Leaf Collection: Welcome Friend

Leaf Collection is the most versatile large format stamp we’ve had in a long time. Today’s card uses it traditionally: as a background image.

  • Stamps: Leaf Collection, Sending Love
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pretty Peacock, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, So Swirly Embossing Folder, 2 3/8” Circle Punch, 1 3/4” Circle Punch, Linen Thread, Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This layout is not my usual style, but I’m challenging myself to mix things up. I added texture with the embossing folder to break up all the solid color elements.

The card base could easily have been one of the component colors, but I favor white card bases. They’re clean, they don’t distract from the elements of the design, and I don’t need to add another inside panel for the message.

Take a minute to check your large format stamps – if you don’t have something like Leaf Collection you’ll find it in the Online Store. And don’t miss Free Shipping with a qualified order on May 21!

The 24-25 Annual Catalog has arrived in the store! New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

If you have EVER considered joining Stampin’ Up! this is your best offer! This is the richest offer we’ve seen, well, maybe forever! Your $99 USD lets you choose $125 worth of any available product PLUS a glorious assortment of the brand new 24-26 In Color products! Check this out before you place your first order this month. There’s no obligation to continue or to sell and there are no strings attached. Message me for details or learn more HERE.

Life is Sweet is the June Paper Pumpkin kit. It includes everything you need for 9 cards and envelopes, and features 2024-2026 In Colors and lots of sparkle . An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by June 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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BEST.FRIEND.EVER IN COLOR

Here’s another version of the Country Flowers images I colored last week featuring some of the 24-26 In Colors. I think I like the kettle better than the bucket!

  • Stamps: Country Flowers
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petunia Pop, Pretty in Pink, Shy Shamrock, Wild Wheat, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Deckle Rectangle dies, 24-26 In Color DSP, Wild Wheat Textured Ribbon (retired), Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

My inspiration was one of the card sketches on page 22 of the 24-25 Annual Catalog. I didn’t follow it exactly but that’s the beauty of a sketch – you can interpret it to suit your needs.

I stamped the sentiment on a narrow strip of card stock and trimmed the ends at an angle. The original piece of card stock was quite long, which allowed me to place it on the focal point panel and lightly mark exactly where I wanted to trim the ends. Sometimes I surprise myself by actually thinking ahead.

Can you keep a secret? I initially colored the leaves with Granny Apple Green, but when I decided to use the color family DSP pack I just colored right over them with Shy Shamrock. And I consider it a minor stroke of genius that I saw the potential for Wild Wheat to create the impression of a brass kettle.

Well, Bella says I’m done on the computer for now. She’s a bossy girl when bedtime approaches. Take a peek at the Online Store to see Country Flowers and all the other products I’ve used to create this card. And thanks for stopping by!

The 24-25 Annual Catalog has finally arrived in the store! New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

If you have EVER considered joining Stampin’ Up! this is your best offer! This is the richest offer we’ve seen, well, maybe forever! Your $99 USD lets you choose $125 worth of any available product PLUS a glorious assortment of the brand new 24-26 In Color products! Check this out before you place your first order this month. There’s no obligation to continue or to sell and there are no strings attached. Message me for details or learn more HERE.

The Best There Is, the May Paper Pumpkin kit, contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes. It features woodgrain textures and masculine, earth tones . An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by May 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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COUNTRY FLOWERS IN GRAY GRANITE

Country Flowers offers multiple ways to fill a kettle – or a bucket – with plants and flowers. I stamped a stack of options and played with a lot of colors, but this two-tone version turned out to be my favorite:

  • Stamps: Country Flowers, Sweetly Scripted
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Gray Granite, Granny Apple Green, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Eyelet 3D Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Country Lace DSP, Pebble Path Jute Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Country Lace DSP and the Eyelet 3D embossing folders are perfectly coordinated, and give added texture to the card stock strip. I thought about adding some kind of gem or dot, but honestly, I’ve done that with nearly everything I’ve made the past few weeks and I wanted something different. The jute trim is more in keeping with the country feeling.

I’ m still working on my Blends technique. I tried to be more consistent with the light on the leaves and the kettle, and it’s better than others I’ve done in the past!

