Inspired by an Instagram Poll!

 Hello & Happy Friday!

The other night I created a series of polls on the Uniko Ltd Instagram stories, as I needed some help sparking some creativity. I've been busy designing new things and finalising the next release coming at the end of May. So my actual creative time has been on a bit of a go slow :(

So I created a series of polls to help inspire me...

First I asked what I should use. Stamps Only, Stencils Only, Clear Stamps & Matching Dies or Combination of All! 

Next I asked who I should create for, Men, Women or Gender Neutral. And then I gave some theme options. Florals, Geometric, Sentiment Only, Combination of All.

Then there were some colour options. Monochrime, Rainbow, Neutrals, Pastels. 

And lastly I gave some card style/size options. Standard C6, Square or Slimline.

If you don't use Instagram, stories stay up for 24 hours and then disappear. Luckily, I can view the results in my insights and could see what had been decided.

A combination of Clear Stamps, Stencils & Dies to create a gender neutral geometric card with a monochromatic colour scheme and a 3 way tie between card size/style!

At first I was a bit, oh no what have I done - haha! But then I got my thinking cap on and had a look through my Uniko goodies and this is what I came up with.

As there was no clear winner for the size and style of card I used the same products, almost the same way to create the same card on each size. 

I started with a standard C6 card.

For my stencil choice I went with the Mid Century Modern Shapes. I used a selection of grey inks from Altenew to ink through various shapes on the stencil, over lapping some to create a cascade effect down the left hand side.

I then selected the Background Block Arts Decoratifs and stamped this in black ink. The hardest part was using a geometric die. I thought about using the Explosion! Designer Dies, but I didn't want to cover up too much of the design.

In the end I decided to use two square dies to create my own frame. This worked well, but the card needed something to finish it off. I decided to use a trio of sentiments from the Simply Said Blocks and Simply Said Blocks II clear stamp sets. A few final Nuvo Drops and I was finished!

I then followed the same process to recreate the design onto a slimline card.

The layout changed slightly to accommodate the elements and for it to flow nicely down the card.

Lastly I created a square card.

It was quite fun to be faced with a challenge. I hadn't really thought of the possible combinations that could occur, but then that was part of the fun! 

So now the question is, which is your favourite of the 3 cards using this combination of products? And did I achieve the brief?

I'd love to know your thoughts. 

Crafty Hugs 

Special Event - Funky Fossil and Uniko Collaboration Instahop!

Hello & Happy Monday!

Today sees the beginning of an amazing and inspirational Instahop collaboration between Funky Fossil and Uniko. 

Members from both teams are sharing Christmas inspiration using products from both companies and the cards created with these products combined are not to be missed.

The purpose of the hop is simply to show how kindness in the crafting communities work. How two small businesses can work together to support each other and promote each others products without competition and rivalry. 

PLUS we all love a giveaway?! 

Funky Fossil and Uniko will each be giving a £15.00 credit to their respective stores for ONE lucky winner.

All you need to do is head on over to @unikoltd on Instagram

1. Like, follow & comment on each of the hop participants

2. Tag some friends for extra entries - one per comment please.

A random draw of all those who comment will take place at 12.00pm UK time on 11th October and the winner announced shortly after on each company's Instagram story.

If you get lost you can find the complete list @unikoltd or @funkyfossildesigns Instagram accounts.

The prize opportunity is open to everyone. Unfollowers/giveaway accounts do not qualify. As per Instagram rules we must mention that this is in no way sponsored, administered or associated with Instagram or Facebook. By entering entrants confirm that they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram or Facebook of responsibility and agree to their terms of use.

That's all the formal details about the Instahop, but as I am sharing FOUR projects combining Uniko and Funky Fossil products, I thought I'd share them here too with a bit more detail 😊 AND you will get some sneaky previews of some Brand NEW Uniko products being released on Sunday! 

How cute is this polar bear? This bear is from Funky Fossils Nordic Noel clear stamp set designed by Donna Gray. Here I have paired it with a soon to be released stencil and sentiment from Uniko. I used some Gina K Glitz Glitter Gel through the stencil. And how about this sentiment? Do you love this font as much as me?! Keep your eyes peeled for more details on these later this week on the blog 😉 

It seems like Funky Fossil brings out the cuter side in me! For this next card I used the birds from the Nordic Noel set. They were tweeting at me to use them to hold this string of Christmas lights. I used Nuvo Drops to colour the lights. 

The sentiment is from Nordic Noel and I've used some new tiny Uniko snowflakes to embellish the card, fill some white space and balance the design.

Next up is a HUGE peek at something else new coming this week...

How fun is this tree? The elements used to build it is from a new, soon to be released Uniko clear stamp set. It gives just a tiny peek at what this clear stamp set contains and how fun it is! 

For the background I used a Funky Fossil stencil, Scandi Sweater, it creates a lovely Scandinavian feel to this card. I can't wait to show you more using this stamp set.

Lastly for today I have one more clean and simple Christmas card...

For this card I combined another of the stamps from the set featured above to create this background. I've then embellished with the trio of Christmas trees and sentiment from Nordic Noel.

That's all from me today, be sure to hop on over to the Uniko Instagram HERE to join in and comment along the hop.

I do hope you will keep checking back on the blog here this week, so much more fun planned! 

Crafty Hugs