{Happy Spring!} Heads Up on the Things With Wings Event + New Stamps & Dies + A Giveaway!

[Note: This post will appear on top of all other blog posts until May 7.]

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! Happy, happy spring! For some of us, spring sure dragged its heels. Here at STAMP HQ, spring has definitely arrived -- I can no longer step out of the house without my eyes watering and having a sneezing fit! (Oh yeah, and having to double up on the antihistamines!) 

So with the orange blossoms blooming around here, we have a few things cooking here on the blog.

In this post, I'm sharing a few new stamps and dies that will be available in the store starting May 1 (with the exception of a couple of stamp sets, which are already available). I'm also giving you a heads up on our upcoming Things with Wings Blog Hop and Linky Parties -- yes, parties! (You'll know when you see the graphic.)

Plus, I've got a special giveaway/blog candy for those of you who blog so make sure to read through the end of this post for all the deets :o)

{Happy Spring!} New Spring-Themed Stamps & Dies + A Giveaway!

[Note: This post will appear on top of all other blog posts until April 4.]

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! Happy, happy spring! With flowers a-bloomin' and ice a-meltin' we've got a few things cooking here on the blog. 

In this post, I'm sharing the new spring-themed stamps and dies that were recently added to the store, as well as giving you a heads up on our upcoming Things with Wings Spring blog hop and linky party. 

Plus, I've got a special giveaway/blog candy ($30 stamps and dies prize package) for those of you who blog so make sure to read through the end of this post for all the deets :o)

{PREVIEW} August/September 2015 Stamp Club Set - FLORAL BLISS

In less than a week, August will be here. And with the new month comes a new stamp club set. Here's a preview of Floral Bliss.

What, more flowers?!? Yep -- many of our customers (stamp club subscribers and non-stamp club subscribers alike) seem to like flower stamps. When it comes to making cards, flower images are versatile; you can use them for practically any occasion paired with whatever sentiment on hand.

FLORAL BLISS is a 5" by 7" stamp set featuring 6 floral images (zinnia, cosmo, dogwood, larkspur, helenium, and dahlia) I illustrated, 1 large distressed/grunge frame, and 11 word sentiments. I was inspired by vintage seed packets while I was designing this set, so each flower and sentiment (e.g., simply STUNNING) will fit right inside the grunged up frame. You can create a variety of projects with this set: cards, tags, journaling spots, ATCs, toppers, refrigerator magnets, and more.

You'll soon see the STAMPlorations girls feature this set in their spotlight projects. But first, here are four one layer cards I made showcasing this set.

For this CAS card, I brayered Delicata gold ink in the center, used Faber-Castell PITT Artist big brush pen to stamp the larkspur, and then stamped askew the grunge frame in Hero Arts raspberry jam mid-tone shadow ink.

For the second card, I did some a lot of masking. I first stamped the frame in Delicata gold ink, masked it then went to town with stamping the zinnia in gold ink all over the card base. I stamped it again inside the frame and colored with Chromatix alcohol marker. I finished it off with the sentiment.

For the third card, I was still in the mood to mask and I thought I'd do a reverse of the second card. So I stamped and masked the zinnia, dahlia, and cosmo. I colored them with various Chromatix alcohol markers and gave the background a little faux texture by stamping the grunge newsprint and dotty background (from another stamp club set, Mixed Media Grunge) in coffee Ranger archival ink.

For the fourth card, I thought I'd get a little artsy. I must admit that the helenium is my favorite stamp in the bunch. I inked it up with Faber-Castell PITT Artist big brush pen and stamped, masking as I went along and then colored with Inktense pencils. I watercolored the background with both Inktense pencils and Japanese Sai watercolor markers, stamped a few grunge images (again from the Mixed Media Grunge set) in coffee Ranger archival ink, and then finished the card by stamping the sentiment in the center.

Floral Bliss will be available to non-stamp club subscribers starting August 1. Also, larger versions of the flowers are going to be available as singles in the STAMP Lab category. The larger images are perfect for non-card projects.

Right now, however, Floral Bliss is available to current stamp club subscribers; they can pick this set and have it shipped right away when their subscription renews.

Want this stamp set now at a great price with a couple of ARTplorations stencils of your choice and free shipping? Just sign up for the stamp club here. Stamp club subscribers get to enjoy lots of perks :o)

If you're already a stamp club subscriber, thanks so much for your support! If your subscription is set to renew sometime later this month, you can already pick Floral Bliss instead of the current set, The Birds and the Blooms -- it's up to you!

Hope you all have a fantastic week ahead!

{PREVIEW] June/July 2015 Stamp Club Set - THE BIRDS AND THE BLOOMS

The days are passing by so quickly and June will be here before we know it! This means it'll soon be time for a new stamp club set. I'm excited to share a preview of The Birds and the Blooms!

THE BIRDS AND THE BLOOMS is a 5" by 7" stamp set that features 6 images that I illustrated and 8 sentiments in a calligraphy style that can be used to create a variety of projects, including cards, tags, toppers, journal spots, ATCs, and more. 

You've seen me hint at this set in this card I made a couple of weeks ago, as well as in my card here. Last week, Deepti created this card using the stamps as well, and she will be showcasing this set in her spotlight project later today. And on Friday, I've got a spotlight project featuring these stamps. And wait until you see the STAMPlorations girls take on these stamps! You'll soon be seeing their projects and you'll be inspired :o)

   

The Birds and the Blooms will be available to non-stamp club subscribers starting June 1. In addition, larger versions of the birds and the flowers are going to be available as singles in the STAMP Lab category. The larger images are perfect for non-card projects.

