Scrapping for Less ~ Flavor of the Month ~ Perk Up & Start the New Year

 Let’s “Perk Up and Start the New Year” with our January Flavor of the Month kit. 

I have a little story to tell…I never drank coffee until I retired about 6 years ago from teaching school…cause who wants a cold cup of what is supposed to be hot coffee? So now…with my wonderful flavored creamer I enjoy a cup of coffee every morning and especially love drinking my coffee while watching crafty videos on YouTube…so sit back and take a look at our Coffee themed FOTM blog hop this month. If you have not already snagged your kit please head over to the Flavor of the Month page and scroll down to choose the level of kit you would like! Make sure you head to the website to check out the rafflecopter, as well, to enter to win a prize!

P.S. I am behind on choosing prizes so stay tuned for those winners on the Teresa Talks 

post on Feb. 1st.

Oh My Goodness!!! When I received my card kit this month... I was crazy excited to start playing! If you follow my blog, you may have noticed that I love coffee! It's nearly an obsession... definitely an addiction! LOL! I actually made 8 cards for this hop and release... I could have made more, but I ran out of time! So this kit seriously blew me away and I'll stop chit chatting about it now so we can get to the cards!

For my first card I used Sketch #1 with Collection One.

I wanted to showcase some of the gorgeous Coffee Time papers in this collection but also had to use some of the fabulous ephemera... all by Scrapping for Less!! The browns and blues in these papers are absolutely gorgeous!! So rich and beautiful... I could just gush about them all day! But I won't... because we have more cards!

For my second card I used Sketch #2 with Collection One.

So you're going to notice that I used variations of sketch #2 for each of the collections and I have to admit that I absolutely love this sketch! It has a great balance of papers and endless possibilities for the focal image! Love love love it!! Oh, and for a little tip for this sketch... I cut the papers into strips and didn't actually layer them over each other. So the top paper is 4-1/4 x 2-1/4", the middle paper is 4-1/4 x 1-3/4", and the bottom paper is 4-1/4 x 1/4". All of those papers are adhered to a Whip Cream card base. I used the following Copic markers to color the beautiful coffee cup from the Humming Along stamp set by Scrapping for Less in Collection One.

Steam ~ N0, N1, N4, Colorless Blender

Cup/Saucer ~ BG000, BG90, B0000, B000,T0, T1, T3, (W1 - heart)

Coffee ~ E27, E47, E49

For my third card I used Sketch #2 with Collection Two.

Here is my first variation on sketch #2... I used the wood icon cup and bubbles in place of the oval/banner focal images in the sketch. I just couldn't cover up the pretty cups in the Love, Coffee and Donuts paper by Scrapping for Less... and the plaid!! Oh my! Love it!

For my fourth card I used Sketch #4 with Collection Two.

Isn't Newton just the cutest hanging from that donut?! I adore this stamp... and I just had to pair it with the fun donut papers in the collection. I also added some of the paper with coffee cups on the top so that I could tie the sentiment in with the card. The top sentiment goes with the main image, but the bottom sentiment I borrowed (and masked to get it just right for my design) from the fabulous Melting Snowman stamp set made exclusively for Scrapping for Less by Your Next Stamp that is included in the Banana Split subscription. 

I used ZIG clean color real brush pens to color in sweet Newton on Canson XL watercolor paper from my stash.

For my fifth card I used Sketch #2 with Collection Three.

For this one, I die cut the focal image using a stitched rectangle die instead of an oval, as seen on the sketch. I also popped up the focal image and the sentiment. I just had to use some of the sequins in the collection by Scrapping for Less... such a perfect mix of colors and sizes!

I also colored this image using ZIG clean color real brush pens on Canson XL watercolor paper from my stash.

For my sixth card I used Sketch #3 with Collection Three.

I fell in love with this beautiful blue paper so there was no way I was going to cover it up. With that being said... I did not stick to the sketch on this one. I omitted two elements on the sketch and enlarged my focal image. Speaking of the focal image... is this melting snowman just the absolute cutest!! He just melted my heart! He's part of the Melting Snowman stamp set included in the Banana Split subscription. I stamped him and the sentiment using VersaMark watermark ink and heat embossed a fine black embossing powder. I then water colored him using ZIG clean color real brush pens. In fact, I stamped and heat embossed all of my watercolored images. I find that to be an easy way of keeping the watercolors where you want them to be. :)

For my seventh card I used Sketch #2 with Collection Four.

This is another variation of sketch #2 using the beautiful Anya for my focal image. I am loving this sweet Brew It Anya stamp... I used her for my sneak peek card. If you missed that card you can check it out here ---> Sneak Peek Card. 

I stamped Anya with VersaMark watermark ink on Canson XL watercolor paper and then heat embossed a fine black embossing powder. I then watercolored the image using ZIG clean color real brush pens. I fussy cut the image and adhered it to a Cotton Candy card base with the strips of Echo Park Coffee papers.

I love the snarky fun coffee sentiments in the Echo Park Coffee paper included in this collection. I wanted to focus on this sentiment so I cut out an additional one and popped it up over the other. Seriously, love this sentiment!

