12 Days Of Christmas Inspiration & Giveaways Day 2 - BIG & BOLD Joy 🤩

Hello & Happy Merry Monday 🎅🏻

The countdown to Christmas is on and here at Uniko we kicked things off yesterday with a Christmas Linky Party, be sure to check it out HERE. 

Today I am starting the week with Christmas joy and my inspiration uses the NEW BIG & BOLD Joy clear stamps that were released last month. 

Just like other years there will be a daily video over on the Uniko YouTube Channel. Be sure to subscribe and be notified when the video is up. The link will be added on this post when available too. Yes, 2nd day and I am already behind schedule. 

*Edit to add today's video link HERE! 

But I also have a card to share with you here, so let's have a look...

I don't think there is anything more joyful than rainbow colours. Just like other crafters I keep LOTS of leftovers from other makes and I had these die cut paper strips from making rainbows using the Concord & 9th Card Front Rainbow Die. 

So I decided to put them to use on a fun panel to create a backdrop for this sparkly joy. I finished the design with a holly accent from Winter Foliage and an accent sentiment from Pure Florals Poinsettia.

I hope you have enjoyed todays festive product focus as much as I have. 

Today's giveaway is BIG & BOLD Joy and BIG & BOLD Thank/s/ful*. Simply leave a comment on any of Uniko's social media where I have shared this card. I'd love to who you would send Christmas Joy to.

Be sure to comment by Midnight GMT Tuesday 12th December 2024. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 13th December 2024. 

Crafty Hugs

* An alternative prize will be offered, ONLY if the winner has already purchased the prize items. 

Simple Festive Stencil Sunday

Hello & Happy Sunday.

Today has been a tidy up and a little reorganise in the studio. Mainly because I could hardly see my desk or the floor! But I did manage to squeeze in this card as inspiration came to me.

I've been loving vellum again recently. I love how it softens the background a little, but still makes the pattern behind visible. 

I dusted off the Stencil - Christmas Folk Snowflake and I love the design in this striking Cranberry colour. Not wanting to take too much focus from the pattern I added a simple sentiment trio from Christmas Sentiments (back in stock next week). I adhered the sentiments with foam adhesive onto the vellum. Then attached the vellum to my card using double sided tape and hidden behind the sentiments.

I finished the card with a simple holly cluster from Winter Foliage, which has yet to leave my desk. It is definitely one of my favourites for the season. 

That's all from me today, I've a bit more tidying and the roast to sort!

Crafty Hugs

Festive Friday Mix

Hello & Happy Friday.

Another week of the school holidays is almost over and in honest truth, I'm not quite ready for them to end. Just one more week and a couple of days to go. Plus a week tomorrow The Beans turn 9. THAT, I know I am not ready for! 

Firstly I am nowhere near prepared celebrations wise, a party to organise, cakes to make and everything in between. Secondly, they are growing up way too fast and it's like this instinct of wanting to keep them little for as long as possible.

Anyway, enough of my sentimental rabbling, let's get to my card....

Last week the most recent release restocks arrived along with a few other requested clear stamps. One of them was Rustic Wreath. So I had an inspirational creative moment and decided to pair the Rustic Wreath with sentiments and elements from Mid Century Modern Wreath Builder.

I'm pleased with how this turned out, I was unsure as to how the modern rustic look would pair with the quirky Mid Century style, but I like it. 

A bit of dimension on this card with the white stamped panel and the bow adhered with foam tape. But still it will get through normal post as my tape is the 1mm thick, so 2mm in total plus the card thickness. 

I hope I will get some time this evening to create once appointments, swimming lessons and dinner is done. The Beans are off to the PIL with their usual Friday night sleepover.

Have a lovely day! 

Crafty Hugs 

Merry Monday - Winter Foliage

Hello & Happy Monday! 

Today I was inspired to create a card using the Stencil - Winter Foliage paired with some of the Winter Foliage clear stamps.

I started with the stencil and used a small blending brush from Waffle Flower (shader 0) to colour each of the different elements in the stencil design. I then cleaned my stencil and placed it back over, using Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste to add the beautiful sparkle.

