Checking on Ya ~ Talk of the Coop ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Checking on my favorite hen today with a fun chicken card I made using the cutest new stamp from Unity called Talk of the Coop. I am just smitten with these fun hens!

I inked up the cute Talk of the Coop hens with Black Amalgam ink and colored them up with Copic markers. It's hard to see but I gave the chickens pretty green, blue, or purple eyes. I fussy cut the hens leaving a white border around the edges.

Copic Markers used:

Feathers: C0, C2

Beaks: YR20, YR15, YR27

Wattles / Combs: R00, R14, R27

Tongues: R00, R14

Eyes: C0, C2, YG11, V12, B00

I die cut a panel of white card stock using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set. I masked the edges with iCraft Pixie Tape and then I blended over the Cumulus Clouds Stencil with a blending brush using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. I kept my blending soft and light.

I adhered the die cut panel to a white A2 top fold card base and then I adhered the hens to the card with Tombow XL Mono Multi Liquid Glue. I die cut the sentiment with a circle die from my stash and popped it up on the card with foam tape. Love how this one turned out!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

~ 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

Grandma Chicken Card ~ Karen's Coop ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

Today I'm sharing a funny chicken card I made with the awesome new Karen's Coop stamp from Unity. OMG!! I can't get enough of this stamp!! LOL! 

Those wings are totally giving me my Granny vibe! She would strike that pose when she had something important to say and you'll be sure I was listening! LOL! I stamped this fun chicken and colored it with Copic markers. And then I die cut it with a die from the Scallops & Banners {nesting dies}. I die cut my background paper with the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}.

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

Chicken: E21, E23, E57

Eyes: C0, C2

Beak / Feet: YR20, YR15, YR27

Hair: R14, E95, E97, E09

I paired up Karen's Coop with the awesome new Sunday at Grandma's {paper pack}. I just thought it was fitting to use the g-ma papers with the chicken that reminds me of my g-ma. Haha... I adhered the sentiment to the banner and then I popped up the banner with foam tape. All of my layers are adhered to a black A2 top fold card base. I just love this card!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

Holiday Thing ~ Wingin' It This Holiday ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

I'm so excited to see some new chickens released over at Unity and they are all dressed up for the holidays so I'm even more excited to add to my stash of holiday cards for the Christmas in July {BYSHC} Linky Party that is happening now!

I inked up both chickens from the Wingin' It This Holiday stamps and colored them up with Copic markers. Aren't they just too much fun?! I love the mix of sentiments included with them. It was hard to pick just one!

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

White Chicken: C0, C2, YR21, YR15, YR27

Hat: R20, R14, R27, C0, C2

Present: E21, E23, E57, R20, R14, R27

Brown Chicken: C0, C2, E21, E23, E57, YR21, YR15, YR27

Lights: Y11, Y06, YG11, G02, R20, R14, B000, B00

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 even play along!

I die cut the chicken panel using a die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies} and then I tore the top and bottom. I trimmed a piece of pattern paper from the Watercolor Tidings {paper pack} to 4-1/4 x 4". I die cut two scraps of white card stock using the longest edge of the same die I used on the chicken panel. I distressed them just a little bit so they weren't bright white. I also distressed the chicken panel. I mostly used the residue ink on my brown blending brush but I might have used a little more Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

I adhered the scalloped strips to the chicken panel and then adhered the panel to the red A2 top fold card base. I distressed the sentiment just a smidge and trimmed the words up to adhered individually to the card. I wrapped the front of the card with natural burlap string a few times and then tied a pretty bow to finish off the card.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inky hugs,

Crystal

~ Friends of Unity July 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! 

I love getting inky with a fun mixed media card. I did struggle a bit getting going with these but once I did some ink smooshing I was on a roll! I can't be the only one who finds ink smooshing so relaxing. I love it! It makes a bad day so much better.

I ink smooshed my background for this one using Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink leaving a good amount of white space. I added a little bit of Squeezed Lemonade but it's really not noticeable. I partially inked up A Faithful Letter background stamp with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

The pretty little butterflies are from the retired {...With Her Own Wings}. I just inked up a handful of the butterflies for the corners. I die cut the background using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies} and then I adhered it to a white A2 top fold card base. I finished off the background with some black acrylic paint spatters.   

The butterflies are from the Paper Wings stamps. I colored them with Copic markers and fussy cut them on the line except around the antennae where I left a white border. The butterflies are adhered to the card on their bodies and antennae. I folded up the wings for some dimension. The sentiment is from the Extended Celebration stamps. I trimmed it and adhered it to the card. I finished off the card with a few pearl embellishments I think I got from a Unity order.

My second card also has some ink smooshing. Ink smooshing is my go-to mixed media technique. This time I used Twisted Citron and Wild Honey Distress Inks. I wanted to use colors that I normally wouldn't put together. For some reason these colors made me want to work with a chicken stamp so I grabbed the fun new Still Peckin' Fabulous. 

 And then I stamped the fun Chicken Wire background stamp.... which is retired. Bummer! Maybe you have it in your stash. I stamped it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I also stamped the squiggly lines from the stamps called Never with the same ink. I heat embossed the circle trio with clear embossing ink and Penny embossing powder from Brutus Monroe. I love the texture and shine it gives the card.

I stamped the fun chicken and colored it up with Copic markers. I heat embossed the sentiment with a white pigment ink and white embossing powder on a dark brown card stock. I fussy cut the chicken and adhered it to the sentiment and then I added foam tape to the back of both and popped them up on the card. Voila!