For my eighth and final card I used Sketch #4 with Collection Four.

For this card I flipped the sketch and omitted the half circles. Since I was using a larger focal image (one of the cut aparts included in the collection) the half circles would have just been lost in the design so out they went! To keep a tiny 'touch' of circles in the card design, I did decided to add some of the pretty enamel dots included in the collection. Such a simple card design... what's not to love!

Here's a look at the Double Dip Subscription.

Here's a look at the Banana Split Subscription.

Next up on the hop is Lynnea!

After checking out the hop, make sure to join the Rafflecopter back on the SFL blog to have a chance to win an awesome prize!!

Thank you friends for checking out my blog post!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs!

Crystal

Scrapping for Less ~ Sneak Peek ~ January 2019 Flavor of the Month Card Kit

Hello there! Today, I'm sharing a Sneak Peek of the January 2019 Flavor of the Month card kit from Scrapping for Less. Oh my goodness!! This kit is amazing! I know... I say that every month but they just keep getting more and more amazing!!

I had fun with a bunch of layers for this one... I just love the Echo Park Coffee papers!! But if you follow my blog... you know I love these papers since I've been using them for my last few posts! LOL

Isn't this stamp just so adorable!!

I used the following Copic markers:

Skin ~ E0000, E000, E51

Hair/Hair Clip ~ E55, E57, E59, R01, R05

Clothes ~ R01, R05, BG96, BG99

Cup ~ R00, R11, N0

Purse/Shoes ~ BV000, BV04, N0, N5, N8

I added some glossy accents from my stash to the barrette. How cute! I love it!

Keep checking back all week for more Sneak Peeks from the design team!

Be sure to join us on Saturday for the blog hop and full reveal of the latest card kit!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Scrapping for Less ~ Pink & Main ~ Perfect Blend

Hello there! Crystal here with a couple of cards using the wonderfully whimsical Perfect Blend set from Pink & Main. Oh my goodness... the stamps in this set are just so sweet! I had a hard time choosing which stamps to use so I ended up making two cards.

I just couldn't help but pull out the Echo Park Coffee papers again! I love these papers! I chose my color palette from the colors in the papers. I then layered a few of the papers and die cut the stamped and colored images. For the bunny card I used the following Copic markers ~ N0, N2, R05, R12, R20, BG000, BG01, BG70, BG72, Colorless Blender.

I added a few coordinating enamel dots to each of the cards and called them both done!

For the mouse card I used the following Copic markers ~ C0, C1, C2, R00, R01, R11, R21, BG000, BG01, Colorless Blender.

Be sure to check out my Instagram today to see if you are the lucky winner 

of my Scrapping for Less Giveaway!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Scrapping for Less ~ Echo Park ~ Coffee Time

Hello there! Today I'm sharing a couple of cards featuring the fabulous Echo Park Coffee Time stamp set! This stamp set is just the cutest! I love the mix of coffee and flowers in the set!

My first card uses just one of the sentiments available in the set... "Coffee makes everything possible." Oh, yeah! I love it!

 I paired the sentiment up with some of the fun Echo Park Coffee papers and a cool Paper House 3D Coffee Talk Sticker. A pretty simple card with fun layers!

My second card uses more of the stamps... I stamped the flowers a few times along the edge and then filled in some of the space with the cute mugs and the heart. I used the following Copic markers to color in the flowers ~ YG93, YG95, YG97, R00, R01, R05, R11, R12, R21, BV000, BV04.

I stamped the sentiment using Versamark watermark ink and then heat embossed a fine white embossing powder. I trimmed it down to a banner and popped it up on the card. I love the simplicity of this card. The copics bled through just a tiny bit since I didn't do a lot of blending so I'll just cover the inside of the card with a slightly smaller layer of white card stock, but this step isn't totally necessary. I think it comes down to preference and maybe who the recipient is going to be.

Have you been loving all the coffee inspiration this month?! I am having a ball checking out all the fantastic posts from the design team this month! It's no secret that I love my coffee! Keep checking in to see more coffee inspiration!

Before you leave though... I am having a little giveaway!

I have this brand new stamp set to giveaway plus some other goodies from my stash that I've thrown in. All you have to do to enter is to comment on my blog. AND for a bonus entry, I'm also sharing this giveaway on my Instagram. You can head over there, like my post, and follow me and you'll have another chance to win!! AND for another bonus entry, follow the Scrapping for Less Instagram. You have until 1/17/2019 midnight EST to enter. Unfortunately, open to US residents only. I will announce the winner on my Instagram on 1/19/2019!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

~ Friends of Unity January Blog Hop ~

Hello there! Happy New Year to you all! I hope that 2019 brings you many blessings of health and happiness but also creativity and lots of glittery goodness! 

Today, we are hopping with a New Year theme... for me the theme wasn't just to make New Year's cards... instead, I found myself thinking about my goals and dreams for 2019. The beginning of a New Year creates, for me, a feeling of excitement, awe, and wonder about what the year will bring and what part I can have in seeing my hopes and dreams come about. So I think the cards I'll be sharing today reflect some of my thought process... and I hope they inspire you to get creative and make some fabulous projects for 2019!

