Stampington & Company Blog

“When I opened my store, I had a very small budget, so I started looking through the trash for things that I could sell.”

- Debi Beard, artist, whimsical boutique owner and professional trash transformer

Today we are delighted to feature some fantastic dumpster diving techniques that recycling expert Debi Beard uses to reduce waste and show ♥ to the environment. We’re so thrilled to have her share this Youtube video with us, where she “paints” a picture of how to add personality and flair to an old chair using this secret pink ingredient.

Click below to see how this ingenious idea comes to life.

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Contrary to popular belief, dumpster diving is not just confined to your neighbor’s trash – according to Debi, you’ve got options! On her entertaining YouTube channel, Debi’s videos display tons of tutorials on ingenious ways to transform discarded disappointments into trusty treasures.

In most recent news of her dumpster diving escapades, Debi has:

• traversed down the beach to find lonely buoys washed up on shore and turned them into impressive hanging lanterns
• hunted for atypical treasures at neighborhood yard sales to recycle into brilliant works of art
• picked up a rickety white picket fence on the side of the road, painted with bold colors, and pieced together its remains into a huge handsome mirror

What would be considered an extreme adventure for an amateur, trash picking in unexpected places perfectly describes a typical day in the life of Debi Beard.

Upcycled Challenge

Have you turned garbage into glitter? Compile your most creative recycling projects into powerful original images and post to your Pinterest board. Comment below with a link to your board for a chance to be featured on our Stampington & Company’s Upcycled Challenge page with artist credit in the post. If you need some inspiration to get started, peruse the pages of our new GreenCraft Magazine.

Deadline: May 15th 2013

We want to know:

Rich in history and herbal healing powers, lavender’s ultra soothing scent and shade has endured the years as a multifaceted miracle worker. The ambiance of such an enchanting aroma and soporific color can easily lull anyone into a tranquil feeling of “ahhhh.” Making a debut on the pages of our most popular magazines, this svelte flower steps out of its attachment to old-fashioned use to motivate your artful inspiration this spring. As a lover of lavender myself, I’m excited to share some favorite pictures I’ve hand-plucked from several of our most popular issues.

It’s easy to lead a “Somerset Life” when you’re surrounded by a field of fresh lavender. But for those of us who don’t have that luxury, there’s always the option to swing by the nearest florist and find a bundle of these beauties to add a touch of aromatic elegance to your afternoon picnic.

Beaming as a bouquet of beauty in Artful Blogging Spring 2011, lavender can be picked freshly from a field and photographed with ease to show off its simple elegance. You can print your personal picture to use in your next card making project, and send to friends on a warm spring day just to say hello, or frame and hang as a decorative accent in your home.

A brand new business from the mountains of Eden, Utah, Lavender Hill has emerged as a natural product line, bottling up their field of purple flowers  to satisfy their customer’s culinary cravings. Find their story, and stunning uses of lavender in our latest issue of Where Women Create Business.

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FREE ARTICLE DOWNLOAD:

To create homemade gifts from the heart <<Download the FREE article>> from Somerset Life Spring 2011, where you’ll learn how to create a relaxing sugar scrub, perfectly packaged lavender-infused honey and other lovely gift giving ideas.

Quick Reader Poll:

What are some of the ways you’ve used lavender to achieve relaxation in your life? 

Be kind – don’t do what I did last Mother’s Day and totally underestimate the value of a gorgeous gift by running to a crowded store last minute for chocolate truffles and an ordinary pre-made card. To show your mom how much you care, call on your craftiness and create something different exquisite for her this year with this luxurious lip balm idea!

What you’ll need:

Natural Beeswax Pellets
Small Rectangular Hinged Tins
Fabric Tape Set
Glassine Envelopes
Scrapper’s Spool – Magenta
Melting Pot Project Pan
Vegetable oil
Vanilla or peppermint extract (optional)

What to make:

Our Shoppe Manager Vanessa first chose a natural beeswax and oil combination for the balm in this project, but there are plenty of recipe variations that you can find online if you’re interested in a particular scent or texture.

