Sending Sunshine

Happy Thursday! 

How did we even get to Thursday? This week has totally flown by, quite literally. Along with being super productive in the studio with LOTS more designs coming soon 😉 We also welcomed some feathered friends to our garden this week.

I can't remember how long The Beans have wanted pet chickens, it's probably nearing 2+ years. This week their wish came true and a friend of grandad gifted them four, two each. We welcomed Bonk, Zonk, Cluck & Daphne on Tuesday evening.

Of course Jelly is curious and wants to play with his new sisters 😂  and at lunchtime today a new chicken run arrived, so they can have a little bit more supervision, Under the watchful eye of our back garden camera! 

Four happy chickens and no doubt two happy Beans when they get home from school! 

Anyway, enough of chicken fun, how about some creative fun and a cheerful card...

I've been wanting to play with the Stencil - MOD Background Builder and specifically the smaller elements around the edge of the stencil. Here I used the trio of lager leaves to create this fun colourful card.

I stencilled the trio and as you can see, I used a little bit of masking to add in a 4th petal to some of the MOD 'flowers'. I then fussy cut them out and arranged on my card base.

The sentiment is from Everyday Spring Sentiments and I finished off with some Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Drops. 

Now for some news...

I have found a venue to run an all day (10am-4pm) Uniko crafty retreat. 

Location is Worsall, Yarm.

Date availability is Sunday 8th October 2023

Approx Price - £45 (includes a crafty pack to make between 5-6 cards, instructions & free product) 

I’d like to get a rough ideas on numbers before I confirm booking, so if you are interested in joining the fun, please either leave a comment here on the blog or drop me an email bev@uniko.co.uk 😃 

That's all for today, I'll be back tomorrow with more to share.

Crafty Hugs 

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Monochrome Silhouettes

Good morning

Anita here and today I have three same but different cards, all using silhouette stamps and paired with the Pinstripe Background Blocks.

These were pretty quick to make and are one layer, apart from the sentiment strips and gems.  And for the first time I used Distress Oxide inks to stamp with.  They aren't the easiest to work with as they can be quite juicy but I chose them as I thought they would create better coverage of the silhouettes over the stripes, but what do I know...it didn't actually work!  The lighter colours ended up showing through but I do actually like that effect even though it wasn't what I was going for!  Hey, every day is a school day in the crafting world! 

So, here's the first one, using coral shades...

I began by stamping the Background Blocks Pinstripe II image in Saltwater Taffy Distress Oxide ink and, once dry, I stamped the foliage silhouette from the Just Because set in Abandoned Coral.  This took a few re-stamps using my Misti, lots of light layers is key with these inks.  I then added a sentiment from the Simply Said Blocks II set and some co-ordinating jewels finished the design.

You can see below how the lighter shade of ink showed through the darker shade, I think it gives a kind of 'looking through some blinds' effect!

My second card is in teal tones...

For this one I used the vertical stripes, the Background Blocks Pinstripe image, as my backdrop which was stamped in Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide.  The foliage silhouette this time is from the Season of Beauty stamp set, and I used Peacock Feathers.  The sentiment is from Simply Said Blocks and, once again, I finished with some co-ordinating jewels.

And finally, in shades of blue...

This time, the Background Blocks Pinstripe II image was stamped in Salty Ocean Distress Ink, and the foliage, from the Happy Days set was stamped in Prize Ribbon.  The sentiment is from Simply Said Blocks II and again, the blue jewels were added as a finishing touch.

So there you have it, three quick and easy, clean and simple cards with no complicated techniques.  Thanks for taking a look, have a lovely Tuesday.

 

Floral Friday

Hello & Happy Friday.

I'm back today with two floral cards. I've been wanting to recreate a card I made HERE back in 2018 using the Kindness Blooms clear stamps, but with some different florals. 

First I need to restock my stash with vellum and then I just needed to get round to making the new versions. Which I set to doing today when I finally cleared off my desk! 

