamped off first! Then, I used the awesome Smooch pearlized accent ink in Spruce for my little pine needles; I really loved this stuff! Finished off with some glitter ribbon and a single red rhinestone and just like that, my first official Christmas card of the year is done! :)

Super big shoutout to Clearsnap for these awesome products; I am definitely going to be investing in more of the Smooch pearlized accent inks! The color is so pretty and shimmery and it layers so well. Woohoo, new craft supply discovery! ;)

I am going my own giveaway seperate from this awesome blog hop! I will be giving away one random stamp grab bag from Unity Stamp Co! This is super easy to enter using Rafflecopter below; this giveaway starts on Saturday and will run for a week, so stay tuned for the winner!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now it's your chance to win these awesome products from Clearsnap! All you have to do is comment on all the blogs listed below for your chance to win. The blog hop runs through this weekend, so don't delay!

Your next, and last, stop on the hop is the wonderful and talented Paula! Happy hopping!

Mustang Creations - Pam

Waving my Wand - Terri

Sheryl's Creative Corner - Sheryl

Mississippi McGyver - MariLynn

Meticulosity - Debra

Caffeinated Papercuts - Jennifer

Christina's Creations - Christina (you are here!)

Scrap Addict's Attic - Paula