Life is a Song

Good morning folks.
Cardz4Guyz have got a brand new challenge for you starting today with the theme of -

MUSIC

So what will inspire you, musical instruments, a favourite song, a quote from Shakespeare or as in my case the actual sheet music and notes.

I've use the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch and the Life is a Song  set from Uniko.
A simple card, perfect for the musical man in your life, just a strip of musical score inked with Old Paper DI popped behind a couple of black edged panels and the sentiment from the Life is a song stamp set.
The actual 1st line should read Life is a song, love is the ... but I masked that part out when I stamped it, then added the large music text and the finishing phrase. A few tiny notes from the set stamped in the spaces complete. Just a bit of Old Paper DI to match the score and a black mount to 3 sides and jobs a good 'un!

For more music inspiration check out the rest of the DT here.
Join in why don't you?

I'm joining in over at:-

              

Release Day @ Uniko

Good morning all.

The day has finally arrived when you can get your hands on the latest release from Uniko.

This release will be available to purchase HERE at a NEW time of 9pm GMT tonight.

In time honoured fashion we will be having a blog hop with GIVEAWAYS!

So without further ado here are a few cards made with the July release. Some with a little twist and some showing how you can mix them in with stamps you already have.

Remember the simple lifebuoy card from day 3? Well how about adding in a character to create something different such as this. 

I've use the same anchor stencil background and life buoy but replaced the sentiment with one from Simply Said Sentiments and added this cute character, coloured with Copics and fussy cut.

My second card uses the Giraffe stencil but with a bovine twist!

How about instead of a giraffe you saw the patches as part of a Holstein Friesian cow? Well there are quite a few of them around these parts,  award winning Cheshire cheese is made not far away so plenty of inspiration!

My bovine beauty was made with some of the same die cuts as the giraffe I made yesterday, with a background made from a couple of scraps from the bits box.

I cut an oval from the stencilled panel and added a banner greeting, stamped using the Big n Bold Happy set.

Finally this card uses quite a few different sets, including Paradise, Large Tropical Background, Background Builders Classic and Outlined Sentiments.

This design owes a lot to Jennifer McGuire and my enforced time out earlier in the year. Check her video out here.

The interior panel was stamped with the Large Tropical Background stamp on hot pink card with Versamark and embossed with clear gloss EP, then the sentiment was added with black ink and coloured with a fine liner. I attached the triangular flaps as per the video and added a backing panel in the same pink.

My band was made from a strip of white paper stamped with the 'stave' stamp from the Background Builders Classic set and some vellum. The roundel includes various elements from the Paradise set, coloured with Copics and fussy cut. The small sentiment is also from the Paradise set.

So that's it from me for this release, what do you think, have we inspired you?

Here are all the stamp sets and stencils that are released today at 9pm GMT.

STAMP SETS

STENCILS

as well as the re-released Nautical Treasures stamp set.

All details can be found on the Uniko website.

Now it's time for a blog hop and GIVEAWAY!!!

To be in the chance of winning The ENTIRE July 2019 Release! (5 clear stamp sets, 1 previously released clear stamp sets and 5 stencil designs). Simply comment along the blog hop, it's as easy as that! You have until Midnight 3rd August 2019. Winner will be announced a few days after. 

So check out the rest of the DT and our talented GD Karen Baker for a chance to win.

Bev

Carol

Izzy

Jane

Julie - that'll be me

Linda

Rahmat

Sarah G

Sarah P

Wiebke

Happy Hopping!

I'm joining in over at:-

Summer colours

Introducing Wild Sentiment stamp and Animal Print Stencils

Well hello and welcome to day 4 of the new release from Uniko.

Today we are showcasing the three wild themed stencils and the Wild stamp set.

This card uses the Tiger stencil and the Wild sentiment stamp set. The baby tiger was drawn freehand and coloured with Copics before fussy cutting.

To start, I took a panel of flesh coloured card and secured the stencil over the top before inking with a mix of Black Soot, Vintage Photo and Spiced Marmalade DOx. Once the stencil was removed, I added a few hi lights with a white gel pen and cut it with a stitched rectangle die. 

The large Wild sentiment was stamped in black then coloured as the tiger cub with Copics  and black fine liner then fussy cut.

My die cut panel was stuck to an off white card blank adding the letters in an arc above the cub. The original stamp was a little too big to fit my panel. guess I should have checked first before cutting! Anyway, I rather like the arched lettering and completed the sentiment with a black heat embossed 'THING' from the same set.

My second card uses the Giraffe stencil, so of course it features a giraffe!

