Settling into routine

Posted on August 26, 2012 by mauistamper

It’s been an interesting week, this first official Empty Nest week. The cat is doing his best to convince us that the nest is NOT empty, that he is still here and that he needs attention and he needs it now. But clearly it’s not the same – you can’t throw a child out the back door and come back 8 hours later, lah dee dah. Captain Stupidhead has a lot to say, but if you keep him fed the rest is easy.

Mr Maui Stamper and I are doing the same things we did when there were chickens in the nest, but it feels different now. I’m not thinking about what the family wants or needs, I’m thinking about the present. We were married for 6 years before we had our first child, and that BC (Before Children) lifestyle is a comfortable fit. Of course, our kids are an enormous part of our lives, and we are in touch with them often, but they aren’t on my To-Do list now. Well, they are of course…there’s a wedding early next year, and plane tickets for Thanksgiving…but it’s not an every day type of thing.

You would think that I would have stamped up a storm by now, but the sad truth is that my stamp studio has been a scene of absolute and atrocious chaos since before convention. I’ve been up here a couple of times trying to make progress. Finally last night I got serious with the heaps, bits and pieces, methodically working through the mess. It was a late night, but I’m happy to report success. There’s still some work to do – I have a number of brand new sets that aren’t put together – but I can think in here.

I have a card to share, too. I didn’t make it last night, but a couple of days ago. A friend of ours lost his dad, and though it wasn’t unexpected, the loss of someone dear weighs on your heart. I remember when my grandmother died at the age of 92 – she didn’t remember us any more, and she wasn’t the same energetic woman I’d grown up with, but still when she died I was sad to realize we wouldn’t make any new memories together. Fortunately, I have wonderful memories of both of my grandmothers, and those stories help to define who I am.

Thoughts and Prayers, Artistic Etchings, and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
Naturals Ivory and Soft Suede card stock
Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake FFIP
Baja Breeze Stampin’ Write marker
Baja Breeze Seam Binding
Oval and Small oval (retired) punches
Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’m really sorry that Stampin’ Up! retired that small oval punch, and I’m a bit stubborn about giving mine up as a result. You could just use the regular oval and ink up the edges, but that’s not what I wanted. Well. And that’s that.

And here I was going to say something about embracing change…

Raising money for Ronald McDonald House

Posted on August 22, 2012 by mauistamper

Every year Stampin’ Up! designs a stamp set dedicated to raising money for Ronald McDonald House. This year, each demonstrator attending convention received a free Moving Forward set and I’ve been busy with mine:

Moving Forward and Itty Bitty Banners stamp sets
Whisper White, Gumball Green and Midnight Muse card stock
Patio Party Designer Series paper
Midnight Muse and Gumball Green FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pads)
Midnight Muse and Gumball Green Stampin’ Write markers
1 3/4 inch circle and Bitty Shapes punches
Bitty Banners Framelits
Finishing Touches Edgelit
Essentials Paper Piercing Pack
Rhinestones and Pearls Jewels
Stampin’ Dimensionals

As a parent, I’ve spent more than one restless night in a hospital worrying about one of my children, but I’m grateful none of them has had to be hospitalized long term. It’s difficult to watch your child struggle with health issues and to maintain control of your emotions – at least in your child’s presence. When I think about the stress of long-term hospitalization and the accompanying expense, it becomes very simple to want to support an organization like Ronald McDonald House.

Every Moving Forward stamp set sold generates a $3.00 donation from Stampin’ Up! to Ronald McDonald House. It’s such a delightful, versatile set – doesn’t it belong on YOUR wish list? Shop now at my Online Store #126332 clear, #126320 wood

Thank Goodness for (self-stick) Googlies!!

Posted on August 19, 2012 by mauistamper

Am I the only person who is incredibly grateful for self-stick Googlie Eyes? I can’t tell you how many times I have stuck my fingers together with Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive) in the attempt to put Googlie Eyes on a project. Maybe I’m a klutz, or maybe I’m just too stubborn to dig out the tweezers, but I am very happy to have a sheet of peel-and-stick Googlie Eyes 🙂

The Ghoulish Googlies Designer kit makes perfect Halloween luminarias – as long as you put a battery operated tea light inside instead of a real wax candle! I ran the bag through the Big Shot with the new Chevron TIEF (Textured Impressions Embossing Folder) and used a little Champagne Mist Shimmer paint to sparkle it up, thought it doesn’t show well in this photo. It was quick, easy and fun, and the kit includes supplies for 10 bags, tags and twine, PLUS a full sheet of Googlie Eyes. Just add stamps and you’re set!

Checking in from South Bend…

Posted on August 17, 2012 by mauistamper

I can’t begin to tell you all of the things that have taken place in the past month. Let’s just say there have been amazing peaks and terrifying valleys and I am grateful that we are all where we are today. Mr Maui Stamper and I are in the midst of fledging the last little stamper – well, he wouldn’t care for that title – let’s call him Son of Stamper 🙂 He is moved into his new home in the dorms at Notre Dame and tomorrow we begin Freshman Orientation, which is targeted to the parents as much as to the newly admitted students. Our oldest daughter graduated from ND in 2009 so this familiar territory. Notre Dame is a very special place and we have already had so many affirmations that our son is right where he belongs. Thank you to all of you who have kept my family in your prayers.

Through the recent ups and downs I did manage to do a little bit of stamping – when I was able to get back to stamping that’s when I knew life was regaining a semblance of normalcy. A couple of weeks ago I had a special day of stamping for the Maui Stamper All Stars, the teammates that promoted this past year. One of our projects was inspired by Sara Douglass’ convention demonstration:

LOVE those new Flourish Designer frames from the Holiday Mini catalog! They are absolutely beautiful and they have just enough give that you can curve them to fit around the shape of the Mason jar. (Hint: if you’re going to do that, shape them BEFORE you attach them to the jar – much easier – ask me how I know!)

I cut a scallop circle from our Twitterpated fabric for the top, attached ribbon to the rim with sticky strip, and sewed a button through Cherry Cobbler scalloped dotted ribbon to embellish the top.

I think Summer Silhouettes is my favorite new stamp set this year. Just remember you heard it from me first!

I made some bookmarks to put inside. I wanted something a little unexpected. At convention, Sara put a vintage photo inside. I really liked that concept, but since we were doing this as a group project I wanted it to be fun and stress free for my team – no searching for that perfect photo!!

It’s late and we’ve had a very full day. I think we’ve made 4 trips to a certain popular “You want it, we’ve got it” type of store as well as half a dozen other stops. If Son of Stamper doesn’t have it now, he doesn’t need it. We were blessed with a beautiful day on this beautiful campus – I think you’ll agree:

Go Irish!

Scrappin’ Inspiration

Posted on July 25, 2012 by mauistamper

I am…inspired to scrap! Convention is a great place for new ideas and I saw TONS of great scrapbook pages.

One of the projects on my List (admit it, you have one too) is a family history scrapbook. I loved the combintation of sepia and pink to create this vintage but feminine page.

This has a completely different feeling, but it still has a family archive/vintage feeling. The buttons holding the banner are a perfect touch.

This is so well done for a baby – sweet but not too sweet! Easy to adapt to any age – and look at those birds on the wire! Ah, birds…

I’ve never used this layout – 2/3 photo, 1/3 embellishment and journaling – but it’s bold without having to rely on graphics. This one is very soft despite the strong block layout.

Inspired to scrap? I am!

Amazing artists

Posted on July 23, 2012 by mauistamper

Hit the floor running this morning – good way to work in some WW Activity Points, I guess! So much to do in so many different areas of life. I guess that’s part of the definition of Woman.

My suitcase is unpacked although most of the Stampin’ Goodness is in heaps on the counters in my studio. Captain Stupidhead (aka the cat) has wasted no time in telling me how horribly mistreated he was while I was gone, how no one loves him the way that I do, and that the only thing that will make it better will be for me to sit and hold him on my lap and pet him until tomorrow. Oh well, Pookie, you’ll get over it – I don’t have that kind of time! I did take him upstairs when I went to bed around 9:30 (BLISS = your OWN bed). Mr Maui Stamper put Pookie out before he came to bed as the Captain can’t seem to sleep past about 3:30am. Most annoying.

