Red, White and July!

Posted on July 1, 2015 by mauistamper

Every year I tell myself I will choose something BESIDES red, white, and blue for my July calendar…and…well, see for yourself:

Stamps: Flower Patch
Color Palette: Real Red, Pacific Point, Soft Sky and Whisper White
Accessories: Flower Fair Framelits, Rhinestone Jewels

When you team up Flower Patch with the Flower Fair Framelits, wonderful things happen in a blink of an eye!

Speaking of Wonderful Things, today the Watercolor Wishes kit becomes available (p. 80 in the annual catalog). I’m offering a class featuring this kit – let me know if you are interested!

Watercolor Wishes Card Kit and 12 Piece Photopolymer Stamp Set #140406 $35 Inclusive

Crystal and Cheryl are sharing their July DIY calendars too – check them out!

Let’s Get Going Places – RemARKably!

Posted on June 11, 2015 by mauistamper

Welcome to the latest edition of the RemARKable Blog tour. We’re certainly going places this month and we hope you’ll come along! This is a long post with a lot of photos – if you want to move along, click on the graphic below to see what the talented Heather Mathiesen has done:

Mr. Maui Stamper and I love to travel. Sometimes we’re asked why we would ever want to leave our beautiful island. As much as we love our home, we also love seeing new places. More importantly, our three wonderful, independent, confident children are flung across 12 time zones in the world. We love them, so we travel!

I’ve learned to take an envelope with me every trip to collect the receipts, ephemera, and mementos that accumulate when you travel. At first it was a plain #10 envelope, then a 6×8 envelope, and finally, I’ve graduated to a travel wallet.

With a little tinkering, I found a size that worked well and was quick to put together, and now I make one for each trip. It gives me something pretty and new to use, and allows me to quickly locate the correct envelope for any given trip should I need to find a receipt or memento.

You’ll need:

a 12″ square piece of card stock
a 2 3/4″ x 9″ piece of DSP
a 2 3/4″ x 9″ piece of either card stock or DSP
The Simply Scored tool
a button or brad
a length of twine (about 14″)
a 1/8″ hole punch
adhesive – I use Tear and Tape and Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive)
Corner rounder punch

Let’s get started!

Place the card stock on the Simply Scored tool and score at 4″, 4 1/2″, 5″ and 9 1/4″.

Turn the card stock a quarter turn so that you are scoring perpendicularly to the first set of score marks. Score at 3/4″, 1 1/2″, 10 1/2″ and 11 1/4″.

If you don’t have the Simply Scored tool, you can measure and score the old fashioned way.

Fold gussets across the middle and on either side as indicated by the score marks. Your envelope will have a gusset along the bottom and on the sides.

Trim off the sides as shown. The narrow panel at the bottom of the photo will be your flap and will be 9 inches wide. The second panel will be adhered to the third (top) panel to create the envelope. Clear as mud?

Adhere your DSP to the 9 inch wide flap. I use Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive) so that I can get as close as possible to the edge. (I use a bone folder to smooth out any bubbles and assure a smooth fit.) This is the fabulous new Timeless Elegance DSP, and I think it is gorgeous with Basic Grey card stock. Use the Corner Rounder punch to (wait for it) ROUND THE CORNERS. Lol. I know. I crack myself up.

Fold in the gusset that will be at the bottom of the envelope, and then fold in the sides. Apply our new Tear and Tape to the flap as shown.

Snip a bit into the flap, because there’s some magic to be done. That little snip will create a space for the flap to leap over the gusset. When you adhere the sides this way, you won’t have a gap at the bottom for little things to slide through. Practice once or twice before you remove the tape from the adhesive to get the feel of it. It’s not hard!

Once the sides are together, trim the ends that stick out at the top to a pleasing angle.

Almost done! Punch a 1/8″ hole in the center of the top flap and thread through your twine. Tape into place – I use the Tear and Tape because I can. (This beautiful Basic Grey and Vanilla twine is from the Gratitude for Days Simply Created kit on the Clearance Rack. It’s a steal at $8.79!)

Loop the twine around the brad before you open the prongs to be sure there is enough clearance. Secure the brad.

Apply Tear and Tape around the bumpy parts where the brad and the twine appear on the bottom. (We’re going to cover those up!) Apply Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive) to that second piece of card stock (2 3/4′ x 9″) and cover that mess!