I then embellished the card with a sentiment from Simply Said Blocks Christmas and the holly leaf & berry cluster from Winter Foliage, using the coordinating Designer Dies Winter Foliage to cut them out. Both the sentiment and holly cluster are adhered to the card using foam tape.

That's all from me today, it's back to sorting stock from being in Doncaster on Saturday and preparing lovely samples for the up coming release 😊 Plus all the things I feel I *need* to get done before school is out for summer after Thursday! 

Crafty Hugs

Hello July!

Hello July and welcome to...

This month myself and the Uniko Brand Ambassadors will be getting into the Christmas spirit and sharing inspiration using Uniko's current Christmas products in preparation for a NEW release, with countdown to release celebrations and inspiration starting 31st July. New products will be available Sunday 6th August.

Don't worry, if you're not quite ready for getting in the Christmas spirit, we will still be sharing other inspiration too! 

However, I'm kicking things off with a couple of cards using Framed - Holly as the main feature of may cards. 

As you can see, I am still on this vellum technique. It's fun trying out different stamps with this technique and this framed was calling for it.

I've stamped the frame in VersaMark and heat embossed in white. I then used just a trio of Stampin' Up! Stampin' Blends to colour on the reverse. I then adhered this to my card base using a fine tip glue and embellished the card with a sentiment from Christmas Wishes and a cluster of Winter Foliage. I finished off with a few red Nuvo drops.

The creative inspiration was flowing, so I went on to make a second card using Framed - Holly. 

This time I decided to stamp the frame in black ink and colouring with the same trio of markers. I then added the same sentiment stamped and embossed in gold. 

I decided the card needed a bit of dimension. So I stamped the image again and selectively coloured a few of the holly leaves, before fussy cutting them out and adhering them using foam tape. This creates a subtle raised spotlighting effect. 

I trimmed the frame and adhered it with double sided tape to a piece of Concord & 9th Poppy card before adhering to my card base using foam tape.

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by.

Crafty Hugs 

Countdown to Christmas Day 19 - Sparkle Saturday

 Happy Sparkle Saturday!

I'm a little later than I originally planned, but didn't want to get behind again. This evening we had a family film night and I introduced the boys to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder) the classic. It started off well, then they got a little bored! BUT then they loved it, but the chocolate factory is the best bit! 

Anyway, the card I am sharing today is one I really had to get out of my head! Occasionally I will envision a card idea in my head, often when I am designing stamps, but this time probably about a week or so ago. So while the boys were watching something on You Tube before bed I sat down to make it.

Who remembers and even owns Christmas Sparkle? 

This little gem of a set retired a few years ago now, as much as I love all the stamps I design, a few years ago I needed to make room for newer designs and unfortunately this one got the bench. 

As it's retired I haven't used it for a very long time as I try to use just current and in-stock products. Anyway, today I am making an exception and as you have seen in the recent past, some retired stamps get a little re-introduction ;)

Anyway, how beautifully ornate does this gold beauty look?

Doesn't the Sparkle bauble pair with Framed - Holly wonderfully? Like it was designed to ;) I dusted off my Encore Gold pigment ink and also added gold heat embossing to add to the shine of these stamps. 

I really love how this turned out. 

That's all I have to share with you all today. I will be back tomorrow with another Stencil Sunday instalment, but until then, thank you for stopping by & I hope I have added a little sparkle to your day after the devastating news we were issued regarding Christmas. 

Sending Love & Crafty Hugs Bev x

Countdown to Christmas - Two For Tuesday

 Happy Tuesday! 

Welcome to Day 9 of Uniko's Countdown to Christmas :) 

Today I have my usual 'Two for Tuesday' cards. This time I have used the same main stamp and I have gone for one traditional Christmas colour scheme and one modern Christmas. Let's have a look. 

First up is my traditional colour scheme, green, red with a hint of white. I've had this gold embossed Framed - Holly since release day and I fancied having a go at filling my usual card size with equal spacing around all the edges.

For this I simply trimmed my stamped & embossed panel in two! I've then creatively hidden the divide with some ribbon and added my sentiment to a die cut label. With adding this extra detail and sentiment focal point I have not added any further colour or embellishment to the holly design.

My next card is my modern Christmas colours, rainbow! I have been wanting to do this after I made one of the release day cards. I feel it really pairs well with the 'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas' sentiment from Christmas Wishes!

