Growing In Unity Blog Hop

Hello!

Welcome to my very neglected blog! 

So happy to be a part of the GIU Blog Hop! If at any time you get lost along the way, the fabulous GIU girl's hop list will be listed below. Be sure to visit every blog and leave a comment for a chance at winning one of two awesome prizes.

Since you found me, you must have come from

 Edelmira Rivera http://winecheesescrapbooking.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

I am sending out 2 Christmas Cards this year, a serious grown up one and a fun, whimsical one.

First up is my serious card. The kit is Winter Blessings by Gracielle Designs

The images in this kit are so beautiful and versatile. Perfect for Christmas or just a winter themed card or project.

Second is my whimsical card. The kit is Joy & Blessings by Angie Blom

This Santa is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

Unity Stamp Co. offers the highest quality red rubber stamps. The customer service is amazing! I love this little company from Minnesota.

Next up is Trude Julie Berg https://parentesfantom1.blogspot.com/

Be sure to hop over there and leave a little love.

If you get lost along the way, the blog hop order is:

1. Tammy Huber Murphy https://www.youtube.com/user/tjskids...

2. Joyce Verdon https://joycielcreations.blogspot.com/

3. Shanna Slater, https://caffeinatedcraftiness.wordpress.com/

4. Edelmira Rivera http://winecheesescrapbooking.blogspot.com/

YOU ARE HERE:  5. Sharon Duff https://dannyandpeteysmom.blogspot.com/

6. Trude Julie Berg https://parentesfantom1.blogspot.com/

7. Annie Sterner https://justascrapdork.blogspot.com/

8. Renee Moran https://delaneyjanecards.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Merry Christmas! And best wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year!

Thank you!

Hello!

I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that stopped by and left kind words during my GIU week!

You are all so awesome!

Hugs,

Sher

Growing in Unity - Day 5

Hi!

Wow! I can't believe my GIU week has come to an end. It went by so very fast! I would just like to give a little thanks to Unity Stamp Co. for giving me the opportunity to share my projects for an entire week with everyone. Unity is the best, from Angela and her awesome staff, to the quality of their product and the thousands of followers they have.

My style is rather plain and simple. Hopefully I have been able to inspire someone to create a project this week.

I was having a hard time trying to decide on my 5th project to share, but then my mom asked me if I would make her something and there it was! My mom and her lady friends get together every month for card club. My mom is the hostess for October and it is the week before Halloween. She asked if I would make her some cute score cards. She hasn't seen them yet, I'll be dropping them off this week. I am pretty certain that her score cards will be the talk of the game, lol.

Kit used:

Little Boos - Stamped with Stazon Black Ink, colored in with Chameleons and fussy cut

Paper - Card Stock Recollections, 

Design Paper - From my stash, thinking a DCWV Halloween stacks

Washi Tape - Martha Stewart

I would like to thank everyone who stopped by and left kind words. I greatly appreciate them.

Please don't forget to comment below. I'll be choosing 2 lucky winners for a fantastic Unity Prize Pack.

Growing in Unity - Day 4

Hello!

Welcome to Day 4 of me being a GIU Girl.

Today's project is all about Angie Blom and those fabulous Angie Girls/Guys she creates. I love all of them! To me they are like a grown up version of Paper Dolls.

We're celebrating today. I came up with this cute paper pieced card and little gift bag which is the perfect size for a gift card, a piece of jewelry, a little trinket or candy.

The kits I used:

Margaret Girl

Best of the Best for the sentiments

Colored with Chameleon Markers

Paper pieced skirt with a scrap piece of paper from my stash

Top and shoes colored with a Pentel Silver Gel Pen

Inked up with Stazon Black

Designer Papers - Echo Park

Gift Bag - I used my Cricut and the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More Cartridge

Please remember to comment below. I will choose 2 random winners at the end of the week for a lovely Unity Prize Pack.

Growing in Unity - Day 3

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Sharon and I am your GUI Girl for the week. I can't believe today is day 3! My week is flying right on by.

Today is about the military. I have had many, many family members and friends in the military, all branches. At one time 3 of my uncles, my mom's brothers were serving in the Marines at the same time during the Vietnam. My grandma had 2 of her sons come home, we were waiting for the 3rd. That year my Grandma said she would not take her Christmas tree down until her 3rd son was home safe. Grandma's Christmas tree stayed up until April, he came home. I was 3 years old.  This past spring my mom handed me a large manila envelope filled with letters written by her brothers and brother in law while they were in Vietnam. I stayed up all night reading those letters. 

