Monday, February 13, 2017

Growing In Unity Day 1

I'm pretty excited about being a GIU (Growing In Unity) gal this week. I found Unity Stamp Co a little over a year ago and I'll never leave. I love the stamps, both for the images and the quality. I'm often asked, "How did you make that?", so I thought I'd use my week to post some photo tutorials of my favorite techniques. I have one stamping technique and 4 background techniques. Today I'll tackle the stamping one.

This process really does create the most stunning result and is so fast and easy. There are some sets that create gorgeous results with this technique, and Bohemian Backgrounds is one of my favorites.


To begin, gather all of your supplies. I usually choose three colors of distress ink, at least one of the colors the opposite temperature of the other colors; I think it adds interest. Too many colors and you'll be left with a muddy image. I use watercolor paper that I get at the big box craft store, nothing special. Be sure to have a water spray bottle handy. 


 I start by inking my stamp with the lightest color of ink. Then, taking the next darkest color, ink random sections of the stamp. Finally, using the darkest color, ink a few spots on the stamp as you don't want the image to be overpowered by this color.


Next, spritz with a fine mist of water. This gives the stamped image that watery look. You don't want to be too heavy handed with the water or you'll wash off the ink or make it puddle, blurring the lines of the stamp. Stamp on your paper in the normal way.


Zap with a heat tool to set the inks before they run.


You're left with a really cool looking watercolor look.


I stamped a partial image at each end and used my Misti to add a sentiment, from Thanks Above & Beyond, under the main bloom.


The finished card. I also like this process with Feather Soft Love.


Be sure to leave comments each day to be in the running for 2 randomly drawn winners for a grab bag of Unity stamps!


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99 comments:

  1. Wow!! I LOVe this technique !
    I loved both the cards you posted in the group!
    The feathers were my favorite, but that was a hard choice over the boho card... great job <3

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  2. So very beautiful! I really like the one with the feathers. :)

    Congratulations on being a GIU gal this week!!!

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  3. So so pretty!!!! And you picked the perfect colors, Laura!

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  4. Beautiful cards and great technique!

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  5. Love this technique. I am going to give this a try. Thanks for the inspiration, these cards are beautiful!

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  6. Love this technique. I am going to give this a try. Thanks for the inspiration, these cards are beautiful!

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  7. pink and brown is a good color scheme. thanks for sharing
    stamping sue

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  8. Great example of this technique. Can't wait to try. Both cards are beautiful!!!

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  9. I am definitely going to try that!!!

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  10. I love this! The colors you selected and the stamp! I am so happy you posted the steps and products you used. Have a blessed day and keep on stamping!

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  11. Such a simple technique with such beautiful results!

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  12. Very pretty! And it's cool that no too stamped images using this technique will ever look the same.

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  14. Dreamy!! I love Distress Inks, but must admit that I don't use this technique very often. Your gorgeous cards just showed me exactly why I should!

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  15. Beautiful work misting the stamps with the trio of distress colors. I love to mist my stamps, too. Both creations are so beautifully done. Great work and enjoy your week as GIU!

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  16. I have used that technique with the same stamp from Unity. I agree, it makes such a wonderful image.

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  17. Wow, what fabulous colors these are together! I love this technique, too, and will have to give it more love. <3 Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to the rest of your fun week.

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  18. Beautiful cards and a great technique !

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  19. Beautiful, thanks for sharing....now i need to try this technique out.

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  20. Love this..will be putting to use today!

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  21. LOVE IT....thanx for sharing.....

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  22. Oh. My. Gosh. I have never done this technique before. I just got some distress inks for Christmas and now I really, REALLY want to try this out! Thanks for the amazing inspiration! I love both cards!

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  23. Love the technique and the cards. Great first day, hope you have a fantastic week as a GIU Gal.

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  24. Isn't it amazing how Distress Inks react. I do not think I have ever seen a bad image that was done like this. Thanks for the tutorial and have a super week as GIU!

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  25. Love this technique and gorgeous cards! Thank you for sharing.

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  26. Very pretty cards. Thanks for sharing your photo tutorial.

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  27. It's gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. Beautiful Laura! I love doing this too and the results never stop amazing me!

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  29. You make this look so effortless. You know my feelings about you and your talent........

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  30. Beautiful card, I MUST try this. I have both the stamp kit and the ink. Love your results!!!

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  31. Gorgeous cards! Thank you for sharing your technique with us!

