DT Inspiration - Use a Stencil with watercolour pencils

Hello and happy weekend to everybody!

It's time for another DT-Inspiration!

As always I made cards with a stencil for you.
This time I used the Uniko Stencil "Scattered Polka Dots".

Let's get started!
I traced the stencil edges with my watercolour pencils on a mix media paper (it's a great paper for different kind of techniques qith many different colours or mediums).
To activate the watercolours I added droplets of clear water on every little circle with a pipette, waited a while and then moved the water very carefully with a small brush to mix every droplet with the solved pigments.

Cause these added waterdrops were so beautiful, I took some photos before and after I mixed the colours.
See it here:

Different shades of blue with waterdrops on top.

The whole blue-dotted paper with waterdrops.

The unsolved and the solved colours with waterdrops on top.

My plan was, to wait until the droplets were dry and then use the paper.
It took a long while (was an over-night-process!) but then all the water was gone and I had little watercoloured dots... They were beautiful, but in my mind were still the pictures of the little "water-hills"... and these flat colour-dots wer not really spectacular!
So I decided to change my plan, added Glossy Accents on the one and clear Nuvo Drops on the other paper and let it dry again.
The result was almost as amazing as the water-version!

I combined both backgrounds with the "Big & Bold Happy Stamps and coordinating Dies" and the second one also with the "Wonderful Day Stamps".
The stamped parts of the sentiments were heat embossed both times.

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For the first card I coloured the front of the happy DieCut word with the same two blue watercolour pencils and added water like I did for the background. To speed the process a bit I used my heat tool to dry the water this time.
I cut and adhered my polka dot background on the cardbase.
Then I adhered the blue "happy" layer on the shadow DieCut of the word and glued it with little dimensional pads on the card front.
To finish the bold word I covered it with glossy accents (like the background dots).
While this layer was drying I stamped and heat embossed the Everything anf adhered it also with dimensional pads on the front of the card.
(The dimensional pads were necessary cause of the dimensional drops of the background.)

 

Finished blue "Happy Everything" card.

Finished blue "Happy Everything" card.

Detail of the blue "Happy Everything" card - DieCut with glossy coating.

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For the second card I coloured the stencil edges in rainbow colours, spread over the page.

I mixed the water and the pigments as I did on the other card, but during the drying process there developed darker rings on the outside. I like this optic, cause it reminds me more on the look of the waterdrops. So I just added the clear Nuvo Drops.

Rainbows always makes me happy, So I included this feeling in my sentiment and heat embossed "Oh happy day!" on a banner-strip of Vellum.

The watercolourd drops were mounted on a bit bigger piece of light green cardstock and then on the card base.

Colourful "Oh happy day!" card

Detail of the different elements.

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I think this technique works great with a stencil with small open areas, but maybe a bigger  pattern will give also great results?! Let's give it a try!
I hope I inspired you to stretch your creative muscles and try (or re-use) a not-so-popular-technique with your stencils! - Would love to read in the comments, what you tried out and which results you got!


Have a great and creative day!

Greetings from Wiebke

Simple Stamping and Stenciling~Uniko Studio DT Inspiration

Hello,

Carol here, 'giving some love' to a variety of my Uniko stamps and stencils today; hopefully, my trio will make you smile and, perhaps, even offer a bit of inspiration (which would thrill me to bits and pieces!).  Nothing super-duper fancy, as you'll see; rather, just a whole lot of inking, a bit of dry embossing and a curved panel die cut.  Clean and simple; the kind of card to make when time is at a premium.

As all three share the same design, I'll just dive in with the basic ingredients and 'how-to'...

Card 1

Lower panel: base of Tattered Rose Distress Oxide 

(I used Bristol cardstock for this section; Michael's heavy weight cardstock for the top portion)

Stencil: Nature's Treasures II; Tea Dye Distress Oxide

Stamp: English Country Garden: Butterflies

Sentiment:  Simply Said

Card 2

Lower panel: dry embossed (hard to see in the photo, but definitely there)

Stencil: Fun Flower

Stamp: Fun Flower; stenciled with Ripe Persimmon Distress Oxide; leaves with Versafine Clair)

Sentiment:  Simply Said

 Card 3

Lower panel: base of Distress Oxides - Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire

Stencil: Let It Snow; Stormy Sky Distress Oxide

Stamp: Stunning Snowflakes; various ME pigment inks (I love pigment inks...just sayin')

Sentiment:  Simply Said; and 'Winter' from Stunning Snowflakes

So...I'm ready with two birthday cards and one 'just because'! Easy to recreate! If you decide to give these techniques/styles a go, do let me know! I'm always on the lookout for dazzling inspiration and ways to elevate the way I use my Uniko stamps, stencils and dies!

