JULY 2023: INKED & TILED

Posted on July 1, 2023 by mauistamper

Inked and Tiled is my new top-of-desk fave! Today those flowers make a super-bloom meadow for my July DIY Easel calendar:

A Handmade desktop calendar for July 2023 with a field of yellow flowers

Stamps: Inked & Tiled, Lighting the Way
Color Palette: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Parakeet Party
Accessories: Daubers, paper snips, masking paper

I use daubers to apply the ink to the stamps. They’re faster than markers, and I think the coverage is better. After I stamped them on the calendar, I stamped the flowers again on masking paper and fussy cut them with my snips to mask the flowers. Such a mindless activity when you’re on hold (forever, and ever, and ever, and ever) with the tax department.

I ink the stem with the daubers first, then use Lemon Lolly on the top of the flower. I dip the edge of a dauber in Daffodil Delight and carefully add it to the base of the blossom. (Sometimes more carefully than other times!)

The background is stamped with an image from Lighting the Way – I think it’s a lightning bug swarm. I used Lemon Lime Twist, stamped off once to keep it soft and in the background. The background mat is Parakeet Party, because I liked it better.

Cheryl and Crystal have July calendars for your too! Please take a moment to see their work. We 💕💕💕 your comments!!

Create your own calendar template, or see details for purchasing mine HERE. For all other products, shop the Online Store.

COMING SOON!! Online Exclusives will be available starting July 6th. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Bonus Days are coming – just in time for your Online Exclusives order! Starting July 6th, with every $50 merchandise order you’ll earn a $5 coupon to spend in August. NO LIMITS!! Earn all month from July 6 to 31.

Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Make 9 accordion fold cards with the July kit. It includes a Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Spot and plenty of embellishments.

cartoon seashore scene with text "Fun in the Sun Paper Pumpkin Kit"

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

INKED and TILED for a FRIEND

Posted on June 20, 2023 by mauistamper

The sentiments in the Inked and Tiled stamp set are perfect for so many occasions: Thank You, Happy Birthday, Hello Friend. I like to use Hello Friend when I’m making a card for my stash. I can add another sentiment on the inside when I’m ready to send if I want to make it a birthday or thanks card.

A handmade card with 3 coral flowers on a white background and a printed paper panel on the side

Stamps: Inked and Tiled
Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo
Accessories: Big Boss, Basic Borders dies, Inked Botanicals DSP (on sale!), Stampin’ Dimensionals, Daubers

The leaf is inked in Lost Lagoon, stamped off, and then stamped 2nd and 3rd generations on the card. The color is applied to the floral stamp using daubers, which allow a lot of definition but in my opinion, provide a richer ink application than using the marker method.

The two border cut panels are created by sending Basic White and Lost Lagoon card stock through the Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine together with the corner die from the Basic Dies. They’re offset and the edge of the Basic White panel is turned under. The assembly is adhered as one piece to the card front.

a shaped paper panel with 8 adhesive dots

I used MANY Stampin’ Dimensionals for this layer. It’s my card and I’ll do what I want!! You can also see where I turned under the Basic White panel. I like the resulting smooth edge.

To finish up, I diluted a single drop of Lost Lagoon ink in a tablespoon of water and used a brush to splatter the front, No ribbons, no gems, just a nice flat card for mailing!

Need supplies? Shop the Online Store. BUT wait until tomorrow, June 21, and get FREE SHIPPING with your $75 US minimum order!

The text Designer Series paper Sale Stock up and save 15% and images of Designer Series papers

There’s a Designer Series Paper sale this month! 15% off select papers – shop early to avoid any disappointment.

It’s a great time to become a demonstrator! Join my team and create the opportunity you want. Select your choice of product valued at $155 for just $99 and you can be a happy shopper, enjoy early access to upcoming products, and save on every Stampin’ Up! purchase you make! If you choose, you can build a business, but that’s not a requirement. Try it out risk free – JOIN TODAY.

Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Make 9 accordion fold cards with the July kit. It includes a Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Spot and plenty of embellishments.

TEXTURED FLORAL BIRTHDAY IN Lemon Lolly and Fresh Freesia

Posted on June 17, 2023 by mauistamper

It’s technically Spring for another 4 days, so I’m calling this Textured Floral birthday card a celebration of Spring! The combination of Lemon Lolly, Fresh Freesia and BubbleBath is perfect for a floral explosion.

