Introducing... Background Blocks Grid and Background Blocks Diagonal Stripe

 Hello & Happy Tuesday!

I am so glad you have popped by today as it is the first of the July 2021 Release product introductions. Today myself and my awesome Brand Ambassadors have an inspiring blog hop and we are introducing Background Blocks Grid and Background Blocks Diagonal Stripe.

I am delighted to be adding to this growing series of Background Blocks and the ways the Brand Ambassadors have used these are genius and inspiring. Be sure to hop along and leave a comment. I will be randomly selecting comments left in the lead up to Release Day on 25th July to win Uniko goodies! 

Okay, lets get to the good stuff...

Bev

Hannelie

Izzy

Jane 

Julie

Rahmat

Steph

WOW! 

I don't know about you, but I am simply blown away by all the inspiration. Such genius and creative ways to use these Background Blocks. Both these stamps and all that we will be introducing over the next few days will be available for purchase HERE on the website tomorrow Sunday 25th July at 9am BST. 

Be sure to pop back tomorrow for the next of the product introductions. 

Crafty Hugs

 

July 2021 Release Sneak Peeks

 Hello & Happy Monday! 

Today is a fun and exciting day at Uniko as I get to show you some sneak peeks at LOTS of new stamps & stencils being released on Sunday 25th July at 9am BST. I know some of you have been waiting a while for some new clear stamp designs, so here's hoping these won't disappoint.

This month I have six new clear stamp sets and 4 new stencils - that's a whole lot of crafty fun! So lets not delay and get to looking at these peeks ;)

First up are two new additions to the Background Blocks series. You must know by now how I love these blocks of pattern! These two are perfect for those hard to make masculine cards, but perfect for a floral accent too.

Oh, and I've seen a few of the samples from the Brand Ambassadors using these two beauties and SERIOUSLY, you are going to be blown away. 

Next up is a summery addition to the Block Party series....

You might just spot some images from previously released clear stamp sets in this peek here, which opens up the doors for new creativity with those much loved older clear stamps ;)

Next I have a different style of background block. So many fun and creative options for using this too and I can't wait for you to see the samples!

How about a new addition to the Simply Said Blocks series? 

The Simply Said Blocks sentiments are ones I reach for over and over again. So it seemed only right to have some fresh new sentiments. They even bring more combinations to the previously released ones.

Lastly for the stamp sets I have this mini floral addition.

It contains a floral from a previously released Background Block AND Stencil, so with the addition of this it will bring you even more creative options and combinations. PLUS, I added some more sentiments in this fun font I used in the Floral Vines clear stamp set.

Next we have four new stencil designs and hopefully something for everyone...

So that's the sneak peek line up! What are you most excited about and to see in action? The introductory fun starts tomorrow with the first of the Brand Ambassador Blog Hops. I do hope you will stop by and hop along with us.

Until then, Crafty Hugs 

Uniko Challenge #66 - Flowers + optional twist Slimline

 Hey!

Welcome to the July/August 2021 Uniko Challenge.

We have the super simple theme of Flowers and an optional twist of Slimline.

We're delighted to welcome Dhruvika (Cardogram) as our Guest Designer. Dhruvika is very active on Instagram and her wonderful cards can be found HERE.

Such a gorgeous slimline card showcasing Uniko's Pure Florals Cosmos.

The Uniko Brand Ambassadors have also been busy creating cards to inspire you to play along. Let's see how they've interpreted the theme.

Bev

Hannelie

Jane 

Julie

Steph

Are you ready to play?

Well, just in case you need some more incentive to play along with the challenge here are the details of the prizes.

Due to the current chaos around the world and here in the UK, I have temporarily reduced the value of the prizes. This is so that I can keep my small business afloat during these uncertain times. I hope you understand and will still join in on the fun.

Thank you for your continued support & joining in with the fun at Uniko.

  

THE PRIZES

• Main Winner Chosen By the DT - £15 eGift Certificate
• Random Twist Winner - £5 eGift Certificate
• Random Uniko Stamps Winner - £5 eGift Certificate
• Top 3 Chosen By DT - 150 Loyalty Reward Points

There is plenty of time to join and play along with this challenge. 

The deadline for submission is midnight (GMT) on Friday 20th August 2021.

Crafty Hugs,

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - English Country Garden Butterfly II Stencil

Morning everyone,

Steph here with a Brand Ambassador Inspiration post and today I’m using the newly released Uniko English Country Garden Butterfly II stencil. I loved all the butterfly stencils when I received them and had lots of ideas of how I’d like to use them so here they are:

I have used Distress Oxide inks to sponge through the stencil one at a time from lightest to darkest. Each time I repositioned the stencil further to the right before inking. After the inks had dried I stamped the sentiments from Uniko You Are, Yes You stamp set in white ink over the butterflies. As it’s a flat make, I mounted the panel onto a card blank with foam tape for some dimension.

