{Spotlight Project} Shirley Drips Distress Inks

For the LOTUS LOVE Special Stamp Release + Mini Blog Hop post, click here.

Hi there! Today I'm playing with the new stamp club set, Floral Bliss. I decided to see if I could create a drip effect as if all the colour was running out of the flower.

{News!} November Stamps Pre-Release Sale + Winner of the Stamp Preview Random Draw

Hello, fellow stampers! November is only a few more sleeps away, which means new stamps are soon hitting the STAMPlorations shop! Two weeks ago, we posted a preview of the upcoming stamps here and here.

The official release is November 17 (we have a stamp release blog hop planned for that so keep your eyes peeled), but as we've done in the past, we're doing a pre-release bundle sale for those who want to score a great deal.

Between today and November 11 (or until our current inventory runs out), all 5 stamp sets are just $42 (30% off their combined regular price of $60) with free shipping anywhere in the US and Canada (shipping to other countries is a flat $8). And if you are subscribed to our Bi-Monthly Stamp Club, you can take an additional 15% off this bundle with your personal code!

This bundle includes one (1) 3" by 5" set, three (3) 4" by 6" sets, and one (1) 5" by 7" set.

Click on the graphic below to head to the shop to check out the details on this super-stamping deal (click on the graphic). These stamps are ready to ship!

One more thing before I end this post. Who did Mr. Random.org pick as winner of one inspirational quote stamp in the Typografia line for leaving a comment in this post?

Congratulations, Louise! Please claim your prize within 3 days by sending an email to sheryruss@gmail.com. Put "November Stamps Preview Draw Winner" in the subject line and include your name and complete mailing address.

That's it for this update. Hope you all have a great weekend!

{News!} November Stamps Preview

Hey there, STAMPlorations friends! Are you ready for a preview of more stamps? You've seen the JOYFUL set, our stamp club set for October, and last Friday, you saw the two fab stamp sets under The Bee's Knees line. Now I'd like to share the rest of the stamps coming out in November.

First up is VIGNETTE: Eat Drink Be Merry, a fun graphic set with 12 stamps. This set is perfect for creating one layer and CAS cards. Take it up a notch and create your own backgrounds with the words and icons.

Next is VIGNETTE: Trendy Leaves. This was actually the hubby's idea. A couple of months ago, when I was brainstorming for stamps to design, he said that since Trendy Feathers is one of our most popular sets (we keep selling out of this set!), we ought to create a Trendy line. And so we came up with a list of Trendy [insert word here]...and it's quite a list! Trendy Leaves is one of many that will be coming out in the next 6 release months. In the last couple of weeks, I've taken this set out for a spin (here, here, and here). I had a fun time designing this set and it's my favorite set to date. Expect to see Trendy Leaves 2 soon ;o)

And we're introducing a new line called Typografia. As a designer, I just love typography. And this new line features my love of combining fonts and we've got 7 super inspirational quotes to kick things off.

These stamps will be officially released on November 17. And yup, we'll have a stamp release blog hop to celebrate. In a couple of weeks or so, these stamps will be available at a special pre-release bundle price so keep your eyes peeled if you want to snag these babies at a great price :o)

What do you think of our upcoming stamps? Which one's your favorite? Leave a comment by October 23 and one lucky commenter will win one of the stamps in the Typografia line. We'll announce the winner on October 24.

See you tomorrow for a brand new Spotlight Project from Vicki!

{News!} The Bee's Knees Stamps Now Available to Pre-Order

Happy Friday, STAMPlorations friends! Got any crafting plans this weekend? I do! After an incredibly intense and stressful week, I intend to spend at least 5 hours at my craft table. The other hours...well, I plan on catching up on sleep ;o)

But before I switch to weekend mode, I wanted to let ya'll know that CityGirl and Rosebuds, the two stamp sets in The Bee's Knees line by our very own Shirley, are available to pre-order on the shop.

ORDER THESE FAB STAMPS HERE

 

{STAMPlorations NEWS} Spotlight Projects, Anything Goes Challenge, Bi-Monthly Stamp Club

We've got lots of stuff brewing over here at STAMPlorations HQ and we're sharing three of those in this update:

Spotlight Projects

We started sharing spotlight projects in July and publishing them regularly here on the blog. We added this feature so we can share not just photos of the projects we make with STAMPlorations stamps, but our processes and techniques as well through step-by-step photo tutorials and videos. This way, you can replicate our projects or even apply the techniques we use on your own projects.

November challenge reminder post

Hello to all the crafty folks out there! There’s still time to enter our November challenge! You have until November 30, 11:55 p.m. PST to enter your creation(s). Our theme this month is STAMPS & SEQUINS and we’d love to see your take on it. Winner gets 2 Vignette stamp sets of her choice from STAMPlorations 

We are also having a DT call so if you’d like to be considered, create any paper craft project and enter it to our challenge.

Here are cards that Nonni and I whipped up for your inspiration. (Click on our names to be taken to our personal blogs and read more about our creations.)

