Edgy Foundations & Retro Vibes with Shirley Bampton! 🛠️✨

Welcome back to the blog! Today, we are shining the spotlight on some incredible inspiration from the talented Shirley Bampton.

If you’ve been wondering how to bridge the gap between "gritty" collage papers and polished card designs, Shirley is showing us exactly how it's done. She used the Analog Grunge pack—one of the standout sets in The Art Journaler's Essentials Trio.

Nostalgic Memories 🎞️

In this card, Shirley leans into the retro-tech vibe of the Analog Grunge papers. The vintage cassette tape and musical notes create a soulful, rhythmic background that perfectly complements the bold "make memories" phrase die. It’s an excellent example of using "essential" textures to set a mood without needing a dozen extra layers.

A Grand Breakfast Adventure 🍩☕️

Shirley’s second card is the perfect "Monday Morning" pick-me-up! Using one of the sheets in Analog Grunge, she combined the sketchy coffee cup and large donuts stamps with the grand adventure sentiment stamp. Look closely at that delicate white Bloomdala Bliss Felicity die-cut tucked behind the donuts—it adds a sophisticated touch of lace to the gritty Analog Grunge background.

Get the Look!

Ready to build your own masterpiece? You can find the Analog Grunge papers in The Art Journaler’s Essentials Trio. Grab the Analog Grunge pack bundled with Alpha-Chroma and Ephemeral Edges for the ultimate textured foundation!

You can also grab Analog Grunge in individual packs starting March 15 to add that "perfectly distressed" look to your stash.

Don't forget to check out the stamps and dies Shirley used to complete her cards! 

Want to win some crafty happy mail? 🎁✨

We love hearing your thoughts! Did you know that every thoughtful comment you leave on our blog or Instagram posts this March enters you for a chance to win? 🗣️📝

Three (3) lucky winners will be picked to receive their choice of a $10 prize code or any in-stock STAMPlorations product (up to $7 value) 🎟️📄

The more you chat with us, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be announced here on the blog on April 10. So, what’s did you think of today's projects? Let us know in the comments below! 👇💖

February Winners

 

It's time to announce winners of the February ATG challenge, as well as winners drawn from blog posts and IG posts that were published throughout the month. All the winners were randomly chosen by Random.org.

Winner of $25 prize code:

#9 angyhughescrafts

Winners of $10 prize code:

#18 Vivian Foo

#15 Becca Yahrling

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More Winners

Winner of the Framed Flowers Colorables Pack:

Sandy
(from comments left on this post)

Winners of $7 prize code:

olheiserc
(from comments left on this IG post)

Tee
(from comments left on this blog post)

Leanne
(from comments left on this blog post)

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLAIMING PRIZE

Winners, please fill out the Google form below to claim your prize. This ensures that there is an off-site, time/date-stamped record of winners claiming their prize. So if you are one of the winners, fill out the form by clicking on the link below:

WINNERS CLAIM FORM

***An important note about our prizes*** 

• Prize codes expire one month (30 days) from the date they are issued to winners.

• A player and/or commenter who is picked more than once will be issued one prize code that combines the winning amount.
• A prize code can be applied on products (tangible and digital) in the store except for subscription products, before shipping. It cannot be combined with other percent off code or dollars off, but may be combined with a free shipping code.
• Prize codes issued to challenge winners and post commenters are not transferrable.

Winners, please claim your prize on or before Tuesday, March 24. Prizes not claimed by March 24 will be forfeited.

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Congratulations to all our winners!

The March ATG challenge is live so we'd love for you to play this month. Also, keep commenting on our blog posts and Instagram posts because we'll be picking winners just for commenting and engaging with us here on the blog and Instagram.

Vintage Dreams & Botanical Blooms: A Mini Book Masterpiece by Monika🌸✨

Hello, STAMPfriends! I (Shery) have been swooning over the latest inspiration from the talented Monika. Her recent mini book project is a masterclass in soft, romantic layering and vintage-inspired design. At the heart of her creation is the Faded Botanicals collage paper pack—a dreamy collection of script, florals, and weathered textures that provides the perfect "old-world" foundation for any mixed-media project. Even better? This stunning paper pack is a lead feature in our curated The Botanical Maker's Trio, making it easier than ever to achieve this cohesive, ethereal look.

