Friday, January 29, 2021

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #6 ~ A Time of Peace ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
I'm back with another Christmas card using the {BYSHC} Sketch #6... sharing my last card for the January sketch challenge. There's only a couple more days to play along! My card today features the adorable A Time of Peace stamp set from Unity. I paired this stamp set up with the Echo Park's Wise Men Still Seek Him papers and the light blue paper is from the Carta Bella Santa's Workshop papers.


I had set aside a stack of Christmas stamps that I wanted to make cards with way back in November but I never got around to creating cards with those stamps so since I've made the goal of creating a Christmas card a week... I've been able to pull those stamps from that stack and this adorable A Time of Peace stamp was in that stack. So glad I was able to finally ink it up! 


I stamped the sweet angel and sheep with VersaFine Onyx black ink on Canson XL 140lb watercolor paper and used ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers to color it in. I die cut the watercolored image with a stitched rectangle die and decided not to mat it. I die cut a few stitched fishtail flags from the two paper packs with the Stitched Fishtail Flag STAX dies from My Favorite Things. I like how the mix of papers look on the side. I added some scrap papers behind the focal image so it was adhered level on the card. I masked the sentiment and stamped it so I could die cut it with a circle die and popped it up on the card with foam tape. 

As I mentioned above there's only a couple more days to play along with the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #6 so be sure to join us in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group and check out the challenge!! We'd love to have you join us in the fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Love Puppies & Muddy Paws Background | Flap Fold Card | Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a sweet card I made for the new release over at Unity Stamp Co.!! Eeep! I adore the sweet pups in the Love Puppies stamp set!! You have got to check them out! Anywho, I made a Flap Fold Card to feature this sweet pup in one of my favorite color combos... kraft, black, white and red!


Those cute little paws on the puppers inspired the Flap Fold for this card. I've been wanting to do one and it just seemed perfect when I saw this cutie! The card base is the same 4-1/4 x 11" size that I would typically use for an A2 card, but I've scored it at 1-3/4 and 7-1/4" to create the fold.


I die cut the Muddy Paw background that was stamped in Black Amalgam ink on the Kraft card stock with the stitched rectangle die from the Blueprints 15 dies from My Favorite Things. I then mat the layer with Real Red card stock measuring 3-3/4 x 5". The sweet pup was also stamped with Black Amalgam ink and then colored with the following Copic markers ~ N0, N1, N2, N3, N6, N10, E34, E37, R000, R14, R27. I fussy cut the pup and set it aside. I stamped the image two more times on scrap card stock and cut inside the lines... I then adhered all those layers together to make the pup a bit more sturdy on the card. 


This is the card when it's setting open. Pretty stinking cute, if you ask me! lol
You can check out how I created this card here... Flap Fold Card | Love Puppies & Muddy Paws!






One more little look at this cutie pie before you go! I just adore this sweet stamp! Be sure to check out the new releases over at Unity!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Distress Micro Glaze Resist Technique | January 2021 Whit Kit Anything is Possible | Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
I'm back with another card using the fantastic January 2021 Whit Kit Anything is Possible from Unity Stamp Co.!! This time I added a couple of products from my stash to make a love day card. I think it turned out pretty cute... definitely has a love vibe! Let's check it out... 


I kind of did a double resist on this one... first the sentiment and brick stamp are stamped and heat embossed, so that's emboss resist and then I used Distress Micro Glaze over the Heart Confetti Stencil from Unity Stamp Co. and that's where the second resist technique comes in when I ink smooshed a bunch of Distress Oxide inks.


The card front is die cut with a stitched rectangle die from the Blueprints 15 dies from My Favorite Things and then adhered to a white A2 top-fold card base. Lots of inky fun and just one layer on the card! I have a video sharing my process in making this card. You can check that out here... Distress Micro Glaze Resist Technique.





Definitely something a little different using the fantastic January 2021 Whit Kit... but it sure felt good to get inky! And I just love that sentiment!! The January 2021 Whit Kit is still available... if you aren't already a member, go check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Watercoloring on Patterned Paper | January 2021 Whit Kit Anything is Possible | Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
I'm sharing a little inspiration using the fantastic January 2021 Whit Kit Anything is Possible from Unity Stamp Co.! Today, I'm sharing a bit of watercoloring on the gorgeous patterned papers in the kit. The papers in this kit are mostly white and I thought I'd play with the watercolors, also included in the kit, and see if I couldn't add just a touch of color to those beautiful papers!


And it worked! I kept the watercoloring light so that the bricks in this particular paper weren't lost.
I then die cut the paper with a stitched rectangle die and then a stitched hillside die.


I just love how this CAS card turned out! The fabulous sentiment is also from the Anything is Possible stamp set that is included in this fabulous kit!