Stamps: Textured Floral
Color Palette: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Fresh Freesia, BubbleBath, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist
Accessories: Big Boss, Deckle Rectangles, Adhesive Backed Solid Gems, Artistic Mix Decorative Masks, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I promised myself I would hold back on new floral stamp sets when the 23-24 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog was published. Ahem. So much for those promises! I couldn’t resist all the floral images with so many centers and leaves to mix and match with the blooms. Does it count as breaking a promise if you didn’t really mean it in the first place? Asking for a friend.

A Handmade birthday Card with flowers in lavender, yellow and green on a white card base with the sentiment “birthday blooms for you”

You can just see the edge of the masking I did on the Granny Apple Green panel. The Blending Brush is the perfect tool to whisk ink evenly across the mask. I prefer subtle texture in my layers.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about the offset panel. I don’t mind asymetry, but I prefer parallel or perpendicular lines. I guess you could say this one is just a little bit outside the box for me! If you need Textured Floral in your crafting box, shop the Online Store.

There’s a Designer Series Paper sale in June! 15% off select papers – shop early to avoid any disappointment.

Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Make 9 accordion fold cards with the July kit. It includes a Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Spot and plenty of embellishments.

INKED & TILED with a simple DSP LAYOUT

Posted on June 10, 2023 by mauistamper

The Inked Botanicals Designer Series Papers are primarily soft, tone-on-tone designs that are ideal for spotlighting a stamped focal point. They’re on sale this month too!

handmade card with two flowers and a printed paper background on a white card base with the sentiment "hello friend"

Stamps: Inked & Tiled
Color Palette: Basic White, Flirty Flamingo, Calypso Coral, Granny Apple Green
Accessories: Inked Botanicals Designer Series paper, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Irridescent Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin’ Blends, daubers, Stampin’ Shammy

I used daubers to apply the ink to the flower stamp as it’s a single image. The daubers are easy to control so your ink goes just where you want it. I learned a new trick, too: they clean up quickly and completely if you stamp them on the Stampin’ Shammy!

I used my Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blend to add a hint of color to the Irridescent Jewels. Use the brush tip, but use a very light touch as too much pressure will cause the tip to fray.

The Inked Botanical pieced panels used as a background are 1.5″ x 5.125″, 2.25″ x 1.75″, and 2.25″ x 3.125″. (.125 = 1/8, but the fractions get confusing in text.)

This is a simple card, but the Designer Series Paper (did I mention it’s on SALE???) makes a big difference. You could turn out a set of these with different papers in the blink of an eye! Shop the Online Store for the papers and inks you need.

There’s a Designer Series Paper sale in June! 15% off select papers – shop early to avoid any disappointment.

Today is the last day to subscribe for Welcome Inn, your Craft Escape in a box! The June kit features 9 elegant, detailed cards. This is a card kit with an option to purchase coordinating dies while supplies last.

EARTHEN TEXTURES featuring DESIGNER SERIES PAPER

Posted on June 6, 2023 by mauistamper

Since many of our gorgeous Designer Series papers are on sale this month, I’ve got some inspiration for you! This first card features the Earthen Elegance DSP, and it’s one of my favorites. The colors are rich and the designs are earthy and neutral.

Handmade card with a vase of feathery branches and the sentiment 'your thoughtfulness is much appreciated"

Stamps: Earthen Textures
Color Palette: Basic White, Gray Granite, Copper Clay, Pretty Peacock, Pebbled Path
Accessories: Big Boss, Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder, Earthen Treasures dies, Earthen Elegance Designer Series paper, Best Label punch, 3/8″ Textured Ribbon, Blending Brush

These papers mix well, but they stand alone quite admirably too. More to come on that!

I used the Exposed Brick 3D EF (my new favorite) and added a little age with the blending brush and Pebbled Path ink. This Embossing Folder works well with both top or bottom faces. I used the Best Label punch to finish the end of my sentiment panel.

Inside of card with the sentiment "Thank You"

The sentiments in Earthen Textures are also complimentary, so I’ve added a little message inside with an extra die cut. This design would make a great masculine card, perfect for a birthday or Father’s Day.

Trust me, you can make this card! While there are multiple layers, none of them are difficult. Shop the Online Store for supplies.

