CAS Colours & Sketches #210

Hey!

It's time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This month we have the lovely Jane as hostess and Jane has a wonderful sketch challenge HERE and seen below, to spark your creativity. 

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch & don't forget to keep your creation CAS too ;)

This is what I came up with using the sketch...

I really couldn't decided what images to use on my card today, but seeing as it is Valentine's Day AND the fact that I needed a Valentine's card for hubby, I went with hearts and used Always & Forever clear stamp set. Normally, I try not to use retired Uniko clear stamp sets, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of hearts/love themed sets to chose from (must rectify that). 

I went with a classic red, white and grey colour scheme for my card and added in a polka dot panel, trying to keep the design masculine with a subtle geometric feel. I couldn't resist a little sparkle though and after stamping the heart in red ink, I then stamped it again with VersaMark ink and embossed with Crystal EP. Using a MISTI makes this a cinch ;)

Anyway, be sure to check out all the Design Team inspiration HERE on the CAS Colours & Sketches blog and I hope to see you in the gallery :) Challenge End Time: 6:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. time/11:00 p.m. London U.K. time Monday, January 20, 2017

Hugs

Supplies:-
Uniko Clear Stamps Always & Forever (Retired) and Background Builders: Round In Circles
Ink: Stampin' Up! Real Red, VersaMark and VersaFine Onyx Black
Card: Stampin' Up! Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Real Red Enamel Dots and Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine. Foam Adhesive and MISTI tool.

CAS Colours & Sketches #158

Hey!

Welcome back to another fun challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week is sketch week and our host Patricia has a fun and easy sketch for you...

With Valentine's Day just around the corner I thought I'd make a card suitable to give the hubby ;) and this is what I came up with second time round...

The first card I made which I will share further down was fun to make, but once I had finished it, it wasn't CAS enough. So this is how this card came about! 

I decided to ink up All Occasion Sentiments #5 as it is now back in stock HERE on the website along with 7 other clear stamp sets. I paired it with a tiny heart from Flower Power #3 and a 'you' die cut from SU! I added some subtle clear Wink of Stella to the die cut and hearts along with a trio of tiny rhinestones.

Here is the first card I made which uses the sketch but isn't quite CAS enough for the challenge...

I used the same supplies, but added in a larger open heart stamp from Always & Forever. Again I added the die cut 'you' and subtle Wink of Stella to the hearts and die cut.

Be sure to stop on by the CAS Colours & Sketches blog HERE to see what the DT have come up with and to link up your projects. Hope to see you in the gallery :)

That's all from me today, I'll be back again with more to share soon, until then, thank you for stopping by.

January 2016 Design Team Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY!

Hey!

I'm SO happy you've stopped by the blog today as today is the January 2016 Design Team Blog Hop. Along with the hop we have a GIVEAWAY! So be sure to grab a drink, get comfy, relax and enjoy.

As we've quite a few new followers here, ("Hello & Thank you") I will explain what's going on! Here at Uniko I *USUALLY* only release new products every other month. This is for a number of reasons, firstly, being an avid paper crafter myself and knowing the current economic climate I know 'some' are on a limited budget when it comes to buying new stash, so this way you're not tempted to splurge too much every month.

The second reason is that it is just me here at Uniko HQ. I currently run this little business single handedly, designing, blogging, demoing, classes, packing. Alongside that I am a full time mum to 16  month old twin boys. So releasing every other month gives me chance to keep my head above water, well...just about!

So, on the in-between release months the Design Team & I take a look back at a previously released product, dust it off and give it some love.

This month I decided to take a look back at the previously released Always & Forever clear stamp set...

As you can see this set has a love theme & with Valentine's Day just around the corner I thought it would be nice to give you some' lovely' inspiration. Even though the sentimhents are geared towards Valentine's Day I hope to show you that the set is also good for Anniversaries, Weddings & general occasion cards too. 

As usual I like to show a couple of my old favourite creations & more can be found HERE on the Always & Forever Pinterest page.

This first card shows how the set coordinates with the flower from Beautiful Blooms I and I have also paired them with a sentiment from All Occasion Sentiments #1.

This second old favourite pairs the set with Background Builders: Round In Circles and the card was left sentiment free so it could be used for any occasion. 

Ok, how about some new inspiration using this set...

My card today uses the 'Love You' heart which instead of stamping I printed it using my new laser printer so that I could foil it through my new Heidi Swapp Minc Machine that I got from Santa! I'm sure you will be seeing LOTS of foiling over the next few weeks as you know I am addicted already ;) 

I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed for some new Minc mediums being released at CHA this weekend, which will be good for stamping & card making. But I will also be exploring some ideas I've seen on You Tube too and sharing the results with you.

Anyway, for my card I die cut my tag from some left over SU! CS and stamped my sentiment from the set in VersaFine Onyx Black ink. I adhered my foiled heart using DST and after adding some ribbon and bakers twine mounted it onto my card base using foam adhesive. I added some tiny black heart die cuts also from SU! and gave them a splash of Wink Of Stella too.

