TMR - Theme .....

For my Uniko Introduction - click here.

... Hello again! I'm back (a little late because of my earlier post) with my card for our new challenge at The Male Room - TMR#85. We had some really fun non-card projects for our last challenge, and we thought we'd make it a bit easier for you this time. We have a theme - CARS - this should be a breeze for your masculine projects. I made a very simple card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Half Pint Heroes; Stampin' Up! - Sheltering Tree, Butterfly Basics, Beautiful Ride
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Moonlit Fog, Warm Cocoa, Dark Chocolate, Jelly Bean Green, Grass Green, Black Onyx
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Gina K Card - Moonlit Fog; Copic Markers; Shimmer Spritz - Frost; Clear Embossing Powder

I had lots of fun creating the scene on this card. I mixed together stamps from several different companies (something that I really like to do). I stamped the car, using the mirror image technique from Jennifer McGuire, on to white card and coloured it with Copics. I then repeated the stamping with Versafine black ink and heat embossed with clear powder, and cut out the car. I stamped a dashed line to create the road, added a tree in the background, a puff of exhaust from the car, and a simple greeting. I finished the front by adding the car which I attached with dimensional pads. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of grey card and on the white panel added the dashed line and a greeting.

I'm submitting this card to Cardz 4 Guyz - C4G#194 where they want to see Men's Hobbies. I think driving counts!!

For more inspiration with our CARS theme, do visit our blog to see more from the Design Team and also from our guest designer, Pirjo. You've got until midnight (BST) on Tuesday 22nd May to play along - have fun!!

Uniko - Flower Power #8 ....

... Morning! Have you started to make a list yet? Today is the last of the new stamps sets that form part of the upcoming Uniko release. I've made a very simple card in bold, bright colours:

Stamps: Uniko - Flower Power #8
Inks: Gina K - Passionate Pink; Stampin' Up! - Lemon Lime Twist, Pool Party; Memento - Grey Flannel
Dies: Hexagons - free with Craft Beautiful
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Uniko Stencil - Lattice; Gems; Copic Markers

There are lots of little stamps in this set that can be used to create a flower with stem and leaves, but I decided to focus on the bold, solid flower. I stamped it three times in bright pink and cut out the flowers with a hexagon die, I used Copic markers to edge each panel. I used the lattice stencil to create a subtle background and then adhered the hexagon panels in a line down the side. I added a tiny gem to the centre of each flower and finished the front with this lovely sentiment from the stamp set. I kept the inside very simple and only stamped another flower with some leaves.

I'm submitting this card to CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#271, I used their sketch, and the colours are from this week's Global Design Project - GDP#137. Don't forget to visit Bev's blog to see more inspiration projects from the rest of the Design Team.  See you again tomorrow!

Uniko - Stencils: Party Confetti and Stylised Floral ....

... Hello! We've reached the midpoint of our Uniko Introductions. Today I'm introducing a couple of new stencils and they're fab! I do hope you've enjoyed what you've seen so far, and thanks for your lovely comments. I'm going to start with an elegant thank you card showcasing the Stylised Floral stencil (and a sneak of tomorrow's intro too):

Stamps: Uniko - Simply Said Blocks II, Flower Power #8
Inks: Distress - Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet; Gina K - Wild Lilac; Versamark
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Gold & Silver Vellum; Gold Embossing Powder; Gems

I got the colour scheme from the current Inkspirational - INK#160 challenge where they want us to use Shades of Purple and Gold, and as I've used vellum on the card, I'm going to submit it to The Flower Challenge - TFC#20 where they want us to use vellum/acetate.

I started by cutting the gold vellum mat and a white panel slightly smaller. I put the stencil over the card, taped it in placed and inked all over with pale lilac, I added some darker purple around the centres of each flower, but you can't really see it in the photo - it's better in real life!! I stamped the little flower in Versamark on silver vellum, heat set it with gold powder and fussy cut them all out. I attached them to the card and added a variety of different colour and shaped purple gems to the centre of each flower. I finished the front of the card by adding a simple block sentiment. On the inside, I cut another gold vellum mat and on the white panel, I stamped a greeting and a few of the outline flower in shades of purple.

I wasn't sure what to make with the next stencil, and then I saw the MUSE challenge - MUSE#265 and it was so easy:

Stamps: Uniko - Birthday Sentiments
Inks: Distress Oxides - Lucky Clover, Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves; Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Black Onyx
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Pistachio Pudding; Clear Embossing Powder

I made the base from pale green card. I cut a panel of white card smaller and put the stencil on top, taping it into position. I used the same three colours as the party banners on the Muse card and inked the stencil to match the pattern. I finished the front by embossing a bold sentiment in black. On the inside, I cut a panel of white card and stamped a birthday greeting using the three shade of ink and adding a very subtle hint of colour with the stencil.

That's all from me today, but it for more inspiration projects, do visit Bev's blog to check out more from the rest of the Design Team. The release schedule is:

Introductions: 5th - 11th May

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST. Join in our Design Team Blog Hop & Giveaway! You will also be able to buy the whole release at the Uniko online store. For prize details see Bev's blog.  See you again tomorrow!