I couldn't decided between the geranium flowers in Beautiful and the modern floral of Beautiful Blooms II. So I ended up making two cards.

First up is the card using Beautiful Blooms II. 

For both cards I used the same technique of stamping the flowers in VersaFine clear ink and heat embossing with WOW Opaque White embossing powder. I then fussy cut the flowers out along the top and bottom of my panel, so the middle is still joined by vellum.

Once cut I then coloured the flowers on the reverse using alcohol markers. I chose to colour on the reverse for a couple of reasons. One so the alcohol marker doesn't stain the embossed white lines and secondly, it gives a softer muted feel to the colours. 

I finished the card off with the Happy Birthday from Floral Vines, adhered using foam tape and some Pebble enamel dots.

Here is the same card using Beautiful.

The only difference with this card is I switched out the blue for purple and added a sentiment from Simply Said Blocks III. Also I used Sunflower enamel dots.

I'd love to know which is your favourite card. Beautiful Blooms II or Beautiful?

Such a fun technique and I am already thinking of stamps I could use to give this a masculine twist! Hope you are having a lovely day.

Crafty Hugs

 

Pastel Clouds

Happy Thursday & Hello Summer! 

It's officially Summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and if you missed the announcement yesterday in the newsletter, I have put lots in the SALE section on the website until Saturday morning PLUS I have lowered FREE Worldwide Shipping to £35 or more! 

I'm finally back with a card to share and this one has been waiting since Sunday to be finished! But I think it was worth the wait.

I've been having a play with my Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foiling machine and as I am a crafter by heart and love more than just the products I design, I couldn't wait to pair the Lawn Fawn Cloud Hot Foil Plate with our Stencil - Cloud 9.

As you can see I opted for pastel shades to ink the cloud background. I've then used an iridescent foil for the foiled clouds over the top. I thought it might be a bit busy, but I think they pair well together.

I finished the card off with a hot air balloon from Up & Away that I have heat embossed in silver. I tried a silver heat embossed sentiment from Floral Vines, but felt it got a little lost. So I opted for black instead. 

That's all from me today. If you've checked my stories on social media this evening, you will see how messy my desk is. So I had better make a start on tidying it a bit. 

Crafty Hugs

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Originally Organic

Morning all, 

Steph here today and for this month’s Uniko Brand Ambassador Inspiration post I wanted to use something with a matching die so I chose Uniko Originally Organic stamp and die bundle. 

The main stamp in the set is so beautifully intricate and I thought it would be nice to team it with contrasting backgrounds using Uniko Background Blocks Diagonal Stripes, Horizontal Stripe and Rays. 

For each card I stamped, coloured and die cut the Originally Organic image and on a different piece of card I stamped the background block. I die cut the Originally Organic flourish from the background block and inlaid the coloured image before adding a sentiment. 

All three work really well with the background blocks. I think the last one is my favourite. 

While I was clearing up my desk I then realised that the ‘waste’ pieces cut from the backgrounds above looked really cool so I stamped them with the Originally Organic flourish. I didn’t feel the need to colour them as the had the colour from the BB stamp. I kept these cards very CAS, and happily made another three very quick cards.

A very productive craft session and I’m pleased I was able to make three more ‘bonus’ cards and not waste any papercraft bits!

Much love

Steph x

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - I just want to squeeze you!

  Hello everyone!

Happy Wednesday!

Vinita here featuring a lemonade card with a foliage background and  Organically Zesty stamp set to brighten your day!

First I created a foliage background inking with Versafine Onyx black color and heat embossed quickly before drying it using Clear EP. Then slightly blend the crushed olive DO and for the leaves rustic wilderness DO. And added some water splatters and soak the water with a baby wipe.

I stamped a lemon image on a white sheet and colored it with Distress oxides. Fussy cut the image. Before adhering the background panel I distressed the edges all around using DO and the card base too. 

