~ Friends of Unity August 2025 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! This month's cue is a lot of fun! 

Technique is such a broad scope for a cue... it took me a while to figure out what I wanted to make. I decided to play with my Distress Crayons again. It's been awhile.

I masked my 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" panels with iCraft Removable Pixie Tape from Therm O Web. And then I colored the masked off area with three distress crayons. For my first card, I chose Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, and Spiced Marmalade. I used a baby wipe to blend those colors and then removed the tape. I swiped my white pigment ink pad across the raised part just to add a touch of white.

I wanted to add some texture to my panels so I ran this one through my Big Shot with the Dot Matrix embossing folder from Tim Holtz/Sizzix. I paired up this fun background with an adorable bee from the  July 2025 Uniquely Unity Bee-Hold stamps. The die cut hexagons are cut out using the Hexagon Frames from Newton's Nook Designs.

Copic markers used: Y11, Y15, B000, C0, C2

I masked off my second panel at a diagonal. For this one I used Picked Raspberry, Spun Sugar, and Kitsch Flamingo distress crayons. I blended them with a baby wipe and then ran this one through my Big Shot with the Tattered Poinsettia embossing folder also from Tim Holtz/Sizzix.

I paired up my second panel with the beautiful Seasons of Life stamp. The sentiment is from Deck the Halls. I fussy cut the girl and adhered her and the sentiment to the card.

Copic markers used for this card:

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: Y11, E43, E44

Hat / Scarf / Mittens: G000, G82, C0, C2

Coat: E21, E33, E25, R20, R22

I've kinda been on a roll with the Christmas cards so... I made another! For this one I masked the paper horizontally and I used Peacock Feathers, Salvaged Patina, and Mermaid Lagoon distress crayons. And I used a snowflake embossing folder that I believe is Tim Holtz but there's no brand name on it so I'm not sure.

I paired up this fun wintry background with the awesome Sending Christmas Smiles stamps. I adore this snowman! I fussy cut him and adhered him to the card. 

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

Snowman: C0, C2

Nose: Y11, YR20, YR15, YR68

Arm: E00, E59

Hat: N2, N4, N6

Scarf / Hat Band: R20, R14, R27

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 September 3rd, 2025. 

Well, that's it for me this time! It's a short hop this month with just six 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 ---> Jenni

Toni

Rachel

Dawn

Joyce

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 34 ~ Still Peckin' Fabulous ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!

I hope you're having a great day! Today I'm sharing my first card for the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 34 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. I inked up one of the new fabulous chickens from the Still Peckin' Fabulous stamps from Unity. 

First of all, that sentiment!!! LOL! Hilarious! I love it! I stamped the chicken and the sentiment on scraps of white card stock. I colored the images up with Copic Markers. I die cut the chicken using a die from the Grunge Cuts {tag dies}.

Here's a list of the Copic Markers I used: 

Chicken / Eyes: C0, C1, C2

Beak / Feet: YR20, YR15, YR27

Wattle: R20, R14, R27

Hat: R20, R14, R27, BG23, G14, Y15

Cake: E21, E25, YG11, YG03, BG10, Y15

Balloon: Y000, Y11, Y15

Ground: C0, C2

Background: BG000, BG10

Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 34. 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 came up with this card design when I was using up scraps. You can check out the original card here... February Scraps Cards. I really need to get back to using up my scraps so I'm really excited for this sketch.

I pulled these scraps right out of my Oh Hey! It's Your Day! {paper pack}. I left the widths as they were but trimmed the ends to 3-3/4". I love how quick this card came together with a fun embossing folder for the background and with some scraps. I used the Confetti embossing folder from Stampin' Up. The ribbon is also from SU, it's the Wild Wasabi Grosgrain Stitched ribbon. I stapled it to the tag using the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Attacher Stapler.

I think this will be a really fun sketch to play with for the next four weeks! Lots of possibilities and we can use up some scraps! I hope you can find time to play along. I can't wait to see what you create. Have an INKredible week!

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.}

Meowica ~ Purr-ade Crasher Pissy Kitty ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Who is ready for summer?! The latest pissy kitty is!! LOL! Or maybe not!! Hahaha... it's such a cute stamp! This cutie is called Purr-ade Crasher Pissy Kitty from Unity.

I just had to ink her up and color her with my Copic markers.

 

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

Kitty: C0, C1, C2, R00, R20

Glasses: R20, R14, R27, Y11, Y15

Shirt: Y11, Y15, B000, B00, B02

Pants: R20, R14, R27

Sparkler: Y11, Y15, YR15

I die cut the kitty using a die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. I die cut one of the sentiments using a die from the Distressed Tickets {ticket dies} and then I ink smooshed it with Candied Apple and Lumberjack Plaid Distress Inks. I just trimmed up the 'meowica' sentiment. The sentiments are adhered to the circle and I popped them all up on the card.

The background was a scrap in my stash that I had run through my big shot with the Bricked embossing folder from Tim Holtz. It's not super easy to see the distressed bricks in the background in my photos but it's visible in person. I ink smooshed the background with Salty Ocean and Candied Apple Distress Inks. I die cut the background using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting dies. I adhered all of my layers to a white A2 top fold card base. And then I finished it off with some fun sequins from my stash. Love it!

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 shortly.}

~ Friends of Unity May 2025 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! This month's cue just might be one of my favorites! 

This month's cue is Bloom Where You Are Planted! For me... that means flowers! I absolutely LOVE the assortment of flower stamps available at Unity! It wasn't easy, but I narrowed it down to two for this hop.

First up is the gorgeous Tulip Symphony. I adore this stamp! I wanted to do some watercoloring and this stamp was the first one that came to mind. I used my ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers. I used Light Pink, Light Carmine, and Pink for the petals. And Yellow Green, May Green and Green for the stems and leaves. For the blue in the background I used a bit of Light Blue.

Once the panel was completely dry, I die cut it using a die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I also die cut another piece of watercolor paper using the largest die from the Postage Stamp {nesting dies}. These gorgeous tulips could be a forever postage stamp. I love it!

I used Canson XL 140lb watercolor paper for my watercoloring layers. I adhered the postage layer to an A2 top fold card base of Kraft card stock from Papertrey Ink. I decided to make this a birthday card for my beautiful niece whose birthday was just a few days ago. I hope she liked it.

My next card features the beautiful blooms from the Snarky Mama stamps. I really wish Unity would make this stamp bigger. Don't you think it would look fab as a big slimline stamp?! I think so. I may just ask Ang if we can make that happen. :)

I stamped the flowers and the sentiment on Stampers Select White card stock from Papertrey Ink. And then I die cut it using a die from the BIG Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I wanted to keep the card CAS so I looked through my embossing folders for a fun background and came across the Tim Holtz Brick 3D Embossing Folder. I finished off the card with some Raindrop Embellishments from the 2024 Advent Calendar.

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

Big Flowers: Y11, R20

Big Flower Centers: Y11, YR15, R14

Little Flowers: R20, R32

Leaves / Stems: YG11, G02, G07

Background: BG10, Colorless Blender

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 June 4th, 2025. 

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

Kari

April

Jane

Toni

Dawn

Jenni

Joyce

Doreen

Rachel

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{Please note that comment moderation is ON. Your comment will appear shortly.}

Release Day Blog Hop ~ You Are My Sunshine ~ The Greeting Farm

The March 2025 New Release is now available for purchase in The Greeting Farm Store! This month we introduced 3 new stamp sets. Our first set called REGENCY COUPLE is full of elegance and romance and features a dapper Ian ready to court our beautiful Anya. Next, all the cute TGF animals have gathered outside to bask under the warm sun in our set called YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE. Lastly, we showcased ANYA'S CANDY SHOP which carries a wide assortment of delicious sweet treats.

I just adore this sweet bear from the super cute You Are My Sunshine stamp set and wanted to feature him on a CAS card so I pulled out a pretty embossing folder from my stash. I ran it through my big shot and trimmed it down to 4 x 5-1/4". I adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base. I then found a scrap of white card stock to adhere across the card base.

