Thursday 18 December 2008
Lookey what I got!
Wednesday 17 December 2008
Poll results!
Answers in a comment below please!
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Meet Stamper of the Year Kate Bentley!
I have been stamping for about 10 years (or more like 40 if you count potato printing and lino prints at primary school). The first stamp I bought was actually for my son who as a toddler had a favourite story about lady birds. After that I bought some kids alphabet sets with pictures and made flash cards and alphabet sheets, then Disney stamps to do craft with him. Gradually I have progressed to more grown up themes and making cards, swapping ATCs and the like.
What I love about stamping is that, with no artistic talent or training, one stamp enables me to create everything from a professional focal image to a component in a back ground. I don’t often do the same thing twice, I’m always experimenting and trying something new so the versatility to work with an individual stamp in a variety of media and to combine stamping with other crafts is appealing too. My overall favourite stamp company are Crafty Individuals. I love flowers, birds and the like which feature prominently in their collection. I also like Paper Artsy’s Ink and the Dog and Urban Snapshots ranges and Invoke Arts for something a little out of the ordinary. I have also just discovered Darkroom Door stamps which have the added benefit of coming in gorgeous tins.
Monday 15 December 2008
Cool competition
You've got until 2nd January to enter our Glimmer Mist challenge too.
Two excuses to spend some time creating over Christmas!
Friday 12 December 2008
13 days to go....
Thursday 11 December 2008
January 2009 issue ATC swap
Tuesday 9 December 2008
A very unseasonal card & a new poll
To create the stamped panel, I've sprayed the background lightly with Distress Inks (just in a mini mister with water and a bit of mica-based powder) and then overstamped a pattern onto it. The dragonflies are coloured with yummy Sakura Stardust pens for a bit of shimmer. All the stamps are Squiggly Ink by PaperArtsy.
Better get back to those xmas cards - I'm never going to make last posting day at this rate!
NEW POLL: I have also added a new poll on the right panel there. The last one was interesting and helpful, so I hope you'll help again! I am considering a new feature and am woul like to find in whether it would be of interest.
CHALLENGE: Don't forget to join in the Jan challenge to win a fabulous prize! Christmas cards and Glimmer Mist were made for each other - so no excuses for not playing!
Katy x
Monday 8 December 2008
Cover Mount Creations
Friday 5 December 2008
Introducing - the CS challenge!
Everyone who takes part will be entered into a draw to win this fabulous prize - three Glimmer Mists and some gorgeous Glimmer Screens - courtesy of the lovely Linda at LB Crafts. Linda stocks loads of Glimmer colours so if you need some to do the challenge, pop over to her webshop.
Katy x
Thursday 4 December 2008
Jan issue template
But as you are sooooo keen (glad you like the book, I love it) I've uploaded here for you in the meantime.
Enjoy!
Bye for now!
Katy x
Wednesday 3 December 2008
Ooooooh, candy
Tuesday 2 December 2008
Jan issue and Stamper of the Year!
If you still have cards to make, the lovely PaperArtsy poinsettia cover mount will be really useful.
PLUS - I am very excited about this issue as we announce the winner of our Stamper of the Year Competition! Sorry, not allowed to reveal the winners - you'll have to wait for the magazine to come out!!! But there is some gorgeous work in there from our very talented readers, so well done to all the entrants.
Finally, we are launching our blog challenge, which will link in with one of our projects each month. Details will be uploaded here each month on the on-sale date, so be sure to call back on Friday.
Katy x
Monday 1 December 2008
I'm back!
Friday 28 November 2008
Free stamp makes - Oriental Blossom
I hope you enjoy it. Please keep them coming. I've more to show you in the coming weeks.
Thursday 27 November 2008
Where did you get that hat? (Part 3)
Anyway, I did have time to make a really simple card using a photograph as a centrepiece. I’ve made this for my other half for Christmas, so I’ve used a little black for a more masculine colour-scheme.