Here's a look at the contents of the kit.

I have a video on my YouTube channel sharing my watercoloring and assembly of this quick card. You can check that out here... Watercolors on Patterned Paper.




I just love that little splash of color from the watercolors on those pretty patterned papers!
I hope you've been inspired to play with your January 2021 Whit Kit! I believe the kit is still available so be sure to check it out if you haven't already signed up!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Friday, January 22, 2021

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #6 ~ All About the Patterned Papers!!

 Hello there crafty friend!
I'm back with my weekly Christmas card and this time it's all about the patterned paper!!
This card literally took me 10 minutes and that includes the time for picking just the right sentiment, papers and dies to make this card. The actual 'cardmaking' was SO fast!


So you can see a little in the photo... I chose the wonderful Twas the Night Before Christmas Vol.1 papers. All of my layers for this card, aside from the sentiment, are from the paper pack. The snowflake navy papers for my mats, the houses and the gold flag paper... all from the one paper pack! I just love how easy this card came together! The sentiment I chose is from the October 2017 Kit of the Month from Unity Stamp Co. called Conspiracy of Love. One of my favorite KOMs!!


I die cut the little circles from the patterned papers behind the sentiment... a fun trick I like to use when I can. I also added some Nuvo Glitter Gloss Aqua Shimmer to the snow around the houses in the die cut circle. Sadly, you can't see that shimmer in the pictures. 


I am really loving the current {BYSHC} Sketch!! I can make such a quick card using this sketch and I'm making a dent {a very tiny one... lol} in my hoard of Christmas papers! You can check out the sketch challenge here... {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #6!!


Another cute Christmas card for my stash... I did happen to find a handful of Christmas cards that I had somehow missed in December. Score!! That means I'm ahead for Christmas 2021!! Haha... well, I'll be back next week with another Christmas card!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal 

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Distress Oxide Ink Smooshing ~ Love Story Background ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a card I created with a few beautiful new releases from Unity Stamp Co.!! I so adore this gorgeous butterfly called Falling Into Place and just HAD to pair it up with the new Love Story background stamp... love this stamp!!


I started by Copic coloring the beautiful butterfly with Y000, Y06, YR15, YR16, YG11, and YG25. I fussy cut the butterfly leaving a white border and set it aside. I stamped the sentiment from the Hello Fresh Start {January 2021 Sentiment Kit} and trimmed it down. I then mat it on True Black card stock.


I did a little ink smooshing with Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord and Salty Ocean Distress Oxide inks for the Love Story background... isn't it just so pretty! I really love how it turned out! I also added a little white acrylic paint splatters. My finishing touches for the card was a little black metallic thread under the butterfly an a few Nuvo Vintage Black Board drops. I have a quick video on my YouTube channel sharing the ink smooshing and final touches for this card. You can check that out here... Distress Oxide Ink Smooshing | Love Story Background | Unity Stamp Co.




One more quick look at the pretty card... I sure hope you've been inspired to pull out those Distress Oxide inks and do some inky smooshing!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Friday, January 15, 2021

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #6 ~ Dreamerland Crafts ~ Together for the Holidays

Hello there crafty friend!
I'm back with another sweet holiday card for the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge that is going on in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group for the entire month of January. I've been inking up some of those must have holiday stamps to keep on track with my goal of one holiday card a week for the year. This is card number three and I just couldn't wait any longer to ink up this adorable stamp from Dreamerland Crafts called Together for the Holidays!!  


Isn't it just the sweetest stamp?! I adore it! I inked it up with VersaFine Onyx black ink on Canson XL 140lb watercolor paper and then heat embossed some Hero Arts Ultra Fine Clear embossing powder. I love to heat emboss detailed images when watercoloring so that the watercolors stay where I've put them. I used a handful of ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers to watercolor this sweet stamped image. I then stamped a couple of the snowflakes from the same set with Wow Clear embossing ink and heat embossed some Alabaster White embossing powder from Brutus Monroe. I also used a VersaMark marker and added dots of snow around the image by heat embossing them with more white ep. I love how it turned out!


Once the watercolored image was completely dry, I die cut it with a Stitched Square Stacklets die from Taylored Expressions and mat it on a 3-3/8" squared piece of Kraft card stock from Papertrey Ink. I then adhered it to a scrap piece of watercolor paper that I die cut with the Eyelet Elegance Square die from Gina Marie Design. I cut a 2" flag from Kraft card stock and adhered it to the back of the focal piece. I then popped up the whole focal piece with foam tape. The card base is a 10 x 5" piece of Kraft card stock scored in the middle to make a 5" square card. I cut some cute papers from Polkadoodles called Ho Ho Gnome... the blue snow paper is 4-7/8" square and the striped paper is 3 x 4-7/8". I adhered those together and then adhered them to the card base. The sentiment is from the Christmas Magic stamp set from Unity Stamp Co... it's stamped with the Wow Clear embossing ink and then I heat embossed some white ep. To finish off the card, I adhered a wood snowflake using Ranger Multi Medium Matte. So sweet... I love it!


