Pumpkin, pumpkin, who has a pumpkin?

Didja subscribe to My Paper Pumpkin?  Didja?

Well, I did, and it took me way too long to crack it open…I won’t bother you with the reasons because they’re not very good ones.  To be honest, I wasn’t all that thrilled with the idea of a kit anyway.  I am a Bona Fide Stampin’ Up! Independent Demonstrator! I don’t need a kit!!  I MAKE kits!!!

For the record, I was wrong, 100% wrong.  I LOVED MY PUMPKIN!  Loved the stamps, loved the papers, loved their concept card, and loved creating my own variations!  I was giggling and humming when I put these together, and in case you need to ask, the answer is yes, that’s a very good sign.

Here’s the My Paper Pumpkin card that you get when you follow their directions:

Maui Stamper My Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit

Actually, this is the card you get when you mess up when you are following their directions.  I DROPPED the “hey there, friend” stamp when I was placing it on the card front, and it smudged.  I sat there looking at it as though it had betrayed me (when in fact, I had betrayed it.)  But Stampin’ Up! was clearly a step ahead of me and provided those little random dot things.  They are clearly intended to cover up messes, so that’s how I used them.

I almost never make more than one of the same card and I was curious to see what I could do with the project pieces.  I made three additional cards using some or all of the Paper Pumpkin supplies.

Maui Stamper My Paper Pumpkin Welcome KitA few Basic Grey circles, some Tempting Turqoise ink, my Uniball white gel pen, a snip of 1/8 inch Daffodil taffeta ribbon, some Pewter Embossing Powder (you NEED this) and some bling were all added into the mix for this card.  The stamps are You Rule from the Spring Catalog.

Maui Stamper My Paper Pumpkin Welcome KitI wanted a banner, so I cut the circle die cut like a pizza and layered it on Daffodil Delight.  The letters and the accents on the word birthday are from our new Designer Typeset Polymer stamp set – so easy to use – and the elephant and word Birthday are from You’re Amazing.

I think this card needs a little something, but it was the last card of the evening and I think I was out of mojo.  I’ll stare at it a while and something will come up.

This last one is my favorite:

Maui Stamper My Paper Pumpkin Welcome KitThat “Hey There, Friend” sentiment is going to get a lot of use in my studio!

Maui Stamper My Paper Pumpkin Welcome KitYou can have this same kit – just log into My Paper Pumpkin to sign up.  The Welcome kit is the first month’s kit for every new subscriber, and you can manage your subscription in case you’ll be away for a month and want to put a hold on your kit.  Stampin’ Up! has told us that they will not be previewing the kits, and each kit will be an exclusive offer – meaning if you miss it, it’s gone.  You need to commit by the 10th of each month to receive the current kit – don’t put it off, ok?

I would gladly pay you Tuesday…

For a hamburger today!

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Manly Burger CardALMOST looks good enough to eat, eh?

You can do this with just a few punches and some paper. I’m generally not a big fan of punch art but this was too perfect for a Dad card. Here you go:

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Manly Burger CardBirthday or Father’s Day, either way this card is a winner! We’re making this one at the Manly Cards class on May 5. There are still a few spots – let me know if you would like to join us.

And I am very sorry to report that not only is the First Editions dsp retiring, but it is sold out. We can only cross our fingers and hope that Stampin’ Up! Has something better in store in the new catalog. 😉

RETIRING STAMPS AND ACCESSORIES! The list is OUT!

Maui Stamper Retired Stamp on the Golf Course

It’s time to check out that list of Retiring Stamps!  Which of your favorites are retiring, and which ones will be available for another year?  This list always includes a few that we groan over, but the truth is that retiring stamps make way for NEW STAMPS – and we ALL love new stamps!  Think about it if you like – you have until Monday, June 3 to order these retiring stamps.

However, Stampin’ Up! also revealed the RETIRING ACCESSORIES list today – and that list requires immediate action.  Accessories are While Supplies Last and that can mean that some accessories sell out within days or even hours of being announced.  If you see something you love on the list, or if you have a project that is not quite done that uses something on the retired list, better get it now!

To encourage you to place that order today, I’ve set up a special order.  When you shop in Anne’s Online Store and enter Hostess Code # ZBMZ722P, you will guarantee two things:

1) Your order will ship directly to YOU, and right away – no waiting for me to submit it.
2) YOU will be entered into a drawing to receive special Stampin’ Up! products – I’ll be sharing the Hostess Benefits for this order!

