Saturday 23 December 2017

Less is More #360 & #361

Morning friends, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. This is our final challenge of the year at Less is More and it'll be a 2-week challenge. We'd hate to have you rushing with cards over Christmas so this should give you a little longer to play - who knows you may even receive some new goodies from Santa that you'd like to use!


Anyway we have a delightful sketch for you, designed by fellow Less is More teamie Anita and I hope you enjoy! 


Here's my examples using my all time favourite set from our December sponsor, Happy Little Stampers so do play along for a chance of a prize, which we'll announce at the start of next month.



Both cards use the Butterfly Birthday set and for the first one I've stamped, masked, rotated my card panel in the misti to create a 'mirror' image (I hope) both top and bottom. The images are coloured with Promarkers and I die-cut the shape of the top panel before popping up on 3d foam. The sentiment is from the Mix Mash set also by Happy Little Stampers.


This time I did a heat-resist technique using the same Butterfly Birthday image, using Ranger Liquid Platinum EP. Once the image had cooled I inked over layers of Distress Inks in my favourite colours: Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed. The die-cut 'Happy' is from STAMPlorations and I used a scrap of card heat embossed in the same colour to create it. The 'birthday' is from the HLS Mix Mash set.


As always there's loads of fabulous designs from my fellow teamies over on the main blog HERE and I do hope you'll pay them a quick visit. 

Thanks for calling by and have a fantastic festive period!

Sarah

Saturday 16 December 2017

Uniko Reveal, Release & GIVEAWAY Blog Hop - December 2017

Hi there and thanks for visiting me again today!

In the last week you've had the Sneaky Peeks and Introductions and now we have the BIG Reveal, Release and GIVEAWAY of this month's new stamp and stencil sets from Uniko

Here's my cards showcasing these fabulous sets and they are now available in the shop HERE and waiting for you to buy!

First up using my favourite set of the release, Pure Florals: Rose and teamed with a sentiment from the Simply Said Blocks. The florals are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured using Promarkers and for some extra detail I stamped the outline images as a contrasting background.



... and I think this has to be my favourite stencil of the release, which coordinates beautifully with the previously released Background Block: Doodle Flowers. I'm still hooked on those Distress Oxides in Spiced Marmalade, Peacock Feathers and Picked Raspberry and I've used a die-cut 'Hello' sentiment from Paper Smooches.



We're also introducing a FREEBIE set today which will be included in specific orders on release day (details on the Uniko blog)! It's really supposed to be 'Spring' themed but at this moment in time every card has to be Christmas related because I'm soooooo behind so here it is twisted! I first of all did a tone on tone effect using Versamark ink and clear embossing powder to the red background panel before heat embossing the image on gold. I die-cut the floral cluster, which I have to say will work a treat with all the Organics range, previously released, using a CUTplorations set and coloured the image with Promarkers. 


... and here we go with another 'Rose' card! I simply can't help myself and I'd coloured so many of the blooms it would be rude not to share them. I've included some of the sentiments from the FREEBIE set too as well as a strip of cardstock, inked with the Scattered Dots Background stamp, featured earlier in the week. 


All that's left for me to do is set you off on the traditional Design Team Blog Hop and wish you luck. Information about how to enter and the prizes you could win can be found on the Uniko blog HERE so if you get lost along the way just head back there.
Sarah - that's me!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you like what you've seen these last few days and here's the FULL images of the sets we've been showcasing!

   

   



   


This mini clear stamp set will be added to all Release Day orders of £20* or more, while stocks last. The item will not show in your order basket and will be added to qualifying orders during packaging and prior to shipping.



Sarah

Less is More #359

Morning friends!

We're fast approaching the Christmas finish line but we've 2 more challenges to share over at Less is More and here's the first one. It's THEME week and the cue card should be quite self-explanatory.



As well as my usual design teamies we're delighted to have Michelle of Seashell Creations, guest designing with us for this week. Michelle recently won our October sponsor prize and has some stunning cards on her blog. Why not stop by and leave her some love!




I made this card with my crafty friends Anita and Kylie when they spent a little time at my house following the HLS Retreat in Manchester last month. We visited my local craft store where everything was at knock down prices so this set from Stampendous, was a perfect treat and had some great festive and feathery images. I've also used a Christmas sentiment from Happy Little Stampers.

As always there's loads of fabulous designs from my fellow teamies over on the main blog HERE and our sponsor for this month is Happy Little Stampers so do play along for a chance of a prize, which we announce at the start of next month.


Hope you'll play along and have some fun and thanks for calling by 




Sarah

Friday 15 December 2017

Uniko - Introducing Pure Florals: Rose

Hi there, today is our final day of introductions in advance of this month's release from Uniko before the BIG REVEAL, RELEASE and traditional BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY tomorrow morning. 

If you are a Uniko addict and familiar with the beautiful collection of Pure Florals then you are going to love this latest addition to the range. I think this has to be my favourite set in the release and it's just oozing elegance. 

I couldn't wait to get all watery-coloured and inky with these stunning blooms and started out by heat embossing the images onto Bristol cardstock using Ranger Silver Pearl embossing powder. I've used Distress inks in Festive Berries and Worn Lipstick for the flower heads with a jumble of greens for the leaves! 

Here's my first example and if you were paying attention on Day 1 of the introductions you might wonder why I wasted a perfectly decent oval of the dotty background when framing the snowdrops ... well never one to waste anything - here it is and I've added a simple sentiment from the Simply Said set along with a few sequins from my stash. 


The next 2 are the 'same but different' - they both use some more of those water coloured roses, as used above and the Lattice stencil, which I hadn't got around to using when we introduced this one earlier in the week. First up inked with Distress Ink in Pumice Stone.


and this one with the stencil inked in Spun Sugar and Festive Berries to tone with the rose heads.


I hope you've enjoyed the introductions this week and feel inspired to go shopping tomorrow! We've got the final reveal of one more mini set tomorrow along with the release of all the goodies so I hope you'll stop by then too. 

The release schedule with all the information you need is over on the Uniko blog HERE, where you'll also find links and peeks at how my fellow teamies have worked their magic!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll be back tomorrow.

Sarah

Thursday 14 December 2017

Uniko - Introducing BIG & BOLD Hugs & Scattered Hearts Background

Hello again, here we go with Day 3 of our introductions over at Uniko as we get ready for this month's release and today I'm sharing ideas using 2 of the new stamps, BIG & BOLD Hugs plus Scattered Hearts Large Background.  

I've 2 very similar takes using these sets and first up I'm using my Distress Oxide inks for the first time, even though I bought them about 9 months ago!!! How can I have resisted using them for so long? They really are delicious and I think I'll have to buy some more colours! 

To create this one I heat embossed the scattered heart background with Versamark ink before embossing with WOW White Pearl. I like this colour of embossing powder when using watercolour card (as I've done here) because it's slightly creamy and tones better with the cardstock.

A quick easy blend of the colours here, using Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry and Peacock Feathers ... isn't that purple hue just gorgeous when you mix the the Raspberry with Peacock Feathers?


I stamped the 'Hugs' sentiment from the BIG and BOLD set and fuzzy cut (Bev, I think we could do with a matching die for this one!!). Once adhered to the inky panel I added some coordinating and clear sparkle sequins for extra interest.


Very similar design here using the Altenew Inks in different tones of teal to ink the scattered heart background. This time the 'Hugs' sentiment was heat embossed on to vellum with an additional sentiment from the set beneath. Once again I couldn't resist those sequins while they were scattered around my desk!

It's really hotting up now to release day and the schedule, with all the information you need, can be found over on the Uniko blog HERE as well as links and peeks at how my fellow teamies have worked their magic!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll be back tomorrow for the final day of introductions.

Sarah

Wednesday 13 December 2017

Uniko - Introducing New Uniko Stencils

Hello again, I'm back with Day 2 of our introductions over at Uniko as we get ready for this month's release of new stamps!

Today we are sharing examples of 3 new stencils which will be released alongside the new stamp sets on Saturday. 


As you can see from the background above the stencil features lots of lines, narrow, wide and dashed. I think it'll be one of my go-to stencils for an easy backdrop and it's so versatile it would work with many occasions. Here I've teamed it with Balloon Bash and the Simply Said Birthday sentiments from Uniko to create a fun birthday card. 

... and I did say at the start of the week that the sets didn't include any Christmas images BUT I couldn't help myself! I'm so behind on Christmas card makes that I used the same stencil as a backdrop to the pretty Christmas Sparkle bauble also from Uniko. 




I hope you like how I've played with the stencils and if you'd like the release schedule please head over to the Uniko blog HERE, where you'll find all you need to know as well as links and peeks at how my fellow teamies have worked their magic!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll be back tomorrow for the final day of introductions.


Sarah

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Uniko - Introducing Snowdrops with Dotty Background


Hello there friends, we've got those Sneaky Peeks out of the way in the last 2 days and it's time for some Introductions over at Uniko as we get ready for this month's release of new stamps!

