Category Archives: Tips and Techniques

Hello Harvest with a Charming Sentiment

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Hello Harvest stamps lend themselves to the masking technique, and today I’ve placed the floral image on top of that big juicy pumpkin with the help of our masking paper. It’s a great card to reproduce, as once you’ve cut the mask it’s good for many repetitions.

  • Stamps: Hello Harvest, Charming Sentiments
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Old Olive
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Sentiment Silhouettes dies, Deckle Rectangle dies, Masking Paper, Rustic Harvest DSP, Leaf Labels and Amber Gems, Stampin’ Blends, Dimensionals

I created a mask with the floral image by stamping it on our new masking paper and cutting it out with my snips. (The die would have been much faster, but my brain wasn’t working very well that morning.) You could use a sticky note instead of masking paper, but the beauty of masking paper is that the entire page is sticky, so you don’t have lifted edges. It’s also quite thin, so your layered image doesn’t have gaps.

I stamped the flowers first, then covered them with the mask and stamped the pumpkin. The next step was coloring, and oh, I do love to color, especially with Stampin’ Blends! I chose a sentiment from the Charming Sentiments bundle, inked it in Cajun Craze, and cut it out with the matching die. Both the sentiment and the focal point panel are mounted on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

On the inside, I came up with a little trick to expand the interior panel. I cut a strip of DSP about 1 1/4″ wide and placed it on the long edge of the Basic White panel. I ran both pieces through the Big Boss together using the Deckle Rectangle dies. I’ve actually skooched (highly technical stamping term) the DSP to the right a bit so I could get a wider interior panel.

This card could be a birthday card, thinking of you, or any number of other sentiments. I like to keep a few of these in my card stash without the sentiment – it just takes a moment to stamp and cut what you need and attach it to the front with dimensionals.

The leaves and amber gems are not available but are expected the week of November 7th. In the meantime, you can put together this entire card and add the gems later or substitute something you already have. Don’t wait on the Rustic Harvest DSP – it’s on the Low Inventory list! Shop today!

If your wish list is over $99, you may want to become a discount shopper and purchase the customizable starter kit. Through October 31st, you’ll save even more – you’ll get $155 in product + business supplies + free shipping. Click JOIN MY TEAM. Need more information? Message me.

Be sure to subscribe by November 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The November kit coordinates with last month’s card kit, and makes 12 sparkly tags so you’ll be ready to wrap your packages.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Don’t miss this kit!

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and one of my favorite Do-Not-Miss-This products is our Embossing Additions Tool Kit with all the tools you’ll need for perfect results.

The 2023 DIY Template is now available! It’s just $5 and you may use it to make as many calendars as you like. It includes a page of covers, 12 monthly calendar blocks (4 to a page), and a set of cutting instructions. The blocks are designed to be cut to 3 1/2″ square.

Maui Stamper 2023 DIY Easel Calendar template $5

Contact me to make your payment – I use Square to invoice, and you don’t need an account to use it.

Floating Sunset

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When I saw Laura’s Floating Sunset Palm card I did a little happy dance. I knew this was a card I would love making again and again, and the Paradise Palms bundle absolutely makes this project!

Handmade card with a blue watercolor background and a multi color circle with a palm tree
  • Stamps: Paradise Palms, Here Together
  • Color Palette: Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Calypso Coral, Sweet Sorbet, Poppy Parade, Starry Sky, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Palms dies, Layering Circles dies, Watercolor Paper, Ink Refill, Water Painters, Window Sheets, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Handmade card close up with multicolored circle and die cut palm on a blue watercolor background

The technique is really simple: cut a circle from our window sheets and adhere strips of colored card stock. I chose to vary their width, which also allowed me to include more colors. 😁 I added a little color to the palm, and used Starry Sky to wash the watercolor paper with color for the background.

handmade card with a multicolored semi circle on a blue watercolor wash background with a palm tree and the words Hope you find a little paradise wherever you may be

I made a second version with the sun sinking into the water. I considered changing the color of the background for this, but honestly, this is how it looks when I watch the sun go down, so I kept it.

