~ Friends of Unity November 2026 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! Woohoo! This month's cue is lots of fun. We're not making cards this month...

Today we are sharing inspiration for the Bookmarks & Tags cue!! I love to make bookmarks and tags. I can't wait to see what our friends made this month too.

For my first project, I made a simple bookmark using the beautiful February 2026 Whit Kit called Books & Quiet Moments. I kept the background very simple. I ink smooshed just a little Lost Shadow Distress Ink on the bookmark. And then I masked the edges of the bookmark and stamped the book store using the same ink. I used the Bookmark II die set from Newton's Nook Designs for the bookmark.

I wanted the girl to pop on the bookmark so I colored her up with Copic markers. And then I fussy cut her and adhered her to the bookmark. Easy peasy. I finished off the bookmark with some ribbon from my stash.

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

Skin: E00, E21

Hair: Y21, E43, E44

Jacket: E21, E25, V000, V12, V15

Jeans: B91, B95, B97

Bag: Y21, Y38

Books: B91, E00, E21, E25, RV14, YG91, YG63, C0, C2, Y15, Y38, 

I also made a couple simple tags. I used the Ornamental Pines Coordinating Die Set to cut out the trees and the 'merry' sentiments. I don't see the dies on the website, but I do see the Ornamental Pines Stamp & Stencil bundle which is awesome! I had a hard time picking papers for these so I ended up using two packs for two different looks. I used the Quiet Christmas Morning {paper pack} for the kraft tag and Minty Christmas {paper pack} for the white tag.

And I used the awesome Make a Tag {die set} for my layers. I finished these off with some red rhinestones and ribbons that I tied off with burlap string. I also die cut backings for these so the back is nice and neat. Do you do that too or just leave it?

My last set of tags features the adorable bees from the November 2026 KOM called All the Ways Christmas Feels. I just love these cuties that are also available in the KOMpanion set called Buzzin' Through the Holidays. So if you don't want to sign up for the membership you can just get this cute set on it's own. Yippee!

I paired up each of the cute bees with the beautiful Sugarplum Frost {paper pack}. I used the awesome Make a Tag {die set} again for these tags. And the 'merry' sentiment again from the Ornamental Pines Coordinating Die Set. I die cut them twice to give it a little dimension. The Snowflake Dies were a doorbuster from 2025. Not sure if there's plans to bring those back but I sure love them!

Copic markers used:

Bee: Y21

Eyes: C0, C2

Antler Headband: RV10, RV02, E21, E23, E25

Wings: BG10, BG01

Scarf: RV10, RV02

Ornament: BG10, BG01, C0, C2

Socks: BG10, BG01

Shoes: RV10, RV02, C0, C2

I adhered my layers and used my Crop-a-dile to punch the holes in the tops of the tags. I adhered the sentiment together using Bear Art glue... I just love that fine tip for sentiment dies. Makes it so much easier to adhere them together.

Copic Markers used:

Bee: Y21

Eyes: C0, C2

Wings: BG10, BG01

Hat / Candy Cane: RV10, RV02, C0, C2

Present: BG10, BG01, RV10, RV02, G000, G21

I added some iridescent organdy ribbon to the tops of the tags and tied them off with the ivory burlap string again. I think I made add a few confetti pieces for a little sparkle.

Copic markers used:

Bee: Y21

Eyes / Marshmallows: C0, C2

Hat / Candy Cane: RV10, RV02, C0, C2

Cup: BG10, BG01, RV10, RV02

I finished off the back of the tags with a die cut snowflake from pattern paper scraps and a sentiment from the Buzzin' Through the Holidays. I left some space to write the recipients name. I really like how these turned out. So fun!

Now before we get to the hopping, random dot org chose a lucky winner from the comments on last month's hop to win a fun prize and the lucky winner is...

... Denise Bryant!! Congratulations, Denise!!

Please email me at crystalominkler@gmail.com to claim your prize. 

Please claim the prize before December 2nd, 2026. 

