Author Archives: mauistamper

ALONG THESE LINES: BIKES

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I received Along These Lines as a Prize Patrol at #OnStage2025Brisbane. I’ll confess that initially, I was not especially excited about the images. But of course, it was a gift, and I was happy to have it – and when I started to think about how I might use it, I felt inspired.

  • Stamps: Along These Lines, With You in Mind
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Gray Granite, Basic Black
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

I began by cutting a few masks of the bike. Next I stamped a couple of images, masked them, and stamped a couple more. I wanted the feeling of a race, but without racers – just the bikes.

I added just a little emphasis with the Gray Granite Stampin’ Blend around the wheels and handlebars. My pop of color was the seat to help each bike stand out.

I want to try this again with multiple colors for the seat, and perhaps with another monochromatic color. I’m thinking I’ll try Azure Afternoon or Crushed Curry – what do you think?

You’ll find Along These Lines – along with a lot of other new products – in the Online Store.

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COUNTRY FLOWERS SUITCASE TREAT BOX

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Have you seen the Suitcase Treat Box? it first appeared in the Jan-April 2025 mini catalog, but it’s survived Last Chance and moved to the Online Exclusive category. Confused? Don’t be. It doesn’t matter, just know it’s available!

  • Stamps: Country Flowers (Last Chance)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Old Olive, Basic Grey, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Suitcase Treat Box, Woven Texture DSP, Mediterranean Blooms DSP, Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Country Flowers dies, Daffodil Delight 1/8″ ribbon, Stampin’ Write marker, Tear n Tape, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Woven Texture DSP is an absolute essential if you love texture! It fits right into a Hawaii design sensibility, so I’ve stocked up. And Mediterranean Blooms DSP did not get the Last Chance Ax! I love citrus and the designs on this paper are gorgeous. As a bonus, the reverse sides are gorgeous blue tile style prints, so this DSP does double duty.

I put the DSP on the top panel of the box and then trimmed to the opening. It has a hole for the suitcase handle to slip through. It’s easy to do with the Take Your Pick tool and the accessory Crafter Tips set. Just use the knife to outline the opening from the underneath, then take an emery board to smooth out the edges.

This box is just the right size for a few sweet treats, a gift card, or Black Pearl Earrings. (Just in case you were wondering.) See it in the Online Store.

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: PRETTY FLORALS FOR MAY 2025

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HAPPY MAY DAY! Welcome back to DIY Calendars! We’re so glad you’ve joined us today for a little May Day inspiration. I’m featuring a new bundle from the soon-to-be-released 2025-2026 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. I think you’ll love Pretty Florals!

  • Stamps: Pretty Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Bubble Bath, Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine, Pretty Florals dies, Blending Brushes, Stampin’ Write markers

I struggled a bit, thinking this was too plain, but ultimately decided I could let go and be happy with simple. The background is lightly brushed with Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia, Bubble Bath, Pool Party and Lost Lagoon to create an ombrè style gradation, and I added a few Stampin’ Write marker flicks.

There aren’t any other embellishments – you could easily add some bling or even another set or two of flowers, but I held back. I’d love to hear what you think.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created in May. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

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LAST CHANCE FOR SENDING LOVE

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Welcome to my LAST April Last Dance/Last Chance project. It’s been a lot of fun to give one more opportunity to shine to these retiring stamps and other products. I’d love to know which has been your favorite. But not before you see what I have done with Sending Love!

  • Stamps: Sending Love
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Wild Wheat, Poppy Parade, Night of Navy
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Fern 3D 3Embossing Folder, Timber 3D Embossing Folder, Circle Punches in 2 3/8 and 2″ (and a couple of retired circle punches), Calming Creek Cards & Envelopes, 23-25 In Color DSP, Brights DSP, Stampin’ Write Marker, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I pulled out all my punches – past and present – because it was a quick way to play with all the circle sizes. You could use our current punches, our circle dies (for example, Spotlight on Nature or Stylish Shapes), or you could do as I did and dig through your stash. Have fun with this!

Both the Timber 3D and Fern 3D Embossing Folders are Last Chance items, but Timber is nicely discounted. I’ve used them both quite often.

I’ve loved Sending Love, both the stamps and dies. It’s another set that will make it into my ever-growing permanent collection. And they’re both on sale – don’t miss them.

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LAST CHANCE; WINTERLY TREE TOPS

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! Here’s another beauty I’m sorry to see retire, because I have really enjoyed these birdies. I don’t know if there are any birds with this exact coloring in the wild, but I claim artistic license and I don’t care.

  • Stamps: Winterly Tree Tops
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Blueberry Bushel, Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, Wild Wheat
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Timeless Plaid DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This square center panel is made with the Stylish Shapes dies, which are NOT on the Last Chance list (whew!!) It’s backed with a Wild Wheat panel, which IS Last Chance as it’s a retiring 23-25 In Color. You know, when I first saw Wild Wheat I had some rather *ahem* uncharitable thoughts about the color, but once I started pairing it with other colors I became a fan. I especially love it with blue, black and grey tones.

The double gate fold is a lot simpler than it looks. Score a 5 1/2″ x 11″ piece of card stock at 2″, 3 3/4″, 7 1/4″ and 9″ to create the side panels. Once you’ve embellished the side panels, add a focal point of almost any shape to one side and you’re done!

At this writing, the Winterly Tree Tops stamps have sold out, but the dies are still available. And of course, Stylish Shapes has its hand in the air saying “choose me, choose me!!” Visit the Online Store and see the updated Last Chance List.

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LAST CHANCE for STIPPLED ROSES

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! I’ll confess that I haven’t used Stippled Roses a lot. It’s a lush, romantic set of images, and I don’t usually go that direction. I challenged myself to give it a good Last Chance, and I’d love to know what you think!

  • Stamps: Stippled Roses
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Calming Creek Cards & Envelopes

With this style of image, I chose to use an extremely simple design. Basic White card base, Basic Black and Pretty in Pink mats, and a single layer stamped card front. That’s it – not my usual style, but I think it works.

I also did an even MORE pared down version without any color. Unfortunately, this one has a crooked sentiment, but that just proves it’s a handmade card. I’t’s a little extreme ‘m not sure I’ll leave this one as is. What would you do?

This black and white version uses one of the printed card bases and coordinating envelopes from the Calming Creek cards and envelopes. That product is not a Last Chance product.

The Stippled Rose stamps and dies are both discounted, and the discount on the dies is deep. That makes this classic set a really good value! You can create much more elaborate cards, of course, but sometimes a simple card with a bit of color is just what you need. The lovely thing is that it’s completely up to you.

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LAST CHANCE for SEASIDE WISHES

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! I have to tell you, saying goodbye to Seaside Wishes is going to hurt a bit. It’s not leaving my craft room, but once it’s no longer available in the Online Store, I don’t usually share it in a blog post. Farewell, beautiful images!

  • Stamps: Seaside Wishes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Summer Splash, Calypso Coral
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Seaside Wishes dies, 24-26 In Color Shimmer Gems, Linen Thread, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’ve made more than a few cards with these stamps – you can see some of them HERE and HERE and even a very simple one HERE. For this one, I tore the edge of the card stock. I used strips about 7 1/2″ long so that I could play with the angles on the card front, and I put a piece of Basic White torn card stock between the color layers to bring sea foam to mind. A couple of gems, a sentiment, and the “dits” from the stamp set finish this one off.

As I write this, the Seaside Wishes stamps are low inventory. There’s also a gorgeous Hybrid Embossing Folder that you won’t want to miss. I’ve said it all month: don’t wait!

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LAST CHANCE FOR COUNTRY FLOWERS + TEXTURED FLORAL

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! Today’s card is another “two-for” featuring Country Flowers and Textured Floral. I’ve designed this card with Lost Lagoon and Daffodil Delight, and I’m “delighted” with the way the two colors complement each other.

  • Stamps: Country Flowers, Textured Floral
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight, Lost Lagoon, Pretty Peacock, Gray Granite
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Country Flowers dies, Textured Floral dies, Textured Notes dies, Stampin’ Blends, Subtles DSP Pack, Jute Twine, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

That beautiful rectangular die is from Textured Notes – it’s fairly new, and it’s not Last Chance. I slipped in a little Wild Wheat Jute trim, and I think it works well with Daffodil and Lemon Lolly. I love the way Country Flowers and Textured Floral stamps and dies coordinate with each other! Both the stamps and dies for these two versatile sets are discounted.

I’ve left this card without a sentiment. I like to have a few of these on hand for that last minute, “I need a card” moments (oh, you bet I have those!). Visit the Online Store to see all the great Last Chance choices. And thanks for visiting today.

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LAST CHANCE: TRANSLUCENT FLORALS

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! I’ve created a soft card using Crumb Cake and Boho Blue. Crumb Cake is such a classic color and plays well with almost every other color, while Boho Blue is a classic mid-range blue that I am going to miss terribly when it retires in May. Sigh.

  • Stamps: Translucent Florals, Country Flowers (Both LAST CHANCE)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Boho Blue (Retiring 23-25 In Color)
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Greetings of the Season dies (sold out), Translucent Florals dies, Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, In Color Jute Twine, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I am very sorry to report that the Greetings of the Season dies are SOLD OUT. The Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder is NOT on Last Chance, which means it will be around for a while. Good thing because I use it a lot. It’s a larger format, square folder, which makes it easy to put an entire card front through the Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine.

I used a Blending Brush to add a little depth to the dry embossing with Crumb Cake ink. The larger leaf images are stamped off, but the smaller stem is stamped full strength. This makes a lovely sympathy card, but it could just as easily carry a different sentiment.

I hope you’re tracking all of these Last Chance beauties. They really are Last Chance, so if you’re smitten, head on over to the Online Store and make them yours! Both Country Flowers (the sentiment) and Translucent Florals are a better value if you purchase them separately as Stamps + Dies vs. buying them as a bundle. Be akamai and save!

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LAST CHANCE: PLAYING IN THE RAIN

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series. If you love cute critters, check out Playing in the Rain. The dies include delightful clouds, a fence, a kite, and of course those cute critters!

  • Stamps: Playing in the Rain, Translucent Floral
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Azure Afternoon, Soft Sea Foam, Old Olive, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Playing in the Rain dies, Bright Skies dies, Toadstool Gardens DSP, Brights DSP pack, Colored Pencils, Stampin’ Dimensionals

These are not the Playing in the Rain clouds, they’re Bright Skies clouds. They’re much bigger, and that worked best for this layout. I colored that bunny with our colored pencils to achieve a softer appearance. I think that bunny has serious Easter Bunny energy!

Check out the Playing in the Rain Stamps and Dies to see if that’s your kind of Bunny (or Turtle, or Foxy) Energy. And thanks for stopping by!

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