My first card started with an alcohol ink background that I had made a while back that was still sitting on my desk. I love the combination of purples and blues and the almost bokeh-like background that the drops of alcohol ink created. I didn't write down the alcohol inks I used, but I'm pretty sure it was Wild Plum, Raspberry, and Turquoise. 

I also used Rubbing Alcohol and the Tim Holtz Alcohol Blending Solution.

Since I loved the background so much, I decided I didn't want to cover it up with the sentiment so I inked up the sentiment from the New Year New Dreams stamp set with Clear Embossing Ink on Vellum card stock and heat embossed Alabaster white embossing powder. I then die cut the sentiment with a stitched oval die. I trimmed the background piece and mat it on a Winter Wisteria card base. I then got to thinking the card needed a little something else.

I searched and searched through my stash for something to add to the background and I didn't have anything with the right colors so I had a fun idea to add a bit of glitter along some of the more defined lines in the background. I have mixed feelings about the end result. I like it... but I think it still needs something. I ended up just adhering the sentiment and moving on to the next project. 

I might just go back to this one and see if I can get it right.

Now my second card came together like a dream... the layout, the papers, the stamps... everything! I love it! The inspiration for this one came from a paper pad that I recently got in a mystery box I ordered. The soft romantic palette of the papers just spoke to me. I just had to use several of the papers from the pad. I started by coloring and paper piecing the girl from the November 2018 Kit of the Month called Whole Love of Lovely. I used the following Copic markers:

Hair ~ E09, E15, E97

Shoes ~ N0, N3, N5, N8

Jewelry/Nails ~ R000, R14, R27

Skin ~ E0000, E000, E51

I trimmed and die cut my layers and adhered them to a Vintage Cream card base. I fussy cut the girl image and popped her up on the card. I stamped the sentiment (masking a portion of it with a post-it note) from the Beauty, Wine-Cheers! stamp set with Memento tuxedo black ink on to Vintage Cream card stock and then die cut it with a banner die that I trimmed. I popped it up on the card.

I love the subtle touches of red I added in her jewelry and nails. I will add that I meant to stamp the image onto the type background paper so that the bubbles and the bracelet that I cut off in fussy cutting the image would be visible in the background, but in my excitement of creating this card... I forgot, and them remembered too late. LOL 

I still love how it turned out! 

My third and final card for this hop turned out just as I had hoped. I struggled with this one... this was my second attempt at the background. I had read that the Color of the Year 2019 is Coral... I wanted to focus on that color but my favorite color will always be turquoise (or some variation of that color) and it didn't want to be left out so I decided to blend Abandoned Coral and Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide inks on a piece of Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor card stock. Once I had the colors blended how I wanted them, I splattered some water and white acrylic paint on the background. After drying the background with my heat tool, I rubbed an anti-static pouch over the background and then stamped the mixed media coffee image from the Layers of Life set called Revive with VersaMark watermark ink and heat set a fine black embossing powder.

I got to thinking that I wanted to add a third color to my palette so I went searching for color combos and found that grey is a lovely color to accompany teal and coral. So I die cut the stitched frame from Weathervane card stock and then stamped the sentiment in VersaMark on the same grey card stock and heat embossed white embossing powder. I trimmed the sentiment and mat each piece on True Black card stock. I then adhered all of my layers to a Weathervane card base.

Here's a look at the inside of the card. I used the sentiment from the Cuppa Comfort sentiment set and added an extra cup that I watercolored using the Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide ink and fussy cut out. I think it finishes off the card very nicely.

Now for some fun... I got to thinking that I love this color combo and wouldn't it be fun to put a little challenge out there to see what you all could create using these colors. So, I found this picture on google and thought it would work for a Color Challenge. It has a couple shades of turquoise or teal, but you get the idea. So to enter your card or project to the challenge all you need to do is add the hashtag #friendsofunitycolorchallenge to your post. You can post to your blog, Instagram, Facebook, or even the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group. You will have until January 31st to play along and I'll pick a winner to send a little prize to. Sound like fun?! I hope so... I can't wait to see your creations using these colors.

Now for a little bit of business... I had a couple giveaways last month to celebrate our 1 year of Friends of Unity blog hopping and I need to share my winners. Drumroll please.... 

The winner of a Brand New Winter Beauty SMAK kit is Glennis!! Please email me at crystalominkler@gmail.com with your full name and email address to claim your prize. Prize must be claimed within two weeks.

The winner of the Brand New bundle of stamps including December Girl, Jolly Ol' Santa, and Stay Cozy is Meg Crawford!! Please email me at crystalominkler@gmail.com with your full name and email address to claim your prize. Prize must be claimed within two weeks.

Thank you to all those that have hopped along with us for a whole year! I can't wait to see what the next year of hopping brings! Speaking of... let's get to it.

~ Blog Hop List ~

Crystal <--- you are here

up next ---> Kim

Joyce

Bobbie Sue

Eileen

Jeanie

Robyn

Dawn

Thank you friends for checking out my blog post!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal