25 Days of Christmas Tags 2019 .......

Happy Thursday ......

I'm getting into the Christmas spirit again today for the 25 Days of Christmas Tags 2019 event.

Each year this fabulous blog event is hosted by the lovely Tracey McNeely, and she's joined by a whole host of craft companies ..... this year there's 26! sponsoring the event.

Check out the main event post for a full list of the sponsors, guidelines to follow if you would like to join in the event, and of course the all important linky.

Today is Day 4 of the event and I'm thrilled to be joining in this year as one of the Brand Ambassadors for UNIKO.
Here's my tag .......

I'm loving this brand new Uniko Sparkling Snowflake Die ...... it's so pretty and such a great size.

This is so quick and easy, but will look fab on all those Christmas gifts.  Just change the colours of glitter card to match your festive colour scheme.
A quick tip .... if you don't have the right colour of glitter card, use silver or a white and add the colour using Copic markers, or any alcohol based pens, it works a treat!

I die cut the snowflake from glitter card ........

I die cut three circles, each a different size ..... one from Kraft card, one black and one from silver glitter card.  The silver layer isn't a full circle ......... no point in wasting precious glitter card that you can't see.  I used two circle dies, one smaller than the other,  to create a frame for the middle layer.

I layered everything together and attached the snowflake using foam pads.  I then used one of the sentiments from the new Uniko Festive Sentiments Outlined to add to the centre.

I told you they were quick and easy ........... so here's a few more.

Now I just need to make a start on my Christmas shopping!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day and have fun with the 25 Days of Christmas Tags event.

Hubby's away this weekend, he's off to Blackpool to the GUKPT (Grosvenor UK Poker Tour). Fingers crossed he has a good weekend!!

I'm staying put this time ...... I'm still trying to catch up after our last little trip.  I'm looking forward to a nice weekend in my craft room.

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:
Stamps: Festive Sentiments Outlined (Uniko)
Dies: Sparkling Snowflake Die (Uniko); Circle Dies (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Stitched Circle Die
Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Others: Kraft card; Black card; Various colours of glitter card; Silver Gel Pen

We're having a Uniko Blog Hop .........

Good morning!

Happy weekend!  Lets get things started with a fun Blog Hop.

As August is a non new release month from Uniko, we're having one of our Revisit Blog Hops.
This is where we put a previoulsy released stamp set, sometimes with matching dies or even a stencil, into the spotlight again, and showcase a few new ideas.
This month it's the turn of ....... BIG & BOLD Wish, the clear stamp set and the matching Designer Dies

I do love large sentiments and words.  They're great for making a real statement with your cards.  And when they come with matching dies ....... there are so many possibilities.

One of my favourite techniques using dies is inlaid die cuts, it's also a quick and easy way of making two cards from the one die cut.

I found a nice rainbow coloured piece of YUPO paper in my stash, coloured using Alcohol Inks and left over from a previous project.

I'd simply swiped the alcohol inks across the YUPO paper and then spritzed over the top using Blending Solution.

I die cut the word from the centre, making sure to keep all the loose bits from around each letter, and then set this aside for later.
I also cut the word from plain white cardstock

The white version was then inlaid into the coloured YUPO, replacing the coloured bits from in between the letters (the w and the s)

I stamped the rest of my sentiment onto a snippet of white card using one of the stamps from the matching set and attached it underneath the inlaid die cut

Sparkly gems and a few glitter stars add the finishing touches.

And don't forget the twofer .......

I die cut the word from plain white cardstock, and layered the coloured one on the top for a little dimension.  I also die cut the shadow (which also comes in the matching die set) from white card and attached this underneath.

The word was then attached to the centre of a square card and the rest of the sentiment stamped above and below

And that's it ...... two quick and easy cards.  I love the splash of colour.

As it's a Blog Hop there's a prize up for grabs.
The lucky winner will receive ...... the BIG & BOLD Wish clear stamp set AND the matching Designer Dies!!

All you have to do to be included in the draw is comment on each of the blogs as you hop on through. 
You've probably arrived here from Julie's Blog and the next stop from here will be the lovely Lindsey You have until midnight (GMT) on Saturday 24th August to get your comments in.

Happy Hopping!

