Stampalot challenge

Clare

Francesca

Lynne

Pinky

Ruth

Sally

Happy Crafting everyone and look forward to visiting you to see your lovely creations..............................

December winners

2011-12-31T08:00:00.001Z

Good Morning peeps, I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and managed not to over indulge......as if.........I convince myself that it only comes round once a year so why not.

Time for some winners to our December challenge and what a great month it was, as always some wonderful entries and the DT's selection task was difficult, but it's been narrowed down to a final four and as you will see we have gone well and truly international with both our winner and Top 3.

So here we go and first of all the lovely creation from our winner who gets all those fabby goodies from Sir Stampalot................................

Cinzia from Roma

Such a delicate image complimented by soft colours

Ciao e omplimenti Cinzia, si prega di mail con il vostro indirizzo postale completo brenda@ibas.co.uk

And now our Top 3, congratulations to you all, please grab our Top 3 banner to wear on your sidebar with pride.

Lorraine from Malta

The lovely traditional colours always please

Kristi from the USA

A perfect combination of Vintage with modern embellies

Kerry from Australia

Such a clever idea of stamping and paper peicing

Our thanks to each and every one of you who have joined us during the year, without you our challenge would not be the success it is and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2012.

From all the Stampy gang, we wish you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and crafty New Year.

Mega bargains to be had in our Sale

2011-12-22T08:00:00.046Z

So, is everybody ready for Christmas ? I do hope so and from us all here at Sir Stampalot Challenge and the guys in store, we wish you all..........................

A Very Happy Christmas and Wonderful Crafty New Year

As we all know, this time of year also hails the start of the annual sales, so I am sure you will want to know about the one at Sir Stampalot which kicks off tomorrow 23rd December with the in store 12 hour "stocking filler frenzy" sale which runs from 8am through 8pm...................there will be mega bargains to check out.

The Sir Stampalot shop will then be closed for Christmas from 8pm Friday 23rd December, but The Online Sale will start on the 24th Dec and will carry on well into January but don't hang around, it'll be first come first served !!

Online orders can be placed 24/7 as always, but please note that although the shop isn't open until 7th January, we may be still processing internet orders periodically, however, the telephones and email may not be manned during this time.

The shop will be re-opening for our New Year Sales at 10am on Saturday 7th January. Late night opening until 8pm on Tuesday 10th, Thursday 12th Jan, Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th Jan. Also open all day Sunday 15th January. Finishes Saturday 21st Jan at 4pm

I hope Santa brings you all those crafty goodies on your lists and we look forward to seeing what you do with them when our new challenge kicks off on 1st January 2012, but don't forget meanwhile there is still plenty of time to join in this months Bingo challenge.

December Challenge

2011-12-04T08:00:00.074Z

Happy Sunday everyone, time for a new challenge and we are inviting you to play Bingo.

I am sure lots of you will be familiar with the theme, but just in case all you need to do is select one line (any direction) from the grid below and use those items on your creation and tell us in your post which line you have followed.

And is this a prize or what, I was totally blown away with this fabulous collection from the lovely Stampalot guys, just feast your eyes....................

2 glimmer mists, 2 sets of glitter pee wees, Glimmer glass by tattered angels, Kaisercraft tags, Iridescent ribbons, Stickers, Kaisercraft wooden designs, Kaisercraft brads, Hero Arts self-adhesive gems, Metal tacks, Embossing powder, Junkitz Flat Pinz, Junkitz metal frames, Eyelets, Lasting Impressions Buttons, Little baggies, Heart Crystal, Making Memories big box of buttons and matching flowers, Keepsake Kit of co-ordinating papers, felt pieces, ribbons and other goodies

This months challenge will close at midnight GMT on 27th December.

On to some inspiration and we are delighted to welcome Suzanne as our Guest Designer this month with a stunning creation.............

(flowers, buttons, stickles)

(pearls, flowers, punch)

Clare
(pearls, flowers punch)

(brads, flower, ribbon)

Francesca
(flowers, brads, ribbon)

Lynne
(punch, tags, ribbon)

Pinky
(lace, flowers, tag)

Ruth
(punch, flowers, pearls)

Sally
(ribbon, stickles, pearls)

Tracy
(brads, flowers, ribbon)

Have a lovely Christmas everyone and here's hoping Santa is generous with all those crafty 'needs' on your lists.

November winners

2011-12-03T08:00:00.037Z

It's time to announce our winners for November !!

Another great month with you all wowing us with your super talents and so many beautiful creation, so without further ado I will launch straight into it....................

Overall winner who will receive the great package of goodies from Sir Stampaot is:

Lai-Yoke

Please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal addy.

And our Top 3 who can all grab out special logo to wear on their sidebars are:

Jodi

Julie

Helen

Congratulations to you all, I will be back tomorrow with our December challenge, so do pop back to check out the theme and meanwhile have a good weekend.

Freebies and carousels back in stock

2011-12-01T20:00:00.042Z

Evening peeps, just a quick post to let you know what's on offer for this weeks 'Freebie Friday' at Sir Stampalot and also that the awaited delivery of the super carousels have landed in the shop, here's the direct link. I was a lucky girl and got one from the first delivery in the Summer and I just love it, you can see in situ here and I can't tell you how useful it is.

LAU08

LAU09

Either of the above stamps can be yours free with all orders value £35 or more (before postage) placed between midnight tonight and midnight tomorrow, just put the code of the stamp you would like into the comment section of your order.

And there are loads more items being added to the 'Specials' section of the web site, lots of sizzix dies and Tim Holtz embossing folders as well as loads more.

November Challenge

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000Z

A very Good Morning to you all and welcome to a new challenge and this month we would like to see:

Blue and Green

You project can be anything you like so long as we can see these two colours predominant of your work. Please don't forget to check out our rules at the top and especially the reminder about how many challenges you can combine to be eligible for the prize on offer.

This months challenge will close at midnight GMT on 30th November.

Of course there is another fabby prize on offer from Sir Stampalot.........................as you can see we are keeping it a bit of a surprise this month.............well for a few days yet anyhow, but what is for sure it's going to be another great prize.

So on to some inspirations and first up this months Guest Designer Brenda with this gorgeous creation:

Ruth

Tim Holts giveaways, special offers and challenge prize

2011-11-04T18:00:00.000Z

Good evening one and all, I've got a picture of this months prize for you now........the one that was hidden in a blue parcel on the challenge post. As you can see it's full of yummy stuff from Sir Stampalot, DP's, Penny Black and Stamps Happen stamps, not to mention lots of other goodies....................and can you see, it's got some of the Limited Edition Tim Holtz distress inks which I really, really want. Each time I try to nab a set they are sold out.

If you are after a bargain you really must pop over the the Specials section of the web site which has just been updated with loads of new stuff, so go pick up a bargain.

And as it's Thursday, it mean Freebie Friday starts at midnight and runs through to midnight tomorrow and my are the give aways fabby or what, here they are....................

Tim Holtz Texture Fades 4PK - Pattern and Stitches Set:

Tim Holt Textured Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Fancy Floral Frames:

So long as your order is values £35 or more (before postage) will be able to grab this weeks freebie offer, just add your choice to the comment section of your order. To be in the know each week and ahead of the game getting your freebie just add your name here.

October winners

2011-11-04T07:16:00.005Z

Good Morning peeps, it's time for some winners from our October Challenge, a bit later than normal, but trying to fit in with our new regime of starting challenges on the first Sunday of the month..........yep, that means there will be a new challenge for you this Sunday, 6th November.

Before I launch into the winners, a reminder that it's Sir Stampalot's Freebie Friday again which runs through until midnight tonight. Everyone placing an Internet order value £35.00 or more (excluding postage) will be able to choose a free stamp set by The Girls Paperie, you can check out option one here and option two here.

As always some really lovely entries and the DT had a really difficult task choosing their favourites, but I am pleased to say we have a clear winner of that fabby collection of goodies from Sir Stampalot who is.............

Fliss

I love how this captures the real feel of Autumn

Fliss, please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk so I can sort out your prize.

And our Top 3.....................and you three luck peeps will be the very first ones to be able to grab our brand new logo (on the sidebar) and display on your blog....................

Kathrin

A perfect colour combination

Beth

They look good enough to eat

Lai-Yoke

So delicate and feminine

Congratulations to you all, don't forget to pop back Sunday for our new challenge.

What a fabulous Free Prize Draw

2011-10-27T19:18:00.011+01:00

Hi all, I just had to share with this you....................feast you eyes on this little lot, what a fabby collection.

And what's more YOU could win it in a FREE PRIZE DRAW this Saturday at Sir Stampalot...............those who saw my post last week will remember I told you all about the Fourth Ultimate Rubber Stamping Day taking place from 10am through 4pm at Peterborough.

