Convention Day 1

Posted on July 18, 2013 by mauistamper

Day One was full of adventure, Stampin’ Up! and otherwise! I have lots of fun photos to give you a feeling for our day.

We were up pretty late last night, so we skipped the super-early call and headed over to the convention center about 9am to pick up our convention tee shirts and do some swapping. TONS of demonstrators – Crystal met someone who turned out to be the cousin of a co-worker, and I met a fan of the Maui Stamper!

We visited but I have forgotten your name!! Please leave me a comment and remind me of your name. 🙂

We left the convention center and headed out to complete yesterday’s unfinished business, namely a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. We got out to the wine store only to discover that THEY WERE STILL CLOSED.

Please don’t think I am a pathetic paper bag wino. We are eating our main mean at lunchtime (European style) and are having a little snack in the evening, and a glass of wine is a lovely companion to fresh berries, a baguette and some cheese. Oh, and perhaps a little chocolate. Anyway, we are standing outside the store with 25 minutes to go and it’s about 195 degrees outside. Crystal looks across the street and sees the next best thing to the State Wine Store:

Gourmandise provided a divine cappucino, beautiful air conditioning and lovely, warm service along with my scrumptious chocolate meringue. (Crystal had a rum ball, and she shared a little taste – also divine.)

The neon “Open” light went on across the street. Third time was the charm and we accomplished our task and then headed to Trader Joe’s. This is what people from Hawaii DO when we come to the Mainland because in spite of the fact that everything about TJ’s looks like the islands, they don’t have stores there.

Let me tell you something about walking around Salt Lake at high noon when it is 195 degrees outside. It will turn you into a crazy person in no time! You start standing in the shadow of the stoplight while you wait for the “WALK” sign to turn green. You consider opening the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in your bag and swigging it right there on the sidewalk. And then you make the excellent decision to take TRAX out to the Red Iguana for lunch (which was actually the plan all along.)

I have never had a bad meal – or a bad Margarita – at this restaurant. Today’s choice was the Mole Negro and it was delicioso! Once we were happily fed it was back to the hotel for a quick break before the Opening Session.

There are 5800 demonstrators and guests attending convention this year and it took a while to get inside. We found a couple of seats and quickly learned that our companions were from North Queensland! LOVED sharing Opening Session with our beautiful Aussie friends!! (Dearest Aussies, please let me know how to contact you so that I can send you a copy of this photo.)

Shelli shared some Stampin’ Up! history, we heard from Ronald McDonald himself about the impact Stampin’ Up! has made on Ronald McDonald House, and Pam Morgan shared some great stampin’ projects with us. We also got our bags!! Don’t know where my Convention Bag photo is now – I’ll share it tomorrow – but we have been assured that we will be heading home with plenty of convention swag. There were TWO Prize Patrols and then Shelli closed the session with an All Attendee Giveaway of new stamps from the Holiday Catalog.

Next stop was the Expo with 5,800 of our best friends! It was a little squishy at first, but things settled down a bit and we had the chance to see some great products and talk to some very knowledgable SU staff. Fabulous new stuff coming in the Holiday catalog!

I was one of the very last people to add my card to the Guinness World Record Smashing effort – 2,984 greeting cards mailed from a single location! And there’s that bag – a gorgeous backpack with beautiful Stampin’ Up! style.

It was a fabulous first day and I look forward to sharing more with you! Check my Facebook page for updates during the day tomorrow and I hope to hear from you soon!

Convention: the day before

Posted on July 17, 2013 by mauistamper

Crystal and I left Maui on Monday night headed for Salt Lake. It’s a long trip no matter how you look at it, but we are excited to be here and we’ve had a great first day. (Convention officially begins tomorrow – today is the “travel recovery” day.) Downtown Salt Lake is swarming with Stampin’ Up demonstrators, and I’m sure the regular shopkeepers are used to it but the newbies must be wondering what the heck is going on. We’ve done our part to enrich the local economy – it’s the least we can do!

While we waited to board the plane on Maui we worked on some swaps. Crystal did most of the work, I just pretended to help. If you see us around convention, check and see if we have any left – they feature the exclusive Macadamia Nut Hershey Kisses!

Our upline, Janet Wakeland, sponsored a guided tour of the Great Salt Lake for about 30 demonstrators this afternoon. We learned a lot about the lake – including the fact that the entire Salt Lake area was once under 850 – 1000 feet of salt water! There was a chance to float in the lake, and many did so, but to be honest the combination of the brine shrimp (aka Sea Monkeys) and the briny water “dampened” our spirits for a float. Instead we wandered over to the dock where one of our tour guides was catching brine shrimp and pointing out the spiders that eat the flies that come to feed on the brine shrimp stinkiness. There were a LOT of spiders. I am a firm believer in spiders as long as they stay outside where they belong. These spiders were outside. So was I. It was a very delicate balance and I was extremely grateful that the spiders stayed on their side of the weeds. Because there were a LOT of them (did I already say that?)

These are NOT spiders, they are the RemARKables!

This is how we ended the day. Crystal put the finishing touches on the Hershey Macnut Swaps and I called room service. Because this is a very very strange town. I had hoped to order a glass of wine with our late lunch, but the restaurant did not serve. When we finished our shopping we headed to a well known grocery store, but grocery stores only sell beer. The sympathetic clerk directed me to a liquor store just a few blocks away (it was 6 blocks – and Salt Lake City blocks are 1/4 mile). The liquor store was closed. I got back to the hotel just in time for our first organized swap and then headed upstairs to Maui Stamper Central (aka our hotel room) and called room service. This is what my bed looked like:

I’m not going to tell you how much we paid for this but it was worth it. And all that hauling around downtown brought my daily Active Link Activity Points Plus earned for the day to a grand total of 9.

I win.

Convention begins tomorrow afternoon, and I’ll do my best to share all that I can with you. Wish you were here!

Tag That Box!!!

Posted on July 16, 2013 by mauistamper

One of my favorite TOTALLY new products in our 2013-2014 Annual Catalog is the Tag a Box Gift Box bundle on page 158. Yes. Stop reading and go look. It’s that awesome!

You can buy the boxes on their own (and they are really cool) or you can buy them as a bundle with tags, twine, clothespins and adhesive to make your gift giving personal – without perspiration! Yeah, it’s NO SWEAT 🙂

(Thank goodness it was time for a photo…that was going downhill much too quickly!)

Everything you see was included in the bundle except for the Label Love image, the button and the Tangerine Tango card stock used for the belly band. LOVE THOSE CLOTHESPINS!!! I will be hoarding them and yes you will see them again!! Oh, and those are my sparkly shreddies inside the box, too 🙂

There are loads of options to personalize your packages – each bundle includes 8 boxes and the fixin’s for 10 tags. And there’s plenty of Baker’s twine (20 feet of each color!!) so you’ll see this again too.

I stamped the Label twice – once in Crushed Curry, once in Bermuda Bay. I trimmed the Bermuda Bay piece with my snips and adhered it to the Crushed Curry label with a few dabs of Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive). Faster and easier than markers!

What would you put inside of this package?

Chalk this one up: It’s RemARKable!

Posted on July 13, 2013 by mauistamper

Welcome to the July Stamp of the Month tour and the awesome, trendy stamp set Chalk Talk – and the coordinating framelits! I used elements of this set to create some fun labels for my stamp room.

I have a handful of re-purposed candle jars that I use for keeping odds and ends. They’re frosted, so sometimes it’s hard to see what I’ve stashed inside. These Chalk Talk images were perfect for making my own Designer labels!

The new In Color Stretchy ribbon makes beautiful curves! I really like the combination of Coastal Cabana and Baked Brown Sugar…matter of fact, I’ve yet to come up with a combination of ANYTHING and Baked Brown Sugar that I don’t like!

Three chubby jars, happy together on my shelf!

These labels are for my UG-LEE file cabinet. I have been researching how to renovate old office cabinets, but I haven’t found a method I feel confident to attempt. I’ll take your suggestions!!

It really is ugly…I want to refinish it with paint and give it a shabby chic look. But I’ve got my labels all ready!

For the record, that is NOT Retired DSP – I used genuine Old Book pages for those rosettes 🙂 And the old book I used was literally falling apart at the seams, so I don’t feel badly about re-purposing the pages. The Bigz XL Rosette die makes short work of all the scoring and folding.

Next stop is the Trinity Design Studio – I know Robin has a treat in store for you! And if you want to navigate the tour to the beat of a different drummer, the participants are listed below.

Nancy Amato http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger   http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson   http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Danielle Denhardt   http://www.purrfectlycreative.com
Tamra Davis http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler   http://www.conniestamps.com
Crystal Kondo http://www..card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh    http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci   http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com         YOU ARE HERE!
Robin Merriman   http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Audra Monk   http://www.thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com
Maria Pane http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Vicki Soni http://www.paperinkle.com
Jeannette Swain http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com/
Janet Wakeland   http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Saying thanks

Posted on July 11, 2013 by mauistamper

If you’re not a demonstrator, you likely have never talked to Demonstrator Support (DS). You may not even know that they exist. But for those of us who are demonstrators, these people are angels.

A few weeks ago Crystal and I were discussing how much we had been whining to DS. We’d each had a couple of situations where we’d needed their help, and they’d gone above and beyond (as is customary for them) to address our concerns. We thought we’d tell them thank you.

These little tents were our response. Each one holds 3 Hershey Kisses. But they’re not just any Hershey Kisses – they have macadamia nuts in them! I’ve been told you can only get them here in Hawaii, and I have to confess I’ll just take that at face value because I haven’t looked anywhere else. We thought they would be a welcome treat.

There’s one now! DSP is so perfect for something like this. Having two different papers on each side makes such a difference.

These are simple strips of DSP, scored 3 times and folded into a tent. You could put a re-sealable fastener under the flap if you wanted to, but these are closed with a bit of SNAIL. I was afraid that if they were too fancy I wouldn’t get them done.

It’s a good feeling to do something nice for someone else.

Songbirds and Smooch Spritz

Posted on July 7, 2013 by mauistamper

I have to admit – this card doesn’t look like the card in my head. Unfortunately, the one in my head refuses to present itself on paper right now. Perhaps you’ll have an idea that will help me put that right!

Simply Sketched (hostess) and Woodgrain stamp sets
Soft Suede FFIP
Baked Brown Sugar, Pear Pizazz and So Saffron Stampin’ Write markers
Very Vanilla, Pear Pizazz, Baked Brown Sugar and Crumb Cake card stock
Vanilla Smooch Spritz
Natural Ribbon trim
Vintage Trinkets
Linen thread (I panic if I don’t have at least 2 extra packages of this at all times!)
Daffodil Delight Seam Binding
Big Shot, Ovals Framelits and Lattice TIEF
Designer Naturals Buttons
Stampin’ Dimensionals

Vanilla Smooch Spritz is my new BFF. I am having serious withdrawals from a certain sparkley spray That Shall Not Be Named. There are some products I find it difficult to let go of when they retire. Oh well. This too shall pass. Vanilla Smooch Spritz it is.

Love this texture!!! My whole purpose in making this card was to use these three products together.

Did you notice that I used a So Saffron marker but Daffodil Delight Ribbon. As much as we all pride ourselves on how perfectly Stampin’ Up! matches colors, sometimes it doesn’t have to be perfect. (SHOCKING. I KNOW.) Ribbon is a “perfectly” good example of that.

Well. That was a pathetic attempt at I-don’t-know-what. I think that’s a sign we’re done here.

Flower Shop and the Pansy Punch 101

Posted on July 5, 2013 by mauistamper

Did you stamp some Flower Shop images and try to punch them out? Did you discover what I learned – the images aren’t symmetrical! Took me a while, but I have a system to make it easier.

Grab your stamps, your punch and a Sharpie and let’s get started! I HIGHLY recommend you follow this procedure for ONE image and your punch. Make sure you’ve got everything lined up, and THEN add the marks to the rest of the images. Saves a lot of “erasing”.

See those little black dots? We’re going to mark each image with a Sharpie. You’ll notice I’m storing my stamps inside the die cut negative rubber. I started doing that a while ago and find it keeps them from slipping unnoticed out of the case, especially when the stamps are small.

I began the process by putting dots on the stamps and the negative image just so I could line them up easily to put them back! Later on I realized the dots could help me line up the punch.

If you happen to put the dot in the wrong place, never fear – it wipes off quite easily with Staz-on ink cleaner and a cotton swab. You can put the dots wherever you like, but this whole process will be much easier and go much more quickly if you put them in the same place on the flower that I did. (The easiest flowers to work with for that purpose is the one on the top left in the first photo or the one with the different patterns for each petal – you can see it peeking on the left side of the photo directly above.)

If you’ve already taken your stamps out of the negative rubber and discarded it, you can still make your dots. Just be sure they are in the same place on each stamp. Here’s a little tool to help you:

Not very high tech, but it works! I keep this little “tool” in the box with my stamps for Senior Moments when I forget my system 🙂 Using the punched out image will allow you to quickly align all your Flower Shop images in the same position. Use it on the rubber side, not the sticker side. It will slip right over the rubber when it’s aligned correctly.

I went ahead and marked the dot on the “sticker side” of my stamps as well so that I could see it through the clear block. That allows me to be sure a row of pansies are stamped in the same orientation each time if I want to punch out a whole bunch (oh, say 60 or so!) Be careful here – when you flip the stamp over, be sure you don’t reverse it and put the dot on the opposite side! Check the rubbah!

Next step is to mark the punch. I’ve marked both the top and the bottom of the punch (go ahead, call me OCD or whatever other name you want. I’m used to it.) Again, use your paper template to line up the image, and keep in mind that top-side and bottom-side aren’t the same.

At this point you’ll want to check your work. Stamp a few flowers in a row, keeping the mark in the same position each time. My stamps are set up so that it’s easiest if I have the dot on the left side of the image as I stamp along the bottom edge of a strip of cardstock. There’s a little trial and error involved in how you orient the image, but it’s only a big deal if you’re punch a whole bunch of pansies.

One more little hint…I store my punches on their side in a pull-out drawer, so having the name of the punch on the side makes it much easier for me to choose the right one the first time! (Go ahead, say it – I’m a little label crazy.)

Hope this helps! As I read through it, it seems about as clear as mud. Once you get started, it falls into place. Enjoy your Flower Shop!

Stop by my Flower Shop

Posted on July 3, 2013 by mauistamper

Finally made a card I can show you! I have been a swap-maniac getting ready for convention and those cards are under wraps for now, but after punching out 60+ pansies I wanted to punch out a few to play with!

Flower Shop and Label Love stamp sets
Melon Mambo, Basic Black and Very Vanilla card stock
Modern Medley DSP (buy 3, get one free!)
Versamark Ink pad
Basic Black and Melon Mambo Stampin’ Write markers
Black Embossing powder
Embossing buddy
Heat Tool (this baby is HOT!!)
Artisan and Pansy punches
Melon Mambo 1/8″ taffeta ribbon
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Rhinestone jewels

You NEED to get your hands on that Modern Medley DSP, especially since you can buy 3 packages and get one free this month! I’m seriously considering buying 3 Modern Medleys!! Every single design is a 110% winner (can ya tell I like it??)

Love these Punch/Stamp set bundles too…great images, great punches, great savings. The Label Love bundle is on page 32 in the Annual catalog – clear is $28.75 for punch and stamps (#132722). The Flower Shop bundle is on page 95 (same price, #132726). I’m trying to be disciplined and just get one bundle each order but I may or may not be sticking with that plan. (Tell me what YOU think!)

One thing I discovered about the Pansy punch…it is NOT symmetrical. I had issues with that punch for a while, but I’ve come up with a solution. I had to…I punched out 60 pansies for one of my swaps!

Check back on Friday and I will clue you in on my technique to make punching these awesome pansies a breeze!

Floating high in July

Posted on July 1, 2013 by mauistamper

I’ve only been in a hot air balloon once but it was an extraordinary experience. When they are inflating the balloon, the burners are really noisy, but once you get into the air and you’re floating along it is incredibly quiet and serene. The ground below you moves by with almost surreal speed, smoothly and silently. I would love to go up again.

Collage Curios stamp set (retired)
Real Red and Whisper White card stock
Real Red, Marina Mist, Gumball Green and Summer Starfruit FFIP
Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker

Ink up the little hot air balloons and then use your Black Stampin’ Write marker to swipe across the bottom to highlight the basket. You don’t have to wipe off the colored ink first.

Again, my apologies for featuring a retired stamp set but these calendar cards were created in January for a class and the stamps were part of our product line at that time.

I’m gonna be in trouble…

Posted on June 28, 2013 by mauistamper

…if Mr. Maui Stamper finds out what I did.

I couldn’t help it. The glitter was absolutely necessary.

And it is GLORIOUS. I used the Two-Way Glue pen to make it stick. And stick it did…to the card, to my work table, to my hands, and therefore to everything I touched. I don’t know how I was lucky enough to evade the Eagle Eye, but I did it. And now I need to get this card in an envelope and mail it pronto.

Sunflower and Really Good Greetings stamp sets
Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry and Soft Suede card stock
Crushed Curry and Soft Suede FFIP
Two Way Glue pen
Dazzling Diamonds
Crumb Cake 3/8″ taffeta ribbon
Decorative label punch
Rhinestone jewels
Stampin’ Dimensionals

It’s been crazy busy around here as I’ve been getting ready for CONVENTION. So.Much.Excitement. And I have been a crafting fool getting all of my swaps ready, because it’s not convention if you don’t sign up for just a few swaps too many. The sad news is that I can’t show you all of this fabulous craftiness yet, but stop back in after convention and you’ll get the full story.

Stop in during convention for my updates, too! Crystal and I have such plans…which may or may not involve Dazzling Diamonds.

The Maui Stamper

papercrafts, my stories, and the occasional insight

Category Archives: Stampin' Up!

Convention Day 1

Convention: the day before

Tag That Box!!!

Chalk this one up: It’s RemARKable!

Saying thanks

Songbirds and Smooch Spritz

Flower Shop and the Pansy Punch 101

Stop by my Flower Shop

Floating high in July

I’m gonna be in trouble…

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