Here's another look at the sketch I used. I adjusted the sketch slightly to work with a square card and the stamp that I wanted to use. I hope this card inspires you to pull out those holiday stamps and get ahead in creating your holiday cards! I'll be back next week with another fun holiday card!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Friday, January 8, 2021

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #6 ~ Full of Merry ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!
Today I'm popping in with a couple cards I've created for the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #6 over in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group. I used the beautiful Farmhouse Christmas papers and Full of Merry stamp set, both from Unity Stamp Co. These papers were perfect paired up with this fun sentiment!


I flipped the sketch for this one. I also added a Cherry Red mat to help the reds in the paper and the sentiment to pop a bit more in the card. I stamped the sentiment with Cherry Red ink from Gina K. Designs.


I fussy cut the stack of gifts from the papers and mat them on white card stock so they would pop a bit more on the card. I also popped up the stack of gifts with foam tape. The sentiment is die cut with a cute stitched die included in the Small Stitched Envelope dies by Lawn Fawn. I then die cut a piece of kraft card stock, cut it in half and then adhered the two pieces to both ends of the sentiment. I also used a corner punch from Stampin' Up! on the Farmhouse Christmas papers... but I think it's retired.


Here's a look at the current {BYSHC} Sketch. So many possibilities with this sketch!
And I actually have plans for another card to share next week!



I shared this card when the challenge started on the 1st. This card follows the sketch  more closely. I used the Farmhouse Christmas papers and the Full of Merry sentiment on this card as well. The little flag is a piece of Dark Chocolate card stock from Papertrey Ink. I fussy cut the pine cones and needles from the Farmhouse Christmas papers leaving a tiny border around the image. I think it adds a sweet touch to the card!

I hope you'll come join us in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group and play along with our challenge. I have a personal goal to create one Christmas card a week this year so I'll have a nice jump start on my holiday cards when it comes time for them later this year.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Saturday, January 2, 2021

~ Friends of Unity January 2021 Blog Hop ~

 Hello there crafty friend!

Happy New Year to you!!! Welcome to our January 2021 Blog Hop!! 

Our cue this month is a fun one it's... 



Black & White!!

This fabulous cue was so fun to play with! 

I had several ideas but only enough time to make two cards.



I absolutely love the Bohemian Backgrounds stamp set and I've just been itching to use it! I started with a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" True Black card front. I used my anti static pouch to prepare the card front for heat embossing. I then stamped the bohemian doodle stamp five times on the card front with Wow Clear Embossing ink. I dusted the card front with Alabaster White embossing powder from Brutus Monroe and then melted the embossing powder with my Wagner mini heat gun. 


I then splattered the card front with white acrylic paint that I spritzed with just a tiny bit of water to thin it out. I set that aside and stamped the beautiful sentiment with the same embossing ink and melted the same white embossing powder. I trimmed the card front to 4-1/8 x 5-3/8" and adhered it to a white A2 top-fold card base. I trimmed the sentiment into a strip and popped it up on the card with foam tape.
I love how the clean sentiment strip pops on the card! So pretty!


My next card uses the same gorgeous stamp from the Bohemian Backgrounds stamp set. This time I stamped the bohemian doodle three times with Black Soot Distress Oxide ink. I used the 'birthday wishes' sentiment from the July 2020 Sentiment kit called Aging Gorgeously. I splattered a little black acrylic paint that I thinned out with a spritz of water.


Once it was dry, I die cut it with a stitched rectangle die from the Blueprints 22 dies from My Favorite Things. I adhered it to a white A2 top-fold card base. Done! Very quick and I think it turned out really pretty in black and white!


Here's a look at both cards together.
I sure love how both of these turned out! I don't think I could pick a favorite... how about you? Do you prefer one over the other?

Well... in celebration of our 3 year anniversary of hopping I did a giveaway last month and the winner chosen by random.org is...




It's a Card Knock Life... aka Melinda Stearns!!!
Congratulations Melinda!! Please email me at crystalominkler@gmail.com to claim your prize. Prize must be claimed within two weeks.


I believe a few of my friends are having giveaways so be sure to check out all the fabulous creations along the hop and comment on each blog for a chance to win!!


Let's get to the hopping...

Crystal <--- you're here

up next ---> Kim









Thanks so much for supporting our little hop!
We appreciate you so very much!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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