Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Membership Wednesday ~ November 2023 Whit Kit Merry Everything Poinsettia ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
I'm back with one more card featuring the gorgeous November 2023 Whit Kit called Merry Everything Poinsettia from Unity! Pretty sure I mentioned this last time but I have to repeat myself... this kit is Gorgeous!


I played a bit with the papers, stamps and the embossing folder!! All so fun! I trimmed a piece of the red snowflake paper down to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" and then I placed it in the embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot. I then die cut the paper using the second largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I mat it with a slightly larger piece of gold foil paper from Stampin' Up measuring 3-3/4 x 5". I also cut a little 1/8" strip and adhered that across the paper.


I adhered the panel to a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" piece of the plaid pattern paper from the kit. I then adhered the entire panel to a white A2 top fold card base measuring 4-1/4 x 11"; scored at 5-1/2". I set the card aside and stamped the solid poinsettia using Candied Apple Distress Oxide on white card stock. I then ink thumped the edges using the Lumberjack Plaid Distress Oxide ink. If you're not familiar with ink thumping, I shared this technique for Technique Tuesday. You can check out the video for that here... Ink Cube Thumping Technique. I used oxides this time but it's the same technique. 


I used an acetate grid to place the loopy flower just where I wanted it. I applied some anti-static powder over the dried red poinsettia and then stamped it with Wow Clear Embossing Ink. I applied some gold embossing powder from my stash. It's from Stampin' Up... I think it's called Gold Glory. I don't know. It's been in my stash for years! I melted the ep with my heat tool and fussy cut the poinsettia. The white in the background was too white so I distressed the edges of the poinsettia with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I stamped the sentiments with the same technique except on Vintage Cream card stock from Papertrey Ink. It coordinates perfectly with the coloring I added using Vintage Photo on the poinsettia. I trimmed up the sentiments and adhered them to the card. To finish it up, I added foam tape to the back of the poinsettia and popped it up on the card.


Here's a look at the wonderful Whit Kit for November!! It's such a gorgeous kit! I've had so much fun playing with it! That's it for me today! Next week I'll be sharing a card featuring the awesome new December 2023 Whit Kit on my Instagram. You'll probably be surprised to hear that it's another beautiful kit! LOL! I'll be back here on the blog in two weeks with inspiration for one of the fab December memberships. Not quite sure at this point which one I want to play with first. {Of course, they are ALL amazing!!} Until then, have an ink-tastic day!

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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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Monday, November 27, 2023

Merry Christmas Card ~ Happy Winter ~ The Greeting Farm

 Hello there crafty friend!
Today I'm wrapping up my guest designing for the month of November for the The Greeting Farm!! This month has seriously flown by! I have a fun holiday card featuring the adorable Happy Winter Digi Set! If you missed my first card as a guest designer for The Greeting Farm, you can check it out here... Fairy Anya. And if you missed seeing my second card for TGF, you can check it out here... Angel Anya.


I had so much fun building a scene for my fairy card earlier this month that I wanted to play some more with my digi stamps. I just happened to get the new Happy Winter Digi Set so I thought this was a perfect opportunity to play. I combined and resized all the digis into a Word Document. I like to play with sizing and then print off a quick draft {an option on my printer to print with less ink} on copy paper. Then I'm able to see if the sizing is right. This one took me a few tries... I had originally had a larger snowman but he just wasn't going to fit without eliminating a tree and I like the balance of the trees on either side of the house so I opted for a tiny snowman. I like to think the kids built him from some of the snowballs.


 Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Skin / Mouth: E000, E00, E11; R00, R20
Anya's Hair / Ian's Hair: E21, E23; E21, E23, E27
Anya's Clothes: BG70, BG72, BG75, R20, R14, R46, C00, C1
Ian's Clothes: BV20 BV34, BV17, C00, C1, C3
Snow: B000, B60, C00
Snowman Nose: YR15
Snowman Hat / Scarf: R20, R14
Trees: G24, G46
House: Y00, Y11, YR30, YR31, YR24, E74, E77, N0, N1, N3, N5
Sky: B0000, B000


