{BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party - Season's Greetings

Hello again! Today's entry has a background of ........ *SCRAPS*! Welcome to the {BYSHC} Spring into Christmas 2026 Linky Party! Each linky party, I try to utilize as many scraps as I can....it's sort of a challenge to myself!

Another created background panel using strips of scraps pieced together! 

The stamp, sentiment and nesting dies are all from Unity Stamp Co. The reindeer stamp is from the 2024 Advent Calendar, the sentiment is from a sweet little set called Simply Holiday. I colored the tiny deer with KingArt alcohol markers. I then die cut the main panel with the largest die in the scallops and rectangles nesting die set, then the circles were die cut with the scallops and circles nesting die set. Everything was mounted with Tombow Mono Liquid Glue and then I added a few white enamel dots from Gina Marie designs.

additional supplies used:

MISTI

Versafine Clair Nocturne

My Amazon Favorite Craft Essentials!

Welcome to my Week Growing in Unity!

 Hello friends! Welcome to my little corner of the blog-iverse! My name is Jenni Shamblin and I am the Growing in Unity Girl for this week! I have been crafting for just about as long as I can remember, so it is literally a part of me. It is my stress reliever and my safe space! I can pour myself into a project and shut out *some* of the stress if only for a little time!

I am a HUGE fan of the technique called "ink smooshing." The variety of backgrounds that can be created is endless! When I sat down to start working on my projects for the week, I just wanted to get inky! So that's what I did! I started with a couple pieces of watercolor paper that I cut to generally the size of an A2 card. I wanted to make  "winter" themed cards. I am working on broadening my card collection to include all those that celebrate during the holidays.....not just Christmas!

I grabbed some speckled egg, broken china and stormy sky distress oxides and literally smooshed each one, one at a time, onto an acrylic block then spritzed with water. I then took a piece of acetate and dabbed into the ink, then dabbed onto the panel. Over and over again until I liked the coverage. With the leftover ink on the block, I used the other watercolor paper and then a scrap of white cardstock to sop up what was left. I now have two additional backgrounds to use!

To that I then added the snowflakes from the September 2024 KOM {wander and wonder} using Versa Mark embossing ink and some silver embossing powder from Nuvo. The panel was all well and good, but just wasn't grabbing me....it needed something more. So I die cut it with one of the scallops and circles nesting dies. The white die cut panel with the washi tape was not used on a previous project and was perfect to go with this beautiful snowy piece!

I die cut the snowflake from some silver shimmer paper using a die set from Waffle Flower called Winter Crystal Die. I then glued everything together. The sentiment (also from the same KOM) was stamped with versamark ink and white embossing powder was used on it. I stapled it to the die cut piece with some blue staples. Used some foam adhesive on the entire piece and then added some flat clear sequins to give it some pop! This was 1000% influenced by Unity Design Team Member Tenia Nelson! I just love her style!

Thanks for visiting and be sure to comment for a chance to be one of two winners that will be randomly drawn at the end of my week. $20 Unity credit! Lots of great things to come!!

{BYSHC} Sketch 50 - Merry Little Christmas

 Hello again! While today is the last day of the Falling for the Holidays 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party, sketch 50 goes until the end of the month!

My card today was created with a new-to-me stencil from Newton's Nook Designs, called Argyle Stencil Set. I ink blended over the stencil with first the green (not sure which ink and/or color I used) ;), then onto the red. I see so many options with this fun stencil! I chose a cute little tree stamp from the Unity Stamp Co. Advent Calendar. 

Falling for the Holidays 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Magic & Wonder

 Tried something new today! Falling for the Holidays 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party always gets me out of my comfort zone!

I watched a YouTube video this morning from Come Crafting with Natasha. Her videos just started popping up in my feed a few months ago and she is the cutest! She is from New Zealand and just listening to her talk is worth the time! The video is #1090, and it gives inspiration about using all the tiny/small stamps that come in a kit that you may not know what to do with!

I chose the 5 cute hats from the Unity Stamp Co. Kit of the Month from November 2023  called {festive flair}. Stamped with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne then embossed with clear embossing powder. Colored in various colors with King Art Alcohol Markers and then fussy cut. I die cut a plain white panel with the scallops and rectangle nesting dies from Unity. The smaller one I used some pink tape from Therm-o-web and ink blended over it with lucky clover and twisted citron. After removing the tape, I picked out a cute sentiment (from KOM from September 2024 {wander & wonder})! I used some foam tape to pop up the center rectangle. The hats were arranged (took forever to get it right) and glued down, then the center one popped up! I then added some green enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and viola!

I absolutely *LOVE* this!!!! Thanks Natasha for this amazing technique! I will never take the tiny and small stamps for granted again!

Falling for the Holidays 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Merry Christmas

 Hello and welcome back! The Falling for the Holidays 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party is on! Be sure to check out the inspiration on the blog!

Today I am sharing a card created from scraps!

The background was created from scraps of paper arranged and then cut into more strips. The technique I found in a video, but cannot find the video any longer. I will tag the original blog post explaining this technique here.  The papers are mostly from My Minds Eye Christmas Wish along with a couple pieces of solid red and tan. Once I created the strips and they were all attached, I die cut the entire panel with the largest scalloped and rectangle nesting die from Unity Stamp Co. The kraft colored center strip was also cut with the same die. The sentiment is from a die set by Unity Stamp Co. called Greetings of the Season. I had cut this out on another day, but it ended up not going on the originally intended card. Of course I saved it! A couple matching buttons and some white bakers twine finish this one! I used one of the {BYSHC} Sketches for this one....Sketch #50.

Be sure to get your card creations entered onto the {BYSHC} Blog before the 25th to be eligible for one of MANY prizes! The list of sponsors is on the blog along with the prizes they are offering!

Falling for the Holidays 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Cup of Cheer

 Hello and welcome back to the Falling for the Holidays 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party! My plan for the week is to use up as many scraps as I can! My scrap pile is out of control! LOL

I found this pre-printed pre-die cut image in the stack, found some paper and went to it! Digital image is from Not2Shabby called Cup of Cheer, patterned papers from Unity Stamp Co. called North Pole Collection. Colored with Tombow ABT markers, I also distressed the edges of both panels with vintage photo and walnut stain. The focal image piece was distressed a little more with a distressing tool. 

As I've said before you can find all the {BYSHC} past sketches on their Facebook page under "media." I used sketch 20 from February 2022. 

I added some natural twine from Timeless Twine by BellaCreationz, some enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and some die cut embellishments from FOREVER ago! Not even sure when or where I got these! They are by Dream Street Papers, called merry & bright. 

Don't be afraid to use what you have! I knew I wanted a little something in that bottom left corner, it was just a big blank space. So I went digging in my supplies! You just never know what you will find! 

Entering this one in the Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge for coffee + whimsical winter!

Be sure to have your creations linked up before midnight on the 25th to be eligible for the amazing sponsored prizes! The sponsor list is on the blog! Have fun!!

{BYSHC} Sketch 50 - Merry Christmas

 Hello and welcome back! We are still working with  {BYSHC} Sketch 50 until the end of the month. This month's sponsor is A Colorful Life Designs! They have generously offered a $25 gift card to their store! Stencils and bling are their specialty!

I do not yet have any of the ACLD stencils, but do have other stencils.....so I grabbed the plaid builder stencil set from Unity Stamp Co. and some distress inks and oxides. Once stenciled, I splattered some watered down white acrylic paint and some distress oxide spray in vintage photo as well. After everything was dry, I die cut it with the largest scalloped and stitched rectangle die from Unity. Backed it with a piece of dark green cardstock, and the sentiment is stamped onto red cardstock with versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. I did end up die cutting it with the same die as the plaid panel, but did it after the fact, so had to match up the scallops! I added a few white enamel dots to break it up a bit.

Great sketch for clean and simple or it can easily be adjusted to have something added!! Sketches are made to inspire.....not to require!

I also want to mention that the {BYSHC} Design Team is about to embark on the Falling for the Holidays Linky Party! Starting October 18th! Lots of inspiration and prizes! Get those holiday cards finished early this year! 

Fall Colors Instagram Hop!

 Hello friends! My friend Bobbie Sue McConathy (bobbiesue.two38creations) asked if I would be interested in participating in an Instagram hop....of course I said sure! I'm always up for a good hop! This particular one is on Instagram. The link to my instagram page is here.

I made two cards....I was sort of indifferent about the first card. Not sure if I liked it or not, so I made another! 

So this one started with a particially stenciled piece that was sitting around. So I ink blended the edges, splattered some white acrylic paint, distress spray stain (vintage photo) and some crackling campfire oxide. The sunflower is from Unity Stamp Co. called ...sunflower wishes. The bees and sentiment are from this set too.  I stamped onto watercolor paper with versfine clair in nocturne, colored with Tombow ABT markers, then fussy it and attached it to the panel. The sentiment was stamped in black and embossed with clear embossing powder and then cut out. The bees were just stamped right onto the panel and then I added some enamel dots and some burlap twine to bring it all together.