This cute chap was made from various die cuts which I then inked with Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Black Soot and Fossilised Amber DOx., some through the stencil, some not.

After assembling, I added some punch cut strips of grass to a panel of white card, placed the giraffe on top stamping happy birthday in black, a die cut black 2 and wrote today freehand with a black fine liner. The panel was then popped up on fun foam over a 5 x7 white base card.

    

My final card uses the zebra stencil and one of the Sentiment Outlined stamps plus a bit of ribbon and DP from the stash.

The stencilled panel was created by inking through the stencil with Black DOx ink, the DP added, followed by a length of black ribbon. My sentiment was embossed with WOW black glitter EP a few sequins added and finally my panel was added to a white base card, simples.

So that's it from me for today but I'll be back tomorrow morning with a complete run through of the whole July release and the introduction of the release blog hop.

Whilst you wait, why not check out the rest of the DT and our talented GD Karen Baker.

Bev

Carol

Izzy

Jane

Julie - that'll be me

Linda

Sarah G

Sarah P

Wiebke

See you tomorrow.

Re-introducing Nautical Treasures AND Introducing... Background Blocks Nautical Stripes, Fleur De Lis & Anchors stencils

Hello and welcome.

Today sees the first of the introducing posts for this month's Uniko release.

Today we are going all nautical!

This card uses the Anchor stencil and the Nautical Treasures stamp set.

I created the background by inking through the stencil with Versamark onto royal blue card and embossing with a clear semi dull EP.

My life belt was simple to make, just a ring of white card cut with two stacking dies and a bit of red Copic colouring and string added to the back!

My banner was stamped in matching blue using the sentiment from Nautical Treasures.

My second card uses the Fleur de Lis stencil and Background Blocks Nautical Stripes.

The stencil was used with white embossing paste over white card and the block stamp inked in blue across the bottom of my base card.

I trimmed the finished stencilled panel when dry and added some gold mirror across the bottom and a die cut oval sentiment using Outline Sentiments in matching blue ink.

     

That's all from me for today, but check out what the rest of the team have been inspired to create

We are also joined for this release by the talented Karen Baker .

Bev

Carol

Izzy

Jane

Julie - that'll be me

Linda

Sarah G

Sarah P

Wiebke

Come back tomorrow for some more fab new release inspiration.

Joining in over at:-

   

                                                                                         Use a stencil

Introducing- Large Tropical Background

Good morning.

It's day 2 of the July release at Uniko and today we introduce the large tropical background stamp.

I think this will be a very useful addition to anyone's stash, complementing the previously released Paradise and Paradise Leaves sets, as well as a fab background. In my example I've only used a small portion of the panel I made and I made a few others with this stamp too!

The panel under the frame was made by creating an alcohol background on Yupo paper and the Tim Holtz Alcohol lift pad and refill. There is also a little bit of gold from some foil I added for a little extra glamour, but I think I left the ink too long and it wasn't wet enough to get good coverage.

It was my second attempt at using the ink lift pad and I'm still not completely happy with my technique. To get more definition on the foliage, I went back to the outlined fronds and removed more ink with a fine brush and a spot of the re-inker. 

My Hibiscus flower was stamped alongside a couple of leaves from the Paradise set and coloured with Copics before fussy cutting and arranging them in the corner of my die cut frame. Aloha was stamped in black on a scrap of matching card and slipped under the flower. 

I cut my alcohol panel in half and framed it with the die cut. I'll still have the other half to use later!

We are joined for this release by the talented Karen Baker  as well as the rest of the DT.

Bev

Carol

Izzy

Jane

Julie - that'll be me

Linda

Sarah G

Sarah P

Wiebke

Check out what great ideas they've come up with and come back tomorrow for some more fab new release inspiration.

Joining in over at:-

My choice Die cut frame, Copic colouring and fussy cutting

Introducing - Background Builders Classic and Sentiments Outlined

Well, have we peeked your interest with the sneak previews of the July release?

Well. today the DT are showcasing Background Builders Classic and Sentiments Outlined.

Here's an idea using both.

I wanted to create a faux layered look with this OLC. 

Using one of the strips from the Background Builders Classic, I stamped along the edge of an A5 white note card, then stamped one of the greetings from Sentiments Outlined.

Using a bevelled edge ruler and a Copic C3 marker, I drew a line down the left of the stripes to suggest a shadow, then after colouring the outline sentiment with Copics in a rainbow palette, I added a shadow on each letter with the same C3 pen. 

