~ Friends of Unity April 2026 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! Woohoo! I can't believe that it's already April! How is that even possible?! This month's cue is a fun one...

Today we are sharing inspiration for Earth Day / Recycle!! I was kind of all over the place trying to decide which direction to go with my makes this time. But I'm happy with them and I hope you enjoy them.

Where would the world be without mothers?! Well, the answer is absolutely no where as we birth the babies that populate it so I decided to make a Mother's Day card. My first card features the super cute and new Little Miss Moo stamps from this month's Kit of the Month membership. You can sign up for the KOM membership and get this adorable stamp along with all the others in the kit, plus all the perks of the membership, mailed straight to your door. OR buy it as a 1-Time Purchase. Isn't it just the cutest stamp?!

 

 I die cut the adorable moo cow and my background using dies from the BIG Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I found a fun ink smooshed background in my "To Be Used Later" pile that looked MOO-velous with this sweet cow. LOL! I really like the pretty spring colors! I had ink smooshed it with Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry, and a tiny bit of Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks. 

I couldn't decide which sentiment to use so I used both! I adhered them to the cow panel and then popped up the panel and sentiments together with foam tape.

Copic markers used:

Cow: E000, R00, R20, E51, C0, C2, C3, N0, N1, N3, N5

Flowers: Y11, Y15, RV14

Flower Centers: YR02, YG68

Tiny Flowers: RV14

Leaves / Grass: YG11, YG23, YG67

Basket: E21, E23, E25

Do you ever look at packaging and think that would be cool on a card?! I can't be the only one. LOL! I was tearing up a cardboard/paper envelope and I just loved the look of the corrugated paper. I HAD to use it for a card! And it brings the Recycle element to my second card.

I stamped the beautiful Elise Girl with Black Amalgam ink on white card stock and colored her up with Copic markers. I decided early on that I would fussy cut her because she has a lot of extra hearts and flowers around her so I cut all of those off so the background would show through. I masked the sentiment and used Black Amalgam ink as well as Candied Apple Distress Ink for the heart.

Copic markers used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: C0, C3, C5

Dress: Y11, Y15, RV10, RV14

Pants: RV000, RV10

Flowers: Y11, Y15, RV000, RV10, RV14, BG000, BG10, BG01

Leaves: YG11, YG23

Bird: Y11, Y15, BG000, BG10, BG01, Y28

 I wrapped the recycled paper with some aqua twine from my stash. I secured the pieces with tape on the back and used a lot of glue to adhere the it to the card base. I adhered Elise Girl to the bottom of the sentiment and popped them both up on the card with lots of foam tape. And then I finished off the card with a few raindrop embellies.

It only made sense to use the cute world stamp from the 2025 Advent Calendar for my last card. I stamped it with Black Amalgam ink and fussy cut on the line. I colored the edges of my fussy cutting with a black marker.

My card design was inspired by the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 41. I'm hosting a fun sketch challenge in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. The challenge is open until April 27th. Lots of time to join in the fun and play along.

I paired up the cute world stamp with the Cloud Hopper Chronicles {paper pack}. I die cut some of the scrap papers using the smallest circle die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. I used my last full sheet for my striped background. I trimmed it to 5-1/4 x 4". I adhered the circles and cut off the excess on the ends. And then adhered the panel to a Kraft A2 card base. I popped up the world circle with foam tape.

All that was left was the sentiment and searched and searched through my stamps and came across this one. I stamped the sentiment from the Whole Wonderful World stamps. I think it works nicely.

Copic markers used:

Water: BG000, BG10

Land: YG11, YG03

Heart: RV10, RV14

Now before we get to the hopping, I chose a lucky winner from the comments on last month's hop to win a fun prize and the lucky winner is...

... Sue D!! Congratulations, Sue!!

Please email me at crystalominkler@gmail.com to claim your prize. 

Please claim the prize before April 29th, 2026. 

Well, that's it for me this time! It's a short hop this month with just six of us sharing makes. I'm so excited to see how our friends were inspired for this month's hop. I will be doing another fun giveaway this month!! Be sure to hop along and comment for a chance to win. {When you comment please leave your name just in case it posts as anonymous.} I'll announce the winner next month! 

Let's get to the hopping...

Crystal <--- you're here

up next ---> Jenni

Toni

Joyce

Rachel

Dawn

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 68 ~ Reindeer Blend ~ Jaded Blossom

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for a new sketch challenge over in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group! Today I'm sharing an adorable Christmas card featuring a sweet stamp from our wonderful Sponsor Jaded Blossom! This month's prize is a $25 gift card to Jaded Blossom! So excited!