A card held open to show 3 small palm trees on the inside. Behind the card is a stamp case with palm images

The inside of this card was begging for these 3 palms, which I colored with Stampin’ Write markers.

Do you see that label on my stamp case? 22JJ? I embraced my inner nerd and made labels for each case to indicate the catalog where they first appeared. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to dig back for that information, so now when my order comes I get out my label maker and put labels on EVERYTHING.

22JJ means this bundle is made its debut in the January-June 2022 Mini Catalog. It has carried over to the 22-23 Annual Catalog, but it is NOT available as a bundle in the Annual Catalog. That means you have until June 30 to save 10% on this indispensable bundle, so SHOP NOW.

Is your wishlist $99 or more? Perhaps you’d like to become a discount shopper and purchase the customizable starter kit. For just $99 you’ll choose $125 in Stampin’ Up! product and receive a bonus of 22 – 24 In Color Grid Paper, ink pad assortment, cardstock assortment, and Designer Series paper – an added value of $66.50. Contact me with your questions, or click HERE to join the Maui Stamper team.

The June Paper Pumpkin features fresh summer designs and sentiments to make 9 cards with matching envelopes. Your kit includes a customizable canvas bag – and you can order more mini bags to deliver your cards with style!

Stampin Up Paper Pumpkin Box with stamped bag and berries and title Pick of the Crop

Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you.

One of a Kind Brushed Rainbow

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The Brilliant Rainbow dies keep inspiring me with new ideas! I had a big stack of leftover “negatives” and realized they made perfect templates for brushing beautiful, soft rainbows. This is a very quick card!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Brilliant Rainbow Slim Sayings #DIY #handmadecard #stampinupdemo #makeacardsendacard
  • Stamps: Slim Sayings
  • Color Palette: Fresh Freesia, Blushing Bride, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Basic White
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Brilliant Rainbow Dies, Blending Brushes, 2021-2023 In Color 6×6 DSP, Multipurpose Glue, Note cards and envelopes

I used washi tape to hold my note card in place, then layered the die cut negative over the note card and secured it with a little more washi. Brushing the arcs is easy – choosing the colors is harder! I could do this over and over again with different results each time. The template is good for a number of uses, especially since the Blending Brush doesn’t make it soggy.

I love this sentiment from the new Slim Sayings stamp set! It’s perfect for any occasion, and in my opinion, it’s right up there with Mr. Rogers’ “I like you just the way you are.” And can’t we all use a little more of that right now?

Need supplies to tell someone they’re one of a kind? You can shop HERE.

Have you seen the latest release at Stampin’ Up!?

The All Together Suite includes Here Together stamps, Here for You dies, All Together Designer Series Paper, and our brand new Natural Tones Stampin’ Blends combos! They’re available as a suite, bundle or individually – but only the Blends will be available after May 2, 2022.

Sale-a-bration is still going strong. Everybody loves FREE!! Choose FREE goodies from January 4 to February 28, 2022!! Shop HERE.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Sale-a-bration Join FREE STAMPS

Before you place that order, consider the Very Best Deal – joining Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator! If you join by February 28, 2022, there’s a super opportunity. Choose 2 FREE stamp sets PLUS:

  • $125 additional product of your choice for $99
  • Free shipping on your kit
  • 20% savings on your own purchases
  • 6 months to try us out without risk – continue with just a $300 quarterly minimum
  • Earn Sale-a-bration and host rewards on RETAIL price not your discounted price
  • An incredible community of crafters
  • Early access AND sneak peeks (you know you want to know!)

Join by February 28th for those two free stamp sets! Message me if you have questions or want to chat.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin #bonusstamps #DIY #papercrafting #paperkit

Be sure to subscribe by March 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱if you decide it’s not for you. The March kit will make 9 coordinating cards and envelopes that you can tailor to your card-sending needs. These nature-inspired images will take your breath away. There’s a bonus stamp set (yup – TWO SETS) in March to say thanks for choosing Paper Pumpkin. Don’t wait!

Stampin’ Blends and the Alcohol Technique

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I spent a marvelous afternoon a couple of weeks ago playing with Stampin’ Blends and the alcohol technique in Crystal’s Stampin’ Garage. It took a few tries to get the hang of it, but once we got over that bump we couldn’t stop. All you really need are Stampin’ Blends, vellum, a small paintbrush, and 91% rubbing alcohol.

(Who knew 91% Rubbing Alcohol was so hard to find? Thanks, Covid.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Stampin Blends Alcohol Technique Happy Birthday card
  • Stamps: Art Gallery
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Garden Green, Balmy Blue
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Stitched Rectangle dies, Forever Flourishing dies, Poinsettia dies, vellum card stock, 91% rubbing alcohol, small paint brush, small dropper, Stampin’ Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals

You need a non-porous paper like vellum for this technique to work. It’s pretty simple: add color with Stampin’ Blends in any pattern you like. Use 91% rubbing alcohol to reactivate the ink and gently move it around, color by color. Finally, add interest by dripping the alcohol with a small dropper, the Stampin’ Spritzer, or the flick of your paintbrush.

I chose to add these leafy elements, but some of my results needed nothing more than a sentiment. I learned that I like more monochromatic combinations, especially blues and greens. (HUGE surprise there, eh?)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up SALE-a-bration 2021 8-3 to 9-30

Shop early, shop often – your supplies for this project or your holiday crafting can earn free stamps, paper and accessories! SALE-a-bration runs through 30 September 2021, but supplies are limited! Shop HERE.

Ornamental Envelopes make great cards!

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A stamp and die set named Ornamental Envelopes may not evoke cards, but think twice, my dear Crafty Friends! You’ll want this combo all year long for the details that make a handmade card stand out from the rest.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Ornamental Envelope Handmade Christmas Card
  • Stamps: Ornamental Envelopes, A Merry Hello (host)
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Shaded Spruce, Real Red
  • Accessories: Envelopes dies, Stampin Cut & Emboss, Stamparatus, Tis the Season Designer Series paper, Stampin Dimensionals, Red Rhinestone Jewels
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Ornamental Envelope Handmade Christmas Card

I’ve CASEd this project from the classic style of Mary Fish. I’ve made very few changes, although I chose to simplify the DSP strip and layer it on top of the card front rather than recess it. I’m stamping this with a group, so simple made sense! The Stamparatus really helps when you want to be sure that group of ornaments is hanging perfectly straight off the top of your card.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Ornamental Envelope Handmade Christmas Card

The talented Ms. Fish embellished her envelope (how could we not?) but I had another idea. It was a little over-the-top, and I wouldn’t do it for a huge stack of envelopes, but I love how it turned out:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Ornamental Envelope Handmade Christmas Card

I am quite pleased with myself to have found a Santa postage stamp – this is last year’s edition (or who knows, it could be 2013.) The front of the envelope is stamped, but it’s the flap that is the pièce de résistance:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Ornamental Envelope Handmade Christmas Card

I created an envelope liner with the envelope die using a piece of the Tis the Season DSP and then I cut the envelope with this embellishing die. I ran that die through the Stamp Cut & Emboss again using Red Foil and picked out the little red circles and adhered them in the pukas (Hawaiian word for holes) using Tombo Multi Purpose Glue.

You NEED the Envelope dies, and if you’re going to order them, you really ought to take advantage of the savings you’ll get when you purchase the whole bundle. The bundle is only available until January 4, 2021, so get it while it’s hot!! Visit the Online Store and check that little to-do off your list.

You’re welcome! 💕

Split Circles

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Playing with shapes – circles, squares, triangles – yields great graphic images. Well, maybe not every single time, but when it happens, it pops! I’ve seen this Split Circle Technique and spent a couple of afternoons with a desk full of circles.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Split Circle Technique
  • Stamps: None!
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss, Layering Circles Dies, Well Written Dies, Subtle Embossing Folder, Tombo Multipurpose Glue
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Split Circle Technique

Now you can see the texture – there’s a reason it’s called Subtle! Note that the Daffodil Delight strip that runs across the width of the card is actually two layers glued together. Because there are 3 layers of circles, it looks odd if that strip is only one layer thick.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Split Circle Technique

Same concept, different colors and embossing folder. This is the Old World Paper Embossing Folder with Just Jade, Daffodil Delight, and Rich Razzleberry.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Split Circle Technique

If you look closely, you’ll see a subtle difference in these two cards. The Poppy/Daffodil/Suede circles are reversed to create a color flow. Notice that the top largest circle is Daffodil, and its edge aligns with the smallest circle on the bottom. The reverse happens with the smallest circle on the top and the largest on the bottom.

