Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Introducing Background Blocks Scramble

It's the first day of tntroductions for Uniko's June release. Today it's the turn of a Background Blocks stamp in the Scramble Series, Thank You. Here's one I idea I came up with.


On a panel of mixed media paper, I stamped and heat embossed the image with white EP. Then I added some Brusho crystals, Leaf Green, and spritzed with water to make the majic happen. I love how the colour just bursts when the water hits it. Using a dry brush, I removed the excess ink from inside each letter, then mopped again with a paper towel. When the panel was completely dry, I coloured each element with a watercolour marker brush pen, again in shades of yellow and green. My finished panel was then trimmed and added to a panel of coordinating green card before adding to an A6 note card.

That's just one idea but I'm sure the rest of the team have some brilliant ideas to inspire you, why not check them out?

Denise


Julie -that's me



See you back same time tomorrow for another introduction.

Monday, 22 June 2026

Uniko June Release Sneak Peeks

Morning all, hope you had a good weekend.
This week Bev is introducing a new stamp and a trio of fabuluos and versatile stencils, here's a little bit of a sneak peek for you.

First up is this addition to the Background Block stable.

Regulars will perhaps recognise this style of stamp from a couple of other releases. The others have proved popular as they create a quick and simple cards.


The next is another of Bev's inventive Ink n Flip stencils that has been in use at a couple of the recent Uniko retreats.



Next up is a layering, floral stencil.


And finally another stencil duo that can be used individually or together to create fabulous all over backgrounds.

That's all for the peeks but I'll be back with Bev and the other BAs tomorrow with the first of our introductions.
All these items will be available from 9am BST Saturday 27th June, see you tomorrow!

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Color Hues #135

Hi, were over halfway through June and so it's time for a brand new colour challenge from Color Hues. This time we've gone for a bold colour pairing, here's my take.




I've had this Sizzix die set in my stash for a couple of years without ever using it, so I thought it was time to open it and give it some love. There are quite a few different elements in the set to create a scene but they were a little too large for my A6 format, so I stuck with the picture frame, sofa and rug to make a congratulations on your new home card.

The yellow DPs are ancient, Papermania from my very earliest card making days that have been languishing in my yellow paper drawer, this was the perfect opportunity to use them! First I die cut the sofa from kraft and black, then the cushion from yellow DP. These were then layered up, having first removed the black legs to reveal the kraft ones. The New Home pic was made by stamping a Pink and Main sentiment and adding some foliage freehand with my Zig markers, with some gold card for the frame. I almost forgot the rules and went with green but stopped in time and used a neutral khaki colour! 

The scene was added to a die cut white panel with a pencil line drawn across to mark the join between floor and wall. The sofa was added over the rug on pads and the framed sentiment added flat. A Sugar Pea sentiment in matching Memento London Fog completes.

So where will the colours take you, the team and GDs have come up with some great ideas here.
Looking forward to seeing your makes in the gallery!

Veg Patch

Morning all, an other month has flown by, so it's time for a brand new challenge over at Cardz4Guyz.
This time we would like to see your MASCULINE cards designed on the theme of:-

GARDENS and GARDENING

When I saw the theme, I knew straightaway which stamp I would be using, Lili of the Valley's Veg Plot! Here's my design.


After stamping and colouring with Copic markers, I fussy cut the image and then went looking for a layout. In the end I used one of my old cards and a leftover panel from cutting out a postage stamp style panel, waste not want not! My DP in the background is NitWits, my leftover scrap was just a tad too small so I ended up printing off another 8"x 8" panel to use here.
The DP was glued flat to an A6 note card and the frame and image added with foam pads. A scrap of twine and a LOTV tag sentiment complete the card. 

So what will you come up with, we're all waiting to see what you post to the C4G gallery. If you want more inspiration, there's lots more on the theme over on the C4G blog page here.

Joining in over at:-

 

Monday, 1 June 2026

Color Hues #134

Is it June already? Mind you the last week has dragged somewhat, we're not used to such high temps limiting what you can do. At times like this I can hear my Mum say that she was wasting time when it was so hot, I can see her point of view now!
Anyway, I've been playing in the craftroomj and not feeling guilty about it. Here's a card I made for the brand new challenge over at Color Hues.


I found this cute digi from LOTV in my printed off but not coloured box and thought it would fit the new challenge colours, together with a couple of neutrals, grey for the elephant and pale brown for the cushion he sits on. The DP is really ancient and has been sitting in my stash for 20 years plus I think! There's still over half a sheet left, so I must remember to use it! 

After colouring the image with Copics, I fussy cut the image and set it aside. I had a vague idea for a layout and found a die cut panel in my stash which I embossed with an equally ancient Cuttlebug folder. The gingham DP was added to a white note card and then the image was added to the embossed panel before being added to the card base on foam pads. I did think about using a ribbon across the bottom half of the panel but it obscured the text, so I left it off, along with a stamped sentiment which did the same!

So that's it really, but the rest of the team our GD Kim Miller have come up with some fab inspiration, check it out here.
The challenge will be open until June 14th @ 9am EST!
Have fun!

Joining in over at:-

Use stencil and/or EF
I chose EF