Heres' what's included:

Slice Elite cordless electronic design cutter

Digital Camera

Hero stamp sets

Christmas Punches

Embossing Powders

Chalk set

Brush Markers

Christmas Stickers

Christmas 6x6 paper pad

Co-ordinating chipboard letters, brads and rub-ons

Molly Blooms stamps

Latest Magnolia Magazine

12x12 MME dotty paper pad

8x8 transparencies

Clear stamp sets

Bazzill A4 card pack

Pearl Card

12x12 puzzle chipboard

12x12 Birthday paper pad

Gem Crafter Kit

Metallic Stickles

Sizzix embossing folders

Who wouldn't want to have a go at winning that prize................boo hoo, shame I won't be eligible, but at least I will get to have a fun days with all the other girls.

There will be lots of demos going on, loads of inspiration and free nibbles and refreshments so I really hope you can pop along.........and don't forget your camera. It's the one day of the year my hubby crafts.........well at least he sorts out the refreshments and thoroughly enjoys chatting to all the ladies and their other halves of course.

And don't forget Freebie Friday starts at Midnight tonight, there will be another free giveaway to everyone placing an on line order of £35 or more (before postage) between midnight GMT tonight Thursday 27th October and midnight tomorrow.

October challenge

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone, welcome to our October Challenge.

We are thinking food this month with the theme "Food Glorious Food'. As always you can choose to make anything you like providing there is a connection to food to be seen somewhere on your work.

I need to give you a date for your diary.........October 29th sees the Fourth Ultimate Rubber Stamping Day at Sir Stampalot, if you have never been you don't know what you are missing. Lots of very talented crafters demoing simultaneously all day long, with loads of different styles to get your creative juices flowing. There's free refreshments and snacks available all day, offers of the day and plenty to keep you occupied..............and most importantly, don't forget your camera.

Also, all you Molly Blooms fans can find the new Christmas stamps in the what's new section here, as well as all the new goodies as they arrive at the shop...........that sections a bit addictive and I find myself checking it almost daily, each time with wide eyes and a notepad.

This months lucky winner is in for a real treat with his months fabby prize from Sir Stampalot, just feast your eyes on this little lot..........................

Lots of inspiration from our fabulous Design Team and as you will know from our winners post yesterday, we have a new Design Team member to announce.......................please join me in welcoming Ruth to the team. I am so pleased that she agreed to join us and know she will add another great creative angle to my oh so talented team of girls.

So here's the inspiration from the DT and what a fabulously varied take on the theme.............and Andy...............I've been told to let you know there will be a freshly baked cupcake with your name atop on 29th October.

Ruth

The Ultimate Rubber Stamping Day..........

2011-10-20T18:41:00.017+01:00

............and Freebie Friday again tomorrow, wow the weeks roll round and this week there's some real cuties up for grabs, La La Land Marcia stamps worth £9.20 each, scroll down to check out what you need to do to grab yours.

At the risk of becoming a total bore as I am sure I've mentioned this before, but the 4th Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day is taking place on 29th October at Sir Stampalot in Peterborough........just check out all the details above. It really is an event not to be missed, it's always such fun and I am sooooooooooo looking forward to it and it will be lovely to see lots of your friendly faces..............and have a good old chow.........as well as fitting in a bit of work of course or could that perhaps be brayering ?

There's going to be a fabulous Free Prize Draw full of craftiness...............I will post a picture up as soon as it's ready so you can see just how fab it it is.

Sweetheart Marcia

Darling Marcia

You can choose either one free with on line orders value £35.00 (before postage) placed between midnight GMT tonight and midnight GMT tomorrow night 21st October. When you place your order all you need to do is add the name of your choice to the comment section..............don't add to your order or you will be charged................and as it's FREE, that's the last thing you want to do.

There is a different Freebie every week, if you sign up for the online newsletter Smudges you will be one of the first to know each weeks what's on offer.

OK, that's about it other than to remind you there is still plenty of time to enter this months challenge here and be in with a chance of winning that fabulous array of craft goodies...........the theme is "Food Glorious Food".

A few changes

2011-10-20T08:00:00.002+01:00

Good Morning peeps, I'm popping in mid month to give you a heads up about a change to our challenge.

As from November the starting date of challenges will be the first Sunday of the month which means that most months, our challenge will run until the end of the month................unless the first Sunday falls on the first of the month...............but rather than complicate things here I will be putting a list of exact dates on the sidebar to make life easier for us all.

Apart from that everything remains the same, fun themes, great prizes from Sir Stampalot, our monthly Top 3 and of course inspiration from the Design Team.

This months challenge will run until midnight GMT on 31st October and the next challenge will start on Sunday 6th November.

It's Freebie Friday tomorrow

2011-10-13T18:08:00.017+01:00

Good evening everyone, just popping in to show you what's on offer at this weeks Freebie Friday at Sir Stampalot.....................it's right up your street if you are a Tilda fan and from visiting all your fabulous entries to our challenge, I know lots of you are.

Dancing Queen Tilda (code 9964)

Astronaut Tilda (code 9957)

You can choose either one free with on line orders value £35.00 (before postage) placed between midnight GMT tonight and midnight GMT tomorrow night 14th August. When you place your order all you need to do is add the name and code of your choice to the comment section..............don't add to your order or you will be charged................and as it's FREE, you don't want to do that !

There is a different Freebie every week, if you sign up for the online newsletter Smudges you will be one of the first to know each weeks what's on offer.

And don't forget there is still plenty of time to enter this months challenge here and be in with a chance of winning that fabulous array of craft goodies...........the theme is "Food Glorious Food".

September winners

2011-09-30T08:00:00.011+01:00

Good Morning to you all, here in the UK we are enjoying a lovely Indian Summer and I really hope the weather has been as kind to those of you further afield.

Before I talk about this months winners, I have to tell you that my mate Chris has decided to step down from the DT. Myself and all the DT are sad to see her go and will miss her inspirational artwork, but totally understand her when she says she feels she needs a little rest from crafting and blogland. So that means we have a new DT..............who I will announce tomorrow.

During September you wowed us with some beautiful pieces of work but as you will know from the post on 10th September, there did seem to be some confusion as to what some of you considered to be a frame. But we didn't want to miss anyone out from the fun, so in line with that post the prizes will be as follows:

The winner selected by the Design team from the entries using an actual frame in line with the challenge theme, who will receive the fabulous collection of craft goodies from Sir Stampalot is.............

Suzanne

And here are our September Top 3, well done to all of you, please pick up out special logo and wear it with pride on your sidebars are.............................

Fusiafcrapping

Esther

And the winner selected by Random Org., from those entries using matting and layering on their work rather than a frame who will receive a rubber stamp is.........................

Levana

Congratulations to you all, I will see you again tomorrow with our new challenge.

September theme

2011-09-10T09:44:00.011+01:00

Hello everyone, we thought this months challenge was a nice easy one, but it seems clear from some of your entries that some peeps are really struggling with what is a frame and what is not a frame, or otherwise not reading the challenge post properly !!

A frame is according to the Cambridge dictionary............"a frame into which a picture fits", just what we thought as well.

So this is what has been decided, in fairness to entrants who already have or do make real efforts to create a proper frame in line with the theme, they will be the people whose work will form the basis of entries considered for the prize shown on the challenge post. All other entrants who have already or wish to use nesties/dies as the base matting for their image as opposed creating or using a frame, will be put into the hat for a smaller token gesture prize.

We hope this way nobody will be prevented from entering and you can all join in the challenge fun.

Special Note: for this one month only, anyone who has already entered but not used a frame, may enter a second card providing their second entry has a proper frame in line with the theme. In this instance their second entry only will be eligible for a prize and that will be the one shown on the challenge blog.

September challenge

2011-09-01T08:00:00.027+01:00

Good Morning everyone and welcome to our September Challenge here at Stampalot.

This month we are getting into the frame with the theme...................

"It's a Frame Up"

Your entry can be anything you choose providing you frame something on your project. It can be a frame made from nesties for example as some of the DT have done, or a ready made frame, but to be absolutely clear, matted nestie shapes with an image stamped on top will not be considered to be a frame. .......that means either the image or sentiment must be set within an actual frame. We want to be able to say 'What a great frame !'

Our wonderful sponsors Sir Stampalot have put together a fabulous collection of crafting goodies for this months prize. There have been so many new products hit the shop this month that you will want to check out the Whats New section so as not to miss out on those must have items.

Oh, and watch out for a new weekly feature that Sir Stampalot are promoting. It’ll be called ‘Freebie Friday’ and it’ll be sent to you via their email newsletter so if you haven’t already signed up, you’ll need to sign up here or or use the “stay intouch… sign up to smudges” icon on the home page of their website (left hand column) here.

So on to some inspiration............................

Our Guest Designer this month is Sylvia Anne who has created this stunning card for us

Chris

Clare

Francesca

Lynne

Pinky

Sally

Tracy

August winners

2011-08-30T08:00:00.002+01:00

Well what a month it was and despite the little problems with Mr Linky early in the month you really really wowed us with your wonderful artwork.