      

I'm sure the different strip stamps will be really useful in building up patterns, check out what the rest of the team have come up with here, or follow the links below.

We are also joined for this release by the talented Karen Baker  as well as the rest of the DT.

Bev

Carol

Izzy

Jane

Julie - that'll be me

Linda

Sarah G

Sarah P

Wiebke

Come back tomorrow for some more fab new release inspiration.

Uniko July Release Sneak Peek 2

Morning.
It's day 2 of the sneak peeks of the July release from Uniko. If you were excited by yesterday's peeks then you're going to love today's!

First up is a sentiment set that's big and bold, the perfect compliment to the brand new wild themed stencils below.

Three fabulous animal themed stencils that will bring out your wilder creativity!

So that's it with the sneak peeks, I'll be back tomorrow with the first of the introducing posts. Until then, I'd love to know what has caught your creative eye.

July Release at Uniko, Sneak Peek 1

This week sees the new July release over at Uniko. 

So just to tease you, here are a few sneak peeks of what will be available come Friday.

This month there are five new clear stamp sets, one returning clear stamp set as well as five new stencil designs! 

Here are peeks of some of the new & returning products to whet your appetite.

First up, how about some 'classic' background stamps. This clear stamp set is sure to be a 'go to' essential for your paper crafting & stamping. It can be paired with so many Uniko products and others you may have in your stash! 

Next a new style mini sentiment set. The modern & trendy style font of the sentiments is suitable for feminine and masculine cards alike and they are perfectly sized to be used as a focal point or for the inside of your cards.

You might just recognise the 3rd sneak peek! Bev couldn't resist bringing this digital design into stamp format! It pairs beautifully with the previously released Paradise, Paradise Leaves and Paradise Hummingbird clear stamp sets.

The next stamp set peek is one that is returning from retirement! Those who have been following  & have been customers at Uniko for sometime will recognise this Nautical themed set.

And to breathe some fresh inky life to it Bev has designed 2 new stencils to use with it.

Finally for today, a new Background Block with a Nautical theme.

That is all the sneak peeks for today, I'll be back tomorrow with a few more!  Until then, I'd love to know what has caught your creative eye.

Clouds of Cosmos

Good morning folks.

There's a brand new challenge starting over at Uniko and here is my inspiration for you.

You might be able to guess what the theme is this time -

My inspiration is a little bit literal bearing in mind the photo above!
I chose the Pure Florals Cosmos stamp to create my little scene, masking and stamping to get the mass effect. I then coloured them with a mixture of DI and Zig watercolor pens quite loosley, before fussy cutting the arrangement and adding it to my Brusho coloured panel on foam pads. The vibrant turquoise I used for the sky contrasts with the soft pink of the cosmos blooms and the green at the bottom suggests the foliage and grass. I simply sprinkled the crystals onto some MM paper and spritzed with water, then allowed it to dry and cut my panel with a stitched rectangle die.
To finish I added the sentiment from the same set stamped on a strip of matching card.

I love Cosmos and have them growing in the garden, they go on and on producing their dainty blooms amongst the ferny foliage all summer long. Last year they were a bit like Quatermas, as they grew to be over 4ft in places but after checking the seed packet I realised that they were just a tall variety, so ensured that I went for a dwarf version this year!

Check out the rest of the team here for more flowery inspiration.




    
Summer Colours                                       Earth Laughs in Flowers

Country Boy At Heart

Good morning all.

We're heading quickly to the school holidays here in the UK. Hopefully the weather will be kind for my daughter and family, nothing worse than rain and two kids to occupy!

Anyway after a hectic 9th birthday party for my Grandson on Saturday I finally got some time to make this card for the latest challenge over at Cardz4Guyz -

TRANSPORT

Here is my card.

I know you're laughing at a tractor as a form of transport but in this neck of the woods they are as common as a Cheshire tractor, 4 x 4 that is. There is even an elderly guy who uses the lane to go into town on his tractor with his sheepdog in a transport box attached to the rear!

I bought this Woodware stamp set awhile ago to make a card for the OH but didn't use it in the end, perhaps I will use this for this years birthday! I did use his tractor as an example for the colouring as well as the colours at Paper Players!

The layout is CAS(e) this  Sketch, tractor stamped and coloured with Copics before fussy cutting it and placing it over a couple of scraps of NitWits DP on a die cut panel from the stash. I popped the finished panel up on pads over an A5 base card, slipping the stamped sentiment under the rear tyre.

So for more transport inspiration check out the rest of the DT here, then why not join in?

Joining in over at:-

      

CAS