Papercraft Challenges #98 - Ribbons

Hello and welcome, 

Today we have a new challenge over at Papercraft Challenges and the theme is Ribbons. 

I was excited by this theme because I don't often incorporate ribbons in my cards so I challenged myself to find a new technique and make some ribbon flowers. 

I think these flowers look great and they are fairly easy to do. Rather than me try and hash together an explanation, just head over the this YouTube video and see how it is done! I used gem topped brads for the centre of each flower and adhered them to an ink blended and dry embossed background.  

I'd love to see what you are inspired to make with this month's theme. Check out the rest of the Design Teams fantastic makes and join in the fun at Papercraft Challenges #98. The sponsor this month is Little Crafts and the winner will receive a surprise prize! 

Much love

Steph x

Uniko Jan 2023 Mini Release Introducing BB Mid Century Modern Linear

Good morning fans! 

Today we are introducing Uniko's Background Blocks Mid Century Modern Linear stamp. This design is not only an addition to the background blocks range but also the mid century modern range, both of which are super versatile in their uses. 

For my card I have teamed the Background Blocks Mid Century Modern Linear stamp with Uniko's Anniversaire Arts Decoratifs sentiment to show how the product works across other genres also. I think it gives a lovely Art Deco feel when heat embossed in copper. 

The Uniko Brand Ambassadors have done a fabulous job of showcasing this new stamp so head over to the Uniko blog and leave some lovely comments. 

Don't forget to pop back tomorrow to see the next Introduction on this mini release. 

Much love

Steph x

Uniko Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Peace on Earth

Hi all, 

Thanks for joining me today for my Uniko Brand Ambassador inspiration post. I seem to be on a roll with Christmas cards at the moment so I have chosen to use the Uniko Peace on Earth stamp set. I have however, made one card that isn't a Christmas card with this set...read on! 

Here I have kept to a very traditional layout, stamping one of the doves and fussy cutting. I stamped the olive branch twice and fussy cut also before layering them and the dove onto a navy blue die cut circle. The sentiment is also from the Peace on Earth set and is heat embossed using white embossing powder. 

For my next card I have white heat embossed the edges with snowfall from the Uniko Background Builders: Winter Wonderland stamp set. I then heat embossed the two doves onto navy card and fussy cut. The olive branch is stamped directly onto the card using green ink as is the sentiment using navy ink. 

For my final card I wanted to show how this stamp set could also be used for a congratulations (or wedding) card. I stamped and heat embossed the doves using black ink and fussy cut. I then used the outline heart from the Uniko Background Builders: Hearts stamp set and heat embossed in clear before infilling with glossy accents. (I think it looks a bit like the middle of a jammy dodger!!). I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment from the Uniko Flower Power #3 stamp set before adhering all the elements to a green die cut stitched rectangle and then onto the card front. 

Hoping I have given you some useful inspiration today and that you are where you want to be in terms of your Christmas crafting!!

Much love

Steph  

Uniko June 2022 Release Introducing - Background Builders Hearts

Good morning, 

I hope everyone is keeping well? We are here today to introduce Uniko Background Builders Hearts stamp set. These background builder sets are always so versatile. 

I have created a 'floating' panel for my card and heat embossed the heart stamp strips onto coloured card before die cutting them into a heart. I added the two further hearts for interest. I absolutely love the criss-cross effect of these heart stamps. 

Once again pop over to the Uniko blog to check out the other fantastic inspiration from the rest of the Brand Ambassadors and leave some love on the Uniko blog.

Much love

Steph x

Uniko 10th Birthday February 2022 Reveal, Release, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop & Giveaway!

Good morning all, 

Welcome to the Uniko 10th Birthday February 2022 Reveal, Release, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop and GIVEAWAY!! 

So, no procrastinating today, straight into the product reveals and more of my cards using them.

Background Blocks Cogs:

My first card (here) was a masculine design so for today's card I have gone feminine and used a sentiment from the BIG & BOLD You stamp set (also on this release) that struck a cord with me:

Next up we have Background Blocks Splatters:

If you were here earlier in the week you will remember that I made two cards with this stamp, one that looked like a coffee spillage and one that might result from a really big sneeze...! Well today's card is inspired by what my husband saw when he looked at the stamp, land and sea. It is teamed with Uniko Nautical Treasures stamp set and Uniko Everyday Sentiments stamp set (see below).

Some very useful sentiments included in the Everyday Sentiments stamp set and as you can see, I've used lots throughout the Introductions and on my cards today. 

Next an addition to the BIG & BOLD series in the form of BIG & BOLD You stamp set which I have teamed with the Flower Power #7 stencil and mask set for my next card (below):

I used all three of the Flower Power #7 masks to leave a white floral area and ink blended around them. The large size of the BIG & BOLD You sentiment made a perfect partner for this background and I found the little circle configurations very useful for infilling and adding interest to the card. 

Now for some more Fun Flowers fun with the Fun Flowers stencil and mask set which I have again teamed with the re-introduced Fun Flowers stamp set.

I love the addition of the masks with this stencil because it enabled me to overlap the florals without it resulting in a muddy mix of colour. I used acrylic paper here which seems to give the Distress Oxides a really bright and fresh finish. I added some detail by using the Fun Flowers stamps.

This card is similar to my introduction card (here) but this time I fussy cut the florals and added them to an orange background (because the other card wasn't nearly 70's enough!) using foam pads, before adding a sentiment from the Everyday Sentiments set.

The final Fun Flowers addition is the Fun Flowers Spray stencil and mask, which I think has a very elegant look about it. 

I used both the mask and stencil to ink the inner parts with Versamark ink before removing the stencil and inking the outer edge. I added the gold embossing powder and set with a heat gun before fussy cutting leaving a gold edge. I adhered this to a black card blank with a slightly shorter front than back and added acetate for the bottom section, which is seen better in the next photo. 

Last, but by no means least, we have the Framed Balloons stamp:

This is such a fun stamp and here I have used only the top part where I have repeat stamped and coloured before layering up with foam pads. It's sort of a decoupage effect.

Well wow! What another fantastic release from Bev and Uniko. 

As always we have the Brand Ambassadors blog hop and the chance to win a £10 eGift Code. All you have to do is visit each of the Brand Ambassadors blogs and leave a lovely comment, but of course I know you will do that anyway because of all the amazing creativity on display. 

Anita

Bev

Hannelie

Izzy

Jane

Julie

Steph - that's me

Wiebke

The products on this release will be available to buy from 10am GMT today over over on the Uniko shop website. Happy shopping!

Much love

Steph x

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #484

Morning all, 

I must say I'm quite excited to see what everyone makes of today's Color My Heart Color Dare challenge #484. 

As you can see it's a Tic, Tac, Toe board so choose a row, column or diagonal and use those three colours. You are welcome to use the other colours in the board too as well as the free colours at the bottom. We reference Close To My Heart colours but you are welcome to use any brand as long as they are a VERY close match. 

Most of the time when I look at at colour board there are certain colours that just yell out to me (usually green!) and I was very tempted by the far right column. However, I decided to try not to go with my first choice and in the end I used the middle column of Mint, Silver and Grape. My approach to these type of challenges is to pull out the colours in card, ink or alcohol markers first of all and then wait for inspiration to come! On this occasion, as soon as I saw the colours together (and only those colours) I knew the Uniko Background Builders Arts Decoratifs stamp set would be perfect with it's Art Deco vibes. 

Using one of the strip stamps and Mint and Grape inks, I set about creating my background. To this I added a die cut piece of silver card and a smaller die cut piece of white card containing the sentiment from the Uniko Anniversaire Arts Decoratifs stamp set. I stamped the sentiment in Grape ink and then again in Versamark ink so I could heat emboss it with clear powder. This just gives it a little added luxury which I felt it needed to stand against the silver card. 

So now it's your turn to join in the fun and select your Tic, Tac, Toe colours. What will you be inspired to make? Check out the fabulous inspiration from the Color My Heart Color Dare Design Team over on the blog.

Much love

Steph x

Uniko Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Background Blocks Mid Century Modern

Good morning all, 

I hope this blog post finds you well? Welcome to my first Uniko Brand Ambassador Inspiration post of 2022! 

I am starting the year off with Uniko Background Blocks Mid Century Modern stamp. I love the Mid Century Modern sets and this one is particularly good for masculine cards, however I have applied a mix of styles here.

My first card teams the background block with a mix of sentiments from Uniko Simply Said Blocks and Simply Said Blocks II stamp sets. The sentiments are heat embossed onto black card using blue embossing powder while the background block was stamped and heat embossed in yellow powder. I used the stamp twice, slightly overlapping, to give a longer edge to the card and I trimmed it before adhering to the card base.

For my second card I wanted a softer and more feminine feel so I teamed the background block with florals from the Uniko Originally Organic Additions stamp set. The elements of this card are all stamped in dye ink which gives a softer look than the heat embossing above. 

Possibly my favourite of the three cards, here I have heat embossed the background block in black onto yellow card. I have used the block twice to show how nicely the background blocks fit into a slimline card. I have added some enamel dots over some of the 'terminals' (I often think of this stamp as an underground map!!). The sentiment is from the Uniko Doodle Flowers stamp set and is white heat embossed onto a black card strip before being adhered with foam pads. 

Hopefully there's something here to kickstart your New Year crafting. I know I found it hard getting back into it after a very lazy break between Christmas and New Year! 

Take care and keep crafting!

