Call Me Maybe

Posted on January 14, 2013 by mauistamper

And who wouldn’t want to make a call from one of these?

Feeling Sentimental and Pretty Petites SAB stamp sets
Crumb Cake and Early Espresso FFIP
Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso card stock
First Edition Specialty DSP
Stampin’ Distress Tool
Linen Thread and Natural 7/16″ Trim
Petite Curly Label Punch (SAB)
Stampin’ Sponge

Feeling Sentimental was the Sale-a-bration set at the TOP of my list and I knew this was what I wanted to do with it. It has a great vintage look and that monochromatic scheme was shouting in my head. (yes, it had to shout in my head because there are a LOT of voices going on there…)

I sponged the dickens out of the Very Vanilla pieces to give them some age, and even hit that fabulous new Natural 7/16″ trim with a little Crumb Cake ink. The new Stampin’ Distress tool from the Spring Catalog is an AWESOME addition to your toolbox – saves your fingernails (and your fingers – anyone else hit skin using Paper Snips to distress, or am I the only klutz?)

Sale-a-bration is coming January 22…have you made your wish-list?

RemARKable Hearts A-Flutter Blog Tour

Posted on January 12, 2013 by mauistamper

Are you lovin’ what you’re seein’??? The RemARKables come up with some fabulous designs and it’s an honor to be included in this tour. The hearts are a-flutterin’ in my house with not just Valentines’ Day but a wedding coming up in February:

Yep, it’s my favorite blue-and-green color combo again! This time I chose Wild Wasabi and Tempting Turquoise, a well matched pair in hue and intensity. Let’s start with the favor jar:

Pretty simple – a 4 ounce quilted glass jar with a couple of embellishments and some seam binding ribbon. You can tell by the shimmer on the green strips that I used Wild
Wasabi embossing powder to make that color pop. The coordinating framelits are key to getting all of these elements cut out in no time flat! (and if you’re an M&M fan, those are Dark Chocolate Mint M&Ms, and yes they are all shades of green!!)

Next up is a luminaria made from the Bigz XL Fancy Favor bag in vellum. It’s hard to see, but there’s a little flameless tea light inside with Tempting Turquoise shreddies. Hang a group of these in the trees for a sunset reception, or use them to line a pathway or even the edge of a table!

This simple geometric design was created with a man in mind… not too fluffy or fussy. I’ll confess I was seriously tempted to try my hand at the ruffled, romantic look with this set but all of those linear designs pulled me towards a cleaner style instead. I used my Simply Scored (most awesome scoring tool evah!) to create a simple linear border on this card. By the way, no fussy measuring for the placement on these – your eyeball can do the job. And did you spot that bit of Bakers’ twine? I used a ittle Tempting Turquoise ink refill to dye the twine, but my initial effort was way too dark. On an impulse I stuck it under the faucet for a second and that did the trick!

Thanks for stopping by, and click on the link below to see what the uber-talented (and might I add uber-busy!!) Robin Merriman has in store!

See you next time!

On Maui this Saturday? Let’s make some cards

Posted on January 9, 2013 by mauistamper

I’m reviving my famous – or infamous – 2-5-10 card class this weekend. 2 hours, 5 cards, $10. I’m previewing some of the Sale-a-bration products that will be available later this month, so you can be among the first of your friends to get your hands on these goodies!

These are much prettier in person, I guarantee it 🙂 All you need to bring is yourself and an all-purpose adhesive like Tombo or SNAIL. I’ll provide everything else including specialty adhesives and envelopes.

RSVP by email to AnneMatasci (at) gmail (dot) com or by commenting on this post. Be sure and let me know how to reach you if you’re new to my classes.

Hope to see you on Saturday, and don’t forget the RemARKable Blog Tour on Sunday!

Sycamore Street, c/o USPS

Posted on January 6, 2013 by mauistamper

Thanks for stopping by this Sunday morning – or any other day or time you’re checking out this post! Just want to remind you that next weekend the RemARKables will host another blog tour – the featured stamp set is Hearts A-Flutter! Yep, Valentines’ Day is on the way…time to start thinking hearts and flowers!

I’ve got another Sale-a-bration peek for you. The Sycamore Street Designer Series paper is awesome! Stampin’ Up! has again come up with a fabulous suite of products for SAB and the DSP is no exception:

Trust God stamp set
Island Indigo FFIP
Sycamore Street Designer Series paper
Whisper White, Pool Party and Island Indigo card stock
Pool Party Seam binding
1 3/4 inch circle punch
Big Shot and the Circles Originals Die

Sale-a-bration starts January 22, so get working on your wish list. Even better, gather a few friends and let’s plan a little crafting fun! Everyone gets free products with SAB, and of course hostesses get SAB goodies PLUS free product from Stampin’ Up!

One of my New Year’s goals is to focus on cards that can be mailed. Cards that can be mailed get sent to people; cards that can’t be mailed or are expensive to mail sit in my drawer! I’ll still have fun from time to time with “More is More” cards, but I’m really going to make an effort to create cards that will meet USPS standards. Stay tuned!

A glimpse of good things to come

Posted on January 4, 2013 by mauistamper

Sale-a-bration is on the way…

Maui Stamper 2013 Sale-a-bration Patterned Occasions

Patterned Occasions Sale-a-bration (SAB) stamp set
Sycamore Street Sale-a-bration Designer Series paper (DSP)
Sycamore Street Sale-a-bration Ribbon and Button bundle
Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo and Whisper White card stock
Tangerine Tango Firm Foam Ink Pads (FFIP)
Stamp-a-ma-jig (SAMJ)
Big Shot and Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (TIEF)

Whoever said the military has a corner on the acronym market? I use some of these so often that I have begun to feel guilty, and decided I’d better clear up any questions. Feel free to print this page and keep it for reference!!

This card is one of the cards we’ll make on Saturday, January 12 (9 am) at 2-5-10: 2 hours, 5 cards, $10. Leave a comment to RSVP.

I am THRILLED with all of the SAB options this year. Stampin’ Up! has done an outstanding job of creating coordinated but wonderfully varied options and each SAB offering is FREE with a $50 product order. Plan your purchases now, and stay tuned – over the next few weeks I’ll be offering some suggestions to Get to Fifty.

Welcome, 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by mauistamper

As clichéd as it may sound, I love the fresh start that a new year brings. In my wildest dreams, January First begins not only with a fabulous, champagne-sparkled celebration with my most loved family and friends, but also dawns on an immaculate house with every object impeccably in place.

I was close on part one, still dreaming about part two.

There was champagne, along with Mr. Maui Stamper and Son of Stamper (home from Notre Dame). My two beautiful daughters were in their respective homes halfway around the world, but they will be here soon to celebrate the wedding of my firstborn. Knowing that we will all be together in such a short time made their absence over the holidays bearable.

Crystal and I have made these calendars in the past, purchasing the template online. This year she got together with her BRILLIANT sister and they have created an eternal template for us. You could also make your templates through MDS, and if I were more brilliant I would have thought of that before I printed these out.

Happy Hour stamp set
Wild Wasabi FFIP
Primrose Petals, Wild Wasabi and Pink Pirouette Stampin’ Write markers
Whisper White and Primrose Petals card stock

Many blessings to you and yours in the new year!

Beautiful AND useful? A double win

Posted on December 23, 2012 by mauistamper

Cheryl made these beautiful hangers for a gift exchange that didn’t happen, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time:

Maui Stamper Deck the Halls with Beautiful Hangers

Aren’t they gorgeous? I haven’t decided what outfit is worthy of these fabulous, cushy hangers – lovingly hand-made! (My floor looks pretty good too – I made sure it was clean before I put them down.)

Cheryl stamped a gorgeous bag for the gift exchange:

Maui Stamper Flower bag

I love how she used Soft Suede and Regal Rose with the Watercolor Winter stamp set, but I pointed out to her that I am NOT naughty. At least, not most of the time.

Look at the detail on these hangers:

Maui Stamper hand made embellished clothes hanger

It takes a lot of patience to thread that Scalloped Polka Dot ribbon through button holes!!

Maui Stamper hand made embellished clothes hanger

There’s a Spring Catalog sneak peak on this one – that big beautiful flower embellishment will be available as part of a special Artisan’s Embellishment package. My customers should be receiving their Spring Catalog in the mail any day now – don’t mix it up with yet another Christmas catalog!

Thanks, Cheryl – I love these!!

A host of little packages from the Hostess Club

Posted on December 20, 2012 by mauistamper

I’m part of a group that meets once a month to stamp, share stories, and laugh. It’s my job to bring the projects; they bring the orders and take turns sharing the benefits that Stampin’ Up! offers to hostesses. The core of the group has remained the same for years, and members rotate in and out.

