~ Friends of Unity October 2026 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

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

Today we are sharing inspiration for the Pink October / Breast Cancer Awareness cue!! I don't know why, but I really struggled to get going with this cue. However, once the wheels got rolling I couldn't stop so I have a whole bunch of inspiration to share with you all today. Lots of photos and I'll try to keep the chatter to a minimum.

First up is a fun card featuring the beautiful Strength In Unity stamp. Such a beautiful stamp. I thought it and the sentiment would be perfect to send to someone needing encouragement. I die cut the image using a circle die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}.

Copic markers used:

Skin Tone Combos: E000, E00, E11; E00, E11, E13, W3; E000, E00; E000, E11, E23; E00, E02, E04; E000, E00, E21; E000, E00, E11, E13; E000, E00, E02

Pinks: different variations using the following - R00, R20; RV000, RV10, RV21, RV02, RV13, RV04

White shadows: C0

I used a pretty pattern paper from the Fabulous Enough {paper pack}. And I mat it with a piece of kraft card stock that I die cut using one of the fun dies from the Edge Appeal {border die set}. This scallop die with the tiny hearts is probably my favorite from the set. I adhered the papers to a white A2 top fold card base and popped up the circle and sentiment with foam tape.

A little two-fer magic for my next two cards. One fabulous half sheet of card stock ink smooshed with Kitsch Flamingo and Picked Raspberry Distress Inks for two very different cards.

My first of the two features the Rise Up Darling stamp. I just stamped this gorgeous stamp over the inked smooshed background with Black Amalgam ink and die cut it using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set.

I trimmed up the sentiment and popped it up on the card with foam tape. Easy peasy! I love this stamp!

For my second card of the two, I inked up the brand new Survivor From Every Angle stamp. This gorgeous stamp is brand new and Angela assured me it would be available on the website today, but please be patient if it's not showing just yet. 

Copic markers used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Top: C0, C1, RV10, RV21, RV13

Jeans: C0, C1, C3, C7

Cup: C0, C1, RV10, RV21, RV13, RV04

Heart: RV10, RV21, RV13

I die cut the ink smooshed background using a die from the Zig Zag Rectangles {nesting dies}. I fussy cut the girl and adhered her to the bottom sentiment and then I popped her up along with both sentiments. I adore this new stamp!

Next up is a card of encouragement featuring the Difficult Roads stamps. I masked the edges of the die cut kraft card stock with iCraft Pixie Tape and then stamped the jar of flowers. I used a mix of Copic markers and Prismacolor Pencils to color up the stamp. I used the white prismacolor pencil and a couple greens. I didn't make note of which ones. Sorry about that.

Copic markers used:

Flowers: RV21, RV13, RV04

Jar: C0, C1

I used the Postage Stamp {nesting dies} for my focal image. I kept this card simple and just popped up the panel on a Kraft A2 top fold card base using a bunch of foam tape.

And my last make for the hop, a fun tag featuring the #Breastfriends {wit & wisdom} stamp.

I die cut the stamped panel using a die from the Make a Tag {die set}. I also die cut a mat and a little topper for the focal panel from pink card stock.

The topper for the focal panel needed a little something so I stamped it with the retired Hearts of Old background stamp using Picked Raspberry Distress Ink. The All for Love stamps would be a fun alternate for the retired background stamp I used. My handy Crop-a-dile worked wonders for the hole punches and then I added the hole reinforcer that I had die cut from white card stock. I finished off the tag with some white organdy ribbon tied with pink baker's twine.

Copic markers used: RV10, RV21, RV04

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...

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

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

Please claim the prize before November 4th, 2026. 

If you've made it this far, you deserve a great big coffee {or hot beverage of your choice}! LOL! I appreciate you hanging with me... I got a bit carried away with this month's cue. So THANK YOU for sticking with me. 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

Dawn

Toni

Joyce

Rachel

Doreen

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

~ 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

Membership Wednesday ~ June 2026 KOM The Art of Summering ~ Time for a Pause ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! It's been over a week since I've had any inky time. *GASP* I know! I hurt my back a couple weeks ago and it's being very temperamental when I sit for too long. So crafting hasn't been viable. But today I just HAD to get some crafty time in and I kept my card simple so I wouldn't be sitting for long.

I stamped the adorable pup on Kraft card stock using Black Amalgam ink from Gina K. Designs. I die cut the pup using a die from the Scallops & Squares {nesting dies}. And then I did some coloring with my Copic markers. I also added touches of white using a Prismacolor white pencil.

Copic markers used:

Tree Trunks: E11, E23, E25

Hammock: R20, R14, Y11, Y21

Pup: E11, E23, E57, C0, C2, N1, N3, N5

Sky: BG000, BG10

Grass: G00, G02

My color choices were actually inspired by the Timeworn Paws Anthology {paper pack}. I had every intention of using the papers on the card but decided for more of a CAS design. I actually had the die cut heart background in my scraps... seemed perfect for this card. I die cut it using the Fall Out Hearts Background Die. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing that die on the Unity website. 