NONNI
(using stamps in the VIGNETTE: Chevron & Arrows set)

SHERY
(using stamps in the Holiday Artsy [paint/brush stroke, ink blots], VIGNETTE: Artful Flutters [butterflies], and VIGNETTE: Tree Silhouettes [sentiment] sets)

Are you game? Try creating any paper craft for  any occasion that features stamps and sequins and enter it to our challenge. Link to the challenge is here or simply click on the graphic below.

We can’t wait to see your creations!

~Shery

New Releases: 9 Clear Stamp Sets in the VIGNETTE Series + Win 2 Vignette Sets

I’m pleased to announce that 9 stamp sets in our new VIGNETTE Series are available now and they are 25% off until November 22 only or until our current inventory sells out. Each set is just $5.25 + flat rate shipping (based on your location).

I’ve been playing with these new stamps all weekend and here are a couple of cards that feature the stamps. (I’ll be posting more cards in the coming days.)

“Thank You So Much!” one layer card using stamps in the Art Deco Border Builders set.

“Hello, dear friend” one layer card using stamps in the Trendy Feathers set.

WIN 2 VIGNETTE SETS
You can win 2 Vignette clear stamp sets (you pick!) by entering your paper craft projects in our current monthly challenge. Click on the challenge graphic below for the details 

DT CALL
We’re also looking for a few crafty, creatives to be part of the STAMPlorations design team. Details are here.

Make a wonderfully creative week!

~Shery

Bi-Weekly Challenge #2 Winner, DT Call, and VIGNETTE Clear Stamps Preview

Thank you to everyone who entered their projects to our 2nd bi-weekly challenge. Like the previous challenge, DH and I deliberated for some time as we thought all the entries were really good!

Ornate Autumn Butterflies Card by SmilynStef
We thought SmilynStef’s card was gorgeous — from the embossing to the
cut-out butterfly, color combo, pearl accents, and sentiment.
Congratulations, SmilynStef! Please grab your winner badge below to display on your blog!

Grungy Christmas Card by Sandie
We loved Sandie’s modern, trendy take on the sketch and
her use of non-traditional Christmas colors.
Congratulations, Sandie! Please grab your top pick badge below to display on your blog!

Thank you again to everyone who participated in our bi-weekly challenge. Our next bi-weekly challenge will be in January 2014 — once we have a few ladies join Nonni and me in the STAMPlorations design team. If you’d like to be part of the STAMPlorations DT, applying is super-simple: create any paper craft project that fits our current monthly challenge and enter it there! As a DT member, you’ll receive samples of upcoming stamps in the STAMPlorations line. 

And starting next week, 9 new clear stamp sets in the VIGNETTE Series will be available on the STAMPlorations shop and Etsy shop. These stamps are perfect for creating CAS and one layer cards, as well as a variety of paper crafts.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

~Shery

Preview: TRENDY FEATHERS

“Trendy Feathers” in the STAMPlorations Vignette series. These artsy feathers and sentiments are perfect for creating CAS and one layer cards. They can be used with the other stamps in the Vignette series to create a variety of paper crafts. These clear stamps, as well as several more in the Vignette series, will be available in mid-November. I hope you’ll check out our shop at http://stamplorations.com/shop/

Bi-Weekly Challenge #1 Winner

Thank you to all the ladies who entered their projects in our last challenge. Your entries were all incredible I had to pull in dear hubby (DH) to help in deciding the winner.

Monika’s Vintage-Inspired Two-Toned Memory Travel CardWe were most impressed by Monika’s great use of embossing, sponging, and texture.
Congratulations, Monika! Please grab your winner badge below to display on your blog!

Nonni’s Kiitos (Thank You) CardDH and I were also impressed by Nonni’s card — we loved the color combo and
the coloring she did on the stamped image is super!
Congratulations, Nonni! Please grab your top pick badge below to display on your blog!

Thank you again to everyone who participated in our bi-weekly challenge. We hope you’ll drop by again on November 1 for our monthly challenge. We are releasing new stamps in November and some of these new stamps will be prizes. Happy crafting!

~Shery

Bi-Weekly Challenge Reminder Post and Other News

Hi, everyone! Our first bi-weekly challenge is still underway. There’s plenty of time left to create and submit your paper craft project(s). One thing I didn’t mention in the original post is that if there are at least 20 entries by the closing date (October 23), there will be a prize — 1 stamp set from STAMPlorations™ holiday stamp sets – winner gets to pick 

Anyway, below is another card I made based on the sketch for your inspiration. So how about it? Try creating a card or two for Christmas (or any occasion for that matter) and enter it to our challenge. Link to the challenge is here.

The supplies I used for the card are here.

Also, the  STAMPlorations™ shop is now live! We offer flat rate shipping: $2.50 to US addresses, $5.50 to Canadian addresses, and $8.00 to all other countries. And just for our challenge blog readers, purchase any of our stamps and we’ll include a pack of 12 kraft tags in your order. Make sure to write “free tags” in the COMMENT field during checkout.

Holiday Papercrafting Challenge Winner

Before we reveal the winner, we’d like to thank all the ladies who participated in our first challenge. Your creations are all wonderful and creative!

