Calls and Challenges

Challenges

A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art! The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for this exciting publication. Chapters will include Skirts & Dresses, Pants & Tops, Jackets & Vests, Children’s Wear, Shoes, and Accessories. Please submit a “before” photo along with your altered creation to be considered for publication. Process photos and illustrations are also strongly encouraged.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Quarterly every September 15th, December 15th, March 15th, and June 15th.

Thrifty Ensembles
Got 20 bucks? Then you qualify for this challenge: Visit a thrift store and purchase a outfit for no more than $20. Take “before” photos of the outfit. Alter the outfit a la Altered Couture so that it transforms into an art-to-wear outfit. Write a brief description about the experience. Submit the photos, altered outfit, and description.
Deadline: Ongoing.

High Fashion
Feathers are for more than boas and hats; they can fly high in high fashion. Feel free to use feathers, or maybe even just the design of one, to alter or embellish your next creation. Peacock prints, feather jewelry, and flapper-inspired fascinators are trending right now, so glean inspiration and set out to really ruffle our feathers. Deadline: June 15, 2013

Boot Up
Annie de Jongh (page 40), Stephanie Moland (page 56), and Brenda Greenfield (page 136) all found fabulous ways to alter their boots. It can be quite an expensive hassle to buy a new pair of boots each winter, but the good thing is, you don’t have to! Take an old pair of boots or a pair that needs that little extra something, and alter away. Look to the articles in this issue for some stunning examples.
Deadline: September 15, 2013

From Work to Whenever
Kay Kemps’s “Altered for Hire” article (page 28) in this issue gave us a great idea. She upcycled a black business jacket and clutch to give her an extra edge at job interviews. After giving it some thought, we decided to challenge you to do the opposite. Take a business suit, jacket, shirt, skirt — whatever — and alter it into something that’s not only for the office. Whether you can see yourself wearing it to the park, out to dinner, or maybe even to the gym, we’d love to see you rework anything that screams, “work!”
Deadline: September 15, 2013

This 144-page publication is devoted to the beauty and artistry of the apron. Whether sewn, crocheted, knitted, felted, appliquéd, bedazzled or altered, tie one on for wearing in the country, the kitchen or in the art studio. Please adhere to the general submission guidelines making sure to label your apron or apron accessories, and including any exceptional stories or techniques in hard copy along with your submission.
Deadline: Ongoing.

Challenges

Song Characters
This great idea came from doll artist Kira O’Keefe who says, “There are thousands of characters from music that conjure up images that would make fantastic dolls. …From pop music: Madonna’s "Material Girl," theater: Dolly from “Hello Dolly,” country: Johnny Cash with “The Man in Black,” and there’s rock & roll, jazz, and more! So pick a musical genre, choose a character, and get busy! We just know you’ll come up with some amazing dolls based on song characters! Results will be published in our Winter 2014 issue.
Deadline: June 15, 2013

Circus-Themed Dolls
Artist Belinda Seymour suggested this theme and we definitely think it’s a great idea! After all, who doesn’t love a circus? There are so many ideas for creating an art doll when you think about the circus! This traveling company of performers offers so many doll options: clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, the ringmaster, musicians, the bearded lady, tightrope walker, jugglers, unicyclists and much more. Games of luck … cotton candy … what’s your interpretation of the circus? Toss your hat into the ring! Results will be published in our Spring 2014 issue.
Deadline: September 15, 2013

Mermaids
Another theme suggested by Belinda Seymour was Mermaids and we love it! What a better way to welcome in summer than with a plethora of beautiful mermaids? These lovely and mysterious aquatic creatures with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish have been depicted in opera, paintings, books, films, and comics. So why not dolls? There are a lot of folktales related to mermaids that would make for interesting research! We can’t wait to see your creative submissions. Results will be published in our Summer 2014 issue.
Deadline: December 15, 2013

Paper Personas
Inspired by Judith Thibaut's doll "George in Drag" (Spring 2010) and in the spirit of Lynne Perrella's book Beyond Paper Dolls, we've created a new department in Art Doll Quarterly that will feature one fabulous, artistic and beautifully executed paper doll in each issue. We're looking for expressive paper personas crafted with innovative techniques and art mediums -- over-the-top imaginative interpretations of the human form. Send us your thought-provoking and innovative paper personas for publication consideration. Please note "Paper Personas" on your submission.
Deadline: Ongoing.