In the second card, all circle pairs are the same color, so the only place where you see a “flow” from top to bottom is in the center set of circles.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Split Circle Technique

Here’s one more alternative! This is the Scripty Embossing folder with Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White, and Poppy Parade circles, and the word Thanks. I’ve used 4 circles here and worked small to large from the outside in.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Split Circle Technique

You can see how I ended up with heaps and heaps of circles on my craft desk – it was hard to stop once I got going! If you’re one of those people who keeps odd die cut bits, pull out the circles and get to work. These cards go together really quickly.

Get your Layering Circles and Well Written dies HERE.

Rooted in Nature with the Acrylic Block Technique

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I’m at it again with the Acrylic Block Technique, and I’m very pleased with this version. This is a single layer card with very limited embellishment, but the background technique catches your eye:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique
  • Stamps: Rooted in Nature, Beautiful Friendship, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party
  • Accessories: Rhinestone jewel, Water brush, Acrylic Block H, Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Spritzer

The technique is simple. Scribble on an acrylic block with Stampin’ Write markers. If you place the block on a piece of white paper, you can see your color distribution and coverage. Mist the inky block with as little or as much water as you’d like – the amount you choose will impact the look you get – and press the block firmly into a Whisper White card stock panel. Lift and admire!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique

You need very sharp eyes to see the sparkle, but I painted the little splooshes stamp from Forever Fern with Wink of Stella and stamped it directly onto the card. It’s quite lovely in person, but challenging to photograph.

I also used our Water Painter and a bit of Pool Party ink to make very soft shadows underneath the trees.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique

This could just as easily have been a Christmas card, or a birthday card, or any other type of card. I originally intended to post it without the sentiment, as I often leave that step for the moment I need a card. Having a variety of cards without sentiments allows me more flexibility when I need something at the very last minute. But this one looked forlorn, and I’m very glad I added the linear element of this wish.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique

Don’t you agree? It’s more versatile to keep it this way but it’s much better with the sentiment (and my sentiment hides that little black bit that doesn’t belong!)

These is my favorite set of tonal colors: Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, and Pool Party. Add them to your stash and see how happy they can make you! Shop HERE.

Watercolor Backgrounds on Blocks

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You know how some techniques look simple but just don’t turn out right? I’ve always felt that way about the watercolor background. I watch the videos, I study the instructions, and STILL…

If you’re anything like me, you will LOVE this technique (sorry, the Mister and I are still staying at home and I find myself shouting quite a bit when I have the chance to talk to someone else). Anyway…I started using blocks to apply color to paper and discovered to my delight that I could make it work!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Acrylic Block Watercolor Technique Love of Leaves
  • Stamps: Love of Leaves
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Cinnamon Cider, Sahara Sand
  • Accessories: H Acrylic block, Stampin’ Spritzer, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Write markers

The technique is just about fail-proof. Choose your colors, scribble on an acrylic block, spritz with water and stamp. Voila! If you add color to the block while it’s on a piece of white paper, it’s easy to see where you’ve added color and where the block is blank.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Acrylic Block Watercolor Technique Love of Leaves

You can see that I created pretty regular color patches. I’ve since experimented a little more (stay tuned!) and found larger, less regular patches and more water give more “watercolored” results. I thought the way this one turned out was interesting as it reminded me of granite. Do you see that, or am I imagining things? (This would not be the first time.)

The font used in this set is something a little different for Stampin’ Up! and it reminds me of a printing style I used when I was in school. This particular sentiment is one I will use over and over. In fact, it may be my theme song for 2020.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Acrylic Block Watercolor Technique Love of Leaves

There are coordinating dies for this set but I chose to keep it super simple and stamp that leaf – maybe a Hawthorne? – directly on the card. I can’t remember the last time I made a one-layer card.