I die cut a piece of white card stock using a square die from my stash. I stamped the sweet bear and flowers on a scrap of white card stock and colored them up with Copic markers. I fussy cut the bear and the flowers and colored the edges with a black marker. I adhered the bear to the square and popped up the square on the card. I stamped, trimmed and popped up the sentiment on the card with foam tape.

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

Flower Crown: Y11, Y15, R11, R22, V000, V12, V15, B000, B00, YG11, YG03, YG63

Bear: E51, E33, E35, N2, N4, N6

Flowers: Y11, YR15, R00, R11, R22

To celebrate this release we are having a short BLOG HOP! One lucky fan will take home the entire release! You have until March 18th, 12pm CST/1pm EST to leave your comments on each Designer's Blog. Then head back to The Greeting Farm Blog to let us know you completed the hop. **Remember to qualify for the prize you MUST leave a comment on each Designer's Blog AND The Greeting Farm Blog letting us know you completed the hop.

NOTE: Comments on The Greeting Farm Blog are admin approved so it may take a day for your comment to be visible. Please only comment once, and use the same name on all the blogs when leaving a comment. Do not pick the Anonymous option (otherwise we won't be able to verify that it's you). We will announce the random winner later in the week on the Blog and in our Facebook Group: The Greeting Farm Fan Page.

TGF Design Team:

Crystal

Cynthia

Elisabete

Meg

This is a short hop, and definitely worth playing along! If you want to grab your favorites now, you can purchase the new stamps HERE. We will have more cards featuring the New Release from our Design Team Leaders starting on the 19th so be sure to stop by The Greeting Farm Blog to see more inspiration.

Happy Hopping!

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.}

Vintage Fabulous Bday Card ~ Mortal Sparkle ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

I'm back today to share a fun birthday card using the awesome Mortal Sparkle stamps from Unity's January release! This gal and the sentiments are SO funny and perfect for a funny card.

I stamped her with Black Amalgam ink and colored her in with my Copic markers. Fussy cut her leaving a bit of a border. And then I popped her up on the panel.

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

Skin: E000, E00, E11, R00, R20

Hair: C00, C2

Tutu / Hat: V0000, V000, V12, V15, V09

Cake: E30, E31, V0000, V12, V15, V09, Y11, Y15, Y35

I had this embossed panel is my stash of 'scraps to use later' and thought it was perfect for this gal! I trimmed it down to 3-7/8 x 5-1/8" and adhered it to a mat of Plum Pudding card stock from Papertrey Ink measuring 4 x 5-1/4". The purple card base measures 8-1/2 x 5-1/2"; scored at 4-1/4" and I used Lilac Grace card stock from Papertrey Ink.

I stamped the sentiments, trimmed them, and then popped them up with foam tape. 

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 shortly.}

Snow Over It Card ~ Chilly and Grumpy ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Sharing a snarky CAS winter card featuring the adorable new penguin that just released over at Unity called Chilly and Grumpy. Isn't his grumpy little face just the cutest?!

I stamped him with Black Amalgam ink and colored him up really simply with some Copic markers: C00, C1, YR21, YR15, R20, R14.

I thought it would be fun to make a CAS card in all white since little guys 'snow over it'. Heehee! I used a dots embossing folder from my stash to emboss the front of a white card front.

I die cut the penguin using a die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies. Such a fun card to make and so easy peasy!!

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 shortly.}

CAS Envelope Card ~ Greetings this Season ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!

Sharing a quick CAS card... today is the last day for the awesome Year End Clearance Sale over at Unity! As a cardmaker, I really love when stamps feature cardmaking images and an envelope filled with poinsettias is so gorgeous!! I couldn't wait to ink up the gorgeous Greetings this Season stamps!

I created this CAS card simply by running a card front measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" through my Big Shot with the Brickwork 3D Embossing Folder from Sizzix and Tim Holtz. I trimmed it to approximately 4-1/4 x 4-1/8" and adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base.