Have a wonderful day!!

DT Inspiration - stenciled resist technique

Hello, Wiebke here to share some inspiration with you!

For today I made a colourful "sound card" with a stenciled resist technique.

The Uniko products I've used are the Equaliser stencil and a combination of the stamp sets Life is a Song & Most Wonderful.

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Magic of Music

Magic of Music - Detail

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About this card & technique:

For the stenciled resist technique I first applied a clear embossing paste through the Equaliser stencil onto the paper. After it was complete dry I started adding the colours - this time I used Zig Clean Color Real Brushes and blended them with a moisturised cloth and a brush and some water.

(When you don't have clear embossing paste you can also use clear embossing powder - apply the embossing ink through the stencil and then add the powder - don't forget to use a antistatic powder tool before!)

The embossed areas will stay white / in the colour of your paper and pop out of any colourful background!

Some colours tint clear products - if you want it really clear you need to check the combination of your materials before!

In this case it was ok for me to get some staining, it reminds me more to the old "Winamp Music tool"! ;-)

I cut down my paper in the shape of the equaliser blocks (with a similar edge around) and adhered it to my cardbase. The sentiment is a combination of two different Uniko stamp sets - Life is a Song & Most Wonderful,

To repeat the clear part of the background I used clear embossing powder for the first part of my sentiment "believe in the magic of" and white powder for the "music" and the note.

To add some sparkle, I drew a slim line around the sentiment with the amazing Sakura Gelly Roll - clear star pencil.

The headphones are a die cut (sorry, I have no brand name). I combined a normal black and a pearlescent black paper to get some optical dimension. The shells are adhered on the card with some 3D pads, for the rest I used a strong fluid glue.

To get the full list of all used supplies please hop to my blog.

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Musical greetings from Wiebke.

TIME OUT Challenges - CASE With Your Own Twist

Hey!

It's time for the next challenge over at TIME OUT Challenges. This fortnight is a CASE challenge, with your own twist. This month we have an awesome muse, Deepti from Dee's Art Utopia.

Along with having an awesome muse to CASE, Deepti is giving an awesome prize away for this challenge. You may or may not know that Deepti has designed her first stamp set and it is for sale HERE through Stamplorations. Though you have the chance to WIN a set by joining in on the challenge :)

Here is Deepti's card we are CASEing...

And here how I was inspired...

I used a combination of Uniko Studio stamps to create this card, Background Builders: Squared (back in stock soon), Flower Power #2 and #6 and Background Builders: Vines. I was inspired by the checked section at the top of Deepti's card, the flowers and the colours.

Here is a closer look at the stamped squares and detail I added using a tiny flower from Background Builders: Vines...

Ok, that's all from me today, but there is much more inspiration over at TIME OUT Challenges. This fortnight we have a lovely guest designer joining us, Maura, be sure to stop by Maura s Splitcoast Stampers Page HERE to see how she was inspired by the photo and of course the FABulous TIME OUT Challenges Design Team...

Sandie

Lynn

Sherry

Lisa

Gerrina

Sarah

Shona

Anita

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

Eclectic Mix

Hey & Happy Sunday!

The above offer is still on over on the website HERE, if there is something on your wish list don't leave it till the last minute as some stock is running low!!

Anyway, today I have a card using an eclectic mix of stamps and a few of my current favourites...

I love the little filmstrip frame from Strike a Pose! and I've so many ideas floating round my head to use it and this was one of them :) I combined it with English Country Garden - Butterflies, Background Builders: Vines and the sentiment from A Gift For You.

Both the filmstrip frame and butterfly have some sparkle to them added through heat embossing...

