Inked by Eileen

Friday, April 10, 2026

Spring into Christmas 2026

Welcome to Build Your Stash Spring into Christmas Linky Party! Let the creativity of the next eight days inspire your creativity and get you in the mood for some holiday cards. This is the time of year where Christmas is the furthest from our mind. In our house we are swapping out our winter clothes for spring and summer items and talking of turning down the heat. These are the days when you need the heat on to chase the chill from the air, but don't need it by the time lunch comes around. Crocus and daffodils are blooming in every year. Robins are nesting and many animals are coming out of hibernation.

I'm excited to be back after a prolonged absence. To help spur my creativity, I have went back and selected some of my favorite sketches and used those to create my cards over the next eight days. Life hasn't slowed down, but my busy-ness has shifted into different directions. Sketch challenges were always the best way for me to get the juices flowing. I hope that you will play along with us!

I have utilized a past sketch that gave me fits when I first attempted it. Once I figured it out it has been a fun favorite! I especially love the two for one that you get with this design.

We hope that you are inspired by our creations and will play along with us, so make sure to check out our BYSHC blog. We have awesome sponsors that have generously offered up wonderful prizes, so don't miss out! Dates for this hop are April 10-17, 2026.

Stamps:

Oh Deer- It's Here

Paper:

Echo Park

Ink:
Tim Holtz Evergreen Bough

Friday, July 19, 2024

Christmas in July 2024

Welcome to Build Your Stash Holiday Hop! Let this holiday linky party inspire your creativity and get you in the mood for some holiday cards. This is the time of year where Christmas is the furthest from our mind. Tank tops and flip flops fill our wardrobe, with our boots and jackets safely stored away. Yet, if you start to look around, you will find hints of fall and Christmas in the stores. Hallmark has their ornaments on display and school supplies are on the shelves.

I have always said Christmas is my favorite season (minus the weather that goes along with it) and this is the holiday that I own the most stamps for. I especially love Christmas music. I didn’t marry a Grinch, so once November is here, it’s Christmas music, books, and movies all the time. We usually have to stream our music online because some of our favorites don’t get played as often, while others get played a tad too much. That can be said for music on any station during anytime of the year.

This year I am attempting to make all my cards with paper scraps or use sketches that require the use of paper scraps. This is something I have an abundance of and thought that this would be a fun challenge to try and could possibly inspire you! Here is the sketch that inspired me for my first card.

Stamps:

None

Paper:

Snow Day Remix Patterned Paper (Lawn Fawn)

Costal Cabana (Stampin Up)

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:
None

Accessories:

None

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Friends of Unity June Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity June Blog Hop. We are featuring a Celebrations theme this month. I was so glad that life has taken a pause for me and gave me some time for creativity and the ability to participate. It has been a while, but I found some fun inspiration and I wanted to share.

This category is so broad, and every year I say that I am going to get better about sending birthday cards. Well, I failed at my goal... but in May I have several friends with birthdays on the same day, and two very close friends with birthdays just a week apart. I saw a card similar to the one I created and then realized I could make it a two for one.

The alphabet dies used in this card were my first set purchased and while they are a tad on the big side, the make a bold statement and I love how they turned out on this card (just ignore the crooked 'e' in the first line). This card fits my friends perfectly and I hope to find ways to use this style in future creations.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see what they created with this fun theme:

Crystal O. Minkler

Tammy Hawes

Eileen Mathys (you are here)

Rachel Duong

Stamps:

Infinite Birthday Wishes (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

True Black (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:
Versamark

Wilted Violet Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Villainous Potion Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Bold Alphabet Dies (Altenew)

Alabaster Embossing Powder (Brutus Monroe)

Scalloped Stitched Rectangle Dies (Gina Marie)

Subtle Embossing Folder (Stampin Up)

Disclaimer:
We all on the Friends of Unity design team appreciate every single comment we get.
That's why we use our own stash every month for a giveaway.
We are NOT sponsored by Unity Stamp Co. but, they do approve of our hop, and that make us all very happy.
We started this hop because we love Unity. That's it. This hop is our way of showcasing our cards made with our favorite stamps!!