Much love

Steph x

Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #456

Afternoon all,

It’s another colour wheel challenge over at Color My Heart Color Dare this week but this time we are asking for Complementary Colours, in other words, two opposite each other on the wheel.

Here’s a little further explanation about Complementary Colours:

In addition to your chosen two colours you can also use black, white, neutrals abs gold. Please make sure you tell us which two colours you chose. 

I chose blue and orange as my two colours and as you can see I completely ignored the line about not using the colours in large doses! 😂

As these stamp sets from Uniko are very ‘pop art’ in style I figured the more colour the better. I have used two stamp sets called Explosion! and Explosion! Additions. I used a dark blue base card and stamped the elements in Lawn Fawn Pumpkin Spice and Fish Tank. I used the complimentary dies to cut out the elements and adhered to the card base. I think it makes an impact!!

So if you fancy a great challenge then get your thinking cap on and design us a card. If you need a little more inspiration head over to the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge blog and check out the brilliant projects by the Design Team. Remember to leave them some love. 

Much love

Steph x

Uniko Challenge #66 Reminder

Morning all

We are back with reminders of the current Uniko challenge #66. 

Following on from the wonderful inspiration provided by the Brand Ambassadors at the start of the challenge, we now have even more fantastic projects to get your creative mind flowing!

Another slimline card from me and it’s so satisfying how the Uniko Background Blocks Arts Decoratifs stamp fits perfectly one on top of the other. I wanted a muted colour tone for this card and I matched this in my flowers from the Uniko You Are, Yes You stamp set but used the lighter blends also. The sentiment is from the Uniko Simply Said Blocks set and is simply stamped onto a piece of card that I coloured with one of the markers. 

Be sure to visit the Uniko blog where you can check out the fantastic inspiration from the rest of the Design Team and our wonderful guest designer, as well as join in the challenge. 

Thanks for visiting,

Steph x

Uniko July 2021 Reveal, Release Day, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY!

Hello everyone,

Yay! I'm so glad you are here today to see the Uniko July 2021 release reveal! 

It's a big release this month and a mixture of stamps and stencils, so sit back, relax and enjoy. 

Firstly the stamps and what I created with them:

Heat embossed Background Blocks Diagonal Stripe in gold. Stamped and fussy cut Paradise Leaves stamp set followed by heat embossing in clear.

Repeat stamped Background Blocks Grid stamp and coloured in black, blue, red and yellow. Die cut ‘happy’ from Big & Bold Happy die set to create an aperture and stamped sentiment and party confetti from corresponding stamp set.

Background Blocks - Layered Modern Floral stamped in blue and green on the top half. Background Blocks Grid stamped and coloured in blue on the bottom half. Ribbon and sentiment across the centre along with fussy cut flowers and leaves.

Stamped Block Party - Summer in Versamark onto grey card. Heat embossed in green, yellow, blue and lilac powder in diagonals. Die cut and layered onto grey card blank using foam pads.

Outline floral and leaf stamped onto grey card in dark grey (or Versamark) ink. Solid floral stamped in orange and outline stamped in grey onto white card and fussy cut. Orange florals attached using foam pads and any overhang trimmed off.

Simply Said Blocks III stamped in matching ink onto red, yellow and green card. Die cut circles, each larger than the one before and cut in half. Adhere to the card front as shown. Stamp more sentiments and fussy cut before adhering one on top of another to create a flower/windmill and add to the card front.

And now for the stencils:

With the Flower Power #8 stencil in place, used various colours of Nuvo drops to infill petal sections. Once dry, added heat embossed sentiments from the Uniko Birthday sentiments stamp set. (Don’t look too closely as there are some errors in my Nuvo drops but not too bad for a first attempt!).

Inked through Rainbow & Clouds stencil with white pigment ink onto dark blue card. Once dry, coloured rainbows with watercolour brush markers. Fussy cut and layered onto dark blue die cut squares and rectangles before arranging onto a dark blue slimline card base.

Inked card stock with Distress Oxide inks before laying the Squared stencil on top and inking through with white ink. Die cut with square nesting dies and added to dark teal card stock alternating flat lay and foam pad for dimension. 

Using various shades of green, ink through Tropical Leaf I stencil and fussy cut right hand edge. On another piece of card use orange ink through Tiger Print stencil followed by black ink, slightly offset. Add the leaf panel over the tiger stripe panel and add the sentiment from the Uniko Wild stamp set to finish. 

What a fabulous release from Uniko! Well done Bev. 

Now for some fun! Hop over to each of the Brand Ambassadors blogs and leave a lovely comment for your chance to win the ENTIRE release. 

Bev

Hannelie

Izzy

Jane

Julie

Rahmat

Steph - that's me!

Thanks for visiting today. 

Much love

Steph x