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  32. FAbulous , I will definately try this!!!
    Thanks for the tutorial!!

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  33. So simple, yet so beautiful....love those!

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  34. Love this technique! Thanks so much for sharing! Your work is beautiful.

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  35. Thank you for breaking down this tutorial. I had wondered how you had made that incredible feather card. Both cards are so beautiful! xo

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  36. Love, love, love, and going to try your technique today!!!

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  37. I love this technique. Especially on the feathers. Very pretty and painterly.

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  38. Omg those cards are so pretty! I think I am going to try that technique after I am done my hubby's Valentine's Day card

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  39. Love this technique, quick and easy. I love both of these stamp sets. Both cards turned out great!!

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  40. Gorgeous cards and I love this technique! Thanks for the step by step. :)

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  41. What a great idea for your week! I love learning new techniques! This one creates a stunning card!!

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  42. I love this card! So pretty. I can only dream of making something so beautiful as this. Great job!

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  43. Thank you so much for the tutorial. I'm new to stamping and appreciate all the tips and techniques presented in a simple and concise way.

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  44. Love the bohemian background stamp! Gorgeous colors! Thanks for the tutorial too. Now I can try it for myself!

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  45. This is such a cool look Laura! Love it!

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  46. Did you have to try different spray bottles? The one I've used before makes droplets that are too large, I think, so the ink runs. Do you have a favorite?
    Thanks for sharing these beautiful cards!

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  47. Love this....great tutorial. Thank you for sharing!!

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  48. Oooooh I love these! Just gorgeous! I'm fairly new to Unity as well and I love everything about it!

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  49. wow I love this technique. thanks for sharing it. Can't wait to see what else you do this week hugs Tammy

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  50. Thanks for sharing the technique - Love the card! Can't wait until tomorrow!

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  51. I just bought my pad of water color paper and I'm ready to go. You explained it very well!

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  52. Wonderful technique and I like that you showed the steps. Beautiful cards.

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  53. Both cards are just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your technique.

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  54. very pretty bohemian card..... :-). Enjoy GIU Week.

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  55. Fabulous I will have to give this technique a try😊thank you for sharing

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  56. Beautiful technique and result. Love the soft colours. Hugz

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  57. I love when peiple give us step by step instructions to make a card.

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  58. Great card and technique! Im going to have to put this stsmp on my wish list!

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  59. looks watercolor. very pretty & soft

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  60. I love this method!! I'm going to have to try it with a better mist bottle, I'm using an old body spray bottle and the mist is too heavy. Lovely work!

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  61. OMG I love these 2 cards. I have the feather stamps but not the other, now I have to put those on my wish list

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  62. Lovely technique. Beautiful cards. I have a craft room full of Unity. They are lovely stamps.

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  63. Great technique. Ooh, I love those 2 stamps.

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  64. thanks for sharing your technique! It does give a great affect! Love the feather card! So elegant!

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  65. I never would have thought to spritz the stamp! What a gorgeous effect!

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  66. Love the technique idea....super pretty...thanks

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  67. very pretty...I love how you share how you make your beautiful creations! ~ Wynne

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  68. I love both cards! Great color choices.

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  69. Gorgeous! Thank you for the tutorial. I have several Unity stamps that will work!

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  70. Simply gorgeous 😍 I'm in awe of the beauty of this technique- thank you!

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  71. I have this stencil. i am going to try this soon. Thanks.

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  72. I love learning new techniques. My niece would love to learn this too. She's a very creative 9 year old :)

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  73. Wow, both cards are awesome. Thanks for sharing!

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  74. I tried it and it turned out great for me. Thank you for a week of tips!

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  75. This will look great with my latest SOTM kit.

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  76. Gorgeous technique I love both your cards!

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  77. Thanks for resharing!!! Off to give it a whirl!

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  78. Amazing. Loving this technique❤️ And btw both of these sets are on my wishlist❤️

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  79. Beautiful! I even think I might be able to do this one and I just bought this stamp. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  80. Wow .. both cards are absolutely stunning! Love the colors you chose too! Thank you for sharing your technique. Might need to give it a try!!

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  81. Stunning! These are absolutely gorgeous! I just have to try it now 🙄

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  82. They are beautiful! Love the watercolor look on the stamped images.

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  83. I love this watercolor technique, especially with butterflies. But I am going to use it on my feathers now that I have seen yours. Both cards are beautiful.Thanks for sharing and reminding me of this.

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