Uniko June release in July!

Evening, just popping by with the last of my use it up cards from the Uniko June release.

I had a few bits leftover from last week's release and was determined to use every last bit!

Here's the final make incorporating Waffle Flower's postage die cut frame.

 

I used the leftovers from my Chevron Duo stencil panels to fill in the gaps on the panel, adding a Big n Bold Happy sentiment and a few silver die cut dots.

A very simple design that was basically made from leftovers! It's also a reminder that there is just over a week for your entries into the Uniko FB VIP Challenge where the theme is stencils!

Color Hues #136

Afternoon all.

It's 1st July which means were heading into the second half of the year, can you believe it?

Well over at Color Hues it's time for a new colour combo and it was my turn to choose. My mind went to Christmas in July with my choice of colours but you don't need to follow that route. As you will see from the other members of the team there is a huge diversity of takes on the new colours. Here's my take.

I really needed to start on my Christmas stash, so here I've use Hero Arts Winter Trees stamp and a die cut deer from iO.

I simply stamped the tree image onto a panel of cream card with Versamark and heat embossed with gold EP. I trimmed it down and added the gold embossed sentiment, Uniko, before adding the die cut stag. I cut two, one from black and one from kraft as I wasn't sure which would look best but eventually use both, the black one slightly off set behind the kraft one to create a shadow. My panel was mounted on some really old black and gold DP I found whilst looking for the cream card and again onto my cream base card.

Where will this new colour duo take you? As always the team and I are looking forward to seeing your makes in the Color Hues gallery. Should you need more inspiration why not check out the rest of the team here.

See you in the gallery!

Joining in over at:-

L is for Let it Snow!

Release Day @ Uniko

Morning all, it's release day at Uniko!!

Here are just a few more ideas using the new June release.

Have you ever thought about the off cuts that are leftover when you trim a stencilled panel down to the size you want for a project? Well I thought exactly that when I had lots of little strips left over from this month's projects. This first card uses the BB Scramble ThankYou and some inky strips from The Chevron Duo stencil.

Background Blocks Thank You Scramble £7.00

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

Stencil - Ink & Flip Chevron Duo £5

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

In my earlier post I used DI in Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers to create some stencilled panels but I needed some contrast for some of the letters so on some plain scrap card, I used some Picked Raspberry DI to create a mini panel which I over stamped the Thank You image. For the turquoisey stencilling, I used a different method and cut up the thin strips and stamped them by inking the stamp and pressing the card over the letter I wanted. All the letters were then fussy cut. On another scrap of white, I stamped the Scramble Thank You in black, coloured the flower with Copics and placed the fussy cut letters on top. Still not quite happy, I added Peacock Feathers to a couple of the blue letters and more Picked Raspberry to the two pink letters before glueing them down.

My panel was trimmed and added to a leftover piece of the holographic card from earlier and mounted the whole lot onto an A6 white note card.

This second card uses the scraps from Ink n Flip Triangulate woven to give an abstract pattern.

Stencil - Ink & Flip Triangulate £5

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

I did cut some of the leftovers into smaller strips to ensure I had enough to fill the apperture, finally weaving them together to get this effect. The woven panel was laid over the opening and glued into place before flipping it over and adding the Bauhaus Blocks sentiment and a few die cut black dots. The finished panel was then added to the base card on foam pads.

Finally I have this card which uses the left over panel from the Modern Floral layered stencil.

Stencil - Layering Modern Blooms £13.75

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2012 - To Date

www.uniko.co.uk

I followed an old Jennifer McGuire tutorial over on You Tube for the layout.

Sentiment is from Pure Florals Peony, embossed and fussy cut and the text strip is Everyday Sentiments stamped in Picked Raspberry.

So what do you think of the release. I'm sure you will love the versatility, really important when our purses are stretched and purchases are considered!

For more inspiration why not check out the rest of the BAs below leaving some love as you go for a chance to win a £20 eGift Certificate to spend in store. Bev will draw a lucky winner from all comments left on BA blogs and/or socials and announce the winner on July 6th.

Bev

Denise

Izzy

Julie -that's me

Natalie

Vinita

Thanks for visiting!

