Monday 30 November 2020

November / December 2020 Reveal & Release!

 Hey & Happy Monday!


Welcome to the November / December 2020 Reveal & Release!

Incase you missed the news on Friday, I shared some Sneak Peeks at some new products that will be available at 8pm GMT TODAY, Monday 30th November over on the website HERE

With all the craziness and uncertainty of 2020, I kept the hype of a final release for this year quiet incase things didn't go as planned. BUT I am super happy and excited to finally bring you some new designs.

On Saturday and Sunday I shared a couple of cards using two of the new stamp sets, be sure to have a look HERE and HERE. Plus leave a comment to be in the chance of winning a £5 eGift Code to spend in store. I will be announcing the randomly selected winners tomorrow on the blog as I start the Countdown to Christmas FUN on the blogs :)

Okay, let's get to the bit you've been waiting for and formally introduce the NEW clear stamps & stencil designs!



Block Party - Coffee Love £10
Copyright Uniko Ltd 2020


First up is Block Party - Coffee Love, the newest addition to the Block Party series of stamps. These single block stamps are designed in a subway art style with a mix of graphics and trendy fonts. This latest one is perfect for all the coffee loving paper crafters and card makers around the world! 

You might notice a few familiar elements from the previously released I LOVE Coffee clear stamp set and they coordinate beautifully together.

This is the only non-Christmas design for this release. I couldn't resist adding and squeezing in some NEW Uniko Christmas clear stamp sets before the big day ;)



Christmas Wishes £10
Copyright Uniko Ltd 2020


Introducing Christmas Wishes. As you can see this clear stamp set is a beautifully fresh and modern festive sentiment stamp set. I just love a good font and this one really makes an impact. The set features a mix of some of my favourite 'complete' sentiments (4) and also a range of 'mix and match' sentiments. 



Cracking Christmas £10
Copyright Uniko Ltd 2020


Introducing Cracking Christmas. This FUN, festive clear stamp set is drawn in a Pop Art style and is a Christmas 'spin-off' from the previously released and popular Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamps & Designer Dies. 

The stamp set features two halves of a pulled Christmas cracker, but they are designed in a way that they can be joined together for use in making interactive cards. The sentiments are in the same Pop Art style fonts and I've added a brand new style of explosion and accents which will work beautifully with the Explosion! range of products. 



Framed - Holly £10
Copyright Uniko Ltd 2020



Lastly, for the clear stamps we have the first in a series of clear stamp sets, Framed - Holly. These sets feature a main 'framed' image, along with some accent stamps. The images contained in the set are drawn in my modern, clean & simple with a touch of Originally Organic style!

That's all the clear stamps for this release, but I also have a couple of stencil designs...



Stencil - Christmas Pop Trio £3.50
Copyright Uniko Ltd 2020

First up is Christmas Pop Trio. You might just recognise these trees from the previously released Christmas Pop clear stamp set from a few years ago (which will be making a return). 

AND lastly, but by no means least...



Stencil - Explosion £3.50
Copyright Uniko Ltd 2020

Now before I go I do have a little trio of cards to share with you using a few of the new products. I know the release has been a little different this time with not as many samples and my awesome Brand Ambassadors have been absent for now. 

BUT, I have some fun posts planned in the Countdown to Christmas with a CHRISTMAS PARTY along the way! So there will be LOTS more inspiration using the new release products along with some older favourites.




First for today I had a go at making an interactive card using Cracking Christmas! It's pretty basic as I haven't made many interactive cards for a very long time. I started off by making a mini 10 x 10cm gate fold card and you might be able to see that I added the Framed - Holly on the folds. I used Ruby Red ink onto my red card stock so that it was a nice subtle pattern.




The cracker halves are stamped onto some turquoise striped patterned paper I had in my stash box and fussy cut out. I've adhered them using foam adhesive. 





As you can see when the card is opened it reveals an explosion with the sentiment. I have also used the Stencil - Explosion! for the solid area. 




Next I have another card using Framed - Holly...




This time I coloured and added some shaded areas using my Copic Markers. I'm a little out of practice using them, so it was fun to get some practice in with this stamp! 




The sentiment is from Festive Sentiments Outlined and I have stamped & embossed them onto black card & adhered them with foam adhesive. I added a few Nuvo Drops in Autumn Red to some of the berries for a little dimension and contrast. 


Lastly for today I couldn't resist using one of the Christmas Wishes sentiments...




I am wishing for the white stuff to appear every day! I am eager to go sledging with the boys again as it has been a couple of year since we had a good enough snowfall to do so :( 




So I had to make a snowflake card to make up for it! I used my favourite snowflake design from Stunning Snowflakes to pair with the sentiment. I have stamped & embossed the sentiment with my favourite Stardust embossing powder. 

I hope you have enjoyed this mini release and I would LOVE to know what is your favourite and what you would like to see more of in the coming days and during the Countdown to Christmas! 