It was a delight to visit such a fabulous array of different styles and projects which as you may expect made the DT's job really hard when it came to selecting our favourites and as with last month there were a good number of nominations........................perhaps I should explain how we come to our winners each month............each DT member and Sir Stampalot themselves select their Top 4, each nominee is awarded points from first down to fourth and then votes added together so we have our winner and Top 3. A simple process and one we feel is fair as all the DT's have different crafting styles,which mean all entrants stand equall chances of winning.

So here are the lucky peeps who scored the most votes this month.....................

In first place and winner of the yummy collection of goodies from Sir Stampalot is...............

Gini

With an absolutely adorable creation

Congratulations Gini, please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with you full postal addy so you prize can be sent to you.

And this months Top 3 are...............................

Danielle

With a charming Summery creation

Jill

With a super box with a saucy twist

Suzanne

With a beautifully decorated box

Well done all of you, please grab yourself our Top 3 logo and wear on your blogs with pride.

Mr Linky problems - August Challenge relaunched

2011-08-10T20:51:00.001+01:00

As some of you will probably have noticed, the August Stampalot challenge was taken down yesterday, and we are relaunching it today.

We had major problems as our Mr Linky widget appears to have been hijacked and had over 350 bogus entries, including some from our own DT without them knowing! We tried for days to sift through them, but it was an impossible task. Brenda has been in touch with the Man from Mr Linky who said 'I am sorry to say I can offer no sure explanation why the widgets appear to have merged at some point.' - Guess that's a no then.

Therefore we decided to start again. For those of you who had already entered please accept our apologies and we'd be very grateful if you could pop your link into Mr Linky once more, even if we had already left you a comment.

So, here it is again, and lets all keep our fingers crossed that he behaves himself from now on!As it's holiday time and lots of peeps have things planned, we would have another nice simple theme for you:

*************Whatever You Fancy**************

That's it in a nutshell, you can create whatever you like, although I must remind you to please check the challenge rules before you link up your work.
Here is the fabulous prize from Sir Stampalot.

Our Guest Designer for August is Esther and look at the super creation she has made for us................

Chris

Sorry, no project this month

Francesca

Lynne

Thanks for your patience! Let's hope normal service is resumed, and that Brenda can get back to her unpacking.

Sally

Should Mr Linky go AWOL, or throw another hissy fit, you can leave a message with an html link to your post in the comments section.

Have you checked your entry is valid and that you have combined your entry with no more than five other challenges........if you have the DT will not comment on your work and you will not be eligible for the prize or Top 3.

July winners

2011-08-09T07:06:00.000+01:00

As they say, better late than never, but at last I have sorted the votes from all the entries for July and what a mammoth task that was for the DT, such fabulous work and the decisions were so so hard to make. Thank you all for joining us again, we really do appreciate all your support.

So on to the lucky winner of that super prize from Sir Stampalot..............................

(no of course it's not me, but a stunning piece of work I would be proud to call my own)

Brenda, please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal addy so I can arrange for your goodies to be sent off to you.

And our Top 4.....voting was so close I made an executive decision, my doesn't that sound posh............wonder if I can get a salary to match ?

Congratulation to you all, well deserved credit for your super work. Please grab our Top 3 logo (all 4 of you) and wear with pride.

Challenge rules

2011-07-05T17:33:00.013+01:00

Hello everyone, sorry to be Mrs Grumps, but a little word about challenge rules.

Day five of this months challenge and we are thrilled to see so many of you joining in the fun.................but please do check the rules before you link up your work..........they are on the sidebar, at the top of the blog and above Mr Linky.

I know most of you do abide by the rules, but sadly some of you don't, which spoils the fun for all of us. And even if you have six entries or less when you enter and the DT have visited you, that does not mean will not check back to see if more challenges have been added.............yes, some peeps really do that.

So there is no misunderstanding, you can combine your Stampalot entry with a max of five others.............that means six in total. Any breaking that rule will just be marked ineligible and not be in the voting for the prize at the end of the month.

It takes the DT a lot of time to visit your entries and they love doing it, but they do get a bit miffed wasting their time visiting those folks who don't bother to check their entry is eligible, when they could be commenting on those who do play by the rules.

July challenge

2011-07-01T07:00:00.007+01:00

Hello everyone, time for another new challenge so I hope you are all rearing to go because we have made it really simple for you this month with:

***********Anything Goes***********

As you will see from the super inspiration the DT have come up with, we are all in Molly mode showing you just how fabulous the new Molly Blooms Summertime Fun collection is, just right for all those Summer creations. You can find them all here at Sir Stampalot waiting to make their way to your craft desk.

And as you might expect, this months fabulous prize has several of the new stamps along with lots of other summery crafty goodies to keep the lucky winner occupied for days.

Now for a look at what the DT have come up with to set you on your way, a really wonderful display with each DT members using them in their own unique style, proving just how versatile these stamps are.......................

Note about our July winner and Top 3: They will be a bit late being posted as I will be on my holibos, so look out for them about 9th August.......but the August challenge will be all scheduled and ready to go on 1st of the month......proving Mr Blogger is playing fair that is.

Before you link, have you checked our rules and are you sure your card is eligible for our challenge ?

June winners

2011-06-29T12:31:00.014+01:00

Hello peeps, time for some winners and goodness it was such a close run thing this month, but with so many stunnigly beautiful entries not too surprising the DT had a hard task selecting their favourites. So instead of a Top 3, I went for an executive decision.............my that sounds posh.............we have a winner and Top 4.

So without further ado, the winner of all those lovely goodies from Sir Stampalot is

Iceflame

Those poppies are just stunning

Please mail me with your full name and postal addy so your prize can be sent to you.

And our Top four................................

Claire C

What a unique piece of artwork

Agnieszka

Such a pretty gift box

Kruemel

Beautiful Summer colours

Jocelyn

More stunning poppies

Congratulations to you all, very well deserved winners. Please grab out Top 3 banner and wear with pride on your blogs.

June challenge

2011-06-01T08:00:00.028+01:00

Good Morning, hope you are all ready for another challenge here at Stampalot.

Before I tell you about the new challenge I need to let you all know that the new Molly Blooms stamps have landed at Sir Stampalot and you will find them here and here. The new Farmyard collection.....which are absolutely adorable...........actually came out a week or two back but the initial stocks walked out of the door before lots of peeps could get their hands on them. Lucky me got to have a little play and I combined some new and old Molly stamps and as you will see (further down) they are so versatile and coordinate beautifully.

Also back in stock are Tim Holtz tattered florals which you will find here. This is a set I use time and again and in my view a must have and great addition to your crafty stash. You will also find lots of special offers and must have's in the sale section here.

OK, enough of my babble, I tell you I could talk for England...................for our June challenge we have some photo inspiration for you. I adore poppies so was immediately drawn to this picture which I thought was so perfect for June as the poppies are looking radiant in the fields and verges right now. But of course you don't have to put poppies on your creation, you may just want to use the vibrant colours as your inspiration.

Here's your picture inspiration

And another fabulous prize on offer from the lovely guys at Sir Stampalot, a really great collection of stamps and crafty goodies:

The Design Team have worked their magic as always and I have to say their work this month is absolutely stunning, a huge thank you to you all....................and a very warm welcome to the lovely Vicky who is our Guest Designer.

Vicky has created this super canvas

And I received the card below from Vicky last evening with this little note "this card is specially for you...I know you love your fairies and flowers". I was really touched by her kindness and as it is such a lovely card and has poppies, I asked her if I could share it with you all.

Brenda

(not exactly a poppy field, but I have added a few punched ones around my Molly Blooms picture)

(not poppies either, but the new Molly Blooms Camper Van is red'ish)

Chris

Clare

Francesca

Lynne

Pinky

Sally

Have you checked our challenge RULES and made sure your entry is valid ?

May winners

2011-05-31T08:00:00.011+01:00

Good Morning one and all, I hope you have had a good bank holiday weekend, although the weather left a bit to be desired here in the Fens, but it was nice to have a bit of a rest.

It's clear from all your fabulous entries that you all loved our fantasy theme so a huge thank you for joining in again and of course I have some winners.

In first place and winner of the super collection of crafting goodies from Sir Stampalot is.....................

Sylvia Anne

Please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with you full postal addy so you prize can be posted off to you.

And this months Top 3 who can all go collect out special logo are...............

Esther

Nicola

Norma

Well done all of you, we loved your entries. I will be back tomorrow with a new challenge.

May challenge

2011-05-01T08:00:00.016+01:00

Welcome to another challenge here at Stampalot and a huge thank you to everyone who joined in last month both with the challenge and our Birthday picture competition. I posted the winners yesterday so if you have not seen them yet, they are all in the post below this one.

This month we would like to see your take on:

"Magical Worlds"

Now some of the DT freaked at this one a bit, but as I told them it can be as simple as a single butterfly or full of fairies and wizards, it really is up to you. As you can guess it's one I am really looking forward to, coming from Fantasy Land and with fairies at the bottom of my garden........doesn't everyone have them ?

And here is the super prize on offer from Sir Stampalot for this months lucky winner.................

