~ Friends of Unity March 2026 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend! Happy March to you!

It's time for another Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! Woohoo! This month's cue is one of my faves...

Today we are sharing inspiration using the fun Friends of Unity Sketch above!! Lots of fun layers that are perfect for those pattern papers in the ol' stash. If you're inspired and want to play along just use the sketch and share in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook Group. If you're not in the group, please tag me on your social media... I'd love to see your take on the sketch!

My first card features the cute new Just a Couple Spring Chickens stamps from this month's Uniquely Unity membership. You can sign up for the membership and get all the perks along with this cute stamp mailed straight to your door. Or buy it as a 1-Time Purchase. Isn't it just the sweetest stamp?! I die cut it using a die from the Scallops & Arches {nesting dies}.

Copic markers used:

Chicken: E21, E23, R00, R14, YR20, YR15

Eyes: C0, C2

Flowers: RV10, RV02, Y15

Stems / Leaves: YG91, YG95

Pot: B0000, B000, B91

 

My paper layers are a fun mix of pattern papers from the Jubilant Tapestry {paper pack}. I die cut the floral papers using a die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I mat that with a 3-7/8 x 5-1/8" piece of Midnight Muse card stock from Stampin' Up. The background layer measures 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" and the grid paper measures 3-9/16 x 1-1/2". All of my layers are adhered to a white A2 top fold card base.

I die cut a piece of Midnight Muse card stock with a die from the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies. I stamped and trimmed the sentiment and adhered it to the die cut mat. I adhered the sentiment to the arch and popped them up on the card with foam tape. I die cut the heart from one of the pattern papers using a die from the Dashes and Frills Hearts {die set} and adhered it to the card finishing this one off. 

For my second card I inked up the adorable sheep from the Shear Surprise stamps. I die cut them using another die from the Scallops & Arches {nesting dies}. I colored them up with Copic markers that coordinated with the lovely colors in the Where Little Gardens Grow {paper pack} I used for my layers. Loving the spring colors!!

Copic markers used:

Sheep: N1, N3, N5, R00, R20, C0, C2

Eyes: C0, C2

Flowers: RV02, Y35

Stems / Leaves / Grass: YG11, YG23

Wall: YR20, YR21, YR02

Sky: B0000, B000

 I used the awesome Zig Zag Rectangles {nesting dies} for this card. PRO TIP: die cut smaller portions from the larger pieces of pattern paper for future projects. I really love the delicate floral paper in the background layer so I used the smaller stitched rectangle die {the plaid layer} to die cut a piece from the center of my background papers so I can use it for another project. To finish this one off, I adhered the trimmed sentiment to the arch and then popped up the sheep and sentiment with foam tape. 

Anybody else snag this cutie from last month's sale?! The sass is pretty serious with this one! LOL! I die cut this cutie with the Scallops & Arches {nesting dies}. I colored up the Already Old bird with just a handful of Copic markers.

Copic markers used:

Bird: Y11, Y15, Y38

Eyes / Ground: C0, C2

Balloon: RV000, RV10, RV02

Sky: B0000, B000

I paired up the bird with the pretty Swing into Spring {paper pack}. This time I die cut my layers using the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set. I adhered the three layers in the middle {blue, floral and pink papers} all together and popped it up on the script background layer using foam tape. 

I adhered the sentiment to the arch and added a bunch of foam tape to the back of the arch and sentiment and then popped them up on the card. I finished this card off with a big blue button! This one will probably have to be hand delivered but I love how it turned out!

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 April 1st, 2026. 

Well, that's it for me this time! Be sure to hop along and enjoy some more inspiration from our friends. I can't wait to see our friends' take on the sketch. 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

Amber

Jenni

Joyce

Dawn

Rachel

Toni

Jane

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

~ Friends of Unity January 2026 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend & Happy New Year to you!

It's time for our first Friends of Unity Blog Hop of 2026!! Woohoo! I'm ready to kickoff a brand new year with our friends and share some fun inspiration with our cue...

Today we are sharing inspiration that we CASEd. What does CASEd mean? It's an acronym for Copy And Share Everything or Copy And Selectively Edit. It is a common practice in the cardmaking community where a card maker is inspired by another person's design and recreates it, either as an exact copy or with some modifications. For example, changing up the colors or using a different stamp. I had a lot of fun with my makes for this one.

