The Designers that Made 2018 a Great Year for STAMPlorations + A Surprise :o)

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! December is a pretty quiet month compared to other months here on the blog. Behind the scenes, though, we're gearing up for 2019! We have plenty in store for everyone in the new year.

I can't let 2018 end without a sort of year-in-review and putting the spotlight on the girls in the STAMPlorations design team. They are one of the main reasons our small family business continues to thrive. Without their creative talent, our products wouldn't be noticed.

And so I went through all the posts here on the blog and picked 3 of my favorite makes by each of the STAMP girls this year. Fair warning: this is a long and photo-heavy post but I hope you'll scroll down to the end because it's worth it and I have a surprise :o)

{Mixed Media Tutorial} Mixed Media Coffee Card by Helen

Hello everyone... I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. 2018 is almost ending, and ready or not... the new year 2019 is coming!

Today, I have a simple tutorial for you to make this mixed media coffee card. Let's get started.

{Special Post} STAMPlorations at Time Out Challenges - Reminder + Comment to Win!

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas if you celebrated it. I'm back with another card for Time Out Challenges, as STAMPlorations is sponsoring. There is still a week left to link up if you want to play. Make sure you read through to the end and answer a simple question for a chance at an extra prize I'm offering just for those who leave a comment on this post.

Wonderful Wednesday Coloring #12 by Guest Designers Gwendolyn, Renee, and Vinita + Comment to Win!

Happy Wednesday, STAMPlorations friends! I hope those of you who celebrate Christmas had a wonderful time yesterday. My two girls sure did! Anyway, we're back with the twelfth installment of Wonderful Wednesday Coloring, a special feature we started while the regular STAMPgirls were on a summer break. Our guest designers share gorgeous projects featuring STAMPlorations products using various coloring techniques.

Our super talented guest designers -- Gwendolyn, Renee, and Vinita -- are back with their last helping of projects showcasing STAMPlorations stamps. Their fabulous creations are guaranteed to inspire and get you in the mood to color! After this post, Wonderful Wednesday Coloring will take a break for a couple of months and then be back with a new batch of guest designers in March.

Comment here and on our guest designers' personal blogs for a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the STAMPlorations store. We'll announce the winner in the December Winners post on January 10.

    

    

    

{Merry Christmas!}

From all of us at STAMPlorations, we wish you a very merry and most blessed Christmas!

Thank you for supporting a small family business like STAMPlorations. 2018 would not be a great year for us without your support! We are excited about all the fun and creativity 2019 is bringing with it!

With love,
Shery, David, Kathryn, Winter, and the STAMPlorations girls

{Mixed Media Tutorial} Peony Eye Shadow by Asmah

Hello friends! Seasonal greetings to you! It's the season holidays in your part of the world and where I am here in Malaysia, we are enjoying family time during the long school holidays. As we approach 2019 in seven days more, maybe you may need to gift someone something accompanied with a card
probably but time is precious.

Well hopefully this super easy and quick tutorial could assist you a fast make.

{Mixed Media Tutorial} Advent Triple Tag by MariLynn

MariLynn here. I have a fun Advent Triple Tag Mixed Media project to share with you. I thought it would be a fun way to count down to Christmas. I remember making paper chains when I was in grade school. This gives it a little bit of new twist. I hope it inspires you to create. If you want to make it but don't need the 25 days countdown. You could make with less strips of paper.

{Special Post} STAMPlorations at Time Out Challenges

Hello, STAMPlorations friends! There's a new challenge up at Time Out Challenges that STAMPlorations is sponsoring. It's an Inspired by Words challenge:

You can use one or some of the words as the basis for your project. Taking a break from making Christmas cards, I decided to go with a birthday card.

As I was getting ready to start making my card, I remembered a painting technique called "negative painting" -- an alternative painting approach wherein you paint around the object/subject instead of painting the object/subject itself. So I thought about using that technique on my card. I took some liberties with the technique and translated it to stamping -- specifically to my style of stamping.

{Spotlight Project} Maria Conveys Positive Vibes

Howdy STAMP friends! One last project from me for this year. And I was thinking Spring! Who wouldn't with the new Stamp Club stamp, Positive Vibes?

Incorporated some groovy ink blending with a design that seems popular around the internet lately - little critters or scenes peeking out of die cut windows. You don't need a fancy die to get this look. You can create the windows in a panel with any dies/shapes you own.

{SALE - 15% OFF!} STAMPlorations Gift Certificates are the Perfect Last-Minute Gifts!

Still looking for the perfect gift for the paper crafter(s) in your life or for yourself? Our gift certificates are the perfect last-minute gifts!

Until December 24, all gift certificates are 15% off!

Buy a $5 gift certificate for just $4.25

Buy a $10 gift  certificate for just $8.50

Buy a $15  gift certificate for just $12.75

Buy a $25 gift certificate for just $21.25

Buy a $35 gift certificate for just $29.75

Buy a $50 gift certificate for just $42.50

All purchased gift certificates do not expire.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES HERE

    

    

*Discount codes cannot be applied towards the purchase of gift certificates. Gift certificates may not be used to purchase gift certificates that are on sale. Gift certificate orders partially or fully paid with another gift certificate will be voided.

December Challenges Extra Projects -- Have You Played Yet?

Hello, STAMP friends! Time is flying when you are having fun (or trying to finish everything on time for Christmas) and we are already halfway through December. Have you played in our challenges yet? You have two weeks more to play and link up your projects. I'm sure you have some gorgeous last-minute Christmas projects to share with us!

Some of the STAMPgirls are sharing extra projects to give you a little nudge :o)

If you're new to our blog, please take a moment to become familiar with the challenge guidelines -- we would hate for anyone to be voted by the team as a winner or be randomly chosen as a top pick and then not qualify for the prize because she didn't follow the rules. 

      

        

    

    

    

{Mixed Media Tutorial} Altered Playing Card by Susanne

Hi there! Today I'd like to share an altered playing card with you. I had kind of a intuitive play on this card. I've used different stencils for the background layering and also some mark making for more details. Scroll down to watch the video.

{Instagram Giveaway!}

Hey STAMP friends! Are you on Instagram? We've got a giveaway over there for the next 3 days!

Simply share the beautiful crafty/arty thing you make today -- or in the next 3 days -- for a chance to win one of three (3) $10 gift certificates to the store.

Head on to our Instagram giveaway post HERE and:

1. like the photo

2. follow us! @stamplorations

3. post a photo of your project(s) on your IG account and use the hashtag #whatimadetoday

4. tag your friends in the post (one tag per comment)

5. multiple entries allowed

The giveaway closes Sunday, December 16, 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be randomly drawn and announced on our Instagram account on Monday, December 17. 

Hope to see you on Instagram! Happy creating!

PS: Throughout the month of December, our stamps, stencils, and dies (excluding products in the New Release section) are 30% off. Use coupon code DECEMBER2018 on checkout.

PPS: With the holidays upon us, I'll be taking some time off from work. Please be advised that all orders placed by Friday, December 14, will ship out by December 19. Orders placed December 15 onward will ship starting January 2. Merry Christmas and thank you for supporting a small family business like STAMPlorations!