words that matter | CREATE + Comic Pop with Shirley

Sometimes one sheet of paper goods is all you need to make more than one card.

That's exactly what STAMPgirl Shirley shows us with these two vibrant cards featuring Simple Expressions: CREATE paired with Comic Pop Pocket Backgrounds. She used the same sheet of background paper for both cards, but approached the design differently each time.

And both cards put CREATE front and center.

Let the Background Do the Work

For her first card, Shirley cut along the zigzag lines in the Comic Pop background so the yellow section could streak across the card. She then stamped and colored the CREATE sentiment to coordinate with the colors in the background and added a few red pearl gems to finish the design. 

It's bold, colorful, and surprisingly quick to put together. The dramatic zigzag background does most of the work, while the coordinated sentiment ties everything together.

Use Every Bit of the Paper

For her second card, Shirley used the remainder of the background paper and took a completely different approach. Instead of adding another focal element, she stamped CREATE right into the open gap in the design and added a few arrow stickies.

Same sheet. Same stamp. Completely different card.

And that's one of the things that makes the Simple Expressions stamps so fun to work with. You can pair them with different Paper Goods options, or simply change how you use the background and get an entirely different look.

Two Cards, One Sheet

Shirley's projects are a great reminder to look at your Paper Goods with a little more creativity. A bold background doesn't have to be used exactly as it comes. Cut it, rearrange it, find the open spaces, and see what happens when you make the sentiment part of the design.

Simple Expressions gives you a solid word, an outline version, and a coordinating script phrase in each mini set, making it easy to create a focal sentiment that works with your favorite Paper Goods.

There are 18 words and quotes in the collection, so you can mix and match your favorite messages with Card Fronts, ATCs, Collage Sheets, Pocket Backdrops, and Ephemera Cut-Outs. And when you purchase a Simple Expressions stamp set with a qualifying Paper Goods Pack, the Paper Goods Pack is automatically 40% off.

Words That Matter

Whether you want to make a quick card or spend more time building a layered design, Simple Expressions gives you a meaningful word to build around.

Pick a word. Pick some Paper Goods. Then see where your creativity takes you.

Until next time, keep creating with words that matter.

Creative Tip of the Day | 3 Ways to Make Your Dies Work Harder

Sometimes the best creative inspiration comes from taking another look at supplies we already have.

For today's Creative Tip of the Day, we're revisiting three projects from the STAMPlorations archives by STAMPgirls Monika, Shirley, and Vicki. Each card uses CUTplorations dies in a completely different way -- and together, they're a great reminder that a die can do much more than simply create an embellishment.

Creative Tip: Look Beyond the Obvious

When you pull out a die, don't feel limited by its most obvious use. A die-cut can add texture to a background, become a repeated design element, or take center stage as the focal point of your card. Here are three ways our STAMPgirls did exactly that.

1. Add Texture + Pattern with a Border Die

On Monika's beautiful floral card, the Art Border #3 Die creates a delicate patterned panel behind the flowers. Rather than competing with the focal image, all those tiny die-cut details add texture and interest while still allowing the flowers to shine.

Creative lesson: Detailed border dies don't have to be the star of the card. Try using them as supporting layers whenever a background needs a little something extra.

2. Turn a Die-Cut into Your Own Pattern

Shirley took a completely different approach with the Dragonfly Layering Dies. Instead of using all the layers, she used the solid dragonfly shape repeatedly across that fabulous orange background. The repetition transforms a single die-cut shape into an all-over pattern  -- almost like creating your own patterned paper.

Creative lesson: Layering dies don't always have to be layered! Try using just one component repeatedly to create a completely different look.

3. Let a Silhouette Take Center Stage

Vicki's card shows just how powerful a simple silhouette can be. The Perched Bird Die becomes the focal point against the large glowing circle and dramatic black background. There aren't a lot of elements competing for attention, so that recognizable silhouette gets to do all the work.

Creative lesson: Sometimes a strong die-cut shape is all you need. Pair a silhouette with a bold background or simple geometric shape and let it become the star.