Added some splatters on the lemon image slightly. Then added the sentiment from the same set and popped up the image using double foam tape. 

Hope you are inspired by it!

Happy crafting!

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Happy Father's Day using Simply Said Blocks

Good morning, Julie here with a little bit of inspiration for a Father's Day make.

My daughter always asks for a couple of cards for the boys to give to their dad for Father's Day, so here is one I made using Simply Said Blocks.

Over at Cardz4Guyz their theme for the next 2 weeks is Father's Day, so I decided to combine that with this make. I'd seen Jennifer McGuire use sentiments to create fab cards so thought I would have a go.

Looking through all my Simply Said Blocks, I took an assortment of suitable phrases and stamped them onto white card in the colours of Liverpool FC, my Son in Laws favourite team! I know they usually play in red but their away kit is this dark teal colour and the emblem is always yellow/gold! The inks used here were from Altenew, Maple Yellow, Galactic Stream and Heart Beat.

Once I'd stamped a variety of sentiments, they were trimmed down and arranged across the corner of an A6 top fold base card in some kind of logical sequence! I tried not to have two colours overlapping so sometimes the logic had to go out of the window! The sentiment blocks glued down, I trimmed back the overhang and added a thin strip of red card to neaten up the top edge, stamped the greeting from Nautical Treasures and added the die cut letters to complete.

For a totally different look, you could change the sentiment blocks used to create a birthday or thank you card. A simple change of colours would also give you a different look, simply choose the recipients favourite colours, they don't have to be for a football team! The possibilities are endless.

So that's it from me for the moment. I hope I've given you some ideas for those tricky to make for men!

Bauhaus Geometrics & a Winner!

Happy Saturday.

What a beautiful day here in the North East, sunshine & warmth makes it feel like summer has arrived. I've had a very lazy Bean free day and I've made a few cards to share with you over the coming days. Along with designing some fun new products, but you'll have to wait a bit longer to see those ;)

Anyway, as I am announcing the winner for the May/June Mini Release, I thought I would make another card using the Bauhaus Blocks clear stamp set. This time I decided to pair it with the Stencil - Christmas Pop, without the Christmas look! 

I simply wanted to create this fun geometric background along the sides of my card base. I used Concord & 9th Cobblestone, Buttercup & Marmalade for my colours. The Bauhaus Block is adhered using foam tape and I added a few enamel dots for good measure. 

Now I've shared my card, how about we get to the winner. Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment here and across the social media platforms, your support, comments and lovely orders all make my day and I am sure I speak for the Uniko Brand Ambassadors too.

The lucky winner chosen from the comments left across social media is .

Karen Adams @karen_rock_paper_scissors_ 

Congratulations Karen! 

Please send Uniko a DM on social media or an email via bev@uniko.co.uk along with your postal address and I will get your goodies in the post to you.

Crafty Hugs 

When Life Gives You Lemons...Smile!

Happy Friday.

It's definitely a happy day when the sunshine finally makes a good appearance AND when a batch of Uniko Stencil Restocks arrive!

These beauties, along with the sell out Flower Power #4 from the recent release are now available on the website. All orders containing a stencil backorder were mailed out this morning. Thank you for your patience.

I was inspired to get inky this afternoon and decided to give the Layering Stencil - Zesty a fresh ink up to create this colourful card.

I used all four layers of the stencil for this card, inking up the sliced fruits first in shades of pink, orange, green and aqua. I angled the stencils slightly before inking to add a different look to the card.

Once I finished inking the fruit, I added the juice splatter using Nuvo Glimmer Moonstone Paste, absolutely love the sparkle of this stuff. 

My sentiment choice is partly from Organically Zesty, where I have masked part of the stamped sentiment. This was so I could add the Smile die cut which is from the Uniko Picked Posies Collection. This is available for purchase from CraftStash HERE.

That's all from me today, but I will be back tomorrow with more creative inspiration and a winner! 

Crafty Hugs 

Geometric Floral Thank You!

Hello & Happy Saturday! 

What a beautiful sunny day it is here in the North East of England. I hope the sun is shining where you are. Today I wanted to pop by and share the card I made during last nights Facebook Live as I know some of you are not on Facebook or social media. I have managed to upload the video replay to Uniko's YouTube and I will share the link below.

Before I get to my card and YouTube video link I would like to say a BIG thank you for the wonderful response to yesterdays release. For all the lovely orders, all the wonderful comments and support. They all made my day.

I think you will agree with me that the Brand Ambassadors did a fabulous showcase of the release with all their creativity.

Now, here is the card I made during yesterdays Facebook Live demoing the new Stencil - Layering Bauhaus Block Builder.

If you saw my live you will notice I have trimmed off the section where I made a mistake. I was thrown off track by my father-in-law unexpectedly trying to FaceTime me, not once, but twice! 

I used Concord & 9th inks in Buttercup, Aqua Sky and Grapefruit to ink the different layers of the stencil. I then used the outline flower from Beautiful Blooms II, stamped in Honeysuckle and the detail of the flower in Ballet Slipper.

The leaves from the stamp set are stamped in Parsley ink and I fussy but both the flower and leaves before adhering to my card using foam adhesive. The sentiment is from Bauhaus Blocks Clear Stamps and I have embellished with a few Concord & 9th Pebble enamel dots. I finally decided to trim the right hand side of the stencilled panel and adhered it using double sided tape to a Honeysuckle card base.

If you would like to watch the replay of the Live it is now available HERE on YouTube. I'd love for you to subscribe to the unikostudio channel, I will be doing more live demos and adding more video content in the coming weeks.

Thank you again & Crafty Hugs

2023 May/June Reveal, Release, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY!

Hello, Happy Friday AND Happy New Release Day!

I'm super excited to share these new products with you and they are now officially available to purchase over HERE on the website.

But, let me first formally introduce them. 

First up we have the newest addition to the Flower Power Collection with, Stencil - Flower Power #4. This stencil is a supersized version of the outline flower image from the Flower Power #4 Clear Stamp Set. Bringing even more creative possibilities to both products.

Stencil - Flower Power #4 £4.25

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

Next is Bauhaus Blocks Clear Stamp set. 

This clear stamp features 5 blocks in size, featuring Bauhaus inspired geometrics and patterns, along with 4 sentiment options in a fun modern font. The set is perfect for masculine themed products and pairs with lots of other previously released Uniko products you might have in your stash.

Bauhaus Blocks Clear Stamp Set £11

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

Lastly for this mini release, but by no means least I have a new addition to the layering stencil collection, Stencil - Layering Bauhaus Blocks Builder.

The name says it all really! It has 3 layers to achieve different colours, its block themed and inspired by Bauhaus. 

You might notice the common newest feature that I have incorporated into Uniko Stencil more recently. The option of a focal point or building to fill a larger space. Having the layers makes it a little more complex, but it it still super easy to achieve an all over pattern. 

I will be going LIVE over on the Uniko Facebook Page tonight at 7pm BST to demo this stencil. I hope you will join me, but if you can't the live will be recorded to watch back at a time that suits you.

Stencil - Layering Bauhaus Blocks Builder (3 Stencils) £10.75 

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

And now we have the formal introductions done, let's get to more inspiration using them. Be sure to leave some comment love either on their blogs or social media. I will be randomly selecting a winner to win the entire release and will announce the winner Saturday 10th June 2023.

 Anita

Bev

Izzy

Julie 

Steph

Vinita

I'm sure you will agree with how creative and inspiring the Brand Ambassadors have been. Not only in todays hop, but all week. So a big shout out to them all for their creativity. 

I hope you have enjoyed this release, happy shopping and hope to see you over on Facebook this evening!

Crafty Hugs