Beginning today, however, this set is available to current stamp club members; they can pick this set and have it shipped right away when their subscription renews.

Want this stamp set now at a great price with a couple of ARTplorations stencils of your choice and free shipping? Just sign up for the stamp club here. In June, we're introducing a few changes to the shop and stamp club subscribers are going to enjoy even more perks :o)

If you're already a stamp club subscriber, thanks so much for your support! If your subscription is set to renew sometime later this month, you can pick The Birds and the Blooms instead of the current set, Mixed Media Grunge -- it's up to you!

Hope you're all having a fantastic week! 

{Previews} STAMP Lab Stamps

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! Popping by today to share with you that we've added new stamps in the STAMP Lab section of the shop.

What's STAMP Lab? It's our incubator of sorts -- where you'll find limited quantities of STAMPlorations stamps that haven't been officially released. I'm always designing stamps and have many that I can't possibly release all at the same time. But rather than let them gather virtual dust in my computer, it's a good idea to have prototypes available. These stamps may or may not be released because several factors come into play when we come out with a new release. As such, you can snag them at a much lower price -- or they're free for every order of $30 or more (before shipping).

Here are 6 new stamps. We'll be adding more in the coming weeks :o)

     

Beach Life, Sketched: Rose, Enjoy the Ride

      

Big On Words: Mom, Big On Words: Dad, Latte Love

Stay tuned for a preview of the April/May 2015 stamp club set! That one got the STAMPlorations girls and some of our stamp club subscribers excited ;o)

Have an artsy, crafty, stamp-ity weekend!

{PREVIEW} SUGAR RUSH December 2014 / January 2015 Stamp Club Set

Hello there, stamping friends! We wanted to give you a preview of SUGAR RUSH, the December 2014/January 2015 5" by 7" stamp set for the STAMPlorations Bi-Monthly Stamp Club. This set has 4 super-sweet images (sundae, macarons, donuts, and waffle ice cream) and 26 words and phrases in varying sizes -- perfect for mixing and matching -- not just within the set but with our other stamps too!

So just how sweet is SUGAR RUSH exactly? Check out these awesome inspiration projects by Shirley, Vicki, and Deepti! Click on the photos and you'll be taken to their blog where you can read more about their projects and leave them some sweet love!

Ain't those cards sweet? Gotta love SUGAR RUSH because it's one stamp set that will let you indulge in all things sweet without the calories ;o) You'll soon start seeing projects by the STAMPlorations girls featuring this new set combined with our previously released ones. 

Check out SUGAR RUSH here. It'll be available to buy on Friday, December 12, and will ship beginning December 15 It's available now and ships immediately! Like the set? Consider signing up for our bi-monthly stamp club here to get the special club price + free shipping anywhere in the world.

Oh, and we've also released Trendy Butterflies, a 4" by 6" set that stamp club subscribers get for free when their third stamp club set ships out! It'll be available to buy on the shop too on December 12 It's also now available for purchase on the shop, but stamp club subscribers whose subscriptions renew for the third time (6th month) automatically receive this set free. It's one more perk our members enjoy for joining the club :o)

That's about it for this preview. Tomorrow at noon, Vicki will be sharing a gorgeous card she created using a fun technique so check back in again, okay? Until then, have a great stamping day!

{New Release} JOYFUL October 2014 Stamp Club Set

Hello, fellow stampers! I wanted to tell you about our new release. JOYFUL is the 5" by 7" stamp set we are offering for October/November and it's now available on the shop! This set has 4 sketchy, hand-drawn holiday images (wreath, stocking, gift, and sleigh) and 28 words/sentiments to mix and match.

Check out the set here. If you like it, consider signing up for the STAMPlorations bi-monthly stamp club here to get the special club price + free shipping anywhere in the world :o)

The girls in the Spotlight Project team will soon be sharing projects using this set so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, here's a quick-and-easy card featuring the Christmas wreath:

Tomorrow, I have another piece of exciting news to share and we'll also announce the winner of a stamp set drawn from all the comments left on all the the Spotlight Projects so see you then!

Spotlight: {NEW} Boxed Blooms and Bold Sentiments Set

Hello everyone! Shery here to show you a couple of projects featuring a new stamp set we've got available in the shop: Boxed Blooms and Bold Sentiments! (In between the official stamp releases, there'll be a new stamp set or two added to the shop.)

In a couple of weeks, some of the STAMPlorations girls will be posting and sharing their projects using this new stamp set right here on the blog also.

Cherish You Forever

I used the big, bold words in the set to create this one layer card and used the water stamping technique. Here's a short video (4 minutes, 6 seconds) showing how I created this card.

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Heartfelt Thanks

For this one layer card, I used masking and watercoloring with Distress inks and Inktense blocks. I also used one of the words in the SENTIMENT BUILDERS: Thank You set. Here's another short video (5 minutes, 45 seconds) showing how I made this card from start to finish.

That's about it for me in this post. We'll have more projects featuring this set coming soon.

Happy stamping!

~Shery

PS: Mark your calendar -- we're having a week-long blog hop starting June 26 because STAMPlorations turns a year old! You don't want to miss it because we've got over $120 worth of stamps to give away. We're also officially releasing the July stamp sets during the hop. You can preview the new sets here. (The pre-release 30% off bundle sale ends tomorrow, btw.)