Could you please help me with something? In the past I’ve added a direct link to the store for every product I’ve used. It takes a little extra time, and I’m wondering if I should continue investing my time that way. If you use those links, I’d love your feedback. And if you don’t, well, you can tell me that, too!

In the meantime, you can shop my beautiful, new, easier-to-navigate Online Store here.

Technique Tuesday: Split Card

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You’ve probably seen it – stamp once, split the results, and BOOM! two cards. It’s been on my list of things to try, and today I can share the happy results.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship Split Card Technique

This is an easy technique. In order to make your double card front, you start with a half sheet of card stock, 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. I use a pencil to make a light mark at the 4 1/4 inch point along the top and bottom of the paper. (If you have eagle eyes, you can just see it in this image.) Then just stamp down the middle…

Just like that! You might notice a couple of things: I used two different accent leaves in different colors from left to right, and I smudged on the right. Smudges are not always an insurmountable problem! It depends on the location of the smudge, and this one was easy to cover

The next step is to cut your half sheet of card stock into quarters. This yields two pieces, 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches – the perfect size to create a card front!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship Split Card Technique

I love this gold trim – just tie a knot where you want it to stop fraying. It frays all by itself, such a time saver!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship Split Card Technique

This side of the split panel uses Gray Granite ink instead of Cinnamon Cider, so my accessories and accents use that color. The ribbon is retired, and I’m sorry, but I have been waiting since Moses signed up to be a demonstrator for my 1/4 inch Gray Granite shimmer ribbon!! This was in the archives and I dragged it out for this card. I used the Layering Ovals dies for the sentiment on this card.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship Split Card Technique

Adding a little extra color to the sentiment panel helps to tie it together with the rest of the card.

Ready to make your own? Grab some stamps, ink and a half sheet of card stock and have some fun. I used some sticky notes to mask my images, creating a sense of depth, but do whatever it is that makes you happy. Try monochromatic color schemes as I used here, or go big and bold with bright colors. Flowers are a great way to start, but other images will work too. Just a note: I couldn’t come up with a satisfactory card using images of people or animals. They look odd cut in half, and inevitably one side gets stuck with a “back side”.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days Promotion July 2020

Just 10 more days to earn Bonus Days Bucks! Beautiful Friendship is one of my all-time favorite stamp sets for the lushness of the images and the many different types of cards they allow you to create. Shop HERE.

Cutting and Pasting: Scrappy Strip Technique

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These cards have been everywhere – I’ll bet you’ve seen them too. Kylie and Bruno Bertucci in Australia popularized this technique they call #ScrappyStripTechnique and created a video to show how it’s done. It’s just as easy as they say!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

Once I got started, it was hard to stop! I had a desk full of strips cut every which way and spent a delightful afternoon arranging, adhering, and adding sentiments to my cards. (The sentiment and dies are from the So Sentimental Bundle.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

I think this one is my favorite. I used all neutrals with a few Bermuda Bay strips added in for contrast and no DSP. It would be a great masculine card, but I think it works for anyone. I love the way the neutrals are so, well, you know, neutral.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

This one is based on the Lily Impressions DSP offered as a SAB 2020 choice (and no longer available, I’m sorry!) This was one of the first cards I did and it has a decidedly chaotic feeling.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Scrappy Strip Technique Paper Piercing

The fun thing is that this is the reverses side of the above DSP. Even though some of the colors are repeated, the feeling of the design is completely different.

Honestly, I could go on and on (actually, I did!) I hope you’ll pull out some scraps and your paper trimmer and have some fun. The video gives great instructions so I’m not going too replicate the Bertucci’s fabulous effort – just cut up some paper and get started with cut and paste!

LAST CHANCE products are available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST or through June 2, 2020, whichever comes first. Don’t miss out.

If you happen to be flat out of paper (SERIOUSLY? Is that possible?) or perhaps if you’ve used the last of your Multipurpose Glue, I’d be delighted if you chose to shop HERE.