~ Friends of Unity August 2024 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

Welcome to our August Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! This month's cue is a sweet one. I hope you'll hop along with us and enjoy some wonderful inspiration from our friends!

This month's cue is Friendship. I am blessed to have friends from elementary school, high school, college, church, and a bunch of like-minded crafty friends online. My focus for this cue was to create cards to send to some of these friends.

First up is a card of encouragement for a dear friend. I stamped the gorgeous sunflower from the brand new Radiant Resilience stamps six times using Black Amalgam ink on white card stock. I then colored three of the sunflowers and colored just the inner petals of the other three sunflowers.

I die cut the three sunflowers using the second largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies. I fussy cut the three sunflowers around the inner petals. I secured the sunflowers to the die cut panel using washi tape and then I die cut the panel again using the same die. And then I added foam tape to the back of those inner petals and popped them up on the sunflowers. You can see some of the dimension in the photo above.

I die cut a piece of Orange Zest card stock from Papertrey Ink using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies. I adhered my panels together and then adhered them to an A2 top fold card base of Early Espresso card stock from Stampin' Up. I trimmed the sentiment and adhered it to the card. Trimmed the excess off the right side and then I added several enamel dots from my stash finishing up my first card. I think my friend will like it.

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

Petals: YR21, Y06, YR15, YR16, YR27

Center: E21, E23, E25, E29

I created my second card using some leftover pieces from my first card. These are the inner petals that were leftover from the first card. I thought they'd look really pretty on a dark background. So I die cut a piece of Early Espresso card stock using the second largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies again. I adhered the partial sunflowers to the background and die cut the panel again.

And then I thought it would be fun to do some splatters. I went a little crazy with the splatters but it sure was fun! I let the panel dry and then I adhered it to a piece of Summer Sunrise card stock from Papertrey Ink. I wrapped the panel a few times with {Natural} May Arts Burlap String and then I added a bunch of foam tape to the back of the panel avoiding the string.

I heat embossed the sentiment from the adorable Lil' Bloomer stamps. I prepped the Early Espresso card stock with the TE Anti-Static Powder Tool from Taylored Expressions. I stamped the sentiment with Sugar Cube White Pigment ink, also from Taylored Expressions. I dusted the wet ink with Alabaster White Embossing Powder from Brutus Monroe and melted the powder with a Wagner Precision Heat Tool. Once it cooled, I trimmed the sentiment and then I adhered it to the sunflower panel. I trimmed off the excess and pulled the backing off of the foam tape and popped up the panel on an A2 top fold card base of Early Espresso card stock that I turned on it's side for a landscape card. Another lovely encouragement card for a friend.

My last card is a fun one for another friend. These crazy chickens from the Cuckoo stamps are just too much fun!! I hope it brings a smile to my friend's face. These chickens are so funny I decided to pair them up with the Rustic Cowhide {paper pack}. My daughter said they don't go together but I thought it was funny! Dare I say... a bit cuckoo! LOL!

I stamped the funny chickens from Cuckoo using Black Amalgam ink and then Copic colored them to look like some of our chickens. So recently we rescued a couple Silkie hybrid chickens. They are the craziest looking chickens and they look a lot like the two chickens on the right. So I colored those two to look like our Rip {bottom right} and Chewy {top right}. We don't actually have any white chickens but that middle one just looked like it should be white so I went with it. And then the top left is colored like a mix of our brown chickens... I think they are ISA browns and Rhode Island Reds. And the bottom left is colored like our Plymouth Rock Chickens. So much fun!

I die cut the chickens using a die from the Scallops & Squares {nesting dies}. I trimmed the pattern paper to the same height as the square and adhered them together. And I wanted to keep this card simple so I just adhered the panel to a black A2 top fold card base.

Inspiration for my third card is from the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 24. Did you know I host a sketch challenge in my Facebook group? I'd love for you to join the group and play along. You can find it here... Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration.

Sometimes I forget to take photos to share, but I do like to add a white panel in my cards when I use a black {or dark} card base. I also had a strip of the pattern paper leftover so I adhered it inside the card. 

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...

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

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

Please claim the prize before September 4th, 2024. 

*** Quick Announcement ***

Unfortunately, Gaylynn has stepped down from our FOU team so she asked me to announce her winner from last month's hop. Gaylynn's July 2024 hop prize winner is Silvia H (Anonymous). Congrats Silvia! Please contact Gaylynn Martling via Facebook Messenger or a note on Gaylynn's contact form located on her blog; within three weeks of this announcement.

Well, that's it for me this time! Please hop along and enjoy some more inspiration from the Friends of Unity! 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 ---> Amber

Jenni

April

Kari

Tammy

Joyce

Rachel

Colleen

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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~ Friends of Unity July 2024 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! I've been so excited for this month's cue but time has not been on my side. It's been a very busy summer! I wish time would just slow down for a minute so we could enjoy it. It just seems to zip on by! Anywho, before we get to the cue and my cards, I wanted to welcome two super sweet new friends to our hop... Jenni Shamblin and Kari Buss are joining us on the Friends of Unity team! I am so excited to have these talented ladies join us! I hope you'll drop by their blogs and give them a super warm welcome! Now, onto our cue this month...  