Monika's mini scrapbook/journal starts strong with two incredible cover designs that set a beautiful, vintage-inspired tone.

The Cover: A Radiant First Impression

The front cover, measuring 5 3/16" by 6 1/2", immediately draws the eye with its layered textures and soft color palette. Monika used the intricate Faded Botanicals collage papers to create a rich, antique base that features faded script and a stunning central poppy bloom. The design is beautifully finished with the inspiring gold-embossed quote, "Believe in your vision & shine" from the Bold Sentiment: Believe stamp set, a row of faux pearls, and hints of shimmering pink ribbon.

The inside cover mirrors the stunning aesthetic of the front, but with a unique twist. It uses the same Faded Botanicals collage papers as a consistent anchor. The central flower remains, but the focus shifts to a powerful, multi-layered sentiment created with the Bold Sentiments: Imagine and Journey stamp set. This "Imagine, Be Brave & Enjoy The Adventure" phrase is stamped on crisp white card and layered for a modern, text-block look. For the final delicate touches, Monika added a detailed, brown cardstock butterfly from the Flutter Zen 2 layering dies and strategically placed gold sequins, creating a cohesive and inspiring entrance to her mini book.

To see all the amazing pages inside this incredible project up close and for Monika's full walkthrough, make sure to visit her blog!

 

 

 

 

Don’t Miss Out: The Botanical Maker's Trio Sale! 🏷️

Love the look of these projects? You can find Faded Botanicals inside The Botanical Maker's Trio! This bundle is for those of you who love florals and patterns, and it’s currently on a special promotion. 🎨🗞️

[Check out The Botanical Maker's Trio here!] — Grab yours while the sale lasts and start telling your own crafty stories! 🛍️💨

Want to win some crafty happy mail? 🎁✨

We love hearing your thoughts! Did you know that every thoughtful comment you leave on our blog or Instagram posts this March enters you for a chance to win? 🗣️📝

Three (3) lucky winners will be picked to receive their choice of a $10 prize code or any in-stock STAMPlorations product (up to $7 value) 🎟️📄

The more you chat with us, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be announced here on the blog on April 10. So, what’s on your crafty mind today? Let us know in the comments below! 👇💖

Crafting with The Coffee House: Brew-tiful Inspiration from Chris ☕️✨

If you’re a coffee lover and a paper crafter, you’ve just found your new favorite stash! Today we are shining a spotlight on The Coffee House collage paper pack—a collection that perfectly captures the warmth of a fresh brew and the cozy vibes of a local cafe. Whether you're documenting your morning routine or sending a "latte" love to a friend, these papers provide the perfect caffeine-infused foundation. ☕️📜

Creative Coffee Inspiration by Chris

Our talented designer Chris has been busy "perking up" her craft room with these papers, and we have two stunning projects to share!

The "Thanks A Latte" Card 💌

Chris created a clean and classic card that lets the papers do the heavy lifting. By pairing a rich, patterned background from The Coffee House pack with the bold Thanks A Latte die, she achieved a high-impact look with effortless style. The contrast between the intricate paper patterns and the crisp die-cut sentiment makes this the perfect "just because" card for any coffee enthusiast. 🥐☕️

The Artisan Recipe Booklet 📖

Taking creativity to the next level, Chris used the paper pack to construct a charming mini recipe booklet! She used the various coordinated sheets to create the pages—perfect for jotting down favorite coffee blends or dessert pairings. To finish it off with a rustic, handmade touch, she bound the whole project together with a simple keyring. It’s functional, beautiful, and a masterclass in using paper goods for more than just cards! 🗝️✨

Don’t Miss Out: The Storyteller's Heritage Trio Sale! 🏷️

Love the look of these projects? You can find The Coffee House papers inside The Storyteller's Heritage Trio! This bundle is a treasure trove for mixed media artists and memory keepers, and it’s currently on a special promotion. 🎨🗞️

[Check out The Storyteller's Heritage Trio here!] — Grab yours while the sale lasts and start telling your own crafty stories! 🛍️💨

Want to win some crafty happy mail? 🎁✨

We love hearing your thoughts! Did you know that every thoughtful comment you leave on our blog or Instagram posts this March enters you for a chance to win? 🗣️📝

Three (3) lucky winners will be picked to receive their choice of a $10 prize code or any in-stock STAMPlorations product (up to $7 value) 🎟️📄

The more you chat with us, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be announced here on the blog on April 10. So, what’s on your crafty mind today? Let us know in the comments below! 👇💖

Celebrating International Women’s Day & Coffee Lovers!