Scattering fairy dust

Flutterby dreams

Ethereal beauty

Lighting the way

Mystical worlds

Fairy wishes

Magic beneath the moon

Daydreaming on a lilypad

Please remember we allow a maximum six combined challenges to be eligible for the prizes on offer.

April winners

2011-04-30T08:00:00.004+01:00

Good morning to you all, who watched the Royal Wedding then ? What a wonderful day it was for William and Kate, didn't she look fabulous and both so relaxed and natural. So many times I thought about Diana and how proud she would have been to see her eldest son married on such a joyful day.

Now some winners for April's challenge:

In first place and winner of the Stampalot goodies, as voted for my our Design Team is:

Sue

This months Top 3 are:

Sylvia

Sharon

Maarit

Winner of our Birthday photo competition is Ruby (just the one winner who matched the photos and followed all the rules)

Ruby

Well done everyone, some fabulous work. Ruby and Sue please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal addys and Maarit, Sharon and Sylvia please grab our Top 3 logo and wear with pride.

April challenge

2011-04-01T08:00:00.039+01:00

Hello everyone and welcome to a bit of a special month here at Stampalot Challenge........................it's our Birthday.........woohoooooooooo..........we are one year old today.

And what a fabulous year it had been, the support from all of you peeps out in blogland has been phenomenal and of course it's you who have made our challenge such a success. Thank you one and all.

Now as well as our Birthday it's April Fools Day !! So this means a brand new challenge, but we've also got something a bit special lined up with a twist or two. And have you noticed our new look ? I thought it matched this months theme rather well................the theme has been selected by our very own Lady (Janice) Stampalot who has come up with:

"Ladies and Fashion"

I wonder what you will come up with for this one, I can see so many possibilities and am so looking forward to seeing all your entries. For one lucky winner, this is the prize on offer from Sir Stampalot:

Stamps, a scoreboard and box maker, some awesome K & Co jewelry kits, spellbinder dies, fashion templates............

So now for the real fun bit.........this month the Design Team will be displaying their work on their own blogs only. And here we have a collection of pictures and pieces of artwork.............I was going to jumble them all up, but I thought that would be a bit too wicked, so I have paired them up.......a picture of each DT member along with a piece of their work with they have selected which they think best depicts their style of crafting plus a snipped from their DT piece for the month.

Have you guessed what you need to do......that's right, you have to decide which of our Design Team fits which Mystery DT member by popping round all their blogs and leaving them a comment. When you think you have the answers mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your list (no 1 is ? and so on). There will be a prize for three winners selected from those with all or the most correct pairings that reach me before 25th April. Any after that date will not be included.

Now I have a couple of welcomes to extend. The first to our new DT member Lynne, please join me in giving her a warm welcome and do pop along to her blog to check out her lovely work. It's certainly straight in at the deep end with our Birthday activity for Lynne, but she was well up for it and I know she will fit into the team a treat.And we also welcome this months Guest designer Sandra who has joined in with our Birthday fun. Her picture and work are amongst those below and as with all DT members, her Guest Designer piece is on her own blog.

Here is a reminder of the DT and also this months Guest.....click on their names to visit their blogs to see their DT piece for April and also start to unravel who is who.

Brenda, Chris, Clare, Francesca, Lynne, Pinky, Sally, Tracy, Sandra,

Mystery DT member 1

Mystery DT member 2

Mystery DT member 3

Mystery DT member 4

Mystery DT member 5

Mystery DT member 6

Mystery DT member 7

Mystery DT member 8

Mystery DT member 9

Before you add your link have you checked our rules and know that we allow a max six combined challenges ? If not your entry will be marked 'ineligible'.

March Winners

2011-03-31T07:00:00.002+01:00

Morning folks, here I am with the winners for March.

Lots of lovely entries again which meant we all had a really difficult task selecting our winners, but choices had to be made and here are the names which polled the most votes:

In first place and winner of the goodies from Sir Stampalot:

Esther

Isn't this devine and an adorable piece of artwork ? I know from reading Esther's blog that she loved the technique from Craft Stamper as much as I did and I had already decided I would let the girls at my class next week try it out, so messy fingers planned. Please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal addy Esther.

Next our Top 3 which is actually a Top 6 this month as there were ties for the spot...........so artistic licence, an executive decision and because it's our Birthday tomorrow. Please all grab our Top 3 logo and wear with pride:

Lesley with a gorgeous Spring creation

Jane - never fails to please with beautiful colouring

Kathleen - Isn't this clever, I'm sure it took hours but worth every minute

Jo - with an adorable Molly Blooms creation

Linda - a real feel of Spring here and more super colouring

Carina - wonderful interest and dimension

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow when we have some special Birthday fun to share with you all.

News and a polite reminder

2011-03-15T07:34:00.005Z

Good morning peeps.

I have some exciting news and heads up about our 1st April challenge. It will be our first birthday so we have a bit of fun lined up.....and no, not a blog hop...... but you will have to wait just a bit longer to find out exactly what we have in store for you lucky peeps. So watch this space.

Now Mrs Grump is here again I'm afraid, we have had some fabulous entries this month, but a frightening number that seem to have forgotten or not bothered to read the rules........halfway through the month and it's running at 20%........so you will see a good number on Mr Linky with little added notes alongside the offenders names who are not eligible.

It's all clear on the challenge post below, but to remind you all the theme is:

'Spring is in the Air' and we would like to see fresh greens, yellows and/or blossom pinks on your work.

Lovely as some of your creations are, yellow and blue, rainbow colours and so on don't quite fit the theme and it would be unfair on those who have followed the theme colours to include the offenders in our winner voting.

And you can combine your entry with a maximum five others. I know there is a lot of Spring themes about this month and folks like to combine challenges, but you do still need to adhere to our theme colours and not play bingo on the number of other challenge entries.

Lecture over, see you all again on 1st April.

March challenge

2011-03-01T08:00:00.021Z

Hello everyone, dare I say "Spring is in the Air" ?

I certainly hope so as that's the theme for this months challenge and we would like to see fresh greens, yellow and/or blossom pinks on your work.

I just love spring, all the fresh growth that appears as if by magic and every year I never fail to be amazed by the wonder of Nature and what better way to celebrate it's beauty than through our crafting.

And if you are need of any inspiration, pop along to the "What's New" secion of Sir Stampalot's web site where you will find all the new Hero Arts, Penny Black and Art Impression Spring stamp releases, some absolutely beautiful new DP's from Scribble Scrabble.......yes I succumbed to quite a few...... and of course all your regular crafting needs.

Before I tell you about this months prize, I want to say a few 'public' words to my DT..........as some of you might know, I have not been able to blog or craft for about six weeks now due to a relapse in my MS so am sorry I have did not comment on any of your entries in February. I think I am on the mend now, but would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my Design Team for their wonderful support in ensuring the challenge kept running smoothly and visiting you all.....I'm sure you will agree they are a fabulous bunch.

And talking about the Design Team, it is with great sadness that I tell you that Lorraine has decided to step down from the team. She has not been in the best of health for some time and decided that she needs to take some time out, we all wish you well Lorraine and thank you for all your commitment to Stampalot Challenge over the past year. But before she left, Lorraine still came up with some lovely pieces of work for our March challenge, please do pop over and visit her, I know it will cheer her no end.

Finally, just a few words about the challenge rules.......I hate to bang on about them but there are still a few who either don't read them or think we won't notice if they enter dozens of challenges with their entry......or even add more after we have been to visit...tut, tut. When we select our winners and Top 3 we don't use Random Org., we select as a team, our favourites, which means every entry is visited again before we post the final winners. So please, for the benefit of all your fellow crafters the majority of who comply with the rules, take a moment to consider if your entry is valid and fits our rules.

This months winner will received this fabulous prize from Sir Stampalot......just look at those gorgeous cottage floral stamps and there's a super Easter set and lots more:

Now for a bit of inspiration from the DT who have come up with some superb and really varied takes on the theme:

A pink one, a yellow one

Chris
Sweet treat Tilda

Clare

Just for Mum

Swinging in the sun

The gardens in bloom

What an Adventure

Grasses in the breeze

A burst of Spring colour

February Winners

2011-02-28T08:00:00.001Z

Good Morning peeps. we had another bumper month and some absolutely stunning entries.....what a talented bunch you all are and what a difficult job you give us every month selecting our winners, but the job has to be done so here are names:

First place and winner of the goodies from Sir Stampalot:

Anne H with this beautiful creation, isn't it gorgeous

Please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal addy Anne.

And our Top 3 as voted for by the Design Team and Sir Stampalot:

Lynne - super masking and use of Hero S3516 Silhouette Grass

Vicky - the window element makes for a really effective creation

Joanna - a wonderfully tactile piece of artwork

Congratulations and well done all of you, please help yourself to our Top 3 logo and wear with pride.

New goodies coming our way

2011-02-10T14:52:00.006Z

Hello everyone, at long last here is the picture of this months prize for our All Creatures Great and Small theme (post below this one).