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Spring into Christmas 2024

I am so excited for this linky party as it gave me a good excuse to bring out some of the new goodies I likely purchased on a Black Friday sale or with Christmas money... and this Santa was one of them! While I will admit at first glance the number of pieces was very intimidating. Don't let that spoil your fun! On the back of each die you will also see a color that will guide you on what color is suggested for the die cutting. You can obviously mix it up a little, but once I realized that I was off to the races and Santa was done shortly after that. This card was my first attempt and will certainly not be my last... I am in LOVE with this Tim Holtz Santa die will be making several more.

Stamps:

None

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Echo Park patterned paper

Various Stampin Up and Taylored Expressions colored cardstock used

Ink:
None

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Santa Greeting Colorize Thinlits Dies (Tim Holtz)

Friday, October 20, 2023

Falling for the Holidays Linky Party 2023

Welcome to Build Your Stash Falling for the Holidays Linky Party! Let the creativity of the next eight days inspire your creativity and get you in the mood for some holiday cards. Now is the time where we start to see holiday decor in the stores, and we turn our minds to shopping for the holiday. In our neck of the woods the leaves are on the ground and there is a nip in the air. Mornings are cool and days warm up... but light jackets are almost a necessity. I prefer fall to spring, but I enjoy living in an area where we can see the seasons change in every facet of nature.

I have always said Christmas is my favorite season (minus the weather that goes along with it) and this is the holiday that I own the most stamps for. I especially love Christmas music. I didn’t marry a Grinch, so once November is here, it’s Christmas music all the time. We usually have to stream it online because some of our favorites don’t get played as often, while others get played a tad too much. That can be said for music on any station during anytime of the year.

Stamps:

Warm Heart (Trinity Stamps)

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Pool Party (Stampin Up)

Snowflake Splendor DSP (SU)

Ink:
Oreo (TE)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Warm Heart Coordinating Die (Trinity)

Subtle Embossing Folder (SU)

Friday, July 21, 2023

Christmas in July 2023

Welcome to Build Your Stash Holiday Hop! Let this holiday hop inspire your creativity and get you in the mood for some holiday cards. This is the time of year where Christmas is the furthest from our mind. Tank tops and flip flops litter our wardrobe, with our boots and jackets safely stored away. Yet, if you start to look around, you will find hints of fall and Christmas in the stores. Hallmark has their ornaments on display and school supplies are on the shelves.

I have always said Christmas is my favorite season (minus the weather that goes along with it) and this is the holiday that I own the most stamps for. I especially love Christmas music. I didn’t marry a Grinch, so once November is here, it’s Christmas music all the time. We usually have to stream it online because some of our favorites don’t get played as often, while others get played a tad too much. That can be said for music on any station during anytime of the year.

Stamps:

None

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Salt Water Taffy (Taylored Expressions)

Toffee (TE)

Ink:
Salt Water Taffy (TE)

Sea Salt (TE)

Poblano Pepper (TE)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Create in Quads Snowflakes layering stencil (TE)

Giant Let is Snow die (Lawn Fawn)

Happy Medium- Fresh Snow (TE)

Friday, April 21, 2023

Spring into Christmas 2023

Welcome to Build Your Stash Holiday Hop! Let this holiday hop inspire your creativity and get you in the mood for some holiday cards. This is the time of year where Christmas is the furthest from our mind. In our house we are swapping out our winter clothes for spring and summer items and talking of turning down the heat. These are the days when you need the heat on to chase the chill from the air, but don't need it by the time lunch comes around. Crocus and daffodils are blooming in every year. Robins are nesting and many animals are coming out of hibernation.

I have always said Christmas is my favorite season (minus the weather that goes along with it) and this is the holiday that I own the most stamps for. I especially love Christmas music. I didn’t marry a Grinch, so once November is here, it’s Christmas music all the time. We usually have to stream it online because some of our favorites don’t get played as often, while others get played a tad too much. That can be said for music on any station during anytime of the year.