In every semi-annual issue of Art Journaling, artists open their journals and share creative techniques for capturing their emotions. From stamping and collage art to painting and sketching, each journal is filled with innovative techniques and inspirational stories. If you have an art journal that you would like to share with our readers, we would love to hear from you.
Deadline for artwork to be received: every August 15th, November 15th, February 15th, and May 15th.

Art Quilting Studio will be returning this year, to honor and showcase the heart and soul of art quilting. It will hit newsstands June 1, but before that, we're looking for artwork! If you're an art quilter of any level, we invite you to send in your work for consideration for publication in the June issue of Art Quilting Studio. We have extended the art submission deadline to January 28, so you still have time to submit your work!
Deadline for artwork to be received: Semi-annually every January 15 and July 15.

Let Artful Blogging be your guide as you discover a world filled with visual delights from today's most inspirational artists, writers, and photographers. In their own words, read how blogging fits into the creative lives of artists and creative souls like yourself. Filled with full-color photography, illustration, mixed-media and assemblage, fabric and vintage artwork -- whether or not you have a blog of your own, you will find no richer landscape to spark your own creative fires.

Artful Blogging is a Stampington & Company's quarterly publication. If you are the creator of a blog or know of one that you think other creative minds would like to know about, please send a letter of interest to the Managing Editor, at artfulblogging@stampington.com.
Deadline for submissions to be received: Quarterly every September 15th, December 15th, March 15th & June 15th.
 

Challenges

Inspired by Travel
In the Summer 2013 Issue, Christina Molcillo shares a beautiful story of how she traveled to the Middle East and found herself as a designer. In her article, "Bohemian Bazaar & Moroccan Nights Clothing," she says, "The lands I saw, the people I met, and the endless shopping I did there were all experienced in the homelands of belly dance, the very culture I owe my roots as a designer to. This trip changed my life, and I returned to California a bit tanner, braver, and inspired." Of course we’re not asking you to travel to a different country for this challenge, but reference any kind of trip — whether its duration spans a month, week, weekend, or even a few hours — and use that memory to create.
Deadline for artwork to be received: September 2, 2013

Striking Silhouettes
Caroline Flach’s Honky Tonk dress in the Summer 2013 Issue certainly has a striking silhouette; it’s unlike anything we’ve recently seen. And Ren Cuming’s "Fairy Step" flats don’t follow the typical formula for shoes. Take a cue from these two innovators and make a garment or accessory with a unique or unusual shape.
Deadline for artwork to be received: September 2, 2013

The Tutu Challenge
Although tutus have been around forever, they certainly aren’t an item of the past. They’re fun, flirty, and the epitome of femininity. We’d like you to make something chic from this iconic garment. Make it fashion-forward and something you can wear day to day, out on the town, to a party — wherever. And you don’t have to only use tulle.
Deadline for artwork to be received: March 3, 2014

Two Heads are Better than One
I’ve heard several stories of friends collaborating on a project or clothing line only to produce beautiful results. You can even find a few in this issue, on pages 108 and 128. We want to see you create some kind of clothing or accessory with another artist. It could be someone you know or someone whose work you’ve admired - even throughout these pages. Don’t be shy, send out a few emails. Who knows, you might end up creating a wonderful friendship along with a wonderful garment.
Deadline for artwork to be received: March 3, 2014

Altered Couture
In this issue, Marci Ferguson and Wendy Firmim both created altered art wear from preexisting pieces. To appear in the reoccurring Altered Couture department, look through your old or outdated items, and think outside the box to turn them into more modern items you’d like to wear. Turn an old sweater into a purse, cut up a men’s shirt into chic button-down top, or whatever else you’d like.
Deadline: Ongoing.

If you’d like to share your inspiration and detailed how-to instruction for creating beautiful jewelry with readers, we want to hear from you. Belle Armoire Jewelry covers a broad range of mediums, from art clay to polymer clay to found object to fiber to wire to beads and much, much more. Whether you are a creator of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, pendants, rings or other jewelry, we welcome you to submit your artwork for consideration of publication.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Quarterly every October 15th, January 15th, April 15th, and July 15th.

