Birthday Wishes

Posted on July 5, 2017 by mauistamper

The new catalog is keeping me really, really busy. Just when I think I’ve narrowed down my list, something else catches my eye. What I love most about the Happiest of Days stamp set is the font!

Stamps: Happiest of Days
Color Palette: Whisper White, So Saffron, Pear Pizazz and Dapper Denim
Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals Layering Framelits, Petal Burst TIEF, Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips, White Bakers Twine

These little packages are together on one stamp, but I wanted to give them some dimension and change their spacing. My Paper Snips are always close at hand!

I even embellished the inside of the card. It’s an extra touch that makes a handmade card even more special.

July brings Bonus Days back to Stampin’ Up! Spend $50 in July and earn a $5 reward to spend as you choose in August – with no limit. What’s on your list?

Has your wishlist grown? If it’s near $100, consider joining the Maui Stamper team. There’s no obligation, and in July, Stampin’ Up! is making the deal even sweeter. Your $99 (no additional tax or shipping) always includes your choice of $125 in Stampin’ Up! product. In July, it will include an additional $52 in essential tools – snail, snips, bone folder, grid paper, and two D blocks – PLUS the not-yet-released Carols of Christmas stamps from the Holiday 2017 catalog. Check it out!

CASEing the Piggy

Posted on July 2, 2017 by mauistamper

July 1 brings Bonus Days back to Stampin’ Up! Spend $50 in July and earn a $5 reward to spend as you choose in August – with no limit. What’s on your list?

If I didn’t have it already, I’ll tell you what would be on my list: This Little Piggy.

This piggy makes me happy! Today’s card is a CASE (Copy And Share with Everyone) of the talented Rachel Tessman. I loved her design, and made just a couple of small changes to her creation.

Coloring the Piggy was a learning experience for me – and in a good way. I was certain I wanted to use Whisper White card stock, but I haven’t had good experience using the Aquapainter with either ink or the Coloring Pencils on large images on Whisper White card stock. I was looking for another option and thought I’d try sponging. This first pig got a little sunburned, but the second one has a lovely, pale complexion:

I used Powder Pink to sponge, and the Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write marker to add shadows.

Stamps: This Little Piggy
Color Palette: Whisper White, Powder Pink, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Basic Grey
Accessories: Daisy Punch, Fox Builder Punch, 3/4″ circle punch, Stampin’ Sponges, Stampin’ Write Markers, Aquapainter, Paper Snips, Post It note, retired Washi Tape

This is the first card I made using the Aquapainter and ink. You can’t see the distortion of the paper, but it’s there. I also wasn’t successful in getting even coverage:

A Post It note creates the perfect mask for sponging, because it sticks in place and the paper is thin. I stamped the Piggy and trimmed him out of the center:

I suppose I could have been really tricky and used the insides for the Soft Sky sponging, but it wouldn’t have had any “stick”. I stamped the Piggy again and cut out around the image so I could sponge in the sky:

You Soar Above the Rest

Posted on June 21, 2017 by mauistamper

Mr. Maui Stamper really does soar above the rest. I knew when I met him all those years ago that he would make a fabulous Dad, and my young heart really got that right. (The defining moment was when he was teaching me to ski and his extraordinary patience was on full display.)

Stamps: Lift Me Up, Thoughtful Banners
Color Palette: Whisper White, Lemon Lime Twist, Dapper Denim
Accessories: Big Shot, Up & Away Thinlits, Precision Base Plate, Lemon Lime Twist Ombre Ribbon (currently on backorder), Stampin’ Dimensionals, Color Theory DSP Stack

The Color Theory DSP makes a great background – the ombre fade from top to bottom suggests the view towards the horizon. There are a couple of paper shares still available if you’re interested in sampling this paper (and a few others!)

Those glorious orchids

Posted on June 13, 2017 by mauistamper

I love a new catalog. There are new stamps, new colors, new ribbons and inspiration to last for ages! I couldn’t sleep last night after an evening of crafting – there were so many ideas swirling around in my head!

I inked up the gorgeous Climbing Orchid suite last week. Orchids are abundant in Hawaii, and I have a local source that’s quite reasonable, so they are almost always blooming in my home. I couldn’t wait to try the paper version:

Stamps: Climbing Orchid, Touches of Texture
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Berry Burst, So Saffron, Soft Suede
Accessories: Big Shot, Orchid Builder Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals, a new set of cutting pads!!!!

The new cutting pads are my favorite indulgence. I can make the old, crusty, doubled-up pads work, but why? They leave funny marks on the paper because they’re so chopped up. And opening a new set of cutting pads is one of those hold-your-breath moments. They’re so smooth! I always have two new backup pairs in my Big Shot Organizer – I ordered the replacements the same day I opened the new set.

You don’t have to cut this many layers, but I’m glad I chose to. The extra depth and texture make the card special, and most of the time, paper layers don’t create the dreaded Post Office Bump.

Once I decided on a color scheme, this card was pretty quick and simple. I’m looking forward to playing with these orchids all year long.

Re-creating a Maui Stamper Classic

Posted on June 9, 2017 by mauistamper

Sale-a-bration 2016 inspired a card that has become my all time favorite. Because the stamps were available for such a short time, I made a few different versions but then moved on. I’ve watched every catalog for a suitable replacement, and when I spied Flirty Flowers in the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog I knew I had a good possibility.

Stamps: Flirty Flowers, Sunshine Sayings, Timeless Textures
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede
Accessories: Linen Thread, Stampin’ Write Markers

There’s a time commitment in cutting and stamping this card. It’s not a good candidate for mass production, but it’s a great project for relaxing and enjoying the creative process.

It’s really enjoyable to mix and match textures, images and colors to create a unique card. My original design using the Sale-a-bration stamp set Field Flowers was done in yellow tones, but I also created one in pinks and another in blues. The monochromatic palettes tie together an otherwise chaotic collection of images.

I tried this one with Fresh Fig and Sweet Sugarplum. There are things I like about it, but it’s definitely a different vibe.

In all honesty, I think Flowering Fields was a once-in-a-lifetime set of stamps. I’d love to know what you think – please leave me a comment with your thoughts.

And just for the record, here’s the original Flowering Fields cards in Crushed Curry and So Saffron. It was CASEd many, many times, and I am very grateful to those generous crafters who acknowledged my design. If you CASE a card, please give the original artist credit. Thanks.

Have cape, will solve problems

Posted on May 31, 2017 by mauistamper

I wish a cape was all it took to solve a problem. I don’t want to dive too deeply into the problems of the world, but it seems to me that we could use a few more good guys and gals wearing capes:

Stamps: Everyday Hero (retiring TONIGHT)
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Dapper Denim, Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist
Accessories: Eastern Palace Specialty DSP, Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils, Aquapainter, Enamel shapes, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I use an Aquapainter to blend our Colored Pencils. You can use a regular brush with water, but the Aquapainter is sitting on my craft desk 10 inches from my hand. It’s so easy.

This set has especially good sentiments for adding to the inside of the card. It would be a great Father’s Day card, but this one actually went to a friend who accomplished something pretty special.

Today is the last day to shop the Retired List for 2016-2017 and you know what that means: the new 2017-2018 catalog begins tomorrow! Today is also the last day to get your free Very Vanilla note cards or Thick Very Vanilla card stock with your Eastern Palace bundle!

I just sent in my last order for the old catalog, and my list for the new catalog is ready to roll as soon as the system goes live (Stampin’ Up! promises by noon Mountain time). Are you ready?? Shop HERE.

A late Mother’s Day post: edited

Posted on May 18, 2017 by mauistamper

I knew I had CASED this card but didn’t realize how closely my card resembled the original. I want to give credit to Charlett Mallett for the design and color scheme for this card!

**************************************************************************************************************

A belated Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, moms, grandmas, nanas, aunties, and any woman who has nurtured a child (teachers, this means all of you!). Loving and guiding a child through life’s ups and downs is one of the most challenging and fulfilling experiences of my life.