I do apologise for the delay in posting it, but what with the Stampalot guys going off to CHA and me being unable to get my hands and fingers to coordinate with my head and being forcibly banned from the computer for almost three weeks now.......thank goodness for daughters and granddaughters who can help out with typing this post......I confess I could get quite used to this dictating business, just none too happy at being unable to craft.

Talking of CHA (the big craft trade show held in the USA) have you checked out Smudges - Sir Stampalots blog lately ? Janice has been busily loading lots of pictures of the new goodies that are coming our way, she's not got to the stamps yet so I am eagerly waiting that post, but some of the DP's from Bo Bunny and October Afternoon look awesome. So grab a coffee and have a browse through all the pictures that guys took to whet our appetites.

February Challenge

2011-02-01T08:00:00.010Z

Hello folks, are you ready for a brand new challenge ?

Before I tell you about the new challenge a couple of reminders. First as it's February and a short month, the challenge will close at midnight GMT on 24th of the month to give us time to choose our winners and make the announcement.

Secondly, a few peeps are still forgetting the rules which are on our sidebar, so to remind you the maximum number of combined challenges allowed are six including this challenge. I have always tried to leave a polite message when people forget.........or "tut, tut, tut" add more challenges after they enter......but in future these entries will just have 'did not follow rules' entered alongside the name on Mr Linky.

Now for this months challenge where we would love to see entries on the theme..................

All Creatures Great and Small

We think this is one you are going to love and are looking forward to visiting all your entries. Here is what is on offer for our lucky winner from thy great guys at Sir Stampalot this month......................

.....................I know, it's a blue gift box. Truth is Andy and Janice have been flat out with the sale and along with preparing to head off to the States for the big CHA Trade Show this week, nobody got round to taking a picture of the goodies. But if things run true to form there will be some fab pictures coming back across the pond with sneak peeks of all the new goodies that will be coming our way this Spring and I promise to share with you along with a picture of this months prize just as soon as I can.

Our Guest Designer this month is Carol who has created this wonderful easel box to share with you all.

And not forgetting the Design Team who have worked their 'animal magic' to inspire you...............

Couldn't make her mind up again

Chris

Elliephantastic

So elegant
Francesca

The animals went in two by two

Lorraine

Meerkat Manor

Woodland friends

African safari
Tracy

Tea time, but who for ?

Winners for January

2011-01-31T08:00:00.002Z

Hello lovely Bloggers!

Tomorrow will see the launch of our challenge for February, which I am sure you are going to love. Whilst Brenda is resting her dislocated shoulder she has asked me to let you know the winners for this month.

The winner of our wonderful prize is this lovely ethereal creation from

Vicky

Vicky, please email Brenda your postal address so we can get your lovely goodies to you.

This months top three are

Chrissie

Shirley

and Scarlett

Congratulations all of you, and please grab yourself a top 3 logo from the sidebar. Aren't they gorgeous?

Don't forget to pop back tomorrow and join in with the February challenge.

Blog Hop winners

2011-01-12T08:00:00.008Z

January Challenge prize

this is the fabulous selection of goodies in the surprise parcel I showed you at the beginning of the month

Hello everyone, what a fabulous Hop we had and judging by your lovely comments you all enjoyed hopping about our blogs. Thank you so much for joining in and helping us make it such a fun event.

So we have lots of winners to announce, all the DT will be posting up the winners from the visitors to their own blogs, but here is the full list:

Individual blog winners:

Brenda - Wedgie

Chris - Max

Claire - Suzi

Francesca - Marion

Lorraine - Cazro

Pinky - Sue

Sally - Shaz

Smudges - Kat

Tracy - Shirley

And the winner selected by Random Org from all correct answers I received is:

Cheryl

Congratulations everyone, please e.mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full post addys so I can get your prizes off to you.

Don't forget the challenge "A Winters Tale" will still run as usual until the end of the month, so you have plenty of time to enter and a chance to win the fabulous prize pictured above.

Still time for the Blog Hop

2011-01-09T08:21:00.005Z

Good morning peeps, just a quick reminder that you have until midnight tomorrow 10th January to enter our blog hop.

Lots of prizes on offer on your way round, so if you have not already entered, grab a coffee and join in the fun and see some great inspirational work as you go.

January Challenge

2011-01-01T08:00:00.024Z

Happy New Year to one and all !!

Whatever you did last evening I hope you have a great time and are all rearing to go with a new challenge. And that's not all, as we are also having a Blog Hop, so I will deal with the new challenge theme first and them move on to the Hop.

Our challenge theme for January which will run for the the whole month as usual is:

A Winters Tale

We would like you to take inspiration from Queens 1995 hit song title or if you prefer Shakespeare's slant on things, as always how you interpret it is completely your choice. All we ask is that you have fun and of course remember the rules and that you can combine your entry with up to five other challenges.

This months lucky winner will receive this super prize from the lovely guys at Sir Stampalot.............................got you all going there, yes this month it's a surprise, but you know it will be fabulous.........I will tease you and say it includes a set of very special stamps worth £70 that you can't buy anywhere !!

Edited 11/1/11 - Our Hop has now ended but the challenge continues as usual until the end of the month.

Now for the Blog Hop, this is going to be such fun and so many prizes to be won. It starts today and will finish at midnight BST on 10th January.

For those of you who have never joined in a Hop before this is what you need to do:

1) Start from here and leave a comment on this post.
2) Visit all DT blogs and Smudges - nine in total listed below

3) Leave a comment on each.
4) Collect a letter clue from each
5) Use those letters along with the ones already given in the grid below to make two words and mail you answer to me: brenda@ibas.co.uk

Your starting point is here and each blog you visit will tell you where you should have arrived from and where you need to go next, but if you get lost you can come back here and start afresh...........have fun.........

Lorraine
Clare
Francesca
Brenda
Tracy
Smudes
Pinky
Chris
Sally

_ _ R _ _ A _ _ A _ _ _

There will be a prize up for grabs on each blog you visit and a winner will be selected from all those who leave a comment.......each person on your Hop will have a picture of their prize. And the winner selected from all correct answers mailed to me will get this lovely Martha Stewart round the page punch set.

Now some DT inspiration for this months challenge.......that will run as usual until midday BST on 28th of January, so plenty of time to enter.

First up our January Guest Designer Claire who has created this stunning piece of artwork for us........................

Pinky

Sally

Tracy

December winners

2010-12-31T08:00:00.000Z

How's everyone doing ? I hope you all had a good Christmas and are ready for the New Year and have fun with whatever celebrations you may have planned.

Our new challenge will be announced tomorrow along with our Blog Hop and we hope you will all be joining in the fun, but before we get to that here are this months winners.

In first place with an absolutely brilliant collage is:

Sarah

Well done Sarah, please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your postal addy so you prize can be posted off to you as soon as the postal service gets back into operation after the weather and seasonal delays.

And this months Top 3:

Lisa Jane

Juls

Debbie

Congratulations all of you, please all help yourself to our Top 3 logo.

Blog Hop news

2010-12-12T12:22:00.005Z

Hello folks, don't worry and think you have a lost a couple of weeks because this post has appeared, you still have nearly two weeks to get ready for Christmas, honest.....and enter this months theme for a chance to win the great prize on offer.

I am just popping in to tell you about our special plans for January...............when our new challenge goes live on 1st January we are also having a blog hop. We thought it would be the perfect start to the New Year and as you would expect there will be lost of prizes on offer so we hope you will all be joining in the fun.

Please grab the logo above and help us spread the word and look forward to seeing you all on 1st January.

December Challenge

2010-12-01T08:00:00.009Z

Hello everyone, are you nearly ready for Christmas ?

Last month was a real bumper one and I want to say a huge welcome to those of you who joined us for the first time and of course a warm welcome back to our regular players.

If the number of fabulous entries we had last month are anything to go by, then most of you have plenty of Christmas cards ready for the post so we thought something completely different will be just what we are all looking for after the seasonal crafty excesses of the last few weeks.

I'm going to be a real tease here and tell you that next month is going to be very special here at Stampalot Challenge, but that's all I am saying for now other than we have a great treat in store to kick start the new year.

For our theme for this month we are going cosmopolitan:

Travel the World

As usual, you can make anything you like as long as you follow the theme and challenge rules......these are listed on the sidebar so please do check them out before you link your entry.

Another fabby prize from Sir Stampalot for this months lucky winner, just check this out:

Last but not least, some inspiration to set you on your way. As usual the DT have come up up with some fabulous work and you can go visit each of them by clicking on their names.

Please welcome back Lina who is our Guest Designer this month. Here is Lina's super piece of work:

Chris

Clare

Francesca

Lorraine

Pinky

Sally

Tracy

November winners

2010-11-29T19:16:00.008Z

Evening peeps from a really cold Cambridgeshire. The snow is throwing it down outside and there are high hopes floating about that school will be off tomorrow. I wonder ?

