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Friday, March 06, 2026

{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.



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 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 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’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 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 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'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’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'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’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.

*****

March 2026 Anything Goes Challenge

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Thursday, March 05, 2026

A New Way to Play: Introducing The Anthology Project Trios!

Over the last two weeks, it's been great to see the response to the new addition to the STAMPlorations Paper Goods line. Your comments and the incredible projects from the STAMPgirls have shown me how much you love these new designs.

I’ve also been listening to your feedback. While many of you loved the idea of the full 9-pack Anthology, I heard that some of you wanted a way to grab the papers that fit your specific crafting style without committing to the full collection just yet.

I’m thrilled to announce that the Anthology is now available in three curated Project Trios—and they are ready to ship!

Instead of waiting for the individual release on March 15, you can now grab a themed bundle of 3 full packs for just $21. This is the perfect way to get the papers you’ll use most at a special bundle price.

Which Maker Are You?

The Art Journaler: Grab the Essentials Trio for all the grit, edges, and type you need for messy, beautiful layers. This bundle includes Alpha-Chroma, Ephemeral Edges, and Analog Grunge

The Storyteller: Choose the Heritage Trio for vintage vibes, coffee stains, and travel-inspired ephemera. This bundle includes The Parisian Cafe, The Coffee House, and Wanderlust Wayside.


The Botanical Artist: Pick up the Botanical Maker’s Trio for a stunning mix of florals and modern geometric structures. This bundle includes Faded Botanicals, Botanical Beats, and Industrial Patchwork.


Why Grab a Trio Today?

  • Curated for You: No more "analysis paralysis"—we’ve grouped the papers that play best together.
  • Immediate Shipping: These aren't pre-orders! They are on hand and ready to head to your craft room.
  • Bundle Savings: Individual packs will be $10 when they launch on March 15. Grab a Trio now for just $21 and save!


I can't wait to see which one you choose! If you're on Instagram, tag @stamplorations in your projects—I'd love to share your makes on our social media!

Wednesday, March 04, 2026

🏗️ Grit and Grace: Unveiling Industrial Patchwork with Stephanie Severin ✨

Happy Wednesday, STAMPfriends! We're bursting with excitement to introduce you to the last pack in The Artistic Crafter's Collage Paper Anthology, vol. 1. This stunning collection, available for pre-order until tonight, March 4, is a true mixed-media artist's dream, featuring 9 unique and incredibly textured paper packs.

Today, we're putting the spotlight on Industrial Patchwork—a pack that beautifully blends grit and grace. To show you just how versatile and inspiring these papers are, guest designer Stephanie Severin, has created two gorgeous projects to share with you. Get ready to be inspired. ✨

Industrial Patchwork: Unveiling the Grit and Grace

Take a look at this stunning collage paper collection! Industrial Patchwork is not for the faint of heart; it’s for the crafter who finds beauty in the worn, the weathered, and the wonderfully complex. This pack is a visual symphony of textures, featuring patterns derived from:
  • Rusted Metal and Corrugated Surfaces: The rich patinas of aging machinery and the rigid lines of industrial sheeting.
  • Weathered Wood: The deep, varied grains and splintered edges of reclaimed timber.
  • Aged Concrete: The mottled, cool-toned character of architectural structures.
  • Ink and Distress: Bold splashes of deep teal, crimson red, mustard yellow, and charcoal black, layered with messy grid patterns, dots, and a sense of happy chaos.
Each sheet tells a story of industry and resilience, a perfect, textured background for any artistic endeavor. 🏗️

Stephanie's Projects: Where Artistry Meets Inspiration

Stephanie has truly brought Industrial Patchwork to life with her masterful cardmaking. Both cards feature strong, empowering messages paired with the pack's gritty-gorgeous patterns.

Card 1: An Unstoppable Strength

Look at this high-impact card! The backdrop is a brilliant use of one of the designs from the pack, its geometric and color-blocked distressed pattern creating a rich, dynamic base. 💥 For the main element, Stephanie used one of the ATCs in Powerful Women. She colored the ATC a warm orange, perfectly complementing the teal, crimson, and gold tones of the patchwork paper. To add more texture, she used the Bubbles stencil to subtly introduce raised dots (like on the original pattern!) and finished it with coordinating red enamel dots. We love this layered, cohesive look!

Card 2: Fueling the Soul

The second card is another show-stopper! This time, Stephanie made the Industrial Patchwork the star by cutting strips and weaving them to create a distressed, lattice-like backdrop on a white cardstock base. The different textures and colors of the papers—the teals, pinks, and yellows—weave together perfectly. 🌀 For the center, she used another powerful ATC from Powerful Women. To complete the mixed-media feel, she added stamped details from Mixed Media Elements. This card is a masterful example of combining different elements for a truly unique look.


