January 2009 issue ATC swap

It's ATC swap time again - this month's theme is Christmas again. I don't often do cute, but there is something about Christmas which brings out my fluffy side! So this month's swap is created with a cute little mousey by Penny Black.

I hope someone would like to swap? Please leave me a comment if you would.

Bye for now!

Katy x

Cover Mount Creations

Check out Wendy's blog for a lovely card she has made with the December 'Merry Christmas' cover mount. Clever use of the stamp Wendy! I am so chuffed to see people using the free stamps and am so glad they are useful - so many mags have freebies people just chuck away so I do feel proud to see your gorgeous creations.

OK, that's quite enough gushing from me. Here's another small thing I made with the January Poinsettia cover mount. Not much to say about this one except to note that I didn't have any matching ribbon so I tried Distress-inking a piece of grosgrain - and it worked a treat!

Let's see what you've made with the Christmas stamps!

Katy x

Edited to add, looky what Kim made - gorgeousness!

Introducing - the CS challenge!

Introducing (drumroll please.......) - the all new Craft Stamper challenge!

This will be a monthly challenge, to encourage you to try out ideas you've seen in the magazine.

This month the challenge is: GET GLAM WITH GLIMMER, based on Rachel Jackson's fabulous Masterclass on Glimmer Mists on page 62 of the January issue. Your challenge is to try out Rachel's techniques or get creative with your own Glimmer Mist ideas.

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.

To enter the draw, post a comment and blog link to share your creations (or email me at cs@traplet.com if you don't have a blog).

I look forward to seeing what you create.

Have fun!
Katy x

Jan issue template

Blimey, I've had a call already asking for the template for Penny Bearcroft's gorgeous Christmas book! It's not up because the magazine isn't out until tomorrow and it isn't on the Craft Stamper site as yet.

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

Jan issue and Stamper of the Year!

January issue is out this Friday, so here's a peek at the front cover. That's Marlene Ashby's fabulous CD mailer card on the front cover - love that project - and there's lots more to tempt you inside. Although there is a Christmas card on the cover, there is plenty of non-Christmas stuff too, if you've already got the festive season done and dusted (you're more organised than me if you have!).

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

Introducing....

We have three - yes three! - talented new artists appearing in the January issue of Craft Stamper magazine. Their styles are quite different but they are all very gifted designers and I am delighted to welcome them to the CS family.

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

Advent Calendar / Jan sneak peek

I've made this advent calendar with our next cover mount stamp, which will be yours if you purchase the January issue of Craft Stamper! It's a poinsettia stamp designed for us by those wonderful folks at PaperArtsy.

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 ;).