Well, that's it for me this time! I'm so excited to see how our friends were inspired for this month's hop! 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 ---> Jane

Von Marie

Joyce

Jenni

Rachel

Dawn

Toni

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 47 ~ Give Thanks ~ Not 2 Shabby

Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing inspiration for the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 47 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. I pulled out some awesome pattern papers and ephemera from Not 2 Shabby to make these quick cards.

It was so much fun to mix match and play with these papers. I was also able to use a bunch of my scraps with just minimal trimming here and there. So easy peasy!

I'm also playing along with the Not 2 Shabby Tic Tac Toe November Monthly Challenge in the Not 2 Shabby | My Love for Stamps and Scrappy Goodness Facebook group. I'm going diagonally from top right to the bottom left corner - use a sketch, free choice (stamp set), and use 3 pattern papers (I actually used 4). 

I used the gorgeous Give Thanks 6x6 Paper Pad from Not 2 Shabby. Now these are retired but they have lots and lots of gorgeous papers including the gorgeous Autumn Days 6x6 Paper Pad which would be wonderful with this sketch.

Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 47. 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'm really enjoying the fun layers in this sketch!

I paired up the pretty papers and ephemera with the simple sentiment from Pick Me Up Clear Stamp. I love the sentiments in this set! Perfect for quick sentiment strips.

All of the layers are adhered directly to a white A2 top fold card base. I popped up the cluster of ephemera pieces on each card to finish them off.

That's it for me today! I hope you've been INKspired to play along with the TOPII Sketch 47. 

Have a fantastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 75 ~ Sparkle Glitter & Joy Snowmen ~ 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 sweet Christmas card I made using papers and an adorable digi stamp from our wonderful Sponsor Digi Doodle Studios! One lucky winner will win a $25 e-gift card for digi stamps and digi papers from Digi Doodle Studios!! Yay!

I love how quick and easy it is to combine some cute digi stamps in a Word Document and then print them off to make into fun cards. I did just that with the adorable Sparkle Glitter & Joy Snowmen Digi Stamp. I resized and combined some really cute digi stamps for my makes this month. Can't wait to show you!

I colored up the cute snowmen with the following Copic markers:

Snowmen: B0000, B000, B00, YR20, YR15, R00, R20

Hats / Gloves: RV10, RV02, RV14

Snow: C0, C2

JOY: RV10, RV02, RV04, RV17, RV29

I paired up the snowmen with the Twinkle Berry Winter 6x6 Paper Pad. I cut the pattern paper to 3-3/4 x 5-1/2" as noted in the sketch. My rectangle panel is a bit bigger measuring at 3-3/8 x 2". I rounded the corners with a corner rounder punch. And I popped up the snowmen using foam tape. And then I finished off the card with a few raindrop embellishments.

I added some soft glitter sparkles to the Joy sentiment using a Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss pen. Love the sparkle!

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 75 for the month of November. 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

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 74 ~ If Snowmen Could Talk ~ Taylored Expressions

Hello there crafty friend!

I'm sharing one last card for the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 74 hosted in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group! It has been forever since I did some foiling and I thought it would be fun with this month's sketch.

I used a couple panels from the Foil It - Beautiful Blizzards for my background layers. I used the Deco Foil Transfer Sheets Rainbow Shattered Glass from Therm O Web and used my laminator to apply the foil. So fun!

The adorable snowman is from the retired If Snowmen Could Talk Stamp & Die Combo. I had a blast coloring this cutie with my Copic markers. I die cut him using the coordinating dies and popped him up on the card with foam tape.

Copic Markers used:

Snowman: B0000, B000

Nose: YR20, YR15

Hat: C3, C5, C7, Y15, Y28 

Rainbow Scarf / Hat Band: Y15, YR15, R14, V06, V17

Buttons: C3, C5, C7

I used the measurements from the sketch for my layers this time. I added a thin foam tape to the top and right side of the sentiment and then adhered it to the card finishing it off. I just love how this turned out. Hope you like it too.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 74 for the month of October. Tomorrow is the last day 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 am always so inspired by the design team's creations!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 47 ~ Cat Builder ~ Newton's Nook Designs

 Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing my first card for the new Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 47 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. I made a cute Halloween card for my stash.