It's a mix of sunshine and showers kind of Bank Holiday weekend here in the North East, perfect for a spot of crafting, which is what I will be doing until it's time for dinner at the PIL :) I hope you're all having a lovely weekend & until tomorrow, thank you for stopping by today.

Supplies
Card Stock: White (Boyes)
Ink: SU! Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie & Summer Sun. PTI Spring Moss. VersaFIne Onyx Black
Stamps: Uniko Studio A Gift For You, Background Builders: Vines (Back in stock 10th Sept), English Country Garden - Butterflies and Strike a Pose! 
Accessories: Foam Adhesive, Stardust EP & SU! Vellum. 

'Getting to Know Me' Blog Hop

* This is my 3rd post of the day, the Uniko Studio Challenge #13 is HERE & the Surprise Bridal Shower for Ren-Yi HERE*

Hey Again!

WOW! Three posts in one day, it has to be a record for me! This post is a little different and you might want to get comfy before you read on!

A couple of weeks ago I was 'tagged' by the lovely Rebecca of Mellymoo Papercrafting and also Sarah from Sazzle Dazzle Crafts to see if I would take part in this 'Getting to Know Me' Blog Hop. I love things like this and was truly honoured to be 'tagged' by two people who find my creations inspiring, so I couldn't refuse! 

Both Rebecca and Sarah are truly talented and make wonderful creations, so be sure to stop by their blogs for a browse and be inspired. I have tagged some equally talented, enthusiastic and inspirational card makers / crafters at the end of the post, who would also love you to visit their space in blogland! 

Ok, so onto the questions & hopefully you will find it inspiring and you will 'get to know me' a little bit more!

1. What creative projects are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on a little series of blog posts called 'A Stamp Set a Day', for when I am in hospital giving birth to the 'lil beans and also for the first couple of weeks. It is also a good opportunity to take a fresh look at each of the Uniko Studio clear stamp sets and 'stretch' them a little further (inspired by my recent participation in the online card class 'Stretch Your Stamps 2). Here is a little snap shot of one of the sets I've been 'playing' with...

I am also always working on new stamp set designs and ideas for next years releases! Being limited with how mobile I am at the moment has given me lots of time to sit and design on the laptop :)

2. What inspires your designs?

I gain inspiration from a lot of places for my card designs...

Challenges: Followers of my blog here will know that I love to join in on challenges around blogland. Firstly they are fun and get you thinking and using supplies, colours or layouts you might not necessarily use without the challenge. It is also a way of being part of such a wonderful online community and making friends who share the same passion.

Pinterest: I LOVE Pinterest! You can see my Pinterest boards HERE. I pin all sorts of things from cards that inspire me, colour combinations to trends that appear in the crafting world as well as fashion and interiors.

Other bloggers: I first started blogging back in 2008 when my mum passed away, it was a form of escapism and card making was a passion I shared with my mum so I had a void that needed filling.

I started out being inspired by the wonderful people over at Hero Arts and particularly then Jennifer McGuire. I then became aware of other companies and became a fan of Papertrey Ink and was inspired by the designers like Nichole Heady, Dawn McVey and Maile Belles.

I could mention SO many other people who & have inspired me but I'm sure you'd get a little bored!

3. What method or process do you apply to each creative project and how long does each project take to complete?

I don't have a set method or process when creating cards. It varies as to whether I choose a colour combination, layout or stamp set to use first and then the other elements seem to fall into place. Though I wouldn't say that happens ALL the time! Like most people I get creative block and thats when I turn to challenges. Not all the cards I make end up on the blog as they don't always turn out the way I imagined them to be.

Time on each project varies too from 10 minutes to 60 minutes or more. Clean & Simple doesn't always imply quick! I tend to stay between 10 - 30 minutes, as I am always itching to get onto the next card. I don't seem to have the patience to sit and colour like I used too!

4. If you had to describe your 'signature' style what would it be?

My signature style now is definitely Clean & Simple (CAS), it can sometimes be clean and graphic too and very VERY occasionally I sometimes go out of my comfort zone and add a few more layers!

5. What three crafting tools/products can you not live without?

This is a tough one as like most crafters I have a lot of tools and supplies I use or stash away in the studio, though recently I have been ruthless and got rid of a lot of things that hadn't seen daylight for a year or more!