If you have a friend or family member that has served or is currently serving, thank them. If you see a vet on the street, thank them. Thank them for the freedoms we have because if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have them.

Kits used:

Amber Girl

Charles Guy

Stamped with Black Stazon Ink

Card bases - Recollections

Washi tape - Recollections

Echo Park Paper

Colored with Chameleon and Spectrum Noir Markers

After I stamped the images I just stared at them for a very long time. I was stumped on how to color them. I went through my markers and picked those that I thought would go together to form a Camo Pattern and so be it. Sometimes I even surprise myself!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you liked today's creations that I am sharing.

I will be choosing 2 winners at random for a nice prize package from Unity. For a chance at winning please comment below.

Growing in Unity - Day 2

Hello!

I'm Sharon and am your GIU Girl for the week. 

Today I'm sharing a combined fun set of cards. It seems that my friends and I are entering that next stage of life. A new decade. I know age is only a number, but geez, someday's that number feels really high and other days it is rather low.

The kits I used are:

Demand a Re-Count

Old Only Once

Card bases are Recollection by Michael's

Paper is from a Retro stack from Echo Park

Ink is GKD Amalgam - jet black

Images colored in with Chameleon and Spectrum Noir Markers

I just love this kits! This little lady has some spunk!

I hope you enjoyed what I have to show you today. Please don't forget to leave a comment below. 

I will be choosing 2 winners at random at the end of the week for a little Unity Grab Bag of stamps.

Growing In Unity - Day 1

Hello!

Welcome to my blog and my week of being a Growing in Unity Girl. This is the 2nd time being chosen and I have to say that I am equally as nervous as the first time.

My style is very clean and simple. Heather Hoffman and Lisa Arana are like Goddesses to me! I love their style and watching their quick tip videos.

I purchased my first set of Unity Stamps probably 8 or 10 years ago. I bought them through an Ippity Chick, Aletha Williams, who a few years later I was fortunate to be on a design team with her. The red rubber, quality, price and beautiful images won me over and I really haven't bought any other stamps since.

Some may think what I am sharing for my first day is a little odd, but they are Sympathy Cards combining different sets. I find that it is so much easier for me to create a Sympathy card when I do not need one. They are very difficult to make. Again, just a clean and simple style, very elegant in black and white. The kits I used are:

Brody's Love

Your Life is Your Story

Abundent Blessings

The rose stamp was a freebie I received and I'm not sure which kit it is from.

Card bases and card stock are from Michael's. Washi tape is Recollections. Ink is GKD Amalgam.

I hope you liked my first day and come back and visit the rest of the week. Please don't forget to leave a comment below to let me know you were here.

I will be selecting 2 winners at random for some Unity Happiness at the end of the week!

CBD Blog Hop

Hello

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you are having fun hopping along with us. You should have arrived here from CraftyGirl Cards and Crafts.

Our blog hop is Anything Goes.

Life has been crazy for me! My project I am sharing is this set of 4 Easter Cards. They were super easy peasy to make. I found the pre-printed images on line. Pre-made 1/4 fold cards, a little paper from my scrap pile and some washi tape, TA DA! Super quick, super easy and super cute. What do you think?

You will hop over to visit Penny at Busch Creations. Penny is one of the amazing designers at ODD BALL ART. 

If at anytime you get lost a long the way, the list is right here:

Crafting by Designs Design Team

Rene from Life in the Craft Lane  

MariLynn from Mississippi McGyver

Pam from Mustang Creations

Isobel from Isobel Creations

Carole from The Things I Love

Julia from Paper and Scrap Creations by Julia

Laura from Laura's Craft Closet
CraftyGirl from Crafty Girl Cards and Crafts
Sharon from Danny and Petey's Mom
Guest Designers from the Odd Ball Art Design Team
Penny from Busch Creations
Susan from Calling All Crafters
EK from EKGormanDesigns
Crafting By Designs

I am also giving a prize for the hop. This Unity Stamp Co. Itty Bitty Stamp.

Just let me know you were here by commenting below and like and share my facebook page Danny and Petey's Mom
I will pick one random winner at the end of the Blog Hop.
Thank you so much for hopping along with us. I hope you enjoyed the hop!

