Masculine Monday, Card Of The Week AND a Winner!

Hello & Happy Monday. 

How are we into the second half of June already? The days and weeks just seem to be going by so fast. But I'm back in the studio today after a jam packed weekend to kick this new week off with this week's Card Of The Week.

Continuing with masculine makes for June, I chose this card from way back from February 2014 when Explosion! was originally introduced. 

This small but mighty clear stamp set packs a punch and is perfect for masculine cards. As always this clear stamp set is 15% off this week in the Card Of The Week section on the website.

I'm going to have some fun inking this set up again this week and I'll be sharing inspiration across social media when I do.

Before I go today, I was reminded that I hadn't announced the winner of the May Non-Release Brand Ambassador Blog Hop. My apologies for my brain fog! 

The lucky winning comment is from Kailash.

Kailash

May 14, 2025

Your cards are gorgeous!

Congratulations Kailash! 

Please send an email to bev@uniko.co.uk to claim your £25 eGift Code. 

Thank you to all that take the time to hop along with us and leave such lovely comments. 

Crafty Hugs

Uniko Birthday Inspiration Through The Years - Part 1

 

Happy Sunday.

I'm here today continuing the 13th Birthday Celebrations with some more inspiration. It's took me a while to think of a theme of some kind, but I finally got there. The other week, I finally got round to cateloging all the Uniko Releases, I will have a product PDF available soon. 

So I thought I would share a birthday card using a product that was released that year. Today I am sharing three cards using a product from 2012, 2013 and 2014. I've then made a new card inspired by the original.

Let's have a look.

First up 2012 and I chose this card using Pure Florals Gerbera. Pure Florals Gerbera was originally released in July 2012 and is the longest standing product that is still available in store when it's not sold out! 

It remains to be one of the most popular florals in the Uniko collection and a favourite of mine too. So it was a delight to ink it up again for my post today. 

Here is how I was inspired by my original card.

I started out by ink blending similar colours to what I used on my original card onto a small panel. The colours I used are Buttercup, Marmalade and Honeysuckle. I adhered the panel to my card base using foam adhesive.

This time I decided to use the outline Gerbera, stamping in black ink and die cutting with the coordinating die. Again, I adhered the flower to the card using foam adhesive and stamped a celebrate sentiment from Everyday Sentiments.

To finish I embellished with some Papertrey Ink buttons like my original card and some sparkly tiny rhinestones. It was lovely to use buttons again, it's been a very long time since I did! 

Next up is 2013 and I chose this card using Bright Butterflies.

And here is how I was inspired by it... 

I was surprised, but also delighted that I kept this little note page die. This time I die cut it from white card and opted for a kraft card base. I also chose one of the other Bright Butterflies to stamp and this time layered with a die cut vellum butterfly.

Eleven years and my favourite trio of colours, all be it a different brand are still going strong! I used the Happy sentiment from Christmas Sentiments and the Birthday from Everyday Sentiments. 

Lastly for today I chose Explosion! clear stamp set released in 2014 and this card to spark new inspiration.

For my remake I decided to use some ink smooshing instead of a halftone background. The original background on my inspiration card was created using Background Builders Round In Circles and an array of blue colours to create an ombre effect. 

For my ink smoosh I stated with Buttercup, then Honeysuckle and then Oceanside. I stamped the Explosion! and again used the coordinating die to cut the explosion out. 

This time I added the OMG! sentiment from the Explosion! clear stamp set and coloured with Copic Markers. I adhered the explosion using foam adhesive and again I used the Happy sentiment from Christmas Sentiments and the Birthday from Everyday Sentiments. 

I really enjoyed revisiting some older much loved Uniko products and looking back at my old makes, techniques and paper crafting supplies. 

I hope that you have enjoyed the inspiration today and this little look back at Uniko's past. I will have more to share in this mini series throughout the month.

Crafty Hugs

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - 3 Stamp Sets 1 One-Layer Card

Good morning, Anita here.

I'm back with some Brand Ambassador Inspiration today.

