Merry Christmas

Posted on December 26, 2010 by mauistamper

It’s been a lovely week, despite an unusual sequence of rainy days. Visitors detest rainy days on Maui because there isn’t much for them to do, but those of us who live here relish the rain, especially those of us who live on the south (dry) side of the island. Our gardens are dusty, our homes are dusty, and the sound of rain is music to our ears. After a couple of days, we’re like everyone else; we stare hopefully into the heavens seeking a peek of blue sky and sunshine. My daughter home from Boston joined the cat at the back door, both hoping for a change in weather.

You would think with all of that “weather” that I would have a load of projects to show you, but I was running errands and baking cookies and wrapping packages instead. Imagine that!! We’ve had some lovely, lazy family days but I am ready to get back to the business of stamping. Here’s the card we sent this year:

Medallion and Angelic Joy stamp sets
Black Staz-on Ink pad; Marina Mist Classic ink pad
Marina Mist, River Rock, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard and Blush Blossom ink refills
Aquapainter and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint
Brayer
Whisper White and Marina Mist card stock
2 1/2 inch XL circle punch

These are slightly larger cards – about 4 1/4 inches by 6 1/2 inches – in order to enclose a 4 x 6 inch print. I couldn’t find anyone who prints 3 x 5 inch prints any more, and I wasn’t interested in trimming all the photos I needed. Next year I’m making my card with My Digital Studio and saving myself a lot of trouble.

The concept is an interpretation of a wreath card done by the extraordinary Jackie Topa. I posted an early CASE of her project HERE and at that time came up with this idea. The Medallion stamp is brayered to get even coverage, and the angel image is stamped in Black Staz-on because of all the watercoloring I chose to do. After over 100 cards, you can believe I was questioning that decision! I used an inexpensive water color palette to make the job go faster, and I worked with one color at a time:

I watered down the ink from the refills in order to keep it more translucent, and I really watered down the Shimmer Paint because all I wanted was a little sparkle for the angel’s wings. There isn’t much other embellishment as I didn’t want to fuss with extra postage or cushioning in the envelope. If I didn’t have to mail these…but hand-delivering them is out of the question, so we’ll just let that thought fade away into the sunset.

Merry Christmas.

Visiting Paris (in my dreams)

Posted on December 19, 2010 by mauistamper

I’m not quite sure what got into me, but I had a “Springtime in Paris” sort of moment the other day:

Artistic Etchings and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets
Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, and Chocolate Chip card stock
Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, and Chocolate Chip Classic ink pads
Big Shot and Elegant Bouquet Textured Embossing folder

Paris seems like the perfect city for a special celebration. It’s on my list, that growing list of places I hope to visit. I have a very romantic vision of Paris in the spring, but something tells me it’s not a tropical destination. I think perhaps I would need to visit in the late spring when the weather turns warm. And bring a scarf and gloves, just in case.

In case you were wondering, yes, I did mask the Eiffel Tower. It wasn’t that difficult to cut the mask, and I like the look of that narrow white “shadow” that the mask creates. I was thinking about the moon when I stamped that ornate circle, but later when I looked at the image I thought of fireworks. You would need to add a couple more circles to get that effect, but I think it could work. Maybe Versamark…hmmm. I’ll get back to you on that.

Enjoying color

Posted on December 18, 2010 by mauistamper

I’m helping a friend with baby announcements and a few days ago I put together a few designs as a basis for brainstorming. She chose something different, but I took this concept and completed it because I loved the colors:

I {Heart} Hearts and a retired SAB sentiment stamp
Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry and Marina Mist card stock
Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Marina Mist Classic ink pads
Heart to Heart punch
Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing folder

I’m going to end up on the Naughty list for using another retired product, but sometimes they call my name! I love the font and the sentiments from this retired Sale-a-bration set, and since it’s a clear mount set it doesn’t take up any room to speak of on my shelves. The truth is that I have very few “baby” oriented products on my shelves, and it looks like it’s time to treat myself to some new stamps. Oh, darn.

I like the intensity of these colors. They’re not so strong that you have a neon feeling, but they balance each other well. I’m sure there’s a more sophisticated color analysis, but you’re not going to get that from me. I just know I like the combination.

A most important birthday

Posted on December 16, 2010 by mauistamper

My favorite person in the world celebrated his birthday last weekend.