I got to play with the super cute and fun Cat Builder Die Set and I paired it up with the awesome Halloween Accessories Die Set. I had a blast playing with these sets and die cutting card stock. I kept it to just four colors of card stock. I should have used a lighter pink for the kitties nose, ears and feet pads. I didn't use the little pumpkin hat for the kitty because it would have been the same pink as his ears. You live and learn, right?

I paired up the cute kitty with the fun Halloween Party 6x6 Paper Pad. I used the colors from the papers for my kitty and accessories too. Minus the addition of green. I die cut the circle behind the kitty using a die from the Circle Frames Die Set.

Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 47. 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 can't wait to see what you all do with this sketch!! 

I used a couple fun sentiments from the Newton's Boo-tiful Night Stamp Set. I trimmed them and popped them up on the card to finish it off. I sure 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

{BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2026 Linky Party ~ Christmas Time Cats ~ Newton's Nook Designs

Hello there crafty friend!

I'm back with one more make for the {BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2026 Linky Party hosted on the {BYSHC} blog! Today I'm sharing a sweet holiday card featuring lots of goodies from our fabulous Sponsor Newton's Nook Designs.

I started with my background. I have a whole bunch of paper scraps left in my Christmas Time 6x6 Paper Pad and wanted to use them for a background so I adhered the pieces to a piece of paper. And then I die cut it using a die from the Arched Frames Die Set. I chose a houndstooth pattern paper from the Canine Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad for my background paper. I die cut that piece using the large rounded rectangle die from the Arched Frames Die Set.

The cute kitties needed some snow to celebrate on so I die cut a piece of white card stock using the arch die again and then ran it through my Big Shot with the hill die from the Land Borders Die Set. I stamped the adorable kitties from the Christmas Time Cats Stamp Set and colored them up with Copic markers. Die cut the kitties using the coordinating Christmas Time Cats Die Set and then popped them up on the card using iCraft 3D Foam Tape Jumbo Roll (white) from Sponsor Therm O Web.

The card needed a little something so I die cut a few snowflakes using the Snowfall Die Set and adhered them directly to the card using iCraft UltraBond Adhesive from Therm O Web. I just love how this turned out! Hope you like it too.

Here's my list of Copic markers used:

Siamese Kitty: R00, R20, W0, W2, W5

Orange Kitty: R00, R20, YR20, YR21, YR15, YR27

Gray Kitty: C0, C1, C3, C5

Red: R20, R14, R27

Green: YG11, YG17

Yellow: Y15, Y38

White: C0, C2

Antlers: E11, E25

Have you stopped by to check out all the wonderful holiday inspiration being shared at the {BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2026 Linky Party?! I sure hope you will! The party ends tonight at midnight! Have a wonderful day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2026 Linky Party ~ Snowflake Deer ~ A Colorful Life Designs

Hello again crafty friend!

I'm back with another holiday card for day 7 of the {BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2026 Linky Party!! I can't believe how fast the time has flown... the link party ends tomorrow. Today I have a CAS card using a gorgeous stencil from our wonderful Sponsor A Colorful Life Designs.

I placed the gorgeous Snowflake Deer Stencil over my white card stock securing it with iCraft Removable Pixie Tape from our Sponsor Therm O Web. And then I blended from bottom to top using Evergreen Bough, Peacock Feathers, and Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks. I also blended some Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink on a scrap of white card stock for the ornament topper.

I die cut the stenciled panel using the Joyful Ornament Die from Sponsor Gina K. Designs. I used the Joyful Ornament Embossing Folder from Gina K. Designs for my background layer. And I used the Festive Penguins stamp set from Gina K. Designs for my sentiment. All of these fab products were part of the A Little Something Kit that I got from Gina K. Designs last year.

I die cut the topper from the Chipped Sapphire scrap and also another topper from just scrap white card stock. I adhered them together on either side of the ornament to make the topper just a little more sturdy. I pulled a silver cord through the topper and taped it to the back of the embossed layer and then adhered the panel to a white A2 top fold card.

If you haven't already, stop by the {BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2026 Linky Party to check out all the wonderful Holiday inspiration being shared. Tomorrow is the last day to get entries in. I hope you have an INKredible day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal