~ Friends of Unity September 2026 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! This year has just been flying by... I can't believe it's September already. Geez! Although I am anxious for some cooler weather. It's been SO hot! Anywho, our cue this month is lots of fun.

Today we are sharing inspiration for the Anything But a Card cue!! Oh my gosh... I had so many ideas it was actually paralyzing. Like it squashed my mojo. I started a project and it was terrible so I tossed it. I don't normally do that. I save it for another day but this was actually really terrible. It took some time but I finally got the creative juices flowing and I have 3 projects to share. I'll keep the chatter at a minimum so the post isn't too long.

First up is a cute bookmark featuring the adorable Santa from the Holiday Hide & Peek stamps. I stamped him on white card stock. Colored  him up with Copic markers and fussy cut him on the line except where there was hair or fuzzy parts... I left a white border around those areas.

I paired him up with some papers from the Minty Christmas {paper pack}. I used a bookmark die from Papertrey Ink.

Copic markers used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair / Fur Trim / Ground: C0, C2

Santa Suit: R20, R14, R27

Mittens / Boots: C2, C3, C5, C7

Wall: E21, E23, E25

Next up is a holiday tag featuring the gorgeous September 2026 Background of the Month called Christmas Made Beautiful. I used another bookmark tag from Papertrey Ink for this one but I'm going to use this as a tag.

Copic Markers used on Kraft card stock:

Poinsettias: R20, R14, R27, Y11, Y15, Y38, Y28

Pine Cones: E21, E23, E25

Pine Needles / Foliage: YG00, YG11, G24, G46

Berries: RV10, RV02, RV66, RV69

I trimmed the sentiment and distressed the edges with the residual ink on my brown blending brush. Die cut a piece of brown card stock using a die from the Scallops & Squares {nesting dies}. I didn't want to cover up the pretty poinsettia cluster so I die cut a couple more bookmarks. One in kraft for the back to cover up the ink that bled through the card stock. And another one from the brown card stock to extend the 'tag' so I could adhere the sentiment to the side a bit.

And my last project is actually two that I made using a cute bee from the Hive Got Your Back. The sentiment is from the March 2026 KOM called Rooted & Radiant. These are tea bag holders... a fun little gift idea for any occasion.

Copic markers used:

Bee: Y00, Y15, Y38

Eyes: C0, C2

Wings: G000, G00

I paired up the bee with papers from the Squeeze the Day {paper pack}. These tea bag holders are made from one full sheet of white card stock measuring 8-1/2 x 11". One tea bag holder measures 3-1/2 x 11" and it's scored at 4", 4-1/4", 4-1/2", and 8-1/2". So you can cut two from the full sheet.

I die cut the flap and the pattern paper on the flap with one of the border dies from the Edge Appeal {border die set}. The pattern paper on the front and back of the holder measures 3-1/4 x 3-3/4". The pattern paper on the flap measured 3-1/4 x 2-1/2" before I die cut the edge. I think I just cut off 1/8" with the die. I used the leftover scrap from the full sheet to help secure the tea bags in the holder. It measures 3/4 x 7-1/4" and it's scored at 1-7/8", 2", 5-1/4", and 5-3/8".

I used the Scalloped Tags dies for the little tag I made. I don't see these tags on the website... I think they might have been a steal item. I fussy cut the bee and the sentiment and adhered them directly to the tag. I added a bit of foam tape to the top of the tag avoiding the part that hangs over the flap to secure it to the holder. And then I wrapped the holder with some burlap string.

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...

... Jamie Y.!! Congratulations, Jamie!!

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

Please claim the prize before September 30th, 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

Jenni

Rachel

Jane

Joyce

Doreen

Toni

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party ~ Membership Wednesday ~ July 2026 KOM Ahead of the Holiday Herd ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! It's day 6 of the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party!! I'm excited to share another fun holiday card that I've made to add to my Christmas stash! This time I played with a fun stamp and beautiful papers from our wonderful Sponsor Unity Stamp Co.

I inked up the cute Santa and reindeer using Black Amalgam ink from Sponsor Gina K. Designs. I colored these cuties with the following Copic markers. I fussy cut the image leaving a white border and popped it up on the card with iCraft 3D Foam Tape Jumbo Roll (white) from Sponsor Therm O Web. And then I distressed the edges with some Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Santa: E000, E00, E11, C0, C2, R00, R14, R27, N3, N5, N7, Y38

Reindeer: E000, E00, E21, E23, E25, R00, R20

Wreath: YG11, G24, G46, R20, R14, R27

Ground: C0, C2

Inspiration for my card came from one of our past sketches... BYSHC Sketch 9. I was honestly stuck on what I wanted to do with this stamp until I saw this sketch. Instant inspiration... I love sketches!

I used the measurements for the sketch for my bottom two layers. I did add a mat to the ornament layer. I just adhered it to a scrap of kraft card stock and then I trimmed it down just eyeballing it. I used the gorgeous Quiet Christmas Morning {paper pack} for my three paper layers. I die cut the tag layers using dies from the Make a Tag {die set}.

I heat embossed a sentiment from a past KOM... October 2018 KOM All Winter Long. I used Sugar Cube Pigment ink from Sponsor Taylored Expressions along with Alabaster White Embossing Powder from Unity. I cut a scrap of kraft card stock and adhered it to the bottom portion of the sentiment so that it would sit on the card flat.

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

This wonderful set is also available separately as a KOMpanion set called Merry Crisis.

If you haven't already, stop by the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party to check out all the wonderful Holiday inspiration being shared!! I have sooo many ideas from all the inspiration being shared. I just want to play all day long! I hope you have an INKredible day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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

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 stamp from our wonderful Sponsor Newton's Nook Designs! One lucky winner will win a $20 gift code to Newton's Nook Designs!! Yippee!

 I inked up one of the adorable kitties from the Santa Paws Newton Stamp Set and die cut it using the coordinating Santa Paws Newton Die Set. I colored this cute stamp with Copic markers that are similar to the colors in the pretty papers I chose.

Copic Markers used:

Kitty: R00, R20, W0, W1, W3, W5

Santa Coat / Hat: C0, C2, R20, R14, R27

Belt: N1, N3, N6, Y15, Y28 

Bag: G000, G21, G82, G85

Presents: E30, E31, E33, R20, R14, R27, G000, G21, G82

I paired the cute kitty up with the Christmas Party 6x6 Paper Pad. There are SOOO many beautiful papers in the paper pad it was really hard to chose which ones I wanted to use. I narrowed it down to four that worked well together.

I die cut my card front panel using the scalloped die from the Circle Frames Die Set. I stamped the sentiment and then die cut it using the stitched circle die from the same set. To finish off the card, I popped up the Santa kitty and the sentiment using foam tape.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 69 for the month of May. 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

Holly Jolly Everything Tag ~ A Little Ho Ho Ho ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Today I'm sharing a sweet holiday tag I made with the adorable new A Little Ho Ho Ho stamp from Unity. I had a few people ask me how I made the sweet reindeer tags I shared earlier this month for Brown Thursday so I thought I'd make another with this cutie and also record it for a video.

I die cut the cute Santa using a die from the Make a Tag {die set}. I also die cut some papers from the Where Winter Lingers {paper pack}. 

You can check out my process video here... Offset Layers Tag | A Little Ho Ho Ho | Unity Stamp Co. or click on the video below.

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used to color up this adorable Santa.

Skin: E000, E00, E000, R00, R20

Beard / Fur Trim: C0, C2

Hat: R20, R14, R29

Coat / Pants: R20, R14, R29

Boots / Mittens: N0, N2, N4

Tree: YG11, G24, G46

Baubles: R20, R14, R29

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

Ground: C0, C2

I distressed the edges of the tag with some Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I trimmed the sentiment and adhered it directly to the tag. I used a 1/8" hole punch for the top of the tag. I tied some thick twine from my stash and added a cute little bow to finish it off. I think it turned out pretty cute. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 63 ~ Believe in the Magic, Santa ~ Angie Blom Digital Designs

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 fun Christmas card featuring a cute digital stamp set from our awesome Sponsor Angie Blom Digital Designs! This month's prize is a $25CAD e-gift card to Angie Blom Digital Designs! Yippee!

