Unity Stamp Company’s Brown Thursday – BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR – has just begun and I’m back featuring the amazing Guided by Grace stamp set. This beauty is perfect for creating cards that feel both comforting and uplifting. I am mixing easy techniques to get this stunning mixed media look with just inks! There’s a quick video showing the process, so you can follow along and try these techniques yourself!

Just A Minute {JAM} Session Videos are short videos with simple ideas or techniques to help spark your creativity. These quick ideas do not require much explanation, but seeing them in action can be the perfect inspiration you need for your next project. Watch it on YouTube.

Featured Unity Supplies

Guided by Grace USC

Noel’s Charm Paper USC

Compensated affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support if you are inspired to shop using my links. Unity Stamp Company usually has a new sale almost EVERY week. Check the website for details. Stamp sets go on and off sale all the time. If it is not on sale this week, just add the stamp set to your wishlist and wait for the next sale so you get a great deal.

Guided by Grace

This card has a soft, vintage charm with its layered textures, warm colors, and a striking angel silhouette at the center. I started with a subtle patterned paper for the background, giving it an instant aged look, and added splashes of color with ink smooshing and ink blending for an ethereal, mixed-media feel. The Guided by Grace stamp set makes it easy to convey a heartfelt, uplifting message, perfect for encouragement or sympathy cards. I love how the combination of techniques comes together in such a warm, artistic way!

What Makes This Card Special

• Graceful and Uplifting Vibe: There’s something truly comforting about the angel image paired with that heartfelt sentiment, making this card feel like a warm hug in paper form.
• Effortless Mixed Media Look: I love how easy it is to achieve a layered, artistic effect with just a few simple techniques—perfect for when you want a mixed media feel without the fuss!
• Soothing Color Palette: The blend of earthy browns, soft red, and yellow creates a calming, grounding effect that adds to the card’s comforting presence.
• Organic Flow and Movement: The ink smooshing technique gives the colors a natural, flowing quality, making the background feel alive and dynamic, almost like it’s radiating light around the angel.
• Artistic Contrast of Light and Dark: The bold black of the angel silhouette against the warm, distressed background creates a striking contrast, symbolizing hope and resilience amid life’s challenges.

Creative Tips & Techniques

• Stamp on Patterned Paper for Instant Texture: Using a subtle patterned background instead of plain paper gives the stamped angel an extra layer of depth without needing extra steps. Look for papers with faint designs for a soft effect.
• Try Ink Smooshing for Effortless Color Blending: Dab your inks onto a craft mat, add a spritz of water, and then use acetate to press the ink onto your paper for an organic, watercolor effect. Follow up with a brush to add more color or blend edges as needed.
• Distress with Torn Edges: Tear strips of patterned paper for the top and bottom edges to frame the card. This easy technique brings a vintage, handcrafted look that pairs beautifully with the angel image.
• Add Splatter for a Mixed Media Finish: A flick of gold and green ink gives your card a bit of grunge and shimmer. It’s a small touch that adds so much character!
• Create a Focal Point with a Sentiment Strip: Stamp your sentiment on a small, distressed paper strip, then layer it on the card to draw the eye and make the message stand out.

Crafty Sales

• Unity’s BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR!!! — 60% off SITE-WIDE — 15+ NEW ARRIVALS — FREEBIES with purchase… All happening now at Unity Stamp Company.

Thank you for joining me today. I sincerely hope that today’s project inspires you. If you create something, feel free to tag me, @dahlhousedesigns, on social media as I would be thrilled to see it!

Supplies

Some links include affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for the referral but at no cost to you. I greatly appreciate the support should you choose to shop via my links.
Please Note: Product names with ** are suggested supply substitutions if I use something discontinued or hard to find.

Guided by Grace USC	Noel’s Charm Paper USC	Neenah Desert Storm 80lb AMZ	Candied Apple SB	Distress Ink Set #13 SB
Gathered Twigs SB	Vintage Photo SB	VersaFine Onyx Black SB | AMZ	Kuretake – Gansai Tambi AMZ

Most Used Tools

MISTI – Original SB | SSS	MISTI – Original – Black SB	MISTI – Mini SB | SSS	White Glass Mat SB | OTH | AMZ	Foam Roll Combo Pack SB
Foam Roll – 2 Inch SB	Stamping Tool SB	Grip Mat 6×6 SB	Media Mat Mini SB | SSS	Mini Stencil Mat** SB
Multi-Use Mat SB	Cutter Bee Scissors SB | SSS	Reverse Tweezers SB	Glossy Accents SB	Glue Bottle SB
Connect Glue SB	Blending Brushes AMZ	Mini Blending Brushes AMZ	Finger Blending Brushes AMZ	Jewel Picker AMZ
Rhinestone Pencil AMZ	Post It Note Tape AMZ	ATG Adhesive Tape AMZ	Big Shot SB	Mini Trimmer SB
White Pen AMZ	White Gel Pens SB | AMZ | EH	Artist-Tac Micro Dot Adhesive AMZ	T rulers AMZ	1.5″ block SB | OTH