One of a Kind Brushed Rainbow

The Brilliant Rainbow dies keep inspiring me with new ideas! I had a big stack of leftover “negatives” and realized they made perfect templates for brushing beautiful, soft rainbows. This is a very quick card!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Brilliant Rainbow Slim Sayings #DIY #handmadecard #stampinupdemo #makeacardsendacard
  • Stamps: Slim Sayings
  • Color Palette: Fresh Freesia, Blushing Bride, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Basic White
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Brilliant Rainbow Dies, Blending Brushes, 2021-2023 In Color 6×6 DSP, Multipurpose Glue, Note cards and envelopes

I used washi tape to hold my note card in place, then layered the die cut negative over the note card and secured it with a little more washi. Brushing the arcs is easy – choosing the colors is harder! I could do this over and over again with different results each time. The template is good for a number of uses, especially since the Blending Brush doesn’t make it soggy.

I love this sentiment from the new Slim Sayings stamp set! It’s perfect for any occasion, and in my opinion, it’s right up there with Mr. Rogers’ “I like you just the way you are.” And can’t we all use a little more of that right now?

Need supplies to tell someone they’re one of a kind? You can shop HERE.

Have you seen the latest release at Stampin’ Up!?

The All Together Suite includes Here Together stamps, Here for You dies, All Together Designer Series Paper, and our brand new Natural Tones Stampin’ Blends combos! They’re available as a suite, bundle or individually – but only the Blends will be available after May 2, 2022.

Sale-a-bration is still going strong. Everybody loves FREE!! Choose FREE goodies from January 4 to February 28, 2022!! Shop HERE.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Sale-a-bration Join FREE STAMPS

Before you place that order, consider the Very Best Deal – joining Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator! If you join by February 28, 2022, there’s a super opportunity. Choose 2 FREE stamp sets PLUS:

  • $125 additional product of your choice for $99
  • Free shipping on your kit
  • 20% savings on your own purchases
  • 6 months to try us out without risk – continue with just a $300 quarterly minimum
  • Earn Sale-a-bration and host rewards on RETAIL price not your discounted price
  • An incredible community of crafters
  • Early access AND sneak peeks (you know you want to know!)

Join by February 28th for those two free stamp sets! Message me if you have questions or want to chat.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin #bonusstamps #DIY #papercrafting #paperkit

Be sure to subscribe by March 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. The March kit will make 9 coordinating cards and envelopes that you can tailor to your card-sending needs. These nature-inspired images will take your breath away. There’s a bonus stamp set (yup – TWO SETS) in March to say thanks for choosing Paper Pumpkin. Don’t wait!

Rainbow of Happiness

Truth: I am not all that into rainbows. I KNOW. I live on Maui. And I love them IRL. But as a design element, not so much. Until Rainbow of Happiness:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rainbow of Happiness Brilliant Rainbow dies handmade card
  • Stamps: Rainbow of Happiness
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Highland Heather, Polished Pink, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Brilliant Rainbow dies, Notecard and envelopes, Multipurpose Glue, Ink Refill, paintbrush

I pulled out my 3 1/2″ x 5″ notecards for this one, as I knew I needed a fistful of cards for quick notes. The process of cutting out 4 colors for the rainbow with the big half-arc die generated 4 sets of rainbows, making this a pretty efficient little project!

I decided that the white notecard was a little too plain, so I put two (JUST TWO) drops of Pool Party ink in a little dish and added a couple of tablespoons of water. I dipped a medium-sized paintbrush into the diluted solution and flicked it lightly across the paper. You’ll need to let this dry a bit before using Multipurpose Glue or stamping, since the drops dampen the paper enough to create *issues*. Ask me how I know 😁 You’ll also want to be sure there’s nothing else in the general vicinity when you start flicking, unless of course you want LOTS of little Pool Party splatters on ALL of your projects.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rainbow of Happiness Brilliant Rainbow dies handmade card

I had a set of negatives left when I finished my little rainbow notecards, and put them to good use with the coordinating paper from Sale-a-bration, Sunshine and Rainbows. I am so happy with the way Stampin’ Up! chooses to put a bold pattern on one side and a tone-on-tone pattern on the reverse of nearly every sheet of Designer Series Paper we offer. Have you shopped Sale-a-bration yet?

Everybody loves FREE!! Choose FREE goodies from January 4 to February 28, 2022!! Shop HERE.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Sale-a-bration Join FREE STAMPS

Before you place that order, consider the Very Best Deal – joining Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator! If you join by February 28, 2022, there’s a super opportunity. Choose 2 FREE stamp sets PLUS:

  • $125 additional product of your choice for $99
  • Free shipping on your kit
  • 20% savings on your own purchases
  • 6 months to try us out without risk – continue with just a $300 quarterly minimum
  • Earn Sale-a-bration and host rewards on RETAIL price not your discounted price
  • An incredible community of crafters
  • Early access AND sneak peeks (you know you want to know!)

Join by February 28th for those two free stamp sets! Message me if you have questions or want to chat.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Paper Pumpkin February 2022 Safari Celebration kit

Be sure to subscribe by February 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. The February kit will make 9 playful cards with envelopes that you can tailor to your card-sending needs. Don’t wait!

a new way to say ALOHA

I’ve had an idea I’ve been pondering for a while, and recently I spent some time working with it. I tried a number of variations, and I’m not sure I’ve got it yet. I hope if you look at this long enough, you’ll see the word ALOHA. This isn’t my original idea: you see this done all over the islands in wood blocks and printed on bumper stickers. I wanted to translate it to paper, and it proved more challenging than I expected.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Aloha handmade card
  • Stamps: None!
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Highland Heather, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Bermuda Bay
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Stitched Rectangle dies, Stitched Triangle dies, Stitched Circle dies (retired)

I created this as a slimline card in order to have space for the letters, but it seemed a little boring, so I started to play:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Aloha handmade card

I went back to the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ format for this version, and created a background using the Alcohol Ink technique. I did it on a vellum layer, which gives those bold colors a softer look.

Next I pulled out my Timeless Tropical stamps and created a bold background with Daffodil Delight and the hibiscus image:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Aloha handmade card

On a roll, I used the palm tree (also from Timeless Tropical) in Granny Apply Green:

Honestly, I think it looks really crowded in 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″, and I might give it a try with a custom card size and a handmade envelope. It’s a fun concept, but I think it still needs work. What do you think? Different size? Different background? What else?

In the News You Can Use department, our seasonal sale is coming up! Mark your calendar and order early, as I predict these essentials will fly out the door. Save on

  • Card stock 10%
  • Stampin’ Up! ink (exclusive of bundles) 15%
  • Dies – yes, dies – 20%

When you order your ink pads, be sure to add the coordinating ink refill to your order. It’s just a few extra dollars, and trust me, you’ll be so glad to have it on hand! Plan your orders in the Online Store so you’re ready to go on November 16th.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Start With Savings Demonstrator Promotion November 2021

How would you spend $75? Through November 30, you can sign up to save on every order you place – and join a community of friendship, inspiration and fantastic support. Your $75 turns into $125 of Stampin’ Up! product that YOU choose – free of shipping – and is your ticket to the Maui Stampers and the inside world of Stampin’ Up! Contact me with your questions or join now!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Edens Garden

Don’t forget the gorgeous Eden’s Garden Suite, available now as a sneak peek from the January – June 2022 Mini Catalog. The stamps and dies will be available in 2022, but the exclusive Designer Series Paper, Cotton paper, and embellishments are available only while supplies last or January 3, 2022, whichever comes first.

Bloom Where You’re Planted

I’ve been working on clearing out the stamp room and I found a package of printed card bases with coordinating envelopes from a Sale-a-bration long past. Bloom Where You’re Planted was on my craft desk too, as were some odds and ends from the Pattern Party DSP. Before I knew it, I had a card!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bloom Where You're Planted handmade card
  • Stamps: Bloom Where You’re Planted
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Soft Suede
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Perfect Plants dies, Scalloped Contours dies, Pattern Party DSP, Bakers Twine Essentials, Stampin’ Dimensionals, retired card bases

My card stash is running low, and I’ve been working on relatively simple designs that I can produce in groups. I don’t like mass production, and I don’t like having a LOT of one card, but working in groups of 4 suits me well. It’s not too tedious to stamp and die cut in fours, and I can almost always use that many of one design. I can easily set up 4 cards-in-process in my craft space, making assembly go quickly.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bloom Where You're Planted handmade card

I snipped the ends of the sentiment panel with my snips – that’s not a die, although somewhere deep in my brain I think we have or had one in this shape. I separated the threads of the Black Bakers Twine so the knot wouldn’t be too thick, and everything else is just Stampin’ Dimensionals. You can see how easily this went together.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up November 2021

Would you like to save with every order you place? Join the Maui Stamper team – wherever you live – and take advantage of an incredible offer this month. You’ll choose a fully custom kit worth $125 in product for $75 with no further commitment required. But wait, there’s more 😁 You’ll gain access to early releases, an incredible online resource, exclusive demonstrator events, and a community of wonderful people who love crafting as much as you do. Contact me at the Maui Stamper with your question, or visit the Online Store to get started.