Hey, STAMPfriends! Thanks for stopping by. I'm proud to be part of the Instagram Hop for International Women's Day! The hop starts here, and you'll find STAMPlorations on IG here. The stop before me is here, and right after me is here. ☕✨

Even though this is an Instagram event, I love sharing projects here on the blog + I am offering a special prize to be won by someone who comments on this blog post! If you want more chances at winning, hop on over to Instagram and follow all the stops. There are so many awesome sponsors (including STAMPlorations, of course!) and almost $400 worth of prizes.

Anyway I had some fun in my studio creating projects that celebrate the strength of women, and, of course, our collective love for a good brew.

Here are my two projects side-by-side! On the left, we have a bold, textured mixed-media collage on canvas, and on the right is a sweet little upcycled find. Both were so much fun to put together using some of my favorite STAMPlorations goodies.

Cafe de Femme Virtues Menu Mixed Media Collage

This project started as an actual 8x10 canvas board. I wanted to create something that felt like a vintage Parisian café menu but served up "virtues" instead of lattes.

For the focal points, I used three different card fronts—Retro In Pink, Pop Art Faces, and Ethereal Faces—to represent the different "faces" and personalities of the women I admire. I layered in papers from The Coffee House collage paper pack for that caffeine-inspired background and added some of my favorite clear stickers from Inspirational #2.

The "Virtues Menu" itself was printed on vintage-style paper. To give it that worn, well-loved look, I tore the edges by hand and inked them heavily. It lists things like "A Double Shot of Resilience" and "Unlimited Empathy." I loved this piece so much that I decided to turn it into a professional art print so I could share it with all of you!

Keep reading to find out how you can get this art print for free.

Upcycled Acrylic Stand

For my second project, I wanted to show that you can make art out of anything. I took a simple acrylic stand with the sentiment already on it that I found at the Dollar Tree and gave it a completely new life! I decoupaged it using the beautiful, vintage-vibed papers from The Parisian Cafe collage paper pack. It’s amazing what a little paper and glue can do to transform a basic plastic stand into a chic piece of desk decor.

A Special IWD Sale & A Gift For You!

To celebrate the occasion, I’m hosting a sale on the IWD Shop Page from today through the 15th.

30% OFF Instantly

Everything on the IWD page is 30% off—no code needed!

And a gift from me: For every order of $25 or more, I am including the Cafe de Femme Virtues Menu 8x10 Art Print (the professional print version of my mixed media collage) -- a $20 value!

Note: The art print won't show in your cart, but I’ll be manually tucking it into every qualifying package before they head out the door!

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

One commenter on this post will win a Cafe de Femme Virtues Menu 8x10 art print. Simply comment by Sunday, March 15. I will announce the winner here on March 18, so bookmark this post and come back to see if you are the lucky winner.

{MARCH 2026 CHALLENGE} Anything Goes

Last month’s challenge gallery is full of beautiful projects! A huge thank you to everyone who joined the fun!

Winners will be revealed on the 10th, so mark your calendars and check back to see if you’ve won. 

Didn't play in last month's challenge? You can still win because there will be at least three winners that will be picked from those who left comments on all posts we published here on the blog and on our Instagram account. If you want to increase your odds of winning, simply comment on all posts we published here and on Instagram from February 1. You have until March 8 to leave comments.

Anyway, it’s a brand new month, which means a brand new challenge is officially live!

Before you link up your beautiful projects, though, please read our updated challenge rules.

Plus, we tweaked our challenge rules just a little bit:

* Each player may enter a maximum of 7 times. Any player who enters more than 7 times will not qualify for the prizes.

* If you use STAMPlorations exclusively (no stamps, dies, stencils, digis, stickers from other companies), then your project does not need to have any stamping on it to qualify. For example, you can enter a project wherein you used our cover plate die and word/phrase die.

