Profile of Take Ten Magazine by Stampers' Sampler

The Take Ten magazine is published four times a year by Stampington and Company, the publishers of Stampers' Sampler. The key focus of the magazine is hand stamped cards that can be created in ten minutes or less. Quick needn't mean boring, however, and new and different techniques are regularly explored in more detail. Each issue features full color images of handmade cards along with instructions explaining how they are made. The cards are produced by readers and by guest artists.

All the cards featured have been created using rubber stamps and different stamping and paper craft techniques.

A section of the magazine is dedicated to general cards and this is excellent for people looking for inspiration as many of these card ideas are simple to adapt. A 'Happy Birthday' card would adapt to many occasions by simply changing the sentiment.

Most pages feature three cards which gives plenty of room for the detail of the card to be seen. The instructions give all the relevant information about the card to allow readers to recreate it themselves. This also provides good ideas for card layouts.

Some of the cards are grouped together by theme. The themes include the regular 'challenge' entries. These are cards that readers have produced in response to a challenge in the previous issue, such as creating cards that follow a common layout. Other themes include different cards created using the same stamp or materials. The regular Masterboard feature showcases cards that have been made using the same background that has been decorated with stamps and other materials. Different techniques are explored each issue and examples of cards are published that have been created using these techniques.

The main focus of Take Ten is card making, however there are plenty of examples of work in the magazine to inspire and inform stampers of all backgrounds. Many of the designs and techniques would adapt well to other projects. While the emphasis is on quick cards, the range of designs and ideas is extremely broad and even experienced card makers will find things of interest within the magazine.

Take Ten features real cards made by both hobby stampers and professional designers and as such readers are very welcome to send in their work. Details of the regular challenge can be found in the magazine along with information about submitting general work. More information can be found on the stampington.com website.

Many of the cards featured in Take Ten magazine use embellishments and adornments, small pieces of scrap paper or cardstock and other general 'odds and ends'. This really illustrates the value of keeping a box with bits and pieces together. These will come in useful for many stamping projects and can often provide inspiration in their own right.

Some of the projects in the magazine feature great hand stamped or decorated background papers. It is always useful to decorate a few pieces at the same time as this will save time when creating quick projects.

• Publisher - Stampington and Company
• Website - stampington.com
• Purchase information - via website or through stores
• International - international readers can subscribe through the website
• Address 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B
  Laguna Hills, CA 92653
  Phone (949) 380-7318
  Fax (949) 380-9355
  Toll free (877) STAMPER