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

Chicken / Eyes: C0, C2, C3

Beak: Y11, YR20, YR15, YR27

Waddle: R20, R14, R27

Hat: YG11, YG03, YG63, B00, B02

Present: YR20, YR15, YR68, B00, B02

Balloon: Y11, YR20, YR15, YR68

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...

... Wilma DeG!! Congratulations, Wilma!!

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

Please claim the prize before July 30th, 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

Doreen

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

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Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch 33 ~ Resting Beach Face ~ Unity Stamp Co.

 Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing some fun inspiration for the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 33 in the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Facebook group. I inked up one of the super fun chickens from the Resting Beach Face stamps!

I stamped the chicken and sentiment with Amalgam Black ink on Stampers Select White card stock and colored up the chicken with Copic Markers. I die cut the chicken using a fun die from the Grunge Cuts {tag dies}. Oh gosh... just realized I didn't color the band around the hat!! LOL! I'll probably color that pink.

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

Chicken: C0, C2, Y15, YR15, YR27

Swimsuit: C0, C2, YG11, YG23, B000, B00

Hat: Y11, Y15, YR15

Floatie: RV000, RV02, RV04

Sky: B0000, B000

Ground: E51, E21, E33

Here's a look at the fun sketch for Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch Challenge 33. 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 adjusted my design this time by flipping it and I omitted the die cut edge.

I paired up the chicken with the awesome Sun's Out, Sass Out Pissy Kitty {paper pack}. I used scraps in the paper pack for my layers. I love the fun colors!

I adhered the sentiment to the tag and popped them up on the card. And then I finished it off with a few green enamel dots. I'm having a blast with this sketch! I hope you can find time to play along. Have an ink-tastic week!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Make Things Weird ~ Cluckin' Chicks ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

It's time for Unity's April release and I am just so excited to share my card featuring the latest addition to the roost... Cluckin' Chicks!! Fun stamps with two cute and hilarious chicks plus a few super funny sentiments. Love it!

I stamped the hilarious chicken with Black Amalgam ink and colored her up with just a few Copic markers.

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

Feathers: C00, C2, C3

Eyes: C00, C2, C3, Colorless Blender

Beak / Feet: YR21, YR15, YR27

Comb / Wattles: R20, R14, R27

Ground: C00, C2, C3

Outline: B0000

You can check out my process video here... Make Things Weird | Cluckin' Chicks | Unity Stamp Co.

I die cut the chicken using a circle die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. The sentiment is die cut using a die from the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies. Both are popped up on the card using foam tape.

I paired up this fun chicken with the Cluck & Bloom {paper pack}. I die cut the background paper using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. All of my layers are adhered to a white A2 top fold card base. I finished off the card with some Glossy Accents on the chicken's eyes! I love the fun shine it gives to the card!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky hugs,

Crystal

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Inky Paws Challenge #237 ~ Sketch Challenge {Week 3}

Hello there crafty friend!

 Sharing some more inspiration for week 3 of the Inky Paws Challenge #237 - Sketch Challenge! You have until Friday, February 28th to get your entries in for the challenge and a chance to win a $20 store credit to Newton's Nook Designs!

Inky Paws Challenge #237 - Sketch Challenge

I am having so much fun with the sketch this month! I hope that you've been able to play along with us and if you haven't there's still 11 days to join in the fun!

I started my card with the fun layers of papers. I went a little nuts! It was so hard to narrow down the papers I wanted to use so I used a bunch. I used the Farmyard 6x6 Paper Pad for my paper layers. I die cut the blue gingham paper using a die from the Frames & Flags Die Set. I used a die from the Basic Frames Die Set for the red checkered background behind the chicken.

I stamped the cute chicken from the Cluck Stamp Set and colored it up with Copic markers. I die cut it using the coordinating die from the Cluck Die Set. I die cut a stitched circle from white card stock using a die from the Circle Frames Die Set.

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

Beak / Feet: YR21, YR15, YR27

Waddle: R20, R14, R27

Orange: YR21, YR15, YR27

Blue: B93, B97, B79

Brown: E21, E23, E25, E27

Green: G12, G05, G16

The sentiments are also from the Cluck Stamp Set. I stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Trimmed them and popped them up on the card. I adhered the chicken circle to the checkered layer and then popped those up on the card too.

Now it's your turn to get your paws inky with your Newton's Nook Designs products and create a card using this month's sketch. Be sure to link up to the Inky Paws Challenge! Can't wait to see your projects!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Peek-a-Boo Chicken Card ~ Clucks & Chaos ~ Unity Stamp Co.

Hello there crafty friend! 

I'm back today to share a fun chicken card using the awesome Clucks & Chaos stamps from Unity's release. Such a funny bird!

I stamped the chicken on a panel measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2". I colored it up with my Copic markers and adhered the panel inside the card.

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

Feathers: E21, E23, E25 Eyes: C00, C1 Beak / Feet: YR21, YR27 Waddle: R20, R14 Mouth: R00, R20

Background: BG10, BG0000

Ground: E50, E53, E55

Once I was happy with the coloring, I used a circle die from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies} to create the peek-a-boo element on the card. I die cut the pattern paper and then die cut the front panel of the white A2 top fold card base.

You can check out my process video for the funny card here... Peek-a-Boo Chicken Card | Clucks & Chaos | Unity Stamp Co.

I paired up the fun chicken with the pretty Cluck & Bloom {paper pack}. I can't get enough of the chickens in these papers!! So cute! Haha... and then that chicken face popping out. This card cracks me up!

Here's a photo of the inside of the card. I added a strip of the pattern paper inside to finish off the card.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky hugs,

Crystal

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