To package the balm, Vanessa used some tiny tins and added a bit of chic appeal by embellishing with strips of floral fabric tape. She tied it all together with a magenta ribbon and voila! - a perfectly packaged lip luster was born.

Perfect to prime her lips for a big ol’ kiss on the cheek to show you her thanks, this easy DIY will definitely not disappoint mom. You’ll be brimming from ear to ear knowing how you made her day unique and special with such a thoughtful gift.

For a detailed description on how-to create this special gift, CLICK HERE.

For even more beautiful do-it-yourself projects, check out our Free Project page, where we’ve assembled the most artful handmade gift ideas, creative packaging and card making inspiration, along with the ultimate gift guide of our staff’s top picks to make Mom’s day extra special this year!

Project and photos by Vanessa Spencer

While browsing our e-crafting.com ephemera collection on my break today, I became instantly enamored with the brand-new editions of beautiful balloon images by Calico Collage. Carried away in a cloud of inspiration, my mind pondered the ways in which artists could use these vintage pieces to “uplift” their next creative project.

*Up and Away Ephemera Contest*

We’d like to extend a $5 off promo code to go towards the ephemera of your choice for this challenge: 0413BLOG

Simply enter the code upon checkout. [Code will expire on 5/1/13]

Option 1 – Mixed-Media Project:

Whether you’re into art journaling, collage creating, or card making, the possibilities are endless when it comes to dreaming up pretty pieces with ephemera elements.

Guidelines:

• After you’ve ordered your favorite ephemera with the provided promo code, print your piece to use in an interesting and artistic project.
• When you are finished with your masterpiece, send the following to  blog@stampington.com:

1) A high-res image of your project (300 dpi, no more than 5 MB)

2) A brief paragraph describing how you made the artwork

3) A supplies list of the materials used, including the name of the ephemera piece chosen from e-crafting.com (for example: A Stitch In Time Tags)

4) Include “Up & Away Contest” in the subject line

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Option 2 – Digital Project:

For all the tree huggers in the world, there’s plenty of ways to use ephemera digitally to create eye-catching images and personalized memory art or scrapbook pages.

Guidelines:

• After you’ve ordered your favorite ephemera with the provided promo code, use it in a unique and digitally created project.
• When finished, send the following to  blog@stampington.com:

1) A high-res image (300 dpi, no more than 5 MB)

2) A brief paragraph describing the artwork

3) Include the name of the ephemera piece used (for example: A Stitch In Time Tags)

4) Include “Up & Away Contest” in the subject line

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 Prizes:

*Top two winners receive: $25 gift card + shout out on our social media sites

*Eligible selected project entries also have a chance to:

1) Be featured on e-crafting.com with full artist credit to display how ephemera can be used in artwork

2) Be featured in Somerset Digital Studio or Somerset Memories

 *Deadline for both project options:  5/1/13

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To get your creative juices flowing, scroll through these digital projects published in Somerset Digital Studio.

Feel free to include your own artistic flair in your project – do not feel confined to a certain style…we invite you to soar beyond bounds!

For FREE downloads of ephemera, subscribe to Post Script, one of our most popular e-newsletters.

Happy creating – we can’t wait to receive your submissions!

Birds are chirping, buds are blooming and nature is beaming with life. It’s a perfect time for a sneak peek at your favorite magazine to get a glimpse inside this season’s hottest trends and thrilling techniques.

*INCREDIBLE OFFER: It’s that time again to thank our growing group of blog readers by offering a FREE SHIPPING discount on all of our April releases. Use Promo Code: BLOG0413*

If you haven’t subscribed yet to receive the inside scoop, simply click here  to have our blog promos and posts delivered directly to your inbox.

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Celebrate springtime with the April issue of Art Journaling! A variety of inspiring artwork awaits you within this issue. The vivid and edgy creations of Teesha Moore grace the pages of our Artist Portfolio. Also inside: Artist Pat May shares how to transform vintage postcards into an art journal with little more than paint, Karen O’Brien sheds light on the art of portraiture, and Carrie Todd perfects collage on the pages of her journal. With more than 150 art journal pages, you’re sure to find an abundance of inspiration in this issue.

