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! 

Countdown to Christmas Day 12

Hey!

A little late today with todays Countdown to Christmas, apologies for that. With all the fun of release day, packing & sending lovely customer orders (Thank you) time has ticked by way faster than I thought! 

Anyway, I'm back with another super CAS way to add a little personal touch to your Christmas cards & Christmas gifts...

First up is this cute little card for my Nephew Joey, who will be nine in January. I've used the Jolly Santa from Jolly Christmas and simply coloured him with Copics, added some Spica sparkle and some glitter to his white trim. The sentiment is from Pure Florals: Poinsettia and I used Memory Box Typewriter Upper Alphabet die set for his name which I die cut from gold shimmer paper.

As I don't have children and I have absolutely no idea what nine year olds are in to, so I will be popping some money inside the card for hime to spend as he pleases. I always liked opening presents as a kid so I have bought a little token gift for him to open on Christmas Day. To make it a little more special I wrapped it in gold wrapping paper and added his name again, using the alphabet dies...

That's all from me today and another present and card ticked off the list! I hope this has given you some inspiration for adding that personal touch to your card & gift giving. I will be back again tomorrow with more to share. Until then, thank you for stopping by :)

Supplies

Card Stock: SU! Real Red, White from stash

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio Jolly Christmas & Pure Florals: Poinsettia

Accessories: Hero Arts Prisma Glitter, Copic Marker, Spica Clear & Memory Box Typewriter Upper Alphabet Dies

Countdown to Christmas Day 10

Hey!

Welcome back again to my second post for the day. If you missed the first which is an introduction to a new clear stamp set being released tomorrow, you can catch up on it HERE. There is also a mini blog hop as a few of the Uniko Studio Design Team and Guest Designer for December Gillian are helping me introduce this little set too.

Anyway, I am here now with Day 10 of my Countdown to Christmas and today I have a little boxed gift ensemble to share with you...

It is essentially a box of cards for a variety of occasions, mainly birthdays which I've packaged in a nice simply decorated acetate box. Which you can see in the photos above and below. 

This is a Christmas gift for a friend of mine who loves my handmade cards. I thought it would be a nice gift to make for her to then use for friends and family whom she sends cards to. It is also another creative & thoughtful gift for any card maker / paper crafter to make which doesn't have a huge cost impact and like most people on a budget when it comes to gift giving. 

I decided on three of my favourite card designs I have made this year using one of my favourite sets Flower Power #2 and I created two colour versions of each of the cards apart from this first card design...

Again, like my Christmas cards I shared HERE the other day, I have finished the inside of the cards  and the envelopes by reflecting a small portion of the design & colours to add interest.

Design number two...

With matching envelope...

The second colour way and inside detail...

Design number 3 shown in both colour ways and envelope detail...

I also added my details Uniko Studio & website address, so that the recipient knows who created them and gives a professional finish. I got these stamps made some time ago when I was at University and the company I used no longer exists, but there are other small companies on eBay who create custom 'Handmade By' stamps.

I hope this has inspired you to put all those handmade cards to good use with a reasonably priced packaging idea. I have listed all the supplies below. 

That's all from me today, I will be back tomorrow at 9am with the Release & Reveal Day Blog Hop and again at 2pm with my next Countdown to Christmas project. Until then, thank you for stopping by today :)

Supplies:

Card Stock: Stampin' Up! Smokey Slate, Pool Party. White from stash. Papertrey Ink

Ink: Stampin' Up! Lucky Limeade, Regal Rose, Going Grey & Blushing Bride. Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores & Raspberry Fizz. VersaMagic Sea Breeze. VersaFine Onyx Black.

Stamps: Uniko Studio All Occasion Sentiments #2, Flower Power #2, Pure Florals: Chrysanthemum, Label Love: Thank you, Label Love: Birthday & Natures Treasures 1.

Accessories: Papertrey Ink Acetate Boxes & Envelopes. Hero Arts Prisma Glitter. Stampin' Up! Candy Dots

Countdown to Christmas Day 8 & Sneak Peek 2

Hey!