Here are the PDF’s –

Retired_List_stamps_2013

Stampin’ Up! Retired Accessories Availability as of 5-8-13

Once in a while you need a Manly Card

And oh, do those Manly cards pose a challenge!!

Manly cards are not lacy.  They don’t have bling or pearls.  They don’t have glitter, either – at least not in my house!!  Mr. Maui Stamper Does Not Like Glitter.  In general, they are very lean on embellishment.

What’s a stamper to do?

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Manly Squares Birthday

  • Wacky Wishes (hostess) stamp set
  • Designer Type polymer stamp set
  • My Paper Pumpkin Intro kit stamp
  • Naturals White, River Rock, Not Quite Navy, Lucky Limeade, Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze card stock
  • Not Quite Navy, Lucky Limeade, Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze FFIP
  • Large oval punch
  • Postage stamp punch
  • Scallop Square punch
  • 1 inch square punch
  • 1 1/4 inch square punch
  • Natural 7/16 inch trim
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals

I cased Wendy Weixler, an immensely talented Artisan Award Stampin’Up! demonstrator.  The use of repeating shapes isn’t unusual, but most often I have seen repeated circles and I loved that this was squares.  Talk about using up scraps!

This is one of the cards we’ll make at my Manly Card class on May 5, and if you’re going to be on Maui that day you are very welcome to join us!

Yesterday during the blog tour I was TERRIBLY tempted to share something that had me literally rolling on the floor, but I ultimately decided it was too much of a distraction to the flow of the tour.  However, today I have no such conscientious objections.

Last Wednesday night I stayed up very, very late stamping.  The Fountain of Creative Juices was flowing and I was taking advantage of it!  Crystal and I were texting pictures back and forth – it’s a kind of virtual stamp camp for the two of us.  About 11:30pm I get this weird image with no message…took me forever to realize what it was, but it took about 3 seconds to fall on the floor in hysterical laughter once I got it!  Definitely a moment to savor – and she blogged it, so check THIS out.

You’re welcome.

 

 

 

Best of RemARKable Flowers

Stampin' Up! RemARKable Blog Tour 25 Years with Stampin' Up! April

Welcome to another RemARKable Blog Tour!  If this is your first stop, welcome – and get comfy!  We are exploring the collections being released every month to celebrate 25 years of Stampin’ Up! goodness, and this month we are playing with Best of Flowers.  This set contains some of my favorite images from the archives, and it was a sweet trip down memory lane to ink this one up:

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Best of Flowers 25th AnniversaryI’m indulging my classical style in this card.  This image, originally sold as Upsy Daisy, was almost twice this size when it was initially released.  This “mini me” version is perfect!  It’s stamped in Pretty in Pink (soon to be retired) and Pink Pirouette (which I like better anyway, but don’t tell).  Hey There Friend is the exclusive My Paper Pumpkin image that every new Paper Pumpkin subscriber receives, so you can have one too!  I ran the panel through the Delicate Designs TIEF  and then used the scrumptious 1 1/4 inch Two Tone Ribbon to unite the elements.

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Best of Flowers 25th AnniversaryLet me channel my inner Rachel Ray – can you say YUM-O!! with me?  That ribbon is scrumptious, and I love how the grosgrain lines echo the stems on the flowers, but contrast with the eyelet-like scallops below.

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Best of Flowers 25th AnniversaryI began this card with the masked flower garland stamped in Regal Rose (another color about to start drawing Social Security), and yes, I cut it by hand.  (Late at night, no less.  I had one of those “Fountain of Creative Juices” nights and could have pulled an all-nighter except for the fact that I had to be someplace at 6:30 am the next morning!  Let’s just say that turned into a looong day.)  Once I cut the garland I had some trouble putting it onto a card.  I got the Crumb Cake and the Pink Pirouette going, but it was missing something. However, literally out of nowhere I got a BRILLIANT (in my opinion) idea:

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Best of Flowers 25th AnniversaryCan you see what I did??  I took a doily and shabbied it up with some Crumb Cake Ink and a Stampin’ Sponge.  Then I cut halfway through (as though I were cutting a slice of pie) and cut a circle out of the middle.  After straightening it out, I hit it with a little Champagne Mist Shimmer spray and scrunched it up!  It was damp so it scrunched well, and when it dried it held onto its shape.  I WAS STOKED!!