We met early last week so that we could have a little Holy Spirit potluck before we stamped. (That’s what I call it – it’s real potluck – bring what the Holy Spirit inspires!) There were quite a few little goodies that appeared as well, and I thought I would share them in case you were looking for a little last minute inspiration:

Maui Stamper Gen's Noel tag

Gen’s cute tag embellished a bag of Princess Tea Cakes. I’ve heard them called a lot of other things, but usually it’s after the fact: they never last long around this Cookie Monster.

Maui Stamper Vicki's Ornament Flower box Vicki's Ornament Flower box

Vicki covered this box with DSP and made a flower with the Ornament Framelits and Boho punch. She had amazing home made chocolates inside the box. They lasted about an hour longer than the Princess Tea Cookies.

Maui Stamper Peggy's Treat bag

Peggy created these cute little treat bags with the Festival of Prints paper and filled them with Hershey Nuggets. She always has such attention to detail!

Maui Stamper Peggy's Treat Bag

I still have a stash of those little jingle bells too, but I’m not sharing…

Maui Stamper Robbie's Punch Art Santa

Robbie made this adorable punch art Santa topper for our skinny treat bags and filled them with red and green m&m candies. I don’t know about you, but if I had made these I would be unable to account for all of the yellow, orange, blue and brown m&ms that may or may not have been in the bag. And I would definitely not have the patience to stack them all in such perfect order.

Maui Stamper Hershey Nuggets Naughty and Nice

Rumor has it that Peggy slipped these in too – I wasn’t paying close enough attention. I’m impressed with people who can keep all of that chocolate in their stamp room and actually have some left to create a project.

If you’re looking for a last minute idea, I hope this gives you a little inspiration!

Need a few Christmas cards – yesterday??

Posted on December 18, 2012 by mauistamper

A quick card for the last week before Christmas:

Maui Stamper Merry and Bright

Merry and Type stamp set
Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla card stock
Be of Good Cheer Designer Series paper
Champagne Glimmer paper
Cherry Cobbler FFIP
Decorative Label punch
Big Shot and Petals-a-plenty TIEF
Gold Brads
Stampin’ Sponges
Stampin’ Dimensionals

MerryandBrightwm

Funny, I wasn’t a big fan of Merry and Type when it came out, but it has decidedly grown on me. Love the font and the different messages. Peace on Earth fits nicely on this card too.

PeaceonEarthwm

My son (the college freshman!) arrived home on Saturday night. We picked up a couple of his friends on the way home from the airport (literally) and my house has been full of teenagers ever since. Love it!!

RemARKable Stampers Affection Collection Blog Tour

Posted on December 8, 2012 by mauistamper

Hello there friends! Thanks for taking time from your busy day to share a little Affection with us. Welcome to the Valley Isle, where the weather outside is…delightful!

I’m taking you forward today to springtime holidays. Affection Collection is well suited to Valentines Day, but I chose to focus on how well it works for bridal showers and weddings, and specifically how it works for small cards. These are 3″ squares, and I used my favorite color combo – Marina Mist and Lucky Limeade:

This image is easy to align with the ever-faithful Stamp-a-ma-jig. Punch the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with the Modern Label punch, add a couple of pearls, and tie on some Lucky Limeade Bakers twine for a finishing touch.

For a little love note, how about a heart on wings?

We’ve gotten awfully spoiled with Framelits, but the truth is I actually pulled out my snips and cut this winged heart out BY HAND. Yes. Believe it. And didn’t I do a lovely job?

There’s some Vanilla Smooch Spritz , Crystal Effects, and yes, even Dazzling Diamonds to add some sparkle. I had the ceiling fan running (yes, it’s that warm) when I took the Dazzling Diamonds out of the secure vault and opened the jar — oopsie, that was exciting! Off with the fan and then a very careful drizzling of those Diamonds to keep the peace. Mr. Maui Stamper does not like glitter, and those Dazzling Diamonds have a mind of their own.

I think this is my favorite of these three little gift cards. The little flags are hand cut (but hint, hint, not for long!! The Spring Catalog is coming soon!) and attached with dimensionals. That little bit of Marina Mist 1/8″ taffeta is threaded through tiny 1/16″ holes and knotted, and I promise you it was much easier than it sounds. A little bit of bling finishes off this love note: