Category Archives: Stampin' Up!

Look on the bright side

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When I first opened the 2011 Sale-a-bration catalog, I wasn’t quite sure how I might use the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper.  I like bright colors, but I don’t generally put a whole bunch of them together – I use them as accents with more neutral colors.  Here’s my compromise:

Ice Cream Parlor DSP birthday

  • So Happy for You (SAB) stamp set
  • Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo Classic ink pads
  • Natural Ivory, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight card stock
  • Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper and Ribbon and Button pack (SAB)
  • Scallop Trim Border, Blossom Petals, 1 inch circle and Boho Blossoms punches
  • Linen Thread, Bone Folder and Tombo the Wonder Adhesive

The 1 inch circle is underneath all of those Daffodil Delight petals creating a platform so that theoretically I could avoid having my fingers covered with Tombo the Wonder Adhesive.  A great theory but in practice, it needs work.  Maybe if I paid more attention to what I was doing I wouldn’t make such a mess, but like Popeye , I Yam What I Yam.

The petals are given a little bend with a bone folder to round them so they stand up a little.  You don’t have to bend each one perfectly, because once you break down the fibers in the paper you can re-shape the petals when the flower is assembled.  And yes, I do sew the button through all the layers because I hate buttons that fall off, but if you prefer Glue Dots then suit yourself!  And you know who I’m talking to here…

Enjoy your weekend!  Saturday means Builder Dan gets a weekend too, so things will be quiet today.  One of the guys told me there was a rumor that Monday would be move-in day for the Family Room – which they have renamed the Media and Entertainment room.   I’m crossing my fingers.

Blissin’ with the Big Shot

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Sometimes I feel guilty about how often I demonstrate the Big Shot at stamping events.  I mean, not everyone has one, and once you see it in action, well, not having one can be a little problem.  But as I tell my club members, it’s my job to mess with your minds!  You may think you don’t need something, but the way I see it, you come to see me to find out what you don’t know you’re missing.  That’s my story and I’m standing by it.

Here’s one of the Big Shot cards we did at club last month:

Bliss in Blue

  • Bliss (Sale-a-bration) stamp set
  • Whisper White and Marina Mist card stock
  • Marina Mist Classic ink pad
  • Marina Mist 5/8 inch grosgrain ribbon
  • Vintage Flower adornments
  • Big Shot; Top Note Bigz die; Fun Flowers Bigz L die; Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing folder
  • Stampin Dimensionals and Tombo, the Wonder Adhesive

I’ve admired many predominantly white cards like this, but it’s taken me a while to come up with a design I felt happy with.  Have to admit I like with this card – the only challenge will be getting it into an envelope and mailing it.  I just know my buddies at the USPO are going to make me pay dearly for that Vintage Flower adornment, but sometimes you’ve just got to go for it.

Builder Dan keeps making promising noises, but my bed is still in the living room and there is a fine layer of construction dust on absolutely everything in the house – and the yard.  It’s gonna be worth it, I know it…I just need a little more patience.  Does it surprise you when I confess that patience isn’t one of my gifts?  I didn’t think it would.

Happy Girl’s Day

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Today is Girl’s Day – traditionally celebrated in Japan with elaborate displays of dolls, but adapted in Hawaii to  a day of priveledge and gift-giving.  It’s primarily celebrated in families with Japanese heritage, but what girl turns down the opportunity for something special?  I can remember the delight my oldest daughter expressed coming home from Kindergarten on March 3 many years ago to report that the boys all had to carry the girls’ lunches to the cafeteria tables for them!  Little did she realize that on May 5 (Boy’s Day) she would be returning the favor.

Since my girls are  far from home, international shipping is expensive – and we’re not Japanese – they are getting “Happy Girl’s Day” Facebook wishes from their mom.  I know.  What a grinch.  But Crystal designed a very cute Girl’s Day card for the Maui Stampers at our last team meeting, so I can share it with you – and come to think of it, with my girls.  Ah, the wonders of technology.

Happy Girl's Day

  • Kimono Kids stamp set
  • Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Naturals White card stock
  • Basic Black classic ink pad
  • Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point and Peach Parfait Stampin’ Write markers
  • Round tab and 1 3/8 inch square punches
  • Medium cello bags
  • Sticky Strip

There are a number of tutorials and videos detailing the steps for making this double slider card, but most of them involve cutting up plastic bags and then trying to stick them together with enough adhesive so that they won’t come apart.  It’s MUCH easier to slice off a section of the Medium flat cello bags (50 for $4.50, #102757).  It’s the perfect size…but of course, you’re wondering what on earth I might be talking about, aren’t you??  Look:

Girl's Day card open

Those little tabs can be pulled and this card magically reveals two darling girls, one on each side of the card!    Can you tell I was paying attention to my conversation  more than to coloring this card?  Honestly.

So Happy Girl’s Day to all you XX Chromosome types.  XY types, not to worry, your day is coming.

 

Thinking in blue and green

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There’s a color thread running through my days:

Bliss Circa Cover

  • Bliss (Sale-a-bration) stamp set
  • Old Olive, Whisper White, Marina Mist, Pear Pizazz and Night of Navy card stock
  • Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper
  • Old Olive, Marina Mist and Night of Navy Classic ink pads
  • Old Olive taffeta 3/8 inch ribbon
  • Piercing tool, template and mat
  • Sticky Strip and Mini Glue Dots
  • Corner rounder punch

DANG!  I just noticed that I rounded the corners of the cover and not the DSP panel!!  I really don’t like it when I miss details like that.  Back to the drawing board!

Ah, but I still like this cover for my Circa Notebook.  I love shades of blue and green together.  Even the vivid tones seem restful to me, and using natural elements like flowers and butterflies enhance the peaceful feeling.  Good thing, because when I open those pages and see all the stuff on my list, I can use a little deep breathing!  Nothing ventured, nothing gained – so I put it all on my lists and put the pedal to the metal!

One little construction note for you…the Old Olive taffeta ribbon is laid down on Sticky Strip, with a little flap created above each butterfly panel.  After the panels were attached, I added a Mini Glue dot under the ribbon flap to make it stay down.  It’s more 3-dimensional in person.

I’m off to tackle my list!

Caffeine + List = Inspiration

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Do you keep a “To Do” list?  I can’t function without one – or two!  My lists serve two functions.  First and most obvious is that lists help me keep track of what has to be done and when it has to be completed.  The second function is even more important; lists allow me to clear my mind.  If a task is written down, I can let my ideas simmer on the back burner without worrying I’ll forget them.  I even keep a pad of paper and a pen on my bedside table for those invasive dropping-off-to-sleep thoughts.

Being an organizer, I need a place for my lists.  I’ve mentioned the  Levenger Circa notebooks here, and here.  I’m a big fan of this system, and I love the fact that I can easily customize my covers.  It was time for something new:

Perk Up Circa cover

  • Perk Up, Baroque Motifs and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets
  • Whisper White, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Old Olive and Whisper White card stock
  • Play Date and Springtime Vintage Designer Series papers
  • Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Old Olive and Pear Pizazz Classic ink pads
  • Marina Mist taffeta ribbon; Scallop trim border punch; Aquapainter
  • Piercing tool, template and mat

This is the Junior notebook, and the cover is 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches.  That’s BIG when you’re used to a 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inch card front!  A little caffeine for inspiration and voila!  I had my cover.   If it were only this easy to finish the tasks on my list.

A clipboard can make you smile

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When you are looking for a quick and easy project that lifts your spirits, try a clipboard:

Greenhouse Gala Clipboard

  • Convention Special “Share What You Love” Stamp; Vintage Vogue stamp set
  • Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
  • Real Red, Marina Mist and Whisper White card stock
  • Real Red, Marina Mist and Pear Pizazz Stampin’ Write markers; Versamark stamp pad
  • 1 3/4 inch and 2 3/8 inch scallop circle punches
  • Big Shot and  Tasteful Trim Bigz die
  • Real Red, Marina Mist and Pear Pizazz ribbons
  • Royal Decoupage Medium and a clipboard

These clipboards are super easy because I am careful to get this style of clip.  The measuring around the top is pretty simple, and you don’t have to try to hold the clip part open because it doesn’t close onto the paper but rather onto itself.  Clear as mud??

My other hint is to use your Decoupage medium on a quarter of the clipboard at a time.  Maybe some of you Mainland crafters can get the whole thing painted up without parts drying, but here on Maui that doesn’t happen.  Doing one section at a time allows me to get complete adhesion and to work my paper down the front of the clipboard slowly and carefully so that everything lines up.  I use my bone folder to make sure it’s all smooth and bubble-free, too.

Want to see the back?

Greenhouse Gala Clipboard back

Clipboards are diabolically dimensioned at 12 1/2 inches tall, so that 12 inch Designer Series paper is just a smidgen too short.  My solution is to cut two pieces of paper, one at 9 1/2 inches and one at 3 inches, and butt the seam closely.  (You can see I split it up for the back.)  I like to add a little trim to cover the seam and create extra visual interest, but it’s really not necessary.  Most clipboards are right about 9 inches wide, so the 3 inch piece you cut off to create that width can often be used to fill in the space on the bottom.

The renovations are coming along, but I will confess that I am growing weary of the chaos.  I’m one of those  “a place for every thing, and every thing in its place” kinds of girl, so having all surfaces covered with STUFF from all over the house is getting tiresome.  Builder Dan and his crew have been doing a fabulous job though, and my stamp studio has walls of a glorious hue.  All 3 days this weekend I kept stopping in the doorway, imagining myself putting all my things away In Their Places!!!  Soon, soon…but in the meantime, here is a little clue as to why I am so fond of Builder Dan:

Builder Dan's tool box

Honestly, what more could you ask for?  I’m hoping he’ll leave it behind when he’s finished.