Before we get to the traditional blog hop I would firstly like to introduce you to a new member of the Uniko Design Team. Please give a warm welcome to...

Lindsey Bowe from Doodlings

Welcome to the Uniko DT Lindsey & we all look forward to seeing your creations & inspirations using Uniko products :)

How about some more inspiration using this set from the FABulous DT...

CLICK HERE to see more from Deborah

CLICK HERE to see more from Jane

CLICK HERE to see more from Lindsey

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah P

It wouldn't be a blog hop without a GIVEAWAY right? 

Simply comment along the hop to be in the chance of winning this featured set along with an eGift certificate for £10 to spend in store. Or if you win and already own the set an eGift certificate for £15 will be awarded. You have until midnight Sunday 17th Jan 2016 to comment and the winner will be announced on Monday 18th Jan 2016.

Thank you for stopping & hopping along with us today :)

Still TIME to play @ TIME OUT Challenges - Inspired By Words

* First post of the day, please come back again at 9am for our Guest Designer & USC #13 reminder post * 

Hey!

I'm back today with a reminder card for the 13th TIME OUT Challenge and this time it's a inspired by words challenge, the phrase for this fortnights challenge is...

If music be the food of love, play on

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

I used Uniko Studio Always and Forever stamp set & simply stamped the 'love you' heart in red ink & fussy cut around it. I adhered it to the white CS layer using foam adhesive then stamped the sentiment 'with all my heart' in black ink.

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 tomorrow with more to share, until then, thank you for stopping by today.

Supplies:

Card Stock: White from stash. SU! Real Red

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black. Avery Elle Cherry

Stamps: Uniko Studio Always & Forever

Accessories: PTI Fresh Snow Twill Ribbon & Foam Adhesive.

New Challenge DT Call - Time Out Challenges

Hey!

WOW! What a fabulous few days! Did you all enjoy the NEW release? I know a lot did as you kept me busy fulfilling orders! Well, if you missed the post & blog hop you can catch up on it HERE and there is still time to comment along the hop to be in the chance of winning the prizes up for grabs.

Anyway, today I am telling you all about a NEW challenge blog called TIME OUT Challenges that is starting with it's first challenge in March & currently has a DT Call. I thought I would give it a go and try out for the team, as you all know I do love a challenge blog! 

The theme for the DT call is Love and/or Friendship & this is what I came up with...

It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a card for my husband! I decided to keep the hearts to a minimum an decided to use the NEW Explosion! set, as after all he is a guy and he might send me hearts and flowers but I know that they aren't his favourite!

I started out by using the current CAS(E) this Sketch! layout seen HERE and below.

I then stamped the explosion & LOVE sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and simply coloured it in with a red Copic marker and the sentiment in a pink Copic marker. I then trimmed the explosion out not leaving any border, which is really easy as it's all straight lines!

I then temporarily adhered the explosion to the white CS layer to stamp the exploding lines, 'YOU' sentiment which is masked from A Gift For You and the heart stamped from Always & Forever. The white layer is mounted to the black card base using foam adhesive as is the explosion.

Ok, that's all from me today, I had better get the dinner prepared, a lovely steak & chips over candle light tonight, plus lots of snuggles on the sofa with a good movie is planned! 

I hope you all have a LOVELY Valentine's Day & thank you for stopping by today :)

Supplies

Card Stock: White & Black from stash

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & VersaMagic Pink Petunia

Stamps: Uniko Studio Explosion!, A Gift For You & Always & Forever

Accessories: Copic Marker R46 & RV55, Foam Adhesive

Always & Forever

Hey!

I'm kicking the week off with another LOVE themed card...

The card uses a combination of challenges. First up is the current "Less is More" challenge seen HERE and below, which is a sketch challenge.

Next, I have used the current Dynamic Duos challenge colours seen HERE and below...

I started out by stamping the 'Always & forever' sentiment on to a panel of white card. I then adhered a panel of black card above and below the sentiment and adhered the whole lot to a Melon Mambo panel and then a white card base. The 'Love You' heart is stamped in SU! Melon Mambo and cut out and adhered to the card using foam adhesive. I added some glitter to the wording for that little added sparkle.

A perfect card to give to that special someone in your life, not just for Valentine's Day but anytime! I'm not so patiently waiting for the delivery guy today, yummy new stamps are soon to be inked ;) and there is much to be done in preparation for their arrival, I had best get to it! Until tomorrow, thank you for stopping by today & have a lovely day.

Supplies
Card Stock: SU! Basic Black & Melon Mambo. White from stash
Ink: SU! Melon Mambo
Stamps: Uniko Studio Always & Forever and All Occasion Sentiments #5
Accessories: Hero Arts Prisma Glitter

Watercolour LOVE

Hey!

The watercolour trend in paper crafting has been around for sometime now and it is a trend I've not really dabbled in much until yesterday when I was inspired to join in on the current CASE Study challenge seen HERE and below...

The current muse over on CASE Study this month is the FABulous Donna Mikasa, be sure to check out Donna's blog HERE for tons more inspiration.

Here's my take on the inspiration...