It's All About Birthdays

Hello!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have made a blog post. With other forms of social media, I just don't think too much about it.

A friend of mine, Marilynn, knew I was making birthday cards and suggested I enter one of them in the Simon Says Happy Birthday Challenge. It is their birthday and they are giving away not just one, BUT 9 prizes!!! A $50 GC to their store. How awesome is that?

It's no secret, I am addicted to Unity Stamps. I love the quality of the stamps, deep, etched, red rubber. I use Unity for most of my creations.

If you happened to stop by, please let me know you were here. 

Hopefully I will be able to manage my time a little better so I can keep up with everything.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Sher

Winner! Winner!!!!

Hello!

And the moment you all have been waiting for! The two lucky winners of my GIU Week are:

Drum Roll please......

1.  Julia Vazquez

and

2.  Jeannette (Forest Ranger)

Congratulations ladies! Please email me your address at:  shareeduff@aol.com

and in the Subject line, enter GIU Winner

I would just like to thank each and everyone of you who visited my blog and left such kind words and comments. I was so nervous showing my Unity Projects during the week, but all of you made me feel at ease! Thank you!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Danny & Petey's Mom

aka

Sharon

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home!

I can't believe I actually feel that way. Usually I never want to leave our little cabin in the hills...

It poured down rain, we had flash flood warnings, it rained from 7:30 Friday night until 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. MUD! Oh the mud! And ticks! Ticks were horrible! I felt something crawling on my back, I asked my son to look, yep! it was a tick! I was itchy all weekend. I had to remove one from my husband Saturday night, it had embedded itself. Then we found another bite, but no tick. He went to the doctor this morning and was given antibiotic. This adorable guy wasn't bothered by any of it at all.

On the way home, we lost an alternator belt..... pulled off the Interstate about 30 minutes from home. I called my sister... I have awesome family! They are the best. She went to the auto parts store, bought an alternator belt, my BIL packed up his tools in the meantime and as soon she got back with the belt, they left for their rescue mission. It took my husband and BIL about 25 minutes to get it on and we were good to go.

Now there were good parts of the weekend. We made memories. We saw a black squirrel and a huge, fat porcupine coming down out of a tree. I've always seen them dead on the side of the road, never in real life. I loved it!

I played with my Chameleon Markers, still a little frustrated. Practice, practice, practice.\

I will be announcing my winners from my GIU week, hopefully tomorrow, Tuesday. I would just like to thank all of you for your kind words and comments. It really means a lot to me!

Lots of Hugs!

Danny and Petey's Mom

aka

Sher

Growing In Unity - Day 5

Hello!

This week has gone by so fast! I can't believe it is my last day as your GIU girl. I'm sad. I would like to thank Unity Stamp Co. for giving me a chance at sharing my projects with all of you. I'm working on building up my confidence in sharing my projects with others, especially those I do not know. Also, I would like to thank them for creating the Unity (Show & Tell) fb page. At times I do share a creation or two, sometimes I enter the challenge, but one wonderfully fantastic thing is that the fb group is like a group of long, lost friends. No snarky comments, lots of encouragement and inspiration. It's as if we are one big family and a lot of that comes from Angela and the love in her heart that she so willingly shares with us all.

If I had to pick a favorite project from my GIU week, I would have to pick this one. I just love this kit and it's so happy. This kit has endless possibilities!

I used the So Glad Your Were Born kit.

Birthday Gift Card Holders!

The paper is from a DCWV stack. I'm sorry I didn't measure anything. I just used my judgement on cutting the paper large enough for a gift card to fit and the inside pocket to be adhered to the inside so the gift card would fit. Images stamped with black Memento, colored with Prisma color pencils, then fussy cut. Before adhere the DP to the card stock, cut a piece of ribbon approximately 10 inches long, adhere it to the base, then cover with DP. For the inside pocket I used a piece of card stock and trimmed it to fit the holder.

I just think these are adorable and can be made for any occasion!

2 prizes are up for grabs just visiting my blog every day this week and leaving a comment. Remember, you must leave a comment. Unity Stamp Co. (The bestest EVER!) has generously donated 2 grab bags filled with their awesome stamps. How great is that???

And please visit my GIU partner, Amy Martin Jones at The Tigers Haven. Amy also has 2 Amazing Prizes to give away from Unity. Amy, thank you so much for your encouragement this week!