I combined and resized the cute Santa and sentiment from the Believe in the Magic, Santa digital stamp set in a Word Document and printed it off onto white card stock. I colored up the Santa with Copic markers and fussy cut him on the line. I colored the edges of the fussy cutting with the edge of a black marker. This technique helps to make the fussy cutting look nice and neat.

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

Skin: E000, E00, E11, R00, R20

Hair / Mustache / Beard / Fur Trim: C0, C2

Hat / Coat / Pants / Bow: R20, R14, R29

Mitten / Belt: N0, N2, N4

Belt Buckle: Y11, Y15, Y28

Santa's Bag: E30, E31, E33

I paired up Santa with some fun papers from my stash... the Christmas 6x6 paper pad from Carta Bella. I was drawn to the colors in this paper pack. Not your typical color scheme and I love the Kraft, black and red. It works so nicely with Santa.

The background paper measures 5-1/2 x 4-1/4". The black paper measures 2-1/2 x 4-1/4". The paper strips were cut apart strips that were in the paper pack. They measure 5-1/2 x 1/4" {approximately}. I trimmed the sentiment and adhered it to the card to finish this one off.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 63 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

Membership Wednesday ~ October 2025 KOM Frost & Folklore ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! Today I'm sharing 3 SUPER quick tags I made using stamps from the October 2025 Kit of the Month membership from Unity. 

These were so quick guys! Once I figured out what I was going to do, that is! I stamped the three tag images with Black Amalgam ink on Kraft card stock. I used circle dies from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies} to die cut each of them.

I also die cut pattern paper from the gorgeous new I'll be Home for Christmas {paper pack} using a slightly larger die from the same nesting dies. I adhered them together, punched a hole in the top with a 1/8" circle punch and added some twine. 

I thought they needed something else so I tied a few bows from the iridescent ribbon I got from Unity years ago. I adhered those to the tags with glue dots. Done. Super quick and easy. And, of course, they could easily be jazzed up with some coloring and/or bling. But I love them just like this. 

Here's a quick look at this month's Kit of the Month membership!

These amazing tag stamps are also available separately in the With Love, From Me stamps.

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

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 61 ~ Here Comes Santa ~ 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 fun Christmas card featuring a super cute stamp and beautiful papers from our fabulous Sponsor Crafty Stamp Co! There are two prizes this month up for grabs... (2) $25 gift codes to Crafty Stamp Co!! Yay! I sure hope you can play along!

So this adorable stamp is actually a sneak peek of a new release that will be available for preorder October 20th!! I'm so excited for this new holiday release!! SOOO many adorable stamps! I'll be sharing another sneak peek later in the month. But back to today's card, I used the adorable Here Comes Santa stamp set. I inked this cutie up with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Copic markers.

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

Santa: E000, E00, E11, R20, R14, R27, C0, C2, N4, N6

Sleigh: R20, R14, R27, E51, E23, E25, G24, G46

Tree: YG11, G24, G46, Y11, Y15

Presents: B000, B00, B02, E51, E23, R20, R14, R27

I paired up the sweet Santa with the wonderful Gingerbread Christmas 6x6 Paper Pack. I adore the colors in these papers. One of my most favorite color combos for Christmas! The background paper measures 5-1/2 x 4-1/4". The wide center strip measures 5-1/2 x 2". The skinny strip of red measures 5-1/2 x 1/8". And the pretty glitter paper measures 4-1/2 x 1-1/4". I adhered all of the papers to a white A2 top fold card base that I turned on the side for a landscape card. I popped up the sentiment and Santa with foam tape.

And then I finished off the card with a few red glitter enamel dots from my stash. Such a fun card to make! I am loving this new sketch!