Finding creative uses for old items is nothing new to artists, but the spirit of preserving the planet is more important than ever before and GreenCraft Magazine is here to honor and inspire those who find artistic applications for normally discarded resources. GreenCraft will provide ideas for repurposing trash to treasure by showcasing projects where waste is repurposed into ecologically chic creations. So … have you found a use for cardboard rolls left over from paper towels? Have you cut up an old T-shirt and knitted it into a purse? Have you taken a burned-out light bulb and made it into a beautiful flower vase? Have you transformed old board games into notebooks? Then we want to hear from you! Submit your recycled, reused and repurposed items to GreenCraft Magazine today!
Deadline for artwork to be received: Quarterly every March 15th, June 15th, September 15th, and December 15th.

What’s In Your Bag?
Welcome to this new department in Haute Handbags! We all know what we put in our bags: a wallet, a few pens, or maybe a journal or two. We’re asking you to share with us what you carry in your bag on a daily basis. Whether it’s your yarn and crochet hooks, a few pictures of your children, a sketchbook of your latest projects, or even your recent find at a thrift store, we want to see what treasures you hold in your bags.

Place your bag and items on a neutral or white background. Take a picture of your arrangement; follow these guidelines for taking and submitting the picture:. Please don’t use flash photography. Provide a list of all the items shown in the picture and a brief explanation of the items in your purse.
Deadline: Ongoing.
 

How do you carry it? That’s the question Somerset Studio would like to help answer through our new and exciting special publication titled Haute Handbags. Whether we use purses, clutches, totes, portfolios, sacks, bags, or attachés, there are many styles made with an astounding array of materials emerging from all corners of the creative world – all vying to be carried and used with style. You are welcome to construct a bag from scratch, or to purchase one that you embellish and alter with paints, beads, rubber stamps, ribbons, buttons, transparencies, and more. No medium or material is ruled out so use your imagination to make bags of leather, wool, fabric, paper, plastic, wood, glass, or any other materials that you love.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Semi-annually every November 15th, and May 15th.

For that added touch of glamour without the complexity, Jewelry Affaire is a new, semi-annual publication dedicated to the art of understated, yet extraordinary jewelry. You don't need to be a master craftsperson to make wearable art that makes a statement. The refashioning of a vintage piece into something new, embellishing a chain, the placing of a pendant, added beadwork; anything that exemplifies sophisticated chic on an easy to understand level can be submitted.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Quarterly every November 15th, February 15th, May 15th, and August 15th.

Challenges

Unique gatherings take center stage with our now- quarterly publication, Mingle! From unique theme ideas to unexpected exchanges to artistic retreats and adventures, Mingle will provide the alluring tales and extraordinary techniques of hosting exceptional gatherings with an artistic flair. For this publication, we are looking for photos and stories from unique gatherings, inventive invitations, party planning tips, table setting designs, and any other details from get-togethers with friends and fellow artists -- both large and small! Submissions can be emailed to the editor at mingle@stampington.com, or saved on a disc and sent to our physical mailing address. If selected, we will need hi-res versions of your photographs.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Quarterly every February 15th, May 15th, August 15th, and November 15th.

Starting in 2012 Prims will be released three times a year, every January, May, and September. Prims exclusively features art inspired by a bygone era. You will find artwork of primitive, folk, historic, and early Americana style artists that will captivate the imagination and enchant with their simple beauty. The traditional beauty of handcrafted art making includes dolls, paintings and mixed-media artwork, along with teddy bears in Stampington & Company's unique publication.
Deadline for artwork to be received: every April 15th, August 15th, and December 15th.

More than ever before, artists are discovering the joy of combining sewing with mixed-media projects, as artists recognize that stitches are not limited just to fabrics. Machine stitching can be added to almost anything including paper, transparencies, fabric, batting, canvas, foil, paper bags, kraft paper, and so much more. For those who choose to work with more durable materials like wood, metal and clay, stitches can also be added, but usually by hand. Whether you sew by hand or machine, we invite you submit your most innovative and imaginative art projects that incorporate sewing, for this brand new special publication. Sew Somerset will feature projects of the highest caliber that Somerset Studio is known for … projects that will surely take your breath away … projects that will look “So Somerset!” In this 144-page publication, you will find beautiful photographs, easy-to-understand techniques, and a bounty of tips, ideas and inspiration. Sew Somerset will help you learn how to add stitches of varied lengths, sizes, colors, and dimension into your next art project.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Semi-annually every July 15th and January 15th.

