Uniko Sponsors Crafthazelnut's Christmas Challenge!

Hey!

Apologies for it being so quiet around here this week, it's been a busy one here at Uniko HQ with restocks arriving, new packaging, lovely orders ;) busy mummy duties and lastly a leaky emergency in the house which took up most of my bean free afternoon on Thursday :( 

Anyway, enough chit chat! I'm here today to let you know that Uniko is proudly sponsoring Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge HERE.

This week it's an easy 'Anything Goes' Challenge but don't forget it needs to be Christmas!

As a prize for one lucky winner for joining in on the challenge Uniko is offering an unstuck stamp set of the winners choice from the Uniko website HERE. We have our February Release just around the corner too ;)

As I haven't been very creative this week, I made some time to sit and create. Oh and play with the February Release which has been waiting patiently for me. No spoilers here today I'm afraid, but if you keep an eye out on Instagram and Facebook this weekend you might spot a couple ;)

This is what I came up with for the challenge...

With hardly any creative time this week I had challenge withdrawal symptoms, so when I saw the new CAS(E) this Sketch! layout seen HERE and below, I knew I had to find the 'right' stamps to work with it. 

First I chose the sentiment from Simply Said Christmas, then the 4 step stamp poinsettia and the fern from Jingle Bells.

I started by stamping one of the poinsettias directly onto my card base and then stamped 2 more onto scraps of card to fussy cut out. I stamped the sentiment and then decided on the placement of the fussy cut poinsettias before stamping the ferns. Apart from the gold pearls it's a mail friendly Christmas card to start off 2016's Christmas card stash! 

Ok, that's all from me today, I hope you find some creative time this weekend and I look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery over HERE at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge. Until the next time, thanks for stopping by today.

YAY....CHRISTMAS!

Hey!

So.... it's been a crazy week or so here at Uniko HQ, with all the normal Christmas preparations, it took me longer than expected to recover from the bugs that hit our household :( 

However, I can say now that I am feeling at least 95% better, I think I will feel 100% when I've finished all the little finishing touches for Christmas, like make the neighbour cards & close family cards! Yep, I STILL have cards to make! 

I did find a little energy at the weekend to create a few Christmas cards that will most likely arrive late as I missed the 'official' last posting dates...doh! Anyway, this is one of the CAS designs I came up with...

I decided to use the recently released Jingle Bells clear stamp set as the main focus and added a sentiment from the retiring Label Love: Christmas clear stamp set. 

Even though it was time consuming I decided to stamp all 4 layers of the poinsettia, fussy cutting one and also stamping, embossing and fussy cutting the bell. I added some clear Wink Of Stella to the bell for a little subtle shimmer and some gold pearls finished the design off. I am quite pleased with the design & hope the recipients do too (when they get them)! 

Before I go & make some MORE Christmas cards I have a winner to announce for the recent Winter/Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop HERE. I added an extra prize for one lucky comment and random.org has chosen lucky comment #10 who is....

Becca Cruger11 December 2015 at 17:24

You sure know how to impress with CAS!! So merry and bright. Thanks for being such a generous sponsor of the hop!

Congratulations Becca! Please send me an email to bev@uniko.co.uk by 31st December 2015 along with your postal address and I will get your winning goodies on their way to you. 

Thank you to everyone who joined in on the hop and took the time to comment on the Uniko post, I didn't quite manage to comment on all the entries, but the few I did and what I have seen in the gallery is AMAZING! 

Anyway, best dash, these cards are not going to make themselves and I hope to share them here too with you all. If I don't make it back to wish you all a Merry Christmas I will now! 

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Uniko Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop!

Hey!

I am so glad you have stopped by today as today we have a Uniko Design Team Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop. I decided to put on this extra Design Team blog hop as not all the team received their November Release goodies in time for the release day blog hop HERE.