I will randomly select another lucky comment from this post on Friday 4th December to win a £15 eGift Code to spend in store. So be sure to get your comments on the post before 9am GMT that day ;)

ALL the products will be available for purchase at 8pm GMT tonight!! Less than 30 minutes to go  - woohoo! 

Thank you for all the lovely comments so far here on the blog, the website and around social media. Your support is truly appreciated.

Crafty Hugs Bev x











Sunday 29 November 2020

Introducing... Block Party - Coffee Love AND Cracking Christmas

 Hey & Happy Saturday!


Welcome to Day 2 of the Nov/Dec 2020 product introductions. 

Incase you missed the news on Friday, I shared some Sneak Peeks at some new products that will be available at 8pm GMT Monday 30th November over on the website HERE

With all the craziness and uncertainty of 2020, I kept the hype of a final release for this year quiet incase things didn't go as planned. BUT I am super happy and excited to finally bring you some new designs.

Yesterday I shared a couple of cards using two of the new stamp sets, be sure to have a look HERE and leave a comment to be in the chance of winning a £5 eGift Code to spend in store.

Now lets see what I have made today...




First up is this quick Block Party - Coffee Love card. I used Distress Oxide inks in Tea Stain and Vintage Photo to blend my background and then the Block Party - Coffee Love is stamped in Walnut Stain.




I do like using digital stamps, but I think you just get a different look with a clear stamp & ink. I love how the Walnut Stain ink has softened with stamping over the blended background. 

Now how about something Pop Art style to brighten your Sunday?! Introducing... Cracking Christmas! This is practically a Christmas spin off from the previously released Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamps :) 




As you can see this stamp set features a cracker pulled apart and with a little help from a friend when finalising this set, the cracker pieces do join together. A wonderful little feature for those that like to make interactive cards. 




On this first card I have also used one of the NEW stencils being released, Explosions. I have used one of the three sizes on the stencil to ink the yellow explosion on my card. I have then inked and stamped Background Blocks Halftone through the stencil to get the halftone look. The explosion contained in the stamp set is the black outline I have stamped inside.

I had so much fun with this first card that I went on to make this second one!




For this card I stamped the cracker ends onto some red polka dot paper I had in my stash box. I don't have dies to match this set, but they are pretty easy to fussy cut. 




This time I used the halftone explosion from Explosion! Additions behind the new Cracking Christmas explosion. I have also used the smaller 'Cracking' sentiment which fits inside. 

Another short & sweet introduction from me today, but I will be sharing LOTS more with these two stamp sets tomorrow, RELEASE DAY! 

I'd love to know what you think of these new products and I will choose ONE random comment left on this post on Tuesday 1st December for a £5 eGift Code to spend in store. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Crafty Hugs Bev x

Saturday 28 November 2020

Introducing... Framed - Holly and Christmas Wishes

Hey & Happy Saturday!


Welcome to Day 1 of the Nov/Dec 2020 product introductions. 

Incase you missed the news yesterday, I shared some Sneak Peeks at some new products that will be available at 8pm GMT Monday 30th November over on the website HERE

With all the craziness and uncertainty of 2020, I kept the hype of a final release for this year quiet incase things didn't go as planned. BUT I am super happy and excited to finally bring you some new designs.

Today I am sharing a couple of Christmas cards using two new clear stamp sets, Framed - Holly and Christmas Wishes.




Framed - Holly is pretty much as the name suggests, a frame filled with a beautiful modern holly design around the edges. The style is very similar to those in the Originally Organic series. The frame measures 9 x 11.3 cm, so for this card I have trimmed my base card to be equal around all sides.




For my first card I decided to emboss the frame with WOW Metallic Gold Rich embossing powder onto Kraft card stock. I've then coloured the holly leaves and berries with Prismacolor pencils. The sentiment is just one of the 'complete' sentiments and a favourite of mine from Christmas Wishes. 




This last card for today shows Framed - Holly on my usual size card, 10.5 x 14 cm and for this card I stamped the frame in VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink and did some simple colouring with Copic Markers. The sentiment is a fave from Simply Said Blocks Christmas, which I have adhered to the card using 1mm thick foam adhesive.




A short & sweet introduction from me today, but I will be sharing LOTS more with these two stamp sets on Monday, RELEASE DAY! 

I will be back again tomorrow with a couple more introductions. I'd love to know what you like the look of so far :) I will choose ONE random comment left on this post on Tuesday 1st December for a £5 eGift Code to spend in store. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Crafty Hugs Bev x

Friday 27 November 2020

Black Friday Bargains AND Nov/Dec 2020 Sneak Peeks!

 



Happy Friday!

What better way to start the weekend than with a SALE?! There are LOTS of bargains to be had over on the Uniko Sale Page HERE. Some are low in stock, so if there is something you've been after be sure to get in quick! I have also reduced the FREE Worldwide Shipping minimum order amount from £50 to £30.

