July 2019 Release Sneak Peeks Day 1

Woohoo!

It's finally time to share the July 2019 Release Sneak Peeks. This is a FUN summery release, with (hopefully) something for everyone ;) 

This month there is five new clear stamp sets, one returning clear stamp set AND five new stencil designs! 

Here are the peeks at some of the new & returning products...

First up, how about some 'classic' background stamps. This clear stamp set is sure to be a 'go to' essential for your paper crafting & stamping. It can be paired with so many Uniko products and others you may have in your stash! 

Next I have a new style mini sentiment set. The modern & trendy style font of the sentiments is suitable for feminine and masculine cards alike and they are perfectly sized to be used as a focal point or for the inside of your cards.

You might just recognise the 3rd sneak peek! I couldn't resist bringing this digital design into stamp format! It pairs beautifully with the previously released Paradise, Paradise Leaves and Paradise Hummingbird clear stamp sets.

My next stamp set peek is one that is returning from retirement! Those who have been following  & have been customers at Uniko for sometime will recognise this Nautical themed set ;)

And to breath some fresh inky life to it I have designed 2 new stencils to use with it...

AND lastly for today a new Background Block with a Nautical theme...

That is all the sneak peeks for today, I will be back tomorrow with a few more!  Until then, I'd love to know what has caught your creative eye :)

Thank you so much for stopping by today & I do hope you will come back tomorrow for more sneak peeks! 

Hugs

Uniko Challenge #54 - Flowers + Optional Twist Die Cuts

Hey!

Welcome to the July / August 2019 Uniko Challenge.

We've another lovely favourite theme of flowers for this new challenge, but if you'd like to challenge yourself a bit more then go with our twist of using die cuts.

We're really delighted to have Amy as our Guest Designer for this challenge. Just look at this beautiful layered die cut floral. Such happy and pretty colours too. Be sure to hop on over to Amy's blog for more details and leave a lovely comment.

The Uniko DT have also been busy and have created some awesome flowery cards to inspire you to join in and play along.

Bev

Carol

Julie



Linda

Sarah P

Are you ready to play?

Well, just in case you need some more incentive to play along with the challenge here are the details of the prizes.

  

THE PRIZES

• Main Winner Chosen By the DT - £25 eGift Certificate
• Random Twist Winner - £5 In Stock Clear Stamp Set of Winners Choosing
• Random Uniko Stamps Winner - £5 In Stock Clear Stamp Set of Winners Choosing
• Top 3 Chosen By DT - 150 Loyalty Reward Points
• 
  

You've got plenty of time to play along with this challenge. 

The deadline for submission is midnight (GMT) on Friday 23rd August 2019 (7.00pm EDT).

Hugs,

DT-Inspiration: Card with a rotating Stencil

Hello and Happy Weekend to everybody!
It's time for another DT-Inspiration!

As always I made a card with a stencil for you. This time it's a quick one-layer card with a special "twist"!

 

 

For this design I thought a square card would be a perfect frame.
I marked the center of the card front, then placed my Nature Treasures II Leaf-Stencil.
The end of the stam I placed on the mark and fixed it with a fine needle - later I rotated the stencil around this needle, so I was sure to get the end of the stem always on the exact same spot!

I blended the three Oxide Inks with my blending brushes, beginning with the lightest one. When the first leaf was finished, I repeated the process on the opposite side. So it was easier to place the other 4 leaves without any exact measuring between these two leaves (eyeballing was enough).

Cause I liked the pattern in the center I used Vellum to create the circle with the heat embossed sentiment to keep it in sight. The two parts of the sentiment are from the set Simply Said Birthday. I cut the original sentiments with my scissors and combined them differently. Don't be afraid to stretch your stamps this way! If you cut them, you can always re-arrange them on an acrylic block with the help of the cutting line to the original form!)

To avoid any see-through glue I adhered the three sequins-flowers with a strong liquid glue on the edge of the Vellum and then I adhered the sequins with dimensional glue-dots on the card. The centers of these flower sequins I decorated with yellow Stickles (also to avoid any dust sticking to the glue dots behind later).
To finish the card I added some party pink Nuvo drops and some more yellow Stickles dots on the leaves as kind of buds.

I was surprised how quickly this card was finished! You needn't do many fancy things around your rotated stencil, cause this is the focal point!
This technique offers so many possibilities! I think I'll try some more of them soon - with different stencils and maybe also with a rotation-point outside of the coloured stencil-area (the center will be blank then).

I hope I could inspire you to stretch your creative muscles to try something new with your stencils!

You are invited to tell us in the comments which Uniko Stencils you used or want to use to give this technique a try!

Have a great and creative day!

Greetings from Wiebke

DT Inspiration - A Tag Memory Booklet

Hi!

It's Jane here today sharing a little tag book I created to take away with me when I went over to the Isle of Man to visit my grandchildren. I usually make some sort of memory booklet to take away when I'm off on holiday and then write in it each day and add the photos when I get back home.

I made one tag for each day of the holiday. Here's a closer look at each tag's front side:

This was so much fun to create and I used so many Uniko goodies and a subtle colour palette to reflect the time of year of my visit. The brown mats were added as places to put photos of the trip.