I’m very proud of my three children, as well as the many young people I’ve loved through family, school, scouting, church, neighborhoods and even Facebook. I absolutely believe the adage that it takes a village to raise a child, and in today’s world of increased mobility, the village has become global in nature as well. I turned to circular images for this card to reflect the continuous nature of mothering.

Stamps: Oh So Succulent
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Falling Petals TIEF, Succulent Framelit Dies, Swirly Scribbles Thinlit dies, Lace Doilies (sold out), Blushing Bride Sequin Trim, 1 1/4″ Circle Punch, Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

There’s a 1 1/4″ Very Vanilla circle punch behind the Swirly Scribble die cut, as the center of the doily is very lacy and I found it distracting.

Many of these products are retiring, and stamps are guaranteed availability only through May 22. After that date, they’ll be sold on a while supplies last basis. Don’t miss your favorites! Shop HERE.

Spring flowers, mainland style

Posted on May 12, 2017 by mauistamper

I love tropical flowers – a lot! – but in the spring, I miss the spring flowers I grew up with. You know the ones: daffodils, tulips, iris, paper whites…you might be able to grow them in some parts of the island where it gets cold at night, but the heat of the day forces them open way too fast. The markets often have bouquets in the spring, but I suspect they’re flown in, and by the time I get them home they’re already looking like they need a couple of hours in the fridge.

Fortunately, I can enjoy paper flowers all year round without having to pick up the wilted petals:

Stamps: Basket Bunch, Gorgeous Grunge
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Mint Macaron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Big Shot, Festive TIEF, Wink of Stella Clear, Stampin’ Write markers, retired ribbon, and that Mint Macaron DSP – I think it’s from the Presents and Pinecones DSP from the Holiday catalog, and I’m pretty sure it’s in the Clearance Rack!

The flowers were fun to color – I used Stampin’ Write markers this time – and I was quite pleased to actually capture some of the Wink in this photo!

Basket Bunch, Gorgeous Grunge and the Festive TIEF are all retiring – shop HERE to get yours before they’re gone!

On the Gonna Miss List: Gorgeous Grunge

Posted on May 9, 2017 by mauistamper

I remember the catalog when Gorgeous Grunge was released. I was at the Stampin’ Up! convention in Salt Lake City and if I’m not mistaken, the talented Pam Morgan introduced this stamp set and told us how much we were going to use it. At first glance, I wasn’t sure, but by the end of her presentation I was convinced.

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Number of Years
Color Palette: Wild Wasabi, Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers, Thick White Bakers Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Brights DSP pack (sold out)

I can’t begin to list the cards I’ve made using one of the images from Gorgeous Grunge. It adds a little bit of texture, fills a gap in a design, or creates a background as I’ve done here.

This particular stamp is very forgiving with regard to placement – really, they all are – and that makes it easy to create texture or a design element without beating your head against the desk. (Not that I do that often, but it’s possible.)

Gorgeous Grunge is available until May 31, 2017, or while supplies last. It’s going to stay in my stamp collection for sure. Get yours HERE.

Dragonfly Dreams and new Maui Stampers

Posted on May 6, 2017 by mauistamper

It’s been a busy time for the Maui Stampers team, and I put another welcome card in the mail:

Stamps: Dragonfly Dreams
Color Palette: Whisper White, Mint Macaron, So Saffron, Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Big Shot, Detailed Dragonfly thinlits, Layering Circles framelits, Inside the Lines DSP (Sale-a-bration 2017), Vellum, Wink of Stella clear, Aquapainter

I LOVE VELLUM WINGS!! And I almost always give them a Wink of Stella. It’s irresistable.

(BTW, that DSP circle behind the band? It’s retired paper. I think it’s from Holiday 2016.)

There’s a peak of washi inside, too!

Grab the bundle and save 10% – shop HERE.

The Maui Stamper

papercrafts, my stories, and the occasional insight

Category Archives: cards

Birthday Wishes

CASEing the Piggy

You Soar Above the Rest

Those glorious orchids

Re-creating a Maui Stamper Classic

Have cape, will solve problems

A late Mother’s Day post: edited

Spring flowers, mainland style

On the Gonna Miss List: Gorgeous Grunge

Dragonfly Dreams and new Maui Stampers

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: