Takin’ a break from holidays

Posted on September 17, 2013 by mauistamper

Feels as though I’ve been crafting in orange-and-black, red-and-green for DAYS. I needed a change of palette!

Lovely as a Tree, Woodgrain and Express Yourself (hostess) stamp sets
Whisper White, Soft Sky, Gumball Green, Baked Brown Sugar and Marina Mist card stock
Baked Brown Sugar, So Saffron, Soft Sky and Marina Mist FFIP
Baked Brown Sugar and Gumball Green Stampin’ Write markers
2 1/2 inch circle punch
Sponge Daubers
Soft Sky Seam Binding
Distressing tool

Love that distressing tool. I call it the shredder. Most of the FFIP were just a source of ink for the daubers, and I markered the trees.

I used this week’s Mojo Monday sketch – Mojo311 – as the basis for this card. Tomorrow it will be back to designing for classes, clubs and events – but tonight it was nice to take a little break.

Something RemARKably Different

Posted on September 14, 2013 by mauistamper

Welcome to the September RemARKable 25th Anniversary Blog tour! This month I’m working WAY outside of my usual comfort zone!

Stampin’ Up! demonstrators who went to Convention 2013 might have seen Carrie Cudney’s presentation on Living a Creative Life. She showed us three mixed media canvases, and I was inspired to try my own. Talk about a learning experience!! And photographing this was a challenge. I’ve got some detailed pictures to help you get a better feeling of what this really looks like.

Here’s a closer look at my cat wearing the Sorting Hat from the Best of Halloween stamp set. The cat was based on the Frightening Feline MDS image and was sketched onto Witches Brew DSP and cut out.

Linen thread whiskers were dragged through Basic Black ink, and Rhinestone Jewels were colored with a Sharpie® marker.

The background DSP is also from Witches Brew, and I masked a circle to create a full moon. One of the things I learned is that if you apply Mod Podge before you add in your color, the color doesn’t sink into the paper (DUH). Although it would dry, as soon as I tried to add anything over it the color would move. My background ended up being darker than I would have liked, but I learned something!

That’s Witches Brew Washi tape in the top left corner.

I took the spiderweb idea straight from Carrie’s project. I used a black marker for the lines, then added Black Stampin’ Glitter (which did not photograph well at all, so imagine lots of sparkle here!)

The bats are already on the DSP, the lines and blotches are from Gorgeous Grunge, and Trick or Treat is from the Best of Halloween.

The pumpkin uses the Extra Large Oval punch, the Bird punch (the wing is the leaf) and LOTS of sponging. The orange glitter is kind of everywhere, but at least it shows in the photo! And btw, Mr. Maui Stamper has seen this project and neither he nor I have mentioned said glitter. If you don’t acknowledge it, it doesn’t exist.

This corner photo gives you a better idea for the feeling of the whole project – and a good look at that spooky tree from Best of Halloween.

Here’s the cat’s tail and a view of the haunted house. I used white chalk – classroom type – to outline the cat in hopes of giving it more definition. This photo also gives you an idea of the way the ink moved around when I put the final coat of Mod Podge on – very annoying. I won’t make that mistake twice!

This stamp set is especially well suited to tags!

I used one of the Bitty Label punches to create a little interest around the opening for the ribbon. Did you know that gorgeous black and grey striped ribbon from last year is now available as part of the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit? I was VERY happy to see that!

One last look at the tag…and it’s time to head over to Trinity Design Studios to see what Robin has up her sleeve! The tour logo below will take you there, or click on the link in the list of blogs at the bottom of the post. Thanks for stopping by!

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
Tamra Davis http://www.thecardladies.com
Sherri Eddleblute                http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathy Hamrick http://www.countryroads.typepad.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
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://www.remarkablycreated.com

The Sorting Hat

Posted on September 12, 2013 by mauistamper

If the Sorting Hat were Elegant Eggplant it would look like this:

Best of Halloween and Gorgeous Grunge stamp sets
Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla card stock
Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant and Pumpkin Pie FFIP
Silver Encore Ink pad
Extra-Large Oval punch
Rhinestone jewels

This Best of Halloween 25th Anniversary stamp set is AWESOME! Be sure you check back on Sunday for the RemARKable 25th Anniversary Blog tour – because we are featuring this set!

Three by three

Posted on September 11, 2013 by mauistamper

Love making gift cards – 3 x 3 is fun size!

I can’t take the credit for this – Peggy designed it for our Maui Stampers gathering last week, and I cockaroached it for my Hostess Club this week. (Cockaroach is a local expression and in stamping terms it would translate to CASE. And yes, it has that “extra” letter a in the middle.)

Fabulous Phrases stamp set
Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso card stock
Season of Style DSP
Early Espresso FFIP
Circle punches: 3/4, 1 and 1 1/4 inch

There’s Old Olive and Whisper White card stock on the inside in addition to the above colors, and the circle punches are 1/2 inch and bitty.

We made the envelopes with the new Envelope Punch Board – oh, yeah! Can you make envelopes with Simply Scored? Well, of course you can. Can you make them more quickly, easily and professionally with the Envelope Punch Board? YOU BETCHA!!!

And if you’re gonna order it, go ahead and order in the Online Store and be sure to enter X369CEC2 in the Hostess Code box. All September Online Orders will share in the Hostess Benefits at the end of the month – but you MUST enter the Hostess Code to be included. It’s product # 133774 and $19.95

While you’re at it, the Magnetic Platform is available to order on September 12 – HOORAY!! Product # 130658 priced at $39.95 and it is WORTH EVERY PENNY. Don’t delay – who knows what will happen with this hot product!!

Ooops – almost forgot to show you the last photo…

Enjoy!!

A Pocket Sketch Challenge

Posted on September 9, 2013 by mauistamper

It’s been a long time since I’ve played with a sketch challenge. I was ~~wasting time online~~ doing research the other day and ran across Create With Connie and Mary. Seems as though I’m always pinning cards from their challenges, so I decided to jump in. Here’s the sketch:

Pretty simple, wouldn’t you say? And my concept came together quickly – UNTIL – I got to that embellishment on the top. (There’s always an “until”, isn’t there?) Lots of fussing and fiddling, but I finally made a decision.

Honestly, I think there are 5 or 6 stamp sets here. I can tell you that the DSP is Epic Day This ‘n That, the card stock is Crumb Cake, Soft Sky and Pear Pizazz, and the ribbon is Naturals Trim and Burlap. I cut the top of the pocket and the top of the insert with the Adorning Accents edgelit, and I double cut one of the Chalk Talk framelits to create the shape behind the postage stamp. I hauled out my sewing machine to stitch the pocket together.

Here’s the card outside of the pocket. Yes, I see that the sentiment is crooked, I have decided that is my trademark. However, please also note the glorious arc of the trim at the top. Clear mount stamps rock my stamping universe!!

It’s a RemARKable Autumn

Posted on September 7, 2013 by mauistamper

Trick or Treat!

Halloween goodies – or a bag full of Creepy Crawlies? I’m hoping for treats, not tricks.

The Halloween Bash stamp set has fun images to play with, and I thought these tickets were just the thing to add to the top of my tag. They’ve got a little sparkle courtesy of Vanilla Smooch spritz. And the hole for that gorgeous ribbon at the top is made with the small ticket punch – it makes a generous opening. I’ve used the beautiful black and grey striped ribbon that’s available again as part of the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory kit.

I stamped the main image once in Tangerine Tango, then again in Black Staz-on. I cut out the word “CRAWLY” in black, snipped the ends, and added Basic Black card stock extensions to the ends. The black rhinestone gems at the bottom are colored with the black Sharpie® marker that NEVER leaves my desk!

The tag can stand alone without the bag, but we do love those Tag a Bags! Don’t miss the textural stamping on the Tangerine Tango tag base courtesy of Gorgeous Grunge, the stamp set that does everything – even the dishes!! (ok, I’m KIDDING there…)

It’s a challenge for me to get in the mood for a true Autumn card, but I think the muse was working for this one:

Magnificent Maple is a single stamp and it is truly a magnificent rendition of a leaf. I’ve masked and stamped it in Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze and Old Olive. I chose Naturals Ivory card stock for the card base, but I used Very Vanilla for the tag – the Naturals papers have just enough texture to them that a bold image such as that tag doesn’t come out with enough definition to please me.

I used the Tags for You stamp and punch bundle and popped the label up on a dimensional. “So Grateful” is from Apothecary Art, and the spatters are from Gorgeous Grunge. (If I keep using that stamp set it’s gonna get a Maui Stamper Abbreviated Name, but for now I’ll spell it out.)

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s Stamp-of-the-Month projects and I encourage you to take the full tour to see what everyone is sharing. Robin is up next and I KNOW she’ll have a treat in store for you! All the blogs on the tour are available below in case you want to re-visit a favorite or just take the tour in your own quirky way. I encourage that kind of behavior 🙂

Butterflies on sale!

Posted on September 6, 2013 by mauistamper

Do you love a deal?

Well DUH..who doesn’t?

The Papillon Potpourri stamp set and Bitty Butterfly punch are discounted 15% through September 30.

The Clear-Mount bundle is $26.27 (#135311 – be sure you use the bundle item number!)

The Wood-Mount bundle is $29.67 (#135312)

Need them now? Order at my Online Store – and be sure to enter X369CEC2 in the Hostess Code box. All September Online Orders will share in the Hostess Benefits at the end of the month – but you MUST enter the Hostess Code to be included.

Enjoy the savings!

A Serendipitous Chicken

Posted on September 5, 2013 by mauistamper

Last Spring, Mr. Maui Stamper and I were in Phoenix and took the opportunity to spend a few days in the Grand Canyon. WHOA. It is grand! But this isn’t about the Grand Canyon, it’s about something I saw there. I saw a Chicken made by Edith John.

Edith is a Navajo from a family of Navajo crafters. II saw her work at the Heard Museum in Phoenix too. (It’s a FABULOUS museum – but this post is not about the Heard.) I have a soft spot in my heart for chickens, at least hand-crafted chickens. The real thing…well, I like them in principle, but I’m not much of a Green Acres kind of girl and I don’t see myself putting a chicken coop in the back yard.

ANYWAY…I had spent some time looking at Edith’s chickens while I was at the Heard, and I saw them again in various gift shops throughout Grand Canyon National park. I couldn’t make up my mind. I didn’t see one I really loved above all the rest, and to tell the truth, I’d already spent enough money for one trip. Edith’s chickens are well priced for hand-crafted art, but they are not inexpensive. I came home without one.

About 3 weeks later, I was in my local thrift shop looking for bits and pieces for a craft project and I saw a chicken. I held my breath as I turned it over…

Oh.My.Goodness. If ever a chicken was meant to live in my home, this was the one. Not to mention that the price in my local thrift shop was many times less than the price at the Heard or at the Grand Canyon.

SUCH a handsome bird!!! He was a tad dusty and clearly needed rescuing from the thrift shop. There’s a little ding or two in his paint job, but that just endears him to me all the more.

Clearly this chicken was the one I was meant to have. He has a permanent home on my kitchen counter. I would love to say that I was listening to that small, quiet voice inside when I was shopping at the Grand Canyon, but if I’m honest, I have to acknowledge that I was listening to the nagging voice that pays the bills. Either way, this was a truly serendipitous find.

Back to Mixed Bunch

Posted on September 3, 2013 by mauistamper

I’ve let Mixed Bunch sit on the shelf too long…

Mixed Bunch, Best of Butterflies, Serene Silhouettes and Express Yourself (hostess) stamp sets
Primrose Petals, Gumball Green and Whisper White card stock
Primrose Petals, Gumball Green and Daffodil Delight FFIP
Blossom and 3/4 inch circle punches
Vintage Buttons
Stampin’ Dimensionals and Glue dots

We made this card at a Very Special Class over the weekend with a very talented group of young ladies, and when I say young I mean 7 and 11 year olds. They did very, very well and were loads of fun too. Nothing fazed them.

One of the girls was a little worried when she got ink on her fingers but I told her it was a badge of honor and then she smiled and said, “Well, these ARE my favorite colors.” How can you argue with that?

This card was cased on a beautiful monochromatic card from Wanda Pettijohn

September Travels

Posted on September 1, 2013 by mauistamper

August 2017: Edited to correct the stamp set.

My observant reader, Roberta Koster, contacted me this week to let me know that I’d listed the wrong stamp set with this calendar page. It’s not Travel Post, it’s Postage Due. Thank you for submitting this correction, Roberta!!!

Back in the BC (Before Children) days, Mr. Maui Stamper and I loved to travel in September. All the families with children were home starting school, the weather was still perfect in most parts of the world, and we enjoyed the relative calm of traveling off-season.

Then we had children.

Now we live the “Duo Life” again. (We decided the term “Empty Nest” is negative.) September travels await!

Postage Due ~~Travel Post~~ stamp set
Whisper White and Island Indigo card stock
Melon Mambo and Island Indigo Stampin’ Write markers
Basic Grey FFIP

The only trick to this one is that those words were selectively inked on the biggest image in the Travel Post set. Everything else is quick and easy!

The Maui Stamper

papercrafts, my stories, and the occasional insight

Takin’ a break from holidays

Something RemARKably Different

The Sorting Hat

Three by three

A Pocket Sketch Challenge

It’s a RemARKable Autumn

Butterflies on sale!

A Serendipitous Chicken

Back to Mixed Bunch

September Travels

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