Here's a quick list of the copic markers I used to color up this gorgeous envelope:

Envelope ~ C00, C2, C3

Poinsettias ~ R20, R14, R27, Y06, Y15, Y28

Pine Needles ~ YG03, YG63

Holly ~ YG11, G24, G46

Berries ~ R20, R14, R27

I fussy cut the envelope leaving a white border. I also trimmed the sentiment. I then popped up both on my card with foam tape. Very CAS and pretty easy to make! Head on over to Unity to check out the Year End Sale!! There's a few new releases and some items are as low as 75% off!! Woohoo!

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.}

~ Friends of Unity August 2021 Blog Hop ~

  Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our August 2021 Friends of Unity blog hop!! Before I get to this month's fun cue and the cards I created... we have a new friend joining us!!

Please give April Sarandrea a great big welcome!!!

I've admired her fantastic creations... such a talented lady and I was super excited when she accepted our invitation to join our little hop! Let's get to it, shall we?!

This month we have a super fun cue...

LET'S GO FOR A RIDE!

I had fun with this cue... it's actually a great one for masculine cards, but I took three totally different takes on the cue. I hope you'll check them out and let me know in the comments which is your favorite!

My first card using the gorgeous Fall truck from the August 2021 KOM called Pumpkin Season. I wanted to do a monochromatic card but then I also had to color the truck and the pumpkins so this is a mix of monochromatic and selective coloring! LOL... I used a fun Happy Fall embossing folder for my background. Not sure what company it's from... it doesn't say on it.

I die cut the truck with a large circle die from Waffle Flower called Additional Circles die. I trimmed the sentiment... also from this month's KOM... and adhered it to the circle. Then I popped up the sentiment and focal piece with lots of foam tape. Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Truck ~ BG70, BG72, BG75

Pumpkins ~ YR15, YR21, YR68, YG61, YG67, E37, E55

Grounding ~ N0, N2

For my second card I also used a fun embossing folder called Diamond Plate from Sizzix and Tim Holtz. I embossed the True Black card front and a scrap of Weathervane card stock. I trimmed the Weathervane card stock and adhered it to the card front. I adhered those to a white A2 top fold card base and set it aside.

I stamped the motorcycle from the Ride it Out stamp set with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored it with a few neutral grey Copic markers ~ N0, N1, N3; and a couple cool grey markers ~ C00, C2. I fussy cut the motorcycle cleaning up the edges with a Memento Tuxedo black marker and adhered it to the card. I stamped the sentiment from the For the Guys stamp set with Wow Clear embossing ink and melted some Alabaster White embossing powder from Brutus Monroe. I trimmed the sentiment and popped it up on the card. I'm thinking this one will be my husband's birthday card.

And for my last card, I had a little fun with the cue... witches gotta ride, too!! Am I right?! LOL 

I thought it would be fun to make a quick Halloween card with the adorable Little Witchy stamp set. I again used an embossing folder for my background... the Spider Web embossing folder from Provo Craft Cuttlebug... and used some fun Halloween pattern paper this time. This is the Hocus Pocus papers from Whimsy Stamps. The pattern paper cracked a bit when I embossed it but I kinda like the distressed look it gives the background.

I stamped the adorable witch with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her up with the following Copic markers:

Skin ~ E000, E00, E11, R00, R20

Hair ~ RV06, RV10, RV21

Clothes / Hat / Shoes ~ YG11, G14, N0, N2, N3, N5

Broom ~ E21, E27, E33, E51

I fussy cut the witch and cleaned up the edges with my Memento Tuxedo black marker. I adhered her to the card and then stamped the sentiment with Wow Clear embossing ink and melted some Alabaster White embossing powder. I trimmed the sentiment and adhered it to the card. Done!

Well, that's it for my cards this month... before you head off to the next person in the hop I need to announce my winner from last month's hop.

Congratulations Andre M.!!

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

Prize must be claimed within two weeks. 

Please hop along and enjoy some more inspiration from the Friends of Unity. I'm sure that some of my friends are having a giveaway so be sure to comment as you hop along.

Let's get to the hopping...

Crystal <--- you're here

up next ---> April

Eileen

Bobbie Sue

Rachel

Dawn F.

Colleen

Robyn

Thanks so much for supporting our little hop!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

{Please note that comment moderation is ON. Your lovely comment will appear shortly.}