So, we are all here today with more inspiration using the Uniko November 2015 Release products, which are still in stock but a couple of the sets I only have a small amount of stock left ;)

As usual I left making my samples to the last minute, but I am quite pleased with what I created in a few hours & I hope you like them too! As not to make this post HUGE I will be sharing the rest of my projects HERE on the website blog.

Ok, onto my card...

I was inspired firstly by THIS card here on Pinterest for my layout & secondly for my colour choices the current Fusion Card Challenge HERE and inspiration photo below.

One thing I love to do when designing Uniko clear stamps is to provide creative options when stamping. So when I designed Essentially Christmas I wanted to create 2 step stamps which could also be used individually on their own. 

This card and another of my cards today HERE on the website blog shows my CAS style of 2 step stamping. Basically an outline stamp & a solid stamp, yes, it is simple, but it also provides endless possibilities! 

Ok, that's all from me on this blog today, but please CLICK HERE to see more from me ;) Don't forget that by commenting here and on all the Design Team blogs along the way you will be in the chance of winning the ENTIRE RELEASE! (Or an eGift Certificate to the value of any of the products from the release you may have purchased).

Now I'm handing you over to the Uniko Design Team, who have 'Rocked' this release around the Christmas Tree! Lol!

CLICK HERE to see more from Deborah

CLICK HERE to see more from Jane

CLICK HERE to see more from Nicki

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah G

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah P

Remember, simply visit & comment along the hop by midnight Saturday 5th December, to be in the chance of winning  the ENTRIE release! The WINNER will be announced Sunday 6th December.

All the new products showcased today are available HERE on the website.

We also have a Black Friday weekend SALE on AND we have some products RETIRING which are at a discounted price until all stock of the retiring items are sold.

THANK YOU so much for stopping by today & joining in on all the fun. I hope that you all have a wonderful festive season.

CAS Colours & Sketches Guest Designer

Hey!

I'm back this afternoon with my third Guest Designer card & post for CAS Colours & Sketches, I'm sure having a lot of fun in the studio at the moment and the colours & sketches for November are certainly 'challenging' me to step outside of my comfort zone! 

Anyway, this week is colour week & these are the yummy colours, they have suggested Stampin' Up! colours but you can use any brand as long as the colours are as close to the challenge as possible.

Such a lovely colour combo and this is what I came up with...

I've been wanting to create a wedding card since I got the November release stamps, but never got round to it during release week. So when I saw the challenge colours I immediately thought, weddings! 

I have combined 4 Uniko clear stamp sets on my card, Jingle Bells, Flower Power #6, Natures Treasures II and Pure Florals: Chrysanthemum. I don't have the SU! colours above, so I used SU! Calypso Coral & VersaMagic Oasis Green. 

All the leaves, flowers & bells are fussy cut out & then layered together on the card & adhered using double sided tape. The sentiment from Pure Florals: Chrysanthemum is stamped in Silver Encore ink but not embossed with stardust EP like the bells. I finished my card off with a few Pretty Pink Posh sequins for good measure!

That's all I have for today on this blog, but I do have my the Stamp Of The Week card HERE. Be sure to stop on by the CAS Colours & Sketches blog HERE to join in on the challenge & I look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery. 

Uniko Sponsors CASology!

* CLICK HERE for my first post today & CAS Colours & Sketches reminder *

Hey!

I am back again today to let you know that Uniko is proud to be sponsoring the new challenge over at CASology this week HERE - YAY!

This week at CASology the challenge cue word is...

And this is how I was inspired by the cue word...

I decided to use a 'pretty' Christmas flower on my card, the 4 step stamping poinsettia along with the holly & ribbon motif from the newly released Jingle Bells clear stamp set. I added some 'pretty' gold glitter to my ribbon tails for the added Christmas sparkle! 

I used the SU! Grunge Grid again for my BG, stamping it in VersaMagic Pixie Dust first onto my white CS layer, I then stamped the holly ribbon image in Tea Leaves VersaMagic, but then went over the ribbon lines with a black fine liner as I wanted them to show through the glitter and define them. 