Just a little bling

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If you’ve been a Maui Stamper reader for a while, you’ll know that glitter is a challenge in my household.  Mr. Maui Stamper is Not A Fan.  Glitter itself isn’t such a problem for him – it’s glitter that doesn’t stay where it belongs that he dislikes.  We think it goes back about 10 years to the time my oldest daughter bought a cute tee shirt with glittered accents, and that tee shirt ended up in the same load of laundry as some cycling shorts.  The glitter behaved badly and since then, all glitter has been suspect.

Fortunately, the glitter in the Stampin’ Up! Glimmer Paper (#121790) is VERY well behaved:

Punch Bunch with Glimmer Paper

  • Punch Bunch, I {Heart} Hearts and A to Z stamp sets
  • Real Red, Blushing Bride, Concord Crush and Whisper White card stock
  • Glimmer Paper
  • Concord Crush and Blushing Bride Classic ink pads
  • Heart to Heart, Scallop Circle and 1 3/8 inch circle punches
  • Big Shot and Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing folder
  • Rhinestone Jewels
  • Whisper White 3/8 inch taffeta ribbon

I’m pretty crazy about this glimmer paper.  It has such a deep, rich color, and the sparkles stay put.  It doesn’t take much to make a statement on a project, and I have my fingers crossed that this will stick around for Christmas next year.  I think I’ll send Stampin’ Up! a little note and suggest a permanent place in the catalog for Glimmer Paper – will you send one too?

Busy bees

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Sweet Summer is my favorite Sale-a-bration set  – well, maybe it’s tied for that honor with BLISS.  Last week I saw a fabulous card made by a friend on the RemARKables team and had to make one for myself:

Sweet Summer

  • Sweet Summer Sale-a-bration stamp set
  • Whisper White, Pear Pizazz and Concord Crush card stock
  • Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush, Melon Mambo and Real Red classic ink pads
  • Aquapainter and So Saffron Stampin’ Write marker
  • Real Red 1/8 inch taffeta ribbon
  • Love Impressions rub ons

Regina Cornelius designed this card, and though I made a few changes you can see I was true to her concept.  I’ve just realized that I forgot to give the bees their little vapor trails, and I’ll have to go back and fix that oversight.  Regina and I participate in a forum that Janet Wakeland, my 5th level upline, offers for support and training.

If’ you’re not a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, all this talk about teams and groups may be a little confusing.  Stampin’ Up! is a direct sales company, which means each person who “signs up” to sell/distribute Stampin’ Up! products is, in the company’s language, “An Independent Demonstrator”.  That means we own our business instead of working for Stampin’ Up!, and part of our business plan includes sharing the Stampin’ Up! business opportunity with other people.  When someone decides to become an Independent Demonstrator, they sign up through an existing demonstrator and become part of her team or group, or “downline” as the Stampin’ Up! terminology goes.  It gets a little confusing, but the end result is that this type of organization creates a lot of opportunity for friendship, collaboration, and education.  If you’d like to learn more,  send me a message and I’ll be glad to tell you about the Maui Stampers – you don’t have to live on Maui to be one!

Inspiration in unlikely places

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I was standing in line in the post office, of all places, when I saw a card that inspired this:

Bliss Birthday Wishes

  • Bliss (Sale-a-bration) and Sincere Salutations stamp sets
  • Naturals White, Always Artichoke and River Rock card stock
  • Always Artichoke and Rich Razzleberry Classic ink pads
  • Always Artichoke seam binding; Sponge Daubers
  • Sticky Strip and Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Pearl Jewels and large Oval punch

That fluorish from the Bliss set is GORGEOUS.  It lines up well with itself to create a repeating pattern, but it’s also strong enough to stand alone.  The seam binding has been gathered with needle and thread and pressed onto some Sticky Strip, but you could skip that step – I prefer the evenness of hand-gathering.

I surprised myself when I added Rich Razzleberry.  I didn’t think I would like it, but there it sat on my messy table, looking hopefully at me, so I gave it a chance.  It pays to take a risk when colors beg to be used like that!

Be My Valentine

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Stampin’ Up! has begun tempting us with the prospects of Convention 2011.  These are three very short but very full days, andthe thing that every demonstrator look forward to is swapping.  It’s crazy, it’s frantic, and you never know what you’ll come home with – but you always come home with loads of great ideas.

Today’s card is cased from a card I received last year, and I have regretably lost the original stamper’s name.  I’ve cased this cards so many times, in so many different ways, and every time I see something new.

I {Heart} Hearts

  • I {Heart} Hearts and Filled with Love (retired) stamp sets
  • Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake card stock
  • Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Regal Rose classic ink pads
  • Piercing tool, mat and template
  • Cherry Cobbler seam binding; Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Full Heart and Heart to Heart punches

Happy Valentines’ Day!