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 61 for the month of September. 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!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Holly Jolly Santa ~ Christmas Joy Mugs ~ Angie Blom Digital Designs

Hello there crafty friend! 

I made a quick holiday card featuring the adorable Santa Mug from the Christmas Joy Mugs Digi Stamps along with the Christmas Joy Script Background Digi Stamp, both from Angie Blom Digital Designs.

 

My process:

• Combine and resize the Santa Mug and sentiment digis near the top of a Word Document
• Print off digis on white card stock
• Cut off top portion of the card stock
• Ink smoosh bottom portion of the card stock with Candied Apple and Lumberjack Plaid Distress Inks leaving some white space
• Dry background with heat tool 
• Print off the Christmas Joy Script Background digi

• Die cut background with the Wonky Stitched Rectangle die from Gina Marie Designs
• Adhere background to white A2 top fold card base
• Copic color Santa Mug digi
• Fussy cut Santa Mug and trim sentiment
• Pop up both on card with foam tape

Copic Markers Used

Skin: E000, E00, E11, R00, R20

Hair/ Mustache / Beard: C0, C2, C3

Handle / Rim: R20, R14, R27

Whipped Topping: W0, W1

Inspiration for my card came from the fun #TCH113 color challenge over at The Color Hues Challenge. A Santa card is just perfect for these colors!

I love making Christmas cards. They make my day brighter.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 57 ~ Santa Paws Newton ~ Newton's Nook Designs

Hello there crafty friend!

I'm back with one last card for the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 57 hosted in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group! Today I'm sharing another sweet holiday card featuring a cute stamp and fun papers from our wonderful Sponsor, Newton's Nook Designs.

I just adore Santa stamps for Christmas and the adorable Santa Paws Newton Stamp Set is one of my faves! I stamped the sweet Santa kitty with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it up with Copic markers. I die cut the kitty using the coordinating Santa Paws Newton Die Set.

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

Kitty: N0, N2, N4, YR21, YR15, R00, R20

Santa Costume: C00, C2, R20, R14, R27, N0, N2, N4, Y06, Y28

Santa Bag: C00, C2, C3

Gifts: R20, R14, R27, C00, C2, YG11, G24, G46, BG10, BG01

I paired up the sweet Santa kitty with the wonderful Meowy Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad. Such a fun mix of papers that worked just purr-fectly with this cute stamp! The smaller squares measure 1" squared and the larger square behind the kitty measures 2-1/8" squared.

I die cut a piece of Real Red card stock from Stampin' Up using the largest die from the Framework Die Set. I adhered the panel to a card base of Green Parakeet card stock from Papertrey Ink.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 57 for the month of May. 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'm always blown away by the creations from the DT... they are amazingly talented cardmakers!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky hugs,

Crystal

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{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 56 ~ Hipster Christmas ~ Jaded Blossom

Hello there crafty friend!

I'm back with one last card for the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 56 hosted in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group! Today I'm sharing another cute holiday card featuring a fun stamp from our wonderful Sponsor, Jaded Blossom.

I inked up the cute Santa from the Hipster Christmas Stamp Set using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and I colored him up with Copic markers. Isn't he just too fun and cute?! I love this stamp!

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

Skin: E000, E00, E51, E04

Hair: C00, C2, C3

Hat: R20, R14, R27, C00, C2, C3, N0, N2, N4, N6

Glasses: R20, R14, R27

I paired him up with the Winter Cabin 6x6 Paper Collection from Brutus Monroe. These papers have a lumberjack vibe and I thought they were fun to use with this hipster Santa.

I wanted to add a little layer between Santa and the paper but I didn't want to cover up the paper too much so I went with vellum card stock. I die cut a scrap piece using a circle die from the X Stitched Circle dies from Gina Marie Designs.

Here's a look at {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 56 for the month of April. There's just a few days left to enter the challenge that ends on April 30th! 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 amazingly talented gals on the DT!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky hugs,

Crystal

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