Uniko - Just Because and Lg French Script Background ....

.... Morning! Welcome back to my blog. Today I'm introducing two more new stamps sets from Uniko. One is a large background script - which I think will be very useful, and the second is a smaller set featuring a lovely floral silhouette and lots of words that can be put together to make many phrases. Here's my card:

Stamps: Uniko - Just Because, Large French Script Background
Inks: Versamark; Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Black Onyx, Innocent Pink, Dusty Rose
Dies: Memory Box - Cross Stitch Frames #1 and #2
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Shimmer Spritz - Frost; Clear Embossing Powder; Perfect Pearls - Forever Red, Interference Red; Black Marker

I got the inspiration for this card from the photo over at Addicted to Stamps and More! - ATSM#290. I stamped the large script background in Versamark directly on to the card. Then I added a couple of colours of Perfect Pearls and brushed them and gradually the image was revealed. I used a Swiffer pad to dust off as much excess powder as I could. There is still a slight haze of colour, but I like that. I stamped the floral silhouette and word 'because' in Versafine and heat embossed them with clear powder.  I stamped the silhouette image again on scrap white card, heat embossed it, and then very carefully cut it out with a scalpel. I covered all the white edges with a black marker pen. I spritzed a panel of white card with frost Shimmer Spritz, dried it and then cut out two faux stitched frames. I added the larger frame flat to the card and used dimensional pads to add the smaller frame. I glued the bottom of the fussy cut floral silhouette flat to the card and used dimensional pads on the top flower. On the inside, I simply stamped the floral image in shades of pink and added some more words to complete the phrase. I also added a few dots using a black marker.

This card is for my Mum - just because!! It's already in the post and she should get it by the end of next week. It's great timing, as here in the States, next Sunday is Mother's Day.

Don't forget to visit Bev's blog to see more inspiring projects from Anna, our Guest Designer, and from the Design Team. Our release schedule is:

Introductions: 5th - 11th May

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST. You'll be able to purchase the new release at the Uniko online store and also join in with our Design Team Blog Hop & Giveaway!  Details of the prizes can be found on Bev's blog here.

That's all for today - see you again tomorrow.

Uniko - Bee Happy and Honeycomb Pattern Stencil ....

... I do hope you enjoyed yesterday's introduction. I'm back this morning with a couple more introductions from the upcoming Uniko release. Today we have a stamp set and a stencil - and they work so well together. Here's my card:

Stamps: Uniko - Bee Happy, Birthday Sentiments
Inks: Distress - Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber; Versafine - Onyx Black; Gina K - Black Onyx
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Basic Black; Gold Shimmer Vellum; Wink of Stella - Clear; Clear Embossing Powder; Copic Marker; Shimmer Spritz - Sparkle

I can see the stamps and stencil beeing so popular!! 😊 Sorry, couldn't resist!! I cut a piece of black card for a mat layer, and a panel of white card slightly smaller. I placed the honeycomb stencil on the card, taped it in place, and lightly brushed on the pale lemon colour. I moved the stencil to cover the whole panel. Then I shifted the stencil and added the darker honey colour. Once completed I spritzed the panel with sparkle Sheer Shimmer and dried it. I stamped the heart on some gold shimmer vellum, heat embossed with clear powder, and cut it out. I coloured the reverse of some of the hexagons. I stamped the bee three times, heat embossed with clear powder, coloured the wings with clear Wink of Stella and used the WOS brush to add some colour to the bees' bodies. I carefully cut out all the bees. I put the honeycomb panel in my MISTI and stamped the sentiment. I attached the vellum heart and bees with collage medium. On the inside, I cut another mat layer of black card. On the white panel, I stamped the large word 'wish' in lemon and then again in amber to give some depth to the word. I added a little bee flying at the top and some honeycomb too. I'm submitting this card to Seize the Birthday - STB2604, where the theme is Anything Goes. I'm also playing along with Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#22, where it's also Anything Goes.

I had such fun making this card - those bees are so cute! If you want to see more inspiration projects from the rest of the Design Team and our Guest Designer, Anna, do visit the Uniko blog. Our release schedule is:

Introductions: 5th - 11th May - your first chance to see the products in action.

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST. Join us for our traditional Design Team Blog Hop & Giveaway! Details of the prizes can be found on Bev's blog here.

See you again tomorrow.

Uniko - Simply Said Blocks II, and Natures Treasures II Stencil ....

... Morning! We've finished with our sneak peeks of the new Uniko release and today is the first of our introduction posts. We are introducing two products today - Simply Said Blocks II - a super addition to the Blocks range, and a lovely new stencil - Natures Treasures II Stencil. I combined both the stamps and the stencil on this card:

Stamps: Uniko - Natures Treasures II, Simply Said Blocks II
Inks: Gina K - Peach Bellini, Jelly Bean Green, Kraft; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Die-namics - Oval Stax Set 1 - #4 and #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Gina K Card - Kraft; Clear Embossing Powder; Inkadinkadoo Masking Paper; Copic Marker

I had so much fun making this card. I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#335 and the colours from Colour Throwdown - CTD#491. I cut a panel of white card slightly smaller than the base and covered the centre with an oval mask. Then I stencilled the leaves in peach at the four corners of the card. I used the mask and kraft ink next to create the white leaves. I finished by stamping leaves in green, peach and kraft, as well as adding some of the little flourishes. I die cut a white oval slightly larger than the mask, onto which I stencilled the larger leaves. I attached the oval with dimensional tape. I finished the front with a simple sentiment stamped in black and embossed with clear powder. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of kraft card and on the white panel I slightly stencilled some of the small leaves at the top and bottom corners and finished by adding a simple greeting.

Edited: To add that I'm also submitting this to the current challenge over at Just Us Girls - JUGS#439 where the word is SHADOW, and I've got a few on this card!

That's all from me today, but do visit the rest of the Design Team and our Guest Designer, Anna, to see lots more inspiration projects introducing Simply Said Blocks II and Natures Treasures II Stencil.

It's been so nice to get back into my craft room and play with paper and ink!! I do have some photos to share from my Back to Back retreat, but I think I'll save them until after the release! And, before I go, here's a reminder of the release schedule:

Introductions: 5th - 11th May

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST (4.00am EDT). Join in our Design Team Blog Hop & Giveaway.

See you again tomorrow.

Uniko - Sneak Peeks 4 ...

... Hello! It's the last day of Uniko sneak peeks. You've already seen all the new stamps and stencils being released, so that must mean today's peeks are new dies!!! I love having dies to coordinate with stamp sets - it really does give so many extra possibilities to the stamps.

Here's the first die set:

And the second set:

I think they're fabulous. So much easier than fussy cutting! 😊 Here's the release schedule:

Introductions: 5th - 11th May. A daily Blog Hop with the Design Team to see the new products in action.

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST (4.00am EDT). Today's the day - you can buy all the new release at Uniko's online store. Do join us in our traditional Design Team Blog Hop & Giveaway! We have prizes!!

More details about the prizes can be found on Bev's blog. I'm still waiting for my parcel of new products, but do come back tomorrow and see the first of our introductions. See you soon!

Uniko - Sneak Peeks 3 ....

... Hi! I do hope you're enjoying our sneak peeks. Today the Uniko sneak peeks include some more stencils and a stamp set. 

First up is a stencil, and you might recognise this design from a stamp set released in February, It's such a fun design:

Next, another stencil - a beautifully stylized flower:

The last sneak peek today is an addition to the very popular Flower Power series:

Before I go, here's a reminder of the release schedule:

Sneak Peeks: 1st - 4th May

Introductions: 5th - 11th May. Join our daily Blog Hop to see the new products in use.

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST (4.00am EDT). All the products will be available to purchase at the Uniko online store. And we'll have our traditional Design Team Blog Hop & Giveaway!

Details of prizes can be found at Bev's blog.

You've had a sneak peek at all the new stamps and stencils being released, so tomorrow's sneak peeks must be new dies - yeah!!! See you then.

Uniko - Sneak Peeks 2 ....

.... Hello! It's day two of Uniko's sneak peeks. Today we have a couple of new stamps sets to show you.  First up is a fun floral:

Next a new large background stamp:

I can see them both becoming extremely popular, and I really like the font for the background stamp. Here's a reminder of the release schedule:

Sneak Peeks: 1st - 4th May

Introductions: 5th - 11th May. A daily blog hop with the Design Team to see the products in action.

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST (4.00am EDT). Join our traditional Design Team Blog Hop and Giveaway! You'll also be able to purchase all the new products at Uniko's online shop.

For more details about prizes - visit Bev's blog. That's all for today. See you tomorrow for some more sneak peeks!

Uniko - Sneak Peeks 1 .....

.... Morning! I'm here today to share a few sneak peeks from the upcoming Uniko release. May is a very busy month for Bev - not only is there a new release, but it's Bev's birthday in May and Uniko will be at the Happy Stampers Festival too! So lots going on! But first, let's have a look at the sneak peeks!

If you like Simply Said Blocks, you're going to love this new addition to the range:

Next up is a new stencil - I love that the stencils coordinate with Bev's existing stamps, you might recognise the set too. If you know the name of the matching stamp set - visit Bev's blog and leave a comment - there's a prize!

Here's a look at a lovely new stamp set - I can see this one beeing very popular:

The last sneak peek today is of another new stencil, this will be fun:

Now that you've had a quick look at some of the new products, I thought I'd give you details of the Release schedule:

Sneak Peeks: 1st - 4th May - a quick look at what's to come!

Introductions: 5th - 11th May - a daily blog hop with the Design Team to have a closer look at the new products in action.

RELEASE DAY: Saturday 12th May, 9.00am BST (4.00am EDT). You'll be able to see the whole release and purchase them at the Uniko Website. And we'll have our traditional Design Team Blog Hop & Giveaway!

More details about the prizes can be found on Bev's blog.

That's all for now - don't forget to come back tomorrow to see more sneak peeks!