Why Industrial Patchwork is an Absolute Must-Have
  • Instant Mixed-Media Texture (without the mess!): Get the look of layers of paint, paste, and distressing without getting your fingers (too) dirty. 🤲
  • Unbeatable Versatility: The pack includes different colorways and patterns—teals, pinks, yellows, oranges—so you have the perfect background for any project, from masculine to modern chic.
  • Perfect for Cutting: As Stephanie proved, these patterns look amazing when cut into strips, shapes, or used as a full sheet. No detail is lost! ✂️
  • Pairs beautifully with EVERYTHING: Whether you’re using other paper collections, stamps, stencils (like Bubbles!), or dies, Industrial Patchwork adds depth and character without overpowering.
  • Elevates ANY Project: From greeting cards to junk journals, mixed-media canvas to art journals, this paper turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

⏳ Don’t Miss the Pre-Order!


Today is the last day to snag the entire collection at a huge 45% off. Secure your set today to ensure you’re the first to start your next creative adventure when they ship! 🚢💨



Tuesday, March 03, 2026

☕ A Vibe Check, S'il Vous Plaît! Introducing The Parisian Café with Helen

Prepare to be swept away on a wave of vintage charm and effortless sophistication. We're incredibly excited to announce The Artistic Crafter's Collage Paper Anthology, Vol. 1, a curation of nine stunning new paper packs designed to ignite your mixed media and collage adventures. We've brought together a collection of themes that speak to every creative soul, and today, we're spilling the beans (or should we say, the café au lait?) on one of our most coveted packs.

Say bonjour to The Parisian Café. 🥐 This pack is your passport to the cozy corners and sun-dappled tables of a classic Parisian bistro. And we're not just teasing you with beautiful papers—we have the incredibly talented Helen Gullett to show us exactly how these designs come to life. Her projects are a masterclass in combining collage papers with stamps and stickers, and we can't wait for you to see them. But first, let's take a closer look at the stunning pages that inspired it all.

💖 A Love Letter to Leisure: The Parisian Cafe Papers

Prepare your heart to be utterly charmed. The Parisian Café paper pack is an exquisite tapestry of nostalgia, elegance, and pure joïe de vivre. It captures the very soul of a lazy afternoon spent at a sidewalk café, all rendered in a sophisticated, muted palette of sepia, blush pink, and French blue.

These papers are a collage artist’s dream. One sheet features a stunning, perfectly styled scene of a flaky croissant nestled beside a dainty vintage coffee cup, complete with delicate floral motifs and hints of French script. 🌸 Another sheet layers delicate, blooming roses with faded ledger paper and antique floral illustrations, creating a romantic and layered feel. Another page offers up whimsical elements like a bright slice of grapefruit, detailed French text, and a blue and white patterned teacup. The details are simply divine—you’ll find tiny postage stamps, elegant script, and beautifully rendered botanicals that seem to whisper stories from the past. Every inch of this paper is designed to be a centerpiece or a perfect layering piece, bringing a touch of authentic, vintage Paris to every single creation. ✨

Helen’s Creative Corner: Transforming Paper into Art

Helen has been busy in her studio, and the results are truly breathtaking. Let's see how she's incorporated these new papers into her stunning projects.

🛠️ The "Keep Calm" Wood Sign

For her first masterpiece, Helen took a plain wooden square and turned it into a piece of art that would look perfectly at home in a stylish boutique. She used a charming, vintage-inspired image of a dark floral pattern from The Parisian Café pack as her background, instantly creating a moody and elegant vibe.

But she didn't stop there. She added some edge with stamps from Art Marks and Mixed Media Elements, creating those cool, grungy splatters and textures. The sentiment is a stroke of genius—the iconic "Keep Calm and Drink Coffee" in a vintage-style typewriter font, pulled from the Coffee Heaven clear sticker sheet. This allows the beautiful collage paper behind it to perfectly peek through.