Bev

  Carol  

Izzy 

Jane 

Julie

Linda (that's me)

Lindsey

Sarah G

 Wiebke 

Thanks for popping by ......... have a great weekend.
Hubby and I are off to the Gaiety Theatre this afternoon, to see Singing in the Rain.

Apparently it's amazing. The reviews have been fantastic, and I'm so looking forward to seeing it. 
We're off to the matinee, followed by an early dinner in Wine Down.  It's not often I get dinner and a show!
Did you know, it's International Pinot Noir Day tomorrow and to celebrate our favourite little eatery is serving a special dinner this evening ...... they don't open on a Sunday!
4 delicious courses, each paired with a different style of Pinot Noir, and a glass of pink bubbly on arrival.  I do like a nice glass of red ..... especially when there's venison on the menu.  Cheers!

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:
Stamps: BIG & BOLD Wish clear stamp set (Uniko)
Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Alcohol Ink Pearls - Deception (pink) Alchemy (yellow) Splendor (orange) & Sublime (green); Blending Solution
Other: YUPO cardstock; BIG & BOLD Wish Designer Dies (Uniko); Clear gems; Die cut stars; Glitter Glue

Uniko Challenge # 52 .....

Happy Friday ........

It's almost the weekend again .... these weeks are just flying by!  At least the weather has calmed down a little since the storm in the middle of the week.  Let's hope it lasts ..... hubby's planning on having a BBQ on Sunday!!

Anyway ........ let's get that Friday feeling shall we.  Fancy a blog challenge? 

It's time to get the new Uniko Challenge underway.   It's Challenge #52  and the theme is Spring, with the optional twist this month being ..... Easter

I love the inspiration picture ...... our bunnies are back in the garden, happily munching away at the grass.

I haven't used the twist this month, I was inspired more by the colours and the Spring element.

I started by stamping the daffodil (my favourite Spring flower) onto a piece of smooth watercolour cardstock and heat embossed the images in white.

I then blended Distress Oxide inks over the top ...... starting each colour on the edge and working my way towards the centre until the colours blended nicely together. 

The embossing acts as a resist to the inks so once I was happy with the colour I gave it a quick polish over with a soft cloth and removed any left over ink on the embossed images, so that the white really popped out against the background.
You could do the Distress inks first, then the heat embossing but ..... you would have to make sure that the backgound was completely dry before applying your embossing powder otherwise you risk not getting a perfect, crisp image.  Also, remember to use your anti-static bag before doing any kind of heat embossing.

I splattered some water onto my inked background, let it sit for a few seconds then mopped up the excess with a paper towel leaving this fab splattered effect on the background.

I never tire of doing this, it's a great way of adding some detail and interest to your projects, and the Distress inks, both the original and the oxides, react so well with water. 
And the great thing is no two backgrounds will ever be the same.

Next I die cut the word 'Happy' ..... once from the centre of the inked card, and twice from plain white cardstock.
I inlaid one of the white die cuts back into the coloured card, layered on the second white one and then finally the coloured one on the top.  This is sometimes called the hidden sentiment technique, or camoflagued sentiments.  I love it. 
You can add as many or as few layers as you like, just remember when you inlay the first layer you need to add in the bits from the centres of letters or gaps in the word that are cut from the coloured version (the one that will be the top layer!).  This means that your finished piece will be complete again ..... does that make sense?

I added a little stamped banner with the rest of my sentiment

You have lots of time to play along, the challenge doesn't end until midnight (GMT) on 19th April.  Although thinking about it, it will actually be midnight BST (British Summer Time) ..... the clocks go forward here on March 31st!!  But hey! you still have loads of time to enter.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy your day and have a great weekend.
Mine's starting early .... I'm off into town later to meeting someone for coffee, followed by a bit of retail therapy and a quick lunch with Lauren, and then hubby and I are out this evening. It's all go here!

Cheerio until next time .....

Products used:
Stamps: Spring Botanicals - Daffodil (Uniko), Birthday Sentiments (Uniko)
Inks: Distress Oxides - Salty Ocean, Cracked Pistachio, Versamark ink, Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Other: Detail White Embossing Powder, Platinum Embossing powder (WOW!), Big & Bold Happy Designer Dies (Uniko), smooth watercolour cardstock, white card

Today's the Day! It's the Uniko 7th Birthday February 2019 Release Blog Hop GIVEAWAY and Treasure Hunt

Happy Monday ........

