Tropical Hideaway: So Many Ways

Posted on August 8, 2022 by mauistamper

Given where I live, it’s pretty sad to say I was late to the Tropical Hideaway party. This background stamp MAKES a card – any card – as quick or as fussy as you’d like. And the leaves? Just stunning.

Stamps: Tropical Hideaway, Happiness Abounds
Color Palette: Basic White, Soft Sea Foam, Soft Succulent
Accessories: Big Boss, Brick Embossing Folder, Stylish Shapes dies, Waterpainters, White Crinkle Ribbon, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Irridescent Rhinestones

My first attempt to add color to this image was with watercolor – just the Waterpainter Brush, some ink from my reinker bottle, and some water. I admit I am not thrilled with the result – it looks too muddy for my taste.

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! Tropical Hideaway background watercolor DIY handmade card

When you pair the watercoloring with the brushed Brick Embossing folder, the softness seems complimentary. Add a little of everyone’s favorite white crinkle ribbon, and viola!

I like a crisper look, and the good news is that NOT watercoloring is even faster! A couple of quick tags from the Tailor Made Tags dies and cut the 3/8″ woven ribbon down the middle, and you have a brand new feeling in this card! Similar colors – the first is Soft Succulent, the second is Bermuda Bay – but they have very different energies.

Whichever you prefer, you’ll find you can’t go wrong with the Tropical Hideaway stamp. Head over to the Online Store to add it to your order while you can still get freebies with Sale-a-bration!

Maui Stamper 2023 DIY Easel Calendar template $5

The 2023 DIY Calendar Template is now available! It’s just $5 and you may use it to make as many calendars as you like. It includes a page of covers, 12 monthly calendar blocks (4 to a page), and a set of cutting instructions. The blocks are designed to be cut to 3 1/2″ square.

Contact me to make your payment – I use Square to invoice, and you don’t need an account to use it.

Be sure to subscribe by August 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The August kit is awash with sunflowers, and includes bonus shimmy gold honeycomb embellishments for your crafting delight. Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Don’t miss this kit!

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper and dies that coordinate with our stamps are options when you spend $50 usd. Time to go shopping! See the choices HERE. New product options have been introduced August 2nd and are available while supplies last.

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and one of my favorite Do Not Miss This products is our Embossing Additions Tool Kit with all the tools you’ll need for perfect results. Shop the Mini Catalog and then choose your Sale-a-bration reward!

Becoming a demonstrator is ALWAYS a great value – the kit itself includes $125 of product (you choose every bit of it) for $99. It also includes catalogs and other business supplies should you choose to share what you love doing. But the icing on the cake is the discount that every demonstrator earns on every single order. There’s no long-term commitment – let’s chat and see if this makes sense for you! Contact me to learn more. Ready to sign up? JOIN HERE.

August 2022 DIY: Count on Me

Posted on August 1, 2022 by mauistamper

Our stamps coordinate perfectly within in a set, but I get a tingle when I find new ways to combine stamps between sets. This is a perfect example: Count on Me + Painted Poppies!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! 2022 DIY Easel Calendar Painted-Poppies Count-on-Me

Count on Me, Painted Poppies
Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals

They’re poppies. I had to use Poppy Parade!

This is a simple project, if you don’t count fussy cutting the bear. Nearly all of my calendars are simple by nature, and I that’s why I love making them. AND I have news: The 2023 template is ready!

There’s something really sweet about this bear looking over its shoulder. This calendar will make me happy all month long.

Want more calendar happiness? Take a moment to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for August.

Some of you have been patiently waiting – the 2023 DIY Template is now available! It’s just $5 and you may use it to make as many calendars as you like. It includes a page of covers, 12 monthly calendar blocks (4 to a page), and a set of cutting instructions. The blocks are designed to be cut to 3 1/2″ square.

Contact me to make your payment – I use Square to invoice, and it doesn’t require an account to use.

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and one of my favorite Do-Not-Miss-This products is our Embossing Additions Tool Kit with all the tools you’ll need for perfect results. Shop the Mini Catalog and then choose your Sale-a-bration reward!

Let’s Make It an Amazing Year

Posted on July 10, 2022 by mauistamper

Amazing Year caught my eye the first time I flipped through the Annual Catalog. We have lots of flowers, but not so many bouquets, and this one can stand all by itself:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Amazing Year Deckle Rectangle Dies Stampin' Blends

Stamps: Amazing Year
Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Soft Succulent, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Balmy Blue, Mint Macaron, Orchid Oasis, Highland Heather
Accessories: Big/Baby Boss, Deckle Rectangle Dies, Stampin’ Blends, Metallic Woven Ribbon, Take your Pick Tool, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I went a little outside my comfort zone coloring this image. I added in a lot of different colors, because Mother Nature does that, right?