I stamped my Framed - Holly in VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink and coloured the holly leaves with a rainbow selection of Copic Markers. 

A fairly quick card to make depending on how fast you are at colouring and how many distractions you get while colouring, LOL! 

That's all from me today, it's a little quieter in the studio now that I am fully caught up on posting lovely orders and prizes :) Which reminds me, there is just NINE hours or so until the WIN it WEDNESDAY Giveaway HERE. Be sure to link up your name and enter. 

I will be back tomorrow with more to share, until then, thank you for stopping by today. 

Crafty Hugs Bev x

Countdown to Christmas Day 3 - Christmas Wishes

 Happy Thursday!

Welcome to Day 3 of Uniko's Countdown to Christmas! 

Today I am sharing some Christmas Wishes, with a little Throwback Thursday spin for good measure...

I love a good sentiment and I love a good font, mix them together and you have another sentiment stamp set to add to the collection! I think sentiment stamp sets are one thing you can't have too many of, that's probably why I keep designing them ;)

Anyway, this first card layout is a throwback favourite to when Background Builders: Christmas first came out in 2013! You can check the original card by Amy Wanford (Aimes) out HERE.

As you can see I have used the same holly stamp & style of ribbon but paired them with the 'Season's Greetings' sentiment from the NEW Christmas Wishes clear stamp set. This is definitely a last minute 'go to' design when I know I'll need more Christmas cards!

This lead me onto my second card for today...

Another throwback layout to 2013, with THIS card I made. I think I have used this card for other occasions too?! It's a lovely CAS layout for using background building stamps.

A super CAS design, fairly easily mass produceable and mailing friendly too. I opted to not add glitter to the outline holly leaves on this occasion, but it would be a lovely sparkly embellishment idea for next time!

That's all my Christmas Wishes for today, I hope I have given you some creative Christmas sentiment inspiration. This stamp set has been super popular this release (thank you), there are less than a handful left on the website, so be quick if it's on your Christmas Wishes list! 

Tomorrow is our Uniko Challenge #62 Reminder, I will be combining the Countdown to Christmas post with my challenge reminder card on the blog tomorrow.

OH, and before I go... Did you see yesterdays post, WIN IT WEDNESDAY?! You might just want to check it out HERE.

Until tomorrow, thank you for stopping by today! 

Crafty Hugs Bev x

Introducing... Framed - Holly and Christmas Wishes

Hey & Happy Saturday!

Welcome to Day 1 of the Nov/Dec 2020 product introductions. 

Incase you missed the news yesterday, I shared some Sneak Peeks at some new products that will be available at 8pm GMT Monday 30th November over on the website HERE! 

With all the craziness and uncertainty of 2020, I kept the hype of a final release for this year quiet incase things didn't go as planned. BUT I am super happy and excited to finally bring you some new designs.

Today I am sharing a couple of Christmas cards using two new clear stamp sets, Framed - Holly and Christmas Wishes.

Framed - Holly is pretty much as the name suggests, a frame filled with a beautiful modern holly design around the edges. The style is very similar to those in the Originally Organic series. The frame measures 9 x 11.3 cm, so for this card I have trimmed my base card to be equal around all sides.

For my first card I decided to emboss the frame with WOW Metallic Gold Rich embossing powder onto Kraft card stock. I've then coloured the holly leaves and berries with Prismacolor pencils. The sentiment is just one of the 'complete' sentiments and a favourite of mine from Christmas Wishes. 

This last card for today shows Framed - Holly on my usual size card, 10.5 x 14 cm and for this card I stamped the frame in VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink and did some simple colouring with Copic Markers. The sentiment is a fave from Simply Said Blocks Christmas, which I have adhered to the card using 1mm thick foam adhesive.

A short & sweet introduction from me today, but I will be sharing LOTS more with these two stamp sets on Monday, RELEASE DAY! 

I will be back again tomorrow with a couple more introductions. I'd love to know what you like the look of so far :) I will choose ONE random comment left on this post on Tuesday 1st December for a £5 eGift Code to spend in store. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Crafty Hugs Bev x

Black Friday Bargains AND Nov/Dec 2020 Sneak Peeks!

