Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I wanted to pop by to wish you all a lovely Christmas from my family to yours and as this year draws to a close I want to thank each and everyone of you for being a part of Uniko Studio. Without you it would not be possible for me to follow my dream of being a stamp designer and owner of this little company.

Thank you for bearing with me as I settle into a routine with my new bundles and juggle running Uniko Studio, your love, friendship and support since they arrived has been overwhelming and it really shows how a passion and hobby can create a warm & friendly community. 

This year I said to my husband, I'm not making Christmas cards this year as I haven't time and low and behold the only day I had to myself last Friday I spent it making these!! I just couldn't resist using this photo of the beans dressed in their Christmas outfits!

One thing I love to do is dress them up and take photos! It's quite hard to entertain two 16 week old babies and by being silly and trying to get them to laugh and smile for photos not only entertains them, but me too and makes life all the more fun ;) 

I'm also here to remind you that there is still TIME to join in on the fun over at TIME OUT Challenges, if you find the 'inkling' and you're not too stuffed after your dinner and want a little TIME OUT why not have a little crafty time and make a card to join in on the challenge HERE.

Ok, that's all from me today! Enjoy your day & I'll be back again later this week with more to share, until then thank you for stopping by :)

TIME OUT Challenge - Inspired By Words

Hey!

YAY, I finally found a spare few minutes to be creative and make a card for the current challenge over at TIME OUT Challenges. I don't know about you, but this time of year is crazy busy and fitting in Christmas preparations with two little ones I need even more hours in a day! 

Anyway, it's challenge #21 over at TIME OUT Challenges, the last for 2014 and we are back to being inspired by words, the phrase for this fortnights challenge is...

Christmas is love with all the trimmings

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

I was inspired by the words Christmas & trimmings and decided to use the recently release Background Builders: Vines Winter Additions to create a bough of holly. I added a little bit of Wink of Stella to the holly leaves (Thank you Sarah & sorry I am naughty & didn't wait to open my gift on Christmas Day!) and the sentiment is from Jolly Christmas.

As I had a little time to 'play' and also not used a challenge for sometime I decided to use the current CAE(E) this Sketch! layout seen HERE and below.

This fortnight we have a lovely guest designer joining us, Shirley, be sure to stop by Shirley'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

Sherry

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.

Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop WINNER!

Hey!

I'm a little later than I had planned to announce the winner of the Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop, as I got caught up in Christmas card making and lots of Christmas preparations! I'm sure it's the same for you....?

Anyway, the winner of the ENTIRE Christmas release for commenting on the blog hop as chosen by Random.org is...

Comment #19 is...

Shona Chambers13 December 2014 at 04:38

All of your cards are spectacular and can't believe you had time to make them all with your gorgeous little ones wanting Mummy all to themselves. I fell in love with the latest release and have been very jealous of my friend Sarah (Funky Fossil Designs) who has been using them all with such pizazz. I especially love the Rustic Xmas tree and the background builders. Would so love to win the stamps, so will cross all my fingers and toes!!!

Congratulations Shona! Obviously crossing all your fingers and toes worked! Send me your snail mail address to [beverley at unikostudio dot com] and I will get your prize package it the mail to you.

Also as promised I am giving a gift certificate prize to the two entries in the linky who shared their projects with me, as there is only two of you I am splitting the prize between you. 

Congratulations to Wei Wei & Susan, send me an email to [beverley at unikostudio dot com] and I will get your eGift Certificate code to you to spend in store.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to hop along with the team & I and also for those who left a comment. I'll be back next week with a project or two to share with you before the BIG day arrives! Until then, thank you for stopping by today.

More Christmas Inspiration

Hey!

The design team members abroad finally got their hands on their Christmas Release stamps and have created an awesome array of beautiful cards & I thought I'd share a few of them here and direct you to their posts.

First up is this CAS beauty from Amber...

Amber has used Rustic Christmas and embossed it on a beautiful watercolour background. Be sure to check out Amber's other cards HERE.

Next we have another CAS beauty, this time from Nicki...

Nicki has used Background Builders: Vines Winter Additions to create the wreath & the sentiment is from Simply Said Christmas. Be sure to stop on by Nicki's blog HERE to see more awesome creations.

