Growing in Unity - Day 4 - Wreath Builder

Welcome to Day 4 of my Growing in Unity week (if you haven't already, you can visit Day 1 & Day 2 & Day 3 here). 

 

I'm having so much fun sharing my love of Unity Stamp Company with you.  Remember to comment on each post this week for a chance to win one of two Unity Stamp Company grab bags (because you know you want that wonderful red rubber).  Did you see the big Stock-Up and Save Sale on New Releases?

One of the many things I love about Unity Stamp Company is the role they play in the greater Stamping Community.  I love when companies and designers work together and collaborate, because it gives me more opportunities to stretch my stash.

Unity has several stamp sets made to use with the Gina K. Designs Wreath Builder Templates, and those are what I am going to share with you today.  I'm using Unity Stamp Company Birthday Go Round.

 

 

and Circle of Friendship for my cards today.

 

I also used my original MISTI and Gina K. Designs Inks to stamp my cards.

 

 

For my first card I used the smaller Wreath Builder Template (3 3/4") and stamps from both Unity Stamp Company sets.  One of the first thing I think about when I build my wreaths is that the center will likely be covered with a sentiment, so I try to get my stamps as close to the outer edges as possible and don't worry so much how it looks in the middle.  Also remember to start stamping with your paper in the square position and finished in the angled position like below (so all your stamps fit on the page)

For my first stamp, I used the leaves from Unity Stamp Birthday Go Round with Gina K. Designs Fresh Asparagus Ink.  Unity Stamp Company also has Purple Tape which is the perfect low-tack way to hold things in place.

 

 

Also, don't be afraid to overlap your stamps ... think about how a real wreath looks ... all the branches are overlapped and intermingled.  The second branch is from Unity Stamp Company Circle of Friendship with Gina K. Designs Jelly Bean Green ink.

 

 

For my third leaf from Circle of Friendship, I used Gina K. Designs Tranquil Teal ... see what I mean about overlapping ... the wreath is starting to look full.

 

 

I finished by stamping three flowers (two from Circle of Friendship and one from Birthday Go Round) in Gina K. Designs Red Velvet Ink.

 

 

So that more of my wreath would show, I didn't use one of the frames for this card, but instead used a Circle Punch (1 3/4") and Scalloped Circle Punch (2") for my sentiment from Circle of Friendship.

 

 

I finished with several layers of cardstock on a 4 1/4" card base ... and a scattering of tiny bling.

For my second card, I decided to stick with the same ink colors, but omit the flowers for a more masculine design.

I started with Gina K. Designs Jelly Bean Green and one of the leaves from Circle of Friendship that reminded me of an Asparagus Fern.  I only stamped it once to keep the ink color light.

 

 

Next I returned to Fresh Asparagus ink with the open leaf stamp from Birthday Go Round.  For a slight variation in color, I stamped every other leaf twice (again ... don't be afraid to overlap)

 

I stamped the larger solid leaves from Circle of Friendship in Tranquil Teal.

 

 

I felt like my wreath needed more solid color to fill it in, so I stamped two more leaves from Circle of Friendship using Jelly Bean Green Ink ... inking the solid leaves twice on the longer branch once.

 

 

I stamped the frame from Unity Stamp Company Birthday Go Round and centered one of the Birthday Sentiments from the set inside the frame stamped in Fresh Asparagus Ink.  I fussy cut the frame before attaching it with foam tape (if you're lucky enough to have a cutting machine, Unity Stamp Company has SVG Cut Files for a lot of their stamp sets including both these sets)

 

 

I really love how the inks overlapped but are still slightly translucent.  This card is also perfect for the March Unity Stamp Company Birthday Card Challenge ... have you joined the fun?  It's also a Birthday-themed Challenge at Shopping Our Stash.

 

 

And it's a Masculine Card theme at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.

Thanks again for joining me for Day 4 of my Growing in Unity week ... remember, leave a comment below to be entered in the random drawing for some free Unity Stamps.

Comments

[Carey]

Love the color combinations on these wreaths!

[Cheryl Stauffer]

Beautiful! Thank you for the great directions and tips.

[Mona Sen]

I love these so much! And they remind me of our class with Gina!

[Helen Banaszewski]

So pretty love these stamps

[Paula Rigby]

Great ideas...love them!

[Sue Wisniewski]

I do like to wreath builder cards. Yours are Terrific! time for me to get my supplies out and make some.
stamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

[Karren Grayson]

I love the colors you chose. I think I will go to the website and check out the wreath builder. Can't wait for tomorrow.

[BECCA YAHRLING]

I love wreaths!! I would collect them if I had room to store them. lol These are both lovely and I will have to use you as a reference. I bought the wreath builder & Circle of Friendship, but realized after I needed a stamping platform! Ugh! Well, I finally bought the WRMK and I hate it! lol But I'll try again.

[Debbie]

Beautiful! I really do need to use my wreath builder. You have inspired me to give it a try again.

[Lorraine]

These are awesome cards. You've inspired me to get out my wreath builder again. Stay well!

[Wilma DeGraffenreid]

Gorgeous cards! I've never invested in the wreath builder... you've definitely made me reconsider.

[Elizabeth Roberts]

I have not been impressed with my stamping when I have used my wreath builder. You have inspired me to get it out again and play.

[Alyson Esposito]

I love wreath builder cards! Gina K is genius for teaching us this. I use lots of little stamps from my unity collection to create with the wreath builder. Your cards are fabulous.

[Meghan Kennihan]

These are both stunning! I LOVE the way you showed us the step by step!

[Dorothy Green]

Both wreath cards are so pretty!!

[Beth Gaines]

Love your color combos! Beautiful cards!

[Denise Bryant]

Love the wreath builder designs! Awesome cards!

[Linda Vigil]

Wonderful! Great card, excellent tutorial! Hugs!

[Miwa]

What a beautiful card! I love it!

[glennis f]

Thanks for sharing how to make the wreaths - a great result

[Louise Winters]

Lovely use of blues and greens. Wonderful!

[Kathleen Dippner]

Beautiful cards! I love the colors you used for your wreaths and I have and love the Circle of Friendship set. Thanks for sharing.

[Joy G]

Beautiful! Thank you for the step by step directions!

[Linda]

I love your choice of stamps. The colors are perfect! Great job. I have these stamps and need to pull them out again!

Linda Abel

[Kim A Klinkovsky]

Great colors, stamps, and designs. I have not played with this wreath builder much, but I will now. Beautiful cards. Thank you for the inspiration!