My Five Faves From Year 1 of Uniko

Hey!

What a wonderful day I had yesterday, THANK YOU for the out pouring of love, support and wonderful orders, not just yesterday & today but over the past 5 years. You are ALL just the best :)

There is still a few hours left to take advantage of the FREE Worldwide Shipping Offer! 

Anyway, I decided that I would take a wander back over the past 5 years and each day leading up to the February 2017 Sneak Peeks choose my 5 favourite projects from that year. Oh my, what a task that was! Not that I love everything I made back then, my style has certainly changed some what over the years but I had A LOT more time on my hands back then and created so many cards! 

Here is what I chose from Year One...

This first card is an all TIME favourite and I think it will always hold a special place in my heart. This card was originally designed way back at University when I was near completing my degree and planning on launching Uniko. It uses stamps from one of my two debut clear stamp sets which were launched back on Feb 11th 2012! 

Unfortunately I have retired both Time and Extra Time clear stamp sets, due to the change in trends and demand for them. They might come back one day revised, refreshed and revamped who knows the 'time' trend might just have it's 'time' again! You can see more using these sets HERE on Pinterest. 

Next I chose a card using the ALL time BEST seller since Uniko began, Pure Florals: Gerbera. This set was also partially designed back at Uni and I chose this as one of Uniko's first florals due to the colour options this flower has. 

This flower looks FABulous in any colour of the rainbow! I also designed it to appeal to people who like to colour and those who don't, providing a solid stamp and an outline stamp, plus it features two views of the flower.

This set has had SO many requests over the past couple of weeks and these past few days, that it will be coming back into stock really soon. I just need to get the February 2017 Release underway and then I will get them ordered along with some other popular clear stamp sets which have recently sold out. To see more using this set, head on over to Pinterest HERE.

Ah, Decorative Doilies - The Hands Of Time. Another clear stamp set designed at Uni alongside Time & Extra Time. This set is SO much fun and looks fabulous as large sparkly snowflakes like in the card below.

I nearly retired this set recently, but it'll be making one last appearance in the shop before it retires in the next month or so ;) To see more using this set check out the Pinterest page HERE.

Do you remember the label trend? This next card uses Label Love: Christmas, which is on SALE as it is retiring :( The label trend seems to have passed its best and I have to make these tough decisions to make room for NEW clear stamp sets! 

However, I chose this card because I remember REALLY enjoying making this card. Building the large tree out of the smaller tree AND all the sparkle. It's hard to see in the photo, but each of the little trees are filled with clear sparkly glitter - YUM! 

You can see more using Label Love: Christmas HERE and you'd be able to recreate a version of this card using Christmas Pop Clear Stamp Set ;)

Lastly, but by no means least I chose this card below...

Like I said at the beginning with my first card Time and Extra Time will always hold a special place in my heart. I just LOVE this colour combo too, Papertrey Ink Soft Stone, Hawaiian Shores, White and Stampin' Up! Basic Grey. 

I ended with this card too as I wanted to say, THANK YOU again to you all! Thank you for stopping by and reminiscing with me as I take my wander down memory lane. 

I''ll be back again tomorrow with more to share :)

Hugs

Uniko...way back to the beginning!

Hey & Happy Monday to you all!

With the start of February comes the countdown to the Uniko February Release and this year is our 4th Birthday! 

To kick off the celebrations I thought it would be nice to take a look back to when, where and how it all began (you might want to grab a drink, I didn't realise how much I waffled on and apologies to those who have heard all this before!)...

Since as far back as I can remember I have always been creative and enjoyed a variety of crafts. My late Nana and Mother were both creative, enjoying various crafts from sewing to knitting to making cards. So being creative has kinda embedded itself into me! 

When I moved to the North East of the UK from the South East back in 2002 I was working as a full time nurse in the NHS, having graduated back in 2000. I was new to the area and made friends at work, but working such long hours I wanted to make friends outside of my job.

With my love of card making and stamping really taking flight in 2008 after the sudden death of my mother I found the wonderful world of blogger and began blogging and joining in with all things stamps over at Hero Arts.

It was soon after, that I found a handmade card class at one of the local further education colleges. It was so much fun getting together with like minded creative people that I went on to do another semester. The tutor of the course Joy, was a lovely creative lady who told me about a Textiles & Surface Design Degree and it was at a Paper Crafts show in Newcastle that I came across a stand with all the course details. 

Anyway, back in 2005 I started a BA (Hons) in Textiles & Surface Design. Though the course concentrated more on drawing, sewing and printing across fashion, interiors and the gift industry. I saw more and more links and associations with the paper crafting industry. In 2008 my mother died suddenly and my whole world turned upside down, I was close to quitting everything, including my degree. However, I decided that life was too short and instead of quitting the degree I quit nursing and concentrated my efforts into the degree. It was in my final 2 years that the idea of Uniko was born. 

It was during those 2 years that I concentrated my designing towards stamps, patterned papers and developing my business idea. Here are a couple of drawings from those two years which inspired my first 2 clear stamp sets and more recent ones...

So, after all that back in February 2012 on Saturday 11th, Uniko Studio (which it was called then) was open for business.

*Edited to add* 

Thanks Sandie, for the reminder to tell you how the name Uniko came about. I am a HUGE fan of Marimekko a Finnish design company and at Uni I was known as 'Marimekko Girl' by a number of my tutors! 

One of my all time favourite designs that can be found on various items around the house is by Maija Isola and is called Unikko, seen below.

So partly in homage to my favourite design, memories of going to Finland with my mother and wanting to be 'unique' compared to many of the UK stamp companies/designs that we current when I began the name & company Uniko was born.

I started small launching just 2 clear stamp sets (which are now retired, they may make a reappearance one day as trends change).

After nearly 4 years so much has happened and changed not only with how Uniko has changed, developed and grown with now over 60 products available on the website. But so much has happened to me too, I have got married, had two beautiful babies and moved house AND with all that YOU my friends, loyal customers and blog readers have stuck by me and helped me to keep going and to enjoy bringing you (in small amounts) products to use in your love for paper crafting. 

It really does bring me so much joy each time I see a new customer order and a huge grin on my face when I see a card or project around blog land with Uniko products used on it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you that makes this happen. 

Now for a little bit of inspiration before I tear up! 

As I haven't used either of them for a while, I dusted them off and made a couple of new creations using them...

For this first card I was inspired by a couple of challenges, first up a new to me challenge called Task For Two Tuesday, started by the lovely Birka and Wiebke. Each Tuesday they each post a sketch for you to use and link up your creations. Last weeks sketches can be found HERE and seen below.

I was also inspired by the current Color Throwdown challenge colours seen HERE and below. 

I decided my next card needed to be a little more feminine and I 'loved' it up a little using some hearts, and adding them to the centre of the stamped graphic flowers. A couple of the hearts are tiny additions to a couple of the February Release stamps ;)  

Again I was inspired by the second Task For Two Tuesday sketch seen HERE and below and also the new challenge over at AAA Cards HERE and seen below. 

Now, it wouldn't be a celebration without a prize, would it?! To kick things off how about a £25 eGift certificate to spend over on the Uniko website. 

To be in the chance of winning simply add your name to the linky below and I will draw a winner before the release on Thursday 11th February at 8am GMT.

That's all from me today, but I'll be continuing the celebrations tomorrow with more to share. Until then, THANK YOU for everything.

TIME OUT Challenge - Inspired By Words

Hey!

These fortnights pass SO quickly, don't you think?  

Anyway, it's challenge #25 over at TIME OUT Challenges and we are back to being inspired by words, the phrase for this fortnights challenge is...

Rock around the clock

What do these words inspire you to create? I was inspired by the word clock, which resulted in this card...

It's been a while since I inked up my very first 2 Uniko Studio clear stamp sets, Today, Tomorrow & Always Time and Extra Time, so it was nice to dust them off and give them some love! I used my two favourite clock faces and a trio of WPlus9 ink colours to create this card.

I was also inspired by the current Addicted to CAS challenge HERE whose cue word is MASK. As you can see I masked and stamped my clock faces down the right hand side of my card.

This fortnight we have a lovely guest designer joining us, Hazel, be sure to stop by Hazel's blog HERE to see how she was inspired by the photo and of course the FABulous TIME OUT Challenges Design Team...

Sandie

Nonni

Lynn

Gerrina

Anita
Sarah
Elizabeth
Shona

For all the info and to link up your challenge be sure to stop by the TIME OUT Challenges blog. I look forward to seeing your creations :) I'll be back again later in the week with more to share & until then, thank you for stopping by today.

Lots Of Thanks

Hey!

I do hope your week has got off to a good start. I've had a reasonably good start here at Uniko Studio HQ, slowly getting through the to do list! One of my things to do was make a start on my Christmas Thank you's and I managed to do that yesterday. The card I am sharing today is one of the cards I made...

I've kept it pretty simple, letting the sentiments take the focus. Still loving Washi tape and to dust Wonderful Washi off again I made my own washi tape in two colours. Those who know me will know that I have really stepped out of my comfort zone by tearing the edges of the washi tape I made! 

When I am using DST I have to cut it off the roll using scissors, I simply can't tear it as it's too messy, just one of my little OCD things! I also made a little tiny dent in my embellishment box and used a SU! Hodgepog Hardware piece and tied a little bakers twine bow around it. 

The current challenge over at Keep It Simple HERE is anything goes, so I thought I'd enter it into that challenge. 

That's all from me today, I had best get some work done! Until tomorrow, thank you for stopping by :)

Supplies

Card Stock: White from stash. SU! Smokey Slate

Ink: VersaMagic Red Magic & Turquoise Gem. VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio All Occasion Sentiments #3, Extra Time, Wonderful Washi & Label Love: Thank you

Accessories: 1" Wide DST, SU! Hodgepog Hardware. PTI Pure Poppy Bakers Twine

Happy Birthday Gerbera!

Hey!

In T Minus 50 minutes it'll be my birthday and the end of my 33rd year! I already know that my 34th year is going to be a FANTASTIC one with my Wedding Day in Hawaii & FABulous trip around the west coast of the USA planned :) 

Today has been a super busy one in the studio but I managed to squeeze in a little crafting time to make todays card...

Continuing with this months revisited set Pure Florals: Gerbera I decided to ink it up again & paired it with the clocking in card from Extra Time & a sentiment from Time. I've had this card idea in my head since Saturday night when I saw the current retrosketches sketch seen HERE and below...

I also played along with the current Dynamic Duos Anniversary challenge HERE and decided to pick this colour combo to use...

Did you miss the May Design Team Blog Hop HERE? Well, there is still time to comment along the hop to win a prize & there is also a CASE challenge going on & a prize is up for grabs for the challenge too! 

Did you know Uniko Studio is on Facebook? We have a page HERE and it's updated regularly with all the goings on here at Uniko Studio. It would make my Birthday if you'd pop over & like my page! If we get to 200 likes before my birthday is over I will draw a lucky FB liker for a prize too!!

OK, I'm off to enjoy the last 50 minutes of my 33rd year! Thanks for stopping by today :)

Supplies

Card Stock: WPlus9 White, SU! Poppy Parade & Lucky Limeade

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio Pure Florals: Gerbera, Time & Extra Time

Accessories: PTI Pure Poppy Ribbon. Foam Adhesive

Hello...

Hey!

Yesterday I enjoyed a day out doing important wedding dress browsing & made a couple of appointments. One shop I visited had an afternoon slot available and so I got to try a few on which I hadn't expected to be able to do. It's got me even more excited - if that's possible! 

Anyway, today I've enjoyed a little creative time making a few cards which I will share with you al over the next few days. 

Todays card uses the current CAS(E) this Sketch! sketch seen HERE and below my card...

I created a window of 3 panels using my craft knife. I then popped a scrap of Time digital patterned paper on the base card and adhered the panel using foam adhesive. I made this as a masculine card but looking at it on the screen it's fairly gender friendly! So, it kinda fits into the current Addicted to CAS challenge HERE and seen below whose code word is masculine.

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by!

