Wednesday, April 1, 2026

{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

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

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

Sunday, March 29, 2026

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

Friday, March 27, 2026

{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

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

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

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

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

Friday, March 20, 2026

All Educated and Stuff ~ Sourpuss Scholar ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 
I am just tickled to see another fun Pissy Kitty added to the collection over at Unity! Sourpuss Scholar is all ready for graduation!


I was struggling picking a sentiment for this card so I thought why not make a background using all of the sentiments?! I stamped the sentiments three times each trying to show each of them on the background. I probably could have fit a couple more in those empty spaces though. I then ink smooshed the background with some Peacock Feathers Distress Ink. I didn't use a lot of water because I didn't want the sentiments to smudge and I left a lot of white space to help the background pop.


I dried the background with a Wagner Precision Heat Tool and die cut it using a die from the Zig Zag Rectangles {nesting dies}. I stamped the super cute kitty {THAT FACE!! LOL!} and colored him up with Copic markers. I fussy cut him leaving a white border around the edges.

Copic markers used:
Kitty: YR20, YR21, YR15, YR27
Eyes / Diploma: C0, C2
Tassel / Ribbon: B000, B00, B02
Grad cap: N0, N1, N3, N5


I stamped the sentiment and trimmed it. I wanted to bring the sentiment to the front of the card visually so I used a black mat. I die cut a piece of black card stock using a die from the retired stitched banners die set. I adhered the sentiment to the card and popped up the kitty with foam tape.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope you have a wonderful day!

Inky hugs,
Crystal