My first card features the cute new Cupid Pissy Kitty. Isn't it just too cute?! It was also fun to color up with my Copic markers.

Copic markers used:

Kitty: N0, N2, N4, YR20, YR15, R20

Eyes: C0, C3, YG00, YG11

Sash: RV10, RV02

Wing: C0, C3

Bow / Arrow: E21, E25

My card design was CASEd from cards that Angela Magnuson shared in the Unity Show & Tell. She had blended over a stencil and then stamped a pretty flower silhouette. Her design was very CAS {Clean & Simple}. My design took a left turn. Haha... 

I ended up die cutting my panel and adhering it to a white card base. I die cut the panel using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set. I also popped up the sentiment with foam tape.

I blended Kitsch Flamingo and Picked Raspberry Distress Inks over the fun Layered Hearts {stencil set}. I finished off the card with a few pieces of confetti from the Crystal Opaque Creme Puff Card Bling from A Colorful Life Designs.

Keeping with a love theme for my second card. This time I inked up the adorable birdie from the brand new January 2026 KOM called Margins of Ever After. This cutie is also available separately in the  Wee Little Love Courier stamps. Too stinkin' cute!!

Inspiration for this card came from a fabulous card shared by Danni Bindel. Danni shared a card featuring the Fluff Squad. And funnily enough, she was actually inspired to make this card using one of the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketches!! Made me giggle when I realized that. I love how our cardmaking community inspires each other!

I die cut the birdie using a die from the Oval Frames die set from Newton's Nook Designs. Unity really needs to add some fun oval dies to their collection!

Copic markers used to color up this cutie:

Bird: B000, B00

Eyes: C0, C3

Beak / Legs / Feet: YR20, YR15

Heart: RV10, RV02, YR20

Grass: YG00, YG11

 I paired up this sweet bird with the Cloud Hopper Chronicles {paper pack}. So many fun layers in this one. I used paper scraps across the card and then I popped up the trimmed sentiment and the oval using foam tape.

I wanted to play with lots of color for this one. I found a great piece of pattern paper from the Oh Hey! It's Your Day {paper pack} for my background and pulled colors from the papers for my coloring.

My last card was inspired by this lovely card by Amy Marie in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group. I was pulled into the card by the theme... I love books!! But really the arch is what got my attention. Amy used the beautiful girl from the March 2025 KOM Chapters & Crossings.

I thought the gorgeous flowers from the new January 2026 KOM would look lovely in this card design. These beauties are also available separately in the Where Butterflies Wait stamps. I die cut the flowers using the largest die from the Scallops & Arches {nesting dies}. 

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

Pink: RV10, RV02

Red Flowers: R20, R14

Yellow Flowers: Y11, Y35, R20, R14

Butterfly: BG10, BG01, Y11, Y35

Greens: YG00, YG11, YG23

Background: B000

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...

... Sabra & Holly Gerdes.!! Congratulations, Sabra & Holly!!

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

Please claim the prize before February 4th, 2026. 

Well, that's it for me this time! Another 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 ---> Amber

Toni

Jenni

Jane

Dawn

Rachel

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Membership Wednesday ~ November 2025 KOM Tinsel, Toasts & Truth Bird ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! Today I'm sharing a sweet Christmas card I made using an adorable stamp from the November 2025 Kit of the Month membership from Unity. 

I stamped this cutie on Stampers Select White Card Stock from Papertrey Ink. I die cut it using a die from the BIG Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I also die cut another piece of white card stock using the slightly larger scalloped die for my mat.

Copic markers I used:

Bird: Y11, Y15, BG10, BG01, BG15

Eyes: C0, C2

Beak / Feet: YR20, YR15

Hat: C0, C2, R20, R14, R29

Branch: E21, E25

Snow: C0, C2

Ornament: R20, R14, R29, YG11, G24, G46, C0, C2

Sky: B000

I adhered my layers together and then adhered them to an A2 card base of Pure Poppy card stock from Papertrey Ink. I finished my card by popping up the sentiment with foam tape. Love this cute birdie!

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

This adorable stamp is also available separately in the Nestled Near at Christmas 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

Membership Wednesday ~ July 2025 KOM Feelin' Fall the Things ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! Today I'm sharing a really quick card featuring a really cute stamp from the July 2025 Kit of the Month membership from Unity called Feelin' Fall the Things. Love the mix of stamps in this month's kit!

