A very dear, very kind, very wonderful friend

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I had lunch with a very dear friend today.  It’s her birthday, and she’s one of those people that prefers a quiet celebration, so the two of us went to a little bistro in town.  We talked about our families and our Thanksgiving celebrations and the special dishes that make that holiday unique to each family.  As we walked back to her office, I gave her this card:

Happy Birthday Iris

  • Fast and Fabulous and All Holidays Stamp sets
  • Whisper White, Blush Blossom and Concord Crush card stock
  • Concord Crush Classic ink pad
  • Frost White Shimmer paint; Aquapainter
  • Concord Crush Stitched poly and Whisper White taffeta ribbon
  • Flower Designer brads
  • Big Shot and Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing folder

I gathered the Whisper White ribbon with a running stitch along one edge and tied it together to make…hmmm…to make it that round ruffly thing for the brad.  I didn’t expect the Concord Crush ink’s reaction with the Aquapainter.  As the Aquapainter diluted the ink I could see the blue tones more than than red tones in the purple.

That isn’t really making any sense so you are just going to have to get out your own Aquapainter and try it for yourself.   If you can explain it any better than I can, please leave a comment.  And if you don’t have an Aquapainter you’d better tell Santa to leave a couple in your stocking.  I know you’ve been good this year.

 

Care for a little Espresso with that?

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What could be more delicious than Cherry Cobbler combined with a little Espresso?

Fast and Fabulous with Aviary

  • Fast and Fabulous, Aviary, Vintage Vogue and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets
  • Whisper White, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler card stock
  • Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Classic ink pads
  • Cherry Cobbler ink refill and the Aqua Painter
  • Whisper White Taffeta and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding
  • Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint

The photo doesn’t pick up the shimmer paint, but it’s applied over the little red bird in the cage.  You just can’t beat shimmer paint for quick and easy sparkle that doesn’t violate the No Glitter Here Treaty.  I’m big on quick and easy, although I’ve been known to do some kind of ridiculous detailing from time to time.   This time of year the focus is on completion!

Speaking of completion, today is The Last Day of the Stampin’ Up! Online Spectacular.  If you haven’t placed your order yet – and saved up to 50% on some very cool products – head on over to my Online Store and check out the savings!  Everything goes back to regular prices on December First – and Hawaii folks, pay attention – that’s December First Mountain Standard Time!  Get your orders in by 8pm locally to be safe.

Online Spectacular

 

 

Two-Steppin’

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If you don’t mind, I’m taking a little break from holiday cards.  The holidays are a wonderful time to make and send cards, but enough is enough already – too much of the same thing makes the Maui Stamper a dull girl.

Fast and Fabulous Cherry Cobbler

  • Fast and Fabulous, Charming, Just Believe and Wonderfully Worn stamp sets
  • Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy card stock
  • Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy Classic ink pads; Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write marker
  • XL Decorative Label punch
  • Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

Fast and Fabulous is a Level II hostess set, and I recently added it to my stamp library.  (Doesn’t that sound glorious?  So much better than heap.)   It’s a two-step stamp, which I consider a double dip because you can use the two step technique when you want a fast card, or you can just use the outline and then watercolor when you have more time.  It’s almost December first – any question about which technique I’ll be using??

I made a 3×3 note card with this same design just because I could:

Fast and Fabulous 3x3

Remember, these photos were from my “Not Using This Again” photo set-up, so they look kinda wonky.  I don’t know how you can take a perfectly square card and make it look this distorted, but if it takes talent then I am the Distortion Queen.   Trust me when I tell you this card is perfectly square in real life.

Tomorrow is the last day of the fabulous $87.50 Demonstrator Kit Special, so if you’d like to become a card carryin’ Stampin’ Up! demonstrator skedaddle yourself to www.AnneMatasci.StampinUp.net and sign up pronto!  My card-carryin’-demonstrator password is themauistamper.

Thankful

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And a very belated Happy Thanksgiving to you all:

Happy Thanksgiving

  • Just Believe and Thankful For stamp sets
  • Very Vanilla, Peach Parfait and Chocolate Chip card stock
  • Early Espresso, Peach Parfait and Cajun Craze Classic ink pads
  • Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon (retired)
  • Big Shot, Top Note Bigz die and Beautiful Wings Embosslit

The problem with taking an extended blogging leave of absence is that when I return I have WAY too much to tell you in one post, plus there’s always the extraneous blather I ladle over the top.  It’s sort of like a Thanksgiving dinner plate, overloaded with food and drowned in gravy.