There’s a Designer Series Paper sale in June! 15% off select papers – including Earthen Elegance! Shop early to avoid any disappointment.

Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The June kit features 9 elegant, detailed cards. This is a card kit with an option to purchase coordinating dies while supplies last. You must be a subscriber to purchase the dies.

April 2023 DIY: Friends are like seashells

Posted on April 1, 2023 by mauistamper

Every year when Stampin’ Up! announces the Last Chance list, there is at least one thing on that list that breaks my heart. This year, it’s Friends Are Like Seashells. I know there are wonderful things in the 23-24 Annual Catalog (cuz I’ve seen it!!) but I’m still sad. It will be bittersweet to see this calendar all month:

Stamps: Friends Are Like Seashells
Color Palette: Shimmery White, Mint Macaron, Blushing Bride, So Saffron, Bermuda Bay – ALL RETIRING!!
Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Seashells dies, Seashells 3D Embossing Folder, White 3/4″ Frayed Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I have mixed feelings about the retiring of our Pearl Basic Jewels. I don’t use them a lot any more, but I do love these tiniest peals. I’ll miss them but since they’re all I really love in the pearl assortment, it’s ok that they’re on the Last Chance list.

I used a cotton swab to apply the ink to these images. They’re mostly trimmed from the 3D embossing folder, and even the daubers were too big to have the control I needed for this project. Moving the ink around on Shimmery White paper is easy as it is very forgiving. You might want to pick up a few packages as Shimmery White is on the Last Chance list too.

I disassembled the Frayed Ribbon to get those yarn-like fibers. Ribbon isn’t sacred – I cut it apart and tease out the pieces to get the size and texture I want.

The stamps, dies, embossing folder, ink, pearls and ribbon are ALL on the Last Chance list! Shop early, shop often. Note carefully: the discounts are effective beginning April 4, but all items on this list are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Here are the updated Last Chance lists. If your list doesn’t say “updated March 31” you need to replace it with this linked list:

ANNUAL CATALOG LAST CHANCE

JANUARY – APRIL MINI LAST CHANCE

It’s the first of the month, so be sure to visit Cheryl and Crystal to see the DIY calendars for April. We really enjoy creating these little desk top treasures, and hope you do to. You can check our PINTEREST board for more inspiration!

Be sure to subscribe by April 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The April kit is called ALL THE LITTLE THINGS. It’s a card kit featuring iridescent foil accents – don’t miss it! Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you.

There are some gorgeous new crafting options about to join the family! I can’t wait to get my hands on them! If you’d like to be first on your block to have them, ask me about the best paper crafting deal around – becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. Join on April 4th and you can choose these fresh new colors in your introductory kit. Or go ahead and take the plunge and JOIN NOW and place your first order in technicolor!

MARCH 2023 DIY: Love Cats

Posted on March 1, 2023 by mauistamper

I love these cats – and this one might be my favorite! (Who am I kidding? They’re ALL my favorites.) Getting those blended colors is a cinch with the Stamparatus. My March calendar will bring a smile to my face all month long.

Stamps: Love Cats, Plentiful Plants
Color Palette: Basic White, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Sweet Sorbet
Accessories: Stamparatus, Stampin’ Write markers, Stampin’ Blends, Dauber

I set up this Lazy Bones Jones on the Stamparatus and used a dauber to color him in with Crushed Curry. I repeated the process with Cajun Craze on his back, ears, tail and paws, then used an Early Espresso marker to fill in the curved line. The last pass with the Stamparatus was to use a Sweet Sorbet Stampin’ Write marker for the heart. I filled it in with a Stampin’ Blend – since I used the same color as the marker, a little smearing wouldn’t show.

The Plentiful Plants weren’t part of my original plan, but this guy looked like he was hanging out in a jungle. I stamped off the Old Olive so the color wouldn’t overwhelm my primary image.

I’m terribly fond of orange cats (don’t tell Bella & Gracie). We had an amazing tabby named Pookie who was more dog than cat, and I still miss him. There was a pretty epic post about him back in 2010.

He’s been gone for a long time now, but I still find myself stamping the Love Cats as orange cats. And now you can too! If you don’t have a Stamparatus, or the Love Cats stamps, or the colors you need to stamp a Pookie, you can find them HERE.

And now it’s time to visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’re up to for March!