Ingredients:
High Hopes Santa hat stamp
Fancy Pants alphabet stamps
Making Memories magnetic alphabet stamps
Hero Arts holly background stamp
White, red and silver card
Black glitter card
Silver Brilliance ink
1 Stamp a panel of white card with the holly stamp using silver ink. Heat set.
2 Cut out your photo and mat onto silver card, then black glitter card. Stamp, colour and cut out the Santa hat and add it to the photo. Add to stamped panel. Stick to a red card blank.
3 Using the masking technique, stamp the word ‘Paws’ so that the letters overlap. Stamp the word santa onto a scrap of red card. Die cut a star from black glitter card and stick the word santa on the top. Cut out the word ‘paws’ and stick below the matted photo.
That’s it! Very quick and simple.
See you soon,
Katy x
Tuesday 25 November 2008
Introducing....
Check out their blogs to see some of their lovely work and (hopefully) whet your appetite for what's to come in the next issue :).
Sharon Neill's Blog
Lana George's Blog
Cath Wilson's Blog
See you soon,
Katy
Sunday 23 November 2008
Advent Calendar / Jan sneak peek
I don't always get time to make something for myself, but I rather liked this advent calendar idea, which I found at the Bubbly Funk website - take a look at their tutorial for the instructions.
The whole thing is made of 24 matchboxes, a couple of squares of chipboard and the free stamp which has been stamped onto patterned paper and layered (I've used it stamped in gold on the white squares as a subtle background too).
My drawers are covered with strips of paper which has been tone-on-tone stamped and then punched with my beloved Threading Water punch (believe me - you NEED this punch!!!). I've also added wee loops of metallic red thread to each drawer to enable them to be opened easily.
Not only is it pretty, it can be reused year after year and I can put any treats I like into the drawers.
I lurve this poinsettia stamp - hope you do too!
Katy x
ETA - just filled this with sweeties - mini Cadbury's chocs are a perfect fit ;).
Saturday 22 November 2008
ATC swap
Have you been to Dan's place?
He offers a freebie download each Saturday, plus very useful video tutorials showing stampy techniques.
Enjoy!
Katy x
Friday 21 November 2008
Fed up of Christmas cards?
Wednesday 19 November 2008
A new look for Sugar Nellie?
Here's the post: http://sugarnellie.blogspot.com/2008/11/welcome-to-house-of-sugar.html
Am intrigued to see more...
Catch you later,
Katy x
New Tim Holtz Video
Take a little look at Tim's video guide here for some great ideas on how to use the masks.
I NEED the flourish (did I mention I really like flourishes....).
Enjoy!
Katy x
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Bonus December Cover Mount Make, by Alix Waterhouse
Monday 17 November 2008
Poll
Hope you all had a lovely weekend? I'm just in the process of sorting the Christmas ATC swap at the moment, so those of you who took part should get your swaps back soon. In the world of publishing Christmas has come and gone already - had a Valentine's project land on the desk this morning....
The first challenge prize arrived this morning from LB Crafts (thank you Linda)! It's rather scrummy but I'm not telling you what it is!!! Challenge will be announced when the Jan issue hits the shops - on 5th December.
POLL: I've added a little poll to the sidebar - please let me know your thoughts on the content of Craft Stamper by completing the poll. Many thanks.
Katy x
Sunday 16 November 2008
Lovely new stash!
One of my favourite purchases was a pack of Inkadinkado clear stamps called Ornate Christmas (I got these from the very friendly people from Crafts U Love). I've made two cards today with the stamps, with quite different looks.
On the snowman card, his scarf is coloured with my new Xmas colours Gelly Roll pens (which I also got yesterday from Stamposaurus) and his body is coloured with Broken China Distress Ink. All the stamps are from the Inkadinkado set.
On the Seasons Greeting's card I've coloured the stamped image by blending Distress Inks (Antique Linen and Fired Brick). The swirl is a Penny Black stamp. It's a lot nicer in real life - sorry for the awful photo, it got dark fast!
The paper is from the new Basic Grey Wassail collection (have I mentioned I am addicted to Basic Grey papers???).
I hope you like them :).
See you soon,
Katy x
Blog candy winner!
Winner of the launch blog candy is this comment:
bex said...
