Lovely new ribbon

Posted on June 17, 2013 by mauistamper

Don’t tell, but I think I get more excited about new ribbon than new stamps.

This is our new In Color 2013-2015 STRETCHY ribbon. And it can do so many things! Take a look at the RemARKable blog tour post from this past weekend and you’ll see how nicely it makes a frame around an oval.

It would be perfect for hair ties or headbands too, if you were the sort of person who wore them. (I only do when I am DESPERATELY in need of a haircut.)

There were five new colors introduced into existing ribbon collections, too:

That’s Bermuda Bay 1/8″ taffeta (be still my heart), Soft Sky Seam Binding, Pear Pizazz 3/8″ taffeta, Blushing Bride 1/4″ Stitched Grosgrain and Melon Mambo 1/8″ taffeta. What gorgeous new additions to our ribbon stable!!

Would you like to get your hands on some ribbon without having to invest in all those full-sized spools? I’m offering ribbon shares so you can play at a savings! Each share is one yard of either the 5 In Color ribbons or the 5 new-to-the-collection ribbons. It’s $7 for the In Color share and only $4 for the assortment, so you certainly won’t break the bank. I’m happy to ship and will charge you actual cost only for postage.

The gorgeous Chevron Ribbons are also on their way and will be $15 for a share of 12 beautiful new colors. Let me know if you’d like a share!

RemARKable Brides and Babies

Posted on June 15, 2013 by mauistamper

Welcome to the June edition of the RemARKable 25th Anniversary “Best of” Blog Tour! I hope you’ve enjoyed the first half of this series – I know that we, your RemARKable team, have enjoyed bringing it to you.

This first image just shouted “EMBOSS ME” when I saw this set for the first time:

This is a simple favor idea, but I cut the top using the Window Frames framelit – just put a narrow strip into the framelit and stop halfway through and back it out. I love how this image looks in our gorgeous pewter embossing powder.

The smallest Rhinestone jewels add the perfect sparkle to complement the embossing powder.

A year later and we’re celebrating an anniversary!! (oh my, does the time fly!!) Two little love-birds fit perfectly on the front of a gift enclosure for our favorite couple. The birdies are colored with a blender pen and the soft tones of Pirouette Pink, Pool Party and Pear Pizazz. I folded the Pirouette Pink 3/8″ taffeta ribbon in half and creased it with my fingernail to narrow it down. (I suppose I could have ironed it…NOT!!)

We’re not going to set a timetable for our lovebirds, but like the rhyme…First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage!!

Have you had the chance to play with the new In Color stretchy ribbon? It’s a whole new world in ribbon!! The stretch gives it an affinity to curves, and once there was a bit of sticky strip on the back of the oval it was simple to attach the ribbon to create a frilly border.

I’m a big fan of Crisp Canteloupe!

Now it’s off to the Trinity Design Studio to see what Robin has created for you!

If you get lost or just prefer to skip around, here’s the whole tour:

Nancy Amato http://www.stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson http://www.stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis http://www.thecardladies.com
Sherri Eddleblute http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lynn Embrey http://www.possibilitiestamperstudio.com/
Kathy Hamrick http://www.countryroads.typepad.com/
Crystal Kondo http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh http://www.thestampinhut.typepad.com/
Anne Matasci http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Maria Pane http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Sharon Tisdale http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/coveredbridgesstamper/blog
Janet Wakeland http://wp.me/pHIQD-4P4

It’s Happy Hour Somewhere!

Posted on June 10, 2013 by mauistamper

It was my daughter’s birthday last month, and I wanted just the right card for her:

Happy Hour Stamp set
Whisper White and Crisp Canteloupe card stock
Print Patterns DSP (old style)
Crisp Canteloupe FFIP
Calypso Coral and Cajun Craze Stampin’ Write markers
Calypso Coral baker’s twine
Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots TIEF
Large Delicate Doilies Sizzlet
Circles #2 Originals Die
1 3/4 inch circle punch
Paper Snips
Stampin’ Dimensionals

DID YOU NOTICE THE STRAW? Please scroll back up and look at my straw because I am very proud of it. For one thing, it was a tricky bugger to cut out. (You really need the Stampin’ Up! paper snips to do the job.) Not only is the straw cut out, it has stripes, and they are amazing, wouldn’t you say? They were such fun to do.

I CASEd this design from Dawn Olchefske. She used a very bold color combination that really popped, but I wanted something different for Sara and chose this monochromatic scheme. I love the combination of Canteloupe and Coral! This year’s In Color selections really work well with the existing colors, and yes, you do need them all! Besides, you can buy the ink pads in a bundle and Stampin’ Up! throws in the paper assortment for free! (#131204, $29.95) This is offered every year and you can get this offer for both the 2013-2015 and 2012-2014 collections – what a deal!

