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

[Mary Webster]

I really want to try using the wreath builder template. It looks so fun.

[Lisa Lou]

I love your color combinations. I didn’t know the wreath builder and those Unity sentiments could go together. Brilliant.

[Vannessa Osbourn]

I love using the wreath builder template and love how yours turned out! Thanks for reminding me to use mine again!! It's terrible how we move on to something else and forget to go back and use older things!

[Karen Brown]

Beautiful wreath builder card! Your triple matting really sets off you beautiful design. We are so pleased that you joined us for our "masculine" challenge at Watercooler Wednesday. Karen - DT

[JenniferE]

Fantastic cards! Love the colors you used! Great wreath...I really think I need to get that template!

[Nikki]

Yay!!!! A blog on making wreath stamps!! :) I’m just beginning my card making journey and I’m very happy to see this blog. I can’t wait to try my hand at wreath making. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[Kathy Hering]

So pretty!

[Debra Dekock]

I love Gina K. Wreath builder set...they are so much fun. Your cards are wonderful!

[Kim Ross]

Love your wreaths! The color combinations you chose are so eye-catching!

[Jean Marmo]

Just lovely. I am still mastering the turnabouts.

[Nora Noll]

What lovely cards!! I am not really great with the wreath builder sets but I am loving the cards you created with it. I am going to have to try!!

[Linda Schaefer]

Great color combinations on your wreath builders! Very nice!

[hey.its.donna]

WOW WOW WOW
Soooooo gorgeous!!!
Thanks for celebrating birthdays with the crew from SHOPPING OUR STASH!

[lauren bergold]

totally TOTALLY want to get out my wreathbuilder right this minute!!!thanks for SHOPPING YOUR (birthday!) STASH with us this fortnight! stay well and keep crafting! ♥

[Maria]

Wonderful colors and design!