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Delve headfirst into a world of innovative handbags, purses, clutches, totes, and much more in this spring issue of Haute Handbags. From burlap and denim to cowboy boots and beyond, the imaginative use of various fabrics will have you craving the hottest new styles in the DIY world.  Saddle up and hold on tight as we take you on a journey through these chic pages — we promise it’ll be worth the ride.

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‘Tis the season to add some flowers, denim, and even fringe to your wardrobes!  Learn exciting new techniques from extraordinary artists like Holly Westler, Brooke Bock, and Michelle Hurtt, and see how they take ordinary everyday items and turn them into stunning wearable pieces of art. From royal pieces and antique heirlooms to leather bits and shotgun shells, this enticing Jewelry Affaire is packed with this season’s latest trends and happenings.

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Something old, something new, something borrowed and something…superbly stunning! You won’t want to miss the fabulous wedding ideas inside this issue, inspired by Alice in Wonderland and a gorgeous vintage 1950s themed bridal shower. Step into spring and trust that you’ll be tempted to plan an impromptu soiree with your closest gal pals upon reading about a lovely seaside getaway. Or delve into a delightful crafternoon with artist Anna Corba. This brand new issue of Mingle will be your greatest confidante during party planning season.

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The final installment of Susannah Conway’s Authentic Living series is just one of many beautiful reasons to pick up this spring issue of Somerset Life.  Dazzle your friends and family with simple, elegant gifts that you can easily make in the kitchen, and learn studio organization tips just in time for spring cleaning.  You won’t be able to wipe the smile off your face when you see the delightful results of our Toilet Paper Roll Challenge.  Also, don’t miss an exciting sneak peek of a hot new store that’s all the rave, Vintiques.

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If you’ve been waiting for just the right inspiration to begin a special memory book of your own, our spring Somerset Memories is just what you’ll need to get started.  Don’t miss this spectacular issue showcasing a gorgeous array of paper crafts, fabric arts, memorabilia and mixed-media art.

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Drum roll please! The much-anticipated results of our Dress Template Challenge are in, and we think you’ll agree with us that they do not disappoint! Articles in this Spring ’13 issue of The Stampers’ Sampler run the gamut, from cards showcasing a flawless antiquing technique, to a circus-themed collection that is awe-inspiring, and even a stylish and chic set of table place cards that you’ll want to duplicate for your next special gathering.

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*Win the issue you love most by:

1)  Clicking on your favorite spread and scrolling down to “See What’s Inside.”

2) Let us know which spread really caught your eye and why in the blog comments below!

One lucky person will be selected at random to receive their choice of one of these brand-new spring issues. Contest ends on April 30th, 2013.

*Free shipping offer applies to U.S. purchases of the following April (Spring ’13) issues only: Art Journaling, Haute Handbags, Jewelry Affaire, Mingle, Somerset Life, Somerset Memories, and The Stampers’ Sampler. Discount code cannot be combined with any other offer and expires 4/30/13.

“A simple craft supply could easily be converted into an artful piece with a few carefully selected additions.” – Michelle Ward

If you’re “dyeing” to find an elegant alternative to ordinary eggs this Easter without all the hassle, we’ve got just the fix for you. In this FREE article download, Michelle Ward displays a whimsical way of creating irresistibly chic spring décor with pieces already in your possession. Now you can spend more time with family this holiday and less time trying to track down a carton of eggs to color.

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Rather than relying on papier-mâché or ordinary dyeing techniques, you can call on your creative muse to concoct this eco-friendly and eye-catching art piece. For even more artistic advantages, Michelle offers other convenient ways to re-use this project during different holidays and seasons. Display this decorated nest proudly on your Easter table this spring with the exciting option to refurbish later for a festive fall piece.