Yeah, I’m fussy like that. Your travel wallet is ready for your next trip – where are you going? I’m Salt Lake City bound next month for Inspire.Create.Share 2015!

The tour continues with Heather Mathieson, if you’ve been hardy enough to make it this far! The rest of the team is listed below – enjoy the creative projects!

Nancy Amato – http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com/2015/06/remarkable-stampers-blog-tour-going.html
Melissa Bolinger – http://creativeblessingsbymissy.blogspot.com/2015/06/remarkable-blog-tour-going-places.html
Tamra Davis http://www.theCardLadies.com/remarkable-blog-tour-going-places/
Anne Matasci – http://wp.me/pCcBw-1RL YOU’RE HERE!!!
Heather Mathieson – http://wp.me/p2wIuv-2f
Audra Monk – http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com/2015/06/going-places-remarkable-blog-hop.html
Maria Pane – http://stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com/2015/06/remarkable-stampers-blog-tour-moving-on.html
Michele Reynolds – http://inspirationink.typepad.com/inspiration-ink/2015/06/going-places-blog-tour.html
Pam Staples – http://wp.me/p3p2VA-12t
Janet Wakeland – http://wp.me/pHIQD-7ij

Sweet Birds for the First of June

Posted on June 1, 2015 by mauistamper

June’s Easel calendar is one last look at the retiring set For the Birds:

If you saw the RemARKable Blog tour in May, you’ll remember that I featured this stamp set. It’s ideal for coloring with colored pencils.

Such happy little birds! If it wasn’t for Captain Stupidhead, I would have a bird bath in my yard. Come to think of it, he’s gotten so old that he doesn’t even look when they are on the lawn 6 feet in front of him. Maybe I’ll go bird-bath shopping…

Please take a look at what Crystal and Cheryl have done for the Merry Month of June. And happy crafting!

Love my birdies!

Posted on May 11, 2015 by mauistamper

Tomorrow is the RemARKable Blog Tour. I’m featuring For the Birds, and I have a little sneak peek for you today:

Stamps: For the Birds, Dictionary (both retiring)
Color Palette: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Colored Pencils (non-SU), All is Calm Washi (Clearance Rack), Stampin’ Dimensionals

This image is intentionally a little stark – I think it adds to the feeling of missing someone. That washi tape was serendipitous, as in my mind it looks quite USPS-y. (That’s a word because I wrote it out and that makes it so.)

Don’t be afraid of coloring pencils – they’re very easy to use and the colors are very forgiving. Plus there’s always an eraser. Really, I should use pencil more often.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow afternoon for the RemARKable tour!

A cheery Easel Calendar for April

Posted on April 1, 2015 by mauistamper

Sunny yellow flowers are perfect for spring:

The color theme is Hello Honey with a little Pear Pizazz and some Basic Black. I love a basic black and white theme with a pop of color, don’t you? Stamps are Gorgeous Grunge and Bordering Blooms, with the Itty Bitty Accents punch pack shaping the flower. I used Glue Dots to add a little bit of dimension to the flower without really popping it up. My Chalk Marker added just a little highlight – white but not too bright!

These little calendars go together quickly, and they’re really satisfying to complete. It’s such a pleasure to have one sitting on my kitchen counter!

No April Fools here – head on over to see what Crystal and Cheryl are doing for April.

Deals this week!!

Posted on February 24, 2015 by mauistamper

Quickie post – waiting on board the big 777 to get home from FREEZING COLD Chicago after a great weekend with our son at Notre Dame. Check out these deals!

Shop HERE

It’s a RemARKable Sale-a-bration

Posted on February 12, 2015 by mauistamper

Welcome to the February Sale-a-bration RemARKable Blog Tour! I know Valentines Day is nearly here, but I have something different in mind for you. My theme today is:

“If life give you lemons, make…a card!”

Introducing “A Happy Thing”!

With a $50 US product purchase, this stamp set is yours for free in either wood (#139131) or clear (#139134).

I used the Daffodil Delight and Old Olive Blendabilities to color this image, and enjoyed the differences in each lemon – just the way you would find them in nature!

Perhaps you haven’t purchased those Blendabilities yet – no worries. Stamp the lemon on any of our yellow toned cardstock – this is Crushed Curry. This card is intentionally minimalist, as I often find myself short on cards for men. No ribbons here!

Trim it and adhere it over the base lemon with Stampin’ Dimensionals. There’s a little highlight on the Crushed Curry cardstock done with our Chalk Marker.

