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 

Creative Tip of the Day: Selective Coloring with Cover Plates

Today, we’re featuring a vibrant, graphic card by Deepti Malik. If you've ever looked at an intricate cover plate die and wondered how to make it the star of your card rather than just a background, this selective coloring technique is for you! 🌸✨

🌟 Selective Coloring with Cover Plates 🎨✨

Are your cover plate dies just collecting dust because you think they can only be used for one-dimensional backgrounds? Deepti is here to change your mind! Her Zen Doodled Birthday Cake card uses the intricate lines of the cover plate as a built-in coloring book. By selectively coloring through the die-cut, she created a bold, graphic focal point that is perfect for any celebration.

Creative Tip of the Day: Two Ways to Layer Clear Stickers

Today's creative tip features a card by Helen Gullett. She demonstrates how versatile clear stickers can be. Whether you want a seamless, flat border or a popped-up focal point, clear stickers are the ultimate multi-tasking tool for your stash. 🌸✨

🌟 Two Ways to Layer Clear Stickers 🎨✨

Clear stickers are a staple for a reason -- they offer a crisp, professional look with zero bulk. In her latest card, Helen shows us how to use them for both background texture and as a dimensional focal point on the very same project.

Creative Tip of the Day: Selective Inking with Geometric Stencils

We're back with another Creative Tip of the Day, where we take a closer look at the clever techniques the STAMPgirls use to bring their projects to life. Today, we’re revisiting a beautiful card by Monika that perfectly balances bold geometric patterns with delicate florals. Whether you're looking to refresh your layout skills or find new ways to use your favorite stencils, this "spotlight" technique is a wonderful one to have in your creative toolkit. 🌸✨

Coffee & Creativity: A Caffeinated Showcase with Monika Skinner

If you're a fan of cozy cafes and the rich aroma of freshly roasted beans, you’re going to love our featured projects today. STAMPgirl Monika Skinner has been busy in her craft room, and she'll share with us how versatile The Coffee House collage papers can be. From home decor pieces to elegant cards, these papers offer the perfect blend of watercolor illustrations and high-texture patterns to ground any design. ☕✨

Coffee Bean Heart Coaster

Beyond the Brush: Building Depth with Inks and Acrylics 🎨✨

Ever wonder how to build a vibrant, multi-layered background without losing that "artistic" edge? It’s all about the order of your mediums! Today Shery shares the process of building this high-contrast look using calligraphy inks and acrylics. 🌟

👉 [Watch the Process Video on Instagram Here]

🌟 Transparent to Opaque Layering

Monday Inspiration: April Challenge Reminder 🎨✨

The month is flying by, but there's still plenty of time to get your creative juices flowing and enter our April Anything Goes Challenge! Whether you’re into cardmaking, mixed media, or journaling, we’d love to see your makes!

To help spark some inspiration, the STAMPgirls have put together a gallery of projects. From vintage coffee vibes to bright botanical layers, there is something for everyone in this lineup.

Take a look at these stunning ideas and then head over to the challenge page to link up your own creation!

Creative Tip of the Day: Mixing Media with Coloring Pages

Last month, we started a new series of Creative Tip of the Day posts on Instagram featuring classic projects by our amazing STAMPgirls In that series, we break down a beautiful project into simple, actionable steps, providing that quick spark of inspiration you need to get creating! Starting today, we're bringing these tips to the blog so they have a permanent home for you to reference whenever you’re at your craft desk.

Today, we are diving into a vibrant, multi-layered masterpiece by STAMPgirl Maria Fischer. Maria shows us how to elevate a coloring book page by treating it as a piece of artistic patterned paper rather than just a canvas to be filled.

