Black Friday | Cyber Monday Crafters Sale Ends Tonight!

 

Here's a little reminder that our Black Friday | Cyber Monday Crafters Sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm Pacific!

Put at least $25 worth of products in your cart then use the code BLACKCYBER to take 40% off your total (before shipping)!

This code is good for one-time use per customer. It cannot be combined with any other codes, except for free shipping codes where applicable. 

SHOP CRAFTERS DEALS HERE

{Stencil Sunday} Andrea Gets Inky with the Circles Flexi-Template and Stencils

Happy Sunday, STAMPlorations friends! We are back with another Stencil Sunday post this month. For the next three months, we have two incredibly talented guest designers sharing their creations that feature ARTplorations stencils. Make sure you comment on this post for a chance at a $15 prize code. Every month, we draw 7 winners, with the winners randomly drawn from all posts published during the month. The more posts you comment on, the more chances you have.

In today's post, we have the talented Andrea Shell sharing 3 beautifully stenciled cards. Her technique in using one of the flexi-templates is flawless!

    

Black Friday | Cyber Monday Crafters Sale

 

Put at least $25 worth of products in your cart then use the code BLACKCYBER to take 40% off your total (before shipping)!

This code is good for one-time use per customer. It cannot be combined with any other codes, except for free shipping codes where applicable. Code expires Monday, 11/30, at 11:59 Pacific

SHOP CRAFTERS DEALS HERE

{Spotlight Project} Becca Creates Mail-Friendly Holiday Cards

I don’t know about you, but when the holiday season rolls around, I’m usually scrambling to get the number of Christmas cards I need and am always dreading that extra 15 cent stamp for sending bulky, lumpy, or bumpy cards. 

So this year, I had some forethought - at least to the bumps and lumps (but not to the procrastination). I designed an easy-peasy card that packs a wallop of wow! Skimp on the time, not on the style. 

The first thing I did is created a triple dipped Distress Ink background. I've often heard people say they don't like distress ink dipping, but I think that's just because they haven't built up enough layers! A lot of people stop at one dip. Let me show you the difference. 

I started by smooshing three different colors of blue Distress Inks on the background, two regulars and one Oxide. Oxides give it a nice chalky matte finish.

Next, I pressed my paper down in it and swished it right to left and left to right, and then just for good measure right to left again. 

This is after dip one. I dried it with a heat tool to speed the process.

You can see it's pretty and has a nice wash, but don't stop there, my friends! For layers 2 and 3 you want to press the paper down into the ink spots on your mat, but this time DON'T swish or move, just pick up the color. 

Make sure to dry fully between each dip. 

Once I had the layers built up, I wanted to add a little snow. I used Picket Fence Distress Spray Stain to splash the background.

But a background is nothing without a foreground. To jazz it up and make it all Christmasey, I die cut the Stitched Winter Landscape. I wanted to make it extra special and what's more special than GLITTER?!

I brushed over the trees and the house using Wink of Stella. 

I added a sentiment from the Bee's Knees: Three Kings stamp set and three little sequins and viola! A gorgeous holiday card that won't break your time OR postage stamp budget!

Here are the products Becca used in today's project:

Three Kings, Stitched Winter Landscape Die

 

{Spotlight Project} Shirley Creates A Snow Storm

Hello Peeps! I've got two cards for you today made from one background panel. I made a full snowy sky panel then decided I could get double the mileage out of it by cutting it with the Stitched Snow Hills die and pairing it with white card.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

This year is certainly one for the books. In spite of, and despite of, it all...there are still many things each of us can be thankful for.

For us here at STAMPlorations, we're thankful for YOU -- our dear readers, followers, and customers. Thank you for continuing to support our small family business, especially during these challenging times when many are struggling to stay in business.

Happy Thanksgiving!

{Throwback Thursday} Angie Does Partial Stenciling on CAS Cards

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! Throwback Thursday is back and for the next three months, we have the super creative Angie Cimbalo guest designing. She will share projects inspired by projects created by the STAMPgirls. Make sure you comment on this post for a chance at a $15 prize code. Every month, we draw 7 winners, with the winners randomly drawn from all posts published during the month. The more posts you comment on, the more chances you have.

Today, Angie shares cards inspired by a card by STAMPgirl Helen.

{Digital Wednesday} Von Marie Watercolors Digital Stamps

Happy Wednesday! It's the day before Thanksgiving here in the US and we have another Digital Wednesday post featuring another talented guest designer, Von Marie Cervantes, sharing projects that put the spotlight on our digital stamps for the next three months. Make sure you comment on this post for a chance at a $15 prize code. Every month, we draw 7 winners, with the winners randomly drawn from all posts published during the month. The more posts you comment on, the more chances you have.

{Inspiration Project Post #295}

Hello STAMPlorations Friends! The Inspiration girls are back with a variety of festive projects showcasing stamps, dies and stencils of their choice.

We'll still randomly draw a winner from all the comments left on our Inspiration posts, have a look and leave a comment for your entry to win a $15 prize code to the STAMPlorations store.