Stamps:

Woodland Squad (Taylored Expressions)

Buffalo Plaid Background (TE)

Christmas Simple Strips (TE)

Paper:

Classic Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Vintage Cream (Papertrey)

Garden Green (Stampin Up)

Mocha (TE)

Ink:
Mocha (TE)

Vintage Photo Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Woodland Squad (TE)

Stitched Frame Stacklet (TE)

Simple Strips Die (TE)

Simple Strips Die Backer (TE)

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Friends of Unity April Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity April Blog Hop. We are featuring a butterfly theme this month. My pickings were slim this month as I didn't realize how FEW butterfly stamps I had. I'm glad I found this one, as it was new in the package, so I must have seen something that inspired me when it first came out.

Clean and simple always seem to be what I am drawn too. This was quick one pulled together with some embossing resist, one of my favorite techniques! I just needed to decide on which oxide combination I would use for this. I saw someone share a blend of darker than this but it looked like sunset I recently saw and went with those colors.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see what they created with this theme:

Eileen Mathys (last but not least)

Stamps:

Pure Magic- Uniquely Unity (Unity Stamp Company)

Love Story (Unity)

Stay in Touch (Unity)

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Canyon Clay (Papertrey)

True Black (Papertrey)

Ink:
Versamark

Versafine Clair Nocturne

Crackling Campfire Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Dried Marigold Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Antique Linen Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:

Clear Embossing Powder (Brutus Monroe)

Saturday, March 4, 2023

Friends of Unity March Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity March Blog Hop. We are featuring a Winnie the Pooh theme this month. I simply could not be more excited about this theme. I love Disney and especially Winnie the Pooh.

Classic Pooh was the theme we went with for the nursery for our youngest child. Very cute and neutral as we opted to not find out the gender of our baby. My mom convinced me that it is truly the one and only surprise you will ever have in life. This little one just turned 25 in February. I never regretted waiting until the end to find out... and applaud those who do wait for the gender reveal as well.

I have a friend who loves Pooh as well, and with her birthday coming up in March I decided to combine those two elements (as I did last year as well). She was also the one who inspired me to get into paper crafting, so it is only fitting. I was inspired by a recent sketch from Newton's Nook Design when creating this card.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see what they created with this theme:

Eileen Mathys (you are here)

Joyce Verdon

Alaine Tanner

Stamps:

Sweet Little Smiles (Unity Stamp Company)

Gotta Love Senitments (Unity)

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Birthday Girl (Echo Park)

Ink:
Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Grassy Border (Lawn Fawn)

Cloud Border Stencil (Newton's Nook Design)

Copic Sketch Markers

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Friends of Unity December Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity December Blog Hop. We are featuring a glimmer and glitz theme this month. My favorite glimmer and glitz option is heat embossing.

I opted for a clean and simple-ish design that really let the embossing take center stage. At first I colored one of my images, but found that I preferred the simplicity of the all gold image with no distractions.

Unity is celebrating our 5th anniversary of hopping and is giving away (3) $25 gift cards. The winners will be chosen from those that comment on every blog. You will have until December 10th to get this done and Crystal will announce the winner on USnT on the 11th. Good Luck!!

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see what they created with this theme:

Crystal O. Minkler

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Stamps:

All Kinds of Holiday Love KOM 9/2019 (Unity Stamp Company)
Distressed Dots (Unity)

Paper:

Classic Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

True Black (Papertrey)

Ink:
Versamark

Accessories:

Wagner heat tool

Gilded embossing powder (Brutus Monroe)

Anti-Static Powder tool (Taylored Expressions)

Friday, October 21, 2022

Falling for the Holidays 2022

I have always said Christmas is my favorite season (minus the weather that goes along with it) and this is the holiday that I own the most stamps for. I especially love Christmas music. I didn’t marry a Grinch, so once November is here, it’s Christmas music all the time. We usually have to stream it online because some of our favorites don’t get played as often, while others get played a tad too much. That can be said for music on any station during anytime of the year.

Stamps:

Greatest Part of Christmas- Host Exclusive (Stampin Up)

Paper:

Poppy Parade (SU)

Garden Green (SU)

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Plaid~ Open Stock (Hobby Lobby)

Ink:
Garden Green (SU)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Knit Sweater embossing folder (SU)

Banners Pick a Punch (SU)

Tree Punch (EK Success)

Saturday, October 1, 2022

Friends of Unity October Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity October Blog Hop. We are featuring anything but a card this month. This month I decided to share a quick and easy gift card holder. I was inspired by this video. Nothing is better than using what you have and not buying special dies to create this. I used the Stampin Up note cards as indicated in the video, but I think a standard A2 card could be modified easily to work.