Monika Captures Coastal Memories with Botanical Beats 🌊🌸

Welcome back to the blog! Today, we're sharing a super-cool mini album project by Monika that perfectly blends travel memories with artistic layers. If you’ve been looking for a way to document your favorite getaways, this project is sure to inspire you! 🎨✨

A Look Into Monika’s Botanical Mini Album

Monika took us on a virtual trip to the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales through her beautiful handmade mini album. Using the bold blooms and butterfly imagery from the Botanical Beats collage paper pack, she created a vibrant backdrop for her personal photos. 🦋📸

Here are the highlights of her coastal-inspired creation:

Blooming with Inspiration: Quick & Easy Florals with Stephanie 🌸✨

Hello, STAMPfriends! We're happy to share more spring inspiration from our guest designer, Stephanie Severin. Today, Stephanie is showcasing how you can create professional-looking, art-focused cards in no time using our Quick Cards #3: Spring Florals A2 Card Fronts.

These card fronts are the perfect solution for when you want to send a handmade hug but are short on time. They are also the star of the show for our subscription services! Whether you're looking for a little monthly treat with our Card Fronts VIP Subscription (you pick 1 set every month) or you want the full creative buffet with the Paper Goods VIP Subscription (you pick any 4 paper goods like card fronts, ATCs, ephemera, collage papers, or colorables), we’ve got a plan to keep your stash stocked and your creativity flowing. 💌🎨

🌼 Wild and Free Florals

Subscription Ambassador Open Call: Join the STAMPlorations Team!

Hi, STAMPfriends! I'm so excited to announce an open call for Subscription Ambassadors at STAMPlorations! I'm looking for a handful of US-based creative storytellers to join us for a 3-month term to showcase our unique Pick-Your-Stash subscription model.

While I love a good mystery surprise (like our $20 Mystery Grab Bags filled with at least $50 worth of STAMPlorations products), I believe that for a monthly subscription, the customer should be the designer. I'm looking for ambassadors who can show our community how fun it is to hand-pick a custom stash that fits their specific style.

Please note: While this is an ongoing open call, I may pause accepting applications once I have received a sufficient number of responses. If the form is closed, please check back at a later date, as I may re-open it as our team needs grow!

The Details

• Term: 3 Months (with the option to continue after the term ends).
  
  
• Creative Credit: You will receive 3 months’ worth of your chosen subscription plan (Paper Goods, Stencils, Slimline Stencils, or Clear Stickers).
  
  
• Bonus Stash: You’ll also get $30 in additional store credit to pick the stamps, dies, or paper packs that best complement your subscription projects.
  
  
• VIP Perk: A personal 50% discount code for your own shop use for a full 6 months.

Expectations

• Share the Process: Every two weeks, share 2-3 high-quality projects using the items you hand-picked for the month.
  
  
• Tell the Story: Help your audience understand why you chose those specific items and how they work together.
  
  
• Mail Day Magic: Share a quick "Mail Day" photo or story when your custom selection arrives!
  
  
• Branding: Add the provided STAMPlorations watermark to all project photos to help us maintain a consistent look.

Ready to Apply? 

Fill out the application form here: 

STAMPlorations Subscription Ambassador Application

I can't wait to see your "Pick-Your-Stash" style!

Sue Finds Her Creative Rhythm with Botanical Beats 🌸🎶

Hello, STAMPfriends! We're back with some stunning inspiration from the talented Sue Nagata. Today, Sue is taking us on a floral journey using one of our favorite collections: the Botanical Beats collage papers. This pack is a beautiful symphony of vintage music scores, delicate blooms, and fluttering butterflies -- the perfect foundation for cards that feel both artistic and soulful. Let’s take a look at how Sue used these papers in three different ways! 🎨✨

1. Grateful Blooms in Pink 🌷

🌸 Spring Cleaning Blowout: Help Us Clear the Studio!

 

STAMPlorations is officially doing some Spring Cleaning! I’ve been back in the studio since November, and while it’s been wonderful to see familiar names in my order list, I still have thousands of stamps and dies in inventory.

I need help clearing the shelves so I can bring you the new designs I've been working on. This is our biggest studio cleanup yet -- most of the clear stamps will be retired once they sell out!

A Quick Note on our Inventory

As many of you know, this inventory waited for me while I focused on my treatments and recovery. Because of that time in storage, some clear stamps have a slight cosmetic yellowing or may arrive in "bare" packaging (clear backing and cover without printed labels).

