Creative Tip of the Day: Softening Negative Space

Today’s inspiration comes from STAMPgirl Maria, who shows us how to give a stenciled background a softer, more integrated look. If you find that the white space of your cardstock feels too stark against your stenciled pattern, this "post-stenciling" blend is the perfect solution.

The Technique: Softening the Negative Space

Instead of leaving the areas under the stencil crisp white, Maria toned them down after removing the stencil. By using the ink already lingering on her brushes, she created a soft, hazy background that bridges the gap between the bold pattern and the card base.

Instant Art: Crafting High-Impact 5x7s with Stephanie Severin

We're excited to share these stunning 5x7 cards created by the talented Stephanie Severin! Using elements from our Paper Goods collections, Stephanie has crafted two distinct looks that highlight the versatility of these pre-printed designs.

Whether you love bold, modern pop art or soft, vintage florals, these projects show how you can build a beautiful card base in minutes.

 

{MAY 2026 CHALLENGE} Anything Goes

Hey there, STAMPfriends! New month, new challenge! Time to kick off our May Anything Goes Challenge. The gallery last month had an incredible variety and creativity, and we can’t wait to see what you’ve been working on as we head into the heart of spring.

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

As the name suggests, anything goes for this challenge -- whether you’re making cards, mixed media pieces, art journal pages, or ATCs, we want to see it! This is the perfect time to experiment with that new technique you’ve been eyeing or to finally ink up those stamps that have been waiting on your desk. There are no limits, just pure creative freedom.

To get your inspiration flowing, the STAMPgirls have put together some stunning projects to share with you. 

{Card Fronts Spotlight} Beautiful Vintage Blooms with Vicki

Hello, crafty friends! Today we have a stunning set of projects by STAMPgirl Vicki. If you love the look of intricate, vintage-style illustrations but want to create high-impact cards in a fraction of the time, you are going to love these.

Vicki has showcased the versatility of our Vintage Flowers Card Fronts by pairing them with various bold word dies. These card fronts do all the heavy lifting, providing a lush, artistic backdrop that makes any sentiment pop.

Creative Tip of the Day: Personalized Birthday Cards with Die-Cut Negatives

Happy Monday! Today I’m featuring a clever birthday card by Vicki that shows a brilliant way to use the negative space from your dies. By using the leftover frame from a die-cut, you can create a unique, textured background that perfectly fits a specific celebration.

Moving Ink with Air: A Mixed Media Study + Grab the May Freebie of the Month

Welcome back to the blog! Today I’m sharing my second 5x7 mixed media piece. There's something incredibly freeing about letting the medium dictate the movement of the piece, and this project was all about experimenting with fluid ink and air.

Creative Tip of the Day: Building Dimension with Thin Metal Dies

Hello, crafters! Today we are looking at a project by Vicki that proves you don't need a lot of different mediums to create a card with impact. By using thin metal dies in creative ways, she built a design that is both clean and full of texture.

1. Texturing the Base

Instead of adding a separate panel, Vicki used the Wonky Stitched Grid Texture Plate directly on her card base. This is a fantastic way to add visual interest while keeping the card’s profile slim for mailing.

2. The Triple-Layer Stack

To make her focal elements stand out, Vicki cut her dies multiple times and stacked them:

• The Spring Flower layering die was cut 3 times in white to create a thick, sturdy frame.
• She then used a red die-cut to inlay the petals and the center, creating a beautiful contrast.
• The Thanks word die was also layered 3 times. This "stacking" technique gives die-cuts the look of expensive chipboard and keeps them perfectly flat on the card.

3. Strategic Embellishing

By finishing the card with a few sequins from her stash, Vicki added just the right amount of sparkle to complement the red accents and the textured blue base.

Featured Sales

If you want to recreate this look, now is the perfect time to stock up on these essentials:

Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off: All Cover Plates

Buy 3 Get 1 Free: All Word/Phrase Dies

Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off: All Miscellaneous Dies

Question of the Day: Do you prefer stacking your die-cuts for dimension, or do you stick to foam tape? Let us know in the comments!

Creative Tip of the Day: The Power of Your Background Stash

Today’s project by Shirley shows a practical way to use those backgrounds we all have tucked away. It's a great reminder that you don't always need to start with a blank slate.

The Technique

Shirley used a background she already had -- Distress Oxides sponged over the Droplets stencil. By looking at her "stash" with fresh eyes, she was able to build a cohesive scene without extra ink blending.

Creative Tip of the Day: Selective Stenciling & Double Die Layers

Today’s project by Monika is a masterclass in "less is more." By using strategic placement and clever layering, she created a card that feels both airy and impactful.

The Technique

This look is achieved by selective stenciling and die-cut layering. By only stenciling a portion of the background with the Wheels slimline stencil, you create a modern, asymmetrical balance. When you top that with a white-on-white layered butterfly using the Flutter Zen #1 layering dies, the result is pure elegance.

Creative Tip of the Day: Instant Focus with Oxide Circles

Want to make your stamped characters pop without spending hours on intricate coloring? This technique is a total game-changer for your card-making! Shirley shows us how.

The Technique

Instead of coloring in your images, create a colorful backdrop first. By painting simple circles with Distress Oxides and stamping your images directly over them, you create an instant focal point and a playful, modern look in minutes. It’s the perfect way to add life to whimsical characters like monsters or doodles.

Creative Tip of the Day: Building Bold Sentiments with Stacked Die-Cuts

In today's Creative Tip of the Day, we’re looking at a vibrant, high-energy card by Maria Fischer that perfectly demonstrates how to balance bold stamping with architectural die-cuts. Whether you're creating for a birthday or a masculine-themed occasion, this "stacked" technique is a wonderful way to add instant impact to your designs. 🌸✨

🌟 How to Elevate Your Sentiments 🎨✨

Creative Tip of the Day: Spot Coloring with Selective Die Cutting

Welcome back to our series where we revisit classic projects from our talented design team! Whether you're a long-time fan or a new follower, these bite-sized tips are designed to spark your creativity and help you get the most out of your STAMPlorations supplies.

Today, we're looking at a stunning clean and simple card by Monika Skinner. She demonstrates how a small focused area of color can make a massive impact against a black-and-white background.

The Technique: Spot Coloring on Die Cuts