RemARKably Egg-stra Creative!

Maui Stamper RemARKable March Pinworthy Blog tourWelcome to the RemARKable Pinworthy Blog tour for March!  I’m glad you’ve joined us and I’m sure you’ll be inspired.  Let’s dive right in:

Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Card in a BoxLately I’ve been hooked on the Card-in-a-Box concept.  The possibilities are endless, and this particular process really suits my “More is More” mentality – it seems like you can add bits and pieces forever!  The colors in the Eastern Elegance Designer Series paper really inspired me.

Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Card in a Box

  • Stamps:  Flower Shop, Petite Petals, Petal Parade, Best of Butterflies and Delightful Dozen
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Basic Grey, Smokey Slate, Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight and Crushed Curry
  • Accessories:  Eastern Elegance DSP, Pansy and Petite Petals punches, Corner Rounder punch, Little Leaves Sizzlet and the Big Shot, Rhinestone jewels, Simply Scored tool, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Window Sheets

There are lots of ways to assemble this card, but here’s a tip:  You need a BRAND NEW, full box of Glue Dots.  I use a bamboo BBQ skewer to lift them off the roll and place them on my project.  (I use those skewers for tons of things – rolling paper into curls, reaching elusive spots, dabbing Tombo, placing glue dots and jewels – the list is endless.  And when it gets all sticky with Tombo the Wonder Adhesive I just pitch it.)

Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Card in a BoxThe card folds flat for mailing, too, although with all that extra card stock embellishment, you’re going to need a little extra postage.  It’s worth it 🙂

Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Card in a BoxI was on a roll with these colors, so I carried the theme over to a Tag-a-Bag Box.  There’s no way this was going in an envelope, so I had more room to play.Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Tag a Bag Box

  • Stamps:  None
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Basic Grey, Smokey Slate, Coastal Cabana
  • Accessories:  Big Shot, Spiral Flower Originals Die and Lattice TIEF, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Tag-a-bag Box, Paper lace doily, Eastern Elegance DSP

Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Tag a Bag BoxThe doily is cut in half and smooshed (yes, that is the authentic, technical, paper-crafting term for it).  I used Sticky Strip to hold it in place under the belly band since it would be sliding back and forth as the box opened and closed.  When something Absolutely, Positively has to stick, you need Sticky Strip.Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Tag a Bag Box

A Textured Impressions Embossing Folder on the Spiral Flower Originals die helps to soften the card stock so it will roll more easily.  The Lattice TIEF does an especially good job of this, although I still smoosh the card stock before I roll the flowers.  Maui Stamper Spiral Flower Original Die Assembly

I also use those odd crafty tweezers that pinch when you let go (instead of having to be squeezed) when I roll up my roses.  They make it easy to hold onto the center of the flower while you’re rolling.Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Tag a Bag Box

These colors make a gorgeous Easter color scheme, and I was delighted to find plastic eggs in Coastal Cabana!  Maybe you’ll choose a different DSP, but I hope you’ll have some fun playing with new ideas for Easter this year.

Maui Stamper RemARKably EggStra Blog Tour Card in a Box

Time to move on and see what Audra has in store.  Thanks for stopping by!

RemARKable PINworthy Blog Tour 2014

(If the link doesn’t work for you, cut and paste this link into a browser window:  http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com/2014/03/eggstra-creative-ideas-for-easter.html)

A Home for the Birds

If you’ve followed me for any time at all, you likely have guessed that I love birds. Their songs wake me in the morning and draw me outside during the day.   In the middle of a walk or hike I’ve been known to stop in order to peer into the trees at the sound of a new voice.  It  shouldn’t be a terrible surprise to learn that I’ve been playing around with the idea of a bird house:

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsThis is my first attempt but I can assure you it’s not my last – I have a lot of ideas in my head!  I wanted to see what worked in terms of construction techniques and proportions.  I’m not sure I would make another bird house this large, but then again, I surprise myself sometimes 🙂

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsI used both the Woodgrain Background stamp and the Wood grain TIEF to create, well, wood grain (um, I think that’s a giant DUH.)  I used the stamp on the walls of the house, but for the roof I wanted more texture.  The Texture Boutique Embossing Machine made short work of adding wood grain texture to my card stock.  (I’m sorry to say that this product was available for a limited time, and will not be available again until June 1.)  A little sponging helps that texture stand out even more, and also adds dimension to corners and openings.

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsI added a few of the tiniest butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit to the front, and rolled up a sliver of card stock to create a perch at the front door.  (The photo above is just crooked enough to make me a little dizzy!)

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsI was going for a “climbing vine” look on this side, and if you are an imaginative sort of person perhaps that’s the look you’ll see.