This month's cue is Technique!! Woohoo!! Since my time was limited I didn't jump into a new technique as I had hoped to. BUT I did try something a little new with one of my favorite crafty supplies... Distress Crayons from Tim Holtz and Ranger. 

First up is a fun rainbow card!! I love making rainbows! They are so pretty! I used the sunray from the 3-in-1 Stencil from Unity as a guide for my coloring. I used a whole bunch of Distress Crayons: Picked Raspberry, Festive Berries, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Mermaid Lagoon, Chipped Sapphire, Shaded Lilac, and Seedless Preserves.

You can check out the video for this fun technique here... Distress Crayon Technique | Rainbow Sunray Background.

This adorable stamp is called Born to Be Loved. As I've mentioned many times before, my daughter loves bunnies so I have a lot of bunny stamps. I like to use them when I make cards for her. I made this one for her just to let her know we love her very much.

I used a rectangle die from the BIG Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies} to die cut the bunny and sentiment. Trimmed up the rainbow background to 4 x 5-1/4" and adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base. I added foam tape to the back of the bunny rectangle and popped it up on the card.

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

Bunny: C00, C1, C3, R00, R20, Colorless Blender

Bow / Dress: RV10, RV13, RV14

Daisy: C00, C1, C3, Y11, Y15, Y35

Grass / Stem: YG11, YG23

Outline: B0000, B000

Next up, a sweet encouragement card for a friend. Another fun technique using a Brushed Pewter Distress Crayon with the Vintage Script Embossing Folder. I love the font on this one. Unfortunately, I believe this one is retired but you could use any script embossing folder. 

This beautiful stamp is called Being Yourself. Isn't she lovely!? I paired her up with a Cut Apart Sentiment Strip {I don't see the same ones on the website but here's another one} and die cut her using a die from the Dashes & Frills Hearts {die set}. I also die cut a piece of vellum card stock. I adhered her to the vellum and then just added glue behind her to adhere the vellum heart to the card.

I trimmed the embossed panel of True Black card stock from Papertrey Ink to 4 x 5-1/4" and adhered it to a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" card front of Brushed Silver card stock from Stampin' Up. And then I adhered the panel to a white A2 top fold card base.

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used to color up this beauty:

Skin: E000, E00, E11, E04

Hair: E70, E71, E74

Shirt: RV10, RV13, RV14

Roses: Y11, Y15, RV10, RV13

Leaves / Stems: YG11, YG23, G24

I don't know about you, but I've about had enough of this hot summer weather! LOL! Is it too early to dream of Fall weather?! I don't think so! I used a pretty embossing folder from Love Nicole called Cable Knit. This time I used Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Vintage Photo Distress Crayons.

You can check out the video for this fun technique here... Distress Crayon Technique | Add Color to Embossed Backgrounds.

This gorgeous stamp is from the September 2019 Kit of the Month called All Kinds of Holiday Love. She is an absolute favorite of mine! Once I saw the cable knit embossing folder in my stash I knew I had to ink this beauty up! 

I die cut the girl using a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. Trimmed the cable knit panel to 4 x 5-1/4" and adhered it to a kraft A2 top fold card base. I cut an edge off the circle and adhered the heat embossed sentiment to the circle. Added foam tape to the back of both pieces and then popped them up on the card.

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used to color up this Fall beauty:

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: E70, E71, E74, E77

Cowl: Y11, Y15, Y35, YR000, YR21, YR15, YR16, E53, E55, E57

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...

... Becca Yahrling!! Congratulations, Becca!!

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

Please claim the prize before July 31st, 2024. 

Well, that's it for me this time! Please hop along and enjoy some more inspiration from our friends! I can't wait to see how they were inspired by this month's cue. I wonder what other techniques will be shared. I'm doing another fun giveaway this month!! Be sure to hop along and comment on each of the blogs 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 ---> Amber

Kari

Gaylynn

Jane

Tammy

Jenni

Dawn

Rachel

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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~ Friends of Unity June 2024 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! This month's cue is a fun one with a lot of possibilities. I can't wait to see how our friends were inspired for this one! Don't forget to hop along and comment on all the blogs for a chance to win a fun prize.

This month's cue is Celebrations. I was a bit overwhelmed with this one. I had a hard time deciding what to use. So many options for the cue... birthdays, anniversary, graduation, new baby, new home, etc. It's truly endless. And then to narrow down the stamps. I eventually thought it would be best to go with upcoming celebrations in our home. So I made a birthday and anniversary card.

