The Maui Stamper

I think it’s fall, y’all…

And if those leaves were shaped a little differently that would look quite a bit like the plumeria tree in my back yard.

But we are celebrating Autumn, the season of crisp air, apples and pears, and falling leaves.  Or on Maui, the return of the snowbirds, the first humpback sighting, and lilikoi season!

I’m hooked on these Thinlets cards – fun, easy AND a guaranteed wow!  The “DSP” panel on the front is a piece of Very Vanilla card stock cut with the Thinlets die and trimmed to fit.

Funny how much difference placement can make…this was my first attempt with this idea:

This feels all wrong to me – the front panel is receding, the back panel is approaching, and the whole thing feels out of balance.  When I re-made the card (and realized how much better the falling leaves stamp suited the theme) I was much happier.  And that’s what counts in my book 🙂

While I was playing with these stamps, I inked a few of the images in Smokey Slate.  Not sure why I chose that color, but I loved the muted look.  (It made me happy…see above.)  I tried them out as gift cards:

The ultimate in simplicity – perhaps too simple for some, but not for me.  Perhaps a single word in the corner, perhaps not…I just loved it.  I tried them all:

This bucket of apples worked so well with the Smokey Slate!  Featuring just one of the apples gave this image a pop! without being overwhelming.

I wouldn’t normally put Tangerine Tango with Smokey Slate, but I had a theme going here! Black would have been too sharp, and would have evoked more of the feeling of Halloween.

My little friend the tree wasn’t so sure she liked being stamped in Slate, but she agreed to be a good sport and play along.

And here’s the Slate family portrait.  I could imagine doing this with other neutrals – and with others from this 25th Anniversary Collection.

Follow the tour to Andi Potler to see what she has to share – I’m sure you’ll be delighted!

Nancy Amato          http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://www.stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis             http://www.thecardladies.com
Sherri Eddleblute      http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Lynn Embrey            http://www.possibilitiestamperstudio.com
Kathy Hamrick          http://www.countryroads.typepad.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com      YOU ARE HERE!
Andi Potler                 http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds      http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Sharon Tisdale          http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/coveredbridgesstamper/blog
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com