Category Archives: Birthdays

Finding the hidden colors in Feels Like Frost

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I spent a lot of time playing with color palettes to go with the various Feels Like Frost papers. I wanted to bring out the unexpected and non-traditional colors, and I feel like I accomplished that with this birthday card:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Feels Like Frost Happiest Birthday Wishes
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Feels Like Frost Happiest Birthday Wishes

I tried using Stampin’ Blends to color the Dotted Tulle Ribbon, but the color came out much darker than I wanted even with the light toned marker. I decided to try dying it with the ink refill. It worked – the second time! The first time I thought I should rinse it out and the color immediately left the ribbon. I made another batch (a bunch of ink in a little water, it’s really about how dark you want it) and once I’d reached the color I wanted I let it dry on top of a paper towel. I’m going out on a limb here to say I don’t think it’s colorfast!!!!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Feels Like Frost Happiest Birthday Wishes

I’m pleased with the end result. I think if you swapped the Night of Navy and the Rococco Rose all around, you’ d have a great masculine card. Hmmm…

If you’re ready, you can shop HERE.

Feels Like Frost Birthday

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I challenged myself to create as many cards as I could in an afternoon using the Feels Like Frost Designer Series Paper stack. Buckle your seat belts! It was a lot of fun, and it was really easy. I think selecting the sentiments was the biggest challenge! Here’s the first one I’d like to share:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Feels Like Frost DSP with Christmas Layers Die
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Feels Like Frost DSP with Christmas Layers Die

The various elements from the Christmas Layers dies are fabulous for all kinds of paper crafting projects. They’re timeless and multi-seasonal and a great addition to your crafty stash (‘cuz we all have a stash of one size or another, right??)

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Feels Like Frost DSP with Christmas Layers Die

I love this paper and I’m confident you will too. Shop HERE.

Tropical Chic Birthday Wreath

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It seems everyone has made wreath cards and it’s time for me to get with the program already! This is such an easy technique that I’m chagrinned to have taken so long. A simple template – and the amazing Stamparatus – make this a very simple project:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Tropical Chic Square Wreath with the Stamparatus

I chose to make this a 5″ x 5″ square card in order to use the hibiscus stamp from Tropical Chic. In order to add the palm leaves, I created a double mask. You can see by looking that if you mask only one flower, you won’t get the desired results. I created a mask with 2 flowers stamped on the Stamparatus to set the leaves behind the wreath.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Tropical Chic Wreath card with Stamparatus

This card could just as easily be a wedding card, a graduation card (think a lei – although we don’t make them from hibiscus because the real thing doesn’t last) or any assortment of other happy occasion cards. It would be fun in bold tropical prints too, but I chose Petal Pink to coordinate with one of my favorite suites of paper of all time, now sadly retired. I hope you have some in your stash!

Need to shop for supplies? Visit my SHOP for everything you need. Don’t forget to use your Bonus Days Bucks!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days July 2019

Stampin’ Up! Host Rewards: Soft Spring

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Host sets are a bit of a mystery to me. They’re a great value, but they don’t get the exposure or interest they should. They’re available at a discounted price, but the twist is that you have to use Host Rewards to purchase them. Today I’m featuring Soft Spring:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Soft Spring Host Rewards

I used the Stamping Sponge to add a little texture and soften the Crumb-Cake-on-White look of the Birch background. I cut the word THANKS out twice, once in Blushing Bride and once in Gold Foil, and offset layered them for added dimension. This is a perfectly flat, no-questions-asked MAIL WORTHY card!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Soft Spring Host Rewards

Those Stitched Nested Label dies (also sold as part of the Free as a Bird bundle) are going to be a constant crafting companion! And there’s a bonus in the set: a single long die to make a line of stitching anywhere you’d like it.

I originally created this as an entry for Colour Inkspiration #58, but decided to submit THIS CARD instead. I think I made the right choice! That’s the fun of color challenges: you can repeat them over and over again with such different results.

If this post has resulted in the desire/need to shop, click HERE.

Saying Farewell: All That You Are

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The 2018-2019 and Occasions Retiring Products Lists have been released, and it’s a bittersweet thing. There are some stamps I’m quite happy to see move on, and others that break my heart just a teeny tiny bit. All That You Are kind of breaks my heart.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are Occasions 2019

This is a simple technique with very satisfying results. The image is inked with Versamark ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. To get the best results, I highly recommend using the Embossing Buddy to prepare your paper. Using the Stamparatus to ink your card stock enables you to ensure even, thorough coverage with the Versamark ink, resulting in a high quality embossed image.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are Occasions 2019

It’s easier than you might expect to see the embossed image. Coloring an embossed image is especially enjoyable because there is a tactile response – you feel the lines, helping you stay within them (if that’s how you roll!)

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are Occasions 2019

I used both light and dark Stampin’ Write markers in each color,. Sometimes I’m literally adding just a dot of color, other times a line or a full blending effort. I’m one of those people who find coloring to be very therapeutic, so it’s a pleasure for me.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are Occasions 2019

If you’re as fond of All That You Are as I am, shop HERE before it’s retired for good. While you’re shopping, there are a few additional products you might want to think about:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are Occasions 2019

Stay crafty, my friends. Shop HERE.

SO MUCH NEWS. But first, the Cling Wrap Technique

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This technique has been making the rounds again as the Press’n’Seal Floating Frame card, and if I had Press’n’Seal I would have used it…but my entire kitchen is Furnished By Costco, so it’s the Kirkland Cling Wrap technique today, my friends!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Wonderful Romance Cling Wrap Technique
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Wonderful Romance Cling Wrap Technique

This is a really enjoyable technique, but it takes time and patience to color all of the elements you need to create the floating frame. It’s a great project for when you’re at home recovering from the flu (ahem). One of the complaints I read when crafters used Press ‘n Seal was that it stuck too well to the card stock, causing the surface to tear. Trust me, that’s not a problem with the Kirkland wrap!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Wonderful Romance Cling Wrap Technique

As you can see, when I ran everything through the Big Shot it cut the pieces quite nicely, but things moved around quite a bit once I removed the cutting plates. I had to be patient when I adhered the pieces to the frame, but by using the corner shapes as anchors everything else fell into place nicely. It’s quite similar to assembling a puzzle! You’ll want to be VERY VERY generous with the Stampin’ Dimensionals on this one – be prepared to find a lot of those little paper hexagons floating around your craft room!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Big Shot

Speaking of the Big Shot, you may have heard the announcement that Stampin’ Up! is terminating its relationship with Sizzex at the end of the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog period, effective June 3, 2019. This change will streamline design and production, and allow Stampin’ Up! to work directly with a manufacturer. This in turn will provide a more nimble response to inspiration, supply and demand. While Stampin’ Up! will still sell dies and embossing folders that are compatible with the Big Shot, we will no longer market the machine itself or any accessories (cutting pads, specialized platforms, etc). A new die cutting machine is in development, but it is not ready for the 2019-2020 catalog. If you need any accessories, I encourage you to shop soon, as supplies of retiring products are not guaranteed.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Stampin' Trimmer

Similarly, Stampin’ Up! is also discontinuing the Stampin’ Trimmer. While this product has been extremely popular, recent concerns with blade quality have caused Stampin’ Up! to seek an alternate supplier. Again, a new Trimmer is in development but will not be available in time for the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. If you would like to stock up on cutting blades, I urge you to act quickly as these accessories will also retire at the end of the catalog. As we all know too well, supplies of retiring items are not guaranteed! There is currently a limit of 3 packages of cutting blades per order, but that limit will be raised to 6 when the Retiring Products List is released on April 15, 2019.

2019-2021 InColor What Do You Think

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations – you get a bonus question! Lyssa Zwolaneck, a generous demo friend, created a fun graphic now that demonstrators have seen the NAMES of the 2019-2020 In Colors but not the shades!! What do YOU think???

Tropical Chic Colour INKspiration 52

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The Colour INKspiration team always selects fabulous inspiration images for their color challenges, and #CI52 made me think Manly Cards. It was timely inspiration, as I needed a Manly Card for a good friend who happens to be a man!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour INKspiration 52 Tropical Chic
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! CI52

I didn’t add the Soft Sea Foam, but focused on the other 3 colours. I was pretty pleased with myself to discover how nicely the Wood Textures Designer Series paper stack worked in this project!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour INKspiration 52 Tropical Chic

Those little Tropical Elements are a really nice addition to a card, and they’re not especially bulky. If you add an extra sheet of card stock to the front of the card when you put it in the mail, most Post Offices will send it through!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour INKspiration 52 Tropical Chic

In this case, I chickened out. As I prepared the card to mail, I added DSP to the envelope flap (I just traced the shape and adhered it with Tombo, the Wonder Adhesive). Then I pulled off the embellishment and added the flower on a dimensional. Melon Mambo isn’t part of the challenge, though, so I’m sharing both versions!

Visit the Colour INKspiration facebook page for more projects using this great colour palette. They’re such a lovely bunch of crafters!

(Gift) Wrapping up Holiday 2018

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<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.

JoAnn made a gorgeous tag with a retired ornament stamp and silver embossing powder.

Iris used cupcake papers for this charming Christmas tree tag!

Donna used the retired red Glimmer Paper (oh, how I’ve missed that this year…hint, hint, Stampin’ Up!) for this sparkly tag.

Helen made this elegant rage with a retired TIEF and silver foil paper.

Caroline featured the red Glimmer Paper with this gorgeous poinsettia overlay from the Detailed Poinsettia Thinlets.

Diane brought out the silver foil and red jewels for this classic stunner.

Crystal made this gift card envelope with the retired but immensely popular Santa Hat punch.

Gloria used the gorgeous wreath and bow from the Wishing You Well set and took the time to cut out all those bows!

Harriette also brought out a retired favorite framelit and used the Cookie Cutter Christmas and Softly Falling TIEF for this classic holiday tag.

Joyce created this beautiful Christmas wreath with holly embellished tag. I think we need another holly punch in 2919, don’t you?

Alice creates this charming snowman tag with the retired Warm Wishes set.

This was my contribution. I used First Frost and my favorite color palette of Tranquil Tide, Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana.

Tuck these ideas away for next year – it will be time to start those projects before you know it!  Shop for supplies HERE.

New in the Clearance Rack!!

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Don’t delay – the best new things sell out quickly!! Fast Fuse and Fast Fuse refills are in stock at Super Savings!

Use your Bonus Days savings and really score!

Colour INKspiration 36: It’s an honour!

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Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour INKspiration banner

Welcome to the Colour INKspiration Blog Hop and Colour Challenge #36. I’m quite honoured to be a guest designer with the Colour INKspiration Crew this month. The 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month this talented group of crafters design projects focusing on the Stampin’ Up! colour palette. The 2nd Wednesday challenge is currently working through the newly revamped Colour Families (CI #35 was Neutrals) and the 4th Wednesday – like this one –  uses a Pinterest-based image for inspiration. #CI36 features Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Basic Gray and Silver Foil, with Basic Black, Whisper White, Very Vanilla and Metallics permitted as well.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour Inkspiration 36 Palette

(PS doesn’t that adorable little girl look as though she has been asked to eat something she has never seen before and can’t imagine putting in her mouth? Just saying!)

I confess to having been just a bit intimidated at the thought of using Soft Suede and Basic Gray on the same project – a little outside my comfort zone – but this is a challenge, after all!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour INKspiration 36 Guest Designer

I think I pulled out most of my craft room and had it spread all over the desk trying to put this together!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour INKspiration 36 Guest Designer

I honestly don’t remember where I began! When I stamped the large flower from Flourishing Phrases in Crushed Curry, I immediately thought I should layer it, and once I embarked on that process, I just couldn’t seem to stop. (I used a LOT of Stampin’ Dimensionals on this project!!) I had leaves and berry bits and ribbons all around me, and I just kept arranging and rearranging them until I was happy.

The Stamparatus was indispensable in aligning the sentiment so that I could stamp in both Soft Suede and Crushed Curry. If you haven’t taken the ‘Ratus Leap, treat yourself!

In order to find a balance between light and dark, I used the largest Stitched Shapes Framelit circle to ground my floral abundance. The Silver Foil behind the Woodland DSP also added some light, and I used Wink of Stella (a crafter’s best friend)  to emphasize the trees in the Woodlands TIEF.

All the little bits and pieces are tucked in and adhered with Glue Dots. The Silver Metallic thread is also held fast in the same way, but all of the main layers are adhered with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour INKspiration 36 Guest Designer

The Colour INKspiration Crew is a South Pacific team, but the challenge is international. I hope you’ll give it a try! All entries are posted to the Colour INKpiration Facebook group.

One note for those of you outside Australia and New Zealand: challenges open and close in AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Many of us are on the other side of the International Date Line, and sometimes the math gets a little tricky. You can Google the current time, but I use a free app called Miranda that allows me to select any time in my time zone and see what it is in any other time zone. My family is spread halfway around the world (quite literally) and this app has come in quite handy!

Thanks for stopping by my part of the Pacific. You’re headed West now to Canberra and Monique Fielder, and I know you’ll enjoy her beautiful artwork. If you’re in the U.S. and you’d like to shop for the supplies to create your own version of this card, visit my Online Store.

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