{Introducing} 4 STAMPlorations Club Plans to Suit a Crafter's Budget

I'm excited to share the news that we now have FOUR club plans for crafters! Check out the club page for all the details and links to sign up. There's a plan to suit a crafter's budget :o)

If you're already a Premium Stamp Club subscriber, the great news is that your subscription price remains the same. It will never go up as long as you remain a subscriber.

{Preview} ARTSY BORDERS + Sample Inspiration Projects

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! Today I'm excited to give a preview of the new stamps coming to the shop beginning April 8. They're called Artsy Borders. Monika and I (Shery) are sharing a few projects we made using these stamps. Well, it's actually a lot -- we got a little carried away, as you'll see, especially Monika ;o)

I came up with these artsy border stamps out of a need: I love masking, but I wanted a way to quickly create something (especially when I don't have a lot of time to spare) where I wouldn't need to do a lot of masking and still get that artsy collage look. I played around with some images, starting with ones that were already stamps, and used them to create border stamps. And you all know me...I love grunge, artsy, distressed backgrounds and all that, so I added in some newsprint, sheet music, the works...and we've got four to start off this fun line of stamps:

{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! 

{Spotlight Project} Shery Creates a Trio of One Layer Cards for the Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness Blog Hop!

Hello, STAMPlorations friends! I'm back with another spotlight project and the cards I made today are for an awesome cause! Today, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day. STAMPlorations girl Tenia Nelson together with Veronica Fletcher Zalis have teamed up for the super special Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness blog hop.

If you'd like to support the hop and spread autism awareness, we invite you to create a card (or any project) that is blue. It can be for any occasion. Link up your creations here or here. The linky is open until Sunday, April 5.

Hosts Tenia and Veronica have lined up many sponsors, including STAMPlorations, for this special event. For a chance to win a sponsor prize, visit and comment on the participating blogs in the Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness blog hop linky.

For this special hop, STAMPlorations is giving away 2 prizes: one winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to the shop and the other winner will receive the Trendy Butterflies stamp set and the coordinating Shower of Flutters stencil/mask. Tenia and Veronica will be randomly choosing the winners and announce them on Monday, April 6.

Here are the cards I made for the hop:

{Spotlight Project} More of Blossom Overture with Deepti!

Hello, friends! Deepti here and welcome to another spotlight feature. Today I am showcasing a fun technique to add more interest to your design! Cutting up the designed panel, I have done this before too (Click HERE to see) and today I will show a tutorial on another design but with the same concept.

So, here's a look at the finished card:

{PREVIEW} April/May 2015 Stamp Club Set - MIXED MEDIA GRUNGE

Pretty soon March will be over and we'll be welcoming April. This means it'll soon be time for a new stamp club set! I'm excited to give a preview of Mixed Media Grunge!

MIXED MEDIA GRUNGE is a 5" by 7" stamp set that features 15 images that can be used to easily create projects that have that mixed media look. I'm a mixed media girl at heart and I designed this stamp set because I needed a quick way to add faux textures to projects and give them that mixed media look minus the bulk and messiness, especially when I don't have the time to linger at my craft table and spend hours playing with gesso, acrylics, watercolors, and various mixed media. This set certainly makes it easy to make artsy cards, ATCs, tags, or whatever else you can think of.

You've seen me take these fun stamps for a spin in a few projects (here, here, here, and here), but wait until you see the STAMPlorations girls take on these stamps! You'll soon be seeing their projects, and as usual you'll be inspired :o)

Mixed Media Grunge will be available to buy on the shop starting April 1. For the best deal on this set, sign up for the stamp club here. You'll be able to snag this set at our special club price, along with your choice of 2 stencils, other perks, and free shipping anywhere in the world.

If you're already a stamp club subscriber -- thank you so much! You'll receive this set when your subscription renews next month.

Have a great week, everyone! Happy spring!

{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!

{Spotlight Project} Monoprinting Fun with Trendy Butterflies and Gelli Plate

Hello! I'm back again today with another project. I'm covering for Monika :o) I'm still having fun with my Gelli plate. Yesterday you saw me do some stamping on gesso. This time around, I did some stamping on my Gelli plate for my prints. It's another fun technique! Here's the card:

{Spotlight Project} Shery Does Impressions on Gesso with Blossom Overture

Howdy, STAMPlorations friends! I know, I know...this spotlight project is late. All week I've been working on taxes and going to a bunch of doctor appointments. (I never knew being pregnant entails tons of lab work!) Anyway, earlier tonight I finally found an hour to play at my craft table and work on my spotlight project for today. So...better late than never! :o)

Here's a one layer mixed media card I made using one of my favorite gesso techniques. It involves stamping on gesso to create an impression.

{NEW RELEASE} BLOSSOM OVERTURE February/March 2015 Stamp Club Set

Hey there, STAMPlorations friends! I wanted to share the news that the February/March 2015 stamp club set is now available in the shop!

BLOSSOM OVERTURE is a 5" by 7" stamp set that features 3 flower images, 2 distressed/vintage style labels, and 20 words and phrases that can be mixed and matched to create your own special messages. The fun part is that you can fit up to 3 lines of text in the labels. If you own other STAMPlorations sets, you'll find that the images and sentiments in Blossom Overture go well with those too.

I had fun illustrating and designing this set, and I must admit, it's one of my favorites because it combines my love for sketchy/hand-drawn images with a vintage/distressed feel, typography, and sentiment building. Earlier today, I sat down and made a few one layer cards using the stamps. You'll get to see even more gorgeous projects from the STAMPlorations girls in the coming weeks.

{Spotlight Project} Heat Embossing with Stencils

Hi, everybody! It's Monika back again with an interesting take on using stencils. My ARTplorations stencils, the new additions to the STAMPlorations shop, arrived in the post a couple of days ago and I had to have a play.

Stamp Club Inspiration Roundup

So how's your Christmas shopping going? Are you all ready for Christmas? If you're like the STAMPlorations girls, you're crafting through the holidays! Check out these non-holiday cards we made :o)

        
  

{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!