With all that color, I kept the base and panel Basic White. To add a little distinction, I brushed the edges of the Deckle Rectangle 💕 with Highland Heather, and I flicked a paintbrush with a little ink refill in a puddle of water to create watercolor droplets for the card base. I shredded the metallic woven ribbon with the pointy bit of my pick tool, then gathered up the threads to tie a bow. They need a dab of liquid glue to keep them from coming undone.

I love the simplicity of this layout and the focus on the bouquet. I’m going to make another in pinks and corals, so stay tuned. While you’re waiting, you can see this sweet stamp set and add it to your shopping cart HERE. Thanks for stopping by!

The July December mini catalog brings a charming new product with a purpose. Our Nourish and Flourish kit includes card making supplies for 9 delightful cards + an insulated canvas lunch bag to make meals on the go that much sweeter. Every Nourish and Flourish kit sold will generate a $3usd/ $4cad donation to organizations working to end food insecurity. It’s a win-win! See it HERE.

Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This month features a nautical theme. Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you.

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper, dies, and a printed card base and envelope combo are all options when you spend $50usd. There’s lots of coordination here too. Time to go shopping! See the choices HERE.

Stampin’ Up! always has a bonus joining offer during Sale-a-bration, and this one is really special! You’ll receive a gorgeous planner, 3 coordinating notebooks, and an exclusive stamp set to help organize your projects, your priorities, and your plans! Becoming a demonstrator is ALWAYS a great value – the kit itself includes $125 of product (you choose every bit of it) for $99. It also includes catalogs and other business supplies should you choose to share what you love doing. But the icing on the cake is the discount that every demonstrator earns on every single order. There’s no long-term commitment – let’s chat and see if this makes sense for you! Ready to sign up? JOIN HERE.

Hippo Loves You a TON

Posted on July 8, 2022 by mauistamper

I hope you’re lovin’ this Hippo – as you can tell, I surely am! I especially love combining the Hippo with other stamps – today it’s Paradise Palms:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Hippest Hippo Paradise Palms Sale-a-bration SAB 2202

Stamps: Hippest Hippo (SAB 2022), Paradise Palms
Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Soft Suede
Accessories: Big/Baby Boss, Hippo dies, Palms dies, Beautiful Shapes, Artistic Mix Decorative masks, Blending Brush, Pool Party Sheer Ribbon, Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 21-23 In Color Gems (oopsie, retired!), Vellum

My favorite part of the Hippo dies is all the accessories – I’m not sure if these are supposed to be sunglasses or part of the snorkel, but I love them as regular glasses! The heart is part of those bonus images as well.

The Artistic Mix Decorative Masks are designed so that they can be used together – I’ve just used one here, but it’s addictive to layer them and see what you get.

Making your own cards allows you options you don’t find in the store. I love to add images to the inside of my card as well as the envelope. I layer a 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Basic White or Very Vanilla (depending on the card colors) on the inside of every colored card base. It’s a perfect way to dress up the inside of the card, especially when you add palms! (Everything is better with palm trees.)

Have you shopped Sale-a-bration 2022 v2 yet? The SAB products are a great way to stretch your crafting dollars – it’s almost a BOGO! I predict this Hippo will be hot, so get it now. Shop HERE. You’ll be glad you did.

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper, dies, and a printed card base and envelope combo are all options when you spend $50usd. There’s lots of coordination here too. Time to go shopping! See the choices HERE.

Hippo in Wonderland

Posted on July 6, 2022 by mauistamper

“Hippo, whoooo are youuuuu?” said the Caterpillar (apologies to Lewis Carroll). There’s no caterpillar here, but that winking Hippo is pretty sassy all the same!

Stamps: Hippest Hippo, Kindest Gnomes, Paradise Palms
Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Pale Papaya, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Naturals 200, 400 & 600
Accessories: Big/Mini Boss, Hippos dies, Storybook Gnomes DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Pool Party Sheer Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I experimented with a lot of Hippo colors, but ultimately decided that my card looked best if the Hippo shared the same colors as the wooden door on the mushroom. I used our new Naturals line of Stampin’ Blends to color them both.

The Storybook Gnomes DSP is a real find! Great colors, great images, and it really makes a card pop. It also helped direct my color choices for this card, and I don’t think I would have used Pale Papaya without that inspiration.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Hippest Hippos Kindest Gnomes Stampin' Blends handmade card DIY

I used a teeny splash of pool party on this Hippo’s eyes and in the window panes. I considered putting a little smooch on that kisser, but decided that would just be lipstick on a…well, you know.

Those Hippo stamps and dies are available as Sale-a-bration 2022 v2 choices, but I wouldn’t wait too long to place an order. We’ve been reminded by Stampin’ Up! that all Sale-a-bration selections are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, and you know what that means! Skedaddle on over to the Online Store and get yours today! Both the Hippos stamps and dies are available with your $50 purchase: you’ll need to spend $100 to get them both, but it won’t cost you a penny to add them to your order!

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper, dies, and a printed card base and envelope combo are all options when you spend $50usd. There’s lots of coordination here too. Time to go shopping! See the choices HERE.

My Hippie Hippo

Posted on July 2, 2022 by mauistamper

Can you say GROOOOVY??? As soon as I started stamping the Hippo (2202 v2 Sale-a-bration) I saw this card in my mind, and it turned out EXACTLY as I imagined it. How often does that happen??

A card with a purple hippo and a colorful tie dyed swirl

Stamps: Hippest Hippos (Sale-a-bration 2022 v2), Spiral Dye
Color Palette: Basic White, Highland Heather, Parakeet Party, Tahitian Tide, Daffodil Delight, Memento Black
Accessories: Big/Baby Boss, Hippo dies, Fine Sparkle Adhesive Backed Gems, Stylish Shapes, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Daubers, Wink of Stella

Do you see that flag? I got crafty with the Stylish Shapes dies. I stamped the sentiment and cut it out with the small banner, then used the larger one to cut off one end:

Ooooo, I was feelin’ groooovy 🎶 (da da da dah dah dah da, feelin’ groovy)

I wanted this purple hippo to have a little pizazz, and it was Wink of Stella to the rescue. Well, that and Parakeet Party nails. The little hearts are some of the accessories that come with the Hippos dies, and trust me, you will be reaching for those dies again and again with all of their fun coordinating shapes.

I used daubers to ink up the Spiral Dye stamp (see what they did there?) and I can’t wait to do this again with another set of colors. When I showed this card to my Maui Stamper team, they all said I needed to make a video – so stay tuned, I may just have a YouTube debut!

If you’re inspired, all the supplies are available in my Online Store – and if you spend $50, you’ll earn free Sale-a-bration product like the Hippo! What are you waiting for?

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper, dies, and a printed card base and envelope combo are all options when you spend $50usd. There’s lots of coordination here too. Time to go shopping! See the choices HERE.

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and one of my favorite Do Not Miss This products is our Embossing Bundle with all the tools you’ll need for perfect results. Shop the Mini Catalog and then choose your Sale-a-bration reward!

July 2022 DIY: Hippest Hippos

Posted on July 1, 2022 by mauistamper

Get ready for these Hippos! Stampin’ Up! always features at least one cute li’l critter for Sale-a-bration, and this catalog is no different. Just look at those little finger-and-tony-nails*

a small calendar on an easel with a purple hippo and palm trees

Stamps: Hippest Hippo (SAB), Paradise Palms
Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Fresh Freesia, Pool Party, Polished Pink, Granny Apple Green, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo
Accessories: Big/Baby Boss, Hippo dies, Palm dies, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

*Yes, I know the correct word is toenails, but my first born called them tony nails and that is so much better.

Look at that winky eye! That sassy hip! You know this girl is the life of the party!!!

The Hippo dies are available separately from the Hippest Hippo stamps so that you can budget your purchases and still have both. The dies are a must-have not just for the hippos but for all the accessories: glasses, scuba gear, hearts, flowers, a boat, an umbrella, and the wave you see here. I’ve had a hippo fest all week long, so plan on seeing more! They may or may not all be purple 😁

Coloring the hippos with Stampin’ Blends is easy, and while you would be within your rights to choose Gray Granite or Crumb Cake, I am giving you my permission, nay, my blessing, to make your hippo any color you like. Call it creative license.

As always, Cheryl and Crystal have created July 22 DIY calendars as well. I hope you’ll take a look and see what they’ve done, and then take a moment to check out the Online Store to see all the wonderful Sale-a-bration options.

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper, dies, and a printed card base and envelope combo are all options when you spend $50usd. There’s lots of coordination here too. Time to go shopping!

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and one of my favorite Do Not Miss This products is our Embossing Additions Tool Kit with all the tools you’ll need for perfect results. Shop the Mini Catalog and then choose your Sale-a-bration reward!

