A Cute Chick to Welcome Easter

Posted on April 10, 2020 by mauistamper

If you’re lucky enough to have a Kit Kat bar (…break me off a piece!) in your Stay Home Stash, I’ve got a cute idea for you. I found these bars weeks ago, back in the olden days when you walked through a store browsing. I wanted to use this idea for a group, but even then there must have been some panic buying because there were just a few in stock:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Welcome Easter Kit Kat Bar

Stamps: Welcome Easter
Color Palette: Whisper White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly dies, Silver Metallic Edge Ribbon, Simply Scored, Paper Snips, From My Heart Specialty DSP, die cut machine

The Stitched So Sweetly dies have an awesome assortment of shapes that are really versatile. They’re currently available as a bundle with the So Sentimental stamp set, and I’m crossing my fingers that they’ll carry over to the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog because I have more ideas than time right now!

To create a box for any candy bar, just measure the bar and add a SMIDGE – maybe 1/8″ – to those dimensions for the dimensions of your box. Use the Simply Scored tool to quickly create that box, being sure to leave a 1/4″ tab to adhere the sides, and enough extra in the height of the box to create overlap when you close the flaps. Choose a die that fits inside your largest side and cut out one section. You may have to be a little creative to fit things through your die cutting machine!

It didn’t take long to cut the chick out, but fussy-cutting Happy Easter took a couple of tries. I always want to get it reaaaaaallllly close, and that doesn’t always work!

I hope you have something yummy to enjoy on Easter morning! Mr. Maui Stamper and I will have a delicious home-cooked brunch (who am I kidding, EVERYTHING WE EAT is home cooked these days. SHEESH.) We’re looking forward to an exuberant visit with our family via the wonders of Zoom. We are spread over MANY time zones so coordinating these calls is quite complex. (what is it with me and ALL CAPS today? Apparently I am tired of being alone and feel the need to shout. Sorry.)

We’re still shipping, and Stampin’ Up! is being extremely conscientious about staffing and environment in the warehouse in order to protect the SU team as well as each of you receiving your box o’ happiness. If you need a little something crafty to brighten up your day, you can shop HERE – and mahalo.

A Chunky Lamb for April

Posted on April 1, 2020 by mauistamper

Happy First of April!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar April 2020

Stamps: Welcome Easter, Painted Poppies
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Mint Macaron, Pool Party, Petal Pink
Accessories: Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Blends

I’m smitten with this little sheep, with her posture and her fluffiness. I can’t decide if she’s doing a seated wide angle yoga pose (Upavista Konasana) or if she’s a cheerleader doing the splits, but I know this: she’s pretty flexible!

Crystal and Cheryl have calendars to share as well on this April morning. Please stop by and say hello! And if you need a little Wink of Stella or your own Chunky Lamb, please shop HERE. There’s also a brand new early release suite from the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog called Ornate Garden – be sure you check it out! That big bold THANK YOU is going to be amazing.

A little punkin banner

Posted on November 6, 2019 by mauistamper

I don’t do a lot of fall decorating since fall in Hawaii doesn’t match up well with traditional decor, but I couldn’t resist this little pumpkin banner from the Dollar Spot at Target.

I know. It looks a little funny with that orchid there. I think that just serves to emphasize my point!

These little wooden pumpkins are perfect for embellishing with paper flowers. I pulled out a variety of retired and even not-Stampin’-Up! dies to do the job.

This is a Sizzix did but it wasn’t in our catalog. It’s actually kind of oversized for this project, but shoot, go big or go home, right? I did use the flower from the Magnolia die and was very happy with that result.

Sometimes it’s just fun to work outside the box, and that’s what I did with this project. I hope you enjoy!

Mini Curvy Spooktacular Keepsakes

Posted on October 3, 2019 by mauistamper

The Curvy Keepsake die in its first form (slightly larger than this one) was one of my favorites, but I confess that it was expensive to fill a big batch of them with treats (I like expensive chocolate, lol.) This Mini Curvy Keepsake die is perfectly sized for exactly ONE Ferrero Rocher. Did I say it was perfect?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Spooktacular Mini Curvy Keepsakes

Stamps: Spooktacular Bash
Color Palette: Basic Black, Whisper White, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Mini Curvy Keepsake die, Ornate Frames dies, Stamparatus, Stampin’ Blends, Monster Bash DSP , Copper trim, Assorted Googly Eyes, retired Smoky Slate ribbon

We have Googly Eyes!! And not just white ones, but green ones and orange ones and purple ones!!! Be still my heart.

This guy is really fun, too. But trust me, really, when I say you NEED the Stamparatus for him. Solid images, especially solid black images, almost require being stamped more than once. Now I don’t know about you, but my eyes aren’t sharp enough and my hands aren’t steady enough to pull this off. But I can do it with the Stamparatus!

I think it’s hilarious that the mummy is giving the side-eye to the left and Vampy is doing it to the right. What a pair.

If you’re ready to invite these two spooky guys into your home (say it like the old wild and crazy guys skit from SNL), shop HERE.

2019 Holiday is LIVE!

Posted on September 4, 2019 by mauistamper

It’s always exciting when a new catalog goes live, but this Holiday catalog is really something special! There are great new products, fantastic kits, and truly something for every crafter.

I love that this video features all of the markets Stampin’ Up! is in, although truthfully, I’m just not quite ready for Christmas music! Planning, yes – the music, well, check with me in another 6 weeks. But let me show you some of my favorites – you can click on your favorites for the details:

Oh, I could go on and on!! Click each image to go straight to the details! And make a note of the Joy of Giving Tag Kit, because I’ll be offering events locally to get together and assemble these gorgeous tags!

Do you have room for a little more excitement? Buy 3, Get 1 Free is back! A select group of Designer Series Papers are part of this great deal – and they’re gorgeous, easy-to-use designs you’ll reach for over and over again:

Shop HERE to get started with your papers – and make note that the Pressed Petals Specialty DSP is included in this offer!

Happy shopping – and happy crafting!

September 2019: This Little Piggy Can Fly

Posted on September 1, 2019 by mauistamper

If a pig can fly, she can certainly be purple – Purple Posy, that is! My September 2019 DIY Easel Calendar will keep me smiling all month.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up This Little Piggy DIY Easel Calendar 2020

All of the piggies in This Little Piggy are charming, but I think this one is my favorite. Since this set was released last year, it’s languished a bit as I’ve focused on new things. It was time to change that!

Stamps: This Little Piggy , #Elfie *
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Purple Posy, Smoky Slate, Silver*
Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Wink of Stella

Wink of Stella is one of those non-negotiable, indispensable products on my craft table. It’s controlled sparkle, and if you know anything about Mr. Maui Stamper, you’ll know he believes that sparkle needs to be under control.

*There are a couple of sneak peeks in my September calendar. The Holiday catalog will be available to everyone on September 4, but demonstrators have had a month to play. There are new metallic inks – Silver, Gold and Copper – and of course plenty of new stamps!

Be sure you hop on over to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for September. If you need more STELLAAAAAAA, shop here.

One Final 2019 Sale-a-bration post

Posted on March 31, 2019 by mauistamper

Pootles (if you don’t know her, you should!) recently shared this charming little tent box, and I was immediately inspired to try it with the Botanical Butterfly DSP available for just a few more hours during the final moments of Sale-a-bration 2019.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Gift Bag Tent Box Botanical Butterfly DSP SAB 2019

Stamps: Sunshine Sayings, Eastern Beauty
Color Palette: Whisper White, Grapefruit Grove, Lemon Lime Twist, and more!
Accessories: Gift Bag Punch Board, Botanical Butterfly DSP (SAB 2019), Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots, and multiple retired items – framelits and SAB embellishments.