 

 

{Sticker Monday} Sue Creates CAS Christmas Cards with Clear Stickers

Happy Monday, STAMPlorations friends! Sticker Monday is back once again and this time, we have the talented Sue Symens sharing her projects featuring our clear stickers in the next three months. Make sure you comment on this post for a chance at a $15 prize code. Every month, we draw 7 winners, with the winners randomly drawn from all posts published during the month. The more posts you comment on, the more chances you have.

Today, Sue is sharing several clean and simple Christmas cards where she used clear stickers creatively.

    

{Stencil Sunday} Stretching Crafty Dollars: Karen Creates Holiday and Non-Holiday Cards with Stencils

Happy Sunday, STAMPlorations friends! Stencil Sunday is back. Did you miss this feature? For the next three months, we have two incredibly talented guest designers sharing their creations that feature ARTplorations stencils. Make sure you comment on this post for a chance at a $15 prize code. Every month, we draw 7 winners, with the winners randomly drawn from all posts published during the month. The more posts you comment on, the more chances you have.

In today's post, we have the amazing Karen Hasheck sharing not just 3 but 8 absolutely awesome cards that are sure to inspire you and prompt you to bust out your stencils. And you won't want to miss her video!

      

6th GIVING THANKS Blog Hop & Giveaway with the STAMPlorations Girls

Hello, STAMPlorations friends! Today is a special day here at the STAMPlorations HQ, as the STAMPlorations girls come together to express how grateful and thankful we are through the projects we are sharing today. I'm so grateful to them because they took time out of their busy day to create something very special for this event!

There are 2 parts to this event:

1. a blog hop with 12 stops (including this blog) where you can leave a little word of encouragement and thanks to the designers; and
2. a giveaway where you can complete one, a few, or all of the tasks for a shot at the prizes.

The hop and giveaway are open until December 8 so you can take your time hopping and linking up :o)

So let's talk about prizes...we've got a few.

Hop prizes:

• THREE (3) winners randomly drawn from all comments left on this post and designers' blogs will each receive a $15 prize code.

Giveaway prizes:

• ONE (1) winner of STAMPlorations products with a combined MSRP value of up of $50
• TWO (2) winners of STAMPlorations products with a combined MSRP value of up to $25

Extra prizes:

• A few surprise winners will be randomly drawn from all giveaway entries, social media engagements (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, blogs), and blog comments to win either prize codes or products.

Winners will be announced on December 10 in the November winners post. So that you don't miss that post, please follow our blog or sign up for email updates.

Now let's get started with the hop, shall we?

{Spotlight Project} CAS Cards With Deepti

Hello friends! Deepti here and welcome to my Spotlight feature. For this Spotlight post I decided to make a couple of clean and simple cards. Unique thing about these is that I have used a stamp for a purpose different from what it is intended. Let me show you... 

{Digital Wednesday} Farhana's Fall-Themed Slimline and Shaker Cards

Happy Wednesday! Digital Wednesday is back and for the next three months, we have an incredibly talented guest designer, Farhana Sarker, sharing projects that put the spotlight on our digital stamps. Make sure you comment on this post for a chance at a $15 prize code. Every month, we draw 7 winners, with the winners randomly drawn from all posts published during the month. The more posts you comment on, the more chances you have.

{Inspiration Project Post #294}

Hello STAMPlorations Friends! The Inspiration girls are back with a variety of festive projects showcasing stamps, dies and stencils of their choice.

We'll still randomly draw a winner from all the comments left on our Inspiration posts, have a look and leave a comment for your entry to win a $15 prize code to the STAMPlorations store.

 

 

NEW! Quick Card Kits (Or How I Went from Zero to 14 Christmas Cards in 2.5 Hours!)

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! A funny thing happened to me the other day -- I was able to make 14 Christmas cards in 2.5 hours! For the seasoned card makers among you, that number may not be a lot but it is to me. I didn't have any Christmas card made at all yet...and I suspect I wouldn't have been able to make any this year if I hadn't been desperate enough to come up with a product that will let me make Christmas cards fast.

Between running STAMPlorations and taking care of my 2 super-active girls, believe me...I barely have time to sit down and create cards. And those times when I think I have 15 minutes of free time, I often find myself having to choose between a taking a quick shower, having a meal, or doing something I've put off doing for months (like fold clothes!).

And then a week ago, I asked myself, "What if I had some ready-made card fronts and all I had to do is stamp to finish them up?" I had the first 2 sets of card fronts designed within a few hours and then sent off to the printer by Saturday night. By Thursday, they were delivered and oh boy, I couldn't stop running my hands on the smooth and super thick (120# or 315 gsm, baby!) card stock the card fronts are printed on.

  

November Challenges Inspiration - Have You Played Yet?

 

Hello, challenge fans! Have you already played along with our November challenges? The link-ups are bursting with inspiration, but there is always room for more, so don't be shy, whether you are a first-timer or one of our regulars. If you are planning to play along but haven't had time to do so yet, you still have two weeks to join in the fun! The ladies from the design team are back with more inspiration to help you get creative if you feel your mojo needs a kick-start. I hope you find some time and inspiration to play along with us this month!

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 they didn't follow the rules.