I'm a little early posting this months winners because I want to tell you all about a super duper day this coming Saturday at Sir Stampalot........it's the the third Ultimate Rubber Stamping Day......seven live and totally different demonstrations running simultaneously throughout the day, free refreshments, free prize draw, loads of sample cards and inspiration and of course a shop full of all that's best in craftiness. Doors open at 10am through 4pm and if the last two years are anything to go by it's a day not to be missed. Myself and the rest of the Stampalot posse are looking forwarding to welcoming both old and new faces.

Check our the Sir Stampalot website for more information and your invitation to this not to be missed event..................but don't worry if you come without the invitation, everyone is still welcome.

Now for then winners and I am thrilled to announce that in first place and winner of that fabulous selection of goodies is:

Jocelyn with this beautifully elegant card

Please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal addy Jocelyn, so I can arrange for your prize to be posted to you.

And well done to our three runners up who can all help themselves to our Top 3 logo.

2nd place Lisa Marsden

3rd place Tracy Payne

4th place Kathrin

A polite reminder

2010-11-07T07:23:00.003Z

Morning folks.

Sorry to pop up on your dashboard again so quickly this month, but can I please remind you all to check our rules before you enter your work.

We believe our rules are pretty flexible and reasonable and not as tough as those on some challenges. So in fairness to everyone who enters, most of who do observe the rules, can I again remind you of the following:

1) Your entry to Stampalot challenge can be combined with up to five other challenges, so a maximum of six challenges in total.

2) If we find you have added more challenges to your entry at a later date.....sadly some folks do........and yes we do check as we all visit a second time when we do our winners selections, then your entry will be discounted.

3) You must mention our challenge in your post along with a direct link back to this blog.

4) In line with most challenges our rules do not allow backlinking.....this means your entry must be posted/dated the day you enter our challenge.

**********Up till now I have always tried to mail peeps or leave a polite message to remind them if they do not meet the rules but this takes a lot of time when myself and the DT could be visiting other entrants.

Stampalot Design team all work very hard to make this challenge fun to enter and ensure all entrants receive comments from us. Plus the prizes on offer from the guys at Stampalot are always rather special.

So please do show your appreciation by observing the simple rules. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure your entry meets the rules and any that do not will have 'not eligible' alongside your name on Mr Linky and not qualify for the prize on offer*******************

November Challenge

2010-11-01T08:00:00.010Z

The first of November can mean only one thing......a new challenge at Stampalot. And to keep things jogging along on a seasonal footing and make sure you don't deviate from that never ending list of Christmas cards we would like to see your creations on the theme:

Christmas Traditions

So let your imagination run riot and show us what you will be sending out to friends and family this Christmastime. It could be a beautiful Christmas tree, a wintry landscape, Father Christmas and the presents, or an elegant seasonal sentiment taking centre stage on your work, it really is down to you and your interpretation of the theme. As always you can enter a card, l/o or just about anything, all we ask is that it is your own original work and we are really looking forward to visiting you and seeing all your creations.

Before I move on I need to give you a couple of reminders:

1)Please remember you may combine your entry with other challenges, but up to a maximum of six challenges in total including Stampalot. We have noticed that a few naughty peeps have even added more entries after entering our challenge.

2) You must mention our challenge in your post along with a direct link back to this blog.

**********I always try to mail peeps or leave a polite message to remind them if they do not meet the rules but this takes a lot of time when I could be visiting other entrants and anyway really should not be necessary as the rules are clearly listed on the sidebar. So in future it's down to you to ensure your entry meets our simple rules and any that do not will be marked as 'not eligible' on Mr Linky and not qualify for the prize on offer **********

Edited 2nd November - in line with most challenges our rules also stipulate no backlinking, we have already had to delete some this month and we are only one day in !!

OK, nasties over with and more about this months challenge. I think it's a pretty open one and just about anything goes here so long as it has a Christmas feel to it. For one lucky winner here's what our sponsors Sir Stampalot have on offer:

And to set you on your way just look at the awesome work the DT have come up with to provide some inspiration. Don't forget to click on their names to visit their blogs and show them your appreciations for all their work. And we are also thrilled to have another Guest Designer this month, please join me in welcoming Claudia who had created a gorgeous card for us:

Claudia - Guest Designer November

Chris

Clare

Francesca

Lorraine

Lorraine is poorly and unable to join us this month. We all wish you a speedy recovery Lorraine, look after yourself and see you when you are well again.

Pinky

October Winners

2010-10-31T08:00:00.003Z

Hello everyone, time to tell you who this months lucky winners are.

Some lovely work again and a big thank you to everyone who joined in, although we did wonder if some peeps were not too keen on the theme, but hopefully what we have on offer next month will appeal to just about everyone.

So here we go with this months winner with this stunning piece of artwork:

Sandra

Please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal addy Sandra.

And our Top 3 for October who can all grab our special logo to show off on their blogs:

Sylvia Anne

Claire

Kathleen

Don't forget to check back Monday for our new challenge and another fabulous prize from Sir Stampalot.

October Autumnal Challenge

2010-10-10T07:40:00.003+01:00

Good Morning everyone out there in blogland.

I know I don't normally pop up in the middle of the month, but a few peeps have contacted me about this months challenge as it seems the theme has confused some of you a bit and especially the "Autumn Breezes" part.

So I thought I ought to do a post to clarify a few things. Basically all we are looking for are projects that are Autumnal, you know leaves or trees or images coloured in Autumnal colours or even just DP's with those colours. Your choice completely, the only real requirement is a button and a bow, or more of course.

October Challenge

2010-10-01T08:00:00.014+01:00

A very good morning to you all.

We had another bumper month in September with more wonderful entries, you seem to raise the bar every month and keep showing us what a talented bunch you are out there.

So are you all ready for a new challenge ? I do hope so because we have a really seasonal one for you with a little twist:

Autumn Breezes, Buttons and a Bow(s)

I know I'm a real bore, but I so love the beautiful vibrant colours of Autumn. I realise there have already been a few challenges with this theme lately, but I just know from looking around blogland that it's a theme so many of you enjoy and myself and the Design Team are itching to be let loose on your blogs and see what you pull out of the hat.

And for one lucky winner the wonderful Sir Stampalot are offering an absolutely fabulous collection of goodies which include some wonderful stamps and and so many other yummy things:

14 sheets of autumnal glittered double-sided, patterned paper from Best Creations......Ribbon in autumn shades......Felt leaves from Hero Arts......Cherry Blossom flowers from Magnolia......New Tilda stamp design......Autumn Gildenglitz metallic gilding leaf......Quicke glue pen, 2 pots of sparkly fluff.......Stampendous Silver Diamond Dots......3 tubes of pearlised embossing powder in lovely autumnal shades......Painty pens in essential colours of white, black, silver and gold......Cherry Brads, Coffee and Cream buttons – yum yum......Golden mini mosaic self-adhesive tiles......Bare Tree punch from Paper Shaper......Floral Clear stamp set......“When Autumn Comes” stamp from Stamps Happen......Leaf Tile from Rubber Soul......Tree Tile from Rubber Soul......Cat in Leaves stamp......Cats in the Night stamp......Diddy flower stamp......And the new embossing folder set from Tim Holtz – Branch Tree and Tall Pines

We are so pleased to welcome another Guest Designer this month, Issy who I am sure many of you will have met in blogland and seen her beautiful artwork. This is what Issy has to say about herself:

I think I was crafting in one form or another from the pram and I have been Papercrafting for more years than I care to remember, looking back my sister and I used to cut out pictures from the 1950s clothes catalogue and the womens weekly, and glue them onto a cardboard box with flour and water paste, and when they were completetly dry paint them with a coat of coloured furniture varnish which gave them an antique look. "Our treasure boxes" we called them and what I first knew as decoupage.

I started doing it seriously when I saw a picture of a card which had hand made paper flowers made from punches and I thought how beautiful and from then on I was hooked and it is still my favourite medium for any project. I have since progressed to stamping and all sorts of colouring mediums. Although I do love the distressed look, I somehow manage to get ink everywhere..... so these projects are few. I learn something new everyday from fellow crafters, and I thank all crafters for sharing all their knolwedge. Without them non of us would progress.

This is what Issy has created for us this month:

And here is some inspiration from the Design Team who have really pulled all the stops out this month with an absolute feast of all things Autumnal. If you click on their names you can visit their own blogs and see how they made their projects.

September Winners

2010-09-30T08:00:00.006+01:00

What a fabulous month we have had again and so many fabulous entries showing us what an ubber talented lot you are. I've probably said it before, but we really do enjoy visiting you blogs and taking a peek at your work and what you are getting up to.....guess you could call us plain nosey, but honestly it is a pleasure to see all your work so please keep it coming.

Anyhow, I'll cut to the chase because everyone wants to know who the lucky winner is and believe me this month was the closest call ever with just a whisker between you all. So without further ado, this months winner of that fabulous collection of craft goodies from Sir Stampalot is......... drum roll............................

Nnalorac

Congratulations nnalorac, please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk so we can got your prize off to you. And this months Top 3 who can all go lift our special logo to wear on your blog:

Janiel

Keeley

Linda

See you all tomorrow with a fabby new prize and exciting challenge.

Who's your favourite craft store ?