But you’re not here to hear about the Captain, you want to see Stampin’! I don’t know if I’ll get organized enough this week to share photos that flow together or tell a story or anything, but I have a few I think you’ll like. Every year I struggle with what photos to take. If my photos contain too many objects I never go back and look at them because they are overwhelming. If I take one project at a time it takes ETERNITY!! I tried to find a happy medium and will start by showing some of the things that really caught my eye. I’m not saying I would actually make some of these, just that I admire the artistry and craftsmanship.

Amazing, isn’t it? I wish there was enough room on the Stampin’ Up! convention display boards to acknowledge each artisti individually. This was one of those projects that caused me to just stand there and stare. Here’s a little more detail:

There is a name for this type of paper art but it escapes me – if you know it I would be grateful for your comment. (Ed: it’s called Iris Fold. Thank you Kay and Sharri!) If you are the artist or know who she (maybe even he?) is, I would love to give you credit here too!

4 September 2013: Edited to add…

The artist is Julie Olivier, and her blog is www.madewithpaper.wordpress.com Go visit her and tell her how fabulous she is!

One more close-up:

Isn’t the detail on this awesome???

Now for a few other 3-D items that were grouped together and also fit into the “awesome” catagory:

I loved this paper topiary. I made one quite a while ago out of felt but this one has a completely different feeling. There are so many layers, and the subtle colors give this depth and a lush feeling. I know it would be a ton of work but I feel an irresistable urge to make one myself. Stay tuned…

Here’s a “Two-fer” – and I think they’re both beautiful and romantic! All those pearls…and the glitter on the butterfly. I really, really, really love Mr Maui Stamper but I wish he didn’t have such a strong dislike of glitter.

Another take on the topiary concept..and seriously, can you believe this artist inked EVERY SINGLE BLOOMIN’ Boho Flower??? At least I think they’re Bohos. Oh my goodness. The resemblance to real life Lilacs is amazing, but WOW.

Enough for now, got a Maui Stampers team meeting tomorrow night and we have lots to talk about!!

En route home to Maui: PDX

Posted on July 22, 2012 by mauistamper

Such an early call this morning – felt as though I would never wake up! Crystal an I were in the back of the plane but we whipped out our catalogs and started planning classes (stay tuned Maui peeps the dates are coming!)

We must have been a little noisy because we attracted the interest of our neighbor across the aisle. Turns out she’s a newlywed on the way home from her honeymoon. She also loves paper crafting so that flight went by quickly!

Just a couple of quick pix from convention – they’re from my phone so I apologize about the quality – as a taste of what else is to come:

Stampin’ Up! Convention 2012: It’s a wrap

Posted on July 21, 2012 by mauistamper

My bags are packed, I’m ready to go…

And I have to tell you that having my bags packed – within weight limits – is an absolute miracle. I’m taking home 7 new stamp sets, oodles of completed projects, loads of swaps, and heaps of Memento Mall swag. There also might be a little bit of shopping in my suitcase that is unrelated to Stampin’ Up! (just maybe!)

The classes today were excellent. I know there are people who come to convention and spend most of their time socializing, networking, (shopping, eating) and doing things besides the classes – but I LOVE the classes. I am inspired, I am challenged, I am learning new things!

Our final session was memorable for so many reasons. Dale Hampshire, the manager for the Candian business, showed off some pretty impressive dancing as he entered the stage to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Stampin’ Up! in Canada. Carrie Cudney showed off some pretty impressive bagpiping (with her “baby” brother) as she entered the stage to demonstrate all sorts of hand-crafted flowers. Shelli and her daughter Sara revealed the destination for the Grand Vacation 2014 in a hilarious skit with CEO Rich Jutkins. The location? A Western Carribbean cruise on the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas.

Then Shelli – well, Shelli did what she does best. She talked about the company and the people – staff and demonstrators – that make Stampin’ Up! what it is. Shelli also gave away stamps – our 2012-2013 Ronald McDonald House benefit set, Moving Forward, as well as the new hostess set for the Holiday Mini catalog, Mixed Medley. We also earned a fabulous demonstrator-only set, and when you add all of those together with our Make-and-Take sets, it was some pretty impressive loot!