Wednesday 13 June 2018

Happy 5th Birthday STAMPlorations! .......

Happy Wednesday ......

I hope you're having a good week.
We're off on our annual family get together on Friday so things are a little busy here at the moment getting everything ready.

June's a busy month for the STAMPlorations team too.  Why? ...... because it's our birthday.  STAMPlorations is 5 years old!!!  WOW! ....... that's 5 years of amazing stamps, stencils and dies, and a whole load of inspiration from the brains behind it all ..... Shery, and of course the STAMPgirls (sounds like a band!)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

As you can see we're having a little bit of a celebration ...... and you can join in with the fun too!


There's prizes up for grabs, special offers in store, a Flash Sale EVERY Monday during June and, Freebie days EVERY week ..... told you we were celebrating!

The prizes are ......

  • For the Link up CASE project ....... $50 Gift Certificate each to 5 randomly drawn players
  • For commenting on the Blog posts .......  $25 Gift Certificate each for 5 randomly drawn commenters
  • The Wishlist Linky Party ......  5 randomly drawn participants will each win products, upto the value of $25, from their wishlists
 All you have to do to join in is ......
  • visit and comment on the designers blogs
  • CASE one, or more, of the STAMPgirls designs and join the linky party
  • link up your STAMPlorations Wishlist (check out here for all the details)
** CASEing, commenting and linking up to the Wishlist Linky party ends on July 3rd**
Winners will be announced on July 10th
As I said we're celebrating, with something a little bit special.  If you've been following the STAMPlorations blog you'll already know that each day in June, Shery is showcasing one of the STAMPgirls ..... today it's my turn!!

I've been having fun recently with the Faux Bleaching Technique using Distress Oxides and water.  I love how these inks react with even the smallest amount of water, and the colours are amazing.  If you haven't already tried this technique, why not give it a go ....... feel free to CASE


Simply stamp your favourite floral image onto a piece of white card, heat emboss in white, then add your colours over the top ..... easy.  Rub away any ink left on the embossed lines to make your images really pop


I've used the gorgeous Blossom Sprays #1 .... it's such a pretty design.
I applied two colours of Distress Oxide ink over the top of the embossed flowers, blending them together in the centre (Twisted Citron and Squeezed Lemonade)
Once I was happy with the coverage I took a paintbrush and some clean water and 'painted' some of the flowers and the leaves.  The water reacts with the ink and can then be removed with a paper towel giving this bleached look ....


A few splatters of water and a sentiment finishes the card ..... with a few sequins for added sparkle


Same stamp ..... same technique ..... but different colours (Salty Ocean and Blueprint Sketch)


This time, instead of a stamped sentiment I used one of the CUTplorations thin metal dies and inlaid it into the stamped panel,

 
layering it with two cut from white cardstock to add dimension


I'm so happy, and very proud to have been a part of such a wonderful Design Team ....... I say 'have been'  because this is my last STAMPlorations post (sigh) 
After a little over two and a half years being part of the STAMP family, on both the CAS Card team and the TAG team, I've made the hard decision to step down at the end of this month.

It's been an amazing journey.  A BIG Thank You to Shery for having me on the team and giving me the chance to be part of such a talented DT ..... I'm going to miss you all but, I will still be following all the blogs (you don't get rid of me that easy!) and you know I love my STAMPlorations products!
Here's some of my favourite makes from my time here ......


Another beautiful floral image ....... Blossom Sprays #2 and the pretty split colouring technique


Masculine designs ..... always difficult to create I find, not with STAMPlorations products though ...... Good Books and Coffee did the job perfectly.

And finally, florals again ...... this time a tag using the Blossom Sprays #1.  How different does it look when coloured in.


Well that's it from me.  I hope you've enjoyed reading my posts as much as I've enjoyed writing them and I hope you feel inspired to join in with our birthday celebrations.

I'd like to wish Shery, and the team, many, many more years of success, and hope that STAMPlorations continues to go from strength to strength.

Don't forget, CASE any of the above designs or your favourite design from one of the other STAMP girls and link it up here to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes.

Happy stamping!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.
I'm off to make a start on the packing now .... only two more sleeps!

Cheerio until next time ......

20 comments:

Mac Mable said...

Sorry to hear you will be standing down Linda....your inspiration will be missed x Wonderful bleached technique cards and fabulous inspiration, thank you x Have a fun and memorable time away with the annual family holiday x

Marsha said...

Lovely cards and tag. I'm saving several to CASE. Especially love the card with the mirrored image.

Dee Earnshaw said...

your cards are so pretty - really love the first card with the floral reflection:)

nancy littrell said...

Your new and old card designs are so gorgeous, Linda. I am so sorry to see you leaving as part of the DT. I have always loved your CAS designs and Tags. Will look forward to you still playing along.

TFS and have a wonderful holiday. Hugs..

Glennis F said...

Love your cards Linda

ionabunny said...

I love the white embossing with the oxides. I am new to these and haven't tried them with water yet. Thanks for the tips. Hugz

Becca Yahrling said...

All of your cards are just beautiful! I love the resist
technique; so easy and with so many great florals, it's a simple masterpiece.

Redanne said...

Love the way you use the faux bleached technique, both cards are gorgeous. Shery and the team will undoubtedly miss you, your posts are always so inspiring, I really enjoyed seeing your favourite makes! Hugs, Anne xx

Lucy E. said...

Wow-I love all of these lovely
creations! The faux bleaching
is something I want to CASE.
Thanks for the inspiration!

Esther Asbury said...

All of your cards are lovely! I really like the masculine one with the books and coffee!

Gail said...

Beautiful Linda - I am loving that tag very much but honestly, as I wrote on the blog - love all of our lovely work here! TFS

Sue D said...

These are all so pretty. My fave is the floral tag.

Maura said...

Love the use of sponging and "ghosting" on the yellow and blue cards, Linda, and you hit it out of the park with the blossom spray 2 card - I have already CASEd it!!!! Thanks for inspiring!

Mrs.B said...

Gorgeous cards Linda, and it was nice to see some of your past creations again. I'm sure you will be a great miss on from the team.
Avril xx

KT Fit Kitty said...

Loving all the beautiful florals here! I really like the techniques you used! No I just need to decide which one(s) I want to CASE!

Leanne said...

Beautiful cards. Love the first two.

Arianna Barbara said...

Gorgeous cards and tag! Love your blooms!

Trina P. said...

Love energy single one of your projects! Will miss seeing your DT inspirations. Hoping to CASE one of your cards. x

Trina P. said...

Beautiful cards! Love the stack of books and coffee card. Ready to CASE! 😉

MariLynn said...

Beautiful creations. Once a STAMPgirl always a STAMPgirl. Blessings on your future crafty journey.