The poinsettia is stamped with all 4 layers & fussy cut out, I will be sharing a little tutorial later in the week as to how I stamp the poinsettia & the order I stamp the layers. The sentiment is from Simply Said Christmas, the Stamp Of The Week this week HERE. I have masked the sentiment before stamping it as a cluster rather than the straight line stamp it comes as.

Again I used the CAS(E) this Sketch! layout seen HERE and below for my card, it is such a fun sketch ;)

Anyway, be sure to check out the CASology Challenge HERE & join in, there is a £15 eGift Certificate to spend in store over HERE at Uniko.

Ok, that is all from me today on this blog, I will be back tomorrow with more to share & over on the website blog later with another card using the Stamp Of The Week, Simply Said Christmas. Until next time, thank you for stopping by today.

25 Days Of Christmas Tags with Tracey from 'In My Creative Opinion'

Hey!

Myself, Uniko & the Uniko Design Team are delighted to be joining Tracey from In My Creative Opinion, for the 25 Days Of Christmas Tags event.

For all the event information & link up click HERE.

So, the DT and I have made some Christmas Tags to inspire you, here is my little tag...

I decided to give the outline bells from the NEW Jingle Bells clear stamp set some love.  I stamped  them in Silver Encore ink and embossed them with Stardust EP onto some SU! Pool Party CS. They are fussy cut out and adhered together along with a red solid bow also from Jingle Bells. The sentiment is from an old (soon to be retiring clear stamp set, Jolly Christmas).

Here is a close up of the tag, which is two SU! Tags & Labels Framelits die cuts. The larger is die cut from PTI Soft Stone CS and the smaller offset tag from white CS...

Again, I roped the Uniko DT into joining me for this event & they have produced more awesome inspiration for you, be sure to stop on by their blogs and leave them some love ;)

CLICK HERE to see more from Deborah

CLICK HERE to see more from Jane

CLICK HERE to see more from Nicki

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah G

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah P

Now, there are lots of sponsors and prizes for this event, so be sure to head on over HERE for all the details on how to be in the chance of winning :)

That's all from me today & thank you for stopping by.

November 2015 Reveal, Release & GIVEAWAY!

Hey & Happy Hump Day!

This post is sure to brighten your day & or get it off to a wonderful start as TODAY is Release Day HERE at Uniko HQ. 

Firstly I would like to thank all of the Uniko DT for their handwork & promotion for this release, but especially Jane, Sarah G and Sarah P for working their little socks off in such a short space of time to produce some FABULOUS creations. I am sure you agree with me on this one?! 

Also THANK YOU kind readers, fans & customers for your continued support, custom & comments on the Uniko Blogs. As a little gesture & in honour of the Share Handmade Kindness that is happening within the industry and in blogland I will be adding a little gift to a limited number of orders on a first come first serve basis. So be sure to get your order in early ;)

Ok, grab a drink & lets get to the reveal...

Essentially Christmas £9.95

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2015

www.uniko.co.uk

As you can see this first set lives up to its name, featuring a collection of 'essential' Christmas images. It contains an array of 'building' images and mix & match sentiments. It is sure to be a worthwhile set to add to you collection! The Christmas tree and the holly stamps coordinate with the previously released Background Builders: Christmas too for even more possibilities! 

I LOVE Coffee £4.95

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2015

www.uniko.co.uk

Jingle Bells £9.95

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2015

www.uniko.co.uk

Labelled Christmas £9.95

Copyright Uniko Ltd 2015

www.uniko.co.uk

Now I have done all the formal introductions, how about a couple of cards showcasing these new sets.

First up I decided to use Jingle Bells to create this fairly CAS design. I started by masking a square on my white CS mat layer to stamp the larger of the two small bells in Encore Silver ink. The two solid larger bells are stamped also in Encore Silver ink but also heat embossed with stardust embossing powder for that extra sparkle.

The 'Jingle' sentiment is stamped in VersFine Onyx Black, fussy cut out, lightly brushed with Wink Of Stella & mounted using foam adhesive.

