~ Friends of Unity December 2025 Blog Hop ~ Unity 2025 Advent Calendar Day 6

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! AND I'm sharing inspiration for the Unity 2025 Advent Calendar for Day 6! I had a lot of fun using the Day 6 stamp for this month's fun cue for our blog hop. But before we get to the cue and my cards... we're celebrating 8 fabulous years of blog hopping with you all!! First of all, how has it been 8 years already?! That's just bizarre to me! I've really enjoyed sharing inspiration with you all the last 8 years. I hope that you'll stick around for the next however many years we keep hopping around!! Thank you for supporting our hop and sharing your love on our blog posts!! We appreciate you all SOOO very much!

This month's cue is a Mood Board!! Yay! I had so much fun putting this mood board together. I'm super excited because once again we are hosting a challenge in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group. I sure hope that you can play along. If you're not familiar with how a mood board works, it's basically just a board of inspiration. There's different textures or images that may inspire you. There's also a lovely color combo. Maybe that gets the creative juices flowing. Or there's a sketch to inspire... whatever part of the mood board catches your interest, I hope you'll join us in the group and play along with the challenge. 

My first card features the beautiful cake slice for Day 6 of the Unity 2025 Advent Calendar. The detail in this small stamp is amazing! I really enjoyed coloring it with my Copic markers.

You can check out my video revealing the Advent Calendar Day 6 stamp and my process in making this card here... Unity Advent Calendar 2025 Day 6 | Unity Stamp Co.

I was inspired by the colors and the sketch for my card design. I used two fun paper packs for this card... the Cozy Christmas {paper pack} and the Where Winter Lingers {paper pack}. The pretty cake and Kraft mat are both die cut using dies from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}.

Copic markers used:

Cake: E21, E23, E25

Plate: R20, R14, R29

Frosting: C0, C3, G24, G46

Candles: Y11, Y15

Ground: C0, C1

The sentiment is from the Extended Celebration {front & center stamps}. I heat embossed it with Sugar Cube White Pigment ink from Taylored Expressions along with Alabaster White Embossing Powder from Unity.

For my second card I added some knit texture using an old embossing folder from Stampin' Up. It's trimmed to 4 x 5-1/4" and adhered to a Kraft A2 top fold card base. 

My inspiration for both cards not only came from the colors and a couple of the textures in the mood board, but also from the sketch. This simple sketch makes it so easy to make a card and I think my cards show a bit of variety with this design.

 I stamped the gorgeous floral stamp from the December 2025 Kit Of The Month called Peace, Paws & Possibility and it's also available on it's own in the Winter's Gentle Heart stamp set. I colored it up with Copic markers and then fussy cut it and popped it up on the card with foam tape.

Copic markers used:

Berries / Red Flower: R20, R14, R29

Pine Needles / Greenery: YG11, G24, G46

Pinecone: E21, E23, E25

White Flowers: C0, C2, Y15, Y35

The festive paper strip across the card is a scrap from the Yuletide Memories {paper pack}. Rather than cut strips I decided to just use this scrap to represent the strips in the sketch. I trimmed the heartfelt sentiment and adhered it directly to the card. I chose not to use foam tape because the embossed background has a good amount of texture and I didn't want it to be too much. I finished off the card with a few enamel dots. 

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 December 31st, 2025. 

Well, that's it for me this time! It's a short hop this month with just seven of us sharing our makes. Be sure to hop along and enjoy some more inspiration! I can't wait to see how our friends were inspired by this month's cue. 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 ---> Doreen

Joyce

Toni

Jenni

Rachel

Dawn

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Snail Mail ~ Patiently Posted ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Today I'm sharing a sweet snail mail card I made with the cute new Patiently Posted stamp from Unity. Isn't it just the cutest?! Love love love!

I stamped the cute Patiently Posted snail and sentiment with Black Amalgam ink and die cut it with a tag die from the Make a Tag {die set}. Then I pulled out some Copic markers and got to coloring.

