Take It Make It Challenge: All New For 2015!

Hello!

Welcome to the launch post of the 2015 Take It, Make It Challenge.....

We have lots to tell you!

We are changing things around a little...giving our challenge players TWO chances to win each month! One winner will be decided by a random number generator...so anyone who enters the challenge has a chance to win the fabulous sponsors prize we will be showcasing! 

Our other winner will be our 'Design Winner', voted for by the blog and magazine DT. This winner will get their project published in Craft Stamper, be a Guest DT member for a challenge, AND get their own winners profile on the blog! The profile will be a wonderful opportunity to share your crafting styles and projects with the world, in a dedicated blog post just for you here on the CS blog!

(To be eligible for either prize you need to make sure your project follows all our guidelines, so please check them out, the guidelines are over on the sidebar!)

Our other HUGE change is that we are going to alternate our themes each month. One month will be a 'Take A Stamp' theme, the next 'Take A Technique' and so on. The 'Take A Technique' months will run in exactly the same way as before, we will look through Craft Stamper magazine and choose a technique for you all to have a go at. The 'Take A Stamp' months will be very exciting.....basically, its Anything Goes! You may enter any project you wish to the challenge...the only rule being you must 'Take A Stamp' and use it somewhere on your piece! So, any STAMPED project at all!

The January Challenge is:

'Take A Stamp'

 So.....get stamping and entering! You will be amazed at the prize on offer for one lucky randomly drawn winner..... Brace Yourself....

 Yes, a very bad picture of a very full box! These are all the stamps in the prize box:

and here is everything else:

Yes, you will win EVERYTHING you see! To give you a better idea, I have written out the full comprehensive list of everything included in the prize box, you'll find that information over on the sidebar!

Phew...are you itching to get the stamps out so you can make something and enter? 

Hang on a minute, we've got some DT eye candy to show you first! 

Winner of the November Challenge: 

Cornelia Wenokor

Chrissie Stokes

Elizabeth Robinson

Georgina Ford

Jackie Payne

Jolande van Oosterhout

Kymona Tracy

Linda Walmsley

Nikki Killinger

Renee Zarate

Shirley Bampton

Tracy Easson

Zoey Scarpelli

WOW! Now that's what I call inspiration!

So...all you have to do now is have a quick read of the guidelines to make sure you're on the right track, get your stamps out and PLAY! Can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Don't forget to check back next Friday, as we'll be starting a very special Blog Hop, with loads more chances to win some fabulous prizes!

 Good Luck!

 

Take It, Make It December Challenge: The Winner!

Hello everyone!

Thank you so much to all those who played along with our December challenge -White stamping! The entries were all so different and gave the DT loads of inspiration as we looked through them all!

The standard of the entries was really high this time, but there can only be one winner! That honour goes to.........

Entry number 25: 

Congratulations!
The white stamping stands out so beautifully against the wonderfully blended background, and we loved the sequin accents!

The winning entry will be published in Craft Stamper Magazine (I hope you kept it somewhere safe!), and the winner will also receive the fabulous prize from our sponsor  
Rubber Dance!

This is your prize....

As well as our worthy winner, we also have the remaining two spots in our Top Three to reveal! In no particular order, they are..... drum roll......

Entry Number 18: Ellie
Entry Number 20: Hermine

Congratulations ladies!

If the Winner could Email me (just click the 'posted by' name at the bottom of the post), then I can pass on all the details about the prize, publication and of course the Guest DT slot! Top Three, please Email me for your winners buttons to display on your blogs!  For anyone else who would like to, please feel free to grab the button below....

 A huge THANK YOU to all those of you that took part in the December challenge!

The BIG news here will be revealed tomorrow....don't forget to check back for the all new 2015 blog challenge...and to get the first glimpse of the MASSIVE prize on offer! 
See you tomorrow!

February issue out soon!

It may be the shortest month of the year but we still have a jam packed February issue coming up with a feast full of tasty projects, tutorials and treats! And with Valentine's Day just around the corner, romance is in the air so we've lovingly provided you with tons of inspiring cards to show the one you love just how much you really care...

This month includes:

• Be inspired by Carol Fox by trying out your own Gelli Art from Gelli on a Plate 
• Make like Georgina Ford and fill a Printers Tray in Floral Frenzy
• Follow Chris Dark as she shows you the secrets of achieving that fairy-light photo filtered look in Brilliant Bokeh
• Helen Chilton shows you how to create a layered canvas using Pebeo mixed media range in Parisian Dreams
• Monster Love with Lydia Brooke Evans helps you transform your Halloween stamps into Valentines Day ready ones! 
• Use Mod Podge to resist paint with Joanne Allison in The Big Reveal
• Jenny Marples brings life to a plain lamp using this month's exclusive subscription gift in Stamp a Lamp

The Craft Stamper February issue will be available from 2nd January in WHSmith's and all good craft stores across the UK. Or if you want to make sure that you never miss a copy you can call out friendly Customer Service team on 01684 588599 and subscribe!

