Author Archives: mauistamper

Birds with Gorgeous Branches

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When demonstrators got our first look at the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, Birds & Branches caught my eye right away. My stampin’ bff teased me about it, saying she knew it would be at the top of my list. OK, fine, so we’ve established there are some things you can predict about me!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Birds and Branches card
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Birds and Branches card

My die cutting machine got quite the workout with this project! (SHHHH – Big News – we have an availability date for the new Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine! Demonstrators have a chance to order first – another reason you might want to sign up and take advantage of the June Bonus Bundle offer!)

I love the layered look of the new Old World Paper 3D Embossing Folder behind the Subtle 3D Embossing Folder. I allowed a little reveal around the edge as well, and added a layer of Stampin’ Dimensionals between the Very Vanilla Subtle EF and the Crumb Cake Old World Paper EF.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Birds & Branches card

Coloring those birds with the Stampin’ Blends went quickly as they’re small and are mostly stamped – just a few Daffodil Delight accents and they were good to go. And we ALL KNOW that every project is better when there’s a little bit of linen thread, right?

Are you smitten as I was? Shop HERE.

All the New In Colors

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My first full-catalog order arrived this afternoon and I WAS READY:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2020-2022 In Color Collection Painted Poppies

This card was designed, cut and ready for my 2020-2022 In Color inks and blends! It doesn’t often happen that way, but I was inspired by these gorgeous colors. I love the statement it makes when you feature a single color with black and white accents. (Note to self: Magenta Madness is VERY pink!)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2020-2022 In Color Collection Painted Poppies

Oh, Magenta Madness is glorious! I love this sentiment from the Peaceful Moments stamp set, because it sets the stage for just about any message – thank you, thinking of you, happy birthday, you name it. I’ll add an additional sentiment on the inside of these cards when it’s time to send them.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2020-2022 In Color Collection Painted Poppies

Stampin’ Up! hasn’t produced a Bumble Bee Stampin’ Blend, so I used Daffodil Delight with a little Mango Melody. You could easily use Stampin’ Write markers to color this image.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2020-2022 In Color Collection Painted Poppies

Any of the designs available with this DSP would work well for this technique, but I chose the dots because they echoed the repetition of the poppy blooms on the stems.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2020-2022 In Color Collection Painted Poppies

I wasn’t sure how Cinnamon Cider would work for this card, but I’m very happy with it! It reminds me of a vine that is quite common (actually it’s invasive) here in Hawaii called wood rose. The flower is yellow, but the seed pod looks like a soft wooden flower.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2020-2022 In Color Collection Painted Poppies

I don’t want to play favorites, but I *think* Just Jade is going to be my go-to In Color for this new suite of colors. It’s not as bright as Bermuda Bay and I can’t wait to explore new color combinations.

That’s today’s In Color Suite – what do you think? If you’re ready to shop, consider two specials going on for the month of June. A workshop or single order that reaches the $250 level gets an extra $25 of Host Rewards. I’m hosting events on Zoom with great success, and if you’re interested I would be delighted to talk about how we could make that work for you.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up June 2020 Bonus Host Dollars

If your shopping list is over $99, it’s a great time to sign up as a demonstrator. Your $99 kit includes your choice of $125 of Stampin’ Up! product, a selection of business supplies, and through June 30, you’ll add another stamp/die or stamp/punch bundle at no additional cost. There’s no obligation beyond purchasing the kit, but every order you place once you’ve signed up is discounted a minimum of 20%.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Recruits Get a Free Bundle 06-2020

There are so many choices! It’s a good problem to have, don’t you think?

Available Today: Forever Greenery Suite

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Welcome to the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog! I gasped when I first saw this suite, and it’s been on top of my craft desk since the moment it arrived in my studio. The colors and images are restful and versatile, just the thing for a respite from the summer heat.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Forever Greenery Suite

This suite has it all: stamps, dies, designer series paper, a trim collection, embossing folders (which I didn’t use here) and those gold hoops. WHO KNEW??? Every single sheet of that DSP is hoard-worthy, and I have challenged myself to use it all up!!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Forever Greenery Suite

The natural trim is so soft – it’s like the kind of gauze they made bandages from back in the day, soft and easy to shape. The gold trim has more heft than previous trims and ties beautifully as well.

I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (aka Tombo) to adhere that hoop. It’s actually flat on the side that faces the paper, making it easier to get a secure attachment. I love those little details.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Forever Greenery Suite

Trust me, my crafty friends, this is going to sell and sell quickly! The 20-21 Annual Catalog will be available for orders some time around 8am HST today.

This Suite has everything you could wish for, but if your budget doesn’t have the space to do that, order what you can and be happy! Hurry to the Online Store to get yours today.

DIY June 2020: Birds & Branches

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I’ve got a little preview for your today. On Wednesday the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog will be live and available for your shopping pleasure, but I have a peek at a charming new stamp and die bundle that’s all about feathered friends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar June 2020 Birds and Branches
Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar June 2020 Birds & Branches

Look at their little birdie feet!!!

I sponged the leaves on the branches for a little depth – it’s amazing the impact you get from a small step like sponging.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar June 2020 Birds & Branches

And there’s NEWS!!!

I am AMAZED by how many of you are chomping at the bit for your 2021 DIY Easel Calendar pdf. As of today, the pdf fairy is granting your wishes! Please use the contact me button at the top of the blog to send me your email, and I’ll invoice you for just $5. When your invoice is paid, I’ll email you the pdf with the 2021 monthly calendar pages (4 to a sheet), a page of covers should you choose to give the calendar as a gift, and a sheet of cutting instructions.

Ready for more inspiration? Stop by to see what Crystal and Cheryl have created for June. You can still shop the Last Chance list at the Online Store through 11:50pm MDT/6:50pm HST on June 2, 2020. The 2020-2021 Annual Catalog will be available by noon MDT/8:00am HST on June 3, 2020.

Farewell to First Frost

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This time of year I get a little verklempt over some of the retiring stamps. Others, not so much – but I’ll be sorry to see First Frost leave the catalog. I discovered a little embossed bit in my “pieces” a couple of days ago, and brought the set out for one last inking.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up First Frost in Gray
Maui Stamper Stampin Up First Frost in Gray

I cut small pieces from the Stampin’ Dimensionals sheet to adhere the embossed vellum stem. The White Embossing Powder perfectly masked the dimensionals, and I was able to cut them in narrow strips by using the extra bit of foam that’s left behind when all the dimensionals are used.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up First Frost in Gray

Funny, when I stamped the first images (Memento Black ink on Whisper White) I liked them so well I almost didn’t use the vellum bit that was my inspiration in the first place. Instead, I created this second version using Basic Gray and Very Vanilla card stock. It’s almost the same, although I used the Metallic Pearls and a retired sympathy sentiment (Teeny Tiny Wishes.)

I’m having trouble deciding which one I prefer! But I’ll tell you this: if you’re on the fence about adding First Frost (or Beautiful Bouquet and its great sentiments) to your craft stash, you’ll need to visit the Online Store right away as these two sets will be retired at close of business on June 2, 2020. Don’t dilly dally.

A Congratulations Easel Card

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I’ve gotten VERY creative with projects for my clubs the past couple of months, as we’re crafting together via zoom. It’s not quite the same as being together in one place, but it’s much better than not being together at all! Since I can only provide paper and my club members have to go through their stashes to find stamps, ink, and any extras they want, I’ve been working to come up with designs that are flexible. Last month we created an easel card for a graduate:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Congratulations Easel Technique
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Congratulations Easel Technique

This card is more about the concept than the execution. The card base is 4.25″ x 11″ and is scored at 5.5″ and 2.5″. I cut a Whisper White panel to 2.5″ x 4.25″ (the same size as the bottom half of the card front) so that I could be sure and get a perfect Buffalo Check grid. The Stamparatus is an indispensable resource.

The little label from the Ornate Labels dies is the “bumper” for the folded top of the card. It’s mounted on two mini-dimensionals, which are just high enough to hold the easel, but still soft enough to mail with regular first class postage. I’ve used a piece of rogue washi across the card below that bumper, and I can’t begin to tell you anything about it other than the fact that I’ve had it along time!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Congratulations Easel Technique

On the inside of the card, I created an optional gift card pocket. If your graduate was naughty, well then, leave the pocket off – this is only for graduates who have earned a little reward! The pocket is 4 5/8″ x 2 5/8″ and is scored on 3 sides at 1/2″. Use a circle punch to create a little extra space to slide the card in and out. It looks like it’s upside down, but when you hold the card upright it’s right side up.

There are so many ways to stamp and embellish this card! But if you need a quick and simple version, this will do. And if you need supplies, please visit the Online Store.

Cutting and Pasting: Scrappy Strip Technique

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These cards have been everywhere – I’ll bet you’ve seen them too. Kylie and Bruno Bertucci in Australia popularized this technique they call #ScrappyStripTechnique and created a video to show how it’s done. It’s just as easy as they say!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

Once I got started, it was hard to stop! I had a desk full of strips cut every which way and spent a delightful afternoon arranging, adhering, and adding sentiments to my cards. (The sentiment and dies are from the So Sentimental Bundle.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

I think this one is my favorite. I used all neutrals with a few Bermuda Bay strips added in for contrast and no DSP. It would be a great masculine card, but I think it works for anyone. I love the way the neutrals are so, well, you know, neutral.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

This one is based on the Lily Impressions DSP offered as a SAB 2020 choice (and no longer available, I’m sorry!) This was one of the first cards I did and it has a decidedly chaotic feeling.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

The fun thing is that this is the reverses side of the above DSP. Even though some of the colors are repeated, the feeling of the design is completely different.

Honestly, I could go on and on (actually, I did!) I hope you’ll pull out some scraps and your paper trimmer and have some fun. The video gives great instructions so I’m not going too replicate the Bertucci’s fabulous effort – just cut up some paper and get started with cut and paste!