The second one started with an ink smooshed panel that I made using a bunch of different colors. After I did all the smooshing I added to the top a background stamp from Unity Stamp Co. called rustic foliage. Stamped it in versafine clair nocturne. I then splattered some white acrylic paint and distress spray stain onto that. Once dry, I die cut it with a fancy edge die. The red piece is a scrap that I didn't measure of have to cut! Just added it behind! I then added some natural bakers twine, a preprinted sentiment, a button and some clear shiny sequins. 

Have fun hopping!!

{BYSHC} Sketch #50 - Peace Love Joy

 Hello again! I'm sharing today a card I created for the Sketch 50 challenge at {BYSHC}! This sketch is so versatile! It can either be a simple background with a sentiment across the middle, or you can add any shape or image just about anywhere!

This started with a piece of white cardstock. I spritzed it with some water and embossed with a 3d embossing folder from Stampin Up called Cable Knit Dynamic. I fell in love with this folder a few years ago when a friend (thanks Vanessa) sent me an envelope filled with embossed backgrounds! I knew I needed to find it! Well after much searching, and a few $$$, I now have my very own embossing folder! :) Back to my card! LOL After embossing, I added a strip of scrap plaid paper, a die cut snowflake from Waffle Flower (winter crystal die), and some sentiments cut from a Unity Stamp Co. kit (winter wonderland walk). Except for the white embossed panel, everything else was stamped and cut at a previous time and was waiting for the right moment! Never throw anything away! :)

Added some silvery glitter enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs for that little something extra!

This month's sketch challenge is sponsored by A Colorful Life Designs! They carry an amazing bunch of stencils and bling! They are providing one lucky randomly chosen winner to receive a $25 gift card to their store! Entries should be posted prior to 11:59pm (PST) October 31st to be eligible! 

The announcement will be made November 1st!

Also be on the lookout for the Falling for the Holiday's Linky Party! It begins October 18th and runs through midnight on the 25th! Stay tuned for the entire list of sponsors! Prizes galore! Get those Christmas and Holiday cards done early! No need to stress in December!

Creative Scrapbooker Magazine - Card of the Month October 2024 Nominee!

 Hey friends! Just throwing this out into the blog-iverse! A card of mine has been chosen to participate in the Card of the Month for October 2024 at Creative Scrapbooker Magazine! It's really just for fun (and maybe a bit of pride), no prizes are involved.....just to be forever known as the October 2024 Creative Scrapbooker Magazine's Card of the Month! 

You may have already seen this on a previous post, but alas, here is the card that is in the running!

To be honest, I'm included with some FABULOUSLY ridiculously talented friends! Some of whom I have actually learned so much from! I'm not expecting to make it to the end, but it's still fun to see how far along I do end up going! 

If you are so inclined.....here is the link! I would 100000% appreciate any votes!

https://creativescrapbooker.ca/card-of-the-month-oct-2024/#/bracket?round=5

Creative Scrapbooker Magazine! Fall 2024 Issue!

 I'm so blown away everytime!! I've been published......again.....in Creative Scrapbooker Magazine! Three cards this time, in the Fall 2024 issue! 

Big thanks to CSM for choosing me and thank you to Unity Stamp Co. for their amazing products that make it so easy to create beautiful things! :)

~August 2024 Friends of Unity - Friendship~

Hello and welcome to the August 2024 Friends of Unity Blog Hop! This month's inspiration is about friendship. I have some amazing friends! I love to share cards with them!  

Of course I send/give them handmade birthday cards and Christmas cards, but sometimes you just need a "hey there friend" kind of card! An encouraging word from a friend will certainly make anyone smile!

I've got a couple to share with you this month!

This lovely card was inspired by a card created by Unity Design Team member April Sarandrea. If you are not a member of the Unity Stamp Co. Show & Tell Facebook group, you should be! The talent and inspiration (and encouragement and love) that comes from that group is amazing!

