RemARKable Flowers

Maui Stamper RemARKable March Pinworthy Blog tour

 

It’s another RemARKable Pinworthy blog tour – and this time we are focusing on flowers.  I think most crafters LOVE flowers, and I’m no exception.  One of my favorite new flower products is the Sizzix Spiral Flower Originals die, and I thought I would tackle something I’ve been thinking about for a while.  I’m pretty pleased with my first attempt:

Maui Stamper Spiral Flower Originals Die Denim FlowersI have been imagining crafting with our new Sizzix Spiral Flower Originals Die with fabric for weeks!  I have SO MANY ideas for these flowers…but I’m getting ahead of myself.  These are made from denim (specifically, an old pair of torn, destroyed jeans) and tulle (leftover from my bridal ensemble – really!)

My first idea was a wristlet:

Maui Stamper Spiral Flower Originals Die Denim FlowersI didn’t even get to the embellishment stage.  This idea has potential, but the problem here is that I’m a Bash-and-Crash kinda girl, and this little confection wouldn’t make it through the first day on my wrist.

Maui Stamper Spiral Flower Originals Die Denim FlowersCute idea – for someone else’s wrist.  It was back to the drawing board.

Maui Stamper Spiral Flower Originals Die Denim FlowersI used two denim spirals and two tulle spirals for the flower on the right.  The one on the left has one denim spiral and two tulle spirals – the tulle is very lightweight and soft, not the stiff variety.

Maui Stamper Spiral Flower Originals Die Denim FlowersThe “double denim” flower is in the center – it’s definitely larger – with a single denim layer flower on either side.

Maui Stamper Spiral Flower Originals Die Denim FlowersI did learn a few tricks in the process of assembling these.  If I were working with fabric only (no tulle) it would be fairly simple to roll first and hot glue second.  However, the tulle is wispy and stubborn, and I found it easier to roll a little, hot glue a little, and roll a little more.  Also, when you are working with paper, it’s very easy to adjust the tightness of the rolled flower once you’re done.  With fabric (even if you haven’t hot glued it together already!) there’s too much friction in the layers and they don’t want to loosen up.  I found I got the best results by practicing once or twice before I began to assemble with the hot glue.

Now that I have a few of these under my belt, I can’t wait to add Spiral Flower embellishments to…well, you’ll have to wait and see.  In the meantime, go see what the rest of the RemARKables have come up with – I’m certain you’ll be inspired!

RemARKable PINworthy Blog Tour 2014

Head on over to Audra Monk at the Crafty Yogi to continue the tour!

 

 

Weekly Deals April 8 to 14, 2013

It’s Tuesday and you know what that means – new DEALS;

Maui Stamper Weekly Deals April 8 to 14, 2014There are new MDS downloads this week, too:

Maui Stamper April 8, 2014 MDS DownloadsAnd if you’re working on MDS projects for Easter, the talented Robin Merriman has created this graphic to help you find just what you’re looking for:

Maui Stamper April 2014 Easter MDS DownloadsI’m really happy this morning (despite the CRAZY tradewinds) because I’m officially registered for Stampin’ Up!’s annual craft-fest/love-fest/AllThingsStampin’Up!-fest in July!!

Maui Stamper InspireCreateShare2014New demonstrators attend for free this year – there’s still time, you know!  Come along with me!

 

Birthdays are wonderful things…

I celebrated my birthday last month.  It wasn’t one of those birthdays that end in zero, but like my dad always says, it’s good to be on this side of the grass.  I had a fabulous day, including lots of card-love from my family and friends.  I thought I’d share a few:

Maui Stamper Birthday Cheryl's Coffee Card in a BoxThis girl certainly knows me well!  Cheryl chose a coffee theme and made a card-in-a-box, since we’ve both become somewhat obsessed with them.

Maui Stamper Birthday Becky EnjoyMy friend Becky sent this sweet card featuring the oh-so-on-trend Filmstrip Framelits.  Becky and I met at convention years ago when I burst into tears sitting next to her at a presentation (very long story).  Suffice it to say that she wrapped me up in a hug and a very special friendship was born!Maui Stamper Birthday Sharyly ShellsMy friend and fellow stamper Sharyl used the Sweet Sorbet DSP and a found seashell to create this beachy birthday card.  I love the rhinestones on the slippers!  (We do NOT call them flip flops, thongs, go-aheads, or zoris.  They are slippahs.  Rubbah slippahs.)

Maui Stamper Birthday CrystalCrystal sent this gorgeous water-colored card.  It is so very much her style – I would have guessed it was hers if I had seen it almost anywhere!

This last card isn’t hand-made, but it is so ME:Maui Stamper Birthday Wendy Ladies OK, so I’m not 80 yet, and I don’t carry a white handbag, but I DO wear Birkenstocks.  Every day.  Like, 24/7.  Wendy is my Maui Fashion Consultant, and this is what she wrote:

Maui Stamper Birthday Wendy PROMISE!I think I can make that promise.  ‘Cause those shoes aren’t Birks.

 

 

Weekly Deals and MDS Downloads April 1 to 7, 2014

Hello there, crafters!  Here are the Weekly Deals for April 1 to 7:

Maui Stamper Weekly Deals April 1 to 7 2014Every week Stampin’ Up! gives us a deal on a new group of goodies, and this week the deals include the 7/16 inch Natural Trim Ribbon.  This ribbon is perfect for cards, bags and just about any 3-D project you want to DIY, but it’s also a great choice for home decor.

It’s also pretty sweet to see not one but TWO Bigz dies on sale this week.  If your order is small and you’d like to save on the minimum shipping, let me know what you’d like by Sunday and I’ll add it into my weekly supply order.

Maui Stamper MDS Downloads April 1 2014Lots of perfect options for spring in this group of downloads!  Visit my Online Store to place your order, and thanks!

Walkin’ on the beach…

Happy April Fool’s Day!  No foolin’ here today…just an April walk on the beach:

Maui Stamper April 2014 Easel Calendar

Have I mentioned how much I love making these simple little calendar pages?  There isn’t a lot of fanfare, and the embellishment is minimal if there at all.   It’s just the dates and a suggestion of a theme for the month.

  • Stamps:  By the Seashore and Gorgeous Grunge
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Pool Party and Crumb Cake

This soothing page will remind me to get out the door and take my beach walk every morning…not that I need a lot of encouragement.  It’s one of my favorite indulgences and it’s something I never take for granted.

The Maui Stampers run an itty-bitty blog tour the first of the month.  I hope you’ll spend a little time April-foolin’ around and check out what Crystal and Cheryl have done for their calendars this month.  Thanks for stopping by!