There are more images colored with Blends just waiting for a little love. This one was really fun to assemble, and it came together quickly – so I’m encouraged. It would be easy to replicate this and put a different Sweetly Scripted Sentiment (say that 5 times!!) on each version.

Country Flowers is from the 24-25 Annual Catalog, and Sweetly Scripted is an Online Exclusive. Don’t miss either one – shop the Online Store.

The 24-25 Annual Catalog has finally arrived in the store! New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

If you have EVER considered joining Stampin’ Up! this is the richest offer we’ve seen in a long time! Your $99 USD lets you choose $125 worth of any available product PLUS a glorious assortment of the brand new 24-26 In Color products! Check this out before you place your first order this month. There’s no obligation to continue or to sell and there are no strings attached. Message me for details or learn more HERE.

The Best There Is, the May Paper Pumpkin kit, contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes. It features woodgrain textures and masculine, earth tones . An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by May 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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MAY 2024 DIY: ICE CREAM SWIRL BERRIES

It’s May Day! And I’m thinking about SUMMER FRUIT. The Strawberry in the Ice Cream Swirl stamp set has been calling my name for days, and I’ve given it an entire month on my craft desk:

  • Stamps: Ice Cream Swirl, Sending Love, Bee My Valentine
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lolly, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

The strawberry isn’t the focal point of the Ice Cream Swirl set, but I noticed it when I was editing my stamps to be current with the new 24-25 Annual Catalog. I’m a big fan of fruit in season, and we get beautiful strawberries from Upcountry Maui this time of year.

I masked the strawberries as I stamped them – I always stamp the middle first! After I colored them with my Blends, I thought it needed a little something more. I tried a bunch of options, but a little bird made me happiest, and you KNOW that’s how I make my decisions.

Thanks so much for visiting our little calendar mini hop! Please stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for May. We love to make these little calendars and share them with you.

The 24-25 Annual Catalog has finally arrived in the store! New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

If you have EVER considered joining Stampin’ Up! this is your best offer! This is the richest offer we’ve seen, well, maybe forever! Your $99 USD lets you choose $125 worth of any available product PLUS a glorious assortment of the brand new 24-26 In Color products! Check this out before you place your first order this month. There’s no obligation to continue or to sell and there are no strings attached. Message me for details or learn more HERE.

The Best There Is, the May Paper Pumpkin kit, contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes. It features woodgrain textures and masculine, earth tones . An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by May 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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IT’S LIVE!!!

The 24-25 Annual Catalog has finally arrived in the store! New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

If you have EVER considered joining Stampin’ Up! this is your best offer! This is the richest offer we’ve seen, well, maybe forever! Your $99 USD lets you choose $125 worth of any available product PLUS a glorious assortment of the brand new 24-26 In Color products! Check this out before you place your first order this month. There’s no obligation to continue or to sell and there are no strings attached. Message me for details or learn more HERE.

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SENDING LOVE on a SUNNY DAY

Sending Love is a stamp set that really speaks to what we card-makers do: it’s all about that message that you write and mail to brighten someone’s mailbox. I don’t know about you, but most of my mail is from realtors! It seems most everything else is electronic, so when there’s an envelope with a hand-written address, I get pretty excited.

  • Stamps: Sending Love
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Gray Granite, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Real Red, Memento Black, Basic Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Sending Love dies, Stampin’ Blends, Sunny Day DSP (SAB 24), Stampin’ Dimensionals

This card was inspired by Elizabeth Price, one of our amazing Stampin’ Up! Artisans. I made a few changes, mostly to simplify the project for a group crafting event.

When I stamped the mailbox with Memento Black, I avoided the grassy bottom. I used a dauber to add a bit of Granny Apple Green to the grass, because who wants dead grass at the bottom of their mailbox?

I love the cheeriness of this color combination. I had knee surgery in early March, and as I progress through rehab (exercises! exercises! exercises!) I’m getting to the point that I can actually do something besides my exercises! These bright colors lift my spirits and I hope they lift yours as well.

The Sending Love Bundle is retiring on April 30. The stamps and dies will still be available, but will no longer be offered at a bundled discount. If you love it, get it now and save!