I started out by stamping the LOVE & you in VersaMark ink and heat embossing it with white embossing powder. I then used a aqua painter to paint the SU! Rose Red watercolour effect over the top. I love the emboss resist technique which I also used recently on THIS card. 

I used the colour directly from my ink pad, simply squishing it together a little on the lid of the ink pad. You could also stamp it onto the edge of a cutting mat or piece of acetate. A few rhinestones finished the panel off which is adhered to the base card using foam adhesive.

This was a fun & simple card to make using a very versatile trend and technique, one that I think I will explore a little more! That's all from me today, I will be back tomorrow with more to share. Until then, thank you for stopping by :)

Supplies

Card Stock: White from stash

Ink: VersaMark. SU! Rose Red

Stamps: Uniko Studio All Occasion Sentiments #3 and #5

Accessories: Rhinestones

Love Hearts

Hey!

Today I have a couple more cards to share from Saturday, these I made during the demo, just a couple of ideas I had sketched out prior to doing the demo...

This first card uses the 'Love You' heart from Always & Forever paired with a trio of mini hanging glittered hearts.

The second combines the Always & Forever set with this months featured set Accent Essentials: Arrows.

I love this colour combo and the angles and multi directional flow of arrows. The embossed & raised 'Love You' heart draws the main focus and the point of the heart towards the 'Always & Forever 'sentiment.

Short & sweet from me today, I'm working on some exciting things for the upcoming February Release, one of which is a NEW website with LOTS of NEW & exciting features (with hubby's much needed help & knowledge!). Best get on as he has given me tasks to accomplish! 

Until tomorrow, thank you for stopping by today :)

Supplies

Card Stock: PTI Kraft. SU! Bermuda Bay. White & Red from stash

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

Stamps: Uniko Studio Always & Forever & Accent Essentials: Arrows

Accessories: Stampedous! Crystal EP. Foam Adhesive. Hero Arts Prisma Glitter

Heart of Gold

Hey & Happy Friday!

Whoohoo! It's the weekend & there is LOTS going on here at Uniko Studio HQ this weekend, firstly I am at The Paperlane tomorrow from 10 am doing a demo and from 2 pm I will be running the class. Secondly, it's the first Design Team Blog Hop of 2014 tomorrow. It's a non release month here at Uniko Studio, so we will be revisiting a previously released set & of course there is a prize up for grabs too!

Anyway, I made a little card this morning to share with you all...

A little card with a whole lot of LOVE! I 'loosely' based my card on the current CAS(E) this Sketch! challenge sketch seen HERE and below. I wanted to be a bit more 'artistic' with my approach to the sketch rather than just copying the images used in the sketch.

What do you think? Can you see the sketch layout in my card? I hope you can. I couldn't resist a good dose of gold glitter to fill in the heart and add some sparkle!

That's all from me today, short & sweet as I've the class kits to pack and sketch out some card ideas for the demo. One last bit of info before I go, it's 50% Friday over on the WEBSITE. For today only FREE SHIPPING is half price, which means that you only need to spend £25 instead of £50 to qualify for free shipping. Plus there are a few offers & 10% off a selection of products to make room for the February Release! 

Thanks for stopping by today :) hope to see you tomorrow! 

Supplies

Card Stock: SU! Real Red & Basic Black. White from stash

Ink: VersaMagic Red Magic & VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio All Occasion Sentiments #5, Accent Essentials: Arrows & Label Love: Thank you
Accessories: Masking Paper & Gold Glitter

Merry Christmas!

Hey & Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's here at last it's Christmas Eve and the festivities are truly underway. I wanted to stop by & thank you all my dear friends, I truly appreciate all the friendships I've made, all the comments you leave and all the support & custom you each give to me & Uniko Studio. Without you I wouldn't LOVE the my job and this hobby of ours as much as I do.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Holiday Season filled with Peace, Love & Joy. 

Just a little close up of the card I made for my husband & one last snowflake for you all to enjoy! I'll be back on Saturday with the last 'The Saturday Show' of 2013. Until then, eat, drink & be merry!

With Love to You ALL

Butterflies & Hearts

Hey!

Happy weekend to you all :) So, I've been without the internet for a day & felt like my arm was cut off! Lol! Luckily they came out today to fix the problem and I'm now back up and running, Yay! 

Today I have a card to share that I made a few days ago...

A lovely girly butterflies & hearts card! I used the reverse masking technique on my card for the stamped heart shape. I simply punched a heart shape from some copy paper and temporarily adhered it to the card and then stamped the trio of flowers from BRIGHT Butterflies. Such a simple technique that I rarely use but will try to remember to use it more often! 

That's all I have to share today, but I'll be back again tomorrow afternoon with another project or two to share, until then, thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Supplies

Card Stock: WPlus9 White, PTI Hibiscus Burst

Ink: Stampin' Up! Regal Rose & Summer Sun, VersaFine Onyx Black, 

Stamps: Uniko Studio BRIGHT Butterflies, Pure Florals: Gerbera

Accessories: Stampin' Up! Heart Punch, Fiskars Threading Water Punch, PTI Hawaiian Shores Ribbon, Foam Adhesive