Joining in over at:-

 

 

Introducing Ink n Flip Chevron Duo Stencil

It's the final day of the intros for Uniko's June release. Today we showcase a stencil duo that I've found to be so versatile in creating backgrounds. Here is one idea I came up with.

One of the stencils gives you the solid element of the chevron and the second the pattern. This panel was made using a combination of the two and some DI in Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers. 

I started with the solid stencil, inking first with Peacock Feathers before flipping and repeating with Salty Ocean. Next I replaced the stencil with the patterned one and used Peacock Feathers then flipping and using Salty Ocean, to create this overall pattern.

I'd seen a card a few years ago that influenced this card I think but as per usual I can't find it, it must have stuck in my mind though! I cut the inked panel with an MFT rectangle die and added the sentiment panel, a mix of Happy from MCM Christmas and half of the Happy Birthday from  Anniversaire Arts Décoratifs. 

This second card uses the same stencil but inked in a slightly different way. 

Mounted down the middle of an A6 white note card, the strip was edged with a slither of holographic card along each edge, saves on card, and the sentiment panel added on foam pads. I've used Sentiments Outlined embossed in white on some matching blue card, filling in the open area of wonderful with an embossing pen before heat embossing again. The panel was mounted onto a scalloped die cut rectangle and a few punched stars complete.

I wonder what the rest of the team have come up with? Why not check out their ideas below.

Bev

Denise

Izzy

Julie -that's me

Natalie

Vinita

I'll be back same time tomorrow with the full reveal, see you then!

 

Introducing Modern Blooms Layering Stencil

Morning all, it's day 3 of our introductions of Uniko's June release. Today we have a fab layering stencil for all you MCM followers, Modern Blooms.

Love the styalised blooms on this design of Bev's which I've teamed with a simple bold sentiment, Christmas and Birthday Sentiments.

Each layer allows you to add detail in a different colour, I've used a mix of DIs in Seedless Preserve, Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed and Twisted Citron for the main elements. Whilst the stencil was in place I added some darker shades to the flowers and leaves. The Blue dots were Salty Ocean and the flower hilights Vintage Photo.

To make the panel have a softer feel, I added a soft inking of a matching colour over the flowers and leaves. The happy birthday was stamped in black and outlined freehand with a white gel pen for some added dimension and the completed panel added to my white A6 base card on foam pads.

What do you think? Bev and the rest of the girls have come up with some fab ideas, why not check them out.

Bev

Denise

Izzy

Julie -that's me

Natalie

Vinita

I'll be back tomorrow with another introduction, see you then.

 

Introducing Ink n Flip Stencil Triangulate

Good morning. As promised I'm back with day two of intros for Uniko's June release. Today we are focusing on another Ink n Flip stencil called Triangulate. As you can see from this example it's all about triangles!

I enjoyed playing with this stencil to see what I could create and the card is a result of rotating the stencil instead of flipping it! Four rotations and four colours, I don't know what made me choose these, I must have needed cheering up!

The inked panel was trimmed down to create square then a simple Doodle Flower sentiment added to a Greetery white die cut circle and layered onto a black and the white stacking circles. A perfect simple card for a bloke I think.

With the other half of my panel I made this simple card using one of my leftover die cut panels and a simple die cut sentiment.

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

Bev

Denise

Izzy

Julie -that's me

Natalie

Vinita

See you back here tomorrow for another intro!

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?

Bev

Denise

Izzy

Julie -that's me

Natalie

Vinita

See you back same time tomorrow for another introduction.

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!

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:-

 

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

Keepy Upies

Hi, it's a lovely warm and sunny Bank Holiday here in the UK, very unusual.

As a result we are staying close to home as being retired, every day seems like a Bank Holiday, we also get to miss the crowds which accompany a warm sunny Bank Holiday!

So here I am with the curtains closed to keep the heat out with a card I'm linking up to a few challenges.

This is another of the fab LOTV digis from my stash coloured in my Son in Law's team colours of Liverpool, hence the choice of DP too. I found the sketch on Pinterest and have used it a couple of times as it allows the image to shine. 

For once I decided not to fussy cut my Copic coloured Striker image, simply layered him onto some red card, adding some DP and zig zag detail to make up for the size of the image panel. On more red card, I mounted some matching NitWits DP, finishing with a LOTV stamped sentiment. The whole panel was then added to an A5 card base.