A Pair of Dragonflies

Posted on June 29, 2022 by mauistamper

I had some squares of the most gorgeous Designer Series paper left over from a project, and I couldn’t bear to waste them. I lined them up with a dragonfly, and the resulting card is very pretty, if I do say so myself:

a white card with 3 soft green squares and a dragonfly

Stamps: Dragonfly Garden, Go To Greetings, Forever Fern
Color palette: Basic White, Mint Macaron, Soft Succulent, Soft Sea Foam
Accessories: Big Boss, Deckled Rectangles Dies*, Splendid Day DSP*, Dragonfly Punch, Blending Brushes, 1 1/2″ Metallic Mesh Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

*There are a couple of July-December 22 Mini Catalog sneak peeks here, but it’s almost July 1!

The Deckled Rectangle dies are never going to leave my craft desk. I am head-over-heels with these dies! They offer a rustic elegance we haven’t had before, and I am smitten.

A white card with patterned paper squares and a dragonfly

A card so nice I made it twice! This one is a little plain, but that’s intentional. It has the potential to be a sympathy card should I need one, so I’ve left it simple and without a greeting.

a white card with 3 squares of pattern paper and a

I made a custom envelope for each card with the DSP on the flap. If you’ve got a few squares of luscious DSP on your craft desk, give this a try – you could substitute for the dragonfly if that’s not part of your stash. The main thing is to have a little fun – and then go shopping HERE.

The July Paper Pumpkin features beautifully designed nautical imagery, a fun message in a bottle motif, and sentiments that are “shore” to please.

Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you.

Last Chance Products January-June 2022 Mini Catalog

It’s LAST CHANCE time for the 2022 January – June Mini catalog, and these incredible deals won’t last! Many dies are 50% off, so do the math: the best deal may not be the bundle, but buying stamps and dies separately. Whatever you do, don’t wait! These deals disappear on June 30.

A Natural Prints Dies Wreath

Posted on June 6, 2022 by mauistamper

When I saw the Natural Prints dies I was immediately taken by the wreath shape, but I wasn’t sure how to use it. Ultimately, I gave in to the fact that it had to be a square card.

Stamps: Love & Happiness
Color palette: Basic White, Pear Pizazz, Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Big Boss, Natural Prints dies, Seasonal Labels dies, Brick Embossing Folder, White Crinkled ribbon, Polished Dots, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I kept fiddling with the layout and colors and finally settled on Pear Pizazz and pale Papaya. I colored both the flower die cuts and the crinkle ribbon with the Pale Papaya Blends to get exactly what I envisioned.

Side note: when you color the Crinkled Ribbon with Blends it develops a little more body – not so much that it’s hard to work with, just the right little extra bit.

A small calendar page decorated with floral stamps and the message Love Changes Everything

I mashed the ribbon onto some glue dots and did the same with the die cut flowers. I put a tiny piece of Calypso Coral card stock behind the opening in the flowers. It’s not enough to see without squinting , but I know it’s there.

There will be a custom envelope, but it’s been a busy week and I’m not ready to send this card. Besides, I want to leave it here for you and if I wait until the envelope is done, we’ll, that might be a while. So enjoy – and then go shopping HERE.

The June Paper Pumpkin features fresh summer designs and sentiments to make 9 cards with matching envelopes. Your kit includes a customizable canvas bag – and you can order more mini bags to deliver your cards with style!

Stampin Up Paper Pumpkin Box with stamped bag and berries and title Pick of the Crop

Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you.

June 2022 DIY: A Sparkling Moon

Posted on June 1, 2022 by mauistamper

The Floating Sunset technique is reappearing today as the Sparkling Moon for the 2022 June DIY Easel calendar! I have a lot of ideas in my head for this technique – it’s fun, it’s easy, it uses scraps, and I love the result.

June calendar with a three quarter circle and background of stars

Stamps: Sparkle of the Season
Color Palette: Basic White, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Tranquil Tide for mat (retired In Color)
Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, window sheets, layering circle dies, watercolor paper, water painter, ink refill, Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Trust me, the Stella is there and it is very sparkly. I had some odd-size pieces of watercolor paper left over from the Floating Sunset cards, so I watercolored them with Bermuda Bay ink refills and cut them into strips. I started with a pretty dilute solution and added more drops of ink as I went along, but you could just as easily start with a stronger solution and dilute it with water as you work.

This technique has my mind spinning: I’m going to try it with Designer Series Paper next. So many options!

calendar on a wooden easel with a three quarter circle and background of stars

What do you think? Would you like to make one of these? Next month I’ll have the 2023 Calendar pdf for sale for all of you planner-aheader crafters. In the meantime, please visit my crafty BFFs Cheryl and Crystal’s to see the calendars they’ve created for June 2022.