Let's get the week off to a great start shall we.
You might want to grab a coffee .... this is going to be fun but it could take a while.  There's lots to get through and loads of pictures.

Over the last few days, along with the rest of the Uniko Design Team, I've been introducing the brand new Uniko Birthday Release, available later today, on the Uniko website.  Check out the New Arrivals section from 9pm this evening (GMT)

There's SIX gorgeous new clear stamp sets, TWO of which have fabulous matching sets of dies, and ONE brand new stencil design.
If you need a reminder, here they are ......

The new stencil design ..... Abstract Triangles (I love this!)

The stamps, and designer dies ....
Great sentiments and words with  BIG & BOLD Happy

A great set of dies to match this one .....

Birthday Wishes ....... perfect for the inside of your cards as well as out

 Two new Background Blocks ..... Graffiti Texture and Pinstripe

A gorgeous new floral ..... Passiflora 

with matching dies available too ...

And finally the pretty Febrauary Release Freebie ...... You Are, Yes You! 

Yes, this little beauty will be added FREE to Release Day orders of £25 or more, until Sunday 17th Feb ..... or until stocks last!

If there is any stock left after that date, it will be available to purchase.

Now for a little inspiration .......

First up, BIG & BOLD Happy ....... great words, the perfect party accent stamps, and those matching dies!

I've used the large Happy stamp here, heat embossed with a sparkly powder and then used the die to cut it out .....

It's so cool how everything works so well together too .....

I've used the Abstract Triangles stencil, Graffiti Texture Background Block and the Birthday Wishes set here.  If you follow the Uniko Blog then I'll be taking you through how I made this one later in the month.

Passiflora up next ..... the gorgeous new floral set, with those matching dies .....

Use just some of the layering stamps to create fun looking flowers .....

I've used one of the dies too ..... to add a touch of dimension

Could that be the new Pinstripe Background Block too ...... yes, it is!

Here it is used again, this time with the pretty Freebie stamp set ..... You Are ....Yes You!

I do love this little bloom .... I've simply stamped it all over a piece of white card, filling in the gaps with one of the leaf stamps, and coloured with ZIG markers ....

Added a cute little sentiment from the same set .....

And finished off with a strip down the side stamped with the Pinstripe ....... 

A few sparkly sequins add the final touch ...... so pretty!

Last but not least, a really quick and easy, CAS design, using the Pinstripe again,  the flower and leaf from the Freebie set and one of those fab sentiments from Birthday Wishes .......

A fancy die cut edge to show off the Pinstripe panel 

The flower simply stamped and coloured ...

And the sentiment is centre stage .....

What a great new release!

The fun's not over yet though.  

As we're celebrating Uniko's 7th Birthday there's something a little special going on with the Blog Hop ..... there's a Treasure Hunt!

Hidden in some of the photos along the blog hop you'll find little balloon icons like this ....

The rules of the Treasure Hunt are simple .....

1.  Follow the Blog Hop, leave comments along the way, and find ALL the icons

2.  Send an email to ....... bev@uniko.co.uk with the following information

• the Design Team member's name and the Balloon Letters you've found
• the actual word that the balloons spell out

It couldn't be simpler.

Entries need to be emailed no later than 28th February 2019 so that the winner can be announced on March 1st.  The winner will be randomly chosen from all the correct entries received.

The prize up for grabs is a BIG one!  The winner will receive THE ENTIRE 7TH BIRTHDAY FEBRUARY RELEASE!!!  Yes, that's right .... all 6 clear stamps set, 2 sets of co-ordinating designer dies and 1 stencil design ..... WOW!!

And that's not all ....... another winner will be randomly chosen from ALL the comments left on the Blog Hop posts, and they will win  ALL 6 BRAND NEW CLEAR STAMP SETS!!

The more comments you leave along the way, the more chances you have of winning.  You have until midnight (GMT) on Thursday 28th February to complete the Blog Hop and leave your comments.

Here's a full list of all the Blogs involved in the Blog Hop .......

Bev

Ruth

Carol 

Izzy

Jane 

Julie

Linda (that's Me!)

Lindsey

Sarah G

Sarah P

Wiebke  

Happy Hopping!

Thank you so much for popping by, and making it to the end of this post .... hope it was worth it. I think I've included everything!

Enjoy the rest of your day.  I'm off for a lie down I think .... my head hurts!

Cheerio until next time .....