Last but by no means least N@Ali has a flurry of cards on here blog HERE to inspire you using the new sets. I chose this card to share with you here...

Ok, that's all for today, I will be back tomorrow with the winner of the Countdown to Christmas blog hop. Until then, thank you for stopping by today :)

[Uniko Studio Challenge] No. 16 Winners

Hey!

Wow, wow, WOW! What a FABulous amount of entries for our last challenge of 2014 :) It's been absolutely amazing seeing all your wonderful creations and I am slowly working my way around to you all to leave a comment. 

Anyway, lets get to this round's winners...

Firstly, we have the randomly selected winner who entered the challenge using a Uniko Studio product. And the winner is.... Lucy F, who created this cute card and used a Uniko Studio sentiment from Peace On Earth.

Congrats Lucy, send me an email to [beverley at unikostudio dot com] to receive your £10 Gift Certificate and to organise your Guest Design Team spot for the next challenge.

Now we get to the Winner and Top 3 from all the entries as voted by the team. AND the winner is.... KT Fit Kitty with this awesome creation, we love the cute kitty and the festive stripes which reflect nicely with candy cane the kitty is leaning against, very festive too :)

Congrats KT Fit Kitty, you created a wonderful array of cards for this challenge :) Please contact [beverley at unikostudio dot com] to claim your £20 Gift Certificate and to arrange for your Guest Design Spot! :)

Now there were SO many wonderful entries the DT had a hard time voting for the top 3 for this challenge, but in no particular order they are...

Monika

Shona

Wei Wei

Congratulations ladies, send me an email to [beverley at unikostudio dot com] to claim your £5 Gift Certificate.

A BIG thank you to everyone who played along with this challenge, we loved seeing all of your creations :) As this was the last challenge of 2014, we hope to see you play along again next year! 

Until then, thank you for stopping by today & have a wonderful Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Welcome!

Hey!

I hope you all enjoyed our new release and if you haven't been hopping HERE.....get to it now!!

We are very excited to be introducing 2 new Design Team Members. They have both been entering our challenges for a while now and we love the cards they make. We are honoured that they are joining our team.

Here they are:

Sarah

Her blog is Sazzle Dazzle Crafts

Hi there, I am so very pleased to be joining the Uniko Design Team, I love the stamps and have been using them for a while now and am over the moon that I am now on this creative and inspiring team. I live in Kendal in the North of England with my hubby of 20 years and two teenagers aged 19 and 17 plus a Cavalier KC Spaniel called Cookie who is the baby at 7 years old. I started crafting over 10 years ago, initially having visited my local Hobbycraft and basically bought everything in sight! ;-) I went to a few card making classes at a local paper factory and it all started from there. I came quite late to blogging and having followed others for inspiration for a while my techi son suggested setting one up for me; that was May 2013. Since then I'm an addicted blogger and card maker and when not working as a Finance Manager or spending time with the family I'm hidden away in my newly acquired craft room. I'd like to think my style is Clean and Simple although I have used lots of different styles in the past whilst trying to establish my own style. As my blog name suggests I love anything that dazzles and sparkles and try to include this in my cards. 

Here is one of Sarah's card using cards Uniko stamps, Now can you see why we wanted her on our team-how fabulous is this!!

               

Deborah

Her blog is Deborah's Gems

Hi, I’m Deborah – I am one very happy lady right now – I got a wonderful email recently asking if I’d like to join the Uniko Studio Design Team. Silly question! I immediately replied YES, YES! I love Beverley’s stamps and it’s such an honour to be part of the team using her fab stamps.

Like many crafters, I started off as a child, making cards, little books and then moving onto embroidery, cross stitch and I’ve even tried knitting! I’ve always taken photo and made scrapbooks to display them.

I became seriously hooked on card making after receiving a handmade card from a friend. I started off small with a few boxes and the kitchen worktop as my studio. When we moved to North Wales in 2006 my small craft space got somewhat bigger, and now that I’m in the US my craft room has exploded!!

Here is one of Deborah's cards using Uniko Stamps. A stunnung card and I bet you can see why we had to have Deborah join the Uniiko Team!!

Both Sarah and Deborah will be joining us in January. 

