Growing in Unity 2025 – Day 1

When I found out that I was getting another opportunity to be a Growing in Unity Gal this year, I was delighted. And when I saw what week I was assigned, I knew right away what my theme would be . . . LOVE. My week begins on October 6th, which happens to be my 24th wedding anniversary.

I have just about (if not all) all of the Unity Stamp Company “old” couples sets. Since my husband and I are inching our way to “old” and have been married a long time (and were together approximately 10 years on top of that), I thought I would see how many I could use this week. I’ll also sprinkle in some wedding cards since you can’t get to be an old married couple without first having a wedding.

I’m starting out with a newer old couple from Unity’s January 2024 Kit of the Month “All the Love.” I love this couple laughing like they’ve shared a lifetime of fun.

I stamped the image using VersaFine Claire pigment ink in Morning Mist. I used Unity’s Scallops & Squares nesting dies to cut out my panel. I used the largest stitched, scallop die for this panel, which measures 4 x 4 inches.

I colored the panel using Prismacolor Pencils. For the skin I used Kit and Clowder’s color combination of Sienna Brown, Burnt Orche, Clay Rose, Light Peach, Eggshell, and White. His hair is a combination of 70% Cool Grey, 30% Cool Grey, 10% Cool Grey, and White. I used this same combination plus Process Red for her hair. I used the Process Red and the 70% Cool Grey first, and then softened them with the other two grey colors and the white. For their jewelry, I used Bronze. Their clothing is Crimson Red, Blue Lake, with Copenhagen Blue for the deeper shades. Our stylish lady’s glasses are also Crimson Red. Their tongues are Nectar.

A 4 x 4 square panel begs to be used on a book binding card, which I admit I’ve been using quite a bit lately. To create a book binding card, start with a 4 1/4 x 11 inch card base. Score the base at 5 1/2 inches (as you would for a top folding A2 card) and 4 1/4 inches and then fold the card at those two score marks so that you end up with a Z. I forgot to take a picture with the base for this card but don’t worry . . . if you stick with me this week, you’ll see it. Once you have the folds, glue the area between the two score marks and stick the card together. You can see in the picture below how it looks. The second picture below shows the card base “open” after gluing.

For the book binding side, you can mat that area with a mat that is 1 x 4 inches. It is also a perfect place to put a sentiment. I’ve done both here. I used a scrap of paper that looks like confetti or sprinkles (depending on whether you are thinking of cupcakes or throwing stuff) from Unity’s Pastel Party Parade paper pack. Again, I didn’t grab a picture of that little scrap, but you’ll see it in the finished card.

I stamped a sentiment from Unity’s “I Did. I Do. I Will.” stamp set that was perfect to add to that little book binding. I tried stamping it directly on the printed paper but it got a little lost, so I stamped it on a piece of white. The white got a little lost in the white of the patterned paper and my large panel needed a little something extra as well. I used Distress Ink in Squeezed Lemonade to take down some of the white and set these panels off. The yellow is fairly close to the yellow sprinkle in the patterned paper so it works great!

On the inside of the card I stamped “Happy Anniversary” from the same “I Did. I Do. I Will.” stamp set. Here is the final card. I hope you love the way it turned out. I know I do!

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win one of two gifts from Unity that I have to give away this week. Each gift is $20 in store credit on the Unity Stamp Company website. I will be drawing two names using a random picker at the end of the week from those who comment.

Any links contained in this post are not affiliate links.