A few words of sympathy

Posted on October 22, 2011 by mauistamper

It’s hard to know what to say when someone experiences loss. Finding the right words is a struggle, and often the words that come to mind don’t express what we’re really feeling. I’ve found that simple is best:

Thoughts and Prayers, Teeny Tiny Wishes, and French Script stamp sets
Whisper White and Wisteria Wonder card stock
Pear Pizazz and Wisteria Wonder classic ink pads
Pretty in Pink and Wisteria Wonder Stampin’ Write markers
Blender pen
Big Shot, Originals 3 inch Circle, and Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I tried to add more embellishment to this card and it just wouldn’t work. This is about as close as I get to Clean and Simple. For this sympathy card, in this situation, it was just right.

Stacy, I’m so sorry.

Upscale shopping

Posted on October 20, 2011 by mauistamper

In January of this year, a law went into effect in Maui County prohibiting the use of plastic bags. You know the ones – they’ve replaced paper bags everywhere. They’re thin, they’re strong, and they’re easily airborne on the trade winds, meaning they ended up everywhere. We called them “opala birds”, opala being the Hawai’ian word for trash. Not only were they an eyesore, but they made it very quickly into the ocean where they could easily be mistaken as food by marine life.

Now we’re all in the habit of carrying re-usable tote bags with us. I have a cute little rolled-up one that fits in my purse, and there are probably a dozen sturdy bags in the trunk of my car. Recently, Crystal brought me one that I fell in love with:

Can you say WOW!!?

No drippy groceries in THIS bag. This is for my upscale shopping – you know, Old Navy, Office Max – clean stuff. Crystal used our Flourish Decor Stencil (#117581, $9.95) along with some Timeless Portrait fabric (#122337, $9.95) and Cherry Cobbler 1/2 inch scallop dots ribbon (#124138, $7.95) for this.

Don’t you love the flower?

She used the Fun Flowers L Bigz die to cut the individual flowers, then made a hole and pulled a knot from the ribbon through. The woman is a genius – a very generous genius. I’m lucky she’s my friend!

A Sweet Stocking Suite

Posted on October 14, 2011 by mauistamper

Crystal and I have been hard at work on projects for our annual series of classes – I like to refer to them as Anne and Crystal’s Christmas Extravaganza (that’s gonna be ACCE from now on out). We’ve reserved the Maui Masonic Lodge for the whole day on November 5 and we’re really excited! Here are the projects we’re doing for the LAST class of the day:

The Stitched Stockings stamp set, Stocking Builder Punch and Holiday Stocking Bigz L die all coordinate together to create a fabulous Suite of projects – and you’ll make them all in this class! (And yeah, that gift bag in the back doesn’t quite match – but it WILL. These are our prototypes.)

The Sweet Suite class is from 2 to 4:30 pm and you’ll go home with a gift bag, card, tag, gift card holder, and cookie box (ok, well, that’s what I would put in it!). Cost of the class is $15 if I have your payment by October 21, and $17 (on a space available basis) if you sign up after that date. We’ll provide the specialty adhesives, but you’ll need a Tombo or a SNAIL for general assembly. Let me know if you’d like to pre-order a fresh adhesive for class – I’ll have it ready for you in your packet.

Isn’t that little box the cutest? Hope to see you!

Mejiro

Posted on October 11, 2011 by mauistamper

There’s a flock of delightful little songbirds that are frequent visitors in my garden. They especially love the jatropha tree outside my kitchen window, so I often have the opportunity to watch them dart about looking for treats. They’re small, about 4 inches or so, and they look quite a bit like the Young Vermillion a la carte stamp (#124092, $7.95).

Young Vermillion stamp
Whisper White, So Saffron and Old Olive card stock
Pocket Full of Posies and Patterns Designer Paper Stack Designer Series Paper
Early Espresso, Old Olive and So Saffron Classic ink pads
Aquapainter
Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker
Uniball Signo White gel pen
Piercing tool, mat and template
Early Espresso 1 1/4 inch striped grosgrain ribbon

These little birds are known as Japanese White Eye or Mejiro, and they were introduced to the islands in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Back then, it was common to bring in non-native plants and animals, but we now know that this practice creates an imbalance in our delicate island eco-system. It’s not the little Mejiro’s fault, though, and the busy crowd in my jatropha don’t seem the least worried about their impact. They’re much too intent on something to eat, and they chatter and sing cheerfully with one another as they flit through the branches.