1. I'd have to say my Big Shot, I love it for all my die cutting.
2. Double sided tape, I use it for adhering everything!
3. My SU! Grid paper pad that I use on my work space. It not only gives me a cushioned area for stamping but also allows me to 'test' stamp and work out layouts and colours. Saving me from ruining precious card! 

And finally two more inspirational, enthusiastic and talented bloggers whom I have 'tagged' to follow on the 'Getting to Know Me' Blog Hop next Monday! It was a tough choice and there are loads of people I could have tagged, but I decided that I would go with a couple of wonderful, loyal and creative customers of Uniko Studio who inspire me...

Firstly Sarah from Funky Fossil Designs. I would describe Sarah's card making style as 'eclectic CAS as even the cards she makes with wonderful inked backgrounds or those with more elements are perfectly executed and edge on the CAS side.

Be sure to stop on by Sarah's BLOG and have a browse, you won't be disappointed :)

The second person who inspires me is Carol from Just Me: c, Carol is a happy enthusiastic paper crafter! She has a heart of gold and leaves the most uplifting and supportive comments on SO many blogs. Not only does Carol's friendliness and enthusiasm inspire me, but her creations do too...

I would describe Carol's card making style as 'eclectic CAS too as even the cards she makes with more elements, like this second card are perfectly executed and edge on the CAS side. Be sure to pop on by Carol's BLOG for more wonderful inspiration and an uplift of enthusiasm :)

I look forward to next Monday when I will 'Get to Know' these two wonderful paper crafters a little more :)

You'll be glad to know that this is all from me today!! I will be back tomorrow however with the August Release Day Blog Hop WINNER and a card, until then, thank you for stopping by today!

A Few Things...

Hey!

Wow, what a busy weekend and start to the week here in The Studio. It's been that busy I haven't had time to ink my stamps and make a card :( 

So instead I thought I'd share a few cards I've spotted around blogland...

First up are these beauties from Deborah...

Pure Florals: Gerbera paired with Wonderful Washi in such calming pastel tones is simply stunning. I love how the longest Washi ribbon draws you down to the sentiment on the card. 

How about some gold snowflakes?

Deborah used Decorative Doilies - The Hands of Time to create this wonderful Christmas card, such perfect embossing. Be sure to check out Deborah's blog HERE to see more stunning creations.

Next up is Sue...

This CAS Pure Florals: Gebera card is just perfect, the placement and colouring and the choice of sentiment is just lovely.

Sue has also been using the Super Free Saturday kit from September to make this Halloween card...

Be sure to pop over to Sue's blog HERE to see more lovely creations.

I've one more card to share with you today from Vicki...

Vicki has used this months Super FREE Saturday kit that was released on Saturday HERE and you can download it HERE. I LOVE that big red bauble paired with the chevrons, this card has certainly got me in the Christmas spirit. Be sure to pop by Vicki's blog HERE, she has many wonderful projects to admire. 

So in other news, the NEXT Uniko Studio release is just around the corner and I can't wait to start sharing peeks with you all! 

I am also doing a Uniko Studio demo at The Paper Lane in Northallerton on Saturday 1st December 11 - 2pm. I am also running a CAS Christmas card class after the demo, for more information and to sign up for the class visit The Paper Lane website HERE.

I think that's all for today, I do hope all those on the East Coast are safe and well, thinking of you all who are and have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Hugs

10 Minutes Spare!

Hey!

I'm here today to share a card I made in less than 10 minutes for the 10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge seen HERE and below...

Being a CAS kinda girl I love a quick card and I also love it when it actually turns out how I intended it to! Here's my card...

This card took me 9 minutes 41.5 seconds. It took a little longer than I thought due to lining up the die cuts to stamp on so the pattern would match that on the card and also because I decided to stamp the sentiment in black ink rather than Hawaiian Shores which I had intended. 

Here's a close up of the star detail...

I just LOVE this colour combo on a dull Autumn day, it sure brightens up The Studio! That's all from me today, I'll be back again tomorrow with more to share. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Supplies

Card Stock: WPlus9 White

Ink: PTI Summer Sunrise, Raspberry Fizz & Hawaiian Shores. VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio Wonderful Washi and Extra Time

Accessories: Sizzix Framelits Star Dies, Quickie Glue Pen & Rhinestones

Washi TIME!