There will be more bird houses!  I’ve got a lot of ideas and a few adjustments to try.  I would LOVE your constructive feedback and suggestions, so comment away!

 

 

Step into Spring

If you’re a blog subscriber in a cold and snowy place, I’m sorry.  What passes for winter here on the Valley Isle was nowhere in sight yesterday, and although the calendar says there are a couple more weeks til it’s official, I’m proclaiming Spring!  To celebrate, I’m teaming up with my BFF Cheryl to present a spring paper crafting class:

Maui Stamper Step into Spring Projects

  • Sunday, March 30, 2014   1 to 4:30pm
  • Maui Lodge, 190 W. Kamehameha Avenue, Kahului
  • Cost:  $20 paid by March 15; $23 if paid after that date
  • Includes:  Everything you need to make all 3 projects including your very own full box of Glue Dots!  Chocolate egg is included; shreddies and plastic eggs are not 🙂  DSP is Watercolor Wonder from the Occasions catalog but patterns will vary.

We’re really excited about these projects – and we think you will be too!  Seating is limited and your payment holds your spot at the craft table, so don’t waste time if you would like to join us.

Maui Stamper Step into Spring Projects The card-in-a-box has become my new favorite – there are so many possibilities.  Every card comes out differently, even when the same elements are used.  We’re offering this floral option as well as a bunny version:

Maui Stamper Step into Spring Projects Pretty fabulous, wouldn’t you say?  And how about this Tag-a-Bag-Box with the Spiral Flower?

Maui Stamper Step into Spring Projects Your box will be fully embellished, but we will leave it up to you to fill it.

Maui Stamper Step into Spring Projects Our last project – a real quickie – features the new Scallop Tag Topper punch from the Occasions catalog.  It makes so much more than tags!

This is guaranteed to be a great afternoon, and I hope you’ll join us!

Weekly Deals March 4 to 10, 2014

Sweet savings this week…I’ll be stocking up on 2012-2014 In Color DSP as those colors will retire on May 31st (Gumball Green…Midnight Muse…sigh)

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! DEALS March 4-10 2014 And for the digital crafters out there, here are the new digital downloads for this week:

Maui Stamper New MDS Downloads March 4 2014

Order ONLINE!

A Car(d) in a Box

My buddy Isaac turns 3 today.  His mama and dad had a party for him yesterday, and since his mama is also my stampin’ buddy, I wanted a card that would surprise and delight:

Maui Stamper Rev Up The Fun Card in a BoxIsaac reminds me so much of my son at that age…he’s all about things with wheels.  His card needed wheels, and to be a real race car, of course it had to be Red.  Not just any red, but Real Red.  (If Stampin’ Up! made Ferrari Red, that is what I would have used.)

  • Stamps:  Rev Up the Fun and Memorable Moments (the 3)
  • Color Palette:  Real (Ferrari) Red, Basic Black, Whisper White and Gumball Green
  • Accessories:  Circle punches, Fringe Scissors, Simply Scored, Window Sheets, Bird Punch

I’ve done a few of these cards, though this is the first one I’ve shared.  The trick for me is balancing the height of all the elements.  I used thin strips of window sheet to float the motorcycles so you could see them behind the race car.

Maui Stamper Rev Up The Fun Card in a BoxThe candles are really fun…I use the top leaf from the bird punch branch to make the flame, layer flame colors with Stampin’ Write markers, and then use Tombo (the wonder adhesive) to secure them to the back of the candle.

Maui Stamper Rev Up The Fun Card in a BoxI added a little grass just to break up the dizzying effect of the Modern Medley DSP and the tire tracks.  Plus the fringe scissors are just plain fun to play with!

A card like this needs a custom envelope:

Maui Stamper Rev Up The Fun Card in a BoxReady in a flash with the envelope punch board!  I used a retired set of Sizzlets to cut the letters for his name, since that Real (Ferrari) Red Polka Dot Parade DSP is so bold!  You can tell it’s hand made, because despite my scientific effort his name is off-center.

Cheryl and I are planning a class on these cards for March 30.  If you live on Maui or will be here for a visit, let me know if you’re interested!  Details are coming soon.

Happy Birthday to one Super Guy!

Maui Stamper Rev Up The Fun Card in a Box

 

Hello, March!

It’s unsettling to realize that my perception of time passing continues to accelerate.  I’m pretty sure that’s a sign of getting older – although as my dad says, it’s good to be on the right side of the grass 🙂   All the same, I’m finding it hard to accept that today is the first of March.

The good news is that the first of the month means a new DIY Easel Calendar page!

Maui Stamper Easel Calendar March 2014 Petal ParadeI had a little fun this month with the Petal Parade stamp set and the Sweet Sorbet accessory pack, both featured in the 2014 Sale-a-bration brochure.  If you’re brand new to Stampin’ Up!, you might not know that Sale-a-bration is our annual goodie-fest – for every $50 in product you purchase, you choose a free exclusive product.

Maui Stamper Easel Calendar March 2014 Petal ParadeThe color palette for this month’s easel calendar includes Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Crisp Cantaloupe. The Sweet Sorbet cork embellishments are die cut and self-adhesive, and there’s a little Rhinestone Jewel added to the cork flower for a little sparkle.

Maui Stamper Easel Calendar March 2014 Petal ParadeThose little corky bits are really addictive, and they’re super-easy to use.  Peel and stick – that’s it.   I need to put in another SAB order and stock up before it all ends on March 31.

Cheryl and Crystal are also featuring DIY calendars the first of every month, and we’ve created a mini-tour for your inspiration.  Take a look at their pages, and then let us know how you like our projects.

More Monster Love

Are you in love with a little monster?

Maui Stamper Monster ManiacsI’m awfully fond of quite a few li’l monsters myself!

  • Stamps:  Monster Maniacs, World Map, Just Sayin’
  • Color Palette:  Crushed Curry, Night of Navy, Garden Green
  • Accessories:  Regals Candy Dots, Big Shot and Word Bubbles Framelits

Maui Stamper Monster ManiacsThese are such fun to color.  I’m still a kid, I guess…I love the coloring part!

Sale-a-bration is in full swing – when you’re ready to place an order, think in $50 chunks to take advantage of all the gorgeous free product available 🙂

Maui Stamper 2014 Sale-a-brationShop HERE!

 

Small Sweets

Creating packaging for small treats is so gratifying…but it creates such temptation for me!  I have a tough time resisting the “one for you, one for me” routine.  The key is to make a bunch all at once, because for some illogical reason, once they are packaged up my will power seems much stronger.

Maui Stamper Tag Topper Rose Chocolate TreatWe made these in Hostess Club this month.  Everyone thought “The Rose” would be difficult, and I think everyone was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s really very easy.  This is two layers of Core’dinations paper run through the Lattice TIEF – the embossing folder helps to soften the paper.  I used the scallop tag topper punch on both ends of a 6″ long piece of paper to create the little packet for the chocolate.  (Yes.  You knew that what was in there, didn’t you?)

The rhinestone in the center is from a long-retired kit, but you could get the same effect with a large rhinestone and a pink Sharpie® marker.  The “leaf” is two petals of the pansy punch, and the hot glue gun makes sure it all stays just where it belongs.

Maui Stamper Tag Topper Rose Chocolate TreatThe little banner is an Itty Bitty banner.  I hand-cut it instead of using the framelit so that I could leave the left edge a little longer in order to tuck in into the rose.

If you need a bunch of these and don’t have time to roll up the roses, here’s Plan B:

Maui Stamper Glimmer and Hearts Chocolate TreatsThis is stamp, stamp, punch, punch, tie and go!  Same Scallop Tag Topper punch, but this time I used Language of Love punched with the full heart and gold glimmer punched with the 1 3/4 Inch circle.  A little lace and seam binding to tie it closed, a pearl for good luck, and you can whip out a heap of these in no time.  I made a bunch for Valentines, but you could create cute shower or wedding favors too.

Maui Stamper Glimmer and Hearts Chocolate TreatsMaui Stamper Glimmer and Hearts Chocolate TreatsThere might be one left over.  I’m thinking that by now there can’t be any calories left in it.

Weekly Deals February 18 to 24, 2014

Here are the deals for this week – do you have a Corner Rounder?  Really??Maui Stamper Weekly Deals February 18-24  2014If you live on Maui and just need one, let me know – I put in an order every week and am happy to add yours in to save on shipping.

Order ONLINE!

Li’l Pink Monster

How do you say “Love You” in Monster?

Maui Stamper Monster Maniacs Love YouApparently the same way as you would in English – or perhaps this little monster is bilingual.

  • Stamps:  MonsterManiacs and World Map
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Crushed Curry and Strawberry Slush

MonsterManiacs is a very special stamp set, a winning entry in the In With You contest sponsored by Stampin’ Up!  It’s available as a clear mount set for only $14.95 and it’s become one of my favorites.

Maui Stamper Monster Maniacs #134972I sent a few Valentine packages this year – to my own kids and a few others that have a very special place in my heart.  You know the kind….kids that for one reason or another just touch you.  These kids have worked hard to get where they are, and they’re a long way from home.  I just wanted to send them all a little love from home.