 

Happy Friday!

What better way to start the weekend than with a SALE?! There are LOTS of bargains to be had over on the Uniko Sale Page HERE. Some are low in stock, so if there is something you've been after be sure to get in quick! I have also reduced the FREE Worldwide Shipping minimum order amount from £50 to £30.

The SALE and FREE Worldwide Shipping Offer will end 9pm GMT Sunday 29th November 2020.

AND it gets better... who's excited for a NEW Release?!

It's been a while coming thanks to the crazy of Covid, but I am pleased to have a mini Festive Release for all your last minute or early 2021 festive crafting!

Here are the Sneak Peeks to whet your crafting appetite ;)

This first peek is of a Pop Art inspired clear stamp set with a Christmas twist. Those who are long time Uniko fans might recognise the style from Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamp sets and Designer Dies.

My next peek is of the first in a NEW series of 'framed' stamps. This set has an Originally Organic style to it, but as you can see it's beautifully festive. 

Lastly for the FESTIVE clear stamps I have an awesome new sentiment set for you...

I've included 'complete' sentiments perfect for inside & outside of your Christmas cards, along with some 'mix & match' sentiments. Excited to show you these paired with some Uniko Christmas firm favourites!

AND if you read my Fall / Winter 2020 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Post HERE, you might have noticed the BIG hint I dropped to the last clear stamp being released ;)

As much as a do love a digital stamp, sometimes you are a little limited in the techniques you can use with them. So I am super excited to introduce another stamp to the Block Party series for all you coffee lovers out there. Block Party Coffee Love. This pairs beautifully with the previously released I LOVE Coffee clear stamp set.

AND that's not all! I have a couple of NEW stencil designs too...

This first stencil design will add even MORE possibilities to the first sneak peek I shared today AND to the previously released Explosion! and Explosion! Additions clear stamps! 

AND FINALLY...

I couldn't resist adding a festive design to the repertoire! Again, those long time fans of Uniko might have a hint to a currently but soon to come back clear stamp set ;)

That's all the sneak peeks I have to share for this release and I am excited to be sharing some projects over the weekend using these new products! 

They will be available to purchase on the website at 8pm GMT Monday 30th November - woohoo! 

Thanks for stopping by today & I would LOVE to know what you are most excited about and can't wait to see more of :)

Crafty Hugs 

Bev x

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas!

Wishing you all a wonderful day with whoever you are celebrating with today and this holiday season.

I wish those with loved ones far away or passed, that you find comfort in the memories you have and share them with those you have with you, so that their memory lives on.

This is one of my favourite makes this year for the Christmas cards. So I thought I would share it with everyone again, wishing I had the time and money to send each and everyone of you one in the post.

But as I can't, how about a little gift for you all instead...

Save 15% on all orders from today Christmas Day, until 9am GMT Thursday 2nd January 2020. Just enter the code MERRY15 into the coupon box during the checkout process and the discount will be applied. 

Please remember to use the code during checkout. The discount can not be applied after orders have been placed. Unfortunately this code will NOT work with any other code, promotional offer or voucher.

Crafty Hugs!

CAS Colours & Sketches #252 - Seasonal Colours

Hey & Happy December!

I can't believe we are into December and Christmas is just around the corner! I'm am SO behind on Christmas preparations amongst all my other 'things to do', I wish time would slow down a little - argh!

Anyway, THIS week at CAS Colours & Sketches we want you to choose a colour combo from all the ones in 2017 and make it seasonal! 

I decided to reuse one of the colour combos when I was hostess this year. This one is from Challenge #230 in July.

This is how I have used them to create a Christmas card...

I thought the colours were suitable for holly & berries, so I dusted off my Background Builders: Winter Vines Additions and used one of the holly leaves pairs and randomly stamped them on half of my card in Lemon Lime Twist ink. I then went in and stamped the berries in Berry Burst. 

The sentiment is from Festive Sentiments stamped in and on Island Indigo. Then I have mounted the panel onto my card base using foam adhesive. Super simple! 

That's all I have to share with you today, but be sure to head on over to the CAS Colours & Sketches blog post HERE to enter the challenge and to see more inspiration from the Design Team.

I look forward to seeing you in the gallery! 

Hugs