Somerset Digital Studio Digital artwork is HOT right now and we're super excited about this great publication that features all digital designs. Somerset Digital Studio focuses on all things digital -- scrapbook pages, ATCs, collages, cards, invitations, calendars, clothing, heritage pieces -- anything that is unique, distinctive, artistic and created digitally. In order to be considered for publication in Somerset Digital Studio, please send via e-mail the following for each submission: a high-res image (300 dpi, at least 6 x 6 inches), a brief paragraph describing the artwork (who's who in any photos or why you were inspired to create it), instructions on how you created your digital artwork including the specifics as to what tools, programs, etc. you used. Please include your name, e-mail and mailing address with every submission. E-mailed submissions should be directed to the managing editor, Jana Holstein, at somersetdigitalstudio@stampington.com. Please put "Somerset Digital Studio" in the subject line. Somerset Digital Studio is published semi-annually in March and September.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Every October 15th and April 15th.

Handcrafted Projects for Christmas, Halloween & Other Holidays
For most art and crafting enthusiasts, holidays are the best reasons to create handcrafted projects … either to keep and treasure in the home, or to give and share with friends and loved ones. But with so many holidays that seem to come around more quickly with the passing of each year, even the most creative minds need project ideas. Christmas cards, gift wrap papers, wreaths, advent calendars, Halloween trick-or-treat pails, papier mâché Valentine hearts, glittery paper hats for the New Year, patriotic paper fans for Independence Day, and Thanksgiving table decorations are just some project ideas that you might consider. Somerset Holidays is sure to become a holiday tradition in many homes, where ideas for creative celebrations abound. Please submit your most festive projects for the following categories to be considered for this beautiful 144-page publication.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Annually every April 15th.

You are cordially invited to submit artwork to be considered for this special publication showcasing handcrafted items to decorate the home. Somerset Home features items from every room in the home – from the bedroom, the kids’ room and the bathroom, to the kitchen and the living room. And don’t forget the backyard and the front porch! We are looking for a variety of items including but not limited to: embellished pillows, wall art, hooked rugs, altered lamp shades, quilts, table top items, aprons, embellished chandeliers, garlands for the mantle, decorations for the front door, slipcovers, and more! Pictures of artfully decorated or lived-in spaces are also most welcome in the highest resolution possible.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Annually every March 15th.

The Magic of Tin Cans
More and more, crafters are looking for ways to create with items they already have on hand. Recently, I’ve found myself collecting tin cans in hopes of turning them into some yarn storage in my craft room. That got me to thinking what you, our readers, would do with tin cans. Would you punch holes in them and turn them into decorative candleholders, or perhaps use them to serve up some fruit at your next party? The possibilities are truly limitless. We’d love to see what you can come up with for our Winter 2014 issue.
Deadline: August 15, 2013

Celebrations of Life: A Day of Love
There is just something about Valentine’s Day that can make you feel like a child again. It’s a day filled with bright red, hearts, candy, and love. Whether you celebrate the day with a spouse, a partner, your children, or your favorite gal pals, we want to see what you do to make it special.
Deadline: August 15, 2013

Inspired Ideas: A Trip to the Library
Tina Schiefer’s inspiration story about taking frequent trips to the library spoke to me because one of my favorite activities is grabbing my book bag and heading to our local one to see what’s on the shelves. It’s truly a treat, so we want to see what you to do make it special. Do you have a special bag you carry, or do you have a notebook filled with books you’ve been dying to read?
Deadline: August 15, 2013

The Magic of Muslin
Perhaps there is no fabric more adaptable to just about any project than muslin. It can be ripped, dyed, stitched, painted … and so much more. What makes it even better is how inexpensive it is! I keep a bolt of it in my craft room in case the need for it arrives, which is pretty often. We’re challenging you to pick up some of this great fabric and show us its potential. Our favorite projects will be published in the Spring 2014 issue.
Deadline: November 15, 2013