Shai, our guest judge, had this to say about picking the winner of STAMPlorations™’s first papercrafting challenge: “It was tough to choose ‘the best’. At the end of the day, I guess I asked myself which card I’d buy if I could OR which one I’d love to receive.”

So which entry did she pick? Here’s the winner of 7 new holiday clear stamp sets:

Sandie’s Autumn-Inspired Christmas Card

Congratulations, Sandie! Staying true to your CAS-loving heart paid off! Please send me an email with your postal address so we can send your prize ASAP. And do grab your winner badge below and display it proudly on your blog!

Shai liked the sheer simplicity of Sandie’s card, but she was also taken with another card, so we’ve got a runner-up:

Monika’s Autumn-Themed “Thinking of You” Card

Congratulations, Monika! You win a pack of 24 double-sided 6×6 designer papers from Pink Paislee. Grab your top pick badge below and display it proudly on your blog!

Thanks again to everyone who joined us in our first papercrafting challenge. I hope you’ll be be back again to participate in upcoming challenges. Our bi-weekly challenge starts on October 4, and the next bi-monthly challenge is on November 1.

Happy crafting!

~Shery

Meet Our Guest Judge: SHAI COGGINS - Artist, Pro Blogger, Social Media Expert

We’ve concluded our first challenge here on the STAMPlorations™ blog. Thanks so much to the wonderful and creative ladies who entered! Now it’s time to introduce our guest judge: Shai Coggins.

She’s an artist, professional blogger, and social media expert. And she’s graciously agreed to be our guest judge and take on the task of picking the winning entry for the STAMPlorations™ Holiday Papercrafting Challenge.

I’ve known Shai since the late 1990s when we both published ezines for writers. I’ve followed her since then and I’ve been a fan not just of her writing but also of her art…and well, basically anything creative she’s done and continues to do!

As an artist, her paintings have sold worldwide and are in private collections. As a professional blogger, she was co-founder and Community VP for b5media, a Canada/US-based company that received over $10M of VC funding. As a social media expert, Shai has successfully used social media in her work with various not-for-profit organizations, start-up companies, and small businesses in and outside Australia. In 2009, Fast Company named her as one of the “Most Influential Women in Technology” and her name has appeared in many other Top lists in blogging and social media.

Backed by more than a decade of experience in print, online content, web communities, and social media, Shai founded Vervely in May 2012. Through Vervely, she offers her expertise in digital media and community engagement.

Since August 2000, Shai has been blogging about social media, creativity, food, travel, fashion, books, gadgets, and anything and everything else on her personal site,ShaiCoggins.com. If you want an up-close view on her life as a creative, check out her personal blog regularly. If you’ve an interest in social media and want to learn from someone who’s regarded as an expert in the field, head on over to Vervely.

On September 25, we’ll announce the winning entry picked by Shai so stop by again. Then on October 4, we’ll have our first bi-weekly challenge.

Holiday Stamp Sets Now Shipping

Our holiday stamp sets are now available! Click on the image below and you’ll be taken to our shop.

Preview: HOLIDAY HEXAGONS

Coming to the shop in September: HOLIDAY HEXAGONS. There are 12 individual clear stamps in this set for creating holiday cards, gift tags, and other papercrafting projects.

Want a chance to win this clear stamp set? Bookmark this blog and come back on Friday, September 6, when we announce a holiday papercrafting challenge. One papercrafter will win all 7 holiday clear stamp sets (60+ individual stamps) from STAMPlorations™ 

Preview: OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!

Coming to the shop in September: OH, CHRISTMAS TREE! There are 7 individual clear stamps in this set for creating holiday cards, gift tags, and other papercrafting projects.

Want a chance to win this clear stamp set? Bookmark this blog and come back on Friday, September 6, when we announce a holiday papercrafting challenge. One papercrafter will win all 7 holiday clear stamp sets (60+ individual stamps) from STAMPlorations™ 

Preview: THANKFUL, GRATEFUL

Coming to the shop in September: THANKFUL, GRATEFUL. There are 11 individual clear stamps in this set for creating autumn- and Thanksgiving-themed cards, gift tags, and other papercrafting projects.

Want a chance to win this clear stamp set? Bookmark this blog and come back on Friday, September 6, when we announce a holiday papercrafting challenge. One papercrafter will win all 7 holiday clear stamp sets (60+ individual stamps) from STAMPlorations™ 

Preview: BOO!

Coming to the shop in September: BOO! There are 10 individual clear stamps in this set for creating Halloween-themed cards, gift tags, and other papercrafting projects.

Want a chance to win this clear stamp set? Keep your eyes peeled for next week when we announce a holiday papercrafting challenge. One papercrafter will win all 7 holiday clear stamp sets (60+ individual stamps) from STAMPlorations™ 

Preview: JESUS IS THE REASON

Coming to the shop in September: JESUS IS THE REASON. There are 5 individual clear stamps in this set for creating holiday cards, tags, and other papercrafting projects with a Christian theme.

Want a chance to win this clear stamp set? Keep your eyes peeled for next week when we announce a holiday papercrafting challenge. One papercrafter will win all 7 holiday clear stamp sets (60+ individual stamps) from STAMPlorations™