The SALE and FREE Worldwide Shipping Offer will end 9pm GMT Sunday 29th November 2020.


AND it gets better... who's excited for a NEW Release?!

It's been a while coming thanks to the crazy of Covid, but I am pleased to have a mini Festive Release for all your last minute or early 2021 festive crafting!

Here are the Sneak Peeks to whet your crafting appetite ;)




This first peek is of a Pop Art inspired clear stamp set with a Christmas twist. Those who are long time Uniko fans might recognise the style from Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamp sets and Designer Dies.




My next peek is of the first in a NEW series of 'framed' stamps. This set has an Originally Organic style to it, but as you can see it's beautifully festive. 


Lastly for the FESTIVE clear stamps I have an awesome new sentiment set for you...




I've included 'complete' sentiments perfect for inside & outside of your Christmas cards, along with some 'mix & match' sentiments. Excited to show you these paired with some Uniko Christmas firm favourites!


AND if you read my Fall / Winter 2020 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Post HERE, you might have noticed the BIG hint I dropped to the last clear stamp being released ;)




As much as a do love a digital stamp, sometimes you are a little limited in the techniques you can use with them. So I am super excited to introduce another stamp to the Block Party series for all you coffee lovers out there. Block Party Coffee Love. This pairs beautifully with the previously released I LOVE Coffee clear stamp set.

AND that's not all! I have a couple of NEW stencil designs too...




This first stencil design will add even MORE possibilities to the first sneak peek I shared today AND to the previously released Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamps! 

AND FINALLY...




I couldn't resist adding a festive design to the repertoire! Again, those long time fans of Uniko might have a hint to a currently but soon to come back clear stamp set ;)

That's all the sneak peeks I have to share for this release and I am excited to be sharing some projects over the weekend using these new products! 

They will be available to purchase on the website at 8pm GMT Monday 30th November - woohoo! 

Thanks for stopping by today & I would LOVE to know what you are most excited about and can't wait to see more of :)

Crafty Hugs 
Bev x













Tuesday 24 November 2020

Brand Ambassador Inspiration by Hannelie : Set of 5 Christmas cards and tags

 Hi there!


Hannelie here sharing inspiration for quick and CAS Christmas cards with matching tags.

I chose the non traditional color combination of black, white and gold , but I think the design will look great in traditional colors too ! 

I used my Silhouette cameo to cut out a basic tree shape (welded a triangle and small square together) and filled the negative space with five different non Christmas background . To finish off the cards I used a Christmas sentiment and different gold embellishments.

As I was left with the positive tree shapes, I decided to use it as coordinating tags with the different cards. No waste !

Lots of photos to follow 😃


I am starting with my favorite of the bunch :

#1







I used :


#2






I used :


#3







I used :


#4






I used :


#5










 I used :



On all the cards I used :

  • A sentiment from Season of Beauty clear stamp set  
  • Tree shape cut with my Silhouette cameo
  • A gold star die cut from glitter paper
  • Versafine black ink
  • Foam squares for dimension
  • Rhinestones/ sequins/ pearls/ peel off sticker strips
  • Misti

On all the tags I used :


One more photo of all the cards and tags together !




Click on image for a detailed view :) ⇑


I found that this was a great way to mass produce cards in a short time ! 

Thank you so much for visiting... I hope you leave here inspired to check out your non Christmas backgrounds to make a bunch of Christmas cards and tags .


Hannelie 

Monday 23 November 2020

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - The head in the stars

Bonjour !

Izzy here . I don't know about you but this lockdown starts to upset me. The hardest part is not seeing family and friends. So I took out my beautiful shimmery watercolours that I received last year for Christmas and I put in beauty the superb set Reach for the Stars to make cards to tell our friends how much we miss them. 

I also took the opportunity to make a Christmas card and a comfort card.


I kept the design very simple and the same for all the cards. I only change the colour of the background according my friends' favourite colours.

I die cut panels in watercolour paper, I wet them with water and I applied the watercolour with a brush, then I let them dry. 

Once dry, I stamped the sentiment either in black or in tone on tone colours. To finish I stamped the stars. On the green card they have been embossed with gold powder while on the peach and blue cards the stars are stamped with gold ink.


I've made a fourth one, tone on tone and with gold embossing powder. The only change is that I die cut the panel with another die and adhered it on a colour card base.


On these pictures you can better see the shimmer of these watercolours. 


Here is the comfort card. I also used the shimmering watercolour in blue hues and I stamped the sentiment  in blue. I gold heat embossed the stars and part of the "Stars" word. I flat adhered this watercolour panel on a double dark blue card.


And last but not least, I've made a Christmas card, still using this magnificent stars miriade as well as the North Star. I made a panel with a gradient of pink Distress oxide inks. To finish I stamped and gold heat embossed the sentiment from the Most Wonderful set.

In this Reach for the Stars set there are even more beautiful sentiments that enable you to make cards for different occasions. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, keep safe and sane and enjoy your week !