I was recently tasked with making an 18th birthday card for my godson and masculine cards are the kind I find the most difficult, so to make one for an older teenager was even more daunting!  I had a rummage through my Uniko stash and decided to combine three stamp sets: Big & Bold Happy, Background Blocks Halftone and Explosion!

And other than the number dies I adhered, this is a completely flat, one layer card with all the elements stamped directly on the card base.

I began by stamping the explosion in orange ink and then created a mask to protect it while stamping other elements.  I stamped the "happy" in blue/grey ink and then the halftone images in olive green and berry shades.  I removed the mask before stamping "birthday" in black and finished the card by adhering the die cut numbers.  All inks I used here are Altenew and the dies are from Spellbinders.

I was really pleased with how this one turned out and I hope this gives you some inspiration for those trickier masculine designs.

Enjoy the rest of your week, and with the Easter weekend approaching we are already past the halfway point of the working week.  Mustn't grumble, eh!  I hope you have some lovely plans for the long weekend.

 

12 Days of Christmas Inspiration & Giveaways - Day 8

           Hello & Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Inspiration & Giveaways - Day 8

Every Friday, I will have a new Christmas themed card or project to share with you, along with a video showing how I made it. Plus, if you watch the video you will find out what the giveaway is and how to enter for your chance to win 😊 All the videos are HERE on the Uniko YouTube Channel.

This week I am heading to the 1950's/1960's with a Pop Art style Christmas card...

This week I have dusted off Cracking Christmas and paired it with Explosion! and Explosion! Additions, two sets that inspired me to add this Christmas addition to the collection. 

I added a couple of Background Blocks too, along with switching up some colours for my video version.

You'll have to watch this weeks video HERE to find out what this weeks giveaway is & how to enter 😃 Can you believe how quick these weeks are going? 

Crafty Hugs

Mixed Media Monday - Guest Brand Ambassador Camilla

  Happy Monday & Shiny New Week! 

Today I am back with another Mixed Media Monday and I am delighted to have another guest joining us please give a warm Uniko welcome Camilla Nordqvist. 

Camilla has been a customer of Uniko since opening day. How do I remember this? Well, Camilla was the first customer to order all those years ago and as a small business owner, it's kinda one of those things you never forget! 

With age my short term memory might be a little wooly here and there, but as each order that comes in gives me this warm fussy feeling and I do a little happy dance inside, names of customers (usually) stick with me. 

Anyway, enough of my rambling, let me hand you over to Camilla...

Hello,

A few weeks ago Beverley kindly asked if I wanted to create a mixed media project for Uniko. So I decided to pull some prints from my gel printing plate and make some colourful tags. 

The gel plate is a super versatile tool that you can use with different kinds of mediums and tools. You don’t even need special tools, some of my favourite things to use are bubble wrap, cardboard and different caps/lids. If you’ve never worked with the printing plate, it’s very addictive and an afternoon passes quickly when you’re building up texture, playing with different techniques and colours. I recommend to go to YouTube and let yourself be inspired by the many talented artists there.

I normally use acrylic paints on my gel plate, but I’ve recently started playing a lot with alcohol inks. Some of you might have a gel plate in your stash but don’t want to buy new inks, but maybe you have refillers for your alcohol markers? They work very well on the gel plate. For my tags today, I have only used Copic refillers. They work the same as alcohol inks. 

Another great thing with the gel plate is that you don’t need yupo paper to pull a print. You just add a layer of acrylic paint on top of the alcohol inks; this will ‘lift’ the alcohol inks off the plate and transfer them to your choice of paper. I use a smooth, thick white paper (250 g/m2) to pull my prints.

Add your colours to the gel plate. Use a brayer to spread them a bit or use a straw to blow them around (don’t suck in!). Let dry. If you want, you can create your own pattern with stamps (the tags with arrows, flowers, leaves and paisley patterns were all stamped directly on the gel plate). Let dry. Then apply a thin layer of acrylic paint with the brayer and pull your print.

My final tag is a bonus tag, made from all the colourful scraps that were on my desk. Shame to throw them away! The flower is made with a Tim Holtz die.

Thank you Beverley, it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to create a mixed media project for you!

Uniko Clear Stamps Used:

Accent Essentials: Arrows (sadly retired)
Explosion!
Explosion! Additions!
Flower Power #7
Marvellous Mehndi
Paradise – Leaves
Simply Said Birthday (sadly retired)

WOW! 

I for sure am inspired. Mainly I want to go and get me a gel plate - haha! As would you believe I don't own one. I am really enjoying seeing Uniko clear stamps used in different ways and with different media. It's also been a delight to see some loved but sadly retired clear stamps still being inked up.

I hope you have enjoyed todays feature and a big THANK YOU to Camilla for inspiring us all. 

Crafty Hugs

 

Countdown to Christmas Day 2 - WIN IT Wednesday!

 Happy WIN IT WEDNESDAY!

I love spreading Christmas Cheer and I think we are all in need of some good cheer this festive season, so today I have the NEW Cracking Christmas clear stamp set, Explosion! AND the Explosion! Additions Bundle up for grabs! 

This is a pretty CRACKING prize package! 

To be in the chance of winning, simply add your name to the linky at the end of the post!

The link up will close at Midnight GMT Tuesday 8th December 2020.

Just One Entry per person please. 

Duplicate names will be deleted prior to randomly selecting the winner. 

An alternative prize will be offered if the winner already owns any or all of the prize on offer.

The link up requires you to add a html, simply link to your personal blog or if you do not

have a blog you can link to something on the Uniko Website ;)

Before I go I made another card using a combination of all these products together...

How fun is this? It's a little less CAS than I usually go for and I could have gone a little less on the smaller explosions, but I got carried away! I have used the large halftone explosion from Explosion! Additions. The explosion from Explosion! using the coordinating die to cut it out. AND all of the other stamps are from Cracking Christmas. 

I'd love to know how you would use these products if you won! What kind of interactive card would you make for example? 

Okay, that's all from me today! Be sure to link up your name below & good luck :)

Crafty Hugs 

Bev

Introducing... Block Party - Coffee Love AND Cracking Christmas

 Hey & Happy Saturday!

Welcome to Day 2 of the Nov/Dec 2020 product introductions. 

Incase you missed the news on Friday, I shared some Sneak Peeks at some new products that will be available at 8pm GMT Monday 30th November over on the website HERE! 

With all the craziness and uncertainty of 2020, I kept the hype of a final release for this year quiet incase things didn't go as planned. BUT I am super happy and excited to finally bring you some new designs.

Yesterday I shared a couple of cards using two of the new stamp sets, be sure to have a look HERE and leave a comment to be in the chance of winning a £5 eGift Code to spend in store.

Now lets see what I have made today...

First up is this quick Block Party - Coffee Love card. I used Distress Oxide inks in Tea Stain and Vintage Photo to blend my background and then the Block Party - Coffee Love is stamped in Walnut Stain.

I do like using digital stamps, but I think you just get a different look with a clear stamp & ink. I love how the Walnut Stain ink has softened with stamping over the blended background. 

Now how about something Pop Art style to brighten your Sunday?! Introducing... Cracking Christmas! This is practically a Christmas spin off from the previously released Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamps :) 

As you can see this stamp set features a cracker pulled apart and with a little help from a friend when finalising this set, the cracker pieces do join together. A wonderful little feature for those that like to make interactive cards. 

On this first card I have also used one of the NEW stencils being released, Explosions. I have used one of the three sizes on the stencil to ink the yellow explosion on my card. I have then inked and stamped Background Blocks Halftone through the stencil to get the halftone look. The explosion contained in the stamp set is the black outline I have stamped inside.

I had so much fun with this first card that I went on to make this second one!

For this card I stamped the cracker ends onto some red polka dot paper I had in my stash box. I don't have dies to match this set, but they are pretty easy to fussy cut. 

This time I used the halftone explosion from Explosion! Additions behind the new Cracking Christmas explosion. I have also used the smaller 'Cracking' sentiment which fits inside. 