I feel obliged to begin by saying that I took a number of photos using a new set up and I don’t much care for the results.  I am too lazy to go back and re-take the photographs, so I ask your indulgence and hope you’ll forgive the odd tint these photos share.  I don’t want you to get the impression that my “set-up” is anything sophisticated.  It consists of a couple of sheets of foam core (which have just about reached the end of their useful lives) and my much-abused Casio point-and-push camera.  I normally take the photos in the morning downstairs in my kitchen, because the light is absolutely gorgeous.  For some unfathomable reason I decided to change something that wasn’t broken and tried taking them upstairs at night in my stamp studio with the Ott light.  Bad decision.  If it’s not broken…and all that.  I’ll go back to the kitchen.

And back to the kitchen is what I really want to talk about.  I’ve worked and sat and talked in a lot of kitchens in my life.  They’ve been places to cook, eat, talk, confess, cry, laugh and make memories.  This past Thanksgiving I shared a kitchen with two wonderful friends and can’t wait to repeat the experience.  I’ve been the Thanksgiving Executive Chef for most of the past 20 years we’ve lived in Hawaii, and it was a tremendous joy to share the responsibilities this year.  Three talented cooks joining forces yielded one fabulous meal – and we were all relaxed and able to enjoy the meal.  I know – what a concept!

Meanwhile, a quarter of the way around the world my firstborn was preparing her first solo Thanksgiving feast.  We held a number of consultations online and on the phone as we tried to compensate for her lack of resources – some due to finances and being in that “just starting out” stage of life, and some due to location.  Her 11 pound Thanksgiving turkey cost $85 – in Perth, Australia!  The one store that carried canned pumpkin (at $8 a can) was sold out, and the frozen cranberries had seeds.  A little Yankee ingenuity and shared effort throughout her international community of friends yielded marvelous results, and I’m looking forward to seeing the photos (hint, hint, Carol!)

I hope your Thanksgiving kitchen was rich in love and memories.

Noel

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A friend did something really lovely for me the other day.  She kept saying it was no big deal, but it meant a lot to me and I wanted her to know it.  She’s traveling for the holidays and said they weren’t decorating much, so I thought I’d give her something she could put up before they leave:

I used the Scallop Square die to cut  chipboard covered with cardstock.  I’ve learned from previous experience that it’s much easier to attach the paper to the chipboard (in this case both front and back) BEFORE you run it through the Big Shot.  I cut Serif Essentials alphabet letters from Jolly Holiday Designer Series paper and embellished each square with a letter and whatever whimsical idea came to mind.  The letters are attached to Striped Grosgrain ribbon with heaps of Sticky Strip – what Sticky Strip has joined, let no man tear asunder!!

A little closer – the top:

 

and the bottom:

Crafting dreams – for less!

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Do you dream of having your own business?  Stampin’ Up! is making that opportunity available to you for only $87.50 until November 30.  The Demonstrator Starter Kit offers over $300 worth of stampin’ goodness for you to enjoy with no strings attached.  It contains all the product and business supplies you need to start your own business, or if that’s not your interest it’s just a super crafting value!

Stampin’ Up! is making both the Standard and Digital Plus Starter kits available at this price.  Click HERE to see a comparison of the two kits, and remember – your cost is $87.50.  Need more information?  Check my Online Store and investigate the Start Your Own Business button at the top RIGHT of the landing page, or leave me a comment and we can talk more.  Ready to sign up today?  My special password just for you is TheMauiStamper.

You won’t regret it!

Joy in a milk carton

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It’s that time of year when you need cute little gifty things.  I had a stack of milk carton cut outs on my desk top that were begging to be used:

  • Delightful Decorations stamp set
  • Real Red and Whisper White card stock; Jolly Holiday Designer Series paper
  • Real Red Classic ink pad; Whisper White Craft ink pad
  • Ornament punch and Jewels Pearls
  • 1/2 inch Library Clip (Clearance Rack had the Old Olive ones; Silver clips are current)
  • Whisper White 3/8 inch taffeta ribbon
  • Sticky Strip and Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Big Shot and Milk Carton XL Bigz die

When the Milk Carton die first came out I found it challenging to assemble.  I think that’s why this stack sat on my desk for a while, but the other day when I decided to put them together I found them really simple.  I’m not sure what the hang up was, but the message is clear:  If at first you don’t succeed, try again later!  And this time use Sticky Strip.

These little bundles of joy are filled with Hershey Nuggets, but your favorite candy or other small treat would work equally well.

Autumn Birthday Garden

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I hope you aren’t weary of this set because I can’t believe I’ll ever be:

Happy Birthday, Mom

  • Just Believe stamp set
  • Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso card stock
  • Early Espresso Classic ink pad
  • Gold Glow and Log Cabin Smooch Spritz
  • Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint; Sponge dauber
  • Big Shot and Lattice Textured Impressions folder
  • Victoria Crochet Trim

This card was designed specifically for my Mom for her birthday.  She’s a gardener with a November birthday and this image paired with these colors seemed to fit together just right.  I left the front without a sentiment to keep it cleaner but stamped her birthday wishes inside.

The Shimmer paint is applied to the top of the Lattice texture with a sponge dauber.  I’m not sure how we made ANYTHING before Shimmer paint.  The fact that it lends sparkle without leaving traces that float throughout the house has created a truce in the Glitter Wars in my household.

Good morning, Captain

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Have you been wondering what the Captain has been up to?

Captain Stupidhead loves my Birkenstocks.  I don’t know if he likes the leather and suede or if it’s my stinky feet, but he does like to sleep with his head on my Birks when I’m reading the newspaper in the morning.   He’s very social in the morning and likes to hang out with me while I drink my coffee.  Our kitchen is sunny and he happily stretches out on the floor.

Of course, if I’m trying to accomplish something in the morning – say, pack my son’s lunch – then he’ll carefully position himself in the one spot he knows will create the most disruption to my pre-coffee stumbling.  If that doesn’t work, he’ll wait til I’m standing at the counter and then sit directly behind me, letting out an indignant howl if I step backward and onto his precious tail.

Enough of the Captain – how about an autumn candle?

Candle with cork and paper leaves

Robbie brought over a few sheets of Stampin’ Up! cork and we brainstormed ideas for using it in different ways.  I’m not sure who was inspired to turn it into leaves, but we loved the results.  Crystal had the idea of sponging a little color onto the cork and the rest, as they say, is history.

Anne and Crystal’s Annual Bag and Tag Extravaganza

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Yesterday was Anne and Crystal’s Annual Bag and Tag Extravaganza (ACABTE).  We enjoy these events so much – but I always forget to take photos.  Crystal’s son Isaac was the star of the event and we all enjoyed watching and playing with him, but I didn’t take even one picture!  My bad.

A couple of people had last minute conflicts and weren’t able to attend, and I promised I would get project photos up right away.  They’ll get packets with all the pieces to put the bags together but having a photo as your guide is a big help.

Tree Trimmings gift bag

This bag uses stamps from Tree Trimmings, Delightful Decorations, and Many Merry Messages.  The ornament on the panel is 3 stamped ornaments punched with the ornament punch.  Each one is scored down the center and then adhered back to back to make a 3-D ornament.  These are also fun to do as 360 degree ornaments – I use six punched shapes to make a paper ornament.  I thought I’d posted some of these a while back, but I can’t seem to find them – I’ll have to take some photos to show you what they look like.

Peaceful Season bag

This bag uses the Peaceful Season Level II Hostess set and the Tags for Christmas set that is currently offered at a 20% discount when purchsed with the XL Decorative Label punch.  I think Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler were designed with brown paper bags in mind!

If you’ve never made one of these punched paper flowers, don’t be intimidated – they look fabulous but they’re easy as can be.  You can use a scallop circle, a plain circle or any of the flower punches to create the flower, and each shape yields a slightly different result.  Punch 6 to 8 circles, stack them and pierce the center with a pokey doodle (piercing tool!) and piercing mat.  Secure a brad through the stack and use a mist bottle to dampen the circle on the top.  Use your fingers to “smoosh” that first circle up into a standing clump;  I advised a woman at ACABTE yesterday to imagine it was her boss’s head and my goodness did she do a fine job of smooshing!!!  Once  you’ve gotten the first circle smooshed, continuing dampening and smooshing the rest of the layers one at a time.  When you’re done, lightly press the top of the flower to open it back out and just let it dry in place.  Here’s a flower close-up:

As you can see, I was liberal with the Champagne Mist Shimmer paint spritz (a few drops in 70% isopropyl alcohol in a mist bottle).  It’s Christmas time – you’ve got to have some sparkle!!