Until next month, happy stamping!

Calling out for reader submissions!

Have you recently made a project that you're really proud of? Here at Craft Stamper we are offering you the chance to see your wonderful work in print! 

All you have to do is send us in a photo to cs@traplet.com and we'll choose one lucky reader to have their project printed in Craft Stamper magazine. If selected you will be required to send your project to us here in Worcester so that we can photograph it in our studio. 

Our last reader submission by Corinne Rollet was this beautifully detailed 'Under the Sea' canvas that was crafted using acrylic paints, masks, stencils and stamps.

If you too have something inspiring that you have made at home using stamps then please don't hesitate to share it with us here at Craft Stamper and get the recognition your fabulous work deserves by getting it printed in your favourite magazine!

Show us what you've got!

Meet the team - Kim Dellow

Hello and welcome to the latest in the regular series introducing some of the designers who contribute regularly to Craft Stamper. Take a wee break from all the Christmas preparations, come on in and meet Kim...

My name is Kim Dellow and I describe myself as an artist – crafter – blogger so I’m covering all my bases! I live in London, UK and I’ve been a Craft Stamper DT member since late 2012, but you might have spotted a couple of my works turning up, on and off, in the magazine before then. 

My arty-crafty story kind of started around 2007 and I’ve dipped my toe in lots of different things from stitchery to model making. Stamping is one of the techniques that I have in my technique tool box and probably my favourite thing about stamping is how flexible a technique it is. 

I think that being creative is in the fibre of my being and I love being able to do it on a regular basis. I adore the constant learning, idea generating and working with my hands that is part of the creative process for me.

Favourite Project #1: Someone Is Watching You. I love the mix of the real and the insubstantial in this ATC with the textural and touchable fabric and the more ethereal stamping of the eyes on the acetate. 

This project is blogged {here}

Q. Do you have a signature style or favourite technique?

A. I don’t really have a favourite technique and I like to try everything. But I do have my comfort zones and when I’m pushed for time, which is often as I am regularly trying to create to deadlines, then I do tend to reach for certain techniques. Things like using stamping to add texture, if I’m colouring I often reach for my pencils and I love clean and simple design.

Favourite Project #2: Inrō-Inspired Altered Dominos. Probably a good example of where inspiration strikes and that is anywhere. These stamping makes were inspired by a museum visit. 

 This project is blogged {here}

Q. Where do you look for inspiration before you start on a project?

A. When I am putting together a Craft Stamper article then it all depends on if I am working around a specific stamp set or if the project is more about a technique or a finished project. My creative process for articles is very deadline and product driven. My own creative process for non-commissioned projects is far more nebulous and the inspiration can come from anywhere. Of course the two processes, deadline creating and no-limits creating, often feed into each other.

Favourite Project #3: Sunshine In A Tin. This is one of my all-time favourite creative themes, making something unexpected like a giant sun in a sardine tin, for example. If there is some repurposing thrown in as well then I’m in creative heaven.

This project is blogged {here}

When I have the time I love to share over at my blog (www.kimdellow.co.uk) where you can also find all the links to the usual social media outlets. I would love to hear about your creative processes so do drop in and say hi.

Thanks for joining us, we hope you've enjoyed meeting Kim and some of the other regulars during 2014. Have a wonderful Christmas and we look forward to introducing you to some more Craft Stamper designers next year!

A peek at what's coming up in our February issue!

Our February issue is out on the 2nd January and just in case you're already itching to get your hands on our next issue we thought we'd give you a little peek of the details to keep you guessing at what's instore...

We can't wait for you to see our Valentine infused issue full of gorgeous projects, tutorials and treats! 

Submit your work for July's Ready, Set, Stamp!

We are looking for submissions for our Ready, Set, Stamp feature on the following theme for our July issue of Craft Stamper. If you've always wanted to see YOUR card in print, now is your chance!!!

July

A Jolly Holiday – fun, bright cards to get us in the holiday mood using a beachy colour palette of orange, sandy yellow and bright blue.

Deadline for submission = 23rd March 2015

· Please email your submissions to cs@traplet.com
· Please put 'Ready Set Stamp' 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 of the closing date please try again next time

Guidelines:

· Please make cards only for this gallery
· Cards which are selected need to be posted to the Craft Stamper offices in the UK
· 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 cards are ready
· Cards will be returned at our expense, along with a complimentary copy of the magazine in which your card features. Note this can take approx. three month
· All cards should be suitable for an intermediate crafter to complete in around 20 minutes including drying time. Please keep your cards simple and remember that you may be a quicker than average worker
· Please follow both the theme AND the colour scheme when creating your cards. You can add black, white and metallics to any of the schemes
· 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 look forward to hearing from you and seeing all of your beautiful designs!