I wanted to do a CAS design but with a bit of dimension. I ink smooshed a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" card front of white card stock with Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide ink leaving a good amount of white space. I trimmed the panel down to 4 x 5-1/4" and adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base. I die cut another panel of white card stock with the Stitched Hillside Borders from Lawn Fawn.

I stamped the adorable bird with Black Amalgam ink and colored it up with Copic markers. I fussy cut it leaving a white border and popped it up on the card with foam tape. I stamped the sentiment in the corner to finish this card.

Copic Markers Used

Bird: V000, V12, V15, Y11, Y15

Leaves / Grass: YG11, G14

Daisy: Y11, Y15, C0, C2

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

This adorable stamp is available separately here... Tweetest Friends.

Well, that's it for me today! I hope you've been inspired to play with your membership stamps! Have an INKriffic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Wrapped with Extra Love ~ Holiday Flock Talk ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

I couldn't help myself... sharing one last card for the Christmas in July 2025 {BYSHC} Linky Party! I promise! It's the last one! But I just HAD to play with Holiday Flock Talk! It's a brand new stamp from our wonderful Sponsor Unity that just released! Yay!

What's better than a cute holiday birdie?! Well, THREE cute holiday birdies, of course! I stamped all three together for a mini slimline card. I colored them up with some festive colors using Copic markers.

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

Purple Bird: BV00, BV02, YR20, YR15, C0, C2

Hats: C0, C2, R20, R14, R27

Scarf: G000, G21, G82

Tree: G000, G21, G82, E57

Striped Present: R20, R14, R27, Y11, Y15

Blue Bird: B000, B00, B02, Y11, Y15, C0, C2, YR20, YR15

Tiny Present: G000, G21, R14, R27

Orange Bird: Y11, YR20, YR15, YR20, YR15, R20, R14, R27

Ground: C0, C2

I hope you'll stop by the Christmas in July 2025 {BYSHC} Linky Party to check out all the wonderful Holiday inspiration being shared and maybe you can even play along! I've been inspired by so many of the cards! That's why I've been making so many extras! LOL! Today is the last day to enter the linky party!

I die cut the trio using the Big Little Chain Mini Slimline dies from Gina Marie Designs. I popped up the die cut panel using foam tape.

I paired up these cuties with the Minty Christmas {paper pack}. My mini slimline measures 6-1/2 x 3-1/2" so I trimmed a piece of pattern paper to 6 x 3-1/2" and then cut it in half. I adhered the pieces to the sides of the mini slimline card base. And then I had a scrap of the mint paper. It's probably 2-1/2" wide by 3-1/2". That's a wrap for the linky party! I hope you've enjoyed my cards. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Membership Wednesday ~ April 2025 UU Chirps & Cheer ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! Today I'm sharing a card featuring the adorable stamp from the April 2025 Uniquely Unity membership from Unity called Chirps & Cheer. 

I stamped this adorable bird with Black Amalgam ink on Kraft card stock and colored it up with some Copic markers. I love this technique and it's been awhile since I've done some coloring on kraft. I made a fun swirl in the center of the flower using English Mustard Nuvo Drops. I just used a toothpick to define the swirl a little more.

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

Bird: Y11, Y15, YR23

Beak: YR04

Flower: R20, RV04, YG11, YG17, G99

Outline: BG10

I had this fun fold card base in my stash and I thought I'd use it for this card. It's an A2 card base that measures 4-1/4 x 11" and it's scored at 2-3/4" and 5-1/2". I die cut the bird with a square die from the Scallops & Squares {nesting dies}. I trimmed up the sentiment and adhered it to the top right corner of the bird.

I paired up this sweet image with the beautiful Enveloped in Love {paper pack}. I forgot to take a picture of the card open... ooops! The heart paper and the pink heart paper I cut for the inside folded panel both measure 2-1/2 x 4". The pink panel measures 5-1/4 x 4. And I also cut a 2-3/8 x 3-3/4" panel of kraft card stock that is inside the card so I can write a note to the recipient.

Here's a quick look at this month's Uniquely Unity membership! Loving this cutie!

Well, that's it for me today! I hope you've been inspired to play with your membership stamps!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{Please note that comment moderation is on. Your lovely comment will appear once approved.}