CAS Mix Up Challenge ........

Happy Monday .......

It's the start of a new week, at the beginning of a new month, so that means there's a new CAS Mix Up Challenge.   

This month our Challenge Host is Viv,  and it's a Stencil Challenge with the added prompt  

Stencilling over Patterned Paper.

We've all got piles of patterned papers.  Some we love and can't bring ourselves to use (I've got lots of those)  Some that are nice but we're not quite sure what to do with them (got quite a few of those too).  And then, there's those that are not really our favourites (yep! got some of those too!) 

Well, here's a great way of using all those patterned papers ....... why not stencil over the top of them.

Add a little more detail and interest to those plain-ish sort of papers.  

Cover over a design or colour that you're not quite happy with.  Or, simply stencil a pretty focal point on a nice background paper.  The hardest decision will be which paper to use.

I've got a couple of ideas for you here.

First up, one of my favourite leaf stencils ...... Natures Treasures II from Uniko.  

I've used it here over a lovely paper from 49 and Market.  Beautiful mix of shades and colours with a pretty leaf detail here and there.  I simply added a bit more interest to the edges.

I used the stencil with Distress and Distress Oxide inks first (Peacock Feathers), and then I added another leaf over the top which I heat embossed in gold.

A bit of ink around the edge, a simple sentiment, and a touch of gold splatter finishes it all off.

For the second card I've used another pretty background paper, which I think is from the Spellbinders Beautifully Imperfect Collection.  Quite delicate colours with a little bit of detail, it just needed a bold focal point .........

The Tim Holtz Roses stencil did the job perfectly I think.  Simply stenciled onto the paper using black Versafine Clair ink

I heat embossed my sentiment using WOW's Platinum Embossing Powder,

and finished of with some tiny gemstones for a touch of sparkle.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how you stencil over patterned papers.

Check out the CAS Mix Up Challenge Blog for more inspiration from the Design Team, and you'll also find some great videos on there with more tips and techniques.

You have until the end of the month to get your entries in ...... happy stencilling!

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

Cheerio until next time ....

Products used

Card 1

Inks ...... Distress and Distress Oxide ink (Peacock Feathers); Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark Embossing ink

Stencils ....... Natures Treasures II - Uniko

Others ...... Patterned paper; WOW Gold Superfine Embossing Powder, Gold ink for splatter

Card 2

Inks ...... Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark Embossing ink

Stencils ....... Tim Holtz Roses

Others ...... Patterned paper; WOW Platinum Superfine Embossing Powder; Small clear gemstones

CAS Mix Up Challenge Reminder

Happy Sunday ......

I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

As we're half way through August already (WOW!) it's time to remind you about this month's CAS Mix Up Challenge.

Jenny is our host this month, with a fun theme which is all about stencils, and stamping through them. 

This is a great little technique to add extra detail and texture to all your fabulous stencil designs.  

The more open the stencil, the more of your stamping will show through. It gives your stencils a whole new look.

I've stamped through one of my favourite leafy stencils for this design.

I started by using a circle stencil, and a pale green Distress Ink, to add some detail to the background.

I then took my leafy stencil and inked the design over the top of the circle using a different shade of green Distress.

With the leaf stencil still in place, I inked up an old script stamp with black ink and then stamped the script through the leaves, using first and second generation stamps (stamped twice without re-inking my stamp in between)

I stamped my sentiment using a gold ink .....

and finished off with a few ink splatters from the same ink pad

The challenge is open until the 24th of the month, so there's still plenty of time to play along.

Check out the CAS Mix Up Blog for more ideas from the DT using this fun technique, and also our two Guest Designers ....... Bobby (bits and pieces), and Michele (I Card Everyone) who are joining us this month.

It's going to be a busy week coming up.  This time next week we'll be on our first, off island, adventure in the van!  Yes we're finally taking Remi on a road trip ..... whoo hoo!!

  

I'm a little bit nervous about travelling but, hubby and I are both full vaccinated, we're totally self contained in the motorhome and, I suppose we have to get out there again at some point!   

It will be nice to see family and friends over there ...... it's been a while!

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

We've got the family coming round for Sunday roast ..... the first one in the new house.  Yes, I've finally figured out how to use the ovens! 

Cheerio until next time .........   

Products used:

Stencils: Confetti Circle stencil (WOW!); Natures Treasures II stencil (Uniko) 

Stamps: Script stamp from my stash (I think it's an old Tim Holtz one!); Special Sentiments (Penny Black)

Inks: Distress Inks - Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Delicata - Golden Glitz

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

A Happy Hello and Birthday Balloons .......

Happy Friday .......

The weekend is here again!  Although I thought it was Friday yesterday, and then today has felt like Saturday so, my weekend is almost over!
  
It's time to give you a little reminder about this month's CAS challenges.
First up ....... the CAS Mix Up Challenge.