A very big welcome from us all at Uniko and I hope you will all take some time to visit their blogs and show them some love!

Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop

Hey!

I'm SUPER happy you've stopped by today as there is lots going on here at Uniko Studio HQ, so be sure to grab a drink, get comfy & enjoy todays post!

You may or may not know that the 2015 Christmas Release was a little different this year and we didn't have our usual release countdown or blog hop on release day. Today, some of the Design Team & I are here with a Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop to maybe give you a few more last minute ideas & inspiration for  your Christmas cards! 

If you missed seeing the reveal of the Christmas Release you can catch up on it HERE. I've quite a few projects to show you using the new sets, so I will get straight to it...

This first card uses Rustic Christmas which features this lovely focal point tree a few embellishment stamps and sentiments.

I kept the card really simple and it could easily be a mail friendly card by not adhering the focal panel with foam adhesive. A quick and easy way of adding sparkle to your cards is to used double sided tape and sprinkle it with fine glitter, that's how I created the sparkly stripes.

Next up are a trio of cards which use Background Builders: Vines Winter Additions...

For this first card I have used various stamps from the set to frame a sentiment stamped in gold from Simply Said Christmas.

A simple wreath card framing another of the sentiments from Simply Said Christmas...

I really LOVED this card HERE that I had to make another version of it...

The sentiment is from Label Love: Christmas and the ornament and bird from Rustic Christmas. I added some subtle gold berries to the fern which you can just about see in this close up...

And my last card for today uses BIG & BOLD - Snow...

I paired the smaller sentiments and snowflake flourish, which are embossed in stardust EP with a sparkly die cut snowflake using Designer Dies Snowflakes & a stamped snowflake background using Background Builders: Christmas.

Ok, that's all from me, but before we get to the hop we have some farewells to say to a couple of our current Design Team members. 

Sadly Ren-Yi & Taheerah are stepping down from the team :( It's not goodbye to either of them, rather farewell as I know that we will still see them around in blog land & inspiring us with their creations, hopefully they will still use their Uniko Studio goodies from time to time ;) Be sure to pop by their blogs to wish them well on their adventures HERE and HERE. Even though Ren-Yi isn't taking part in the hop she would love a little comment of appreciation on her blog!

Thank you Ren-Yi & Taheerah for your hard work & friendship here at Uniko Studio, you will both be truly missed. xxx

Now how about some inspiration from the FABulous Design Team...

Erika

Gillian

Taheerah

Sandie

Be sure to comment along the hop for your chance to win the ENTIRE 2015 Christmas Release, or if you already own them a Gift Certificate for the same value. 

I've seen quite a few creations around blog land already using the sets released, so if you would like to link your creations up below in the linky for others to see you could be an additional randomly selected winner of a £10 Gift Certificate to spend in store!

An InLinkz Link-up

Don't forget there is still time to enter this months Anything Goes Challenge HERE for yet another chance to win!

Now that really is all for today, I'll be back tomorrow with more to share, until then, thank you for stopping by today & happy hopping! 

[Uniko Studio Challenge] #16 Revisited - Guest Designer

* This is my 2st post of the day,click HERE for my TIME OUT Challenges card *

Hey!

Today we have our winner of Challenge #15 and Guest Designer Susan from Paper, Card, Ribbon & Flowers with us to share a reminder project for Challenge #16. Now, you will want to keep reading as Jane has wonderful piece inspiration for you.

Hi Susan here ~ I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the fantastic Uniko Studio team this week as a Guest Designer.  

When I was chosen as the winner last challenge and then Beverley  invited me I was so excited, how could I refuse?  

I only found Uniko Studio earlier this year and am delighted I did!

Okay I won't waffle on any longer, here are my cards for this month's mid challenge reminder.....

For the Challenge this month we have a few options:

Anything Goes

or

Anything Goes & the sketch:

You have until December 14th 09:00 UK time, to link your card up below. 