All righty then!  Back to our regularly scheduled blog tour…The Best of Flowers set, like all the Best of sets, iis available through March 2014.  Each set comes with a sticker, and when you have collected 6 stickers, you can send them in for a free stamp set ($14.95 or less) of your choosing.  Win-win!

Enough Maui Stamper Silliness…time to see what Robin has done!  Click on the link below, or check the RemARKable Best of Blog Tour line-up listed below!  and Stamp On!!

Stampin' Up! Maui Stamper Best of Flowers 25th AnniversaryNancy Amato  http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Linda Bartolucci   http://www.inkstampandscrap.com/
Ingrid Blackburn  http://TheCreativeGrove.com
Melissa Bolinger  http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley  http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis  http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler  http://www.conniestamps.com
Sherri Eddleblute   http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lynn Embrey   http://www.possibilitiestamperstudio.com/
Becky Evans  http://www.alwayshappystampin.com
Kathy Hamrick  http://www.countryroads.typepad.com/
Crystal Kondo  http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh  http://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
Sharon Tisdale   http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/coveredbridgesstamper/blog
Janet Wakeland http://wp.me/pHIQD-4P4

a RemARKably SECRET Garden Tour

Stampin' Up! RemARKable Blog Tour April

Welcome to another edition of our RemARKable Stamp of the Month tour – this month we’re featuring Secret Garden and the coordinating Secret Garden Framelits.  RemARKables are a very creative group and I am certain you’re finding loads of great ideas.  Let’s see if I can’t share one or two more.

I snooped through Pinterest for ideas and saw a lot of cards that included round or oval shapes with the Secret Garden flowers.  I thought about making a round card, but ultimately came up with an oval card that I am very pleased with.  Tell me what you think!

Maui Stamper Secret Garden Baby Girl cardThis is the largest oval framelit, cut from So Saffron and embossed with the Lattice TIEF.  It’s layered over a card cut from Whisper White – Stampin’ Up! Whisper White is just a little lighter weight, and you can cut two layers with a framelit.  The various flowers from the Secret Garden stamp set are inked in either Perfect Plum or So Saffron and stamped on either Whisper White or Perfect Plum card stock.  A little ribbon, a few pearls, and a banner finish it off!  The message on the banner is from the new Cuddles and Kisses stamp set – great fonts and great messages!

I cut a LOT of flowers to play with, and when I was finished with the card there were still a LOT of flowers left over!  After a few false starts, I came up with a fun gift to go with this card:

Maui Stamper Secret Garden FrameThis frame has moved around my studio a half dozen times begging to be embellished.  It took a major expedition to find the dog-gone thing once I realized I needed it.  Isn’t that how it goes?  Of course, I’m not showing you what my studio looks like, because you would see the problem immediately.

Maui Stamper Secret Garden FrameThe framelits do such a quick, clean job of cutting things out.  Fussy cutting looks great, but it’s a bother to do!  This takes the trouble out of the process.

Time to take a peek over the fence at Robin’s Secret Garden!  She always has gorgeous projects to share – I know you’ll love it!

blogtour-stampmonth-next

Link not working?  Try this:  Robin Merriman

Nancy Amato  http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Linda Bartolucci   http://www.inkstampandscrap.com/
Ingrid Blackburn  http://www.createwithingrid.wordpress.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
Becky Evans http://www.alwayshappystampin.com
Crystal Kondo http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh http://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://wp.me/pHIQD-4P4

Miracles happen.

Talking with a friend this morning, I realized that I have become much more accepting of things I cannot change.  We were discussing some pretty significant challenges in our lives and the lives of people we love, and I said I was at peace with how I had responded to a particular situation.  I guess I’m more grown up than I thought I was.

Funny thing is, I have no tolerance for the little piddley things that I can’t change, like being stuck in traffic.  I hate traffic.  I shout at the other drivers (inside my car with the windows rolled up of course) to Get Off MY Road.  This is completely irrational behavior.  My children joke about it but I think they see it as the beginning of the end for their loony tunes mother.  Little do they know I have been loony tunes all of my life.