I'm Hosting this month and the theme is Gesso Resist

This is just another fun way using gesso.

If you're still not sure about the technique, check out the CAS Mix Up Blog for links to some really useful videos.

Gesso is great for stamping with, especially when doing the resist technique.  You just have to remember to clean your stamps straight after use .... don't let the gesso dry on there.

I've used an old Penny Black, wooden stamp here. 

I simply put the gesso onto a craft mat, brushed it out to a thin layer and then used it like I would an ink pad to ink up the stamp. 
I then stamped the image randomly over a piece of watercolour cardstock ......

Once the gesso was dry, I spritzed over the top with Distress Ink sprays and let the colours sit for a while.  I then mopped up the excess and the stamped images started to show through.
I repeated the sprays until I got the depth of colour I wanted.

Once that was dry, I used a circle die to make my topper.  I stamped a sentiment, added a touch of pen work using a white gel pen and a few sparkly gems

To add a bit more interest to the card, I used the same floral stamp to add the design to the actual card.

CAS Stencil challenge next ......

This month is all about Layering your stencils ........

Again, if you need to know more, check out the CAS Stencil Blog for links to some great videos

I've gone for a really quick and easy design here, using just one stencil but, layering the balloons over the top of each other .......

I used various colours of Distress Inks, applied through the stencil with blending brushes, across the bottom of my cardblank

I added a simple sentiment above ......

And finished off with a few ink splatters

The CAS Challenges are open until the 24th of the month so there's still lots of time to join in the fun.

Just to let you know that from next month (June) there's going to be a few changes to the CAS Challenges. 
Three of the challenges are coming together to make up a new CAS Mix Up Challenge which will include Mixed Media, Stenciling and Watercolour.  More details will be in June's CAS Mix Up post.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a great weekend.

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:
CAS Mix Up
Stamps: clique (Penny Black); Happy Mail (Gina K)
Inks: Distress Ink Sprays - Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Catherine Pooler inks - Party Dress, Tiara, Tiki Torch
Others: White Gel Pen; Nesting Circle Die; Clear Gemstones

CAS Stencil
Stencil: Balloon stencil (Uniko)
Stamps: Tiny Words - Birthday (Mama Elephant)
Inks: Distress Inks - various colours: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gold and Silver Delicata inks for the splatters
Others: Black gel pen

Time to celebrate ...... Uniko is 8 years old!!!

Happy weekend .....

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month ........welcome to February!
2020 is a leap year too, so we have an extra day this month ..... another 24 hours to celebrate Uniko's 8th birthday!!

To celebrate we're having a special Birthday Blog Hop and Linky Party.
The fun starts today and runs all the way through to February 29th, when the Link Up will close at 23.59 (GMT) so there's lots of time for you to join in the fun!

I've created a pretty rainbow birthday card using the Uniko Party Confetti stencil and a whole load of Distress Oxide colours ........

I blended the colours through the stencil keeping to a simple stripe design, top to bottom.

For the sentiment, half of it was simply stamped directly over the stencil design .......

The rest is a little tease of something new, that's coming very shortly.
Stamped onto snippets of cardstock coloured using the same Distress Oxides as I used for the stencil design .......

fussy cut and attached using foam pads

I added a touch of birthday sparkle using some Crystal Stickles Glitter Glue.

Now it's your turn to join in the fun.  Simply make a birthday card and add it to the Linky Party.
There are prizes up for grabs ........ and 8 chances to win!

Prizes ........

• Main Prize Winner (chosen by the Brand Ambassadors)  -  £25 eGift Certificate
• Randomly chosen Uniko Stamps Winner -  an in stock Uniko Clear Stamp Set of winners choosing (any value) 
• Top 5 chosen by the Brand Ambassadors -  an in stock Clear Stamp Set to the value of £5 (winners choice) 
• A randomly selected comment from the Brand Ambassadors Blog Hop - an in stock Clear Stamp set to the value of £5 (winners choice) 

Winners will be announced on Sunday March 8th over on the Uniko Blog. 

Happy Birthday 8th Birthday Uniko!!

Here's the full Blog Hop list .......

Bev

Carol 

Hannelie

  Izzy 

  Jane 

Julie

      Linda (that's me!)

   Rahmat

   Sarah P

   Wiebke

Almost forgot ....... For the whole month of February you can save 10%  on ALL your Uniko purchases.  Just add the code CELEBRATE8 before you check out!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a fabulous weekend.
Happy hopping!

Cheerio until next time .....

Products used:
Stamps: BIG & BOLD Happy, Alphabet Outlined (Uniko)
Inks: Distress Oxide Inks - Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Twisted Citron & Salty Ocean; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Others: Party Confetti Stencil (Uniko); Crystal Glitter Glue

Let's end the week with a Blog Challenge ........

Happy Friday .....