Another short & sweet introduction from me today, but I will be sharing LOTS more with these two stamp sets tomorrow, RELEASE DAY! 

I'd love to know what you think of these new products and I will choose ONE random comment left on this post on Tuesday 1st December for a £5 eGift Code to spend in store. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Crafty Hugs Bev x

Black Friday Bargains AND Nov/Dec 2020 Sneak Peeks!

 

Happy Friday!

What better way to start the weekend than with a SALE?! There are LOTS of bargains to be had over on the Uniko Sale Page HERE. Some are low in stock, so if there is something you've been after be sure to get in quick! I have also reduced the FREE Worldwide Shipping minimum order amount from £50 to £30.

The SALE and FREE Worldwide Shipping Offer will end 9pm GMT Sunday 29th November 2020.

AND it gets better... who's excited for a NEW Release?!

It's been a while coming thanks to the crazy of Covid, but I am pleased to have a mini Festive Release for all your last minute or early 2021 festive crafting!

Here are the Sneak Peeks to whet your crafting appetite ;)

This first peek is of a Pop Art inspired clear stamp set with a Christmas twist. Those who are long time Uniko fans might recognise the style from Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamp sets and Designer Dies.

My next peek is of the first in a NEW series of 'framed' stamps. This set has an Originally Organic style to it, but as you can see it's beautifully festive. 

Lastly for the FESTIVE clear stamps I have an awesome new sentiment set for you...

I've included 'complete' sentiments perfect for inside & outside of your Christmas cards, along with some 'mix & match' sentiments. Excited to show you these paired with some Uniko Christmas firm favourites!

AND if you read my Fall / Winter 2020 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Post HERE, you might have noticed the BIG hint I dropped to the last clear stamp being released ;)

As much as a do love a digital stamp, sometimes you are a little limited in the techniques you can use with them. So I am super excited to introduce another stamp to the Block Party series for all you coffee lovers out there. Block Party Coffee Love. This pairs beautifully with the previously released I LOVE Coffee clear stamp set.

AND that's not all! I have a couple of NEW stencil designs too...

This first stencil design will add even MORE possibilities to the first sneak peek I shared today AND to the previously released Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamps! 

AND FINALLY...

I couldn't resist adding a festive design to the repertoire! Again, those long time fans of Uniko might have a hint to a currently but soon to come back clear stamp set ;)

That's all the sneak peeks I have to share for this release and I am excited to be sharing some projects over the weekend using these new products! 

They will be available to purchase on the website at 8pm GMT Monday 30th November - woohoo! 

Thanks for stopping by today & I would LOVE to know what you are most excited about and can't wait to see more of :)

Crafty Hugs 

Bev x

Uniko Studio Brand Ambassador Inspiration~Inspired by Bev...You're My Super Hero

Hello,

Carol here, warmly welcoming you to my Uniko Brand Ambassador post.  I'll be frank: my creativity is running on empty, even though I'm still making cards. Essentially, I'm defaulting to what I do in missing-mojo situations: drawing inspiration from other designers.  Today, my muse is none other than our sweet Bev!

Currently, the crafting universe is virtually *exploding* with gratitude/thank you cards dedicated to all those who are risking their well-being to keep our world functioning through the pandemic. Be they front line medical personnel, grocery store/warehouse staff, truck drivers...we are surrounded by 'heroes' we want to acknowledge. To that end, I brought out one of my all-time favourite Uniko sets -  Explosion Additions - and pretty much 'cased' Bev's card here, re-visioning it for the current situation...

I followed Bev's recipe for the most part with slight (very very slight *grin*) changes to the original: sentiments stamped on the small Explosion dies and partial stamping, with a small solid explosion image, on The Stamp Market letters. 

I'm happy with my copy-cat version of Bev's card, especially since it really is easy to recreate; something I'll definitely be doing!

Below are a few of my previous 'non-copied' cards made with the Explosions line. I love it!

Hope my card - or should I say, Bev's card - offered you some inspiration of ways to use Explosions to recognize the heroes where you live.

Please: stay safe and keep creating...doing so is good for the soul!