Morning Cup and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
Whisper White, Riding Hood Red and Early Espresso card stock
Chocolate Prints Designer Series Paper (retired)
Riding Hood Red and Early Espresso Classic ink pads
Riding Hood Red Stampin’ Write marker
Stampin’ Sponge and Hemp Twine
Latte Buttons and Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain (both retired)

This might seem like an odd birthday card, but it makes sense to us. My husband makes our coffee every morning. Actually, it’s more than that – we have an espresso machine, and he makes my cappucino every morning. He’s a morning person and I am always very grateful for that steaming hot cup.

He is also the Fix-It man in our house and that made him the Christmas Tree Hero this year. He fixed the Charlie Brown Christmas tree! You can imagine how happy I was to be able to straighten out my neck. Every day he provides another reason for me to love him more and more. Happy Birthday to my very best friend.

Button Parade

Posted on December 12, 2010 by mauistamper

I’ve had the new Button, Button stamp set from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog for a couple of weeks, but Christmas projects kept it off my work table. Last weekend I had some new members of the Maui Stampers team come by and we made this Clean and Simple (CAS) card:

Button Button and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets
Certainly Celery and Baja Breeze Classic ink pads
Whisper White card stock

Ta da! That’s it!! It doesn’t get much simpler than that. We had a great time lining up those clear mount button stamps on the blocks and playing with the patterns. I considered adding a little bit of ribbon to this card but finally decided to leave it simple. This is not to say I won’t try it again with more embellishment!

It was my husband’s birthday this weekend. I used to tell my beloved Mother-in-Law that she did EVERYTHING right with him…except for the day she gave birth. With three children, many of my husband’s birthdays have involved Christmas programs, holiday parties, or watching one of the kids at a sporting event. This was no different – our son had a soccer game on Saturday afternoon – and it POURED rain on Friday.

We have a lot of micro-climates in Hawaii, and some areas get a lot of rain, but we live on the dry side. South Maui typically gets about 11 inches of rain a year, so when a big wet storm comes through we notice it! It was nice to hear the rain coming down and to have all the dust washed off the plans in the garden, but the Captain said he’d had enough after a couple of hours and went to sleep on my desk.

Neither the weather or the game dampened our spirits (oh, I do crack myself up sometimes!!) and we had a lovely weekend together. Ray was in Guam all last week so I was just happy to have him home. His birthday gives us a little family oasis in the midst of all the holiday preparations. Hmmm… Berna, maybe you did it just right.

The amazing Jackie Topa

Posted on December 11, 2010 by mauistamper

If you’re a Stampin’ blog reader, chances are you’ve encountered Jackie Topa. She has an unmistakeable style and is extraordinarily creative, envisioning things that no one else seems capable of seeing. I can’t tell you how many cards I’ve admired that have either turned out to be hers, or are inspired by her work. There are designs named after her – the Jackie Topa fireplace, the Jackie Topa Stationary Box – and she specializes in punch art. If you’ve never visited her blog, set aside a little time to be inspired and stop by. Be sure you leave her a comment or two — hard-working bloggers really appreciate your comments!

Today’s card is taken directly from one of her designs:

Medallion and Peaceful Season stamp sets
Naturals Ivory and Old Olive card stock
Old Olive and Real Red Classic ink pads
Real Red Stampin’ Write marker
Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint with 70% isopropyl in a spray bottle
Big Shot and Circles #2 Originals die
Real Red 5/8″ Satin Ribbon

I’d like to blame the issues I have with this photograph on the camera, but I think it’s classic Operator Error. There’s a lovely shimmer around the outside of the wreath on the Naturals Ivory cardstock. The circle that I used to create the effect of the wreath is the largest circle from the Circles #2 Originals die, but it is the same size as the new 2 1/2″ circle punch from Stampin’ Up! – and said punch is currently in a brown box with my name on it somewhere between Utah and my front door!

I’ll be using this concept again but I can’t show you that one yet…I need to get them in the mail first. Ah, December…

A Jolly Holiday tree

Posted on December 10, 2010 by mauistamper

Crystal sent me an email the other day that started out “Look at this!” I knew it would be good:

Word Play stamp set
Whisper White, Soft Suede, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler card stock
Jolly Holiday Designer Series paper
Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Classic ink pads
Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint; Aquapainter
Big Designer Series buttons; Linen Thread
Big Shot and Petals-a-Plenty Textured Embossing folder

The concept comes from Connie Babbert who was generous enough to include a template for folding the tree. I made a few changes although I really LOVED the card she did – but it wouldn’t do for me to copy it exactly and then post it for you now, would it?