Do you have an unconventional Easter tradition? Please share with your fellow creatives by commenting below!

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*Nests and Eggs by Michelle Ward originally appeared in Somerset Studio January/February 2012.

*Download this FREE article Nests and Eggs

About Michelle Ward:

-Wife and mom of 3.

-Working artist interested in altered books, painting, and stamping.

-Just launched a new Stencil Collection, now available at Stampington.

 

Project and photographs by Vanessa Spencer

Our Shoppe Manager knows that a card can add the icing on the cake at birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Which is why she recommends assembling an army of already made personalized cards instead of making a last minute run to the store for your friend/family’s next big event.

To get started, our Shoppe Manager and several other Stampington sidekicks took a pack of plain white cards and added a light aqua background by mixing sky blue and yellow pastel acrylic paint. Then, for more colorful details with a hint of decoupaged imperfection, they tore and glued bright strips of Art Papers and tacked on patterned washi tape for texture. For an extra personal touch, you can add snippets of text to describe the person receiving the card. For example, “she was a creative soul” or “she decided to leap.” You can keep it simple with just a few words, or add more….it’s all in your hands! To create more depth, stamps and red paint tie the final look together.

For more detailed instructions and to find all products used for this project, please click here.

Are you a card connoisseur? What are some creative ways you’ve taken your card making from drab to fab? Please share with your comments below!

* Special Offer – Get FREE shipping + a Special Gift:

When you subscribe to the RSVP package of Take Ten, receive free shipping and a gift set of two patterned rolls of Washi tape: Red Geometric Flower and Blue Circle Petal Star.

Photography by Martha Schuster featured in Somerset Life 2011

Sometimes as artists, life gives us lemons – the bitterness of writer’s block or the tart inability to create. But instead of letting our day go sour, we must find a remedy to bring sweet ideas to life! While skimming the pages of our past issues, I stumbled upon this brilliant photo in our Spring 2011 Somerset Life magazine, effectively quenching my thirst for inspiration.

Giveaway*

1)      Click the “like” button below this post to share this post.

2)      Comment below with your most creative caption to let us know you shared.

The person with “the most creative” caption will receive a 5 pack of lemon colored washi tape (with designs personally picked by our team) to inspire your bright ideas! See if you can squeeze out some creativity and try to come up with a catchy caption. We can’t wait to read your responses.

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Contest Winner Updates: Congratulations on behalf of Stampington to our lucky March blog giveaway winners!

Caption Contest Winner: Debra Combs

March Glimpse Inside Winner: Heidi Woodruff

5 Pinterest Contest Winners:

• Donna Jcohn
• Jennifer Hutchings
• Kathleen Wilson
• Melanie Kissell
• Sandie Luck

“I couldn’t spend more than half my life somewhere without loving every inch of my space – it’s very simple.”- Johanna Love, Director of Photography at Stampington & Company

There’s no better place to search for inspiration than within oneself, which is why we’re so excited to feature the inside of our very own Director of Photography, Johanna Love’s office.

From rain boots and tiny tea cups, to vintage books and colorful fabric swatches, Johanna surrounds herself with some of the most unexpected yet interesting snippets of inspiration to help draw out her own creative muse in the work place.

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Inside Johanna’s Office:

• Rainboots for Inspiration: Johanna reveals, “I grab inspirations from everywhere I can, from crafting books to my sons’ rain boots.” She recommends surrounding yourself with things you love by bringing a bit of home into your workspace. You don’t have to leave your shoes at the door if they hold sentimental value.
• Carryon with Creativity: Johanna also collects antique luggage to prop for vintage-style artwork. These pieces add an element of old-fashioned whimsy to her office.
• Floral Appeal: A pot of flowers can give you a lift when combating a stressful work week. They add color, life and a beautiful fragrance. Johanna opts for artificial to add a touch of beauty she can reuse as background props.
• Texture: White walls can drown out your colorful ideas. Johanna keeps a stack of distressed wooden boards ranging in shades from dark-light to use in backdrops for photos. Repurposed wood boards can also be used to add texture to dull, lifeless walls in any work space.