Joining in over at:-

 

#850 Anything Goes

Happy 17th Birthday ladies

#838 Special Anniversary Anything Goes

Happy 17th anniversary too.

Uniko FB Challenge

Just popping by to remind all Uniko followers that there is still a couple of weeks to join in with the FB VIP Challenge on the theme of ANYTHING GOES and the chance to win £15 to spend in store!

Here's a card I made recently for my daughter's friend's birthday, all details are on the Uniko blog here.

Joining in over at:-

Happy 7th Birthday!

A Cosy Jumper

 Morning all. I can't believe a month has gone since the last Cardz4Guyz challenge went live but it must have as there's a new one!

This month it was my choice and I chose the theme of -

SQUASH IT!

In other words use an embossing folder to do all the hard work!

I love EFs and have a box full of them, though I don't always use them as often as I should. They range from geometrics to florals, those that add texture and even some that create a scene. For this simple card, I've used a cable knit one that was a freebie in a mag I believe. With out much effort you have a very effective sweater.

To begin, I chose some camel coloured card cut a partial circle from the top of an A6 panel, then embossed it, centering the cabled to achieve a balanced look. I remembered just in time to cut the opening as if not you run the risk of squashing all that lovely definition in the embossing! On another piece of the same card, I used two nesting circle dies to cut a piece which I laid over the original opening. A scrap of white linen textured card was then glued behind to suggest a T-shirt. I trimmed the panel to slightly less than A6 before adding to an A6 base card in the same cardstock.  A simple die cut sentiment, Uniko was added to complete. 

I've used this technique a few times to create simple masculine cards, here are links to other projects, here, here and here along similar lines.

So what EF will you incorporate in your designs? We're looking forward to seeing all your MASCULINE makes in our gallery but if you need further inspirationj, please check out the Cardz4Guyz blog.

Color Hues #133

Afternoon all. As we are over halfway through May already, its time for a brand new colour duo from Color Hues. Here's my take.

I was walking around the garden the other day whilst my pooch was on a sniffari and I noticed that the iris I split up 2 years ago were about to burst into full bloom. Last year they seemed to resent their splitting up and didn't make much but this year they have gone mad! Although as of the time of typing this they are still in tight bud, they should soon be in full bloom!

So as I was looking through my stash for inspiration for the latest Color Hues challenge, I landed on Altenew's Build an Iris stamp and set too with my watercolours. Of course the blooms had to be violet but the throat is usually orange or yellow but that's NOT ALLOWED, so I improvised with dots of white toned down with some of the lime green paint I used on the stems and leaves. I'm not sure which iris the designer was looking at for this stamp but mine don't have curly leaves, I suppose it's artistic licence! As usual I painted each petal and leaf in turn as in the peony from last month, keeping away from the last until it was dry to reduce bleeding, adding a little bit of neutral Paynes Grey for the shadow. The papery bud wrappings, are a mix of Burnt Umber and the Violet

After fussy cutting, I mounted the blooms on a panel of embossed white card and then added a die cut stamped sentiment, also Altenew.

So that's me done, but there's lots more inspiration from the rest of the team for your delectation! Looking forward to seeing your makes in our gallery.

Joining in over at:-

Color Hues #132

Afternoon and welcome to a post for the brand new challenge from Color Hues.

It's a new month, so we have a new colour duo for you, here's my take.

As regular readers may know, a friend and old work collegue is a MASSIVE Leeds Rhinos fan and every year I try to incorporate their colours into her birthday card, along with the odd rhino! Well as the latest Color Hues colours match, here is her 2026 card!

I've used the ever faithful MFT Birth-Yay set, stamping and colouring the stacked buddies. I also fished an older happy birthday background stamp out of the stash, also MFT, which I stamped and heat embossed with white EP before inking all over with Blueprint Sketch DI.

To make the card, I stamped and coloured with Copics the buddy stack and then fussy cut it. The embossed and inked panel was cut to fit my base card and a thin sliver of Copic coloured card was glued against the edge to introduce more yellow as it was a little blue heavy! The sentiment was stamped in black and the fussy cut pals were added on foam pads.

That's all from me but please check out our GD and the rest of the team over on the Color Hues blog page.

Joining in over at:-