First up is a fun birthday card for my daughter's 12th birthday that is coming up this month. I had mentioned last time I used this beautiful new Angie Girl from the Echo of Kindness stamps that she reminded me of my daughter. So I just had to use her again for her birthday card! 

Inspiration for my card came from the new Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 22. A great sketch for those leftover scrap papers! This is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine. Lots of fun layers so I could use a few different pattern papers. So fun!

I stamped the sweet girl using Amalgam Black Ink from Gina K Designs. I colored her up very simply with Copic markers. My daughter's favorite color is yellow so I tried to coordinate with the yellow in the papers. I fussy cut the girl leaving a white border around the edges and popped her up on the card with foam tape. 

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

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: E30, E35, E37, E39

Dress / Hair Tie: Y11, Y15

Bracelet: Y15

All of the measurements for the papers follow the sketch except the blue strip of pattern paper across the card which I trimmed to 4" across. But really is just a scrap like the two rectangles of paper I used. The sentiment is from the Bitty Birthday Bash stamps. It's perfect with this sweet girl. I finished off the card with a few enamel dots from my stash. I sure hope she likes it!

Next up, an anniversary card for my honey! Not only do we celebrate our daughter's birthday and Father's Day... we also celebrate our wedding anniversary. June is a busy month! I'm so excited to be ahead! My honey and I both have a love for old trucks so I searched through my stash and found this beautiful truck from the Ol' Fashion Holiday Love stamps. I love using my seasonal stamps for other occasions!

Inspiration for my second card actually comes from the {BYSHC} Sketch 29. You may recognize this sketch and even the papers I used for this card. Funny enough I used this sketch and the papers along with Echo of Kindness for a card last month. That's a funny coincidence I just now realized! I did alter the sketch a bit. The 'i love you' paper measures 4 x 5-1/4" and was cut in half diagonally. The roses were cut the same. I adhered them both to a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" piece of Vintage Cream card stock from Papertrey Ink. I decided I wanted to use the xoxo paper as well so I adhered it over the roses paper. 

I stamped the truck from the Ol' Fashion Holiday Love using Amalgam Black ink again. I love this ink for my Unity stamps! It works for both Copic coloring and watercolor. Which reminds me, I haven't watercolored in a while. I really should. I had challenged myself to watercolor at least once a month, but it's been a long time.

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

Red: R00, R20, R14, R37

Gray: N1, N3, N5

White: C00, C1, Colorless Blender

Background: E41

I fussy cut the truck leaving a border and popped it up on the card using a bunch of foam tape. I heat embossed the sentiment from the May 2024 Uniquely Unity Wind in Your Hair stamps. I prepped the pattern paper using the TE Anti-Static Powder Tool from Taylored Expressions. Stamped the sentiment using Sugar Cube White Pigment Ink, also from Taylored Expressions. Added some Alabaster White Embossing Powder from Brutus Monroe and melted the powder using the Wagner Precision Heat Tool. We just got two new rose bushes for our yard so I think he'll love the roses on here. It's not my typical masculine card, but I'm thinking he'll like it. I hope so, at least!

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 July 3rd, 2024. 

Well, that's it for me this time! Please hop along and enjoy some more inspiration from the Friends of Unity! 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.} As always, I'll announce the winner next month! 

Let's get to the hopping...

Crystal <--- you're here

up next ---> Tammy

Eileen

Gaylynn

April

Amber

Colleen

Dawn

Rachel

Kim

Jane

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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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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Cute Scene Card ~ Anya Reboot with Fairyland~ 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... starting with an adorable scene card featuring the super cute fairy Anya from the big Anya Reboot stamps! 

I created a fun scene for fairy Anya by combining and resizing a few different digi stamps from the Fairyland Digi Set into a Word Document. I included the snail on the document but kept him separate so I could pop him up on the card.

I stamped the sweet fairy Anya with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her up with Copic Markers. I also colored up my scene and the snail. Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: YR31, E43, E44

Dress: RV000, RV10, RV21, YG11, G14, G07

Wings: B0000, B00, B02, V000, V12, V15

Mushrooms: W00, W0, W1, W3

Red Mushroom {behind snail}: R20, R14, R46, W0, W1, W3

House: E53, E55, E57, E59, B0000, B000, B00, B02, B04, N0, N1, N3, N5, Y06, Y15

Snail: YG11, YG03, YG63, V000, V12, V15, W0, W1, W3

Grass: YG11, YG03, YG63

Sky: B0000, B000, B00

I trimmed up my panel just slightly smaller than the edging on my die cut panel. Adhered the pieces together and mat them with a purple card front that was adhered to a white card base. I fussy cut the snail and Anya on the line and the colored the edges with a black marker. A nice trick for making fussy cut images look nice and neat. 

I stamped the sentiment from the Lettered stamp set. Trimmed it up and cut a fishtail end. I popped up the snail, Anya, and the sentiment using foam tape. Love the dimension it gives to the card and the whole scene. I hope I've inspired you to get inky and mix up your stamps and digi stamps!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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