RemARKably Mad Mosaics

Posted on June 8, 2013 by mauistamper

Welcome to the first Stamp of the Month tour for the Brand New Deliciously JUICY 2013-2014 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog!! Are you as excited as I am about this fabulous assortment of paper crafting goodness?? I hope so!

The June Stamp of the Month is Mosaic Madness. It’s especially juicy because of all the coordinating products that carry the Mosaic theme: the Mosaic punch, the Mosaic TIEF, and the Quatrefoil Fancy DSP.

(If you are not a regular reader at the Maui Stamper, I apologize. You should know that I am a very lazy girl and I get tired of typing things like TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER (TIEF), DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (DSP) and FIRM FOAM INK PAD (FFIP). Please make a note of these abbreviations.)

I’ve done a number of projects using the products from the suite, but for our blog tour I wanted to try using the images in new ways. First up – le card:

If SOMEONE used her SAMJ (oh, all right, Stamp-a-ma-jig) that “beautiful” would have been straight. Instead, it is beautifully hand made 🙂

The Mosaic punch fits perfectly along the scallop border from the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die! There are 7 of them, with the top and bottom trimmed to fit the card.

Got a little pierce-happy but it was worth it…and the little holes made a perfect place to run some Linen thread through to balance the opposite side.

If you need a box to go with that sassy card, I’ve got just the thing:

I was feeling a little continental…don’t know if this is more Scandinavian or Swiss, but when I started playing with the long stamps from Mosaic Madness I started seeing ribbon and it didn’t take much to put together a belly band. (Hint: if you are adding paper layers to a belly band, I recommend you score the plain belly band first, then add the trim on top for a smoother fit.)

The Mosaic punch can be a medallion, a flower, a tag…you name it! Just punch out a bunch of them and start playing.

For the next stop of the tour, you’ll be heading over to see what madness Robin has created! Enjoy!!

Got lost? Here’s the entire tour:

Nancy Amato http://www.stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson http://www.stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler http://www.conniestamps.com
Crystal Kondo http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh http://www.thestampinhut.typepad.com/
Debbie Lever http://www.debbiescreativespot.blogspot.com
Anne Matasci http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Maria Pane http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Jeannette Swain http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland http://www.remarkablycreated.com

A dressy little thank-you

Posted on June 5, 2013 by mauistamper

We just finished another round of Hostess Club last month, and I wanted to say thanks:

These are super-simple – two dresses adhered to either side of a basic little box just the right size for a Chapstick. Add a Rhinestone Jewel and a Floral Trim rosette (sob! they’re retired…) and that’s it!

I really enjoyed choosing the DSP for these – just like fabric shopping!

The box is just a little shorter than the dress from hem to neckline – I think I made it 2 1/2″ tall – and it’s 3/4″ on each side. They took no time at all with my Simply Scored.

Each one is a little different from the next – just like my Hostesses 🙂

I put them in clear bags with a few shreddies in the bottom and tied them with a snippet of ribbon. Don’t ask me about that stamp set – it was a VERY special giveaway at convention a couple of years ago. Can’t wait to see what Stampin’ Up! has in store for us this year!

Mosaic Madness

Posted on June 3, 2013 by mauistamper

I think Stampin’ Up! really is going to drive us to madness with all these Mosaic goodies! The bundle has a stamp set, a punch, a TIEF (Textured Impressions Embossing Folder), and coordinating Designer Series Paper for all of our creative pleasure!

This card was CASEd from the talented Ilina Crouse and simplified for the Open House card class over the weekend. (Were you there? Did you score some fabulous deals? There were plenty to be had!!)

Coastal Cabana and Crisp Canteloupe are really luscious together – a perfect balance that’s not too pastel nor too bright. I’m thoroughly enjoying discovering new color pairings!

The Brand New 2013-2014 catalog is live and kicking! Skedaddle on over to my Online Store and shop your heart out.

June on a wire

Posted on June 1, 2013 by mauistamper

I love birds.

I love hearing the cardinal first thing in the morning; at dawn the male is always at the top of the Cook Island Pine across the street from my house. On a perfect day, it’s his “Good Morning” that wakes me up. If I’m too sound asleep (read: stayed up way too late stamping) then I miss his song, and it’s the shrill, repetitive call of the Francolin that shatters my dreams. Either way, it’s a pleasure to lie in bed for a few minutes listening to all the diffferent bird voices as the day begins.

For the Birds Stamp set
Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight and Pool Party Stampin’ Write markers
Pool Party FFIP
Stampin’ Sponge
Simply Scored
Borders Scoring Plate

The first time I stamped this design, I used the stamp just as is….but the wires that the birds sit on started and stopped in the middle of the calendar page and it bothered me. I added the sponging to make it seem more complete but I was just kidding myself.