How are we all this fine day? Are you having a good weekend? I sure hope you are. I'm having an awesomely good weekend filled with lots of excitement *insert BIG GRIN*! Not only am I counting down to Christmas but I am also counting down to the December Release here at Uniko Studio - YAY! For the final Sneak Peek of the release keep reading to the end of the post. First I have my next Countdown to Christmas project to share with you.

It's another snowflake card and a quick mass produceable one too! I just can't make a decision on a final design of Christmas card, I think it's due to a couple of things, firstly that I've still to decide on gifts for people and secondly I'm always thinking, 'but what if the next design I do is better'. Then I will have regret and wished I done those instead.

The current challenge HERE over at Addicted to CAS was part inspiration for this card as the theme is snowflakes. Also I just can't seem to put the Uniko Studio Stunning Snowflakes or Designer Dies Snowflakes away!

I'm sure I will settle on a design soon, time is ticking by WAY too fast and Christmas will be here before I know it. I will have more regret if I don't make anything to give to people. Ok, enough of my rambling let's see what Sneak Peek 2 is...

This little set has SO many possibilities just on its own, but pair it with yesterdays peek for even more. PLUS this little set breathes new life into a previously released and popular clear stamp set - any guesses to what set that might be?

That's all from me today, but for the next 3 days you will be getting TWO posts a day as I continue the Countdown to Christmas & I get to formally introduce each of the December Release products available from the website only HERE on December 11th at 9am GMT.

Until tomorrow, thank you for stopping by & for all your lovely comments which are truly appreciated :)

Countdown to Christmas Day 7 & Sneak Peek 1

Hey!

I'm SO happy you've stopped by today as not only am I counting down to Christmas I am also counting down to the Uniko Studio December Release. It might only be a mini release this month, but it sure does pack a punch! You'll want to keep reading and scrolling down for the first Sneak Peek, but first I have my day 7 Countdown to Christmas project to share with you all.

This was actually a design I did last year for packs of cards I sold at a Designer Fair. I also did bottle tag gift card holders and tags to match. I loved the design so much that I've decided to do them again this year and I will be sharing later on in the countdown some matching gift boxes and wrapping paper.

I love the simplicity of this design and the black on kraft is really striking. Like yesterdays card I have repeated the design on the inside of the card and stamped the sentiment 'and a happy new year'. A simple blob of Stickles to the centre of the bloom adds the perfect finishing touch.

That's all the inspiration I have today I'm afraid but how about a little Sneak Peek as to what is soon to be released...

I think this Sneak Peek indicates the next set in a popular series, this time it features some LOVE themed sentiments perfect for a variety of occasions & not just Valentine's Day. Pair them with sentiments from the previously released sets in the series for even MORE possibilities! I can't wait to introduce this little set, not long to wait! 

Ok, that's all from me today, I will be back tomorrow with more to share, until then thank you for stopping by today :)

Supplies
Card Stock: PTI Kraft
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
Stamps: Uniko Studio Pure Florals: Poinsettia
Accessories: Foam Adhesive & Stickles

Countdown to Christmas Day 5

Hey!

Is it really day 5? Oh my Christmas Day is only 20 sleeps away & I still have quite a bit to do AND there is SO much excitement just around the corner here at Uniko Studio too with the December Release - Sneak Peeks begin on Saturday! 

Anyway, yesterday I said I had a little something different to share with you and here it is...

What do you think of my little Christmas tree decoration? Below is a close up of the sparkly snowflake detail...

I love sewing and making stuff but I don't always have the time or patience to make them! But, as it's the Countdown to Christmas and it incorporated snowflakes I made time and TBH I throughly enjoyed myself! I'm thinking of making a couple more of these in different colour combos and giving them as little gifts to some special friends. 

They are super simple to make too. I started out with 100% wool felt (Papertrey Ink) in Aqua Mist and I die cut 2 hearts using the Sizzix Framelits Heart collection (the second largest). I then die cut a Vintage Cream medium Uniko Studio Designer Die Snowflake. I used 100% wool felt as I tried using the cheap felt I had in my stash but the snowflake simply fell to pieces as it was too flimsy.