Celebrations of Life: Time for Tea
When I think of spring I think of tea. Many people choose to celebrate springtime events, especially Mother’s Day and bridal showers, by going for tea. Do you have a way of packaging your own tea in an artistic way? Or do you make your own tiered dishes to serve up cookies and finger sandwiches? You’re all invited to come for tea for our Spring 2014 issue.
Deadline: November 15, 2013

Inspired Ideas: The Gift Card That Keeps On Giving
We were absolutely charmed by Roben-Marie Smith’s clever gift card holders that were shown in the July issue. The clever pockets she made added a personal touch that will be appreciated by the recipients. Even better, long after the gift card is gone, the holder can still be used to hold credit cards or business cards. For our Spring 2014 issue, we’d love to see your take on a reusable gift card holder.
Deadline: November 15, 2013

Locales of Intrigue
This special department features stories about truly unique stores and boutiques across the globe. Stores that would like to be featured in this department are asked to submit digital images of the store with a brief written query to the Editor-in-Chief. If the submission is accepted, professional hi-resolution digital images (300 dpi at 8" x10") will need to be furnished by the store.
Deadline: Ongoing.

Life Creative Spaces
Where do you create? Whether it's a small table or breakfast nook, cleared-out closet, or an actual room dedicated as your creative studio, we want to peek inside. If you think your creative space is something that Somerset Life readers would like to learn more about, please submit digital images of your space with a brief written query to the Editor-in-Chief at someditor@somersetstudio.com. If the submission is accepted, you will be asked to furnish professional hi-resolution images (300 dpi at 8" x 10").
Deadline: Ongoing.

Mood Boards
Artists frequently create mood boards that contain scraps of paper or fabric or other assorted elements that they like to display on a wall or a large piece of cardboard or foam core. These boards provide a ground from which ideas for projects come alive. Aside from their functionality, mood boards can become incorporated as part of the décor. Please submit digital images of your mood boards with a brief written query to the Editor-in-Chief. If the submission is accepted, you will be asked to either furnish the actual mood board or to provide professional hi-resolution images (300 dpi at 8" x10").
Deadline: Ongoing.

Artful Kits
We all love to collect papers, ribbons, embellishments, and other bits and bobs. More fun than collecting specific elements is finding creative ways to juxtapose the pieces together to create unique kits. Whether you create them to give away or to sell or offer to students in a workshop setting, we'd like to see your favorite kits. Please send in kit samples directly to the Editor-in-Chief as outlined in the Submission Guidelines.
Deadline: Ongoing.

Miscellany
Sometimes, an image of something lovely is all we need to feel inspired. Have you taken a photo of something that makes you feel inspired? Perhaps it is a photo of your collection of vintage handkerchiefs. Or an old stack of books. Or your treasured stash of ribbons. Please submit your favorite digital images (5" x 7" @ 300 dpi) to be considered for Somerset Life's special Miscellany department to the Editor-in-Chief.

Seasonal: We also encourage general submissions centered around the seasons.

• Submissions for New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter and other winter-related celebrations need to arrive every August 15th.
• Submissions for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and other spring-related celebrations need to arrive every November 15th.
• Submissions for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and other autumn/winter-related celebrations need to arrive every June 1st.

Challenges

Think Outside The Book
A collection of memories doesn’t always have to be presented in a book. We absolutely love Caroline Rondel’s "Collections" featured on page 20 of our Spring 2012 issue. Her beautiful presentation of memorabilia and nature finds make this a charming and attractive way to capture her memories. For this challenge we want you to Think Outside the Book. How can you present an assortment of memories in a way that’s different and unique? We’re looking for collections of memories that are compiled “outside the book.” Maybe you can come up with a folder or box, a necklace, or something else distinctive that will wow us!
Deadline for artwork to be received: May 15th for October issue, November 15th for April issue.
A Submission Form must be attached to your artwork Click here to download Form