2010-09-18T09:00:00.004+01:00

Please vote for Sir Stampalot in Best Independent Craft Store in the Midlands

Hello everyone, don't panic, you've not lost a couple of weeks, it's still only the middle of the month so not time for our new challenge just yet.

I am just posting to let you know that we are at the time of year when we can vote for the crafters who give us inspiration, the crafty goodies that have most taken our eye......goodness so many to choose from there.......and most importantly our favourite craft store.

So if you would like to vote for our very own Sir Stampalot please pop along HERE or click the logo at the top of this post and cast your votes...........you will need to add their names under 'other' of the Midlands section (21) on the form.

All of the sections on the form have options already entered, but if you don't see who or what has rocked your imagination this year you can add your own choices in the 'other' box.

I have to say that your entries for September's challenge have all been absolutely stunning, so keep them coming folks, we are so enjoying looking at them all. But I'm thinking the end of the months voting might be our most difficult yet.

Thanks for visiting.

B x

September Challenge

2010-09-01T08:00:00.011+01:00

Hello and good morning to everyone, how time flies, it's hard to believe this is our sixth challenge and each month our numbers have increased and I believe August saw our highest number of entries yet. So a huge thank you you one and all for your greatly appreciated support, you are what makes our challenge so special.

So are you all ready for a brand new challenge, I do hope so because we have a great theme for you:

All Distressed

I love my distressing and anything which involves getting messy fingers and I hope this is one you are going to enjoy as well. Even if it's a style of crafting you do not usually do, you would be amazed what a different look you can achieve by just roughing up the edges and adding a bit of ink. We are looking forward to seeing all your creations and for one luck winner this is what we have on offer this month:

Prize includes some gorgeous stash including: Tim Holtz Rulerz Book, Tim Holtz Accessories from Junkitz (metal framez, edgez, tabz, anchorz, braz, epozy stickers), Zision Took kit from Provocraft (tool kit comprising 18 pieces : hammer, wire cutters, 8 tip punch set, self healing mat etc etc and zipped case to keep it all in), 2 dozen sheets of cardstock/patterned paper, Paper Edge Distressing Tool, Photo Mounting Tape, Tags Template, Alphabet Transparencies, Alphabet Bottle Cap Stamp Set, Metal Bottle Caps, Layered Sentiment Stickers and a Melissa Francis Vintage Keyhole

Over the coming months we will be having some Guest Designers and this month I am thrilled to introduce Lina from Sweden. Lina was one of our lucky winners back in May and she has a super and unique style of crafting which I really wanted to share with you all. Please do pop over to her blog, I know you will be inspired. Here is what Lina has created for us:

This is the box she made to store her TH distress ink

And a fabulous Bind it All journal

And the regular Design Team have also done me proud. I know some of them are not into the distressed look, but you would never know from their super work. You can visit all their individual blogs by clicking on their names.

Brenda

Chris

August Winners

2010-08-31T08:00:00.007+01:00

Good Morning folks, hope you all had a good bank holiday weekend and you saw at least a bit of sunshine.....it was is short supply wasn't it.......but what else have we come to expect from UK bank holidays ?

It's time for our winners again, where has the month gone ?

Absolutely fabulous entries again this month, you really know how to wow us and prove what a talented lot you are. Plus mega numbers of you joining us which makes us oh so happy, our highest number of entries so far I think. Thank you to each and every one of you for helping us make Stampalot Challenge such a success.

So without further ado, here we go:

Our winner for August with a stunning piece of altered artwork is Johanna and if my translation is right, the yummy selection of goodies is going to Sweden:

Johanna

Well done Johanna, please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with you full postal addy so we can get your prize off to you.

And this months top three:

Juls

Jenny

Camilla

Please all take the Top 3 logo and wear with pride on your blog.

I will be back tomorrow with our brand new challenge, fabulous theme and of course another great prize.

July Winners

2010-08-08T07:35:00.012+01:00

Hello everyone and belatedly but as promised, here are the winners of our 'Lazy Hazy Days of Summer' July Challenge.

You clearly enjoyed the theme as we had a fabulous array of entries displaying some stunning artwork which of course made our jobs very difficult. But we do have our winners and in first place is:

Cathy with this wonderful Summer beach scene. Please e.mail me Cathy with your full postal addy to brenda@ibas.co.uk so we can get your wonderful prize off to you.

And this months runners up who can all display our Top 3 three logo are:

2nd place: Johanna

3rd place: Inger

4th place: Sheila

Our August challenge 'Bring on the Bling' is already attracting an amazing number of entries and I am looking forward to visiting all your blogs to take a look at your work.

August Challenge

2010-08-01T08:00:00.014+01:00

Hello folks, we are well into the holiday season now, the children are in holiday mode and I hope you are all enjoying yourselves whatever you have planned this year.

We had a huge number of entries last month, thank you all so much for your support and helping us put Stampalot challenge on the map. Yet again you wowed us with some fantastic artwork which was a joy to see as we visited you all.

In case you missed my post yesterday, our July winners will be a bit late being posted due to holidays so I will post them as soon as I am home on 8th August. On to this months theme which I am sure you will love:

Bring on the Bling

What better opportunity to get out those embellies, glitters and gems which we all love so much and go right OTT if you like and dazzle us with your works of art. But if glitz is outside your comfort zone, then just a few gems, as long as we can be like jackdaws and see something sparkly that will be fine.

Can I remind you that you can combine your entry with up to five other challenges, more than that and I am afraid it will not be eligible for the prize on offer. Challenge rules are listed on the sidebar if this is your first time here.

Now this months prize from Sir Stampalot which to me looks like a small craft store in it's own right. There is so much in there that it's impossible to list it all out, but for starters there two sheets of the whole Bazzil Bling Birthstone range, some gorgeous foiled and glittered DP's, a set of Fiskars embossing products plus so many other things and of course some gems and glitters and I just know it will find a great home amongst the crafty stash of one lucky winner.

The Design Team have again come up with some wonderful artwork for inspiration and you can go to their individual blogs to find out how they created their work by clicking on their names.

July Winners

2010-07-31T10:00:00.002+01:00

Just to let you all know that our July winners will be posted up on 8th August. Sorry about the delay but being the holiday season it's not possible to do them until I get home.

I was going to take my lappy and do it when I was away, but having just discovered the horrendous price they want to charge for the connection privilege, afraid it's not a viable option.

But there will be a new challenge tomorrow and even more prizes this time, so you won't want to miss out.

Stampalot July Challenge

2010-07-01T08:00:00.024+01:00

At last I think it's safe to say "Happy Summer" and a really big welcome to you here at Stampalot where it's time for a brand new challenge.

Where does the time go, it does not seem long since I posted last months challenge, but at least we have seen a change in the weather in the UK and it looks like Summer has eventually arrived and hope everyone is enjoying the long warm days.

In my post yesterday when I announced the winners for June I said how thrilled we all are to see so many of you supporting us, June was a mammoth month for entries and the number of you signing up as followers is also increasing day by day, so we must be getting something right.

So what do we have in store for you this month, well as it's summer, the holiday season is almost upon us and the children breaking up from school this month we thought we would go all seasonal with:

Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

We all have different ideas of what this time of year means to us and how we like to spend our time, we we want you to share your take on the Summer season.

As always you can submit up to three entries providing each is a different type of project and combine your entry with up to five additional challenges. Our challenge rules are on the sidebar which include important information how to link your work and we would ask that you take a few moments to read them before you enter your work, that way life is easier for us all.

Yet again there is the chance to win another fantastic prize from the very generous guys at Sir Stampalot. Here's what's on offer for one lucky winner and of course there will be another Top 3 who get to display our special blinkie on their blogs.

1 x Stampress

6 x Patterned rollagraph wheels

3 x Additional coloured ink cartridges

6 x Molly Blooms stamps from the debut Summer Collection by Clare Rowlands

The Design Team have really embraced the theme again and come up with some fabby inspiration to set you on your way. You can go direct to their individual blogs by clicking on their names and see how they created their artwork.

Brenda

Classic English Roses

Chris
Wish you were here George

Clare

A Blaze of Summer Colour

Francesca

Fun in the Sun

Lorraine

Quintessential Summer Gardens

Pinky

Seaside Frolics

Sally
A day at the beach

Tracy

Lazing on a Sunny afternoon

June Winners

2010-06-30T08:00:00.005+01:00

My oh my, what a lot of entries in June and such wonderful creations, myself and the DT have really enjoyed visiting your blogs and looking at all the talent out there. And of course you set us another very difficult task of selecting our winners.

But as always we have to narrow the numbers down to just four and this month I am pleased to announce that these are:

First place and winner of all those yummy punches is:

Issy

I was amused when I just read your post again Issy and you said you don't use your punches enough.......your' gonna have real problems now then ? Please e.mail me with your postal addy: brenda@ibas.co.uk

And the following lucky crafters have been selected as this months Top 3. You can display our special logo on your blogs, well done all of you:

2) Farrah

3) Anna

4) Silvie

Pop back tomorrow when I will be posting our new July challenge and details of the fabulous prize that will be on offer..........some really great stash that has only just hit the craft world.

