{DAY 1} STAMPlorations Stamp Release Spotlight Week -- Hop with the STAMPlorations Girls and Guest Designer Laura Bassen!

It's stamp release month again and we are back to showcase 6 new stamp sets! We hope you enjoy the parade of projects we have in store for you in the next 5 days as we put the spotlight on our fun new stamps.

Stamp release months are always an exciting time around here at the STAMPlorations HQ. I know the STAMPlorations girls are going to blow me away with their projects, but I'm never really prepared the first time I get to see what they've made. I tell you, nothing beats having a front row seat whenever stamp release month rolls around. These ladies are simply amazing. 

And this month's stamp release is made even more special because we have a rock star cardmaker as a guest designer joining us today, tomorrow, and on Thursday: the fabulously awe-inspiring Laura Bassen. Yep, the Laura Bassen! If you've been around blogland for a while now or if you've taken a class or two (or more) at Online Card Classes, you've no doubt have had the pleasure of watching Laura teach creative cardmaking techniques. Maria suggested we invite her to guest design so in November last year, she asked Laura and wouldn't you know...she said yes! 

But before I introduce Laura properly, let's get the deets of the hop out of the way first. Here's how it works:

• SIX (6) lucky hoppers will be randomly drawn from the designers' blogs to each win a $10 gift certificate to use in the shop.

• ONE (1) lucky hopper will be randomly drawn from the STAMPlorations blog to win a $30 gift certificate to use in the shop.

• There will be a few surprise prizes too!

• If you are picked as one of the winners, you have until Tuesday, February 10, to email us and claim your prize.

Ready to hop? Simply leave a comment on this post and on the designers' blog hop posts between now and Tuesday, February 3, 11:55 p.m. PST (GMT-8) for a chance to win. Only one comment per blog, please. We'll announce the winners on Thursday, February 5, right here on the blog. Become a follower of our blog or follow us by email to receive updates when we post something here. How easy is that? Have fun!



Today, we're putting the spotlight on The Bee's Knees: Houses, the stamp set designed by our very own Shirley Bampton. This set of whimsical doodled houses is loads of fun and offers lots of possibilities.

(Note: There are 10 stops in the hop, including this blog. You're not required to visit every stop on the hop to be eligible, but commenting on all the stops will increase your chances of winning. In case you click on a designer's link and you get a page/post not found error, just go to their main blog and scroll down to find their post for the STAMPlorations Stamp Release Spotlight Week blog hop. You can also go back here to our main blog; we'll update the links throughout the day.)

Meet our guest designer: LAURA BASSEN

"Hi there! My name is Laura Bassen and I am honored to be guesting for STAMPlorations for their Stamp Release Spotlight Week! I live in central Illinois with my husband and our five very busy kids. I studied graphic design in college, but card making has become my passion and creative outlet. If I'm not cooking, cleaning and taking the kids to all of their numerous activities, you'll find me in my little crafty corner, babbling away to myself, possibly dancing and enjoying all the fabulous new products that I get to play with and wearing my sweatpants. Thank you so much to Shery and her amazing team for having me this week!"

CORNELIA

DEBRA

DEEPTI

MARIA F.

VICKI

SHIRLEY

NONNI

MONIKA

Thanks for hopping along! Don't forget to comment on this post for the chance to win a $30 gift certificate to the shop! Check back again tomorrow at 6 a.m. PST (GMT -8) for DAY TWO of the STAMPlorations Stamp Release Spotlight Week!