Here's the other side:

And a closer look:

I stamped the lines with a second generation inking as I intended them to be used for journalling and wanted my pen to show up.  Four of the tags have little pockets at the bottom ready to tuck in extra pics and receipts or memorabilia from the visit.

And here's how it all looks with the  journalling, photos and bits and pieces added in.

I find these little booklets handy to tuck into my handbag to share with friends and family without overloading them with the dreaded 'holiday' snaps. They also serve as a memory jogger when I create larger pages for my scrapbook albums.

Uniko supplies used:

Background Blocks: Graffiti, Halftone, Horizontal Stripe, Mid Century Modern I & II, Scattered Polka Dots, Wonky Outline Stripes

Simply Said Blocks: I & II

Mid Century Florals

Passiflora + matching dies

Explosion Additions

Well that's me done for today. I hope I may have inspired you to get those photos printed and off your phones and computers!

Thanks so much for looking. And keep crafting!

DT inspiration, A Stamped, See Through Card

Hi Julie here with a little bit of DT inspiration this Sunday. 

I was inspired to make this card for my daughter's birthday after seeing this video, being on the sick list earlier this year allowed me far too much time to watch You Tube videos! 

She love's butterflies and purple and turquoise colours so that's the route I went down.

Jennifer McGuire calls the technique stamped see through cards as you can literally see through the front panel!

This is how I went about the construction. 

There are a lot of steps but the end result is worth it, I think.

1. Cut a piece of scrap paper to 5 and a half x 7 and a half inches.
2. Using some white card cut a piece 5 x 7 inches and a small top folding card 3 and a quarter x 4 and a half inches.
3. From more of the same white card cut a few of both large and small butterflies from the English Country Garden dies. Retain the outer so that you can use it as a jig to stamp your butterflies more easily, works well especially with a MISTI.
4. Place the die cut outer in your MISTI and then the stamps in the opening, close the door. Open and then place your die cut back into the space and stamp with black ink.
5. Keep stamping until you have sufficient to cover your card front.
6. Repeat the process with the Original Organics Additions stamps and dies. I used two of the large hearts and a few of the single sprays. 
7. Colour as required, I used my Zig watercolour brushes.
8. Arrange your foliage and butterflies over the scrap paper, overlapping as you go. The more overlaps the sturdier your card front will be. Jennifer McGuire uses Gladwrap Press n Seal at this point but not having any, I had to secure with low tack masking tape. Trim away the overhang.
9. Remove scrap paper and secure each overlap with strong glue until you have a complete panel. Remove all tape  and carefully score a line about 1/2 inch from the top. This is your hinge.
10. Trim the panel to be slightly less than 5 inches wide, just enough to create a narrow border against the white back panel. Hook the fold over the back panel and using strong glue, attach the front. (If you use tape tap a little talc on the exposed tape so that it won't stick to the envelope!) Trim the top panel to match the back if needed.
11. To make the greeting panel, cut a piece of matching coloured card stock and a white frame using stacking dies. I used a die cut greeting from my stash but you could stamp and heat emboss one in white if you wish. Attach to the card front.
12. On the small top folding card stamp the greeting on the inside, I used Birthday Wishes and glue to your panel of 5 x 7 card. This allows you to write your greeting and not spoil the effect from the front.

And that's about it.

I know that seems a lot of effort but it does make a really special card. Perhaps save it for that special person or occasion!

So there you have it, hope I've inspired you to try something a little different.

Uniko Challenge #53 Winners

Hey!

I'm here today to announce the WINNERS of Challenge #53 Anything, optional twist of Masculine. 

A huge thank you to everyone who played along with this challenge.

First we have our overall WINNER chosen by the Design Team...

#83 Amy Cairns

Congratulations Amy

Here's your winner's badge

You have won a £25 eGift Certificate to spend in the Uniko store. Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk by 12th July 2019.

We would also love to have you join us as our Guest Designer for our next challenge. If you are interested please contact Jane at jane.taylor52@btinternet.com by 5th July 2019.

 Next up is the random winner who twisted with us....

#16 AJ

Congratulations AJ!

You have won an in stock £5 clear stamp set from the Uniko store. Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk by the 12th July 2019, with your choice of stamp set and your postal address.

Here is your winners badge:

Then we have our randomly selected winner who used Uniko products on their creation...

#60 SathyaKala

Congratulations SathyaKala!

You have won an in stock £5 clear stamp set from the Uniko store. Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk by 12th July 2019, with your choice of stamp set and your postal address.

Here is your winners badge:

Now for our Top 3 chosen by the DT and in entry order:

#29 Trina P

#94 Cimbacreativefun

#127 Mac

Congratulations to you all & here is your Top 3 badge:

You have all won 150 loyalty reward points.

Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk

Congratulations to ALL the winners & EVERYONE who joined in with the challenge!

The next Uniko Challenge starts on Friday 19th July.

Hope to see you come back and join in with the fun :)

Big, Bold & Happy!

Hi!

It's Lindsey here with a bit of  DT inspiration using the "Big & Bold Happy" die set.  You can see the set in the Uniko shop HERE.

I love the "Happy" die - it's big and bold and perfect for creating quick and easy cards with some pretty patterned paper.

I've gone for teenage funky, bright, masculine monochrome and pastel, soft feminine.

A lovely way to knock up a couple of quick and easy cards!

Thank you for your visit today.