The entire image – leaves plus lemon – is a little fussier to cut but it won’t ruin your day if you choose to go that route. A few gold sequins from the sequin trim and some stamped dots create a little Bokeh effect.

Three cards, three different sentiments, one color palette and one gorgeous lemon. Almost as refreshing as hand-squeezed lemonade – enjoy the rest of the tour!

Nancy Amato – http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com/2015/02/remarkable-stampers-blog-tour-sale.html
Melissa Bolinger – http://creativeblessingsbymissy.blogspot.com/2015/02/remarkable-blog-tour-sale-bration.html
Tamra Davis – http://www.theCardLadies.com/remarkable-blog-tour-sale-a-bration-sponging-fun/
Connie Diebler – http://www.conniestamps.com/2015/02/its-sale-a-bration-time.html
Becky Jensen – ttp://www.stampthat.com/blog/sale-a-bration-blog-tour-2015/
Anne Matasci – http://wp.me/pCcBw-1Nq YOU’RE HERE
Audra Monk – http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com/2015/02/sale-bration-blog-hop-its-remarkable.html
Maria Pane – http://stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com/2015/02/remarkable-stampers-blog-tour-its.html
Andi Potler – http://www.absolutekreations.com/2015/02/12/remarkable-stampers-blog-tour-sale-a-bration
Michele Reynolds – http://inspirationink.typepad.com/inspiration-ink/2015/02/sale-a-bration-blog-tour.html
Pam Staples – http://wp.me/p3p2VA-Tz
Janet Wakeland – http://wp.me/pHIQD-789

A Sunny Yellow Thank You

Posted on December 29, 2014 by mauistamper

Did you receive some lovely gifts?

You know what comes next!

Dotty Angle and Mixed Bunch
Hello Honey, Whisper White and Mossy Meadow
Hello Honey Ribbon
Pearls
Punches: Blossom and 3/4 inch circle

Shop HERE!

Boxes o’ Kisses

Posted on December 8, 2014 by mauistamper

Here’s my take on the Sizzix Bigz Fry Box designed for Christmas treats:

A few Hershey Kisses in a cello bag tied with a cheery bit of ribbon and your favors are complete! I made quite a few of these and they go together so quickly – the fry box is VERY EASY to assemble! Just the thing for all of those last minute goodie gifts.

The phrases – I used a variety of them – are from Good Greetings, the exclusive Holiday Catalog Hostess Set. The Old Olive box is stamped with the snowflakes and trees from Cheerful Greetings. Photopolymer sets are super flexible, so I was able to curve the trees in an arc to match the curve across the back of the box. The Real Red box is embellished with one of the trees from the Festival of Trees.

Stop by on Thursday to enjoy the RemARKable Blog Tour – our theme is Tie One On – packaging, tags and last minute gifts.

Bright and Beautiful

Posted on November 17, 2014 by mauistamper

Love this Bright and Beautiful set of stars:

Stamps: Bright and Beautiful
Color Palette: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Silver
Accessories: Big Shot and Star framelits, Silver 1/8″ taffeta ribbon, Silver Glimmer paper, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Envelope Punch Board, 1/8″ hand held circle punch

The inspiration for this card came from Sandy MacIver. I had initially hoped to make the card with the top point of the star a continuous piece of paper front to back (rather than punching a hole to secure the front to the back) but I learned that the point is too narrow to make that work. I don’t like to add bows with glue dots, so I needed to figure out a way to make this one go through the card stock and still “tie pretty”.

This is the back of the card. I put the Silver Taffeta Ribbon through a hole punched at the top of the stars and tied it once in front, then wrapped it around the back and tied it once again (when I say tied, I mean like the first step in tying a shoelace – what’s that called? an overhand knot?) Those two “overhand knots” stabilize the ribbon so that when you bring it back around to the front the bow is straight, not catty-wompus. (Which IS a word, despite spell check trying to tell me it is not.)

I stamped a single word inside and added a few small stars to the envelope. The envelope itself was made with the Envelope Punch board to fit a 5×5 card. This card looks a lot more time-consuming than it is – give it a try and tell me what you think.

Stop by the Maui Masonic Lodge this Saturday, November 22 for the Maui Stamper and Friends Craft Fair! Paper crafts, jewelry, baked goods, embroidered linens, loads of gift items – we’d love to see you! 9am til 2pm