Why We Love It

These three projects couldn't look more different, but they all demonstrate the versatility of dies. A die can be a background. It can become a pattern. It can be the focal point. So the next time you reach for one of your dies, instead of asking, What is this die supposed to do? try asking: What else could I do with it? You might discover an entirely new way to use something that's been sitting in your stash for years.

Rediscover Your CUTplorations Dies

If these projects have you wanting to play with dies again, August is a great time to do it. All CUTplorations thin metal dies are instantly 15% off throughout August -- no code needed.

Take another look through the CUTplorations collection and see what new possibilities you can discover.

Until next time, keep creating and discovering what's possible with the supplies you already love.

New Release Showcase Day 4: Layered Poppies!

Welcome to Day 4 -- our final showcase day of the June 2026 New Release week! From June 23 to June 26, we have dedicated one post a day to showcasing our three brand-new 4x8 clear stamp sets. Today, we turn the spotlight onto the third and final set in Shirley Bampton's new collection for The Bee's Knees line: Layered Poppies.

If you want to create breathtaking, multi-layered floral designs that pop off the page, today's gallery is going to be your ultimate source of inspiration! Our design team has grown magnificent gardens on their cards using these beautiful builder shapes.

Shirley

Vicki

Maria

🚨 LAST CHANCE: Leave a Comment to Win!

Want to add one of these beautiful new sets to your crafting stash for free? Time is running out to lock in your entries for our worldwide giveaway!

How to Enter:

• Simply leave a comment on this post telling us your thoughts on the stunning Layered Poppies set.

• Catch Up on Entries: If you missed any of the previous days, you can still go back and leave a comment on our Day 1 (Shirley's Feature), Day 2 (Layered Mushrooms), and Day 3 (Layered Stars) main blog posts to maximize your chances of winning!

• Be sure to check that you have also visited and commented on our team designers' blogs for bonus entries!

⏰ The Hard Cutoff: All comments must be submitted by 11:55 PM Pacific Time TONIGHT (June 26) to be eligible for the drawing.

• Giveaway Details: Open worldwide. We ship all prizes for free!

• Winner Announcement: One lucky random winner will be drawn and announced right here on the blog on June 29 at 12:00 noon PST.

Thank you so much for joining us for our release week, and good luck to everyone!

New Release Showcase Day 3: Layered Stars!

Welcome to Day 3 of our June 2026 New Release Showcase week! From June 23 to June 26, we are dedicating one post a day to highlighting incredible design inspiration featuring our three brand-new 4x8 clear stamp sets. Today, the spotlight shifts to the second gorgeous set in Shirley Bampton's new collection for The Bee's Knees line: Layered Stars.

If you're looking to add some celestial magic, striking backgrounds, or perfectly built constellations to your projects, today's gallery is a must-see! Our talented design team has lined up a stunning array of cards that demonstrate just how versatile these sketchy and solid star shapes truly are.

Shirley

Maria

Monika

🎉 Leave a Comment to Win!

Want to add one of these beautiful new sets to your crafting stash for free? We are running a worldwide giveaway from June 23 to June 26!

How to Enter:

• Simply leave a comment on this post telling us your thoughts on the new Layered Stars set.

• To maximize your chances, you can comment one every post we publish this week as we highlight each set!

• Be sure to also visit and comment on our team designers' blogs throughout the week to earn even more entries!

Don't forget to bookmark the blog and come back tomorrow for Day 4, where we will save the best for last with a floral gallery featuring the elegant Layered Poppies!

• Giveaway Details: Open worldwide. We ship all prizes for free!

• Winner Announcement: One lucky random winner will be announced right here on the blog on June 29 at 12:00 Noon PST.

Good luck, and happy crafting!

New Release Showcase Day 2: Layered Mushrooms!

Welcome to Day 2 of our June 2026 New Release Showcase week! From June 23 to June 26, we are dedicating one post a day to highlighting incredible design inspiration featuring our three brand-new 4x8 clear stamp sets. Today, we are shining a bright spotlight on the first of Shirley Bampton's new designs for The Bee's Knees line: Layered Mushrooms.

If you love whimsical, earthy, and perfectly structured builder-style designs, today's gallery is going to blow you away! Take a look below at how the STAMPgirls have brought these fun, sketchy, and solid layering mushroom shapes to life on their projects.