I hope all of you have a fantastic weekend. We are heading to our cabin in the mountains. Fresh mountain air and camp fires are greatly needed. Usually I pack a bag full of stamps and all of the accessories. but this weekend I'm only taking my new Chameleon Markers and the coloring cards that came with them. They are a little intimidating to use, especially since one marker can create so many color shades. I'm going to pop in a few Stones CD's and practice my coloring and shading. 
The Rolling Stones are my absolute favorite! My son's too! At the age of 2 when most toddlers are learning the Alphabet song, mine was handing me a Stones CD asking to hear "Angie" He would look at me, hand me the CD and ask, "Mom-Mom, Angie, peas." We surprised him with tickets a couple of years ago for his birthday. The video is a little long, the whining puppy is annoying, but Danny's reaction is priceless and well worth the wait. The video can be seen right here.

I would love it if you would become a follower of my blog. Sometimes it just may be a boring read and sometimes it just may be like WHOA! What???

And Petey says, Thank's for all of the kind words you have been leaving on my Mommy's Blog!

I hope you really like the projects I shared with you this week. I really enjoyed sharing them with you!

Lots of Hugs!

Danny & Petey's Mom

aka 

Sher

Growing In Unity - Day 4

Hello There! Welcome to my 4th day as a GIU girl!

Today I would like to share with you a tag I made. 

This tag was created using 3 stamps kits. The Angie Girl and Sentiment are from the Dream of Being kit. I cut out a tag from heavy card stock and adhered a piece of Recollections paper from Michael's. The first stamp I stamped was the butterflies using Versa Mark clear ink and clear embossing powder, then heat set.  The butterflies are part of the (...with her Own Wings) kit. Then I stamped the Angie Girl and sentiment using black Memento ink. The swirly scrolls are from the Growing In Unity kit (which is the very first kit I purchased from Unity!), I used black Color Box pigment ink and Recollections Bronze Embossing powder and heat set. I colored in the Angie Girl in with Prisma Color Pencils and used blending chalks on the background. The tape is from Target, the embellishments and flowers, I don't remember.

Unity Stamp Co. has given me 2 grab bags filled with 25 of their awesome red rubber stamps. Just because they are an incredible stamp company! All you have to do for a chance at winning something pretty fantastic is visit my blog every day and leave a comment to let me know you were here. 
And please visit my GIU partner, Amy Martin Jones at The Tigers Haven. Amy also has 2 Amazing Prizes to give away from Unity.

Have an amazing day!

Lots of Hugs,

Danny & Petey's Mom

aka 

Sher

Growing In Unity - Day 3

Hello! It's Day 3!!! My Growing in Unity week is going by rather quick. My nervousness has calmed down a little...

For today's project I am using an Angie Girl. It didn't take long for me to become addicted to Angie Girls. This line of stamps is so inspiration for Women. Women should build up and support each other and the sentiments that come with each Angie Girl give encouragement, no matter what life throws at you.

I created a post it note holder. The holder is a plastic/acrylic 5 x 7 photo frame. They can be found anywhere and usually cost less and a dollar. I used 2 kits for my project, the first one, Bryna Girl for the image and the sentiment I used is from Dream of Being. The background was created on water color paper using different inks and shimmery water color paints. I colored Bryna in using water color pencils. The sparkly tape came from.... wait for it.... Yep! Those Dollar Bins at Target, I used the tape to keep the back of the frame from sagging.

And here is a close up of the stamped image and the back of the photo frame.

A pen could easily be attached to the side or just lay across the top of the post it note block. 

I'm sure there is a special someone in your life that would love to have one of these on their desk!

Well that's all I have for you today. Unity Stamp Co. has created grab bags filled with 25 of their fabulous stamps for me to give away to 2 Lucky Winners! All you have to do is visit my blog every day and leave a comment. I will pick 2 names at random at the end of the week.
 Please visit my GIU partner, Amy Martin Jones at The Tigers Haven. Seriously you have to visit Amy! Did you see her Day 2 project? OMG! And Amy also has 2 Amazing Prizes to give away from Unity.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Danny & Petey's Mom

aka

Sher

Growing In Unity - Day 2

Hello! Welcome back for GIU Day 2.

Today I am going to share with you a quick and easy, fun to make card set.

