Wednesday 30 October 2019

Stamp Your Art Out! Art Call Prompts

Hello!
Our 'new for 2020' Art Call, Stamp Your Art Out is proving very popular, we've had some amazing art submitted already! We thought we would share a few prompts, however, for those that may like some inspiration. We'll be sharing ideas on a Wednesday, for the two weeks after each brand new Art Call.

So.... a quick reminder of the theme this month: 



Stars......

With a theme like this, taking it literally is always a good idea! So, stamp some stars, stencil some stars or draw some stars of your own! This gorgeous tag made by Michelle Webb for our July 2019 issue showcases some stencilled and drawn stars wonderfully...



Or why not use star shaped embellishments on your stamped art work? These metal star shapes are pefect on this work by Jenny Marples, first seen in our May 2017 issue...



Then of course there are other shapes that can be interpreted as stars. Star shaped flowers for example! This wonderful vase by Helen Chilton shows off some beautiful starburst shaped flower centres. This project featured in our January 2017 issue...



We love having a good old blast from the past when it comes to stunning eye candy!

Have they inspired you? 

Don't forget, all the details on how to submit your star themed stamped art work can be found by clicking the 'Art Call' tab at the top of the page. 

We've also shared the themes for the next couple of issues too, just in case people want to be organised!

Join us here same time, same place next week for some more star themed prompts, and some more star themed inspiration!

Friday 25 October 2019

Take It Make It Challenge: October Winners!

Hello everyone!
We are thrilled to announce the winners of our October challenge!


As you all know, we have two winners to annouce today, so without further ado let me introduce you to our Design Winner:

Entry number 33: Bonnie





We loved this wonderful card by Bonnie. Such a gorgeous bright pop of colour! Simply stunning. Bonnie will win a Guest Designer slot here on the blog, her very own Winner's Profile, and of course her amazing art will be featured in a two page spread in Craft Stamper magazine! Congratulations Bonnie!

We also have the remaining top slots to announce!
The rest of the top four (we had a tie this month!) Design Winners are:



Congratulations, it was such a hard choice this month!

We now need to share the random winner of our challenge. This winner will receive the amazing prize on offer....











Congratulations to....






Entry number 29: Rosali

I'm sure you've love the prize Rosali


Winners, you need to need to get in touch with me in order to claim your prize!  Please email me at: editor.cs@mytimemedia.com , and put TIMI Winner in the subject line, then I'll be sure to spot it! 
Top Three Design Winners, also please contact me if you wish to receive a button to display on your blog.

Our November challenge will be launched on the first Friday of November, the 1st.
We can't wait to see all the wonderful art you will all be sharing!

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Art Call: Stamp Your Art Out

Good Morning!

We are launching a brand new reader gallery for 2020:

Stamp Your Art Out!

This will take the place of our current Ready Set Stamp feature. 
We want to broaden the scope a little for 2020, so from now on readers can submit ANY type of stamped art for this art call, not just cards. We're keeping a theme, but no colour options. Create with our chosen theme in mind, but with no colour restrictions whatsoever!

We will be sharing some prompts for each art call, some eye candy from our Craft Stamper team, plus some ideas on how to get you started off with each theme. These prompt posts will be here on the blog for the two Wednesdays after publication of a new theme, so don't forget to check back here same time next week! 

We are also publishing the themes for the next couple of issues on the Art Call page here (click the tab at the top) Please enter any call that takes your fancy, but PLEASE remember to put the issue and theme in the subject heading of your submission, that way we don't get all confused!

So....What are you waiting for?!
Check out the updated submission guidelines below, then send us a pic of your submission. We can't wait to see and share your art with the readers of Craft Stamper magazine!




 
February 2020 issue theme: Stars
Deadline for submissions: 12th November 2019
 


· Please email your submissions to: editor.cs@mytimemedia.com
· Please put 'Stamp Your Art Out' followed by the theme in the subject line
· Please note that due to the number of submissions it's not possible to contact every entrant individually - if you have not heard from us within one week, your submission has not been successful. Please try again with a different project!