I stamped the sentiment. Die cut it using a die from the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies and then adhered it directly to the A2 card. I popped up the puppy layer with foam tape finishing it off.

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

This cute stamp is also available separately in the Time for a Pause 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

Oh. My. Word. ~ The Pecking Order ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Today I'm sharing a quick card on Kraft card stock. I do enjoy coloring on Kraft card stock.

I inked up the fun new chickens from Unity called The Pecking Order. I colored them up with some Copic markers and a very sharp White Prismacolor Pencil (for the eyes and feathers).

Copic markers used:

Comb / Wattle / Tongue: R20, R14

Beak / Legs / Feet: YR21, YR15

Eyes: C0, C2

Ground: E21, E25

I stamped the fun chicken feet print along the side for a kind of border. And then I couldn't pick a sentiment so I used two.

I trimmed the Kraft panel to 4 x 5-1/4" and adhered it to a piece of black card stock measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2". I adhered the card front to a Kraft A2 card base. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Membership Wednesday ~ September 2025 KOM Harvest to Holiday ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! Today I'm sharing a quick Fall card featuring the gorgeous HUGE pumpkin from the September 2025 Kit of the Month membership called Harvest to Holiday from Unity Stamp Co. 

I stamped the script sentiment included in the kit several times on the left side of a piece of Kraft card stock. I then stamped the the pumpkin and the 'Fall Blessings' sentiment. I trimmed the panel to 4-1/2 x 4-1/2".

I ink smooshed the panel keeping the top right corner mostly free of ink. I used Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, Abandoned Coral, and Gathered Twigs Distress Inks. Once I was happy with the ink smooshing, I dried the panel with a Wagner Precision Heat Tool. I colored the stem with a few Copic markers: E11, E25, E18.

I roughed up the edges of the Kraft layer with a Distress Tool from Tim Holtz. I adhered the panel to a 4-5/8" squared piece of Pumpkin Pie card stock from Stampin' Up. The script on the left side needed something to break it up so I wrapped the panel three times with natural May Arts Burlap String and tied a bow. I covered the back of the panel with foam tape leaving a space for the string and popped it up on a 5" squared piece of Early Espresso card stock, also from SU. The panel is adhered to a 10 x 5" Kraft card base that's scored at 5". I finished off the card with a few enamel dots from my stash.

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

Another option is to get this kit separately here... Pumpkin Hearth.

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

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Membership Wednesday ~ May 2025 UU Nestled Hearts ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend!

Happy Membership Wednesday! Today I'm sharing a card featuring the precious stamp from the May 2025 Uniquely Unity membership from Unity called Nestled Hearts. 

I stamped this adorable stamp with Black Amalgam ink on Kraft card stock and colored it up with some Copic markers. I debated leaving the image just black and white but... I could help myself! I just love the technique of coloring with Copic markers on Kraft card stock so here we are. LOL. I added touches of white to the image using a white Prismacolor pencil.

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

Deer: E00, E21, E23, E25, R00, R20

Bunny: R00, R20, W00, W1, W4

Flowers: V000, V01, V15, Y11, Y15, YR15, R20, R14 

Greenery: YG11, G94

Nest: E51, E53

I die cut the sweet duo with a square die from the Scallops & Squares {nesting dies}. I also die cut a mat from black card stock using the next largest die. I stamped the sentiment and trimmed it.

I've been trying to play with my neglected embossing folders. I used a woodgrain embossing folder for this card. I trimmed up the background to 4-1/8 x 5-3/8" and adhered it to a Kraft A2 top fold card base. I adhered the sweet deer and bunny to the card. Straight on just wasn't pleasing to the eye so I offset the image just a bit. I popped up the sentiment using foam tape.

Here's a quick look at this month's Uniquely Unity membership! Love this adorable stamp!

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

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Monochromatic Sympathy ~ Peony Reverie ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

It's hard to make sympathy cards. Especially when you need one. I think a monochromatic floral card is nice for a sympathy card. When I saw the gorgeous Peony Reverie I wanted to see what it would look like with a sepia style of coloring. 

I've done sepia colorings before but I think I've colored them on white card stock. This time I wanted to see what it would look like on Kraft card stock. I colored the peonies with just E21 and E25. 

I die cut the panel using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies. I adhered the panel to a Kraft A2 top fold card base. I added a touch of white to the center of the peonies using a white gel pen.

The sentiment from the Say It Loud & Clear stamps was heat embossed with a clear embossing ink and black embossing powder. My black embossing powder is very old from Stampin' Up. I had to heat emboss the sentiment twice because of the old ep. It's also contaminated with paper bits and other stuff. Probably time to replace it. Any suggestions for a good black embossing powder? I fussy cut the sentiment and popped it up on the card with foam tape. I really like how this turned out.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky hugs,

Crystal

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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.}