Sheltering Tree: You Warm My Heart

Posted on April 29, 2015 by mauistamper

I’m slightly obsessed with Sheltering Tree:

This idea came from Alison Stachera – you can see her card HERE. Her concept was to show the transition from winter to spring. On Maui, that takes a different form, so I chose to soften the colors. (I’m not going to talk about how much I will miss the 2013-2015 In Color collection since it is largely unavailable, but still.)

Will you cross your fingers with me and hope that Sheltering Tree makes it into the 2015-2016 Annual Catalog? I am not finished with this stamp set.

Allison’s card was also constructed differently – I chose to allow the heart to be open to the inside. The two trees are aligned with the Stamp-a-ma-jig, an essential tool for lining up images. I don’t often use it, but when I do, nothing else will serve the purpose.

If you’re not a gambler, then I would hustle on over to the Online Store and order this stamp set now. Because if it DOESN’T make it into the next catalog, you could be very sad to have missed it.

This card also uses the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set (still available) and the Hearts Framelits (retired and sold out).

Sweet and simple thanks

Posted on April 27, 2015 by mauistamper

Some friends came over a couple of weeks ago. We usually meet once a month, and they asked a while ago if I would show them how to make a card. Of course I would:

Stamps: Bordering Blooms, Four You (retiring)
Color Palette: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Linen Thread, Rhinestone Jewels, Corner Rounder punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

It’s a very simple design – these were all Stampin’ Newbies – but they had a good time. I loved the end result, as every card was a little (or a lot!) different!

We stamped the inside and the envelope too. That’s one of those small things that has a big WOW factor, at least in my book. I also add a Whisper White (or Very Vanilla) liner to the inside of every card made with colored card stock. It creates a finished look and I like the attention to detail.

Enjoy – and shop now for your best selection of retiring products at Anne’s Online Store.

Inspired by Washi

Posted on April 3, 2015 by mauistamper

A lovely friend surprised me with a gorgeous roll of washi tape:

Stamps: Butterfly Basics, Gorgeous Grunge
Color Palette: Real Red, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Flower Frenzy Bigz die, Big Shot, Rhinestone jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Washi tape (non-Stampin’ Up!)

I drew the colors for this card directly from the lush floral design. I’ve seen a lot of pink with red lately, and gave that trend a little nod.

I haven’t played with stamped textures like this for a while and it was very satisfying. I especially love that honeycomb/chickenwire stamp. Definitely need to use that again.

Sheltering Tree

Posted on March 25, 2015 by mauistamper

Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time. Katrina Mayer

I am so thankful that Stampin’ Up! has given us another set of tree stamps. I was really disappointed when Branch Out was retired, but I’m delighted with Sheltering Tree.

So many trees to stamp!

If you’ll be on Maui with a little time this Saturday afternoon, come make cards with us! All cards will feature the Sheltering Tree stamp set – 5 cards, $10. You can’t beat that price! Message me for details.

Sakura Sympathy

Posted on March 14, 2015 by mauistamper

These sweet blossoms just begged to be colored in pinks:

Stamps: Indescribable Gift, Bloom with Hope (Host)
Color Palette: Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Blendabilities, Memento Black ink pad, Pearls

There is sad news regarding Blendabilities. Stampin’ Up! has made the difficult decision to withdraw ALL Blendabilities. Period. Because of quality concerns that cannot be overcome, they have been discontinued. While this is a super-frustrating problem for anyone who has gotten their hands on this great product, it’s also super-frustrating to receive items that do not perform to the high expectations we all have for Stampin’ Up! products.

I’m sharing this close-up image so that you can see that there is a lot of flexibility in the way you shade. I have never had formal art training, and anyone who has is likely exclaiming “Yeah, I see that!” However, with just a little practice, I found I was able to produce results that I found very satisfying.

The moral of this story? Have fun, try something new, and enjoy the process! And stay tuned…I’ll be giving this same image a try with an aquapainter and sharing the results.