Challenge rules

2010-06-10T06:22:00.007+01:00

Good morning all your crafters out there.

Much as I hate having to do it, I am afraid there is a need to remind people of our challenge rules. They have been on our sidebar since day one, but in your eagerness to win our fabby prizes, some of you are forgetting to read them.

I know they are a pain in the rear, but it's only fair to your fellow entrants that you take a moment to read them before adding your entry. Quite understandably, some peeps have been getting rather upset that some of you are not following the rules and with such great prizes on offer we do have a duty to make sure everyone plays it by the book.

When someone does not follow the rules I try and send a discreet e.mail, but where there is no mail link all I can do is leave a comment and I am seriously looking like I'm turning into the Challenge Police which is not a nice place to be at all. So to make sure there is no doubt, here are the main ones:

You can combine your entry into Stampalot Challenge with a maximum of five other challenges - that's six in total.

You can enter more than once, but you can only enter one card and each additional entry must be a different type of project- e.g: a l/o, or box or some other craft item you have created.

You must include a link in your entry post back to Stampalot Challenge - lots of your links just go to your own blogs or there is non at all. If you don't know how to do it, please mail me, I am always happy to help where I can.

Checking out each entry to make sure it complies with the rules takes lots of time, but if you all take just a few moments to check the rules before you post your entry, life will be a lot easier for us all.

In future, any entries that we consider do not comply with the rules will be removed from Mr Linky immediately and will not be eligible for the prize on offer or our Top 3 that month.

Where possible I will send you a message to explain but this is not guaranteed. This does not mean you are prevented from doing a new entry that does comply with the rules.

June challenge

2010-06-01T08:00:00.013+01:00

Good morning all you crafters out there and welcome to a brand new Stampalot Challenge. Yet again you wowed us with all your fabulous work in May, so a huge thank you goes out to each and every one of you for helping us make our new challenge such a success.

Before I tell you about this months challenge can I remind everyone that we do have a few rules on the sidebar and especially that you can combine your Stampalot entry with a maximum of five other challenges. Nobody likes rules, but we hate to get to your blogs and find a super piece of work that can't be included because it has been combined with a long list of other challenges. And most of all I so dislike having to be the the baddie to tell peeps that they are not eligible for the prize on offer.

Nasties over and on to June's challenge and this month we are going all punchy with the theme:

"Punch it"

With all the gorgeous punches available now we are sure you will have great fun with this one and we are really looking forward to seeing how you use your punches on your projects, be it borders, flowers, or something completely new. As usual your project can be anything you have created yourself and for any occasions, the only requirement is that we see some punched elements on your work.

And of course we have another fabulous prize for this months lucky winner.......these Stampalot guys are pretty darn good you know...... and as the theme is all about punches, what better prize that this amazing array of all things punchy - ** Two Martha Stewart Around the Page sets ** Three of the fabulous EK Success Paper Shaper sets which have not only the punch but matching stamps and ink pads all included ** A fabby Prove Craft tool set........and it's pink ** Plus a whole load of corner, stitchy and other punches. I had a quick add up as I went along and got to £201, so a pretty amazing prize.

I think the DT have had their own little competition going on to see who can use the most punched and it's been a bit like stop the difference as they all came up with the artwork for this month. You can click on their names to go to their blogs to see how they created their work.

Br enda

A simple border

Chris

Casting shadows

Classical elegance

Francesca

Oh so sweet
Lorraine

Tilda in blue

Girls night out

All distressed

Floral frenzy

May winner and Top 3

2010-05-31T13:00:00.006+01:00

Hello everyone, time to announce the lucky winner of those fab Tim Holtz goodies.

It's clear from all your wonderful entries you have really enjoyed this months challenge and made it oh so difficult for us all selecting our favourites and I can tell you it was a very close run thing this month. But we do have a winner:

First Place: Lina (entry no 4)

Congratulations Lina, please mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk so we can get your wonderful prize in the post to you.

And this months Top 3:

2nd Place............Kayla (entry no 75)

3rd Place...........Lesley (entry no 148)

4th Place............Inger (entry no 110)

Well done all of you, please take the Top 3 logo and display on your blogs.

Our new challenge will be posted at 8am tomorrow, I know you are going to love the theme as much as the prize and myself and the team look forward to seeing all your new creations.

May Challenge

2010-05-01T08:28:00.013+01:00

Good Morning everyone, It's May Day and it really is beginning to feel like Spring is with us and Summer on it's way.

I can't begin to tell you how thrilled myself, the Design Team and all the Stampalot guys were to see so many of you joining in our first challenge. At the risk of repeating myself I want to thank you all again and say we really hope that you will all be joining us again this month.

So why do we have in store for you this month ? An awesome prize of course, but first the theme and I'll put my hands up and confess that I might have had the teeny tiniest influence on this one, but it's very seasonal and gives us all the perfect opportunity to celebrate this wonderful time of year and get out all those pretty embellishments and crafty stash and get creative.........and our May theme is:

"Butterflies and Blossoms"

And now the fabulous prize that Sir Stampalot is so generously providing and will have all us TH groupies drooling and on our knees..........oh my am I excited about this one........ just take a look at this first part of the prize:

Yes that's his very own original signature on the inside cover of his brilliantly inspirational book A Compendium of Curiosities (back right in the picture below) as witnessed by Andy and Janice when he signed it at CHA in January. Although that's only a fraction of the prize, to my mind it's priceless. I know the book is now available to purchase in the UK, but not with that authentic signature. And the rest of the fabulous prize with an estimated retail value of circa £200 comprises of all things Tim Holtz, a fantastic array of goodies to keep any crafter busy for hours. Also included but not in the picture is one of the new Tattered Florals dies which is on back order from the States:

This beautiful frame made by Andy and Janice at a class they attended in the States run by none other that Tim himself has flowers created using the Tattered Florals die. You can see more pictures of it on Smudges, the Stampalot blog.

So after all that excitement, time to showcase the work the DT have come up with this month. They have really enjoyed this one as their wonderful artwork shows, they have all provided details on their personal blogs of how they made their creations so please click on their names to find out more.

Brenda

Rapunzel's roses

Chris

Under the Magnolia tree

Clare

Elegant Flutterby

Francesca

Smell the roses

Lorraine

Lovely Lilacs

Pinky

Glimmering Glory

Sally

Hues of Hero

Tracy

Pretty in Pink

Edited 5th May 2010: A polite reminder that one of our rules listed on the sidebar is that entries to our challenge can be combined with up to five others. Quite a few peeps have combined with more than this which means they are not eligible for the prize, so please check this our before linking your work. We really would hate for anyone to miss out on this one.

April prize winner and Top 3

2010-04-30T14:00:00.003+01:00

Well, what can I say, you really have come up with some wonderful artwork during April and astounded us with the diversity of your creations. It goes without saying that you set us a really hard task selecting our winner and Top 3.

But decisions have to be made and here is the winner of our Fantasy theme and that fabulous Cricut Create machine:

1st place - Claire C

Well done Claire, a wonderful piece of Fantasty artwork. Please e.mail me: brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full name and postal addy so I can arrange for your prize to be shipped to you.

And the three runners up and this months Top 3 are:

2nd place - Sarah A

3rd place - Donna

4th place - Angie

Congratulations to all three of you, please take our special logo and display on your blogs with pride.

And don't forget, our new challenge will be posted tomorrow morning, it's one we are sure you will all enjoy, so look forward to seeing you all again in May.........the prize is awesome, I'm so excited about it and know you will be as well.

Stampalot challenge April

2010-04-01T08:00:00.049+01:00

Good Morning and very warm welcome to you all from everyone at the Stampalot Challenge.

The day we have all been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived, it's seemed forever coming and we really have all been bursting at the seams for the chance to share all our excitement with you.

Over the coming months we have some fantastic themes lined up for you, along with some fabulous prizes from Sir Stampalot. Our challenges will each run for a month and we hope the information on the sidebar will help you familiarise yourself with how our challenge works.

So enough of my faffing, you all want to know the theme and what you could win. Our first theme is:

"Fantasy"

It is entirely up to you what you create and how you interpret the theme and we are so looking forward to visiting you all and seeing your wonderful creations.

Sir Stampalot have been so generous with the winners prize.........pinch yourself first because the prize is:

A Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter

PLUS a Pooh Font Cartridge

How awesome is that and if the opportunity to win that doesn't get your creative juices flowing, then I don't know what will. Plus we will also be selecting our Top 3 who will be able to display our special logo.

The oh so talented.......and did I say excited.......Design Team have come up with some awesome projects so please do go and visit them and see how they have been created and show your appreciation for all their hard work.

Brenda
Daydreaming in a fantasy world

Chris
Scenes of the garden by night

Clare

Floating on fairy dreams

Francesca

Grown up faeries really do exist

Lorraine

Mythical mystery lands

Pinky

Ethereal beauty

Nautical fantasy legends