I then placed the snowflake on the top heart and used some simple hand stitching using embroidery floss to secure the snowflake in place. I added some Swarovski beads to add some sparkle along the way too. Once the snowflake was in place I secured the hanging ribbon and then used a blanket stitch to sew the hearts together. As I neared the end of my sewing I padded the heart out with some toy stuffing. 

That's all from me today, I hope that you have enjoyed todays inspiration?! I will be back tomorrow with more to share, until then thank you for stopping by today :)

Supplies

Accessories: Uniko Studio Designer Dies Snowflakes, Sizzix Framelit Hearts Dies, PTI Aqua Mist & Vintage Cream Felt, Embroidery Floss & Swarovski Beads.

Countdown to Christmas Day 4

Hey!

I'm back this afternoon with day 4 of my Countdown to Christmas, this mornings post HERE was by Gillian our December Guest Designer who won the last Uniko Studio Challenge. Be sure to check out Gillian's beautiful & festive card as a challenge reminder. There is still 10 days to get your entires linked up.

Ok, back to my project for today...

The inspiration for this card came from the current CASology challenge HERE which is ribbon. I had all the usual ideas of using ribbon on cards, tags & gifts floating around my mind. Then all of a sudden it came to me - a gift card, but not in the usual sense of creating a gift card holder but merely a card disguised as a gift. 

Yes, it's not an original idea but it's what came to me and sometimes you just have to go with the flow! I've used minimal supplies on the card and any colour ribbon can be used. You could even match the colours to your actually gift wrapping for the year if you are a colour coordinating theme person. 

I decided to add a small die cut heart tag stamped with a 'With Love' sentiment from Flower Power #3, but it would still look pretty & festive even without the tag. Thinking about this card now as I type it doesn't even have to be a card for Christmas, it would suit any occasion. 

That's all from me today & I hope I've inspired you a little bit to use some of that ribbon I know you're hoarding like me! I'll be back tomorrow at the usual time of 9am GMT with Day 5 of the countdown, with something a little different! Until then, thank you for stopping by today :)

Supplies

Card Stock: SU! Crumb Cake. Dovecraft White

Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black

Stamps: Uniko Studio Flower Power #3

Accessories: Sizzix Framelit Heart Dies, Gingham Ribbon from stash. Linen Thread. Foam Adhesive

Countdown to Christmas Day 3

Hey!

It's no secret that I LOVE Snowflakes & ALL things SNOW! Every morning I wake and hope to open my windows to it snowing or that fresh snow has laid overnight. Much to my disappointment that hasn't happened yet :(

Anyway, I decided to incorporate my Christmas window dream into a card reality & made two versions, you can decide which is your favourite but I'm leaning towards the kraft & white version...

I used a Papertrey Ink label die to create the window, die cutting it once then moving it down slightly and die cutting again to create an elongated window. 

For my second card I changed it to a landscape card and decided to use the current Dynamic Duos challenge colours seen HERE and below, I chose white to use as my other colour.

Typing the post now, it is like I've done a day & night version! On this second card I stamped the snowflakes using VersaMark Dazzle ink which has a subtle shimmer to it.

Do you dream of a white Christmas? They say the weather is getting colder here towards the end of the week & predicting rain & haven't forecast snow, but I can only keep everything crossed and hope they're wrong! 

That's all from me today, I will be back tomorrow in the afternoon with Day 4 of the Christmas Countdown, be sure to stop by in the morning too as we have a guest joining us on the blog :) Until then thank you for stopping by :)

Supplies

Card Stock: PTI Kraft & Enchanted Evening. Dovecraft White

Ink: Memories Unicorn, SU! Night Of Navy & Crumb Cake. VersaMark Dazzle

Stamps: Uniko Studio Stunning Snowflakes, Background Builders: Christmas & Label Love: Christmas

Accessories: Uniko Studio Designer Dies Snowflakes, PTI Label Die, Hero Arts Prisma Glitter, Linen Thread, Foam Adhesive.