Say goodbye to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy of the Last Chance List HERE. All discounts begin on April 9th. To see the catalog offering, go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The 23-24 Annual Catalog offering ends on April 30th. See the Last Chance List for the Annual Catalog HERE. Just as with the Mini, all discounts are effective April 9.

Delicate Wings, the April Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and features precut paper pieces and butterfly designs, as well as champagne foil images, sentiments and labels. An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by April 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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APRIL 2024 DIY: PLANTED PARADISE

When I’m not crafting, I’m in my garden. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I have lots of plant, flower and tree stamps in my library! My April calendar is an homage to all the colors in nature:

  • Stamps: Planted Paradise
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Sweet Sorbet, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Shaded Spruce
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Sponge Dauber, Stampin’ Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals

For my colorful leaves, I inked the stamp in Daffodil Delight and applied Sweet Sorbet and Garden Green with a Dauber. I misted the stamp lightly with the Spritzer and stamped. I love the watercolored effect.

You might be thinking “OK, MauiStamper, it’s pretty and all, but what kind of plants look like that?”

Behold my garden:

This is Codiaeum variegatum, known locally as Croton (although that’s technically inaccurate). I have leaves this shape as well as plants with long, strappy leaves, and there are a number of other varieties common to the tropics. They love the climate and we love them!

Sweet Sorbet is retiring April 30th and I will miss it! But there are 5 gorgeous new colors coming to take the place of the 22-23 crew, and we will see them soon 😁

Thanks so much for visiting our little calendar mini hop! Please stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for April. We love to read your comments!

Say goodbye to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy of the Last Chance List HERE. All discounts begin on April 9th. To see the catalog offering, go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The 23-24 Annual Catalog offering ends on April 30th. See the Last Chance List for the Annual Catalog HERE. Just as with the Mini, all discounts will be effective April. 9.

Delicate Wings, the April Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and features precut paper pieces and butterfly designs, as well as champagne foil images, sentiments and labels. An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by April 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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MARCH 2024 DIY: TROPICAL LEAF

Tropical Leaf is one of my favorite Online Exclusive products. There’s a stamp & punch bundle, and it’s perfect for any tropical location or plant lover. I’ve been meaning to play with the watercolor effect direct to stamps, and tried it with the leaf. Tell me what you think:

  • Stamps: Tropical Leaf
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Lost Lagoon
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Stamp n Write Markers, Linen Thread, Water Painters, Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue dots, DIY Easel Calendar Template

I started playing with ink and the water spritzer on the leaf. You can see in the middle row that I went a little overboard with the water! After some experimenting, I found that using the small Water Painter brush to move the ink a bit on the stamp (after spritzing, before stamping) gave me the result I wanted.

You can also see the difference between inked veins and inked-and-stamped-off veins in the second row.

The punch fits the large leaf in the stamp, and I chose to use the smaller one so I fussy cut the leaves. Look at the difference when you follow the edge into the shape of the leaf!

I used Stamp n Write markers to add a little drizzle to the leaves and the calendar page – Lost Lagoon for the leaves and Pool Party for the calendar. I tucked a few unthreaded strands of Linen Thread behind the leaves with a Glue Dot to evoke roots.

Take a moment to visit Cheryl and Crystal for their March calendars. We have such a good time putting these together (although occasionally there’s a moment of panic when you get that email that says “here’s my link” and you look at the calendar!!!) If you need a DIY template, they’re just $5. Send me a message and tell me you’d like an invoice and I’ll get it to you as quickly as I can.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The March Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and coordinates with the Meandering Meadows Suite and the Garden Meadow Bundle. It features precut vellum and wood pieces and includes a bonus full stamp set. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by March 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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SUNNY DAYS FUN FOLD

There is a fabulous selection of Designer Series Papers available for FREE in Sale-a-bration 2024. Sunny Days has gorgeous designs and they coordinate really well, making it a great choice for a fun-fold card:

  • Stamps: Bright Skies
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Masking Paper, Sunny Days DSP, Stampin’ Write Marker, Tear n Tape

I used the “rainy dots” image from Bright Skies and stamped off to create this pattern on the interior panel. To add a message to this card, I would either use the inside flap (on the left) or a really FAT marker to say “I LOVE YOU” on top of that pattern. You could certainly leave it off if you wanted more room to write.

Here are the dimensions for this card:

  • Card base (Pool Party) 6 3/4″ x 5 1/2″, scored at 2 1/2″ on the long side
  • Inside Panel (Basic White) 5 1/4″ x 4″ (DSP is layered on top of this panel)
  • Right DSP Panel (Rainbow DSP) 5 1/4″ x 1 1/2″
  • Left/Front DSP Panel (Cloud DSP) 5 1/4″ x 2 1/4″
  • Fold over flap (Lost Lagoon) 3 1/2″ x 3″ scored at 1/2″ (makes a 3″ square)
  • White panel is the largest of the Stylish Shapes dies. It’s 2 7/16″ squared

Basic assembly:

  • Stamp the Basic White Inside Panel if desired and adhere the 5 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ DSP panel.
  • Put Tear n Tape (aka TNT) on the 1/2″ scored strip of the Lost Lagoon 3 1/2″ x 3″ panel
  • Adhere the 1/2″ scored strip to the back of the Basic White Inside Panel and fold forward
  • Stamp the Stylish Shape Square and adhere to the Lost Lagoon panel.
  • Adhere the entire assembly to the card base

I used Masking Paper to stamp just half of the sun image. I also masked each flower when I stamped the leaves. I used the Lost Lagoon Stampin’ Write marker to put a contrasting center on each flower.

This is a 100% mail friendly card – no ribbon or embellishment to create lumps and bumps! You could certainly add those things if you desire.

Sale-a-bration 2024 ends at midnight MOUNTAIN TIME on FEBRUARY 29th – stock up on paper, ink, and adhesive and be rewarded for getting the basics! Don’t miss out – shop HERE.

Just a few more days of everyone’s favorite time of the Stampin’ Up! year – Sale-a-bration! This year we’re featuring an unprecedented variety of products including LOTS of gorgeous, coordinating Designer Series Papers. There is also a bonus selection of Annual Catalog products available as of February 1. See a digital copy of the original brochure HERE or go straight to the ONLINE STORE. for the entire selection.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The March Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and coordinates with the Meandering Meadows Suite and the Garden Meadow Bundle. It features precut vellum and wood pieces and includes a bonus full stamp set. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by March 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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Stippled Roses with Blending Brushes

My local crafting groups love new techniques, and they really love time saving techniques. Using Blending Brushes to color the Stippled Roses is a perfect example – it’s so much faster than other methods of coloring, and the result is soft and appealing. The amount of shading in these stamps really make a difference when you’re using this technique.

  • Stamps: Stippled Rose, Something Fancy
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: Stippled Rose dies, Stippled Rose DSP (SAB 24), Blending Brushes, Adhesive Backed Cork rounds, Ribbon Duo Combo Pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Blender Pen

There are only 2 ink colors on this card: Petal Pink and Crumb Cake. The image is stamped in Crumb Cake since the Blending Brush doesn’t blur the stamped lines the way a Stampin’ Blend would do. And Crumb Cake and Petal Pink are both what I think of as “dusty” colors, so if there’s a little overlap with the brush it doesn’t matter.

After adding color with the Blending Brush, I used the Blender Pen to add a little more depth and detail. You can see it on the leaves: I use the natural shading that’s part of the stamped image to guide my placement.

The sentiment is fussy cut with my snips, but that’s a really quick task. (You DO have a pair of Stampin’ Up! Paper Snips, don’t you?? INDISPENSABLE.) This is a speedy card, and it would be suitable for a lot of different occasions. You could easily swap out the focal point as well.

Don’t miss those Cork Rounds. I was skeptical when I saw them, but I’m a big fan. They’re so different from other embellishments, they’re soft so they don’t add bulk to your card, and they work really well with nature-themed projects. Try them, you’ll like them!

And thank you so much for shopping the Online Store.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the Stampin’ Up! year – Sale-a-bration! This year we’re featuring an unprecedented variety of products including LOTS of gorgeous, coordinating Designer Series Papers. See a digital copy of the brochure HERE or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The February Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for spring and Easter themed cards and treat boxes. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by February 10th.

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. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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