Two For Tuesday - Large Background Sketched Foliage

Hello & Happy Tuesday! 

I was determined to get to make and share two cards in-between work jobs today and answering emails. So if you're awaiting a reply from me, I apologise, I *needed* to sit and create something! 

One of my jobs today was a stock check & website update. As much as this can be a tedious task, it was also a nice reminder of all the lovely stamps I have neglected to use! One that stood out to me today was Large Background - Sketched Foliage.

So I dusted my stamp off and got to inking it up. I had no particular plan or layout in mind and just went with the flow. 

With it being a large stamp, I use my stamping tool for this background. For my first card I trimmed a panel of white card to 10 x 13.5 cm and stamped the background onto it. I did mask the bottom of my panel to keep the border 'equal' by eye all the way round. 

With using a stamping tool I was able to easily ink the stamp with two colours. I stamped the top with Altenew Olive ink and the bottom with Altenew Moss ink to create a subtle two tone effect.

I think this foliage image is perfect for both feminine and masculine cards. So for this first card I kept it more masculine, simply adding the Happy Birthday sentiment from Floral Vines. I did embellish with a few enamel dots from my stash.

For my second card today I opted for a more feminine design and used just snippets of the background to create a fun focal point. 

As you can see I decided to pair the background with the smallest butterfly from English Country Garden Butterflies. I think the sketched foliage is a wonderful backdrop to pair with them. 

I inked and stamped the foliage in Altenew Olive ink. I then die cut 3 stitched circles from the panel and used the negative to help me place them onto my card base. The sentiment is from Simply Said Blocks II (available on backorder & due in 24th Jan) and I know so many people coming down with Covid, hence my choice! 

The butterflies are stamped, die cut and coloured with water based markers. I then added a colourful second non stamped die cut underneath, securing just down the body of the butterfly. I wanted to tie in the colours I used to colour and also create a feel of fluttering wings. 

I hope you've enjoyed this brief look at the Large Background - Sketched Foliage. I am always open to suggestions, if there is a particular stamp set, designer die or stencil you are looking for ideas for, just add them to the comments! 

Crafty Hugs

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways - Day 11

 

Happy Thursday!

Welcome to day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas, Giveaways. 

If you missed day 1 and you're wondering what this is all about, be sure to check out all the details HERE and you're welcome to catch up and comment on the previous days. You can find links in the right hand sidebar.

I can't believe tomorrow is the last day 😭 it sure has been fun counting down to Christmas and giving a little back this festive season.

Anyway, before I get too soppy (I'll save that for tomorrow), I have another Throwback Thursday to share with you. This one doesn't go back too far, just June this year. 

I couldn't let a giveaway go by without including some butterflies! I know not everyone is a lover of them, but for me they are up there with snowflakes.

With this trio of stencils being the latest butterfly additions to the Uniko product line up, I thought they would make a nice prize too.

So today's giveaway* is...

Stencil - English Country Garden Butterflies Bundle 

To be in the chance of winning simply leave a comment on this post and or any of the social media platforms I will be sharing the giveaway!

Crafty Hugs 

* As it is a giveaway the prize is open to participants worldwide. The item will be marked as a gift from me personally to avoid customs charges. An alternative prize will be offered if the winner already owns any of the prize offered on the day they win. You have until midnight Thursday 30th December 2021 to comment. Winners will be announced on the blog on Friday 31st December 2021.

 

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - English Country Garden Butterfly II Stencil

Morning everyone,

Steph here with a Brand Ambassador Inspiration post and today I’m using the newly released Uniko English Country Garden Butterfly II stencil. I loved all the butterfly stencils when I received them and had lots of ideas of how I’d like to use them so here they are:

I have used Distress Oxide inks to sponge through the stencil one at a time from lightest to darkest. Each time I repositioned the stencil further to the right before inking. After the inks had dried I stamped the sentiments from Uniko You Are, Yes You stamp set in white ink over the butterflies. As it’s a flat make, I mounted the panel onto a card blank with foam tape for some dimension.

My next card uses the inner part of the stencil as a mask. For this card I have simply sprayed some solution made up from Peacock Cosmic Shimmer Pixie Powder and water. I also tapped the powder over the card and sprayed again to get some more concentrated areas. I stamped the sentiment from Uniko Pure Florals: Cosmos stamp set and layered the finished panel onto green card stock and then a card blank.

My final card uses the outer stencil again but this time I have stamped the Uniko Background Blocks Party Confetti with the stencil in place. I removed the stencil to stamp the sentiment from the Uniko Birthday Sentiments set and added a butterfly stamped using Uniko English Country Garden - Butterflies set. I then mounted the panel onto a black card base. 

I hope these have given you a few ideas of your own to have a go with the gorgeous stencils. I’d love to see what you create.

Much love

Steph x

June 2021 Stencil Release, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY!

Happy Sunday & Welcome to Uniko's June 2021Mini Stencil Reveal & Release!

Hopefully you have enjoyed the Sneak Peeks and Introductions to the new products I have shared with you over the past few days. I've certainly had fun playing with all the new goodies ;)

All of the NEW products are available for purchase over HERE on the website. An earlier release time then previous releases.

Okay, let's get to the bit you've been waiting for and formally introduce the NEW stencil designs. 

PLEASE NOTE:- To protect my designs and discourage the blatant theft of them, there is a watermark over the top of the product image. This makes the image appear that the lines are not solid. I apologise for the inconvenience and ensure you that this is not part of the design or physical stamps you will receive. To see what the stamp/s look like when stamped, please have a look at the samples in the product gallery. Thank you for your understanding.

Stencil - English Country Garden Butterflies Bundle £8

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

The bundle consists of two 6 x 6 inch stencils and a mask. Although I have bundled these together, there are lots of creative ways of using them on their own. Just as there is by using them together and combined with the English Country Garden Butterflies clear stamp AND the English Country Garden Butterflies Designer Dies!

Stencil - Mixed Mini Geometrics £3.50

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

This stencil is exactly what the name is, a mix of mini geometrics. A fabulous addition to any crafting arsenal for all occasions.

And lastly, but by no means least.

Stencil - Pure Florals Rose £3.50

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

I am delighted to be bringing you another of the Pure Florals flowers to the stencil collection and I think the Rose will be just as popular as the previously released Chrysanthemum and Gerbera. 

Just a mini stencil release this month, but I am sure if you've been joining in with the introduction blog hops, you will agree that it packs a creative punch. In case you need a bit more convincing and inspiration as to how they can be used, be sure to join in on the blog hop.

Don't forget to comment along the way, as there will be one lucky comment from those left selected to win ALL the stencils released today. You have until 10pm BST Sunday 27th June 2021 to leave a comment. Winner will be announced on the blog on or around the 28th June 2021.

Happy Hopping!

Bev

Hannelie

Izzy 

Jane 

Julie

Rahmat

Steph

WOW! 

What a wonderful hop, so much inspiration I sure hope you enjoyed it? All the stencils are now available to purchase HERE. Thank you so much for joining in on the fun here at Uniko :)

Crafty Hugs

 

June 2021 Stencil Release Sneak Peeks

 Hello & Happy Wednesday! 

Today is a fun and exciting day at Uniko as I get to show you some sneak peeks at some NEW Uniko Stencils that will be joining the growing collection. There are no clear stamps being released this month, BUT you won't have long to wait as there is another release coming in July! 

Anyway, lets get to these sneak peeks...

First up we have the next addition to the Pure Florals Stencils. A few people guessed right with the flower when I shared a peek a while back on my Instagram stories! I'm excited to be building this series in stencil format as I feel it breathes fresh inky life to the stamp sets.

Next up I couldn't resist a new geometric design...

You know how I love a good geometric for masculine cards! Plus they always pair nicely with florals too. So many fun options with this new stencil.

Lastly for this mini stencil release I have bundled these last two peeks together, as that is how they will be sold as a bundle purchase...

You might recognise this too from a popular clear stamp set. I really don't know why it has taken me so long to bring this combination to the stencil range! I have had SO much fun playing with this combination and pairing the with the stamps ;)

Be sure to pop by tomorrow as myself and my awesome Brand Ambassadors start the introductions. Oh, the prettiness and inspiration over the next few days is amazing! 

All will be available for purchase HERE on the website Sunday 20th June at 9am BST. 

Crafty Hugs

 

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.

DT Inspiration...Anti-Colouring Cards

Hello,

Carol here. Welcome to my Uniko Studio DT showcase, where I bring out a few of my Uniko Studio products to give them some extra love.  

Many of you, I'm sure, have seen the new 'trend' of pairing coloured backgrounds with focal images left black-and-white.  I decided to create a pair of *Anti-Colouring cards*, as coined and inspired by Carissa from Sprinkled with Glitter.  These were a joy to make, especially since the delicate lines and details of the English Country Garden butterfly and Originally Organic stylized florals stand beautifully just as they are. 

I paired these pretties with a rainbow version of Background Blocks: Mid-Century Modern 1.

English Country Garden - Butterflies

Designer Dies English Country Garden Butterflies Collection

Background Blocks: Mid-Century Modern 1

Simply Said

Originally Organic Clear Stamp Set & Die Bundle

Background Blocks: Mid-Century Modern 1

Simply Said

I hope you've enjoyed my *anti-colouring cards* and will give this technique a try!

~carol

Introducing... English Country Garden Butterflies Designer Dies & Large Background Sketched Foliage

Hey!

Welcome to Day 2 of the April / May 2019 Release product introductions. If you missed Day 1, you can catch up HERE, it is one not to be missed ;)

Today we are introducing English Country Garden Designer Dies & Large Background Sketched Foliage Clear Stamp.

I've been wanting coordinating dies for English County Garden Butterflies for ages, having them to match stamps creates so many more possibilities to stretch the use of the stamps. And Sketched Foliage is another original drawing from my BA (Hons) Textile & Surface Design days and I've kept it pretty much as it was drawn.

It wouldn't be a release without a daily blog hop full of inspiration! As usual my AWESOME Design Team and our Guest Designer this month have worked their magic with todays products, so be sure to hop along & see them...

Bev

Jenny

Carol 

Izzy 

Jane 

Julie

Linda

Lindsey

Rahmat

Sarah G

Sarah P

Wiebke 

WOW!

That was a phenomenal inspirational hop, so many new ideas and ways to use the English Country Garden Butterflies now there are matching dies! Plus a versatile large background stamp!

I hope you enjoyed it and you will join us again tomorrow for another product introduction and LOTS more inspiration :)

Hugs