Shirley

Vicki

Monika

🎉 Leave a Comment to Win!

Want to add one of these beautiful new sets to your crafting stash for free? We're running a worldwide giveaway from June 23 to June 26!

How to Enter:

• Simply leave a comment on this post telling us your thoughts on the new Layered Mushrooms set.

• To maximize your chances, you can comment on each of the 4 posts we publish this week as we highlight each set!

• Be sure to also visit and comment on our team designers' blogs throughout the week to earn even more entries!

Don't forget to bookmark the blog and come back tomorrow for Day 3, where we will be showcasing a full gallery of cosmic projects featuring the magical Layered Stars set!

• Giveaway Details: Open worldwide. We ship all prizes for free!

• Winner Announcement: One lucky random winner will be announced right here on the blog on June 29 at 12:00 Noon PST.

Good luck, and happy crafting!

Studio Update: Shirley's New The Bee's Knees Stamps Have Arrived + Exclusive Early Access!

Hello, STAMPfriends! I have some incredibly exciting news to kickstart your week! Look what just landed on my desk here in the studio: the brand-new stamps from Shirley's The Bee's Knees line are officially in the building! 📦✨

There are three stunning new 4x8 stamp sets in this batch:

• Layered Mushrooms 🍄

• Layered Stars ⭐

• Layered Poppies 🌺

Our official release celebration and design team inspiration posts aren't until next week, June 23 to 26, but because the first batch of stamps is already here with me, I wanted to give our loyal blog readers Exclusive Early Access! Starting right now, you can buy these brand-new sets before the official launch -- and if your order contains only these new stamps, your package will ship out within 48 hours! 🚀

You can find all three designs in our brand-new Designer Series Stamps section, right under the 2026 June Release category.

Why Grab Your Sets Today?

• 📦 Fast-Track Shipping: Skip the launch-week waiting line! Orders containing exclusively Shirley's new stamp sets will be packed and out my studio door within 48 hours so you can start playing with them right away. (Note: If you add other store products like stencils, stickers, paper goods, or on-sale stamps and dies to your cart, your order will ship during our standard processing window.)

• 🌸 Beat the Launch Rush: Secure your absolute favorite designs right now from our initial studio batch before the official release blog hop goes live.

• 💖 Stack the Savings: While the new stamps are listed at their standard retail price of $20 in the store, you can head over to the STAMPgirls' blogs or social media pages to grab their personal 20% off discount codes to use at checkout!

The new stamps are live in the store and ready to head to their new homes. Head over to the new section, grab your favorites, and watch your mailbox!

🛍️ Get Early Access: Shop the 2026 June Release Here

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: 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.

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! ✂️

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.

{Christmas in the Air} with Shirley and Monika feat. Kit #3

   

Happy Wednesday, STAMPfriends! We are back with one last Christmas in the Air post to wrap up this year. (This feature will be back early next year.) You'll find previous Christmas in the Air posts here. How's your Christmas card stash looking?

Since March, Nancy and Monika have been inspiring us with a variety of Christmas projects. Today, Monika and Shirley (designer of the stamp set in the kit) are sharing projects they made featuring products in the Christmas in the Air Kit #3, which consists of 4 Christmas-themed products (plus a bonus 5th product) -- a $38 value (if bought separately).

  

  

• Winter Village ($15)

• A Thrill of Hope phrase die ($10) 

• Holiday Bell 10 mil stencil ($6) 

• Be Joyful Ephemera Tiles ($7) 

• Bonus: Comfort and Joy clear stickers ($7)

Have a look at Shirley's and Monika's projects:

MONIKA

SHIRLEY

{Christmas in the Air} with Shirley and Monika feat. Kit #3

  

Happy Wednesday, STAMPfriends! We are back with another Christmas in the Air post. You'll find previous Christmas in the Air posts here. How's your Christmas card stash looking?

Since March, Nancy and Monika have been inspiring us with a variety of Christmas projects. Today, Monika and Shirley (designer of the stamp set in the kit) are sharing projects they made featuring products in the Christmas in the Air Kit #3, which consists of 4 Christmas-themed products (plus a bonus 5th product) -- a $38 value (if bought separately).