I inked up the super cute and sweet reindeer mug from the Reindeer Blend clear stamp set. I also stamped the sentiment while I was at it. And then I die cut them both using the coordinating dies from the Reindeer Blend Outline Dies. 

I set them aside and got to work on my background. I used retired papers from My Favorite Things called Plaid Patterns Merry & Bright 6x6 Paper Pack. I had some scraps and ended up cutting a few more for my background. I just eyeballed the placement for the strips. I tried to keep them about 1/8" apart. I used 6 or 7 different pattern papers and alternated each design. It was fun once I got in the groove. So fun I made another background that I'll be sharing soon.

Once my background was done. I trimmed it down to 4 x 5-1/4" and then I adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base. I then die cut two circles for my focal image. I die cut a piece of Lovely Lady card stock and Stampers Select White card stock from Papertrey Ink using the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies} from Unity and adhered them to the card. And then I popped up the reindeer mug and sentiment using foam tape.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 68 for the month of April. If you're interested in seeing a bunch more inspiration for this sketch, check out the amazing inspiration from the design team over on the {BYSH} Cardmakers blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 41 ~ Paper Wings ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing my first card for the new Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 41 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. A vintage style card!

I inked up my favorite butterfly from the Paper Wings stamps on a piece of pattern paper and colored it just a tiny bit with a couple Copic markers: W1 and RV10. I fussy cut the butterfly on the line {except around the antennae} and colored the edges of the fussy cutting with a Memento Tuxedo Black marker.

I paired up the lovely butterfly with the Vintage Whispers {paper pack}. These papers are so gorgeous! I alternated light and dark patterns to achieve the look I was going for. All of the circles were die cut using a small stitched die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}.

Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 41. The sketch, as always, is meant to inspire not require. So let the sketch lead in your design, but don't feel limited by it. I moved the sentiment to the other side.

I adhered the circles on the 4 x 5-1/4" panel and then trimmed off the edges. I then adhered the panel to a white A2 card base. I bent the wings of the butterfly up and adhered just the thorax and antennae of the butterfly to the center circle. I finished off the card by stamping the sentiment from the Extended Celebration stamps with Black Amalgam ink directly on the card. I hope you can find time to play along with the sketch challenge. Have an INKriffic week!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Simple Fun Fold ~ Look Up Pup ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

I was just tickled to see a new pup that is the spitting image of our dog, Satellite. Such a cutie! Though our Satellite would be barking at the butterfly because that's how he talks with everyone. LOL!

I inked up the adorable Look Up Pup and colored it with Copic markers. I then die cut him using a die from the Scallops & Arches {nesting dies}. At this point I decided to make a simple fun fold card. I die cut another piece of white card stock with the same stitched arch die that will be the 'inside' of my card {or fold}. I also die cut the blue pattern paper and the pink grid paper {shown on the inside photo below}. I tore the blue paper right where I scored the focal panel so it would bend easily for my card to open.

Copic markers used:

Pup: E000, E11, E15, E59, C2, C5

Eyes: C0, C2, E59, E15

Butterfly: V000, V01, V12

Grass / Leaves / Stems: YG11, YG23

Flowers: Y38

Sky: B000

All the fun pattern papers for this card are from the fabulous Swing into Spring {paper pack}. Such pretty papers!! I die cut the floral print using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. It's adhered to the yellow paper that measures 5-1/2 x 4-1/4". And then the whole panel is adhered to a white panel that also measures 5-1/2 x 4-1/4". Adhering the two base papers gives the card a sturdier base.

So the simple fun fold is achieved with the two stitched arch panels adhered together on the left side. And I hid the coloring that bled through the back of my focal image using that pink grid pattern paper. Lots of space to write a little note and sign the card.

I stamped the sentiment and trimmed it. I adhered it to the side of the focal image. It also acts as a little tab so the recipient can open the card just by lifting from the sentiment. I finished off the card with a few sequins from my stash.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 67 ~ Sketched Florals Poinsettia ~ Pajama Crafter Stamps

Hello there crafty friend!

I'm sharing a little more inspiration for the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 67 hosted in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group! I just had to ink up the gorgeous Sketched Florals - Poinsettia from our lovely sponsor, Pajama Crafter Stamps.