The Challenge Rules:

• Winners will be announced by December 17th
• Please add the Uniko Studio Challenge badge & link back to the challenge 
• If you don't have a blog to link back to the challenge, don't worry. Just use "USC"+<challenge number> as your tag. For example, for the second challenge "USC2" and upload it to a gallery. Or send Beverley an email (beverley@unikostudio.com) and she will add your entry for you.
• Use any product to create your card which fits the challenge theme & be in the chance of winning a £20 Gift Certificate or placed in the Top 3 and winning a £5 Gift Certificate.
• Showcase any Uniko Studio product: clear stamps, dies, digital pattern paper, digital cut files, or digital stamps. If you haven't purchased any Uniko Studio products, fear not. Plenty of freebies here, AND be in the chance of being a randomly selected winner of a £10 Gift Certificate.
• You can enter more than once as long as it is a new project each time! 

We can't wait to see your creations. Come play along!

An InLinkz Link-up

TIME OUT Challenges - CASE with your own twist

* This is my 1st post of the day, be sure to pop back at 9am for Uniko Studio's Winner of Challenge #15 Guest Design Post *

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 who doesn't really need much of an introduction here at Uniko Studio as Aimes used to be part of the DT here.

Aimes

This is Aimes' Fabulous card to CASE...

Here is my CASE with a twist...

Instead of reaching for the same stamp set Aimes has used (Stunning Snowflakes), I decided to show you a card using the NEW BIG & BOLD - Snow set. I've used the smaller sentiments contained in the set along with all the snowflakes and snowflake flourish.

I've heat embossed the sentiment and the snowflake flourish with Stardust embossing powder for that extra sparkle. This was also one of the cards we made on Sunday at the Uniko Studio class at The Paperlane.

Which reminds me to tell you there are still places left on Saturday's classes all the details HERE.

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

Sandie

Nonni

Lynn

Sherry

Lisa

Gerrina

Dawn

Sarah

Shona

Elizabeta

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.

Supplies

Card Stock: White (Boyes) SU! Real Red

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black. Encore Silver

Stamps: Uniko Studio Stunning Snowflakes, Label Love: Birthday & Pure Florals: Poinsettia

Accessories: Stardust EP. Rhinestones

A Special Thanks to Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Blog Hop

Today there is a HUGE blog hop taking place to honour and say thank you to an awesome magazine & all the people who have been a part of Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking as sadly it is no longer to be, leaving a huge hole within the paper crafting community.

I cannot recall the exact date I came across Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine, but I have a feeling that it was back in 2005 when I was on my jolly holidays in Orlando Florida and I came across the magazine in the craft store Michaels. Then when I started blogging back in 2008 as a hobby I became more familiar with it. 

My greatest memory & moment was when I was contacted by Susan Opel who asked if Uniko Studio would like to be featured. Well, I jumped at the chance, what an honour. The stamp set being featured was my first stamp set I launched back in February 2012, Today, Tomorrow & Always Time. I sent some sets across the pond for their designers to work their magic with.

To say I was beyond excited when I saw that Laura Bassen, Kim Kesti and Lisa Johnson had all worked their magic with the set. Below is the card by Laura...

Anyway, I had to join in and send my thanks to ALL that are involved with the magazine to let them know how much they have been an inspiration to me, for giving my little company a chance & to be featured and also to let them know how much they will be missed, not only by me but a huge amount of people in the paper crafting community. 

This card is dedicated to them...

I think this was the hardest card to make thinking of what products to use, I finally settle for a couple of NEW releases from Uniko Studio's Christmas collection. Background Builders: Vines Winter Additions and Rustic Christmas, all the supplies are listed below.

So, thank you Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking for all that you have brought to not only me but the whole paper crafting community. I'm sure this blog hop will show how many people you have touched and inspired AND how BIG a loss you will be within the community.

If you've just stumbled upon this hop you can start at the beginning HERE at Jennifer McGuire's blog, but if you've been hopping along you should have come from Danielle Walls of Neat & Tangled and your next stop along the way is Tracey McNeely of In My Creative Opinion.

Enjoy the hop & thank you for stopping by :)

Supplies
Card Stock: SU! Old Olive. White (Boyes)
Ink: VersaMagic Tea Leaves & Red Magic. VersaFine Onyx Black
Stamps: Uniko Studio Background Builders: Vines Winter Additions, Rustic Christmas, Flower Power #3 and Label Love: Thank you.
Accessories: Foam Adhesive