These little bags go together in a heartbeat and would make great Easter, graduation, or birthday favors. Don’t waste your time as you’ve only got until 7:50 pm HST or 11:50 pm MT to make one last Sale-a-bration purchase!

February 2019 DIY: Hey Love

Posted on February 1, 2019 by mauistamper

Welcome to February at the Maui Stamper! I’m celebrating with these crazy long-legged birds from Hey Love in the Occasions 2019 catalog. You don’t see them there? Well, I do have a little trick…

Stamps: Hey Love
Color Palette: Memento Black, Flirty Flamingo, Granny Apple Green, Balmy Blue
Accessories: Sticky note, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Write marker, Stampin’ Blends

I masked off the little short legs that this birdie was given by the (awesome) artists at Stampin’ Up! using a sticky note. I inked them in Memento Black and stamped them up and down across the calendar – and as you can see, one of them is on the way out. Using a Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker, I drew legs on each bird. I was inspired by Sharni Haines in THIS POST.

It’s not too late to create your own 2019 DIY Easel Calendar. I’ve made the pdf available for your personal use at a cost of $5. It includes 12 months plus a cover should you choose to gift your own version of a DIY calendar. Just message me your email and I’ll be glad to send you an invoice.

My favorite crafty buddies in the whole wide world have February calendars to share with you too. Visit Crystal and Cheryl for more 2019 goodness.

If you’d like to draw legs on your own set of birds, shop HERE.

Welcome to 2019, Bloom by Bloom

Posted on January 1, 2019 by mauistamper

Happy New Year!

I thought an auspicious beginning to 2019 would be bold and happy color, and the new Bloom by Bloom set that debuts on Thursday (January 3) seemed like the perfect choice for such energy:

Don’t you love it?? I’m delighted to have this on my desktop all month! Bloom By Bloom is a photopolymer stamp set and it was at the top of my list for the 2019 Occasions catalog. My color palette is Pineapple Punch, Mango Medley, and Gray Granite – a perfectly tropical confection! The images are masked using sticky notes, adding a sense of depth with a single layer project.

The DIY 2019 Calendar is available as a PDF – you print and cut – for $5. If you’d like to make your own calendar, send me a message and we’ll get the calendar in your hands.

Click on over to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for January!

And if you’re ready to shop, click HERE. What a great way to start the New Year!

(Gift) Wrapping up Holiday 2018

Posted on December 31, 2018 by mauistamper

<OH MY. This was scheduled to publish a week ago…but things happen. Enjoy!>

Ah, it’s been a glorious few weeks! At this stage of my life, the holidays are all about relationships. I’ve celebrated with my beloved family and dear friends and my precious church community as well, and my heart is full. There are things that I didn’t finish this year, but when all is said and done, I reflect on 2018 with deep gratitude.

But let’s have one last Holiday post, shall we? You can file this under “tags to make now so I’ll be WAAAYYY ahead of schedule in 2919. LOL.

Crystal came up with this tag – I think it was a CASE – and I absolutely love it. It has a stepped up clean and simple aesthetic and is perfect for any gift recipient. The Candy Cane Season stamps and punch (available as a bundle) are retiring on January 2, so if you love this one, don’t delay.

Same shape, entirely different feeling! Mrs.Claus looks pretty gleeful about this whole gift-giving deal, and this tag would be perfect for sweet treats or a gift to that person who always peeks (you know who you are – I have a few of those people in my extended family!) She’s part of Signs of Santa.

This is also Crystal’s design. The tag is vellum and it is oh-so-elegant. The Pretty Label is re-purposed as an ornament, punched out of shimmer white with extra detail from the Quilt Top TIEF. A few Soft Seafoam sprigs and an Old Olive tiny bow complete the look.

I was invited to exchange with a group that has been at it for years, and it was a delightful experience! They all bring tags under wraps and then the tags are distributed so that everyone in attendance can guess the crafter. As the New Kid on the Block, I was clueless, so I assigned the tags based on the order we were seated around the table and got a score of 4 out of 12 correct!! Not bad for desperation, I’d say.