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A “Type” of Prop: As the Director of Photography, it comes to no surprise that Johanna’s workspace can pile up with a plethora of props. A vintage thrifted typewriter serves as a the perfect platform for showcasing artwork for Somerset Life. Bring your own props from home to creatively display sentimental photographs, stage a certain scene, or infuse a vintage feel into your office space.

Words of Wisdom: “Some are collector’s items, others are more common, but these books all have interesting worn covers and beautiful text pages inside,” says Johanna. If she’s not using these for a photo shoot, books are always inspiring to open and read during a break.

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Many fellow employees (like me!) have fallen in love with the artful ambiance Johanna has cultivated. Within moments of stepping into her office space, the stresses of work seem to melt away and are replaced by a wonderful eclectic energy.

What interesting or inspiring materials do you surround yourself with at work? Comment below to help fellow creatives find their muse and reduce stress!

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About Johanna:

Favorite Food: Watermelon

Random Fact: She experiences déjà vu on a regular basis.

Favorite Quote: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama

DON’T MISS OUT: If you haven’t subscribed yet, simply click here to get our blog promos and projects delivered directly to your inbox.

“Savory and hearty, simple and sweet, or messy and gooey, these pages tell women’s stories through more than just words.”

Nearly drooling on myself, I skimmed the pages of Pie∙ography, which revealed life’s delicious captured moments of salacious treats. My taste buds salivating, I managed to gain some sense of composure as I began to read the stories behind each pie recipe. Not only do the pictures of pies look lovely, but the hands behind them hold amazing stories. Please join me in a sneak peak of the most ins-PIE-ring recipes that reflect the fascinating lifestyles of several special women.

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As I perused the pages of Pie∙ography, I found Anne Marie Klaske’s charming story and soul-satisfying recipe. Finding a balance between femininity and farm life, Anne dedicates her mouthwatering Chicken Potpie to her traditional roots. Drawing upon her country lifestyle, she uses rustic flavors to infuse her dishes. Everything she cooks is thoughtfully prepared from scratch, without uniformity or perfection.

“When Jo Packham contacted me early last year, to contribute to her book, it was more than just flattering, it was a chance to contribute to a book featuring my life intimately snuggled under pie crust all warm and satisfying to whoever wants to try it.”- Anne Klaske

After reading Anne’s story in Pie∙ography, I became enamored with her country charm and the way it reflects in the delicious food she creates. I was eager to indulge in the new March issue of Where Women Cook to learn even more about her farm, food and fashion life.

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Creative connoisseur and author of Pie∙ography, Jo Packham opens up her new book by sharing two tantalizing pie recipes with a twist on tradition. “Nothing about my life, or my pies, can be considered classical or conventional,” she explains. She approaches her pies the way she approaches people: “exclusively, distinctively and creatively,” which shows why her pies are made fresh in individual servings. Special attention is given to each petite pie to achieve that signature golden flaky crust – I think it would be a challenge to have just one!

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Don’t forget the dessert! Because I’m a fan of all things chocolate, this Dreamy Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe really caught my eye. Golden crust, rich chocolate chips, nutty pecans — how could one resist? Vickie Hutchins and Jo Ann Martin share this tempting treat (a tried and true recipe from their friend Doris) that combines sweet and nutty for one delicious delight.

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Whether you’re dreaming of satisfying your sweet tooth or getting a savory fix, these plethora of pie recipes will be sure to deliver. Hungry for more? Take a bite of life’s most successful recipes and order your brand new copy today at 10% off — it’s as easy as pie! Hurry, this is a one week only sale.

Do you have a creative cook for a friend? We invite you to share this post on their Facebook page! Click the “share” button below.

Author Jo Packham has been a successful entrepreneur and leading innovator in the handmade publishing market for more than 30 years. She currently has partnered with Stampington & Company to produce the best selling magazines: Where Women Create, Where Women Cook , and Where Women Create BUSINESS.