I stamped the beautiful poinsettia with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Isn't it just so pretty?! I love it! It's on sale right now for just $6.99. Such a great deal! I colored it up with Copic markers and used the coordinating die to cut it out. I don't see the dies on the website anymore, unfortunately, but it would be pretty easy to fussy cut. 

Copic markers used:

Poinsettia: R00, R32, R35, Y15, Y38

Leaves: YG11, G24, G46

Pine Needles:YG11, G24

Stems: E57

Berries / Noel: R32, R35

I paired up this gorgeous poinsettia with the Winter Parade Paper Pack. I love how the poinsettia pops off of the dark background. I trimmed my striped paper to 5-1/4 x 4" and adhered it to a 5-1/2 x 4-1/4" card front and then I adhered the panel to a white A2 card base. The darker pattern paper is die cut using a square die from the Stitched Square Stacklets from Taylored Expressions. I adhered the square directly to the card and popped up the poinsettia with foam tape.

I used the Christmas Words and Shadow Dies for my sentiment. Noel was the perfect size to fit on the right side. I die cut the shadow from True Black card stock from Papertrey Ink. Noel was die cut from Stampers Select White card stock, also from Papertrey Ink. I colored it with the Copics I listed above.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 67 for the month of March. There's a few days left to enter the challenge! If you're interested in seeing a bit more inspiration for this sketch, check out the amazing inspiration from the design team over on the {BYSH} Cardmakers blog! I'm always blown away by the creations from the DT... they are amazingly talented cardmakers!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Membership Wednesday ~ March 2026 KOM Rooted & Radiant ~ Slow Bloom Society ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! I had a fun idea for a pocket card with a vintage vibe.

I inked up the gorgeous flowers from the March 2026 Kit of the Month called Rooted & Radiant from Unity. This beauty is also available separately as the Slow Bloom Society stamps.

I die cut the flowers and a Kraft mat for the back of the tag using a die from the Make a Tag {die set}. I also die cut my pattern papers from the Bohemian Dream {paper pack} and Vintage Whispers {paper pack} using the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}.

You can check out my process video here {or click the video above}... Vintage Pocket Card | Slow Bloom Society | Unity Stamp Co.

I tore the edge on the pocket paper leaving it white to compliment the white in the background of the flowers and the sentiment. TIP: when tearing paper be sure to tear towards you... holding paper in your left hand and tearing with your right hand. For left handed makers, holding paper in your right hand and tearing with your left hand.

The background of the flowers is ink smooshed with some Abandoned Coral Distress Ink. The edges of the tag are distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I finished off the tag with some white lace ribbon I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby tied off with May Arts Natural Burlap String.

Copic markers used:

Flowers: R00, R11, R22, Y15, Y38

Blue Buds: BG70, BG01, BG72

Yellow Buds: Y15, Y38

Stems / Leaves: YG91, YG95, YG97

Background: BG70, BG01, BG72

Here's a quick look at this month's Kit of the Month membership!

This gorgeous stamp is also available separately in the Slow Bloom Society stamps.

That's it for me today! I hope you've been INKspired to play with your membership stamps! 

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 40 ~ Heartfelt ~ AALL & Create

 Hello there crafty friend!

I'm a bit under the weather again but I wanted to share one more card for the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 40 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. I just got some fun AALL & Create goodies and wanted to play, but I kept it simple.

I used a couple pieces of the Radiant Pulse Double Sided Design Papers for my background. I cut a 3-3/4 x 5" panel from the rainbow papers and then cut it diagonally. I then cut a black mat that measured 4 x 5-1/4" and cut that diagonally, as well. I cut another piece of the design papers and adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base.

I stamped the super sweet and adorable Heartfelt girl with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink. I used a fun rainbow of colors to coordinate with the papers for my coloring.

Copic markers used:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, R00, R20

Hair: Y11, Y15, Y38

Eyes: B000, B00, B02, RV10, RV02

Lips: RV10, RV02

Dress: B000, B00, B02

Tights: RV10, RV02, V000, V12

Flowers: Y11, Y15, Y38, V000, V12, RV10, RV02, YG11, YG23

Heart: R20, R14, R27

Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 40. The sketch, as always, is meant to inspire not require. So let the sketch lead in your design, but don't feel limited by it. There's still time to play along... this challenge ends on March 30th!

I fussy cut the cutie and adhered her directly to the card. I stamped, trimmed and popped up the sentiment with foam tape. I finished off the card with a few raindrop embellies. I hope you have an INKriffic week!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal