Growing a team

Posted on February 10, 2017 by mauistamper

This Sale-a-bration has been busy for the Maui Stampers. Our team is growing, and it’s such a pleasure to welcome new members to our community. Even though we live on a small island, it may be a while before I have the opportunity to meet some of my new downline members. Of course, that’s why we make cards!

This big, beautiful pineapple is such fun to stamp. I use a combination of ink pads and markers to add color variety and texture, and the Wink of Stella clear (my fave!) to add sparkle.

The beautiful Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack is a free gift with your qualifying Sale-a-bration order. It’s just the right combination of softness and body for a card.

I chose Baker’s Twine and changed the mat for this one just to make it a little different, but it’s really the same card.

What does it mean to join the team? There’s no obligation, and during Sale-a-bration you’ll choose two extra stamps sets! Enjoy the discount, have a class or craft party with your friends, or generate real income with a full-time business – it’s all up to you! Check it out HERE and discover what happy stampers all over the world have learned for themselves: Stampin’ Up! is ohana – that’s how we say family in Hawaii. I would love to welcome you to the Maui Stamper’s team.

So hard to find the words

Posted on January 29, 2017 by mauistamper

One of the most difficult cards to make is a sympathy card. It needs to express something that is truly beyond words, a message spoken from one heart to another. I often choose elements from nature for a sympathy card, partly because the images are soothing, but also because nature represents the full circle of our existence.

Stamps: Touches of Texture, Gorgeous Grunge, An Open Heart
Color Palette: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Sweet Sugarplum, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Stampin’ Write markers, Aquapainter, Sweet Sugarplum 3/8″ Ruched Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used Stampin’ Write markers to color the leaves and the centers of the flowers, then added a lighter touch with the Aquapainter to give the blooms some depth. I’m not a formally trained artist, and so my watercoloring is nothing more than whimsy. I’m ok with that.

Tasty Truck Birthdays

Posted on January 24, 2017 by mauistamper

I’m a little behind sending January birthday cards, but when this one arrives I hope I’ll be forgiven my tardiness!

Stamps: Tasty Truck (Sale-a-bration 2017)
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Up! Watercolor pencils, Wink of Stella Clear, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aqua Painter, A Little Foxy DSP Stack, Bermuda Bay 1/8″ Stitched Ribbon

I had a fabulous time coloring that truck, because I let my creative spirit run free. Some of it is done with Stampin’ Write markers, some with Stampin’ Up! Colored pencils, some were smoothed with the Aqua Painter, and there’s a liberal dose of Stella adding sparkle to the whole thing!

The Little Foxy DSP is PERFECT behind this truck, and finding it in my stamp room was absolutely serendipitous. (Miraculous, even.) The DSP inspired this treatment on the inside of the card:

I’m pretty happy with the way this turned out. My creativity needed a boost and this fun stamp set was just the thing to do the job.

LATE BREAKING NEWS FROM STAMPIN’ UP! Watercolor pencils have reached a significant backorder status and will not be available to order after noon on January 26th (MST – that will be 9am HST). If you want to be on the backorder list, place your order ASAP.

Tasty Trucks is free with a qualifying purchase during Sale-a-bration. Shop HERE to learn more!

Sending RemARKable Love

Posted on January 15, 2017 by mauistamper

Welcome to the January 2017 RemARKable Blog tour. Our focus this month is Sending Love – which in addition to a wonderful practice, is a fabulous Stampin’ Up! product suite!

I’ve taken the obvious route and chosen Valentines, but these projects could easily be adapted to other expressions of love – wedding, anniversary, or just Love ya, Babe!

This is our fabulous Popcorn Box thinlit made up in Blushing Bride. There’s a panel of Falling in Love DSP behind all of that embellishment, as well as a Delicate White Doily spritzed with Sahara Sand and smushed for texture. (SMUSH is an active verb.)

Stitched Shapes Framelits will be available again on January 16th – be ready to order!! Product #145372 will cost $30 and will be sold as supplies last.