I’ve tested these sets personally: the stamped quality is still perfectly crisp. They are "imperfect" only in looks, but 100% perfect in performance. Thank you for helping me make room for a fresh start!

Spring Cleaning Deals (Applied Automatically!)

• 🔥 40% OFF | All 3x5 Stamp Sets

• ✨ BUY 3, GET 1 FREE | Word & Phrase Dies

• 🎨 BUY 3, GET 1 FREE | Stencils & Clear Stickers

• 📐 BUY 1, GET 1 50% OFF | All Other Dies (Cover Plates, Tags/Nesting, & Miscellaneous)

• 🌸 15% OFF | All Other In-Stock Clear Stamps (Studio Clearance)

The "Spring Cleaning" Checklist

Looking for the best way to bundle and save? Here are some of my top picks for this sale:

1. The Sentiment Stash: Grab 4 word dies like the Amazing word die, Celebrate Big phrase die, Grateful word die, and Merry and Bright phrase die -- you'll only pay for 3!

2. The Die-Cutting Duo: Put the Bloomtangled #1 and Bloomtangled #2 Cover Plates in your cart and one of them is 50% off! Or you can never have too many tag dies -- put the Stitched Tags Nesting Dies and the Manila Tags Nesting Dies and the latter is 50% off.

3. The Sticker Stock-Up: Use our Clear Sticker Packs for instant, mess-free spring journaling and card accents.

📸 Show Us Your Spring Haul!

I want to see what you’re making with these studio treasures! When your happy mail arrives, snap a photo and share it on Instagram.

• Post your haul or your finished project

• Tag @stamplorations

• Use the hashtag #STAMPlorationsSpringClean

Thank you for helping me tidy up the studio and start this new season with a clean slate. Happy crafting!

March Winners

It's time to announce winners of the March ATG challenge, as well as winners of the Spring Coffee Hop Collab with the Coffee Loving Papercrafters and winners drawn from blog posts and IG posts that were published throughout the month. All the winners were randomly chosen by Random.org.

🌟 Creative Tip of the Day: Happy Mail Savings 🎨✨

Ever feel like you’re waiting for a spark to start your next project? The best way to keep your creativity flowing is to have fresh supplies delivered right to your door! 📮💖

I’ve made it easier than ever to join our crafty family. I just added first-month-off codes to all our subscription plans -- you can find them right under the red "Subscribe" button!

How to Get Happy Mail

1️⃣ Visit STAMPlorations: Head to the Subscriptions section. 

2️⃣ Choose Your Spark: Pick from Stencils, Paper Goods, Clear Stickers, Card Fronts, or ATCs. 

3️⃣ Grab Your Code: Look for the text right under the subscribe button (like the one in the photo below). 

4️⃣ Save at Checkout: Enter your code and get ready for your first package of goodies. ✂️✨

Why We Love It

✨ Huge Value: For example, the Slimline Stencil sub gives you a $27 value + free shipping for just $17 your first month!

✨ Monthly Bonus: Every Slimline Stencil shipment includes a surprise mini stencil/mask. And that goes with the other subscriptions too -- there is an extra in every shipment! 🎁 

✨ Zero Stress: You pick the products you want from the collection each month.

Question of the Day

If you could only pick ONE for your next project, which product in our subscriptions would you use -- stencils, card fronts, ATCs, clear stickers, or collage paper? Let me know below! 👇

Retro Vibes & Bold Abstracts: Creating High-Impact Cards with Paper Goods 🌸🎨

Hello, STAMPfriends! Today we’re shining a spotlight on some vibrant, mixed-media inspiration from the talented Stephanie Severin. If you love the look of bold abstracts and vintage vibes but want to save time on the "messy" parts, you are going to love how Stephanie combined our pre-printed paper goods with classic stamps. These projects perfectly showcase how our Paper Goods Subscription can jumpstart your layout and let you get straight to the fun part -- assembling and embellishing! 🌸🎨

1. Be Creative Retro Camera Card

Springtime Inspiration: Beautiful New ATC Projects by Ina Grehan 🌸✨

Hello, STAMPfriends! We're back with more gorgeous inspiration, this time from the wonderful Ina Grehan. Ina has been working her magic with two of our newest releases: Color Me Spring and Whimsical Homes. These ATCs are so versatile, and Ina shows us exactly how to layer them with stencils, stamps, and dies to create cards with incredible depth and texture. Let’s take a closer look at her beautiful designs! 🎨💖

1. Bloom & Grow with Triple the Florals 🌷🌿

{APRIL 2026 CHALLENGE} Anything Goes

Welcome back to the blog, everyone! It’s officially a new month, which means it’s time to kick off our April 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. 