An Exquisite Butterfly

Posted on March 9, 2015 by mauistamper

I finally broke out the Butterfly Basics bundle:

Stamps: Butterfly Basics
Color Palette: Whisper White, Shimmer White, Pool Party
Accessories: Butterfly Basics Thinlets, Vellum, Pool Party cotton ribbon, Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The bad news is that the Butterflies Thinlets are currently unavailable. It’s a serious challenge, but it’s one that is outside of Stampin’ Up!’s ability to control – the problem is due to shipping problems through the West Coast ports. I’m taking names and details now of anyone who would like this product so that as soon as it is available I can place an order.

Just a few construction details…

I cut the butterfly in Shimmer White paper, then used the negative template to draw an outline on a piece of vellum. I hand-trimmed the shape – can’t call it fussy cut because it wasn’t very fussy as the edges are hidden behind the die cut. I carefully adhered it with Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive). Use a very light touch with the Tombo. A few well-placed Stampin’ Dimensionals hold the butterfly above the ferns.

I struggled with the details but ultimately decided that for once, less could be more. I hope you enjoy! And please let me know if you’d like to be on my Priority List for the Butterfly Basics Bundle!

You & Me

Posted on February 23, 2015 by mauistamper

Perfect Pennants is another catalog sleeper – full of great sentiments!

Stamps: Perfect Pennants
Color Palette: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: 1 3/4″ circle punch, 2″ circle punch, hand-held stapler, Adventure Bound DSP, Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon

The Adventure Bound DSP stack is full of gorgeous outdoor papers. They’re well suited to many circumstances but are especially useful in making Manly Cards.

And a staple is sort of tool-like, right?

Etch-a-Bird, Etch-a-Herd

Posted on February 19, 2015 by mauistamper

I’ve seen it, you’ve seen it, we’ve all seen it – but I still had to make it:This card is so much fun to make! It’s all over Pinterest, and I’ve seen the design credited to so many different people that I can’t trace it back to one person – and I’ve tried. If this was your concept before the rest of the universe claimed it, YOU ROCK!

I chose the Host set Hello Love for this version, as my Hostess Club requested Valentines this month.

The sentiment on the inside is from the January My Paper Pumpkin subscription kit. Purchase a 3 month subscription during Sale-a-bration and save! Current Paper Pumpkin subscribers can purchase any of the available past kits or past kit refills (first comes with stamps, second does not).

This is the version that started the stampede. From the Herd was my first choice stamp set from the Occasions 2015 catalog and it is perfect for this card. We all had a pretty good laugh over the faces on these critters. I had to resist the urge to color in a face – any face. It wouldn’t be true to the concept. But i wanted to do it.

I mean, what’s not to love?

If you want to make this card just as you see it, you’ll need From the Herd and Teeny Tiny Wishes (for Happy Valentines’ Day). You’ll need Real Red, Sahara Sand, Shimmer White, Whisper White and Vellum cardstock. This card also uses the Big Shot and the Project Life Cards and Labels Framelits, a 1″ circle punch, and the Project Life Corner Rounder. The only ink you’ll use will be Memento Black.

Look through your stash and pull out your line art stamps. I’ll bet you have one that’s just perfect for this card!

Happy Together

Posted on February 14, 2015 by mauistamper

Imagine me and you, I do, I think about you day and night, it’s only right,

to think about the boy you love, and hold him tight, so happy together…

Stamps: A Dozen Thoughts
Color Palette: Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Heart Border Punch, Real Red 1/4″ Cotton Ribbon, Pearl Jewels

Do you remember that song? If you can hum along with me, then you must also be looking forward to an epic high school reunion this summer! The Turtles.

The best part is that it goes on:

…if I should call you up, invest a dime…

This only makes sense if you can remember pay phones, and if you are able to remember when it was only 10 cents (for 3 minutes!) then I’ll see you at that reunion.

Happy Valentines’ Day!

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