The panel was die cut with the Large Cross-Stitched Rectangle Stackables die from Lawn Fawn. I mat it with a 3-3/8 x 4-5/8" piece of Smokey Shadow card stock from Papertrey Ink. Before I started coloring I found some cute pattern papers in my stash.... the Snowfall Collection from Authentique. I cut two of the papers and adhered them to a white A2 top fold card base. I also cut a 1/8" strip of the Smokey Shadow card stock to adhere as a border between the pattern papers. I used a scrap of the Smokey Shadow card stock to heat emboss my sentiment from the adorable Gingerbread Christmas stamp set. I like to heat emboss with a white pigment ink and white embossing powder. It gives a nice bright white that really pops. Especially on darker card stock. I used the Sugar Cube pigment ink from Taylored Expressions with Alabaster White Embossing powder from Brutus Monroe and I melted the ep with a Wagner Precision Heat tool.


I adhered the sentiment at the bottom of the panel, added a bunch of foam tape to the back of the panel and the sentiment, and then I popped it up on the card. I hope I've inspired you to get inky and have some fun with your digi stamps and papers!

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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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Happiness Starts with a Wet Nose ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 
The amazing sale over at Unity Stamp Co. continues with another fun release for the Cyber Week Sale! Lots of fun and adorable new goodies! Including a super cute new background stamp filled with adorable puppies called Doodled Dog Delight.


I wasn't in a mood to color... shocking, right?! Well, there's a lot of pups in this background. So I thought, let's ink smoosh and then color a few pups. I love how it turned out!


I ink smooshed the background with Vintage Photo and Black Soot Distress Oxide inks. I left some white space too so I could color up a pup here and there. Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used: E21, E23, N0, N1, N3.


I die cut the background using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies} and adhered it to a kraft A2 top fold card base measuring 4-1/4 x 11"; scored at 5-1/2". The sentiment was stamped on white card stock with Black Amalgam ink and die cut using the smallest die from the Postage Stamp {nesting dies}. I added some foam tape to the back of the sentiment and popped it up on the card. So easy peasy and I think it turned out pretty cute. Whatcha think?!


 As a final little touch to tie in the sentiment with the background, I added touches of Glossy Accents to some of the noses. I tried to capture some in the photo above. I sure hope you can see them. That's it for me today! Go check out the awesome new releases for Cyber Week over at Unity

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

Inky hugs,
Crystal

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Inky Paws Challenge #212 ~ Color Challenge

Hello there crafty friend!
It's time for a new Inky Paws Challenge... a beautiful Color Challenge
I sure hope that you'll join in the fun and play along with us with your Newton's Nook Designs products! You have until Friday, December 8th to get your entries in for the #212 Color Challenge and a chance to win a $20 store credit to Newton's Nook Designs!


Absolutely gorgeous Christmas colors... Pine Bough Green, Christmas Red, Black & Kraft.


I stamped the beautiful truck from the Holiday Haul Stamp Set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Colored it up with some Copic markers and then die cut it using the coordinating Holiday Haul Die Set


Inspiration for my card came from the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #39 over at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook Group. I've really enjoyed this sketch! Thursday, November 30th is the last day to enter this challenge. If you use the Inky Paws Challenge colors and the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 39 sketch you could enter both challenges! Two for the price of one!! LOL


Here's a quick list of the Copic Markers I used to color up the truck filled with holiday goodies:

Truck: E30, E31, E35, N0, N1, N3, N5, N7, R20, R14
Wreath: YG11, G24, R20, R14
Tree: YG11, G24, G46
Presents: YG11, G24, R20, R14, E30, E31, N1, N3, N5


I paired up the Holiday Haul Stamp Set with the beautiful Christmas Time 6x6 Paper Pad. I was so excited to find papers in this paper pad that worked with the current color challenge. I didn't want to cover up the pretty pattern papers so I die cut a stitched scalloped oval from vellum card stock using a die from the Oval Frames Die Set.


Now it's your turn to get your paws inky with your Newton's Nook Designs products and create a project using the color combo of Pine Bough Green, Christmas Red, Black & Kraft. Be sure to link up to the Inky Paws Challenge! Can't wait to see your projects!


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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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Friday, November 24, 2023

Bunch of Tags ~ Holly Jolly Everything ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 
The awesome sale over at Unity Stamp Co. continues with another HUGE release for the Black Friday Sale! Lots and lots more amazing goodies available. Including a super cute gnome illustrated by Jeanie Hays called Holly Jolly Everything! Love Jeanie's gnomes!


I thought this cutie would make a cute CAS tag... whatcha think? I couldn't help but make a bunch of them. So fun to color up this gnome too. I die cut the stamped gnomes and sentiments using a die from the Make a Tag {die set}. I also die cut some Real Red card stock from Stampin' Up and I adhered those to the back of the tags.


 Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11
Mustache / Beard: C00, C1, C3
Sweater: R20, R14, R46, B00, YG11, G24, G46, Y11, Y15
Lights: Y11, Y15, YG11, G24, B000, B00
Shoes: N1, N3, N5
Hat: R20, R14, R46, E21, E23, E25
Holly Jolly Banner: R20, R14


I punched a hole in the top of the tags but on the side a bit so I didn't punch a hole through the gnomes hat. I added some red grosgrain ribbon and tied it with some twine from my stash. These were really easy to make and didn't take too much time other than the coloring. I just need to find a 'to' and 'from' stamp for the back of the tags and I'll be all set.

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

Inky hugs,
Crystal

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Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Membership Wednesday ~ November 2023 KOM Festive Flair with a Vintage Touch ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
I'm back for another Membership Wednesday and today I'm sharing a pretty vintage card using the beautiful pinecone stamp in the November 2023 Kit of the Month called Festive Flair from Unity Stamp Co. This month's KOM has got to be a new favorite! I just couldn't wait to play with this beautiful stamp!


I stamped the pretty pinecones on a piece of white card stock using Black Amalgam ink. Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used to color up the pinecones:

Pinecones: E21, E23, E25, E27
Pine Branches: YG11, G24, G46


Inspiration for my card design came from this month's Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 16. I was at a total loss at what to do with these pinecones until remembered this sketch and it just clicked. Love when that happens!


I paired up the pinecones with a piece of pattern paper from the gorgeous Yuletide Memories {paper pack}. These papers were a must have!! So glad I got my hands on them! I die cut a piece of the pattern paper using the largest scalloped die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. And then I tore off the bottom portion.


I splattered the pattern paper and the pinecones using some white acrylic paint that I thinned out a bit with a spritz of water. I heat embossed the sentiment with Sugar Cube pigment ink, Alabaster White embossing powder and I melted it with my Wagner Precision Heat Tool. I adhered the pattern paper to a kraft A2 top fold card base. I added a bunch of foam tape to the back of the pinecones and popped them up on the card.


Here's a look at the whole Kit of the Month for November!! So amazing! Can you believe that you get this full sheet of rubber for only $44.99? That includes shipping! You also get a $6.95 discount on every order from Unity over $45. And you can purchase any past kits for only $34 plus shipping. Such a great value!


I'll be back for one last Membership Wednesday blog post next week. Pretty sure I had said I was going to share a card or two using the November 2023 Whit Kit today, but I totally forgot about it so I think I'll probably do that for next week. I really want to ink up the gorgeous poinsettia in that kit!

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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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Monday, November 20, 2023

Joy to the World ~ Angel Anya ~ The Greeting Farm

 Hello there crafty friend!
I am super excited and honored to be guest designing for The Greeting Farm for the month of November!! I have a few fun projects to share with you all this month... today I'm sharing a sweet holiday card featuring the adorable Angel Anya! If you missed my first card as a guest designer for The Greeting Farm, you can check it out here... Fairy Anya.


This time I decided to play with some pretty pattern papers along with Angel Anya. A mix of pattern papers from the Star of Bethlehem paper pad from Hobby Lobby with some glitter papers from Stampin' Up called Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper for a fun background.


I stamped the sweet Angel Anya with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her up with Copic Markers. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find Angel Anya on the website. But if you'd like to have her you can check out the Farmers Market and submit a request via email... maybe she'll be available for the next Farmers Market. Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11, E04
Hair: E40, E43, E44
Dress / Bow: B000, B91, B93, B95, B97
Wings: C00, C1, C3


I nearly forgot a sentiment for my card but remembered the sweet Peace on Earth stamp set in my collection. I heat embossed the sentiment on Midnight Muse card stock from Stampin' Up using Sugar Cube pigment ink from Taylored Expressions and Alabaster White embossing powder from Brutus Monroe. I trimmed the sentiment and adhered it to the card. Sadly, Peace on Earth also isn't on the website, but again... check out the Farmers Market! It actually looks like there is one coming up later this week so submit your requests asap! {{{OMG... there is not one coming up! It was in August. So sorry for the confusion!!}}}

You can check out my process video here... Sweet Holiday Card | Angel Anya | The Greeting Farm




I fussy cut Angel Anya and colored the edges of my fussy cutting with a Memento Tuxedo Black marker so it looks nice and neat. Added a bunch of foam tape to the back and popped her up on the card. Love the dimension it gives to the card! I hope I've inspired you to get inky and mix your stamps and papers!

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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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Inky Paws Challenge #211 ~ Meowy Christmas Theme Challenge Reminder

Hello there crafty friend!
There's still time to play along with the Inky Paws Challenge #211 - Meowy Christmas Theme Challenge!! You have until this coming Friday, November 24th to get your entries in for this fun challenge and a chance to win a $20 store credit to Newton's Nook Designs!


This is our first Christmas with sweet Quinn as part of the family and I'm a bit nervous to see how she does with our Christmas tree. Any advice?


Speaking of Christmas Trees... isn't this tree of kitties just the sweetest?! I adore this fun stamp set! It's the Cat Christmas Tree Stamp Set. I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink - my go-to black ink for clear stamp sets because it cleans off beautifully. I die cut it using the coordinating Cat Christmas Tree Die Set.


Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used to color up the Cat Christmas Tree:

Star: Y11, Y06, Y15
Christmas Lights: YG11, G14, Y06, Y15, R20, R14, B000, B00, V12, V15, N0, N1, N3
Purple Ornament: V000, V12, V15, N0, N1, N3
Blue Ornament: B000, B00, N0, N1, N3
Ears / Noses: R00, R20
Dark Grey Striped Cat: N1, N3, N5
White Cats: C00, C1
Orange Cat: YR21, YR15
Dark Grey Cat: N1, N3, N5
Orange Striped Cat: YR21, YR15, YR68
Light Grey Striped Cat: N0, N1, N3


I decided to go with a CAS design for this card. I pulled out the Snowfall Stencil and secured it over a white A2 top fold card base measuring 4-1/4 x 11"; scored at 5-1/2". I blended a bit of Tumbled Glass and Wilted Violet Distress Oxide inks. I blended heavier in the center of the card and lighter as I blended out towards the edges so there would still be lots of white. Once I was happy with the background I stamped the sentiment. I added some foam tape to the back of the Cat Christmas Tree and popped it up on the card. Another quick and cute holiday card!


Now it's your turn to get your paws inky with your Newton's Nook Designs products and create a project with a Meowy Christmas theme. Be sure to link up to the Inky Paws Challenge! Can't wait to see your projects!


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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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Saturday, November 18, 2023

A Friend Like You ~ Merry Mingle ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 
The awesome sale over at Unity Stamp Co. continues with another HUGE release for the Black Friday Sale! Lots and lots more amazing goodies available. Including a new Angie Girl that I just HAD to play with called Merry Mingle!


Isn't she lovely?! I wanted a very simple CAS card so that Merry Mingle would be the focus of the card. I blended over the Star Confetti Stencil onto the front of my white A2 top fold card base using Mustard Seed and Kitsch Flamingo Distress Oxide inks.


 Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11
Hair: N0, N1, N3, N5
Dress: Y11, Y06, RV10, RV21
Heels: RV10, RV21
Gift: V000, V12, V15, V17, YG11, G14, Y11, Y06


I fussy cut Merry Mingle and colored the edges with a Memento Tuxedo Black marker making the edges look all nice and neat. I trimmed the sentiment and cut a fishtail on the end. I mat the sentiment with a piece of True Black card stock. I also found a strip of black card stock to ground Merry Mingle. I adhered the girl directly to the card for easy mailing. That's it for me today! Go check out the awesome new releases for Black Friday over at Unity! It's seriously another HUGE release friends! Lots and lots of fabulous new goodies!

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

Inky hugs,
Crystal

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Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Membership Wednesday ~ November 2023 Whit Kit Merry Everything Poinsettia ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
I had hoped to have a few cards to share using the gorgeous November 2023 Whit Kit called Merry Everything Poinsettia from Unity, but homeschool took longer than usual yesterday and I only had time to make two really quick cards. I do have to say that I am loving the papers in the kit! Gorgeous!


I didn't want to cut these papers at all!!! But I did end up cutting them to 4-3/4 x 4-3/4" for a nice square card. I also cut mats using another piece of pretty pattern paper from the kit. I cut those down to 5 x 5" for my card fronts. I adhered the two pattern papers together and then adhered them to a 5" square card base measuring 10 x 5"; scored at 5".


Isn't this beautiful scene just... well, beautiful!?! I stamped the sentiment from the Merry Everything Poinsettia stamps using Sugar Cube Pigment ink from Taylored Expressions on Real Red card stock from Stampin' Up and then applied some Alabaster White Embossing Powder from Brutus Monroe. I'm thinking the ep {embossing powder} is getting a bit old. When I melted it it got all wonky so I redid it and it was a little better but still not fabulous. I didn't have time to play around with it anymore so I just die cut and adhered it to the card, but I may redo it at some point and adhere it right over top. 


Come to think of it... the embossing did just fine on my Wild Wasabi card stock from Stampin' Up. So maybe it's the red card stock??!!? Any thoughts? Anywho, for my second card I heat embossed the sentiment using the same steps from the first card only I used the Wild Wasabi card stock. The dies, also in this month's kit, cut the card stock like butter. I'm loving this cute font on the sentiment! I adhered the die cut sentiments using my latest obsession Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue. I haven't had any clogs and the fine tip is so awesome with these intricate sentiment dies. 


Here's a look at the wonderful Whit Kit for November!! The papers are absolutely gorgeous!! This wonderful card kit is available for only $42.99. That includes shipping! Members get a $6.95 discount on every order from Unity over $45. Members are also able to purchase past Whit Kit stamp sets for just $14 and past Whit Kit paper packs for $2 off!! So awesome!!! 

That's it for me today! Next week is Thanksgiving so I'm not totally sure if I'll have time to make a card to share but if I do, I'm hoping to use the stamps in the November 2023 Whit Kit and share the cards I didn't get to make yesterday. Have an ink-tastic day!

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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Ink Cube Thumping ~ Technique Tuesday ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
I'm back with another Technique Tuesday! On the 2nd Tuesday of each month I'll be sharing a bit of inspiration and a video featuring a fun technique. I hope that you'll be inspired to get inky and play along with some of the techniques that I share.


I do love to get inky so this time I thought I'd play with the Ink Cube Thumping Technique. Have you tried this simple technique?! It works great with so many different stamps and ink colors!


I paired up the Colossal Snowflake stamp with a couple of distress inks for some fun CAS cards.


Salvaged Patina with Peacock Feathers distress inks for my first card. Both panels were die cut using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies} and adhered to card fronts in coordinating colors. I used Bermuda Bay card stock from Stampin' Up for the card front on this first card.


Shaded Lilac with Dusty Concord distress inks for my second card. And I used Blackberry Bliss card stock from Stampin' Up for the card front on this second card. I also used the beautiful sentiment from the newly released Winter Cheer and Deer. Love the pretty font on this sentiment!

You can check out my process video here for my card... Ink Cube Thumping Technique | Technique Tuesday | Unity Stamp Co.




I played with a couple more card ideas using this fun technique. Both cards feature the beautiful Simple Blessings stamps. Loving the texture on these beautiful pumpkins! They were perfect for this technique.


Lots of fun layers for these cards and pretty Fall themed papers. 
Another fun technique! I sure hope you're inspired to pull out your stamps and give Ink Cube Thumping a try. If you give this fun technique a try, I'd love to see what you create so please share your cards in the Unity Show & Tell group and tag me. Have an ink-tastic day!


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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


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