I wish I could say that the tree in my house looked this pretty. Well, it is a pretty tree…pretty crooked! And it’s ARTIFICIAL!! I thought when you bought a sustainable (fake) Christmas tree you were making an ecologically friendly statement and would at least avoid the Charlie Brown Tree syndrome. Apparently I managed to select the box (and by box, I mean coffin – these trees come in ginormous boxes) that had a tree with a bent top. When I called Costco to ask them what they suggested, they told me they were out of those trees, but I could return it and get my money back or keep it til next year and exchange it for a new one at that time. (And by the way, that is pretty fine customer service!) Since my husband is currently off-island and I have no intention of wrasslin’ a coffin-sized box by myself, we are opting for Plan B. I just hope Ray can bend the top portion enough that I don’t get a permanent crick in my neck from looking at my beautifully lit, 7 1/2 foot tall Kirkland Charlie Brown tree.

A very dear, very kind, very wonderful friend

Posted on December 1, 2010 by mauistamper

I had lunch with a very dear friend today. It’s her birthday, and she’s one of those people that prefers a quiet celebration, so the two of us went to a little bistro in town. We talked about our families and our Thanksgiving celebrations and the special dishes that make that holiday unique to each family. As we walked back to her office, I gave her this card:

Fast and Fabulous and All Holidays Stamp sets
Whisper White, Blush Blossom and Concord Crush card stock
Concord Crush Classic ink pad
Frost White Shimmer paint; Aquapainter
Concord Crush Stitched poly and Whisper White taffeta ribbon
Flower Designer brads
Big Shot and Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing folder

I gathered the Whisper White ribbon with a running stitch along one edge and tied it together to make…hmmm…to make it that round ruffly thing for the brad. I didn’t expect the Concord Crush ink’s reaction with the Aquapainter. As the Aquapainter diluted the ink I could see the blue tones more than than red tones in the purple.

That isn’t really making any sense so you are just going to have to get out your own Aquapainter and try it for yourself. If you can explain it any better than I can, please leave a comment. And if you don’t have an Aquapainter you’d better tell Santa to leave a couple in your stocking. I know you’ve been good this year.

Care for a little Espresso with that?

Posted on November 30, 2010 by mauistamper

What could be more delicious than Cherry Cobbler combined with a little Espresso?

Fast and Fabulous, Aviary, Vintage Vogue and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets
Whisper White, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler card stock
Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Classic ink pads
Cherry Cobbler ink refill and the Aqua Painter
Whisper White Taffeta and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding
Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint

The photo doesn’t pick up the shimmer paint, but it’s applied over the little red bird in the cage. You just can’t beat shimmer paint for quick and easy sparkle that doesn’t violate the No Glitter Here Treaty. I’m big on quick and easy, although I’ve been known to do some kind of ridiculous detailing from time to time. This time of year the focus is on completion!

Speaking of completion, today is The Last Day of the Stampin’ Up! Online Spectacular. If you haven’t placed your order yet – and saved up to 50% on some very cool products – head on over to my Online Store and check out the savings! Everything goes back to regular prices on December First – and Hawaii folks, pay attention – that’s December First Mountain Standard Time! Get your orders in by 8pm locally to be safe.

Two-Steppin’

Posted on November 29, 2010 by mauistamper

If you don’t mind, I’m taking a little break from holiday cards. The holidays are a wonderful time to make and send cards, but enough is enough already – too much of the same thing makes the Maui Stamper a dull girl.

Fast and Fabulous, Charming, Just Believe and Wonderfully Worn stamp sets
Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy card stock
Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy Classic ink pads; Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write marker
XL Decorative Label punch
Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

Fast and Fabulous is a Level II hostess set, and I recently added it to my stamp library. (Doesn’t that sound glorious? So much better than heap.) It’s a two-step stamp, which I consider a double dip because you can use the two step technique when you want a fast card, or you can just use the outline and then watercolor when you have more time. It’s almost December first – any question about which technique I’ll be using??

I made a 3×3 note card with this same design just because I could:

Remember, these photos were from my “Not Using This Again” photo set-up, so they look kinda wonky. I don’t know how you can take a perfectly square card and make it look this distorted, but if it takes talent then I am the Distortion Queen. Trust me when I tell you this card is perfectly square in real life.

Tomorrow is the last day of the fabulous $87.50 Demonstrator Kit Special, so if you’d like to become a card carryin’ Stampin’ Up! demonstrator skedaddle yourself to www.AnneMatasci.StampinUp.net and sign up pronto! My card-carryin’-demonstrator password is themauistamper.