Our new line of Online Exclusive products debuts today. These products will be available only in the Online Store, not in a catalog, and feature new products as well as a few returning favorites. See the full range and order today!

Be sure to subscribe by March 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The March kit is fresh and botanical, and includes a bonus stamp set to celebrate 10 years of Paper Pumpkin. It makes 9 cards and includes coordinating envelopes, and this month’s Stampin’ Spot is Polished Pink.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Don’t miss this kit!

New products in the January-April Mini Catalog are flying off the shelves! Shop HERE for your favorites.

A BEAUTIFULLY HAPPY NOTE CARD

Posted on February 24, 2023 by mauistamper

The Beautifully Happy Sale-a-bration stamp set didn’t catch my eye right away, but I saw someone else’s sample and…well, I’m pretty confident you know the end of that story. Before long it was at my doorstep! I paired it with our note cards and a little heat embossing:

Stamps: Beautifully Happy
Color Palette: Basic White, Pear Pizazz, Polished Pink
Accessories: Big Boss, Deckled Rectangle dies, Heat Tool, Embossing Tool Kit, White Embossing Powder, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I can’t remember the last time I made a card without Stampin’ Dimensionals. Huh.

Use a blender pen to wipe the ink off that white embossing powder so it won’t smear. And I used a lot of “dits” around this image, so I chose to stamp them off so that they would be more subtle. You can also stamp off the filler images that add the color inside the line drawings. It gives your project a softer look, especially when you’re using a bold color.

Sale-a-bration is nearly over. Beautifully Happy is one of the great options you can choose for FREE with a qualifying purchase. But don’t wait – February is almost over, and there is only one Sale-a-bration promotion in 2023. Shop and choose soon! See the choices HERE.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Don’t miss this kit!

New products in the January-April Mini Catalog are flying off the shelves! Even better, when you place a qualifying order you will choose FREE Sale-a-bration products. Sale-a-bration ends February 28th and as always, those products are while supplies last.

The FASTEST CARDS YOU’LL EVER MAKE

Posted on February 21, 2023 by mauistamper

When a new pack of DSP comes out with borders that face each other across the top and bottom, I do a happy dance. Those papers are the foundations of the fastest cards I make!

Stamps: Dainty Delight (sentiment)
Color Palette: Basic White (inside panel) and either Starry Sky, Orchid Oasis or Blackberry Bliss
Accessories: Paper, ink, and a stamp! Well, and Stampin’ Dimensionals and of course the Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper from Sale-a-bration.

This paper is perfect for quick cards. I’ll cut 6 front panels that measure 4″ x 5 1/4″ from one sheet. Most often, I just measure 5 1/4″ from the bottom of the sheet, then rotate it 180° and repeat. Cut those 12″ strips into 3 panels, each 4″ wide and you have 6!

I made all of these up as Thank You notes, but here’s my little secret: I put them in my card box without a sentiment. It just takes a moment to cut a panel and a mat and stamp a sentiment. I’ll have just the card I need in 2 minutes flat.

The Dainty Flowers DSP is my favorite Sale-a-bration reward, and this paper is a big part of the reason why. If you don’t have this paper, try Awash in Beauty from the Annual Catalog – it has the same style of paper. Do yourself a favor and build a little card stash.

Dainty Flowers is sadly no longer available in North America but there are lots of other choices! Earn product for FREE with a qualifying purchase. See the choices HERE.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Don’t miss this kit!

EDEN’S GARDEN in MONOCHROME

Posted on February 18, 2023 by mauistamper

Eden’s Garden hasn’t seen much ink recently, but I needed a sympathy card and this starry Sky monochromatic design was just the thing:

Stamps: Eden’s Garden, Something Fancy
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Starry Sky
Accessories: Masking Paper, Dainty Flowers DSP – SAB 23, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was inspired by Christie’s Stampin Spot and kept close to her design. This is a card I’ll make again to have on hand – it’s a design that lends itself to a variety of uses.

I also made a Crumb Cake version. I’m happy with it, but definitely prefer Starry Sky. The extra touch of the Dainty Flowers Designer Series paper really sets it off.

Earn product for FREE with a qualifying purchase during Sale-a-bration 2023. Everyone’s favorite Stampin’ Up! promotion ends February 28th. See the choices HERE.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Don’t miss this kit!