Blooming Creativity: Sue’s Stunning Spring ATC Cards 🌸✨

Hello, crafty friends! We're excited to share some gorgeous inspiration from the talented Sue Nagata. Today, She's sharing projects using our new spring ATCs -- Retro Femme, Whimsical Homes, and Color Me Spring. Whether you love vintage vibes, cozy illustrations, or classic florals, these mini works of art are perfect for quick cards that pack a punch. Let’s dive into Sue’s stunning designs! 🎨💖

1. Believe in Retro Style 🕶️🦋

More Spring Inspiration with Shirley Featuring Our New ATC Packs 🌸✨

We have Shirley today sharing some more spring inspiration featuring our new spring-themed ATC packs. If you love quick yet stunning projects, you’re going to adore our new Artist Trading Card (ATC) paper goods: Whimsical Homes, Color Me Spring, and Retro Femme. 🎨

Shirley has perfectly demonstrated how these pre-printed ATC packs can be the star of the show with just a few simple stamped or die-cut additions. Let’s dive into her beautiful creations! ✂️

✨ Spring Into Creativity: Stunning New ATC Projects by Jane 🎨🌸

We're back to share another burst of spring inspiration on the blog today! The talented Jane Tyrrell has been busy at work with our brand-new spring ATC packs, and she has created three breathtaking cards that show just how versatile these mini pieces of art can be. From retro vibes to whimsical homes, these projects are sure to get your creative juices flowing! 🖌️✨

ARTplorations Stencils Are Back! Shop Stencils + Buy 3 Get 1 Free + A Giveaway! 🎨✨

I'm excited to announce that ARTplorations stencils are officially back in the store. I know many of you have been waiting to get your hands on your favorite patterns, and they are all ready for you to browse right now. 🖌️

You can find the full collection here: stamplorations.com/stencils

To celebrate their return, I'm running a special offer: Buy 3, Get 1 Free! 🎁 Just put any 4 ARTplorations stencils in your cart, and the lowest-priced one will automatically become $0. It's the perfect time to grab those designs you've had your eye on. 🛒✨

Never Miss a Design with Our Stencil Subscriptions 📅📬

If you love stencils as much as I do, you definitely want to check out our two subscription services. It’s the best way to grow your collection automatically:

• Stencil Subscription: Get a curated selection (yours -- because you pick what you want!) of our classic ARTplorations stencils delivered straight to your door. 🏠💌
  
  
• Slimline Stencil Subscription: Perfect for those of you who love the popular slimline card format! 📏🌸

Free Worldwide Shipping on Subscriptions! 🌍✈️

I want everyone, everywhere to be able to create with ARTplorations stencils. That’s why we offer free worldwide shipping on all our stencil subscription services. No matter where you are in the world, you can join the fun without worrying about extra shipping costs. 📮💖

🎉 APRIL GIVEAWAY: Win Your Favorite Stencil! 🎉

To make their return even more fun, I’m hosting a giveaway all through the month of April! I’ll be picking one winner every week to win their favorite ARTplorations stencils.

How to Enter:

1. Head over to the Stencils section in the store.
2. Pick out your absolute favorite in-stock stencil design.
3. Come back here (and to this Instagram post) and leave a comment telling me which ONE you picked! (Don't specify more than one stencil.)

The Details: I will draw one winner each week from all the comments left on the blog and on Instagram. Winners will be announced on 🗓️ April 8, 15, 22, and 29 in this post, so check back on those dates to see if your name was picked.