The Sealed With Love set sentiment is stamped twice with Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand – photopolymer stamps make the placement easy as can be!

I LOVE the Sending Love Glassine Sheets, and they are perfect for creating the little envelopes in the Love Notes Framelits. I also love how that row of hearts fits perfectly across the top of the little note insert.

The TIEF is called Falling Petals, but let’s be serious. They’re hearts. Sheesh. {wink}

Next up is Heather Mathieson. Click on the image below, or scroll down to the list of blog tour participants for more inspiration! Thanks for stopping by.

Anne Matasci YOU ARE HERE!!

Sending Love CASE

Posted on January 14, 2017 by mauistamper

I loved THIS CARD from Kitchen Table Stamper enough to create my own version.

Stamps: Sealed With Love
Color Palette: Real Red. Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Love Notes Framelits, Sending Love Glassine Sheets, Sending Love DSP Stack, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Red Glimmer Paper

The glassine sheets are PERFECT for the little envelopes.

I used the Sale-a-bration set Delicate Details for a little embellishment inside the card – I can see of lot of ways to use those beautiful linear images.

Stop by tomorrow afternoon for the RemARKable Blog Tour to see more Sending Love inspiration!

A radiant card for a radiant couple

Posted on January 5, 2017 by mauistamper

One of my regular stamp club members was married last week. She’s been coming with her mom since she was in high school, and we all love her vibrance and creative spirit. It goes without saying that I needed a special card.

Stamps: None
Color Palette: Whisper White, Shimmer White, Gold
Accessories: Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits, Sunshine Wishes Thinlits, Gold Thread, Metallics sequin assortment, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Fine tip glue pen, Wink of Stella Gold and Clear, Vellum card stock

I cut the detailed portion of the dragonfly wings in Vellum, and used the fine-tip glue pen down the body to adhere them to the Shimmer White solid dragonfly.

Wink of Stella Gold was perfect for adding a tiny accent to the head for dragonfly eyes, and the Wink of Stella Clear made the rest of the body shimmer.

The Falling in Love DSP has some very dream-like papers, and I chose this one to set the color palette into the gold tones.

What do you think of the Occasions catalog? Is Dragonfly Dreams on your wish list?

Candy Cane Christmas

Posted on November 25, 2016 by mauistamper

The Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series paper is my go-to paper for quick, coordinated cards:

Have you tried our note cards? They come in Crumb Cake and Whisper White, and each set of 20 cut and scored card bases comes with 20 beautiful coordinating note cards. The cards are 5 x 3 1/2″ and are perfect for quick notes or gift enclosures.

Have you shopped the Online Extravaganza? Click HERE for the full listing of the sale items. If your order is under $150, please use Host code BDVJER7D.

DIY Easel calendar kits are available for 2017!

The DIY Easel Calendar kit is $9.00, and I also make a DIY Calendar Refill available for $6.00. The calendar images are 3 1/2″ square, and the mats are 3 3/4″ square.

Shipping is by USPS and will be sent First Class or Priority Mail. I ship the best possible method at the best possible price and will calculate based on what you order. Typically, a single Calendar refill can be sent in a First Class envelope with postage of $.68. Easel Calendar Kits are shipped Priority Mail Small Flat Rate with postage of $6.80. I can ship multiple kits in one box.

Mats are Dapper Denim, Marina Mist, Emerald Envy, Cucumber Crush, Mint Macaron, Sweet Sugarplum, Real Red, Watermelon Wonder, Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, Tip Top Taupe, Delightful Dijon and Daffodil Delight.

To order, leave a comment or email me directly at AnneMatasci@gmail.com. I’ll need your order and your email address, and will send an invoice via Square. At this time, I’m not shipping these outside of the United States.

A Tag So Nice I Stamped It Thrice

Posted on November 23, 2016 by mauistamper

OK, so the post title is corny…but this little tag is quick and easy!