Today we are introducing you to the Spring Botanicals: Snowdrop and Scattered Polka Dots Large Background sets and here's how I've been playing!

Two fairly similar examples. First up I decided to twist these snowdrops into crocuses by colouring them in shades of purple with a touch of yellow in the centre. The image is stamped directly onto the card panel, coloured with Promarkers with a sentiment from the set sneaked in at the bottom. I used part of the background stamp to create the base of the card, adding a little extra interest by popping the top up on fun foam and the little strip of black card separates the 2 sections. 


This one, I hope, shows true Snowdrop style colouring with just a little hint of grey tones using Promarkers to the flower heads. I stamped the background on a separate panel then die-cut an oval window to showcase the blooms. The background dotty panel is popped up on fun foam with another classy sentiment from the set heat embossed on a coordinating piece of grey cardstock. 


I hope this has whet your appetite for more!

The release schedule can be found over on the Uniko blog HERE as well as links and peeks at how my fellow teamies have worked their magic!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll be back tomorrow for the next introduction.


Sarah

Monday 11 December 2017

Uniko Sneak Peeks Day 2 - December 2017

Hi there friends, I'm back and it's Day 2 of our Sneaky Peeks, soon to be released from Uniko and if you haven't decided what you'd like to fill your Christmas stocking then look no further

Not a Christmas image in sight and full of Spring time inspirations. 

Today we'd like to tease you with the remaining 4 sets of stamps and if you head over to the main Uniko blog HERE you'll find all the information you need about when these goodies will be available to order - or WIN in fact if you take part in our Blog Hop on RELEASE Day you might be in with a chance of winning the lot!







Thanks for stopping by today and we'll be introducing the sets with examples from tomorrow so do pop back and I hope you'll keep visiting me for the rest of the week too.


Sarah

Sunday 10 December 2017

Uniko Sneak Peeks Day 1 - December 2017

Hello it's time for another stamp release this month over at Uniko so if you haven't quite finished off your letter to Santa, you may well want to hang fire for a few days as check out the goodies we'd like to tease you with! Not a Christmas image in sight and full of Spring time inspirations. 

Today we've 5 whopping Sneaky Peeks to share; 2 stamp sets and 3 brand new stencils!







 
If you head on over to the Uniko blog HERE you'll find all you need to know about the schedule, dates for introductions and the BIG reveal, release and traditional blog hop GIVEAWAY! 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll keep visiting me this week as we reveal and introduce the sets.


Sarah

Saturday 9 December 2017

Less is More #358

Morning friends!

Oh my goodness we really are getting extremely close to Christmas and I feel so disorganised and lacking in handmade Christmas cards that I feel a shop bought pack may be required this year to bolster my stock! 

It's time to announce the latest challenge from Less is More and in true festive style we've a challenge that could be 'twisted' towards that Christmas theme if, like me, you're struggling with cards.

Sadly I've only the one today as there's one more stamp release from Uniko to sneak in before Christmas so that has also kept me out of mischief and away from my Christmas card production line! I feel my hand delivered ones will be still wet with glue when I deliver them on Christmas Eve!!!

Anyway here's this week's CUE CARD and it's that dreaded ONE layer week too!



... and here's my card using a cheap and cheerful stamp I picked up from The Works (UK book / stationary / craft shop). It's a little living room scene in itself featuring a roaring toasty fire and lights on a Christmas Tree so as soon as I saw it I knew which challenge it would be heading towards!


I stamped the image in black then heat embossed with clear embossing powder over the top before colouring the images with Promarkers. There's a little wink of stella and glossy accents on those stockings and a sentiment from Uniko to finish. Oh and I hand drew the border to frame the image. 

It's an Anything Goes week over at Addicted to Stamps and More so I'd like to pop this one in there, plus over at Timeout Challenges there's a photo inspiration and I couldn't resist not joining in when I saw the cute little stockings against the wood background. 

These were perfect for our family's Christmas stockings since we don't have a fireplace! https://www.etsy.com/listing/244801883/christmas-stocking-holders-set-of-4:


As always there'll be loads of fabulous designs from my fellow teamies over on the main blog HERE and no doubt a few extras on their own blogs so do pay them a visit this week.

Our fantastic sponsor for this month is Happy Little Stampers and if you want to be in with a chance of a prize, then do play along each week, We'll announce our monthly winner at the start of next month.



Hope you'll play along and have some fun and thanks for calling by. 


Sarah