April 8 winner: TEE (blog comment)

April 15 winner: momnchickies (IG comment)

April 22 winner: robyntrimble (IG comment)

April 29 winner: Indy's Designs (blog comment)

I can’t wait to see which designs are your favorites! Happy crafting! :o)

✨ Holiday Magic: Quick and Festive Cards with Stephanie 🎨🎄

Happy Wednesday! Today, we're thrilled to feature Stephanie Severin's awesome work of Stephanie Severin. 🌟 Stephanie is here to show us how to create stunning, high-impact holiday cards using STAMPlorations paper goods. Her projects are a perfect showcase for our three subscription clubs: Paper Goods, ATC, and Card Fronts. 📦✨

🌸 Springing Into Creativity: ATC Magic with CraftyField 🎨✨

Welcome back to the blog! We're excited to share some incredible inspiration from STAMPgirl CraftyField, who has been busy creating magic with our brand-new spring ATC packs. 🌿 Whether you love vintage vibes, whimsical scenes, or bright florals, these projects show just how versatile these little cards can be! 💖

🌸 Spring ATC Card Showcase: Graphic & Elegant Designs with Monika 🌸

The spring inspiration continues today as we welcome the wonderfully talented Monika! Monika is showing us three very different, yet equally stunning, ways to use our new ATC-sized packs to create focal points that truly stand out--from cards to home decor! 🎨✨

Let’s explore Monika’s elegant creations:

🌸 Spring ATC Cards: Gelli Prints & Layered Texture with Sanna Lippert! 🌸

We're back today with another stunning showcase featuring our new spring-themed ATC-sized packs! We’ve shown you how these small-format papers can make a big impact, and now the talented Sanna is here to demonstrate how they are the perfect starting point for mixed media on full-sized cards! 🎨✂️

Let’s dive into Sanna’s artsy, layered creations:

🌸 Spring Into Cards: New ATC-Size Focal Points with Maria! 🌸

Hello, STAMPfriends! Today, we are exploring how to use our small-format papers to make a massive impact on full-sized card designs. The talented Maria is here with three stunning cards featuring our brand-new spring-themed ATC packs: Color Me Spring and Retro Femme!

Let’s see how Maria worked her magic:

🌸 Artsy Collage Layering with Vicki & Botanical Beats! 🌸

We are so excited to share two stunning projects from Vicki today, featuring the
Botanical Beats collage paper. Vicki shows us how versatile these papers are—whether you let the print shine on its own or add layers of stenciling and die cuts for extra depth.

Let’s dive into her beautiful designs:

🌸 Layered Textures & Bold Blooms: Stephanie’s Paper Goods Showcase! 🌸

We're thrilled to welcome Stephanie back to the blog today for a stunning showcase of our versatile Paper Goods collections! Stephanie is a master of creating depth and texture, and she’s here to show us how our collage papers, card fronts, and ephemera can be the foundation for incredible card designs.

Let’s check out Stephanie’s gorgeous creations:

☕ STAMPlorations x Coffee Loving Paper Crafters Present: A Spring Coffee Collab Hop!

Brew up some inspiration and join the hop for a chance to win sweet prizes! 👇

March 24 marks the beginning of a very special event here at STAMPlorations. We are thrilled to kick off a collaborative blog hop with the fantastic Coffee Loving Papercrafters!

This collab is all about celebrating the intersection of caffeine and creativity + it's spring! ✨ Six talented designers (three from the STAMPlorations team 🎨 and three from the Coffee Loving Papercrafters team ☕) have been working hard to create projects that will perk up your inspiration.

🌸 Spring ATC Small-Format Inspiration with Chris🌸

We are back with more inspiration featuring our newest ATC Packs: Retro Femme, Color Me Spring, and Whimsical Homes. Today, Chris shows us how easily these tiny artist trading cards can be incorporated into stunning, fully realized card designs. 🎨✨

Let’s take a look at Chris’s gorgeous projects:

🌸 Spring Into Creativity: Tanja’s Showcase Featuring Our Newest ATC Packs! ✨🦋

The spring release excitement continues! Today, we are absolutely thrilled to highlight three more projects featuring our brand new ATC packs: Color Me Spring, Retro Femme, and Whimsical Homes. Tanja has created a stunning collection of cards, showing how these tiny ATCs can make a big impact when combined with our dies, stamps, and stencils. 🎨✂️

Here’s a closer look at Tanja’s gorgeous projects:

🌸 Spring Into Art: Vicki’s Trio Featuring Our Newest ATC Packs! ✨🏡

Our spring release is here, and it is all about variety! We are so excited to highlight three brand new ATC packs: Whimsical Homes, Color Me Spring, and Retro Femme. Vicki has been working her magic with these new arrivals, showing off how perfectly they play with our collage papers, stencils, and dies. 🎨✂️

Here’s a closer look at Vicki’s gorgeous projects:

🎨 Reminder: Show Us Your Best in Our March Anything Goes Challenge! ✨

We're less than a couple of weeks before March is over, but there's still plenty of time to get your craft on! We’ve been blown away by the entries so far in our March Anything Goes Challenge, and today we’re back with a massive dose of inspiration from the STAMPgirls to keep those creative juices flowing. 🌈✂️

Whether you’re into clean and simple cards, gritty mixed media, or colorful art journaling, our challenge is the perfect place to showcase what you’ve been working on. Remember, it’s "Anything Goes," so the sky is the limit! ☁️🚀

Take a look at these stunning projects from our talented designers:

☕️ Springtime Sips: Chris’s Vintage Coffee ATC Collection ✨🌷

Our new Springtime Coffee ATC pack is here and ready to bring a touch of vintage charm to your craft desk. 🌸☕️ These 2.5" x 3.5" canvases feature beautifully detailed images that are a dream to color. Chris has put together a trio of projects that perfectly showcase how these ATCs pair with our Shine Bright clear stickers.

🌍 Wanderlust Found: Ina’s Vintage Voyage with Our New Collage Paper 📜✨

Are you ready to add a touch of travel, history, and "urban grunge" to your art? 🏗️ Ina has been exploring our brand new Wanderlust Wayside collage paper pack, and she has created a spectacular trio of cards that prove just how far these textures can take your creativity! 🎨 From intricate, multi-stamp interiors to dimensional die-cut frames, these papers are the perfect passport to inspiration. ✈️🗺️

Here’s a look at Ina’s vintage adventures:

🌷 Springtime Strength: Stephanie’s Stunning Color Me Spring ATC Duo ✨🦋

Spring is in the air, and Stephanie is here to show us how our latest paper goods can transform into powerful, heart-felt projects! featuring the brand new Color Me Spring ATC pack, these two cards combine delicate seasonal imagery with the bold, empowering sentiments of the Strong Women set. 🎨💪

Here is a closer look at how Stephanie brought these spring ATCs to life:

🌿 Vintage Blooms & Caffeine Dreams: Jane’s Faded Botanicals Duo ☕✨

If you love the look of aged journals, pressed flowers, and soft, weathered textures, you'll fall in love with the Faded Botanicals collage paper! Jane has been busy in her studio showing off just how versatile these ethereal papers are—whether you’re creating a delicate floral scene or a cozy coffee greeting. 🎨📖

Here’s a closer look at how Jane styled these new arrivals:

🦋 Flutter & Flow: Artistic Gelli Plate Layers with Sanna ✨🎨

Ready to take your collage paper to the next level? Sanna is in the spotlight today, showing us how to marry the soft, wispy nature of our Ephemeral Edges pack with the bold, graphic world of Gelli printing! 🖼️🌀

By using her gel plate and a few signature STAMPlorations products, she’s created cards that feel like miniature pieces of abstract art. Let’s break down her stunning process.

⚙️ Urban Edge & Artistic Flair: Maria Creates 3 Cards with Analog Grunge 🐦🎨

Who says grunge can't be gorgeous? Maria is here to show us that a little "grit" goes a long way! 🙌 Using the textures of the Analog Grunge collage paper pack, she has created three cards that perfectly blend industrial patterns with whimsical design. 🏗️✨

By pairing these edgy papers with STAMPlorations dies and stamps, Maria has created a look that is modern, bold, and totally unique. Let’s take a look.

Beyond the Borders: Helen's 3 Mixed Media Projects with Ephemeral Edges 🕊️✨

If you’ve ever struggled with how to blend your collage papers into your backgrounds, Helen is here to show you how it’s done! 🙌 Using papers from the Ephemeral Edges pack, she created three projects that prove art doesn't have to stay inside the lines. 🖌️🌌

By layering these papers with STAMPlorations stencils and stickers, Helen has achieved a look that is both deeply textured and light as air. Let’s dive into her creative process.

🌿 Vintage Visions: CraftyField Shares Four Ways to Bloom with Faded Botanicals 🦋

There is something deeply satisfying about a project that looks like it has a secret to tell. 📜 Our latest design team showcase features four stunning projects from the talented CraftyField, all centered around the ethereal Faded Botanicals collage paper pack. 🥀

By pairing these organic textures with a few choice STAMPlorations stamps and dies, CraftyField has mastered that elusive balance of "shabby" and "sophisticated." Here’s a closer look at how she brought these vintage visions to life:

🌸 [Paper Goods Showcase] Springing into Creativity with Stephanie! 🌸

Hello, STAMPfriends! We're excited to have the incredibly talented Stephanie Severin back for our Paper Goods Showcase! If you’ve been looking for ways to stretch your stash and create stunning, layered cards without the stress, you are in for a treat.

Today, Stephanie shows us how to perfectly pair our Newsprint Blooms Ephemera Tiles with the Mixed Media Spring ATCs. Her cards are a masterclass in "collage chic," proving that with the right paper goods, a high-end look is just a few snips away! ✨

Edgy Foundations & Retro Vibes with Shirley Bampton! 🛠️✨

Welcome back to the blog! Today, we are shining the spotlight on some incredible inspiration from the talented Shirley Bampton.

If you’ve been wondering how to bridge the gap between "gritty" collage papers and polished card designs, Shirley is showing us exactly how it's done. She used the Analog Grunge pack—one of the standout sets in The Art Journaler's Essentials Trio.

February Winners

 It's time to announce winners of the February ATG challenge, as well as winners drawn from blog posts and IG posts that were published throughout the month. All the winners were randomly chosen by Random.org.

Vintage Dreams & Botanical Blooms: A Mini Book Masterpiece by Monika🌸✨

Hello, STAMPfriends! I (Shery) have been swooning over the latest inspiration from the talented Monika. Her recent mini book project is a masterclass in soft, romantic layering and vintage-inspired design. At the heart of her creation is the Faded Botanicals collage paper pack—a dreamy collection of script, florals, and weathered textures that provides the perfect "old-world" foundation for any mixed-media project. Even better? This stunning paper pack is a lead feature in our curated The Botanical Maker's Trio, making it easier than ever to achieve this cohesive, ethereal look.

Monika's mini scrapbook/journal starts strong with two incredible cover designs that set a beautiful, vintage-inspired tone.

Crafting with The Coffee House: Brew-tiful Inspiration from Chris ☕️✨

If you’re a coffee lover and a paper crafter, you’ve just found your new favorite stash! Today we are shining a spotlight on The Coffee House collage paper pack—a collection that perfectly captures the warmth of a fresh brew and the cozy vibes of a local cafe. Whether you're documenting your morning routine or sending a "latte" love to a friend, these papers provide the perfect caffeine-infused foundation. ☕️📜

Celebrating International Women’s Day & Coffee Lovers!

Hey, STAMPfriends! Thanks for stopping by. I'm proud to be part of the Instagram Hop for International Women's Day! The hop starts here, and you'll find STAMPlorations on IG here. The stop before me is here, and right after me is here. ☕✨

Even though this is an Instagram event, I love sharing projects here on the blog + I am offering a special prize to be won by someone who comments on this blog post! If you want more chances at winning, hop on over to Instagram and follow all the stops. There are so many awesome sponsors (including STAMPlorations, of course!) and almost $400 worth of prizes.

Anyway I had some fun in my studio creating projects that celebrate the strength of women, and, of course, our collective love for a good brew.

{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!

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.

🏗️ 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

☕ 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