This stamp set is so gorgeous! It's called He Provides and comes with some amazing sentiments as well! I stamped the image onto regular white cardstock with some VersaFine Clair nocturne, then colored with alcohol markers. The coloring was inspired by another DT Member Bobbie Sue! Her watercoloring is superb! Although this isn't watercolored, I wanted to give it some shine and used some gold pigment ink from Delicata (it came in a kit). I smooshed it onto an acrylic block, added water and brushed it on top of the coloring I had done. After that dried...I took more of the gold ink smooshing and splattered some onto the image...then took some white pigment ink and some of the alcohol inks and did the same thing! I die cut the panel using the largest non-scalloped and rectangle nesting die. So I know you are thinking....that's not a rectangle! I moved the die over to cut the other edge! 

After that was cut I took some black printed cardstock and a scrap of pink and tore them to create the edge. Glued everything together and wrapped it with Burlap Twine! The sentiment is from the Kit of the Month from March 2024 called Love and Good Vibes. I attached a scrap if light pink and stapled them together with some rose gold staples! Clear dew drops were also added for some sparkle!

My next card is another simple and cute "hey there friend" kind of card!

 

This also has some torn edges! Seems to be my thing this month! LOL The stamp set is an itty bitty called Glad we're Friends. Started with a sheet of patterned paper, then I tore some cardstock strips and glued them all down. The largest scalloped and rectangle nesting die set is definitely my most used die set! I die cut the entire panel! I added some burlap twine under the tag. The tag was cut with the Unity Make a tag set. I colored with a little bit of watercolor and added a cute little paperclip to the edge! The sentiment and tag were added using foam adhesive. Some Gina Marie Design enamel dots to finish it off!

I can honestly say that my friends *love* a handmade card! One said to me the other day, when I had given her a birthday gift and a handmade card...."No one has ever given me something they made just for me!" <3 You just never know what people are going through or have on their minds...a sweet message of "hey I was thinking of you" could be all that it takes to make someone's day! Love your friends hard and keep them close! <3

That's it for me! Thanks for visiting! Be sure to let me know what you think! To start the hop at the beginning, Crystal is the one! If you are ready for the next inspiration, you can find it here with April!

Enjoy!!

Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Peace on Earth

 Sneaking in one (maybe two) before the midnight deadline! Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party has 3-ish hours left! LOL

Definitely not a good picture of this cutie at all! It's 9pm and the sun is gone! :) Taken by the light of my craft room!

pulled papers literally from the scrap bag (picture below)!! The reindeer I had already stamped and die cut for another project that didn't get used. Grabbed a sketch from {BYSHC} #33 and cut to size! I added some twine and some white enamel dots to make it fun!!

Use what you have! I talk myself out of paper all the time! LOL I have so much and the scraps can create all by themselves! I've proven that this week!! I have so many more that I am sure I'll never get through them all! It's so fun!!

Thanks for joining us this week! I hope you enjoyed all the inspiration and good luck and I hope the "random.org" Gods are forever in your favor! :)

Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Christmas Joy

 Didn't expect to get another one in, but I did! Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party ends at midnight.

The only thing on this card that's "new" and not from the scrap bin is the die cut tag! It was a regular panel, but I cut it into a tag!

The snowflake panel didn't stamp perfectly the first time so it went in the scrap bin and has now gained new life!! I grabbed a sketch that matched the size and shape of the image. Sketch 33 fit the bill! I love being able to go through my scraps and see what I can come up with! It's like a treasure hunt! My desk is an absolute mess, but wow....what a fun week!!  The snowflake background, the scalloped and rectangle die set, the tag die and the sentiment strips are all from Unity! Enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and ribbon from stash!

Don't forget to get your cards in before midnight!

Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party - Merry & Bright

 Happy Wednesday! The Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party is still going! Friday at midnight is your deadline! Today's card combines two challenges!

The second challenge I'm talking about is at Hero Arts! Their challenge is called "color my world." I take that to mean lots of vibrant colors!!

I've taken their Flower Swirls Stencils, and the Merry Stamp & Cut to create this colorful card! The inks I used over the stencil are lumberjack plaid and twisted citron. After I removed the stencil I splattered some water on it to create a little distressing. The panel was then die cut with the largest scalloped and rectangle die from Unity Stamp Co. I then moved onto the sentiment. I die cut the "merry" from a scrap of white cardstock. Then stamped on the top and bottom part of the sentiment using WOW! Embossing ink and Gina K Designs white embossing powder. That black panel was then die cut with the scalloped and banner die set from Unity. Glued everything together then used some foam adhesive from therm-0-web to attach it to the background. Some green and red glitter enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs to finish it off!

Thanks for visiting!! Keep up the great work on these submissions! We are approaching a record number of entries!!