My next card uses the inner part of the stencil as a mask. For this card I have simply sprayed some solution made up from Peacock Cosmic Shimmer Pixie Powder and water. I also tapped the powder over the card and sprayed again to get some more concentrated areas. I stamped the sentiment from Uniko Pure Florals: Cosmos stamp set and layered the finished panel onto green card stock and then a card blank.

My final card uses the outer stencil again but this time I have stamped the Uniko Background Blocks Party Confetti with the stencil in place. I removed the stencil to stamp the sentiment from the Uniko Birthday Sentiments set and added a butterfly stamped using Uniko English Country Garden - Butterflies set. I then mounted the panel onto a black card base. 

I hope these have given you a few ideas of your own to have a go with the gorgeous stencils. I’d love to see what you create.

Much love

Steph x

Mixed Media Monday - Guest Brand Ambassador Sally Holmes

 Happy Monday & Shiny New Week! 

Today I am back with another Mixed Media Monday and I am delighted to have another guest joining us please give a warm Uniko welcome to Sally Holmes.

Sally

Blog / Instagram 

Hello Everyone, today I have a Mix Media Tag to share with you. Tags are a great way to experiment with mixed media. They are inexpensive and available in greyboard and mdf too. You can try things out without worrying about spoiling anything.

Here is my step by step process for making the tag...

First I put texture paste through the Mehndi Mandala Stencil onto a size 10 greyboard tag and left it to dry.

 I gessoed the tag and left it to dry for a few minutes

I sprayed it with the 4 latest colours of Dina Wakely gloss sprays (Sky, Ruby, Tangerine and Blackberry)

Once this was completely dry I rubbed gilding wax over the mandala corners 

Next I stamped the Mehndi Mandala stamp onto Dina Wakely collage paper using Versamark ink and heat embossed with gold embossing powder. I then trimmed it carefully with scissors (Tissue paper will work but needs careful handling when the gel medium is applied) 

I applied gel medium to the centre of the tag and placed the mandala over it. I then added another coat of gel medium over the top and made sure there were no air bubbles by rubbing it over with my fingers.

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment from Simply Said Blocks II onto a scrap of card using black ink then layered it with some gold paper and stuck it onto the tag with the gel medium.

Here is a couple of close ups of the finished tag...

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my process of making this tag today. 

Sally

WOW! 

I for sure found this step by step process helpful and I like the idea of using a smaller canvas to make a start with Mixed Media.

I hope you have enjoyed todays feature and a big THANK YOU to Sally for inspiring us all. 

Crafty Hugs

 

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - The One, Two or Three Question Using Organic Wishes

 Hey!

It's Jane here today with that one, two or three images question again!

Today I'm using the beautifully whimsical Organic Wishes stamps and I'm kicking off with just the one image. 

I inked up a piece of card with distress oxide wilted violet and picked raspberry inks - have to be my favourite colours ever! Then I die cut it into a small stitched square and stamped the heart dandelion head using Versafine Clair nocturne ink. 

I placed this square just above the sentiment and matted it onto purple card and then a white card base.  

For my next card I changed the inks to cracked pistachio and salty ocean - another favourite combo. 

I repeated the same process but this time using the open seed head stamp and two die cut squares. I placed the greeting in the middle and matted it onto turquoise card and then a white card base.

My final card follows the same process again but this time using three squares and three distress ink colours - seedless preserves, squeezed lemonade and picked raspberry.

I used two of the dandelion heads and added in the two tiny seeds falling down the squares. The sentiment was stamped in the bottom right corner and I used a raspberry pink matt before adhering it onto a white card base.

So now I need to ask that question - one, two or three images? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Thanks so much for looking today.  Stay safe and keep crafting!

Jane

x

Uniko Challenge #65 Winners

   Hey!

I'm here today to announce the WINNERS of Challenge #65 Anything Goes, optional twist Use Die Cuts

A huge thank you to everyone who played along with this challenge.

First we have our overall WINNER chosen by the Design Team. 

#58 Nonni

Congratulations Nonni!

Here's your winner's badge

You have won a £15 eGift Certificate to spend in the Uniko store. Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk by 16th July 2021.

We would also love to have you join us as our Guest Designer for a future challenge. If you are interested please contact Jane at jane.taylor52@btinternet.com by 16th July.

 Next up is the random winner who twisted with us....

#68 Cathy R

Congratulations Cathy!

You have won a £5 Egift Certificate to spend in the Uniko store. Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk by the 16th July 2021.

Here is your winners badge:

Then we have our randomly selected winner who used Uniko products on their creation...

#65 Becca Yahrling

Congratulations Becca!

You have won an £5 Egift Certificate to spend in the Uniko store. Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk by 16th July 2021 to claim your prize.

Here is your winners badge:

Now for our Top 3 chosen by the DT and in entry order:

#37 Deepti

#61 Hilary

#87 Vicky

Congratulations to you all & here is your Top 3 badge:

You have all won 150 loyalty reward points.

Please contact me at bev@uniko.co.uk

Congratulations to ALL the winners & EVERYONE who joined in with the challenge!

The next Uniko Challenge starts on Friday 16th July.

Hope to see you come back and join in with the fun :)