The Itty Bitty stamp I used is Hello Daisy. I just love this stamp! It is so adorable and so fun!

The cards are 1/4 fold size and came from those dreaded bins at Target. (One can get into a lot of trouble with those Dollar Bins!) 

First, I "Ink Smooshed" the cards with green and blue marker. I found this technique under the Unity Quick Tips and you can view this tip right here. I used my heat gun to speed up the drying process. I stamped the image with black Memento ink, then colored the image in using my Prisma Color Pencils. After the image was colored, I filled in the image using Glossy Accents just to give it a little zing.

Oops! I got a head of myself. After the image was colored in, I stamped the sentiment on the inside. I'm not sure what kit it is from. I received it as one of the freebies that Unity Stamp Co. gives you when you place an order. Then I just simply cut a triangle corner piece and adhered it to the left side of the card.

The possibilities are endless as to what you can place in that little pocket. I decided on seed packets and am going to send them to friends to remind them how wonderful they are.

I will be giving away 2 prizes at the end of the week! 2 lucky winners! Unity Stamp Co. is filling grab bags with 25 of their awesome stamps! So remember, you must visit me each day and leave a comment to win!

And please visit my GIU partner, Amy Martin Jones at The Tigers Haven. Amy also has 2 Amazing Prizes to give away from Unity.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have an amazing day!

Hugs,

Danny & Petey's Mom

aka

Sher

Growing In Unity - Day 1

Hello!

Thank you for popping over and taking a peek at my blog. It's usually a pretty boring place and I always have a hard time keeping up on it.

I am so excited and extremely nervous being one of the GIU girls this week! I have always loved Unity Stamps! They are a small family owned and run stamp company in Minnesota. They have over 60,000 high quality red rubber stamps, all cooked to order. The selection of stamps is amazing! If you cannot find the stamp for the occasion at Unity, well then, you didn't look hard enough.

My project for Day 1 is this mini composition notebook. With the pen attached, you can easily drop it into your purse or keep it anywhere to jot down a note or create a list.

The stamp set I used is Queen of the Universe. This set is my absolute favorite, well... every stamp set I own is my absolute favorite.

I stamped, paper pieced and colored her in with Prisma Color Pencils. I could not even begin to guess on the paper... it was from my stash. The ribbon is one of those .50 rolls from Michael's, the mini pen is from the Dollar Tree and the mini composition books can be purchased at Walmart, 3/.88.

This is seriously a very cute and inexpensive gift to give to someone. Just a little thank you or thinking of you. The possibilities are endless.

Well I really hope you have liked my GIU Day 1 project. Please visit every day and leave a comment. I'll be picking not just ONE, but TWO WINNERS for an amazing prize from UNITY STAMP CO.
And please visit my GIU partner, Amy Martin Jones at The Tigers Haven. Amy also has 2 Amazing Prizes to give away from Unity.

Remember to visit every day and comment. And if you find that you kind of like it over here, please become a follower to my blog.

I'll see you all tomorrow!

Hugs,

Danny & Petey's Mom

aka

Sher

The Outlawz Guest Designer

Hello!

I'm a little late in posting. We had a family emergency that threw off our entire week. This little puppa became seriously ill Monday evening and spent 2-1/2 days in the Pet ER Hospital:

Petey gave us quite a scare and we could have lost him if we didn't act as quick as we did. I am happily reporting that he is home, doing very well and celebrated with 2nd birthday with us yesterday.

Now to get on with crafting life. I've been trying to enter challenges when I can. I used to participate over at the Outlawz quite frequently, sadly that came to a stop due to time. I've been trying to enter when I can and was quite surprised and honored when I had a message from Angela asking if I would like to be a Guest Designer for an April Challenge. Well Thursday was the day, my big debut! I am the Guest Designer for the Twisted Thursday Look Alike - 2 things Challenge. The adorable pup image is from Limited Runs Digital Stamps.

Be sure to stop back Wednesday, I'm hosting the Crafting By Designs new weekly Challenge, after taking a little break, our Get Ready for Christmas Challenge is being brought into the rotation.

And......... wait for it.......................

The first week of May I am the Growing in Unity girl! Stop by every day to see a new created by me using Unity Stamps projects! I am more than a little nervous!

Share my Blog, I know it's boring! Become a follower! How sad I only have 3!

Drop me a line!        

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs!

Danny and Petey's Mom

aka

Sher