Guidelines:
  • Any type of project is welcomed for this gallery. Bear in mind however, that if your project is chosen, you will need to post it to our UK office! Heavy items or very delicate items that might not like our postal system would be best avoided!
  • If submitting Art Journal pages, we prefer loose pages NOT an entire Art Journal to be posted to us, if your submission is chosen.
  • Please follow the theme when creating your project!
  • NEW work only please, we do not accept projects that have been published elsewhere (including online) before submission. 
  • All projects MUST feature stamped art work. 
  • Any stamps used MUST be branded. Please do not use stamps sold without designer/manufacturer information on the original packaging.
  •  Stamps used MUST be available to buy currently, either from a UK stockist or a stockist with an international shipping policy that ships to the UK.
  • We do not accept projects using digital imagery exclusively for this feature. Digital imagery is welcome, but  MUST be used in conjunction with rubber/polymer stamping to qualify.
  •  Projects which are selected need to be posted to the Craft Stamper offices in the UK. The projects will be returned, along with a complimentary issue of the magazine.
  • This call IS open internationally.
  • Note that we do choose artwork as it arrives, so please don't wait until the last minute to submit if your project is ready.
  • Text for this article is required (don't worry - it is short!) and should be entered into the document provided – this will be sent to you if you are selected.
  •  
We can't wait to see your fabulous creations!  

Monday 21 October 2019

Blog Exclusive: Mitform Christmas!

Good Morning!

Have you seen our fabulous giveaway over on our Facebook page this morning?
Our friends at Mitform have very generously given us a whole host of their brand new Christmas themed metal castings to give away to one lucky commenter! 



To enter this giveaway, please comment over on the Facebook post here:
Comments left here on the blog will not be entered into the draw.

Here on the blog this morning, however, we'd love to give you a little inspiration on just how you can use these wonderful metal embellishments in your art. Five of the Craft Stamper team have come up with projects for you, all containing one (or more!) of the brand new Christmas range from Mitform.

So, without further ado we give you... a very merry Mitform Christmas!


Christmas Stocking Ornament
by Sam Kingdon




Wish Upon A Star
by Trish Latimer





Textural Festive Memory Tin
by Denyse Coughlan



Altered Christmas Sardine Tin
by Jaine Drake





Christmas Keepsake Box
by Emma Blake






So many different ideas, and no, metal embellishments like these do not just have to be used for steampunk themed makes :)

We hope you'll pop on over to the Facebook page to enter, and if you love the idea of these stunning embellishments, Mitform products can be found at the following stores (and a few more, as a quick Google will tell you!)


Have a wonderful week! xx

Friday 18 October 2019

Take It Make It Challenge: Winner's Profile!

Hello!
Welcome to our Winners Profile, showcasing the Design Winner of last month's Take It Make It challenge!
The very talented winner of the September 2019 challenge is:

Milka Gubo


Milka won the challenge with this beautiful card. We loved the wonderful vintage feel of the colour scheme, with a modern image providing a beautiful contrast!









We asked Milka a few questions about stamping (well, we are Craft Stamper after all!)

Q: How long have you been a stamper, and how did you get started?
A:

I’ve been stamping for 5 years. In summer 2013, when I moved to another part of Croatia, I accidentally ran into a cardmaking challenge and discovered a whole new world to me! First I worked with digital images. My first physical stamps were actually prizes I won in challenges I played.


Q: What are your favourite kinds of stamps, and do you have a favourite stamp company?
A:

My favourite kinds of stamps are cute and fun, but I also like elegant and flowery stamps and vintage style stamps.
My favourite stamp companies are: Clearly Besotted, Create a Smile, Gerda Steiner Designs, Jane’s Doodles, Lawn Fawn, Mama Elephant, My Favorite Things, Paper Smooches, Simon Says Stamp, Stamping Bella, Stampers Anonymous, Uniko, Your Next Stamp.


Q: Describe your style, are you a messy kind of stamper or a more 'clean and simple' kind of person?
A:

My style would be clean and simple, but I also like to step out of my comfort zone and create something “busy” or “messy”.


Q: What kind of projects do you like creating the most?
A:

I like creating CAS (clean and simple) and interactive cards the most.


Q: Apart from stamps, what is the one product you wouldn't be without when you craft?
A:

I love to colour and I couldn’t craft without colours (coloured pencils or ink pads).



We also asked Milka to share a couple of her favourite stamped creations with us, and tell us why she likes them so much. Here is what she has chosen:





"Watercolouring is my favourite colouring technique, but I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try something I've never tried before: no line colouring with coloured pencils on Kraft. I was more than satisfied with my no line colouring and will surely do it more in the future. On this card I used Jane’s Doodles stamps" - Milka








"I love creating CAS cards and interactive cards. Combining those two with rainbow colours is a winning design for me! On this card I used a sentiment stamp from Lawn Fawn" - Milka



Congratulations on being our September Design Winner Milka, it was lovely to learn a little more about you!

Do YOU fancy having a winners profile all about you on the CS blog? 

The profile is part of the prize package for each Design Winner of our challenges. All you need to do is enter a creation into the challenge, then if you are voted Design Winner everyone will be reading all about you before you know it!