Then my Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate arrived in my pre-order from the Spring Catalog (I LOVE GETTING PRE-ORDERS.) It had the perfect curves to make edge-to-edge wires! I scored them first, then without moving the guides ran the Crumb Cake Stampin’ Write marker in the score lines to further define them.

Every once in a while, I amaze even myself.

Strawberry Crumb Cake

Posted on May 30, 2013 by mauistamper

Doesn’t that sound delicious? I think I’m going to create a Stampin’ Up! cookbook using color names!

Chalk Talk stamp set
Strawberry Slush and Crumb Cake FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pad)
Very Vanilla, Pool Party, and Crumb Cake card stock
Quatrefancy Foil Specialty DSP
Tea Lace Paper Doilies
Big Shot and Lattice TIEF
Pool Party Seam Binding
Rhinestone Jewels
Stampin’ Sponge

I’m a little late to the Doily bandwagon but I’m on board now! Once I realized how easy it is to add some color with a Stampin’ Sponge I was sold on this flirty embellishments.

This is another card we’ll be making on Saturday (June 1st!!) after the “Out with the Old, In with the New” Open House at the Maui Masonic Lodge.

Sale begins at 9am, class is at 11am. Come see for yourself!

Puddin’ Pistachio on the Pumpkin

Posted on May 28, 2013 by mauistamper

Well, the Maui Stamper is clearly in a silly mood, isn’t she?

The 2013-2015 In Color Collection has such mouth-watering names for each color that I don’t see how I’ll make it through the next two years without gaining at least 10 pounds! Fortunately, these colors are just as yummy looking as they sound, so we’ll have lots of ways to enjoy them.

This card is one of five that Crystal and I are offering at a class to follow our “Out With the Old, In With the New” Open House on Saturday, June 1 at the Maui Masonic Lodge. If you’ll be on the Valley Isle this Saturday, I encourage you to stop by for great deals on retired products, the chance to experience a variety of new products and pick up a new catalog, and a generally great time! Doors open for the sale at 9am sharp and the class begins at 11am. Availability for the class is very limited at this time so check with me if you are interested.

The stamps used on this card include Summer Silhouettes (which will be in the 2013-2014 annual catalog, hooray!), Best of Butterflies 25th Anniversary set and the stamps included in the introductory kit for My Paper Pumpkin. Sign up for your Pumpkin subscription by June 10 and the introductory kit will be on the way to your doorstep in June!

My color palette includes Pistachio Pudding, Early Espresso and Whisper White, and along with a couple of punches and some dimensionals, that’s all it took to put together this card! Hope you’ll stop by on Saturday.

The Best of RemARKable Butterflies

Posted on May 18, 2013 by mauistamper

I hope you’re enjoying these two RemARKable blog tours every month. We’ve just lined up our next few sets for the Stamp of the Month Tour on the second Sunday every month (and NO, I am NOT going to spill the beans – come back and see what they are!). The third Sunday of the month is reserved for the 25th Anniversary “Best of” releases throughout 2013. We are working a month behind so that we have plenty of time to create, so this month we are featuring the April set, Best of Butterflies.

I’ve made 3 different projects for you. In addition to the 25th Anniversary Best of Butterflies stamp set, I’m featuring 3 Big Shot dies that are on the Retiring Products list. That means that these 3 dies are currently being sold on an “as available” basis – when the last one is sold, it’s gone!

First up is the Bigz XL Fancy Favor Box #115965. (I KNOW.) But we have to trust that Stampin’ Up! has bigger and better things planned for us 🙂 This box has been a FAVORite of mine for many projects. You can easily create a top using another Fancy Favor or (and this is gorgeous) one of our Paper Doilies. It’s a perfect size for favors (duh!) and small gifts, and punching a circle in the front allows you to peek at the goodies inside. (Crystal said I should put something shiny inside: what could be shinier than Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans??)

The butterfly I chose for this project coordinates with the Elegant Butterfly punch. A little TIEF on the box, a couple of circles and leaves, and this project is ready to go!

The Two Tags Bigz die is another favorite I am sorry to see leave our lineup. I’ve used both of these shapes for countless projects. This one is popular at craft shows – two of the fold-over tags adhered with a smidge of Tombo (the Wonder Adhesive) to create a gift card holder. This butterfly was embossed with Irridescent Ice and hand-cut.

Again, a couple of flowers, some leaves and a little bling and you are in business!

Finally, the sweet Petite Pocket Bigz die – which I am sorry to tell you is No Longer Available – makes a perfect little dress-up for a girly gift of lip shine. I used Pretty in Pink ink on Pink Pirouette card stock to get extra definition of this third butterfly, which I am grateful not to have cut out 🙂