Batty for Treats

Posted on October 8, 2011 by mauistamper

Want an even quicker version of THESE treats?

Batty for You stamp set
Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip Classic ink pads
Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight and Chocolate Chip card stock
1, 1 1/4, 1 3/8 and Scallop Circle punches
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Soft Suede 1 1/4 inch Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
1 by 8 inch Cello Bags

Stamp, stamp, punch, punch, stick, stick – You’re Done!!

Frankie’s Eyes

Posted on October 7, 2011 by mauistamper

I saw this idea somewhere…and of course, you know where this is going. I’ve looked and looked but I have no idea where I first saw it:

Basic Black, Concord Crush and Old Olive card stock
Big Shot and Top Note Bigz die
1 1/4 and 1 3/8 inch circle punches
Basic Black (Neutrals) brads
Small Cello bag
Eyeball candy

I looked far and wide for eyeball candy. The sample that inspired me had foil wrapped chocolates with eyeballs printed on the foil, but I couldn’t find those anywhere on Maui.

We’re basically a small town on an island. We have a few Big Box stores and our grocery stores and a number of smaller shops, but we don’t have the Target Dollar Spot or the huge selection that larger Mainland towns have. What’s more, because shipping takes time and money, things arrive – and sell out – in a hap-hazard fashion. The rule here is if you see it, buy it – because next time it won’t be there.

I saw these (gross) eyeballs and jumped on them. (Quit laughing, I didn’t really put them on the ground and stomp – you know what I mean!) They were a perfect solution for me because they’re those revolting gummy candies that I am not tempted to eat at all. (OK, true confession, I ate one just to be sure. They are disgusting.) This is not the case with M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces or (especially) Ghiradelli squares.

Look at Frankie’s mouth. He tried one too.

Out on a Limb

Posted on October 6, 2011 by mauistamper

The Maui Stampers team got together last week and Crystal brought a project for all of us:

You can find instructions for a telescoping card HERE. This one uses the new Halloween set Out on a Limb from the Holiday mini. Of course, the tool that makes this card possible is the Big Shot – beautiful, perfect, consistent circles of card stock every time!

We got a little silly putting these together, but then again, we always get kind of silly at team meetings. My husband was off island and my son retreated upstairs to the farthest corner of the house, but he said he could still hear us laughing. I should think so!!

Frankensniffles

Posted on October 5, 2011 by mauistamper

Cheryl and I had lunch a week ago to celebrate her birthday, and SHE brought ME a present:

So CUTE!! He even has “bolts”.

This is a simple project that can be adapted to any season, decor or other whim – check HERE for instructions!

But what you really have to see is what happened after lunch. Cheryl was all ready to bring her Big Shot into the restaurant because she wanted me to help her figure out a technique, but we decided our waiter wasn’t exactly the paper-crafting type and that we’d better try it in the parking lot. Little did I know that she was ready to rock and roll:

Who else do you know that carries a folding table in the back of her van WITH her Big Shot? There we were, crafting away in the parking lot.

Honestly, you’ve got your Food Trucks, how about Big Shot Minivans? I see a new business opportunity!

A red-eyed bat

Posted on October 4, 2011 by mauistamper

You may have seen this on other blogs – it’s a shameless CASE but I love it:

What did we do before the Big Shot? (and if you don’t have one, you can have one for FREE when you purchase the Demonstrator kit in October)

We did an awful lot of measuring and scoring and back-to-the-drawing-boarding, that’s what!

This is the Petal Cone die, with the top flaps cut off and a pair of sides attached as wings. Those wings got a little Spider Web treatment (anyone remember Classy Brass and the Light Box? SOOO much faster!) This silly fellow has Red Glimmer Paper eyes and Shimmer White fangs, and of course a little Champagne Mist shimmer paint on his wings. So easy to make and so much fun – he’ll have company before Halloween gets here!

A fabulous Holiday Mini

Posted on October 3, 2011 by mauistamper

The Holiday Mini catalog had my head spinning when I saw it for the first time. There are so many products that I can really use! Our new 1 inch by 8 inch cello bags are a perfect example:

Stamp, stamp, punch, punch, stick, stick and you are DONE!

The challenge is getting the candies into the bag and not into my mouth. And if you’re wondering, that little masquerading owl is from the Warmest of Wishes Holiday Mini Hostess set. Like I said…