I have purchased dies to make gift card holders in the past and find that they take several steps to make and assemble just one. This video was quick and simple and will more than likely be something I will create again. I love clean and simple, and if its quick too... that seals the deal! I hope you are able to watch the video and consider creating this quick gift card holder too.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see what they created with this cue:

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Joyce Verdon

Dawn Bryson

Robyn Jordan

Stamps:

Holiday Hugs Kit of the Month October 2016 (Unity Stamp Company)

Paper:

Hello Christmas patterned paper (Echo Park)

Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)

Stampers Select White (Papertrey)

Basic White Note Card (Stampin Up)

Ink:
VersaFine Clair Nocturne

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Subtle embossing folder (SU)

Seasonal Label dies (SU)

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Friends of Unity September Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity September Blog Hop. We are featuring a coffee, tea, and cocoa theme this month. Hard to believe that unofficial end to summer is here and kids are heading back to school next week in our area.

For my card I decided to use one of the new stamps for my creation. This brought me back to a favorite background stamp, and I just recreated a past Friends of Unity favorite from 2020 and simply changed out the center element. The earlier creation was inspired from the very talented Echo Noble, and I brought the same colors forward onto the mug and loved the end result.

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see what they created with this color scheme:

Crystal O. Minkler

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Dawn Fields

Stamps:

Frondescence (Unity Stamp Company)

Warm Fall Hugs (Unity)

Paper:

Cocoa Bean (Papertrey Ink)

Stamper Select White (Papertrey)

Terracotta Tile (Papertrey)

Ink:

Memento Tuxedo Black

Vintage Photo Distress Oxide (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Copic Sketch Markers

Rectangle Stitched Dies (Papertrey)

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Friends of Unity August Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity August Blog Hop. We are featuring a holiday theme this month. I decided to make a Halloween card, a season that I have never made cards for in the past. Now that I have grandchildren old enough to look forward to getting something in the mail, why not make something for them?

This card is a quick and simple layout that I have used several times in the past. This time I utilized a border background stamp instead of taking a smaller stamp image and stamping it many times over. This made the card a much quicker and easier process. Using any one of the many Tierra Jackson Halloween characters, this card can quickly be replicated featuring your favorite too!

Hop along with the other Friends of Unity and see what holiday they chose and what they created:

Crystal O. Minkler

Eileen Mathys (you’re here)

Stamps:

Mummy (Unity Stamp Company)

Entanglement Border Background (Unity)

Paper:

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Jelly Donut (Taylored Expressions)

Earl Gray (Taylored Expressions)

Ink:
Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Jelly Donut (Taylored Expressions)

Earl Gray (Taylored Expressions)

Accessories:

Sizzix Big Shot

Stitched Rectangle Dies (Papertrey)

Copic Sketch Markers

Friday, July 22, 2022

Christmas in July 2022

I have always said Christmas is my favorite season (minus the weather that goes along with it) and this is the holiday that I own the most stamps for. I especially love Christmas music. I didn’t marry a Grinch, so once November is here, it’s Christmas music all the time. We usually have to stream it online because some of our favorites don’t get played as often, while others get played a tad too much. That can be said for music on any station during anytime of the year.

Stamps:

Oh Deer- It's Here (Concord and 9th)

Paper:

Real Red (Stampin Up)

Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Jingle All the Way (Echo Park)

Ink:
Crumb Cake (SU)

Accessories:

None

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Friends of Unity July Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our Friends of Unity July Blog Hop. We are featuring a stencil theme this month. I opted to recreate a card I made for a friend who celebrated her birthday in March. We both share a love for Winnie the Pooh and I know she hasn't discovered Unity yet (GASP!!!) so I was certain gifting her both of these stamps would be something she would really like.

Given the size of this stamp and where I wanted the placement of the sentiment to be, I opted to make this a mini slimline card. This size of card is becoming a new favorite for me as I found that a full slim line was a little intimidating. This is just a little bit bigger than what I was comfortable making, so making use of the extra space was never a worry for me. Pairing this cute stamp with the cloud stencil was a logical pairing as it really gives the appearance of floating off into the sky.