Saturday, June 6, 2026

~ Friends of Unity June 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 funBut before we get to that we have a new friend joining us... please stop by Von Marie's blog and be sure to give her a great big welcome! I am really excited to have Von Marie join our team! Woohoo!!


Today we are sharing inspiration for the Food & Drink cue!! The possibilities are seriously endless with this one... I made three cards but I had ideas for a few more!! LOL! There's just so many food and drink stamps available at Unity. It was really hard to chose just a few.


You may have seen the other card I made with this gorgeous stamp. I just shared it a couple days ago on my Instagram. I absolutely love lemon everything so I just had to ink it up again. This beauty is from the June 2026 Whit Kit You're the Zest membership. The stamps are also available separately... You're the Zest {stamps only}


I paired the lemons up again with the gorgeous Squeeze the Day {paper pack}. I love the colors in these papers! And I have a bunch of scraps so I thought I'd use some of them for this card. I fussy cut the lemons and the sentiment. I popped up the lemons on the card with foam tape.


I used pretty much the same Copics for this card as the one I shared a few days ago.

Copic markers used:
Lemons: Y000, Y11, Y15, Y38
Branch: E11, E57
Blossoms: C0, C2, Y15, Y38
Leaves: YG00, G00, YG11, G02
Bee: Y11, Y15, B000


My second card features a sweet stamp called Just Peachy. I love a yummy peach! Nectarines are actually my favorite stone fruit but I love peaches too. I stamped this cute stamp with Black Amalgam ink and colored it with Copic markers. I stamped the sentiment and fussy cut them both. I adhered the sentiment to the peaches and then popped them up on the card with foam tape.


Copic Markers used:
Peaches: B000, Y11, YR21, YR61, YR23, YR15
Leaves: YG11, YG03, YG63
Bowl: BG10, BG70, BG93, BG72 


I paired the peaches up with the Cozy Cup Cafe {paper pack}. This paper has a coffee theme but I just love the peachy polka dot paper. It was a must for this card. I used some of my very old white grosgrain ribbon from Stampin' Up. I hardly ever touch my ribbons. Any one else not use ribbons very often? Just me?! I used a Sakura White Gelly Roll pen to bring back the white of the polka dots on the bowl.


Last of all I inked up one of the new cups from the June 2026 KOM The Art of Summering. I don't drink but I sure love me a yummy Arnold Palmer. So I colored up the tall glass with Copic markers to look like my favorite non-alcoholic drink. It sure was fun to color! If you're not interested in the membership, the Boozy & Bougie stamps are available separately. 


Did you notice that wonderful background stamp?! It's also from this month's KOM. And available separately here... The Paper Apothecary. I stamped it with the Lost Shadow Distress Ink from Ranger/Tim Holtz. And then did some ink smooshing with Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Vintage Photo Distress inks. I wanted it to look like I spilled some of my drink... haha!! 
 I die cut the panel using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}.


Copic markers used:
Lemon: Y11, Y15, YR15
Tea: E21, E35, Y11, Y15, YR15
Sprig: YG63
Ice cubes / Glass: C0, C2

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...



... Linda Abel!! Congratulations, Linda!!
Please email me at crystalominkler@gmail.com to claim your prize. 
Please claim the prize before July 1st, 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 ---> Von Marie





Rachel


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

Inky Hugs,
Crystal


Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 43 ~ Just Fur You ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
Today I'm sharing more inspiration for the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 43 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. A sweet love card!


I inked up the adorable duo from the Just Fur You stamps. I can't believe that I haven't inked this one up yet. I die cut them using a circle die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies} and then I got to coloring with my Copic markers.

Copic markers used:
Dog: E21, E23, E25, N1, N3, N5, C0, C2
Dog Collar: Y15, Y28, R20, R14
Cat: R00, R20, N1, N3, N5
Sky: B0000, B000
Ground: C0, C2


I paired up these cuties with the Enveloped in Love {paper pack}. I used a bunch of scraps for my sun ray strips. I adhered the strips to a card front measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2". And then I adhered the card front to a white A2 top fold card base.


Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 43. 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 used a really small stamp this time. I think I may try a larger one for next time.


No foam tape this for this card. All the layers are adhered directly to the card base. I sure hope you can find time to play along with the sketch challenge. Have an INKriffic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Monday, June 1, 2026

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 70 ~ Christmas Cocoa Cups ~ Crafty Stamp Co.

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 featuring a really cute stamp from our wonderful Sponsor Crafty Stamp Co.! One lucky winner will win a $25 gift card to Crafty Stamp Co.!! Woohoo!


 I inked up the adorable snowman mug from the Christmas Cocoa Cups stamp set and fussy cut it leaving a border. I colored the top portion of the cute stamp with Copic markers and I paper pieced the mug using pattern papers.

Copic Markers used:
Snowman: B0000, B000, B00, YR20, YR15
Hat: N1, N3, N5, N7
Tree / Holly: YG11, G24, Y11, Y15
Candy Cane / Berry: R20, R14, R27
Presents / Scarf: B000, B00, C0, C2
Inside of Mug: B00


I paired this fun stamp with the Christmas Snow 6x6 Paper Pack. I adore the gorgeous blues in these papers!! My faves!! I die cut the glitter paper with a fun scalloped and stitched banner die.


I stamped the sentiment from the Here Comes Santa stamp set. I trimmed it and popped it up on the card with foam tape. I also popped up the snowman mug with foam tape.


Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 70 for the month of June. 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

Friday, May 29, 2026

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 69 ~ Snowfall ~ Newton's Nook Designs

Hello there crafty friend!
I'm sharing one last card for the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 69 hosted in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group! A fun no stamping card!


I had lots of fun making this card! I used gorgeous snowflake dies from the Snowfall Die Set to create my background. I die cut several snowflakes from kraft and white card stock and then adhered them to my layers giving a faux embossed look to my background.


The fabulous sentiment die is from the Let it Snow Die Set. I die cut it twice from white card stock and then adhered them together for a bit more dimension. I die cut a scalloped and stitched circle using a die from the Circle Frames Die Set to mat my sentiment helping it to pop on the card.


And then I finished off the card with a single snowflake and I die cut the shadow using another die from the Snowfall Die Set. I really like how this one turned out!


Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 69 for the month of May. There's still time 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'm always blown away by the creations from the DT... they are amazingly talented cardmakers!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,
Crystal

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Membership Wednesday ~ May 2026 KOM Odds, Ends & Adorable ~ Oh, Baby ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!
Happy Membership Wednesday! I needed a quick baby card so I inked up the cute baby from this month's KOM called Odds, Ends & Adorable. I'm not sure what the gender is so I thought a cute monochromatic card in browns would work.


I stamped the adorable baby using Black Amalgam ink from Gina K. Designs. I colored the baby with a handful of Copic markers and fussy cut it leaving a white border. Once I was done coloring, I drew some small hearts on the blanket with a Sakura White Gelly Roll pen.

Copic markers used:
Skin: E000, E00, E11, R00, R20
Eyes: B00, B02
Swaddling Blanket: E21, E23, E25
Safety Pin / Ground: C0, C2, C5


I paired up the cute baby with the Boho Baby Bear {paper pack}. Love all of the cute patterns in this paper pack... perfect for a baby card!


I found inspiration for my design from a past {BYSHC} sketch 1. I had fun mixing up the patterns in the paper for my layers. And my mat layers are all Chocolate Chip card stock from Stampin' Up.


Instead of the circle element, I die cut the teddy bear pattern paper using a die from the Dashes and Frills Hearts Die Set. I popped up the baby, sentiment and the heart using foam tape.


Here's a look at the Kit of the Month membership stamps. 


This cute stamp is also available separately in the Oh, Baby stamps.


That's it for me today! I hope you've been INKspired to play with your membership stamps! 
Have a fabulous day!


Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,
Crystal

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 43 ~ Goat To Be ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!
Today I'm sharing my first card for the new Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 43 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. A punny card!! I love to laugh so I'm pretty sure that's why I'm drawn to the hilarious stamps over at Unity.


I inked up the super cute goat from the Goat To Be stamps. I die cut it using a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. I colored it up with the following Copic markers.

Goat: E000, E21, E23, E25, C0, C2, R00, R20
Horns: E70, E71
Grass: G00, G21
Sky: B000, B00, Colorless Blender {around the edges}


I paired up Mr. Goat with the Raindrop Serenade {paper pack}. I had a bunch of 2" wide scraps that were just perfect for this sketch!


Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 43. 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. Okay. I want to point out something here... if you look at the top left corner I made a note there that you can use sun rays OR paper scraps. By sun rays I mean a stencil that you can blend your sun rays on the background. Or like I did, you can cut up some pattern paper scraps. Or even some card stock scraps.


And here's a look at my background. Not a perfect sun ray, but since the circle covers the corner it works! I just cut a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" piece of card stock for my card front and adhered my scraps to it. I guess I could have just done that to a card base now that I'm thinking of it. Huh. I will next time. Ummm... while cutting my strips I just used a pencil and drew the angle I wanted for the next ray and then cut it using my Tim Holtz Tonic Guillotine Comfort Paper Trimmer. Easy peasy! This left me with some angled scraps that I just might use for an upcoming card for this sketch.


I temporarily secured the circle to the bottom corner with some washi tape and then I cut off the edges of the circle using the card front as a guide. I adhered the sentiment to the circle and then popped them up using foam tape. 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

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Membership Wednesday ~ May 2026 KOM Odds, Ends & Adorable ~ Still Kickin' with Look Up Pup ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!
Happy Membership Wednesday! I needed a couple birthday cards so I inked up the cute donkey from this month's KOM called Odds, Ends & Adorable. But I also needed a card for my son's birthday and since the Look Up Pup looks just like our dog... it just made sense to ink him up too.


I stamped both of these cuties using Black Amalgam ink from Gina K. Designs. I also stamped the donkey's hat a second time and fussy cut it so I could pop it on top of the cute pup. The sentiment is from the KOM. I stamped it twice and trimmed it and they are both popped up on the cards with foam tape.


I paired up these cuties with the Oh Hey! It's Your Day! {paper pack}. I die cut the pattern papers using dies from the Zig-Zag Rectangles {nesting dies}.


Copic markers used:
Donkey: E000, E00, E11, R00, R20, C0, C2, C3
Hat: BG10, BG15, R20, R14, R27, Y11, Y15, YG11, YG23


Copic markers used:
Dog: E000, E11, E15, E59
Eyes: E000, E15, C0, C2
Nose: C0, C2, C5
Hat: BG10, BG15, R20, R14, R27, Y11, Y35, YG11, YG23
Ground: YG11, YG23
Flowers: Y35
Butterfly: BG10, BG15, Y35


Here's a look at the Kit of the Month membership stamps. 

This cute stamp is also available separately in the Still Kickin' stamps.


That's it for me today! I hope you've been INKspired to play with your membership stamps! 
Have a fabulous day!


Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,
Crystal