Here's a quick list of the Copics I used:

Snail: V000, V12, V15, W0, W1, W3, YG11, G82, YG63

Eyes: C0, C2

Grass / Leaves / Stems: YG11, G82, YG63

Flowers: Y35

Sky: B000

I die cut my gray mat and the cute polka dot paper from the Polka Dot Obsessed {paper pack} using dies from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. The gray card stock is Smokey Shadow from Papertrey Ink. The Kraft card base is also from Papertrey Ink.

I added a touch of ribbon using a small scrap from my stash. I secured it to the tag with a couple mini staples using my Mini Stapler from Tim Holtz. I added some foam tape to the back of the tag and popped it up on the card finishing this one off. Whatcha think?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Advent Calendar 2025 Day 5 ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

It's Day 5 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!! Do you have a favorite of the stamps so far? I think the snowman from yesterday is my favorite so far though I do love today's stamp! 

We're taking a break from the holiday cards with this one. A really cute sentiment gift is today's stamp! So fun!

You can check out my video revealing the Advent Calendar Day 5 stamp and my process in making this card here... Unity Advent Calendar 2025 Day 5 | Unity Stamp Co.

I die cut the cute sentiment gift with a die from the Scalloped Tags {die set} (not currently available). I stamped the really awesome That's a Wrap stamp to accompany today's advent stamp. I colored it up with just a few Copic markers: RV10, RV14, and RV29.

I paired up the sentiment and ribbon with a piece of pattern paper from the Yay, It's Today {paper pack}. The star paper is trimmed down to 4 x 5-1/4". Love all of these together!

I'll be back tomorrow for Day 6 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity! Just a quick note that my post tomorrow will be a little bit later... I'll be posting at 9am CST.

Have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Advent Calendar 2025 Day 4 ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

It's Day 4 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!! I hope you're having fun with your Advent Calendar. I'm excited to share my card for Day 4! 

Today's stamp is the sweetest snowman! Too cute! I stamped the snowman with Black Amalgam ink and colored it up with Copic markers.

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

Snowman: C0, C2, Colorless Blender

Nose: YR20, YR15

Hat: C0, C2, RV000, RV02, BG000, BG10, BG34

Scarf: RV000, RV02, BG000, BG10, BG34

Ground: C0, C2

You can check out my video revealing the Advent Calendar Day 4 stamp and my process in making this card here... Unity Advent Calendar 2025 Day 4 | Unity Stamp Co.

Inspiration for my card came from the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 4! This one is a favorite of mine. I used the measurements from the sketch for my card.

I die cut the snowman using a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. And I popped it up on the card with foam tape.

I paired up the snowman with the Sugarplum Frost {paper pack}. The cute sentiment is from the sweet Snow Buddies a Uniquely Unity membership stamp from November 2024.

I'll be back tomorrow for Day 5 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!

Have a fabulous day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Have Yourself a Cozy Christmas ~ Santa's Favorite Ian ~ The Greeting Farm

 Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm also sharing a sweet holiday card featuring the adorable Santa's Favorite Ian digi stamp set from The Greeting Farm!! I just love playing with digi stamps and building fun scenes.

I combined and resized all the fun digis from the Santa's Favorite Ian digi stamp set in a Word Document. I colored the images up with Copic markers.

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

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: E95, E97, E09

Hoody: YG11, G24, G46

Jeans: B12, B95

Socks: C0, C2

Chair: C0, C2, C3, C5, E21, E23

Bear: E21, E23, C0, C2, R20, R14, R29

Train Track / Table: E21, E23

Train: N2, N4, R20, R14, R29, Y11, Y15

Stop Sign: R20, R14, R29, C0, C2

Railway Sign: Y11, Y15, C0, C2

Tree: YG11, G24, G46, E23, E25

House: N2, N4, C0, C2, R20, R14, Y11, Y15

Red Gift: R20, R14, R29, Y11, Y15

Tan Gift: E50, E51

Green Gift: YG11, G24, G46, R20, R14

Snowman: C0, C2, E21, E23, R20, R14, R29, N2, N4, YR20, YR15

Wall: BG70, BG72

Baseboard: BG75

Floor: C0, C2, C3

I die cut the panel using a die from the Wonky Stitched Slimline dies from Gina Marie Designs. I adhered the die cut panel to a white slimline card base measuring 8-1/2 x 7"; scored at 3-1/2".

Just like my TGF card yesterday, I originally had the sentiment on the 'wall' in the background, but I wanted it to pop some more so I printed it off again on white card stock, trimmed it and adhered it over the original sentiment. I hope I've inspired you to get inky!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Advent Calendar 2025 Day 3 ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

It's Day 3 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity! I am loving the creations being shared with these fun and adorable Advent Calendar stamps. Keep them coming! Today I'm sharing a simple card.

Today's Advent Calendar stamp is a really sweet reindeer stamp with a Nordic vibe! I stamped it with Candied Apple Distress Ink.

You can check out my video revealing the Advent Calendar Day 3 stamp and my process in making this card here... Unity Advent Calendar 2025 Day 3 | Unity Stamp Co.

A closer look at {BYSHC} Sketch 6! It may not seem like, but this sketch really did inspire my card. I went with a very simple spin on this sketch and made another landscape card. 

I die cut the pretty reindeer using a die from the Scalloped Tags {looks like these aren't available anymore}. I added some pretty ribbon to the tag and to the card.

I paired up the reindeer with the Season Starter {paper pack}. And I finished off this card with a sentiment from the November 2025 KOM called Tinsel, Toasts & Truths.

I'll be back tomorrow for Day 4 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!

Have an inkredible day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

A Gift of Joy ~ Gift Wrap Anya ~ The Greeting Farm

 Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a sweet holiday card featuring the new adorable Gift Wrap Anya digi stamp set from The Greeting Farm!! I love working with digital stamps! It's so fun to put a scene together on the computer and just print it off. 

I combined and resized all of these fun digis from the Gift Wrap Anya digi stamp set in a Word Document and then I printed it off on white card stock. I colored the images up with a bunch of Copic markers.

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

Skin: E000, E00, E11, E04, R00, R20

Hair: Y21, E43, E44

Hair Bow / Sweater: BG10, BG34

Jeans: B95

Socks: C0, C2

Rug: E50, E51

Tree: YG11, G24, G46, R20, R14, R29, Y11, Y15, Y35, E21, E23, E25

Chair / Blanket: E21, E23, E25, YG11, G24, G46, R20, G14, R29

Cocoa / Cookies: BG70, BG72, C0, C2, E25, E51

Wrapping Papers / Boxes: R20, R14, YG11, G24, G46

Tree Wrapping Paper: R20, R14, R29, YG11, G24, G46, E21, E25

Gift Box: G82, YG63, C0, C2, V12, V15

Scissors: BG10, BG34, C3, C5

Tape Dispenser: RV000, RV02, C0, C2

Wall: BG70, BG72

Base Board: BG75

Floor: C0, C2, C3

I die cut the panel using a die from the Big And Little Chain Rectangle Dies from Gina Marie Designs. I adhered the die cut panel to a Kraft A2 top fold card base that I flipped on the side for a landscape card.

I added some white Sakura Gelly Roll pen here and there on the card to add texture and interest to some of the colored images. I trimmed the sentiment and adhered it to the card. It's actually covering the spot where I had the sentiment originally with the images. I wanted it to pop a bit more, but I would have made it a bit smaller and maybe add a mat if I redid this card. I hope I've inspired you to get inky!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Holiday Sparkle ~ Frost Kissed Gratitude ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Today I'm sharing a sweet holiday thank you card I made with the adorable new Frost Kissed Gratitude stamp from Unity. Such an adorable snowman!! He's part of the Cyber Monday release over at Unity!! 

I started with a fun background for the snowman. I ink smooshed Uncharted Mariner and Antique Linen Distress Inks on white card stock. I dried the background completely before I ran it through my Big Shot with the Silent Snowfall Embossing Folder {no longer available}. I lightly swiped the raised snowflakes with a white pigment ink pad to make them pop just a bit more. I trimmed the background to 4 x 5-1/4" and set it aside.

I watercolored the cute Frost Kissed Gratitude snowman with Lost Shadow, Uncharted Mariner, Rustic Wilderness, and Antique Linen Distress Inks. I dried him up with my heat tool and then die cut him with a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. I popped up the circle on the corner of the ink smooshed and dry embossed background and then I trimmed off the edges. I adhered the panel to a white A2 top fold card base.

I stamped, trimmed and popped up the sentiment on the card too. I just love this card! It was fun to watercolor. I don't do it nearly enough.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Advent Calendar 2025 Day 2 ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

It's Day 2 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!! I hope you had fun creating something using your Day 1 stamp yesterday. I'm excited to share my card for Day 2! I think it turned out pretty nice.

Today's stamp is a beautiful pinecone. I stamped it and the sentiment with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

You can check out my video revealing the Advent Calendar Day 2 stamp and my process in making this card here... Unity 2025 Advent Calendar Day 2 | Unity Stamp Co.

Inspiration for my card came from the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 38! I turned the sketch for a landscape card.

I die cut the pinecone and the pattern paper using a die from the Scallops & Squares {nesting dies}. 

I paired up the lovely pinecone with the Where Winter Lingers {paper pack}. I finished up the card with a sweet sentiment from the Simple Little Wishes stamps. So perfect together!

I'll be back tomorrow for Day 3 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!

Have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Advent Calendar 2025 Day 1 ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for Day 1 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!! I just love Unity's Advent Calendar! It gets more amazing each year. My plan is to reveal the Advent Calendar stamp on my YouTube channel each day and also have a short blog post. I sure hope you can join me each day.

The Day 1 stamp is a pretty tree! Love it! I stamped it with Forest Moss Distress Ink.

You can check out my video revealing the Advent Calendar Day 1 stamp and my process in making this card here... Unity Advent Calendar 2025 Day 1 | Unity Stamp Co.

Inspiration for my card came from the {BYSHC} Sketch 12! Be sure to check out my other blog post today for the brand new {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 64. Christmas is going to be here before we know it... join us for the sketch challenge and finish up those last few cards you need!

I die cut the pretty tree using a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. The sentiment is from the November 2025 Kit of the Month called Tinsel, Toasts & Truths. It's also available in the Where Treetops Listen set.

I paired up the pretty tree with the Quiet Christmas Morning {paper pack}. I popped up the tree and the sentiment with foam tape.

I'll be back tomorrow for Day 2 of the 2025 Advent Calendar from Unity!

Have an ink-tastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 64 ~ Joe Frost Snowman ~ Digi Doodle Studios

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 a cute Christmas card featuring a sweet digital stamp set from our awesome Sponsor Digi Doodle Studios! This month's prize is a $25 gift card to Digi Doodle Studios! Yay! AND you can use code HOLIDAY25 for 25% OFF sitewide for the entire month of December!! I love to use digi stamps during the month of December because I can just place an order, download, manipulate in a document, and then print. No waiting for the stamp order to arrive in the mail. Instant gratification at it's best! Woohoo!

I inserted the cute Joe Frost Snowman in a Word Document and printed him off onto white card stock. I colored him up with Copic markers and fussy cut him leaving a white border around the edges. And then I set him aside to put together my background.

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

Snowman: B000, B00, R000, R20, YR20, YR15

Dark Gray: N0, N2, N4

Blues: B000, B00, B02, B04, B24

Holly & Berries: YG11, G24, G46, R20, R14, R29

Arms: E11, E25

Hearts: R20, R14, R29

Candy Cane: C0, C2, R20, R14, R29

I paired up this cute snowman with the awesome Winter Blues 6x6 Paper Pad, also from Digi Doodle Studios. It was so hard to narrow down which pattern papers to use for my card! They are all so fun and cute!

I adhered my pattern paper to a white mat and then adhered that panel to a 5-1/2 x 4-1/4" piece of the blue pattern paper. I then adhered the panel to a white A2 top fold card base that I turned on the side for a landscape card. I found a cute sentiment from the Christmas Tree Lot digi stamp set from Angie Blom Digital Designs. I printed it off, trimmed it, and popped it up on the card with foam tape.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 64 for the month of December. 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