Strings Attached
Louise Nelson’s layout, “Up Up” featured on the cover of our Spring 2012 issue has some wonderful elements that immediately draw your eye to the page. The bright orange thread makes it appear that the little girl is being pulled up into the air by a beautiful butterfly. This got us thinking — what other kinds of things might be at the end of a thread or string? What would you attach? Would you add a pair of scissors and cut the apron strings between you and your college bound son? Would you be dreaming of riches and wealth and attach a string from you to a stack of money? We’re sure you can come up with some novel ideas, and we’d love to see what you can do!
Deadline for artwork to be received: May 15th for October issue, November 15th for April issue.
A Submission Form must be attached to your artwork Click here to download Form

Gifts From The Heart
Have you created an amazing piece of memory art for your best friend? Or maybe a sweet keepsake for your new niece or a special heritage Christmas ornament for Uncle Max? We're looking for new ideas and artistic offerings that translate into beautiful memories as handcrafted gifts for friends and family. Please send us your mixed-media special gifts from the heart for publication consideration. For information on submitting your artwork, please see the Submission Guidelines, and be sure to note clearly "Somerset Memories Gifts from the Heart" in your submission.
Deadline for artwork to be received: May 15th for October issue, November 15th for April issue.

Artful Journals
Journaling has always been a fabulous way to chronicle your feelings, your everyday musings, and your hopes and dreams. Here at Somerset Memories we think that journaling in an artful way can become a fabulous kind of memory art to cherish for years to come. Perhaps you've made pages in your journal that focus on the birth of your daughter, the graduation of your son, your feelings on being chosen for teaching a workshop, or a difficult time you went through. We're looking for artistically created art journals that are destined to become keepsakes. For information on submitting your artwork, please see the Submission Guidelines, and be sure to note clearly "Somerset Memories Artful Journals" in your submission.
Deadline for artwork to be received: May 15th for October issue, November 15th for April issue.

Memories in Moments
Share a heritage/memory art project that can be completed in 20 minutes or less! In the increasing rush and complexity of everyday life, not everyone has time to spend hours upon hours creating beautiful art (though we’d all love to in a perfect world). However, we know that beautiful heritage/memory art can be created in a few precious moments, and we’d love to gather your innovative ideas and inspire readers to preserve their precious memories in those little pockets of time (20 minutes or less) as they arise. For information on submitting your artwork, please see the Submission Guidelines, and be sure to note clearly “Memories in Moments” in your submission.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Ongoing.

Go Digital
If you have created computer-generated scrapbook pages, simply e-mail low resolution scans (72 dpi) of your pages to us at: memoriessubmissions@stampington.com. If we choose your page, we'll contact you via e-mail for the high-resolution image.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Ongoing.

Show Your True Self – Tattoos and All
Scrapbook pages often depict seemingly perfect people – adorable infants, angelic children who never throw a tantrum, and dreamy, air-brushed self-portraits. Then there’s the heartwarming journaling recounting baby’s first tooth, a first day of school, a wedding. While it’s important to preserve such happy moments, it’s also the dark and difficult days, the somber thoughts and serious reflection that can make for compelling pages. We invite you to create your own scrapbook pages that look at life honestly, that are unafraid to share the negative feelings as well as the positive ones, and that offer a self-portrait that’s true to oneself and one’s view of reality rather than an idealized picture. There’s no formula, no single style, no one way to create these pages. We’ll publish as many of your pages as we can in upcoming issues.
Deadline for artwork to be received: Ongoing.

Click here to download and print the Somerset Memories Submissions Form!
 

A Celebration of Winter
There is so much to celebrate during the winter months: Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s are just a few. Holidays aside, winter can be so beautiful that even the most common of days can be worth celebrating.

In past years, we’ve narrowed in on the holidays of the season, asking you to create handmade gifts and holiday-related artwork. This year, however, we’d like to celebrate winter in its entirety. Whatever inspires you about winter is fair game. Perhaps the glisten of a new layer of snow speaks to you, or maybe the roaring of a fire fills you with the urge to create. No matter what it is, we want to see it for our November/December 2013 issue.
Deadline: June 15, 2013

Bordeaux
There is just something so rich and stunning about this darker shade of red that has us going crazy over it. We’re not the only ones, as this shade has been all the rage in the fashion world lately, though there is has been dubbed "oxblood."