Oohh another blog to look at! Only thing is 'blog hopping is cutting into my craft time!
Well done Bex, email me your address to cs@traplet.com and I'll get your candy sent out to you.
Don't worry if you missed out - we'll be having more candy in future.
Plus from early December we'll be launching monthly challenges to tie in with the magazine content, which will also have a prize! So watch this space in the coming weeks.
Might be back later if I get time to play with my NEC stash today!
See you later,
Katy
Friday 14 November 2008
Where did you get that hat? (Part 2)
I made this using one of my favourite stamps by Bam Pop, called ‘M is for Monster’.
Been soooo busy, so I hope you'll forgive me that it’s a very simple card.
Ingredients:
- Bam Pop M is for Monster stamp (from Angel Crafts)
- Papermania clear stamp set - A Wonderful Christmas Time - Seasons Greetings
- High Hopes Santa hat stamp
- Papermania Christmas papers - A Wonderful Christmas Time
- Silver card, fuchsia card and lime card
- Scrap of fuchsia ribbon
- White gel pen (I used Ranger Inkssentials)
- Snow Writer
2 Stamp the hat and word monster onto the snowflake paper in areas which are unpatterned. Cut them out. Cover parts of the hat with Snow Writer to give it a fluffy dimensional effect.
3 Stamp the greeting in brown ink onto white card. Mat onto pink card. Stick the word monster over the top of the word merry with 1mm foam pads.
4 Cover a card blank with snowflake paper. Stick the monster and greeting onto a piece of silver card. Round all the corners and mat onto a slightly larger piece of white card which also has rounded corners.
5 Add the panel to the card with 3D foam and finish by adding a bow to make the greeting resemble a present.
It might be a little bit bonkers as Christmas cards go but I like it!
Probably won't be around at the weekend but I'll be back next week. Have a fab weekend.
Katy x
PS ATC SWAP: I've chosen a comment at random and am delighted to swap with KIM. Please email me at cs@traplet.com Kim. :).
CANDY: Tomorrow is the last day for the launch blog candy (see first post).
Thursday 13 November 2008
Craft Stamper at Hobbycrafts
Show runs from today until the 16th November (Sunday). I won't be behind the stand, but you might spot Julie our Production Manager (responsible for the mag layout). I'll be popping along for a bit of retail therapy myself on Saturday (with quite a looonnnnnnnnnnnng list!!!).
Enjoy the show if you are going this weekend.
Katy x
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Christmas ATC
I loved this month's winning entry - see Joanne Wardle's blog for a picture and more of her lovely work.
On the left is my take on the Christmas theme. I sponged inks onto white card, sprayed lightly with red Glimmer Mist and over-stamped with swirls using Brilliance inks. I then stamped with a wreath (Basic Grey Winterland) and seasonal message (Fancy Pants Designs) in black ink and finished with a wee bit of glitter glue (my latest favourite product), a swipe of Ranger gold paint and some paper flowers.
Trade with me! I would love to swap with a reader – please post a comment here if you would like to swap with me . If there's more than one comment, I will choose one person at random to exchange with.
Thanks for visiting, hope to see you again soon.
Katy x
Tuesday 11 November 2008
Dyan Reaveley tutorial
Enjoy!
Katy
Monday 10 November 2008
Brand new subscription offer
If you subscribe this month there is a gift of stamps from PaperArtsy worth £26! Also available with direct debit subscriptions, so there’s no need to pay the whole sub fee up front. It’s quite a limited offer so better get in there quick to get these yummy stamps for yourself! It’s an ideal time to take out a Christmas gift subscription for a crafty friend or family member too.
Our customer services order line number is 01684 588599 and the peeps on the other end are a nice friendly lot ;). Or see details in our online shop.
Saturday 8 November 2008
Where did you get that hat? (Part 1)
OWL CARD
Ingredients:
- Hero Arts Big Owl stamp
- Perfectly Clear Snowflake Symphony stamps (from Handy Hippo)
- Studio G mini xmas stamps
- High Hopes Santa Hat stamp (from Silly Monkey Crafts)
- Blue Brilliance Ink
- Versamark Ink and Versamark Pen
- Snowflake White embossing powder
1 Stamp the owl onto white card, colour with brush markers and cut out. Stamp the hat, colour the main part of the hat red with a marker. Colour the trim with a Versamark pen and emboss with the snowflake powder. Cut out.