For my next card I couldn't resist using the 'Let it Snow' label from Labelled Christmas & paring it with my favourite snowflake from Stunning Snowflakes!

I opted for a favourite style layout for my card using a angled mat layer stamped with silver snowflakes. I also dusted off my Snowflake dies to mat the label with a silver sparkly snowflake :) So much sparkle & snowflakes makes me happy!

The colours of both my cards were inspired by the current The Paper Players challenge seen HERE and below, which this time is a colour challenge.

That's all from me, but as tradition holds we have our release day blog hop, todays hop is a mini hop as only the UK DT have their goodies. Simply visit & comment along the hop by midnight Wednesday 25th November, to be in the chance of winning an £15 eGift Certificate!

So, lets see what the AWESOME UK based Design Team have created...

CLICK HERE to see more from Jane

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah G

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah P

WOW! Didn't they do an awesome job showcasing these sets? I am in awe of all of them :) 

So, remember that there are no Mystery Prize winners being announced for this release as we have TWO blog hops for this release instead with a chance to win from both! 

First todays mini DT Blog Hop, simply visit & comment along the hop by midnight Wednesday 25th November, to be in the chance of winning an £15 eGift Certificate release!

Second we have a full DT Blog Hop organised for Saturday 28th November at 9am GMT, Simply visit & comment along the hop by midnight Saturday 5th December, to be in the chance of winning  the ENTRIE release!

THANK YOU so much for stopping by today & joining in on all the fun and also for all the visits, comments and support over the last few days with Sneak Peeks & Introducing posts. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as me!

All the new products are available HERE on the website, hope to see you there ;) 

Introducing... Jingle Bells

Hey & Happy Monday!

I am SO happy you have stopped by today, here at Uniko I am in full swing with the November Release & today we have the next product introduction :)

Today three of the UK based Uniko DT are joining me & WOW they've whipped up some beauties to share with you! 

First up a I have a couple of cards to share with you, both of my cards are mini 10.5 x 10.5cm square to give you a better idea of size.

My first card today features the large Jingle & Bells sentiment from the set, which are two separate stamps. I wanted to keep my card super CAS and paired it with the two smaller sized bells which are stamped in gold. I then drew in the hanging threads and the little bow is from Rustic Christmas.

Next I wanted to show you the holly & ribbon paired with the layered poinsettia...

Now, without a stamp positioner (I need to add a MISTI to my Christmas list) the poinsettia can be a little tricky to line up as it is a petite but cute poinsettia :) I stamped the poinsettia in Red Magic VersaMagic then, one layer in SU! Rose Red & two layers in Encore Gold ink. Then I set about fussy cutting it out which is an obsession of mine (fussy cutting that is!).

The holly & ribbon come as one stamp, which I stamped in Tea Leaves VersaMagic ink & added the holly detail with Hint Of Pesto VersaMagic. A trio of berries, glitter to the ribbon & sentiment from Essentially Christmas & I was done!

Anyway, that's all from me but I know the DT have made some wonderful samples in such a short space of time, so be sure to pop on by to their blogs below to see more...

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah P

CLICK HERE to see more from Jane

CLICK HERE to see more from Sarah G

Ok, that's all we have today, but we will be back tomorrow with one more product to share before the products line shelves on the 11th November & are available to purchase HERE.

Sneak Peeks 5th & 6th November. These little teasers give you hints at what is in store!

Introducing... 7th - 10th November. Here you'll get to see the soon to be released products in action. 

Release Day! Thursday 11th November you will get to see all the products in their entirety and purchase them HERE on the website! As tradition holds there will be a mini Design Team Blog Hop with a chance for a lucky person to win an eGift Certificate. 

AND as the DT in the US are late getting their release goodies, we have organised an extra blog hop & prizes of course...

Countdown to Christmas Blog Hop! Saturday 28th November is the official DT Blog Hop showcasing the release & of course prizes up for grabs!

Hope to see you tomorrow for more & thank you for stopping by today :)