Deep red. Dark red. Oxblood. Bordeaux. Call it what you will; we just want to see more of it! For our annual color challenge, we’re asking you to add Bordeaux to your palette. Use it as the main color in a collage or use pops of it in a stamped card. Our favorites will be published in our January/February 2014 issue.
Deadline: August 15, 2013

Le Cirque
It’s hard not to get swept away by the romance of the circus. We’re not talking about the loud, modern-day circus; we’re talking about the circuses of long ago. It was a time when illusionists and over-the-top costumes took center stage.

We must not be the only people who are finding themselves captivated by the circus lately. Books like “The Night Circus” and “Water for Elephants” have caught a lot of attention, and craft companies are creating more circus-inspired products than ever before. For the March/April 2014 issue of Somerset Studio, we want to see artwork inspired by the circus.
Deadline: We must receive your artwork by October 15, 2013

Cards
Thank you to all artists who continue to submit dimensional works for Somerset Studio. Please also note that we have an on-going need for cards and other smaller flat works of art. This is an on-going call for each theme as outlined above.
Deadline: Ongoing.

This is an annual publication that publishes stepped-out projects. If you have a technique that you think could lead a Somerset Workshop, please send a letter of interest to the Editor-in-Chief outlining your ideas.
Deadline: Ongoing.

Be a part of the fastest growing movement in the crafting word: the softie movement. Published twice a year, Stuffed is 144 pages of fun and whimsical soft dolls, accompanied by technique articles and a large gallery section. Felt monsters, crocheted food, fabric pirates...we're looking for softies that show the heart and soul of plush art while demonstrating artistic touches.
Deadline for artwork to be received: July 15th for the February issue and March 15th for the August issue.

We are looking for quick and easy stamped cards for this best-selling magazine. Send us your “ten minutes or less” artwork in any style, theme or color and we’ll send you a free issue if your artwork is published. (Due to the volume of submissions, artwork submitted to Take Ten will not be returned.)
Deadline: Ongoing.

Quick & Easy Gifts
Here at Take Ten, we are always on the lookout for quick and easy stamping techniques -- but that’s not limited to cards! We’d love to see what you can create when you go beyond cards. Pick up your stamps, give yourself 10 minutes, and see what interesting stamped projects you can come up with. From tags and boxes to frames and gift bags, we want to see it all! Send us your best for a chance to be published in an upcoming issue of this quarterly publication.
Deadline: Ongoing.

Click here to download and print our Submissions Form!

Challenges

Mail Art
We often receive artwork at Stampington & Company that packs an extra creative punch, in the form of embellished and artistic packaging. These packages and envelopes — artwork in and of themselves — are always put aside and treasured and, when we are able to do so, they are published in our magazines. For this challenge, we’d love to see the many ways in which you would dress up a plain envelope or box. Whether you add colorful ink, perfectly placed stamping, or even patterned papers and other embellishments, we want to see your best mail art for possible inclusion in our Autumn 2013 issue.
Deadline: August 15, 2013

Stitched Hearts
The season of love is upon us again … or maybe it never left! For this year’s Valentine’s-themed challenge, we want you to have a little fun with one of our favorite trends — stitching! Whether you use thread and a sewing machine, or doodle with your favorite fine-tipped marker, we want to see the many ways in which you can stitch some hearts! We want you to really stretch your creative muscle for this challenge, and use every tool you can think of in your crafty toolbox — just remember to include stamping! Send us your most inspired pieces for possible inclusion in our Winter 2014 issue.
Deadline: August 15, 2013

Themeless Artwork
As part of our shift to quarterly and the new and larger size of The Stampers’ Sampler, we would love to make our Feeling Themeless a recurring department! So, create to your heart’s content, free of any restraints, and remember to share the results with us.
Deadline: Ongoing

A Call for Articles
We are always looking for new and innovative stamping articles. If you’re interested in submitting an idea for an upcoming issue of The Stampers’ Sampler, we would love to see it. Just send us 5–10 cards that demonstrate the same theme, a new stamping technique, a unique usage of an unexpected or interesting material, or an exciting project. Just make sure it has stamping on it!
Deadline: Ongoing

Click here to download and print our Submissions Form!