Creative Tip of the Day: Elevating Stencils with Die-Cut Texture

Hello, STAMPfriends! We have a vibrant and cheerful card by Vicki Dutcher that perfectly demonstrates how to add a professional "finished" look to your stenciled projects using a simple texturing technique.

Adding a subtle layer of texture over a stenciled design can instantly elevate a clean and simple card. In this beautiful project by Vicki, a grid die-cut pattern is used to add a professional, "quilted" finish to the vibrant floral background.

Mixed Media Magic: Inky Blooms with Stephanie

We're delighted to share a couple of stunning slimline inspiration today from Stephanie Severin. Stephanie has a way of blending vibrant pops of color with artistic textures that really stand out. This time, she's diving into the world of mixed media using some of our favorite colorables to create cards that are pure eye candy.

 

Stamping in Style: Monika's Artistic Storage Solution

Hello, STAMPfriends! Today we have a wonderful piece of inspiration from Monika, who has turned a practical storage item into a beautiful work of art. Using papers from the Artistic Crafter's Collage Paper collection, she transformed a simple chipboard holder into the perfect home for her favorite STAMPlorations stamps.

{Card Fronts Spotlight} Junk Journal Vibes with Chris

Hello everyone! Today we're diving into the wonderful world of texture and layers with a fantastic set of projects from STAMPgirl Chris. If you love the eclectic, artistic look of junk journals but want to translate that style onto your cards, you're in for a treat!

Chris has masterfully used our Junk Journal Collage card fronts as the foundation for these four unique designs, proving just how versatile these "instant art" backgrounds can be.

 

 

Welcome to the Spring Fling Blog Hop & Linky Party!

Hello, STAMPlorations friends! We're so thrilled to have you here as we celebrate the return of color, blooms, and all things fresh. Whether you’re a long-time follower of our blog or this is your very first time joining us, this Spring Fling event is all about sharing inspiration and the joy of paper crafting together.

We have a fantastic lineup from the STAMPgirls to get your gears turning, and I can’t wait to see the spring magic you’ve been creating in your own craft rooms!

How to Join the Spring Fling

I’ve got plenty of ways for you to play along and win some prizes over the next 10 days! Whether you are a creator or a commenter, there are 8 chances to win, all picked via Random.org.

The Event Timeline:

• Starts: Monday, May 11 at 6:00 AM PDT

• Ends: Wednesday, May 20 at 11:59 PM PDT

• Winners Announced: Friday, May 22 right here on the blog at 8:00 AM PDT!

The Prizes 🎁

For the Early Birds:

• 💨 First 7 to Link Up: The first 7 participants to add their project to the Linky automatically win a Spring-Themed Paper Goods Bag! I’ve hand-picked about 12-15 pieces for each bag, including ATCs, ephemera, and card fronts. These paper goods bags are the only prizes not chosen at random.

For the Linky Party (The Creators):

• 🏆 Top Winner: $25 Prize Code to the shop.

• 🥈 Runner-Up: $15 Prize Code to the shop. 

(Note: Limit one spring-themed project entry per person to keep it fair for everyone!)

For the Blog Hop (The Commenters):

• 💬 3 Lucky Hoppers: Your choice of a $10 Prize Code OR any $7 product from the shop.

• 💻 3 Digital Winners: A $10 Prize Code to use in our Digital Store.
  
  

How to Enter 📏

1. Hop & Comment: Visit each of the designer blogs listed below and leave a comment at every stop to enter the blog hop drawing.

2. Create & Link: Share your NEW spring-themed project using the Linky tool at the bottom of this post. Do not link up a project created before May 11. Only ONE entry per crafter.

3. Double Up: Since our May Anything Goes Challenge is also running, you are welcome to enter your project there too!

Meet the Design Team 🎨

Hop along and leave some love for these talented designers!

JANE

SANNA

TANJA

MARIA

INA

VICKI

CHRIS

HELEN

SUE N

MONIKA

CRAFTYFIELD

*******

Add Your Spring-Themed Project Here 👇

April Winners

It's time to announce winners of the April 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.

Winner of $25 prize code:
#4 Suzanne H

Winners of $10 prize code:
#25 angyhughes
#7 Meghan Kennihan

*****

Blog and Instagram Commenting Winners

Winners of $10 prize code OR any $7 STAMPlorations product:

Tee
(from comments left on this blog post)

ggnursecreations
(from comments left on this IG post)

olheiserc
(from comments left on this IG post)

bzscrapper
(from comments left on this IG post)

*****

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLAIMING PRIZE

Winners, please fill out the Google form below to claim your prize. This ensures that there is an off-site, time/date-stamped record of winners claiming their prize. So if you are one of the winners, fill out the form by clicking on the link below:

WINNERS CLAIM FORM

***An important note about our prizes*** 

• Prize codes expire one month (30 days) from the date they are issued to winners.
• A prize code can be applied on products (tangible and digital) in the store except for subscription products, before shipping. It cannot be combined with other percent off code or dollars off, but may be combined with a free shipping code.
• Prize codes issued to challenge winners and post commenters are not transferrable.

Winners, please claim your prize on or before 12 noon Pacific time on Sunday, May 24. The form will automatically stop accepting responses after 12 noon. Prizes not claimed by May 24 will be forfeited.

*****

Congratulations to all our winners!

The MayATG challenge is live so we'd love for you to play this month. Also, keep commenting on our blog posts and Instagram posts because we also pick winners just for commenting and engaging with us here on the blog and Instagram.

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 

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! 👇