Hey!

I'm a little later than normal with my post today, with being away for a weekend there is much to catch up on and here at Uniko Studio we have some exciting Design Team announcements coming this Saturday plus exciting NEW products for release next month. You won't want to miss a second! Anyway,  I've got some Wonderful Washi paired with Today, Tomorrow & Always Time to share with you today...

My card LO was inspired by this one below that I came across on Pinterest...

Source: ourchangeofart.blogspot.com via Beverley on Pinterest

As soon as I saw it I knew that Wonderful Washi would be the perfect stamp set to use. I liked the large sentiment too and decided to use the on from Today, Tomorrow & Always Time. I added a little punched out sparkly heart for the finishing touch which also makes this card perfect for the current CAS-ual Fridays challenge HERE to incorporate a heart.

That's all from me today, until tomorrow thanks for stopping by.
Hugs

Supplies
Card Stock: WPlus9 White
Ink: SU! Pumpkin Pie, VersaFine Onyx Black
Stamps: Uniko Studio Wonderful Washi & Today, Tomorrow & Always Time
Accessories: SU! Mini Heart Punch, Foam Pads & Star Dust Stickles

Autumn Leaves

Hey!

There are many things I love about Autumn and one of them is Autumn leaves. The colours are at their best as the Autumn sun shines on them as they rustle in the crisp breeze. Inspired by that I created this card...

A super CAS card! I used the smaller outline leaf from Pure Florals: Gerbera and using a masking technique stamped them so they were layered. I used my Copic markers to colour them in. The sentiment is from Label Love: Thank you.

This card fits perfectly into a challenge over on the NEW to me CASology  challenge blog. I've been wanting to join in on the fun for a while now and found the time and inspiration to do so. Their current challenge HERE is...

I enjoyed using my Copic markers, it's relaxing to sit & colour, below is a close up of the leaves...

This CAS card is also perfect for the Addicted to Stamps & More current challenge HERE which is to make a CAS card/project.

That's all from me today, I hope you all have a lovely day. It's spa day on the hen weekend & I've been looking forward to my Indian Head Massage! 

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Supplies

Card Stock: WPlus9 White, PTI Kraft & Green from stash!

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa

Stamps: Uniko Studio Pure Florals: Gerbera & Label Love: Thank you

Accessories: PTI Button. Linen Thread. Corner Chomper

Modern Christmas

Hey!

Today is a good day & I've been looking forward to it since my old friends from work told me about it and invited  me. This afternoon I am off to Edinburgh for 2 nights for a Hen party which will include lots of laughs, catching up with old friends and making new friends, a spa afternoon, fancy dress & probably copious amounts of alcohol! 

Not to worry though I have a Modern Christmas project to share with you today & scheduled posts for tomorrow, Sunday & Monday - yep, it might take me that long to recover! It's been a while since I was on the loose with these girls! 

So, today's project is a Modern Christmas collection of cards...

For this little trio of cards I have used a modern non traditional Christmas colour scheme consisting of Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores & Raspberry Fizz. I've also kept it modern with those Doily Snowflakes, yep it's those sparkly doily snowflakes again! 

My card layout uses the current Retro Sketch seen HERE and below...

This was quite a layered sketch but I'm really happy how CAS I have managed to keep my card trio. I opted to use a silver shimmer CS for the 4 strips behind the main image panel which helps keep it CAS. If I had used patterned strips as I originally intended to it would have made the cards to busy & not CAS enough for a CAS girl like me! 

Here is a shot of one of the cards on their own...

And a close up of the sparkly doily snowflake...

I really am quite addicted to sparkly silver doily snowflakes! This little card trio is also suitable for the current 'Less Is More' Challenge HERE to use silver.

Well, that's all from me today, I hope your not too sick of seeing more doily snowflakes! I'll be back tomorrow with more to share. Have a FAB weekend.

Hugs

Supplies

Card Stock: WPlus9 White, PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores & Raspberry Fizz

Ink: Colour Box Silver Pigment, VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio Decorative Doilies - The Hands Of Time, PTI 2009 Holiday Tag Collection

Accessories: Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Rhinestones, Star Dust EP, Embroidery Floss, Foam Adhesive & Corner Chomper