There's still time to play at the CAS Mix Up Challenge .......

Happy Thursday .......

The weekend is approaching, and if this nice weather that we're having at the moment continues, we might just get a couple of days away in the van!  Not sure where yet.  Wherever we end up, it'll be a bit of 'wild camping' as I think nearly all the actual campsites on the island are now closed for the winter, which is a shame.  But I believe there are a few places dotted around the island where we can still stay overnight.  We'll be fine, we have everything we need in the van, and enough power to last us a few days. 

Anyway, enough of all that ........ the reason I'm here is to remind you of this months CAS Mix Up challenge.  Have you played along yet?  Don't worry there's still time, the challenge doesn't close until October 24th. 

Viv is our host this month, and it's a stencil challenge with the theme ..... Tone on Tone

I do like this effect, especially when using stencils.  It's a real easy way of creating layers and adding depth to your cards.

Like the piece I made for the challenge launch ....... which you can see here if you missed it ..... I started out with a piece of coloured cardstock, and then chose my inks in different shades of the same colour.

Very Autumnal don't you think!

I used the pretty leaf stencil from Uniko and Distess Inks. 

I started with the lighter shade first, which was Spiced Marmalade, then stenciled over the top with the new Crackling Campfire ..... a gorgeous colour for this time of year.

I added a few splatters of gold ink over the top, stamped my sentiment  .......

And finished off with a few sparkly sequins, before mounting it onto a black cardblank ....... I love how it makes the colours really stand out. 

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time ........ 

Products used

Stencils: Natures Treasures II (Uniko)

Stamps: sentiment collection (Penny Black clear stamp set)

Inks: Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Crackling Campfire: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Delicata Metallic ink - Golden Glitz (for the splatters)

Others: Sequins

Tone on Tone for CAS Mix Up ......

Happy Thursday ......

Well, that's September done and dusted, and here we are in October.  

I love this time of year.  Autumn has arrived, and there's definitely a chill in the air.  The heating is on and it's hot chocolate all round ..... although I am still wearing my flip flops, it's not quite boot weather just yet!

The first of the month sees a brand new challenge over at CAS Mix Up

It's a STENCIL challenge this month, with the theme ..... Tone on Tone

The host for October is our lovely Viv,  and we have a fabulous Guest Designer this month ....... Pat (Colourful Card Creations) is joining in the fun so please pop by and say Hello.

Tone on Tone is a really fun way to use colour, especially with your stencils.  You can create interesting designs, add depth and layers or shadow effects by simply using different tones, or shades, of the same colour of ink.

I've kept things really simple here.  I started out with a piece of pretty lilac cardstock and stenciled over  the top using one of my favourite stencils and a lilac shade of Distress Ink

I added in a few splatters to the background with the same coloured ink, and did a little bit of shading to the petals using a Prismacolor pencil, again in a lilac shade

 

A few dots of Crystal Glaze on the centre of the flower, and I finished off with my sentiment ......

Part heat embossed, and part stamped, again using a different shade of lilac/purple ink

The challenge is open until October 24th so there's lots of time to play along.  See you in the gallery!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

Hubby's out for dinner this evening on a work thing.  They're not going into the office everyday but they can have meetings in a fancy restaurant ?????   I'm not jealous ..... much,  he's only at one of my favourite places ..... without me!!!

I have got the little man to keep me company though ..... homework, pizza and a movie for me, much more fun!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:

Stencils: Daisy stencil (Inkylicious)

Stamps: Happy Birthday stamp from my stash; beautiful heart stamp set (Penny Black)

Inks: Distress Ink - Victorian Velvet, Versafine Clair - Purple Delight; Versamark ink

Other: Lilac cardstock; Metallic Platinum Embossing Powder (WOW!); Prismacolor pencils;  Nuvo Crystal Glaze

Introducing ...... Happy Days and Background Blocks - Pinstripe II

Happy Saturday ......

Welcome to the weekend!
It's the final day of Introductions for the new Uniko February/Birthday Release.  Tomorrow is the day when all the new products will be available on the Uniko website.
I hope you've enjoyed seeing the new stamps and dies in action ....... have you got any favourites?
Maybe these will be going onto your Wish List ........

Happy Days ..... a beautiful leafy silhouette in the same style as the previously released set Just Because

Perfect for those quick and easy cards, and suitable for all sorts of occasions.

I simply masked off a section of my card with some low tack tape and then brushed some Distress Inks onto the background.
With the masking tape still in place, I stamped the new Background Block - Pinstripe II over the inked panel

I then removed the tape and stamped the leafy silhouette ........

I added a sentiment using some of the words that come in the stamp set

and finished off with some sparkly sequins.

Silhouettes don't always have to be stamped in black though ........  another way I like to use them is to create tone on tone designs using different shades of inks and cardstock

I chose a turquoise coloured cardstock and then stamped the image in two simlar shades of ink

A simple sentiment and a few sparkly gems add the finishing touches

Speaking of tone on tone ....... here's a fun way to use the new Background Block - Pinstripe II

I stamped the pinstripe design onto three different colours of cardstock using similar shades of inks.
I then cut a strip from each piece and laid them together on a square of white card (check out tomorrow's post for what I did with the rest of the stamped cardstock!)

I added a sentiment to the middle and finished off with some pretty sequins

Well, that's it ...... the intros are all done. You've seen everything from the new release ..... what do you think?

Don't forget the official Release Day is tomorrow (Sunday), 23rd February when we will be having the New Release Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY!!
All the products from the new release will be available on the Uniko website from 9pm (GMT) tomorrow evening.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.

Thankfully Hubby made it back to the island last night.  Glad he wasn't on the boat, because that was cancelled ..... again!!  Roll on Spring! 

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
You're My Happy .......
Stamps: Happy Days, Background Block- Pinstripe II (Uniko)
Inks: Distress Inks - Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs; Versafine - Vintage Sepia; Versafine Clair - Nocturne, Versamark
Others: Gold Detail Embossing Powder (WOW!); Sequins

Tone on Tone Design ......
Stamps: Happy Days; Simply Said Blocks II (Uniko)
Inks: Versafine Clair - Warm Breeze; Catherine Pooler Ink - Fiesta Blue; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Others: Clear sparkly gems

Pinstripe Happy Birthday ....
Stamps: Background Blocks - Pinstripe II, Simply Said Blocks (Uniko)
Inks: Versafine Clair - Monach, Warm Breeze, Paradise, Nocturne; Versamark ink
Others: Silver Detail Embossing Powder (WOW!), Sequins