LAST CHANCE products are available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST or through June 2, 2020, whichever comes first. Don’t miss out.

If you happen to be flat out of paper (SERIOUSLY? Is that possible?) or perhaps if you’ve used the last of your Multipurpose Glue, I’d be delighted if you chose to shop HERE.

Inspired by Designer Series Paper

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I love our DSP. The colors are rich, the designs are versatile, the finish of the paper is smooth, and the weight is Goldilocks perfect – not too heavy, not too light, but juuuuuust right. I’ve been challenging myself to dig into my stash (it’s a little embarrassing) and create with all of the beautiful paper I’ve found there.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Peaceful Poppies

I used a Stampin’ Sponge to lightly shade the front edge of my Whisper White card. I didn’t want the bold color of Pool Party card stock, but the WW seemed too stark. Sponging was the perfect solution as it provided a hint of color and a very simple technique.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Peaceful Poppies

That Peaceful Poppies DSP is gorgeous and completely IN YOUR FACE. The colors and images are really bold, but they’re really easy to use. I reached for this combination first when I decided to dig into my DSP stash.

The So Sentimental bundle is a versatile bundle with unique and very useful stitched shapes that layer in a multitude of ways. This one is a keeper, and it’s carrying forward into the new Annual Catalog.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Magnolia Lane
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Magnolia Lane

This same layout has a simpler construction. The DSP panels stand on their own without a complimentary mat behind them, and the Whisper White card base is left in its natural state. I struggle with simple stamping (ink, stamps, paper) but this is pretty close for me.

Are you a DSP hoarder? I confess that I am, but I have been sending a lot of cards lately, and my stash is getting a little thin. Cutting into this gorgeous paper is hard – you know, the first cut is the deepest – but the results are worth it!

A lot of our beautiful DSP is on sale in the Online Store. Hurry, supplies are limited!

Farewell to Tropical Chic: May DIY Calendar

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Tropical Chic is one of my favorite, go-to suites, and it’s retiring on June 2, 2020. It will have a permanent place in my archives, for both practical and sentimental reasons. This set is the one I am most sorry to see retire this year.

Maui Stamper Tropical Chic May 2020 DIY Easel Calendar

The Tropical Dies are on sale for $18.90, and I can highly recommend them even as a standalone product without the stamps (although why you would do that is beyond me, but a lot of things are beyond me, especially lately). There are beautiful tropical leaves and a versatile “leaf window”.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Tropical Dies 146831

I used these dies to create the Save the Date cards for my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding this past January, and I cut a LOT of Tropical Leaves!!! It’s amazing that my dies are still working so well, because I really put them to the test.

Maui Stamper Tropical Chic May 2020 DIY Easel Calendar

I used the last few Grapefruit Grove Enamel Dots from my stash of Happiness Blooms embellishments for the center of these hibiscus. A true hibiscus has a gorgeous, feathery style, but that’s a very difficult thing to create out of paper, much less embellishments. I’m happy with this look even if it’s not perfectly botanically correct.

As always, Cheryl and Crystal have creations to share in our little monthly Blog Tour. I hope you’ll stop by and see what they’ve come up with for May. If you’d like to add a set of Tropical dies or any other Stampin’ Up! product to your craft archive, please shop HERE.

One Layout Three Ways

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Earlier this month I sent my club members the card stock and ribbon for this layout, and we crafted our own versions via Zoom. Who knew that I had chosen to create my samples with 3 stamp sets from the 2020 Last Chance List? Not sure if I was prescient or just lucky. I’m guessing lucky.

The process worked far better than I anticipated (OK, I had no expectations!). We shared images while we worked, asked for and got great advice, and had a good opportunity to catch up. It wasn’t quite the same as getting together (one group is notorious for fabulous food!) but it was a good substitute under the circumstances. We’ve already planned our next Zoom!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Little Elephant
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Little Elephant

The Elephant Builder punch is what really MAKES this card, and it’s currently on sale in the Online Store. It’s the ear. I love the ear!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Piece of Cake
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Piece of Cake

A note on Stampin’ Blends: You’ve seen them on the Last Chance list – I know I did, and I may or may not have said a Very Bad Word when I saw them! They’re NOT RETIRING. They will be repackaged and sold in pairs, one light, one dark, instead of as single markers. No need to panic.

Both Piece of Cake and the Cake Builder punch are retiring, and the punch is on sale for $10.80. Take a look at this set, because there are a lot of great sentiments as well as really fun images! The self-adhesive Gingham Sequins are on their way out as well.

I stamped the cake layers multiple times on Whisper White and Highland Heather card stock using Memento Ink. I cut the layers apart (the stamp has them stacked together, one large, one small) so that I could alternate the White layer with the Heather layer.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Painted Harvest
  • Stamps: Painted Harvest
  • Color Palette: Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Same ol’ retired DSP and Ribbon. Sorry!

Three cards, three pops of color, three retiring stamp sets, and one layout – I think it’s pretty fun, don’t you? Grab some DSP and have some fun with this concept. And shop the Last Chance products HERE. Don’t delay – many have already sold out.