Hugs

Supplies:

Card Stock: PTI Pure Poppy, WPlus9 White

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio Time & Extra Time

Accessories: Uniko Studio Digital Patterned Paper Time, PTI Hawaiian Shores Button.

It's been TOO long!

Hey!

Yes, I am still alive & kicking! I'm sorry I've been MIA as of late here on the blog, I've been busy behind the scenes working on the next release, designing & Oh Yes ... Wedding / Holiday planning! 

The date & location have been finalised for the Wedding & the Holiday has been planned & booked - YAY! Now, I can start planning the Wedding details like flowers, cakes and most importantly my dress! 

Anyway, I'll try not to over take the blog here with wedding talk too much! I'm back today & thought I'd share a few DT cards that have been around on blogland whilst I've been MIA...

How about this Bright & Cheerful Wonderful Washi/Time card from Amber...

Source: bellarosecards.blogspot.com via Beverley on Pinterest

I love the clock face peeping in from the lower left & the zesty colours. Check out more of Amber's creations on her blog HERE.

Next up are a few more Extra Time cards from Erika...

I love the CAS stamped oval - a shape I rarely use. The little detail stamp at the bottom is from Label Love: Thank you & works perfectly in the oval shape.

Erika has chosen my FAVE clock face from the set for her second card here. Love the scallops & 'POP' of red with the kraft on this card.

You can check out more of Erika's creations & FAB photography HERE on her blog.

How about another Wonderful Washi card? This time from DT member Stacey...

I LOVE the fresh colour combo on this card. The sentiment is from Label Love: Thank you and works perfectly on this card :) 

You can check out more of Stacey's creations HERE on her blog!

Wonderful Washi is BACK IN STOCK on the website HERE!! 

I have one more card to share with you from DT member Aimes...

Yum! Don't you just LOVE that lattice design? I love the elegance of black and white & the touch of silver adds that something special to the card. The Label & sentiment is from Label Love: Thank you & again works perfectly!

You can check out more of Aimes' creations HERE on her blog! 

OK, so that's all from me today, I hope to find a little crafty mojo this afternoon and make some cards to share with you all as there is still a few days until I start sharing Feb Release Sneak Peeks with you all!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs

Jam Packed!

Hey!

Happy Weekend! This is one jam packed Saturday here at Uniko Studio, firstly I am at The Paper Lane today in Northallerton, UK. Doing a Uniko Studio Clear Stamp Demo morning 10 - 2pm and also a class 2 - 5pm. 

If your out and about near Northallerton pop in & say 'Hello', I'd love to see you :) I'll do my best to remember to take some photo's this time to share with you all here on the blog!

Today, Uniko Studio is sponsoring & Guest Designing for Addicted to CAS you can see my project below and join in with all the fun HERE at the Addicted to CAS blog.

The challenge code word is.... Embossing and so I decided to do some heat embossing on my cards...

On this first card I stamped the solid Gerbera flower from Uniko Studio Pure Florals: Gerbera with Smokey Shadow ink onto Basic Grey CS. I then stamped the Lattice design over the top using VersaMark ink and heat embossed with Crystal EP.

Just look at that sparkle...

For my second card I used the same CS but switched the stamps and EP to White Detail! I started out stamping & embossing the individual chevrons from Uniko Studio Wonderful Washi: Christmas. The label is heat embossed with white detail onto Soft Stone CS, cut out and mounted onto the card using foam adhesive. 

All supplies are listed below! If you join in on the fun over at Addicted to CAS, you could win yourself some Uniko Studio goodies!

Along with all that I am super excited as this Paper Crafts magazine is out today...

Why, am I excited about this particular magazine? Well, Uniko Studio's TIME clear stamp is featured in this magazine and I can't wait to get my copy in the mail to see it!!

That's enough excitement for one day! If you missed the Design Team Blog Hop yesterday you can catch up on it HERE. There's a chance to win a Uniko Studio Extra Time stamp set so you might just want to check it out!

Don't wan't to miss out on future announcements and events? Sign up for the Uniko Studio Newsletter HERE!

Thanks for stopping by & have a FAB weekend!
Hugs