Mid Month Anything Goes at Uniko!

Having won the April challenge over at Uniko I was invited to be their Guest Designer this month for their theme of 'Anything Goes' with the option of  'Bright and Happy'

My first card for the challenge is HERE if you want to go and look!

My background was created using Wild Plum and Watermelon Alcohol Inks on Yupo.

I dried a little with a heat gun then took a small piece of Deco Silver Foil and pressed it down and rubbed my finger randomly onto the background.

This is a fun technique as  after each press down and rub, when you lift off the foil piece some of it has transferred to the AI (usually where the 2 colours have 'pooled' together) and gives a 'marbling' effect.

I stamped and heat embossed the flower (Flower Power Set #8) and fussy cut, and used the sentiment/die from the Kindness Blooms set.

Much as I like this AI/Foil combo it is a nightmare to photograph but I hope that you like my bright background and my happy flower!

There is still time to enter - and you don't have to use a Uniko image - so with a great prize on offer why don't you link in?!
You may be lucky like me and win!

Happy Crafting! x

Fun with Foil!

I have enjoyed playing about with Foils recently and there is still a few days left in our current challenge at CAS Stencil so have made another card!

It is a bit of a change for me to use a coloured card base and I have been disappointed with some coloured card that I have bought recently as it had a rough feel to it like it was unfinished! I am now on a mission to find somewhere here in the UK that sells smooth high quality coloured card in small packs (- I don't want to be buying 100 sheets - ) and doesn't need me to take out a second mortgage to buy it.

This grey card pack of 10 sheets was in a recent sale and was happy that it has a lovely smooth finish to it when it arrived.

The silver mirri card was a left over bit and fitted the length of the card so cut it out with wavy dies. The white was also a left over piece.
I heat embossed the sentiment (not very well looking at it!!!) in silver to keep the grey and white colour combo throughout.

I'm popping into the Playground this week with my make too.
Thanks for looking - would love to see your foiled stencil creations in the gallery if you have time to spare over the next few days! x

CAS Stencil Mid Month Reminder

We're halfway through our challenge of Using Foil with your Stencils at CAS Stencil this month set by Barb.
I had fun using this technique and here's my DT card

I used some Brushos on mixed media paper for the background to my stars.
The stencil was a Christmas present!

Used Transfer Gel and a blue Deco Foil, running it through the old laminator.
After foiling I die cut out the stars.

The rest of the stamping on the card was done with silver metallic ink using a Stampin Up set.

Another card for my stash of masculine cards!

The one thing that no one tells you is that sometimes taking a pic to show off the shiny bits is a tad difficult!
So here's a little close up of my stars which are very shiny!!

Look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery!x

CAS Stencil February Challenge

This month at CAS Stencil, Barb has set us the challenge of using Foils.
Before I really looked into this, I thought that you had to have proper foiling machines to use foiling on your cards - but I found out that you can try foiling without buying lots of products if, like me, you are simply wanting to have a go at something different and don't have lots of cash to spend.
I used 2 different techniques on this card -and no it's not perfect (will explain in a minute) but I was happy with the finished article.

I watched some tutorials (lots listed on the challenge blog) and realised that I could perhaps try this technique with a little outlay.

I bought 6 A4 sheets of foil in different colours (from e bay) and invested in some Transfer Gel - neither broke the bank.

So - onto the card - the sentiment was done with a die cut, some foil left over from the main stencil and double sided sticky tape.
This was really easy - a sticky tape sandwich of card,tape and foil-  using a bone folder to smooth out the foil before die cutting.

The rose stencil is a new one. Secured it onto the card and used a palette knife to apply the Transfer Gel.
Once done, removed the stencil and left the Gel to dry. It dries clear so you know it's ready!
Foil over it, then put it between a sheet of parchment paper and ran it through an ancient (and I mean  ancient - like 20 years old!!!) laminator.

Filled with trepidation when I took it out and peeled off the foil..... ..........
Not too bad considering!!

There are some small gaps where the foil didn't stick - although this may have been my uneven application of the gel rather than the foil and the pre-historic laminating machine!

The DT have some lovely examples to show you so please pop over to the challenge blog and pay them a visit - and don't forget to visit our talented Guest Designer Steph's blog HERE
Love for you to try this out and join us this month - Happy foiling!! xx

A Foiling First!

I have been trying out some new to me techniques the last couple of days and I confess I am now hooked............... on.................. foiling! I am sat here now waiting for some new stash 😊😊 after buying some teeny samples to see if I could master/like using foil.
I have a laminator (very old but works!) and I have also made some cards using that too and been happy with the results for first attempts.
This share is a card made without having to use a laminator!

I am dead chuffed with how this turned out (although those of a nervous disposition should not have been in the room when I was trying to take the photograph!)

Red Pepper and Lettuce Alcohol Inks onto a scrap of Yupo and just let them mingle together.

Allowed to dry for a short time then laid over a small piece of gold foil and rubbed with my finger. Where the 2 colours meet and leave a marked 'join'  the foil simply sticks to whilst it is tacky!
Simples really!

My trees were done by using double sided tape on another odd piece of card and putting the foil over. Rubbed lightly with a bone folder and then die cut.

Here's a close up -  I L💗VE it!!
 
Stamped a greeting in Metallic Gold Ink, die cut an oval frame and done!

CAS Mix Up's challenge this month is Foiling so am linking up to the gallery before the challenge closes in a couple of days.

Allsorts challenge is Add something gold/silver

It's dry here but a little overcast today.
I am off for some fresh air and a little walk round out local dam and then intend to foil, foil and foil some more!!
Have a great day whatever you're doing! x