Are you ready for the weekend?
It's been a lovely week here ....... busy, both in and out of the craft room, but what's new!

The weather has been gorgeous on the island too.  We've had lovely sunshine for most of the week but you can tell Autumn is on it's way.  There's a nip in the air in the mornings, and the leaves are all starting to change colour .... I do love this time of year.

Let's get the weekend started with  Uniko's Challenge #55 

The theme is ........ Anything Goes,  and we have the perfect optional twist for you this month ....... Autumn

I went with the colours from the inspiration photo ...... I do love the Autumnal shades

I used the pretty Uniko Chrysanthemum stencil, and a few Autumnal shades of Distress Oxide inks.  I love how these inks blend and they work beautifully with stencils.

I started in the bottom corner of my card and used the stencil over the edge.
I then took some Post It notes and masked off around the edges, before brushing along the inside edges to create a simple background panel, and add a bit more interest  to the card.

The sentiment has been stamped using gold ink .... always works well with the Autumn shades, and I added a few Nuvo Crystal Drops, again for a bit more interest.

The Autumn colours are definitely starting to appear in the craft room.  It'll be my wardrobe next. I can't wait, all those lovely layers gorgeous in berry shades ........ and boots!!

The challenge is open until midnight (GMT) on October 25th, so there's lots of time to play along.  The winners will be announced on the Uniko Blog on November 1st.

As I said its been a busy week ..... I've had everything from shopping and lunch out with Lauren, to dancing with the Legends of Disco!!!  And, I also took delivery of a drum kit yesterday ...... don't ask!!!
Thankfully it's not for the other half.  Our eldest rang the other day and said ..... Mum,  I've bought a drum kit, can I keep it at yours? (it might have been an idea to ask first but hey! ..... ) 
How long it's going to be here exactly I've no idea.  It's currently in the garage.  Hubby says it'll be great at parties ...... oh joy! Something to look forward to.

We're off out again this evening, just a quiet one though as I have a workshop tomorrow! 
It's also the little man's birthday this weekend ..... Alex is 9 tomorrow.  He's growing up too fast!

He's got a birthday party with his pals at lunch time .... I think it's Laser Blast.  Then Grandad is taking him shopping to get the rest of his birthday present(s) and then, we're all off out for dinner ...... again!  Alex's choice this time ..... we're off to The Forge (yum!) ....... a delicious steakhouse and grill and the desserts are not bad either!

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

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stencil: Pure Florals - Chrysanthemum (Uniko);
Inks: Distress Oxide inks - Wild Honey, Fossilised Amber, Spiced Marmalade and a touch of Aged Mahogany
Stamps: 
Other: Nuvo Crystal Drops

CAS Stencil challenge .....

Happy Wednesday .......

It is Wednesday isn't it?  I'm having one of those weeks.

It's turning very Autumnal over here ..... my favourite season.
Summer has seemed to disappear overnight.  Temperatures have dropped, we have weather warnings with ferry cancellations today, and you can tell the nights are definitely drawing in. The slow cooker's taking the place of the BBQ.  Comfort food ..... yum!

Autumn shades seem to be surfacing in the craft room too ......... perfect for my inspiration piece for the launch of  September's CAS Stencil Challenge.

Julia is our host this month, with a fun theme for you ...... Baby Wipes

Check out the CAS Stencil Blog for some tips on using baby wipes with your stencils, along with some links to a couple of great videos, and then why not join in the fun.

This was so quick and easy to do.
Simply brush Distress Oxide Inks onto a piece of white cardstock.  Start with the palest colour first and apply the ink to about half way down the card ..... need to keep that white space!
Follow with a darker shade over the top, but this time don't go as far down with the colour.  Add another darker shade over the top of that, and again don't go as far down the card.  Blend the colours together a little as you go.

I then placed my stencil over the top, and used a baby wipe to gently lift away some of the Oxide inks, this pretty ghosted look to the leaves

I splattered a little water onto the background to add a bit more interest, and then I drew around the leaves using a Stardust Gel Pen.  This adds a touch of shimmer when the light catches ..... so pretty. Hopefully it comes across in the photo

I stamped my sentiment ......

and added a few dots of Nuvo Jewel Drops.

Don't forget to pop by the Challenge Blog and see how the rest of the DT have been using baby wipes and stencils.  We also have a fabulous Guest Designer this month ......Sarah (Funky Fossil Designs) is joining us so be sure to pop by and say hello there too.

Happy stenciling!

Thanks for stopping by .....enjoy the rest of your day.
I'm off to do a quick tidy up in the craft room, then it's a night in front of the TV with hubby I think.

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stencils: Nature's Treasures II stencil (Uniko)
Stamps: Destination Sentiments (Penny Black)
Inks: Distress Oxide Inks - Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Other: Nuvo Jewel Drops - Limoncello; Baby Wipes; Stardust Gel Pen