The Stitched Shapes Framelits are back-ordered until November 28th, but they’re worth the wait – just look at how they dress this up!

You know you need those Holly Leaves and Berries from the Holly Berry Builder Punch, on sale during Online Extravaganza!

These sentiments all come from Candy Cane Christmas, and if you give food gifts during the holidays, you’ll find these indispensable.

Shop HERE. Online Extravaganza is in full swing! Use Host code BDVJER7D if your order is under $150.

DIY Easel calendar kits are available for 2017!

The DIY Easel Calendar kit is $9.00, and I also make a DIY Calendar Refill available for $6.00. The calendar images are 3 1/2″ square, and the mats are 3 3/4″ square.

Pink October Round Two

Posted on October 22, 2016 by mauistamper

I’m back in the pink! A couple of weeks ago I pulled out the Touches of Texture set and put it to the Pink Test.

Stamps: Touches of Texture, Remarkable You
Color Palette: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Flirty Flamingo
Accessories: Big Shot, Bunch of Banners Framelits, Layering Oval Framelits, Aquapainter, Stampin’ Sponges, Linen Thread, Flirty Flamingo Ruched Ribbon, Pearl Jewels

Crumb Cake is my go-to neutral with soft tones like pinks and pale blues. For this card, I pulled in a lot of pink tones – Pirouette, Blushing Bride, and the 2016-2018 In Color Flirty Flamingo. The variety of pinks work well when you’re layering as much as I’ve done.

Photopolymer stamps are flexible and sticky, allowing you to shape them in a curve in order to closely fit something like this banner. I place the die cut piece on my desktop, then cover it with a clear block. I shape the photopolymer stamp on the block looking through to the die cut. One caveat: If your die cut isn’t symmetrical, this won’t work as you’re going to flip the block over.

If you haven’t had your screening, make that appointment a priority. The earlier Breast Cancer is detected, the greater the odds of complete remission. Take care of yourself 💕

It’s RemARKable Designer Series Paper!!

Posted on October 16, 2016 by mauistamper

Don’t you love a deal? Our RemARKable Blog Tour this month is celebrating Designer Series Paper, because it’s a BIG DEAL this month at Stampin’ Up! There are 8 beautiful color-coordinated collections from which to choose, and our RemARKable goal this month is to inspire you and make your choice a little easier.

Stamps: Cookie Cutter Christmas, Oh What Fun, Thoughtful Banners
Color Palette: Whisper White, Emerald Envy, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Presents & Pinecones DSP, Duet Banner Punch, Cookie Cutter Punch, Wink of Stella Clear, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Write markers

The Wink of Stella just would NOT photograph but trust me, Santa is a-blingin’!! It’s really quick and easy coloring with the Stampin’ Write markers too.

I want to point out the Oh What Fun stamp set because in my opinion, it’s been overlooked with all the excitement of the 2016 Holiday catalog. Oh What Fun is in the 2016-2017 Annual Catalog as a returning star from last year’s Holiday catalog, and it is stellar.

I don’t know about you, but I NEVER have enough tags! Tags for packages, tags for goodies, tags for bottles of refreshing beverages…I NEED TAGS.

Stamps: Wondrous Wreath, Merry Mice
Color Palette: Emerald Envy, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories: Wonderful Wreath Framelits, Bunch of Banners Framelits, Layering Squares Framelits, Wink of Stella Clear, Cherry Cobbler Silky Taffeta Ribbon, Bakers Twine Trio Pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 1/8″ handheld punch

I am a Wink of Stella junkie – there isn’t a project that doesn’t benefit from a little Wink!

Designer Series Paper is the PERFECT tag base because you have a beautiful front AND back ready to roll – it takes just moments to dress it up. With 12 color coordinated designs, you too can have that perfectly coordinated Christmas.

Your next stop on the tour is Audra Monk. I know you’ll enjoy her beautiful projects and the whole tour! Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Here’s the full tour lineup:

Anne Matasci YOU ARE HERE!