All of this leads up to the fact that I also believe in miracles.  I believe in little miracles, the sort that make you giggle – like finding the proverbial needle in the haystack.  I also believe in big miracles, the kind of miracles that make you drop to your knees in thanksgiving.  I made a card to celebrate a miracle:

Maui Stamper Miracles Happen Sale-a-bration 2013

  • Bloomin’ Marvelous stamp set (Sale-a-bration 2013)
  • Very Vanilla and Soft Suede card stock
  • Prints Pack Designer Series paper
  • First Edition Specialty Designer Series paper
  • Calypso Coral and Crumb Cake FFIP
  • 2 3/8 inch scallop circle punch
  • 1 3/4 inch circle punch
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Linen Thread
  • Piercing tool (aka pokey doodle)
  • Big Shot and Honeycomb TIEF

This won’t take you long at all to do, and you can substitute practically any stamp set you have on hand – don’t fret that this Sale-a-bration set is already retired.

Maui Stamper Miracles Happen Sale-a-bration 2013Yes, I poked a pair of little holes in the card stock and ran my linen thread through them so that I could tie it directly onto the card.  I know a lot of people use Glue Dots.  I’m not one of them.  I LOVE Glue Dots for a lot of things, but not for sticking embellishments on the front of cards.

I hope you have your own little miracle today…or maybe even a big one.

And stop by the OnlineStore to see the new Bombs Away Birthday Photopolymer stamps!

 

Certainly Celery and Regal Rose Ink Refills: Sold Out!!

Don’t wait to order your ink refills for the retiring colors – they are selling out already!  Paper, ink pads, and embellishments could be next!

Stampin' Up! 2013 Color Refresh Retiring Colors

Free shipping through Monday evening – use Hostess Code T7NDFYJY with your ONLINE ORDER of $25 or more for a chance be the hostess of my weekend order and get all the benefits!

FREE SHIPPING ALL WEEKEND!

What a deal!  Free shipping all weekend – that’s an extra 10% in your pocket!

Stampin' Up! 2013 Free Shipping

Place an order this weekend and for every $25 you spend I’ll add your name to a drawing for the Hostess Benefits on the order!  You MUST use Hostess Code T7NDFYJY when you place the order online – or you can call or email me to place your order for you.

Be sure you stock up on the retiring colors:

  • Regal Rose
  • Pretty In Pink
  • Bashful Blue
  • Certainly Celery
  • Baja Breeze
  • Riding Hood Red
  • Bravo Burgundy
  • Not Quite Navy
  • More Mustard
  • River Rock

In my experience, if you have the ink pads for any of these colors be CERTAIN to order ink refills, and don’t wait until the last minute to do so!  Stock up on paper, and if you’ve got a little spending money left over, pick up a ribbon, some buttons or some brads.  Stampin’ Up! has also announced that all Watercolor Wonder Crayons will be retired, so give those a look-see too.

We have lots of promotions, too:

  • Best of 25 Years (Jan – April: Birthdays, Love, Flowers and Butterflies)
  • Sent with Love bundle (20% discount PLUS free shipping!)
  • Dude, You’re Welcome Kit for men (and women too!)
  • MDS 2 $19.95
  • Photopolymer stamps  Designer Typeset
  • 10 different single stamps $5.95 to $7.95
  • Spring Surprise bundle (15% discount PLUS free shipping)
  • This ‘n That Journal and bundle (15% discount PLUS free shipping)

There will be a FREE This ‘n That Girls Night Out in May for anyone who purchases the journal in April!

Finally, I have a very limited number of Sycamore Street Clothespin Wreath kits available for $25.  Check my OnlineStore for photos.

WHEW!!

April Farewells

In April, we usually bid farewell to the humpback whales that spend the winter off our islands.  I say usually because their arrival and departures are guided by their own internal clocks rather than the calendar.

It’s hard for me to describe the thrill I feel watching whales in our waters.  They’re huge – the size of a school bus – and yet they can launch almost their entire bodies out of the water to create a spectacular crashing splash.  Naturalists believe that there are a lot of reasons for that behavior, including the simple desire for fun.  It’s always a joy when the first sighting is reported, and as the sightings become fewer and farther apart there’s a sense of sad farewell.

Maui Stamper April 2013 calendar

  • Oh Whale stamp set
  • Bashful Blue and Wild Wasabi FFIP
  • Happy Whale Clearlits die
  • Rhinestone jewels

I suppose I could have hand-trimmed the whale image, but why would I do that when there’s a Clearlit that will save me the trouble?