Finally, she tied it all together with a beautiful, crinkled rose-gold ribbon, creating a stunning bow at the top. The entire piece sits on a tiny wooden easel, proving that sometimes, the smallest projects have the biggest impact. This is the ultimate sophisticated reminder to slow down and enjoy the brew. 🎨☕

☕ The "Thankful for Coffee" Sleeve

For her second project, Helen brought the café experience right into her daily routine with this incredibly chic coffee cup sleeve. She wrapped a plain coffee sleeve with a section of the paper featuring the gorgeous, ornate rose and gold coffee cup. The colors are rich and vibrant, featuring a hint of blue on the edge and beautiful, full pink rose blooms. For the sentiment, she expertly chose "Thankful for Coffee," a heartfelt phrase from Coffeeology, which she hand-stamped directly onto the sleeve. This simple addition makes a powerful, personal statement, making every sip feel like a moment of gratitude. This sleeve proves that with the right paper, even a coffee break can be a moment of pure inspiration. ✨🌿

☕ Why The Parisian Café belongs in your stash

  • Instant Sophistication: One page of this paper elevates any project from simple to chic, effortlessly.
  • Ultimate Versatility: These designs work beautifully as full-page backgrounds, fussy-cut elements, or for layered, decoupage styles.
  • Perfect for Layering: The mix of script, ledger lines, and imagery makes it a dream for mixed media artists to add depth and interest.
  • A Romantic Vibe: The sepia tones and delicate florals are perfect for creating nostalgic, romantic, or feminine projects.


⏳ Don’t Miss the Pre-Order!

The Parisian Café is one of the 9 stunning packs included in The Artistic Crafter's Collage Papers Anthology, vol. 1.

The entire collection is available for pre-order at a huge 45% off now through March 4th. Secure your set today to ensure you’re the first to start your next creative adventure when they ship! 🚢💨



Monday, March 02, 2026

✨ Where Beauty Meets Nostalgia: Introducing Ephemeral Edges with Sanna ✨

Hello, STAMPfriends! We're shining the spotlight on Ephemeral Edges, one of 9 collage paper packs in The Artistic Crafter's Collage Paper Anthology, vol. 1. The Anthology is a beautifully curated collection for mixed-media artists, paper crafters, and journalers alike. It's a paper crafter's creative playground. 🎨

To show you just how versatile and inspiring these papers are, the talented Sanna Lippert created three stunning projects to spark your imagination. 💖

✨ Ephemeral Edges: Where Beauty Meets Nostalgia ✨

Imagine a world where vintage bookkeeping meets modern art. That’s Ephemeral Edges. This unique pack captures the fleeting beauty of time-worn documents, accounting ledgers, and index cards, all bathed in an ethereal palette of soft pinks, gentle corals, seafoam greens, and dusty teals. But these aren't just flat images. Every sheet is a tactile adventure. The papers are designed to look layered, with beautifully torn, rough-fiber edges and tattered corners that give your projects an instant feeling of depth and history. You’ll find collages of vintage receipts, numbered ledgers, and aged tickets, creating a visual symphony of textures that tells a story without saying a word. This isn't just collage paper; it's a foundation for memory, mystery, and exquisite artistry. 🕰️🎀

🎨 Inspiring Projects by Sanna Lippert 🎨

Sanna has truly outdone herself, transforming these papers into mixed-media masterpieces. Here’s a look at what she created using Ephemeral Edges and other STAMPlorations favorites.

A Tag Layered with Life 🏷️

This isn’t just a tag; it’s a canvas of texture. Sanna started with an Ephemeral Edges paper, covering the base of the tag to create an immediate sense of layered history. From there, the magic began. She used the dynamic Art Marks 3 clear stamps to add splatters, scribbles, and abstract shapes. The centerpiece is a dimensional "passion bloom" made from green textured paper, a ticket stub, and an orange button. For the perfect finishing touch, Sanna added a powerful sentiment from our New Day clear stickers, which reads "wear your passion." The result is a bold, inspiring piece of art that looks like a curated page from a creative journal. 💪🌟

ATCs – Small Canvases, Big Impact 🃏

ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) are the perfect format for focused creativity, and Sanna proves it with this stunning pair. Both ATCs feature a background of Ephemeral Edges paper, instantly providing a sophisticated, pre-layered look. Sanna then added her artistic touch using stamps from Art Marks 3 and the whimsically detailed Bloom Doodles set. The central focus is a layered paper flower on each card, crowned with a beautiful pearl. To make these truly speak, she added sentiments from the New Day clear stickers: "soar high" and "find your tribe." These miniature works of art pack a huge emotional punch. 🕊️✨

A Mixed Media Card with Woven Layers 🦋

This card is a true exploration of technique. Sanna crafted a card base from a large Ephemeral Edges sheet, allowing the "tattered" layers of the paper to show at the top and bottom edges. The background itself is a symphony of mixed media, featuring vibrant blue paints, the intricate textures from an ARTplorations stencil, and bold, graphical stamps from Art Marks 3. Sanna also incorporated a gelli printed pattern, adding a unique, hand-pressed texture. Hovering above it all are two stunning butterflies, stamped in dark and pink inks and finished with pink pearls. The simple, meaningful sentiment "embrace life" from our clear stickers provides the final flourish. It's a gorgeous, dimensional card that is a celebration of texture and color. 🎨💖

📣Why Ephemeral Edges is a Must-Have in Your Stash 📣

  • Instant Depth & Dimension: The printed torn edges and pre-collaged designs give you a complex, professional look without the hours of layering. ✂️
  • The Perfect Vintage-Modern Palette: The combination of historic, vintage imagery with a fresh, contemporary color palette makes these papers incredibly versatile. 🌸
  • A Perfect Foundation: Whether you’re a stamper, a painter, or a mixed-media artist, these papers provide the perfect, non-distracting background for all your techniques. 🎨
  • Unique History, Your Way: You get the charm of truly ephemeral vintage documents without having to destroy precious, old papers. 🕰️

⏳ Don’t Miss the Pre-Order!

Ephemeral Edges is one of the 9 stunning packs included in The Artistic Crafter's Collage Papers Anthology, vol. 1.

The entire collection is available for pre-order at a huge 45% off now through March 4th. Secure your set today to ensure you’re the first to start your next creative adventure when they ship! 🚢💨


[📍 PRE-ORDER THE ANTHOLOGY HERE]

Sunday, March 01, 2026

🌿 Let the Creativity Bloom with Botanical Beats! 🎨✨

Hey, STAMPfriends! It’s Shery here, and I am excited to give you a closer look at one of our new release: Botanical Beats. This pack is one of 9 stunning collage paper sets in The Artistic Crafter’s Paper Collage Anthology, Vol. 1, which is currently available for pre-order until March 4! To celebrate, I’ve been playing in my studio and have some fun projects to share that show fun these papers really are. to use 🌸🙌

🍃 Botanical Beats: Where Nature Meets Artistic Energy


Botanical Beats is where organic nature meets rhythmic, artistic energy. This pack is filled with lush greenery, delicate floral silhouettes, and vintage-inspired textures that feel both timeless and modern. The color palette is earthy yet vibrant, designed to provide the perfect "rhythm" to your mixed media layers. Whether you are looking for a bold focal point or a soft, leafy background, these papers bring a soulful, botanical vibe to every snip and tear. 🎵🌼

✨ Projects Featuring Botanical Beats


Mixed Media Mini Cutting Board 🎨

For this home décor piece, I transformed a mini cutting board by decoupaging the collage papers directly onto the wood. To create a focal point, I fussy-cut the butterfly from one of the sheets and layered it back on top for a dimensional effect. I added clear stickers and a stamped sentiment for depth, then brought the whole piece to life with white and black acrylic paint pens—outlining the butterfly and adding some playful doodling. A little inking around the edges of the board gave it that perfect, finished vintage look!

Textured Trio Card 📑💌

This card is all about the beauty of the "perfectly imperfect." I tore three distinct strips from the Botanical Beats pack to showcase the different patterns and adhered them to my card base. The raw, torn edges add such a lovely tactile element. I kept it clean and elegant by finishing it off with a simple clear sticker sentiment. It’s a great way to let the patterns do the heavy lifting!

The Diagonal Drift Card ⚡🌿

When you need a card in a hurry, this is the technique for you! I took a single sheet from the pack and tore it diagonally, adhering it to the card base to create a bold, asymmetrical design. It’s fast, effective, and highlights the gorgeous botanical prints beautifully. A quick clear sticker sentiment was all it needed to be ready for the mail!


🌟 Why Botanical Beats is a Must-Have

  • Instant Texture: The designs mimic the look of complex mixed media layers, giving your projects professional depth with zero effort. 🎨

  • Effortless Coordination: Every sheet in the pack is designed to play well together, taking the guesswork out of matching colors and patterns. 🤝

  • Perfect for Fussy-Cutting: Elements like the butterflies and leaves are perfect for cutting out to create your own custom ephemera. ✂️

  • Matte & Versatile: The paper quality takes ink, paint pens, and stamps beautifully, allowing you to customize it further. 🖋️

  • Timeless Appeal: Botanical themes never go out of style—they are perfect for birthdays, thank-yous, or "just because" notes! 🌷


⏳ Don’t Miss the Pre-Order!

Botanical Beats is one of the 9 stunning packs included in The Artistic Crafter's Collage Papers Anthology, vol. 1.

The entire collection is available for pre-order at a huge 45% off now through March 4th. Secure your set today to ensure you’re the first to start your next creative adventure when they ship! 🚢💨


[📍 PRE-ORDER THE ANTHOLOGY HERE]