Link back: https://stamplorations.blogspot.com/2026/03/march-challenge.html

The challenge is open until March 31, 11:59 pm Pacific time and the winners will be announced on April 10. Again, please read and follow our challenge rules if you want to qualify for the prizes.

Without further ado, here are the STAMPgirls with their projects for this month's challenge:

SANNA

Sanna brings a wonderful organic feel to her projects with this duo of "Sparkle, Shine, Glimmer & Glow" ATCs. She expertly combines vibrant yellow and teal watercolor washes with stenciling and stamping. The focal point—stamped and fussy cut leaves with a subtle text print—is beautifully elevated with oversized pearls for a touch of elegant dimension.

MARIA

Maria creates a soft, ethereal scene using a unique geometric background with one of our texture cover plates. The patchwork-style background in pastel pinks, purples, and yellows provides the perfect backdrop for a crisp, white die-cut bird and branch. The "Thinking of you" sentiment, die-cut in a coordinating soft purple, ties the whole serene design together.

JANE

Jane’s card is a masterclass in mixed media layering! This "Every little thing you do is magic" design features hearts over a splattered, warm-toned background. The whimsical addition of a sealed envelope with a kiss and scattered sequins adds a playful, heartfelt energy that pops off the page.

TANJA

Tanja takes us into the world of texture with this incredible mixed media tag. By using heavy embossing and a cool-toned teal and bronze color palette, she creates a vintage, weathered look. The addition of frayed ribbon and the "Make each day your masterpiece" sentiment makes this a truly inspirational piece of art.

VICKI

Vicki brings a vibrant burst of color to the gallery with this gorgeous floral card! Using the Bloomfully: Sparkle stamp set, she has created a striking focal point featuring bold red, deep blue, and bright teal roses nestled among lush green leaves. The crisp white card base and soft, masked-off blue background perfectly highlight the hand-colored blooms, while the "BORN TO sparkle" sentiment adds an elegant, finishing touch.

SUE N.

Sue's card showcases a colored mandala-patterned coffee cup, popped up for dimension. To add depth to the background, she used the Dots 'n Beans stencil with soft, tonal ink, creating a subtle coffee bean pattern that anchors the composition. She finished her card with a bold, high-contrast Coffee Feel Good clear sticker that delivers a powerful, relatable sentiment without obscuring the background details.

MONIKA

Monika’s mini book page is a masterclass in vintage-inspired layering, blending soft pink hues with earthy textures for a truly romantic feel. This layout features a clever pocket-and-tag interactive element created with the ATC/Tag Builder Dies. The background is enriched by the Faded Botanicals collage paper, which provides a dreamy, script-heavy base for the floral focal points. Monika used stamps from Floral Bliss to create the delicate blooms, and she used stamps from Art Marks to add the subtle, repetitive borders on the pocket. The design is anchored by a high-impact quote from Bold Sentiments: Discover, reminding us to appreciate the beauty in the journey.

CRAFTYFIELD

Craftyfield's card is a striking example of modern, high-contrast design that uses geometric framing to spotlight artistic textures. Her card features a bold, multi-layered "tilted" layout achieved with our crazy stitch dies, which add a playful, hand-stitched feel to the turquoise and hot pink cardstock. The central focus is a mug from After Coffee, cleverly integrated with the Faded Botanicals paper to give the cup a weathered, vintage-inspired pattern. A crisp "PERK UP!" sentiment provides an energetic finishing touch that perfectly complements the vibrant color palette.

SHIRLEY

Shirley’s card is a breathtaking example of mixed-media elegance, using stenciling and intricate die-cuts to create a serene, ethereal scene. The background features a delicate, organic texture created with a stencil, providing a soft botanical backdrop that feels light and airy. On top of that is a stunning focal point made with the dragonfly layering dies, where the stacked wings add realistic dimension and a touch of fragility. Shirley completed her card with a powerful, minimalist sentiment, perfectly balancing the delicate imagery with a message of strength.

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March 2026 Anything Goes Challenge

Important: Please give LinkyTools a chance to add your entry if you have already entered once. This could take more than a minute or so. If unsure, close the tab and go back to this post. Then check to see if your entry is there. If not, try re-submitting. Thanks!