The Stampsmith Challenge: 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Anniversary Winner - And Announcement

Hi everyone,

October 1, 2013 marks our three year anniversary! Can you believe that it was back on October 1, 2010 when we posted our first challenge? We have seen the most beautiful entries over the years and we would like to thank our faithful players who have amazed us again and again!

We're going to take a little break from the monthly challenges for a while, but we'd love to see what you're creating, so we're going to leave a linky open for you to share your Stampsmith creations (no theme - anything goes!). You never know when the rubber fairy might stop by with something to give away!! ;)

Thank you to everyone who linked up projects in September; your work is as fabulous as ever! Congratulations to Hellerlittle who has been drawn as our anniversary winner of a $21 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store! Please contact Valerie for all of the details (her link is in the sidebar). Below is a close up of Hellerlittle's beautiful project.

You can visit the Stampsmith Design Team Blog for even more Stampsmith inspiration! This fall, we have the amazing Maria Green visiting as a Guest Designer... do drop by and send her some love!

Again, thank you everyone!
We look forward to hosting more challenges in the future.
Kind regards,
The Stampsmith Designers

Project by Hellerlittle

Open-Ended Linky: Anything Goes!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

TSC46:Inspired By A Song - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

This month, Stampsmith is very excited to welcome another fabulous guest designer, Maria Green (aka Maz)! Be on the lookout for more of Maria's beautiful work on the Stampsmith Designer's Blog as she joins our designers during September, October and November.

This month marks a milestone for the Stampsmith Challenge. It was back on October 1, 2010 when we posted our first challenge, so the end of this month's challenge will be our 3 year anniversary. The Stampsmith designers have enjoyed seeing your brilliant creations each and every challenge! We appreciate all of our faithful followers and thank everyone who has supported the challenge over the years. To round us out to exactly 3 years, we are going to make this the last monthly challenge before The Stampsmith Challenge changes gears and takes a break for a while. (More details Oct.1!)

For this special challenge, Maria has asked us to use a song as our inspiration - your project doesn't have to represent the song, just be inspired by it! We can't wait to see what you create! Be sure to play along for your chance to win $21 toward your choice of Stampsmith stamps!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

TSC45:World Traveller - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

Ladies, your Vintage projects for July were just fabulous! We love how you all approached this theme from different angles - outstanding work!! We thought it would be fun to highlight one stamp used two different ways this month! Ladies, if you would like our special 'featured' badge for your blog, please contact Valerie (her link is in the sidebar).

Craft Room Julia

Rita

Congratulations to Katie K. who has been drawn as this month's winner of a $21 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store! Please contact Valerie for all of the details (her link is in the sidebar). As it happens, Katie also used Ophelia this month, so this makes one stamp used three ways!

Katie K.

And now for Challenge #45:
World Traveller - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

This month's challenge theme is World Traveller. Whether it's a spontaneous vacation abroad or a well-planned world tour, travel is always an adventure! We hope you'll use one of your best travel stories as inspiration for this month's project and join the Stampsmith Challenge for a chance to win $21 towards your favourite Stampsmith stamps!

Julie Mutch

Here is some travel inspiration from our design team to get you started! And a little reminder to visit the Designer's Blog for more of the design team's beautiful work as well as gorgeous inspiration from our fabulous guest designer, Paula Tidman.

Karen McAlpine

Valerie Wilson

Monday, July 1, 2013

TSC44:Shabby Chic or Vintage Grunge - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

A special thank you to the gorgeous gals who altered a box, bag or book for the June challenge and congratulations to Barbara Washington who has been drawn as this month's winner of a $21 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store! Please contact Valerie for all of the details (her link is in the sidebar).

And now for Challenge #44:
Shabby Chic or Vintage Grunge - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

Shabby Chic or Vintage Grunge is the July challenge theme selected by our fabulous guest designer, Paula Tidman. Both very popular styles and perfect for showcasing your Stampsmith favourites. We'd love you to play along and share your projects with us this month. So choose your preferred style `Shabby or Grunge' and join the Stampsmith Challenge with a chance to win $21 of gorgeous stamps of your choice from The Stampsmith.

Here is some stunning inspriation from our special guest and the Stampsmith design team!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

TSC43:Altered Boxes, Bags and Books - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

Thank you to everyone who played along with our very first Tic Tac Toe challenge theme in May. We were thrilled to see your work and welcome some new players! Here are just a couple of the stunning highlights. Ladies, if you would like our special 'featured' badge for your blog, please contact Valerie (her link is in the sidebar).

Toni

Kati

Congratulations to Sue at Stamping Sue's Blog who has been drawn as this month's winner of a $21 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store! Please contact Valerie for all of the details (her link is in the sidebar). Here's Sue's project for a closer look!

Sue

And now for Challenge #43:

Altered Boxes, Bags and Books - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

This month's theme was selected by none other than our very first guest artist, Paula Tidman! (Be on the lookout for Paula's beautiful work on the Stampsmith Designer's Blog during June, July and August!) Paula would like to see us altering boxes, bags and books to give them a second lease on life with a creative twist! We hope you'll invite a friend or two to play along for your chance to win $21 toward your choice of Stampsmith stamps!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

TSC42: Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp - Plus An Announcement

We have thoroughly enjoyed your black and white projects with a splash of color! Here is a closer look at just a couple of your gorgeous projects! Ladies, if you would like our special 'featured' badge for your blog, please contact Valerie (her link is in the sidebar).

Rosie

Barbara Washington

Congratulations to Darlene at Dar's Blog who has been drawn as this month's winner of a $21 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store! Please contact Valerie for all of the details (her link is in the sidebar).

Darlene

And now for Challenge #42:
Tic Tac Toe - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp - Plus an Announcement!!

In March, we asked for challenge theme suggestions and you sure came through!! This month we feature our first Tic Tac Toe challenge as suggested by Alison! Thank you, Alison! To play along, just choose any straight line across our Tic Tac Toe board, below. Then create your project using the three items along your straight line! We hope you'll invite a friend or two to play along for your chance to win $21 toward your choice of Stampsmith stamps!

And before we reveal our Design Team inspiration for this project, we would like to congratulate Paula Tidman (aka Ephemera) on being selected as our very first Guest Designer! Paula will be sharing her gorgeous projects with us throughout June, July and August! We know you will be as inspired by her work as we are!

Speaking of inspiration.... the design team has shared some wonderful projects to get you started with this month's Tic Tac Toe challenge!

Monday, April 1, 2013

TSC41:Black, White and A Splash Of Color - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

Thank you to everyone who submitted projects and theme ideas to this month's end of winter challenge! Since we have just a few delicious entries for our Spring theme, we are able to highlight one brilliant aspect of each wonderful project! Ladies, if you would like our special 'featured' badge for your blog, please contact Valerie (her link is in the sidebar).

The layering of paper, stamp, doily, image and beautiful flowers creates a real depth of interest.

Criss-crossing sheer ribbon adds a unique backdrop for the gorgeous rolled flowers.

Watercolor pencils add cheerful colors to the darling photo-realistic stamped image.

A tied roll of paper adds an unexpected dimension and drama to this dreamy decor.

Congratulations to Marilyn at Crafts And Beyond who has been drawn as this month's winner of a $21 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store! Please contact Valerie for all of the details (her link is in the sidebar).

Thank you to Alison who left a theme suggestion for a Tic Tack Toe Challenge. Great idea - we've never done one here before! Please contact Valerie with your snail mail address so she can send you a wee bit-o-love (her link is in the sidebar).

And now for Challenge #41:
Black, White and A Splash Of Color - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

Barbara Washington made the first theme suggestion of Black and White with a Splash of Color in the comments last month, so we ran with it! Thank you, Barbara! :) We hope you'll invite a friend and play along for your chance to win $21 toward your choice of Stampsmith stamps!

Our fabulous designers have been splashing each other with color already! LOL! Here are their wonderful creations for inspiration to get you started this month!

Friday, March 1, 2013

TSC40:Spring Flowers and Colors - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

We can't get over the beautiful creations inspired by our February photo! You've proven - yet again - that your creativity knows no bounds! Here is a closer look at just a couple of your gorgeous projects! Ladies, if you would like our special 'featured' badge for your blog, please contact Valerie (her link is in the sidebar).

Marilyn M.

Maria

Congratulations to Julia at Craft Room Stamper who has been drawn as this month's winner of a $21 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store! Please contact Valerie for all of the details (her link is in the sidebar).

Julia

And now for Challenge #40:
Spring Flowers and Colors - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp ... Plus a Bonus!!

Maybe we're rushing it, but we see signs of Spring all around and we want to celebrate - NOW! This month we challenge you to use Spring flowers and colors as your inspiration. Of course that's just a starting point - let's see where it leads you! We hope you'll invite a friend and play along for your chance to win $21 toward your choice of Stampsmith stamps!

We would also like to hear about your favorite types of challenges (color, shape, photo, sketch, theme, etc.) and your specific theme suggestions for upcoming months. Every comment giving us feedback will earn an entry in our draw for a little mystery gift from Valerie!!

The designers have been busy celebrating Spring behind the scenes and we finally get to share their gorgeous creations with you! Are there signs of Spring in your yard?? :)