2 Stamp and emboss multiple snowflakes onto white card using snowflake white embossing powder. Using a sponge, ink over the embossed images with Brilliance Ink – the embossed images will resist the ink. Swipe with a baby wipe to remove excess ink from the embossed images. This will be your background.
3 Cut a branch shape from brown card (I traced around a Grungeboard shape – I was too stingy to use my precious Grunge on a Christmas card!). Emboss the branch with a Cuttlebug folder if desired, and ink the raised areas in brown.
4 Stick the branch to the bottom of the snowflake panel. Stick the owl in position ‘standing’ on the branch and stick the hat onto his head. Finish with an embossed, matted greeting. (TIP: If you don't have an Xmas greeting, stamp the word 'Joy' using any alphabet stamps you have in your stash).
I've made a couple more cards with this hat stamp which I'll post soon.
Thanks for visiting, see you soon.
Katy x
Friday 7 November 2008
Free stamp makes - Strawberries
Here are links to a few fab creations with the Strawberry stamp from the August 2008 issue.
A lovely little notebook by Ann
A gorgeous card by Sanisi
Another lovely card by Nicola
A brilliant notecard design by Liz
Edna's delightful layered card
Last but not least, a stylish card by Kim
I hope you like their artwork (but please respect their copyright and don't copy their designs directly).
I’d love to see what you have created with our recent polymer cover mount stamps. If you have artwork on your blog please leave a comment and a link to your artwork here to inspire others (or if you don't have a blog email me a pic to cs@traplet.com). Thank you for sharing.
Thursday 6 November 2008
CS December on sale tomorrow
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Meet Joel
On the red and green card: I’ve stamped the background paper with a swirl stamp (Basic Grey Winterland) in both red and gold to add a bit of depth. I layered my paper with a die cut scalloped circle which I embossed using Cuttlebug Divine Swirls folder, a strip of stripy paper and a length of lace. Before adding Joel to the card, I stamped the edge of the panel with the swirl stamp again as a finishing touch. The papers and greeting stamp are both from Papermania.
On the blue card: I masked Joel and stamped a circle background stamp (PaperArtsy Mini) over the top to look like snow. I left a void at the bottom where I added Snow Writer and glitter glue, inked over with Brilliance Ink to look a bit like a mound of snow. The ‘Let it Snow’ greeting stamp is by Autumn Leaves and the paper is Basic Grey Blitzen range. The snowflake is a Heidi Swapp ghost shape which is covered with blue glitter glue on the reverse. The little pebbles are called Zoomz ,also from Stamp Galaxy. These are a great value buy and make a lovely alternative to gemstones.
I hope you like them :0)
Thank you all for the warm welcome to blogland. Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post for a chance to win some candy!
See you soon,
Katy x
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Welcome to the new Craft Stamper blog
The December issue of Craft Stamper is due out Friday 7th November and is packed with inspirational projects for Christmas. Whether you like cute or classic, vintage or modern, we have a great selection of card ideas to suit many tastes. Trish Latimer’s classy star book and Gail Milburn’s stunning altered book are two of my personal favourite projects this month. Fans of Sue Roddis will be delighted to know that she returns to CS this month with some quirky and fun card makes using peel offs – yes, peel offs!!! No, she hasn’t gone mad – her technique still involves getting inky!
We aim to update this blog weekly, so please come back and see us soon for news, mini projects and more. If you’d like to link your blog to ours we’d be delighted - please feel free.
***LAUNCH GIVEAWAY!*** To celebrate the launch of our blog we have some blog candy for you. We are giving away these delightful Penny Black Twelve Days of Christmas stamps, as featured in the December issue. To enter the draw, leave a comment on this post and put a link back to here on your own blog. A winner will be drawn at random on 15th November.
Good luck!