Flowers of Friendship: the Golden Poppy Version

I grew up in California, and the state flower, the California Golden Poppy, is an evocative memory of home. This image in the Flowers of Friendship set reminded me of those beautiful golden fields.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship Square Card
  • Stamps: Flowers of Friendship, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Crushed Curry, Basic White
  • Accessories: Flowers & Leaves punch, Hand Penned Designer Series paper, White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding, Granny Apple Green dark Stampin’ Blend, Stampin’ Write markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Most people think of poppies as, well, poppy-colored, but California Poppies also grow in a glorious shade of yellow. I used Crushed Curry for the outline image of the flower (I used Stampin’ Write markers direct to the stamp) in order to make the petals more defined.

I colored the White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding with my Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blend. I was prepared to wait a bit to be sure the ink was dry, but between the soft, lightweight ribbon and the magic of alcohol markers, the ribbon was dry and ready to add immediately. I hope we *always* have White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding!!!

I also fussy cut parts of each flower to layer them and add more dimension. The shapes are simple, so it’s not really fussy cutting – more like snip-snip-cutting!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship Square Card

I left the sentiment off this card, as I often do, so that I can customize it when I’m ready to send it. I’ll create a custom square envelope with coordinating DSP and add the extra postage to be sure it arrives. If you make your card a 4 1/4″ square, you can put it in our standard envelope and send it for the regular one ounce USPS rate.

This set is another great option for quick and easy cards. The images are simple to color, and the coordinating punch makes it easy to add a layer. Shop HERE to add it to your crafty stash!

Just 5 more days in the DSP sale! Save 15% on these gorgeous papers – you’ll be so glad you did.

Color and Contour and Stampin Blends

Can I just go out on a limb and say you NEED the Color and Contour Bundle? The images and sentiments make gorgeous cards, and the dies – especially the layering scalloped rectangles – are indispensable. Oh, and Blends: you’ll need Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Color and Contour Stampin Blends #handmadecard #DIY #makeacardsendacard #fancyfold
  • Stamps: Color and Contour, Sweet Strawberry
  • Color Palette: Pale Papaya, Mint Macaron, Basic White, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Scallop Contour dies, White Crinkled Seam Binding ribbon, 21-23 In Color DSP, Champagne Rhinestones, Stampin Dimensionals

This card is a Fancy Fold. It’s pretty tricky to photograph and get the full impact, but the scalloped focal point opens on a hinge to the right, and the card opens the normal way to the left. My inspiration was a Stamptastic Designs Youtube video and she does a great job of explaining how the card is constructed.

I used the dark Mint Macaron Stampin’ Blend to color the White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. It is VERY easy to do, and dries in the blink of an eye. (Really.) I also used the leaf image to create an abstract border on the white panel inside of the card. Those little extras aren’t necessary – but they make a card so personal.

Each scalloped rectangle has a different detail on the edge, but they nest beautifully. The large stitched scallop edge die is also part of the set, and I confess I clapped my hands and laughed out loud when I figured out that I could add that to the edge of the card. Those details are truly a Stampin’ Up! trademark.

Spend a little happy time coloring with Stampin’ Blends this weekend. And don’t forget the Last Chance products from the January – June Mini Catalog! They’re available while supplies last, but gone for good on June 30th. Find all of them HERE, and click HERE if you’d rather just see those on sale.

Maui Stamper Last Chance 2021 January-June

True Love for Snailed It

Our catalog calendar this year is a little different than in the past. While the Annual Catalog ends on May 3, the January-June catalog is available through June 30. That means that the True Love Designer Series paper and my favorite Snailed It images will be around for a while, and I intend to make use of them as much as I can!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up True Love with Snailed It
  • Stamps: Snailed It, Many Messages
  • Color Palette: Basic Black, Basic White, Magenta Madness, Seaside Spray (retiring 5/3)
  • Accessories: True Love Designer Series Paper, Big Boss, Stitched Shapes Dies (retiring 5/3), Messages Die, Snail dies, Old World Paper Embossing Folder (retiring 5/3), Stampin’ Blends, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This is a great example of a simple layout stepped up with the use of dies, DSP and embossing folders to add interest and texture. It’s just a few rectangles and a snail, right? That little “Oh happy day” sentiment from the Many Messages bundle is a great multi-purpose message. I can add Congratulations or Happy Birthday on the inside when I’m ready to send.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up True Love with Snailed It

It’s hard to see, but trust me, those snaily eyebubs have some shine. I keep a long bamboo skewer on my craft desk (indispensable in so many ways). I’ve used it here to add some Fine Tip Glue to emphasize my snail’s eyes. The skewer gives me more control over how much and where the glue ends up.

Ready to shop? Sliiiide on over to the Online Store.

Beautiful Friendship: versatile and romantic

It happens every catalog…something is retired that catches me by surprise. I didn’t expect Beautiful Friendship to be on the list, though it’s been in the catalog since 2019 (oh, that seems a lifetime ago.) I’ve pulled it out to spend a little extra time enjoying these watercolor style images.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship
  • Stamps: Beautiful Friendship (RETIRING)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Flirty Flamingo, Soft Sea Foam, So Saffron
  • Accessories: Big Boss (Stampin Cut & Emboss), Subtle Embossing Folder (RETIRING), Stitched Shapes dies (RETIRING), Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon (RETIRING), random bit of retired DSP (sorry!), Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips

This card includes almost my entire list of sad-to-see-you-retire goodies. I am heartbroken to see the Subtle Embossing Folder retire. It’s my absolute favorite embossing folder and I’ve already ordered an extra to keep as a backup. It’s perfect in every situation. Perfect.

The Stitched Shapes dies are another go-to product that are constantly at my fingertips. (Yup. Ordered a backup set of those, too.) Squares, circles, and ovals – with stitching – how can you go wrong? SIGH.

I fussy cut that middle bud – so easy – and popped it up on a dimensional. It’s my favorite hack: I keep a stash of “wordless” cards and ink in the sentiment when I choose to send it.

Gotta have that Subtle Embossing Folder? Just realized you cannot live without Beautiful Friendship? No worries. They’re still available in the Online Store. But don’t wait too long, because when they’re gone, they’re GONE.

She Sells Sea Shells…

Well, actually she stamps them. And in this case, she embosses and die cuts them and then just sponges them, and it is so darn easy!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Friends Are Like Seashells handmade card
  • Stamps: Friends Are Like Seashells, You Are Amazing
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Mint Macaron, So Saffron
  • Accessories: Shimmery White paper, Big Boss (Stampin Cut and Emboss Machine), Seashells 3D embossing folder, Seaside Shells dies, Stitched Rectangle dies, White Crinkle Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Sponges

You don’t need to be super precise with the sponges, as you can see. I chose sponges over the fabulous Blending Brushes because I felt more in control, but either one will work. I layered the ink, especially using Petal Pink, to get variations in the depth of color. The Shimmery White paper takes the ink easily and really adds to the effect in person.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Friends Are Like Seashells handmade card

These soft tones create a very feminine and rather ornate looking card with a minimum of effort – The Boss does most of the work! The hardest part for me is getting the ribbon bunched up right. I do not understand crafters on videos who just wad it up in their hands and smack it down. My solution is to put a bit of Stampin’ Seal on the back of the panel and stick the ribbon down in that, adjusting each loop as I go. Must be the Recovering Perfectionist in me.

Sadly, the Seashells 3D folder is not orderable right now. More are expected the week of March 8th. The stamps and dies – in a convenient bundle – are in stock, and you get see them HERE.

Lovely You: Miles Apart, Still in my Heart

This sentiment was the first thing to catch my eye in the Lovely You stamp set. I have family and friends all over the world – literally – and I knew this would be a message I would use again and again.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Lovely You handmade card

I watched a video where a crafter used blue painters tape to mask off the center portion of the card. After she stamped all her beautiful images, she whisked off that tape like nothing doing and voila! she had a spot for her sentiment.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Lovely You handmade card

Crafty Friends, I did that FOUR TIMES. FOUR STINKIN’ TIMES. And every single time it tore my card stock. I was Not Amused. So I stamped my sentiment on a 3/4″ wide strip of card stock and adhered it to my card front and was Very Happy. Moral of the story? There’s always another way to get the result you want.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Lovely You handmade card

That Braided Red Linen Trim is a little sneak peek from the August-December mini catalog that will be available to all of you on August 4th. It’s a teeeeeny bit darker than the Poppy Parade ink, but it’s close enough for me.

And don’t miss the Lovely You bundle – it includes the amazing Lovely Labels Pick a Punch at a 10% savings!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days Promotion July 2020

Don’t forget to shop Bonus Days – every $50 you spend will earn $5 to spend in that new August-December mini catalog! Shop HERE.