CASE-ing the morning away

Posted on January 8, 2010 by mauistamper

Kellie came over this morning to stamp. We spent the first 15 minutes stalking the Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Web site, trying to figure out if our shipments were going to make it to Maui today. The delivery confirmation looked promising, but I’ve been disillusioned by these things before so I remained skeptical. Kellie, though, is an optimist, and kept checking her cell phone all morning to see if her husband had taken delivery of her order. Shortly after she left she called to say her package had arrived, and within an hour or so, my package arrived too.

We’d started this card but needed something that came in my box to finish it:

Medallion and Vintage Labels (Sale-a-bration) stamp sets
Sage Shadow, Soft Suede, and Naturals White card stock; White Vellum card stock
Sage Shadow, Soft Suede, and Pretty in Pink Classic ink pads
Scallop Circle punch, 1″ circle punch, and hand-held circle punch
Paper snips, Vintage brads, and Tombo multipurpose adhesive

We CASE-d this card (Copy And Share with Everyone, or alternatively, Copy And Share Everything) from the January Stampin’ Success magazine, a publication sent monthly to Stampin’ Up! demonstrators for training and inspiration. We changed the color scheme but little else. I could see this card in a lot of other color combinations.

We had a great morning, and you’ll see more of our projects over the next few days. Kellie brought something she’d made for me to see, and you’re going to LOVE it – I can’t wait to CASE it myself.

Cheep Love

Posted on January 6, 2010 by mauistamper

Is it just me, or is anyone else having trouble un-sticking the concept of Christmas cards from her brain? Hmmm…maybe I don’t want to hear the answer to that.

I played with the Color Challenge at Splitcoast yesterday and really liked the combination. The challenge was to use Certainly Celery, Bermuda Bay and Handsome Hunter together, with an option to add pink – but not pink cardstock. The Hunter was something of an issue at first, but when I decided to make it a minor accent and bring the pinks to the forefront, everything fell into place.

Cheep Talk stamp set
Whisper White, Handsome Hunter and Certainly Celery cardstock
Thoroughly Modern Designer Series paper and an ancient DSP I can’t for the life of me recall
Pretty Ink Pink, Certainly Celery, and Bermuda Bay Classic Ink pads
Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Bermuda Bay and Handsome Hunter Stampin’ Write Markers
Big Shot and SU Perfect Details texturz plate
Double rectange punch, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, and the Blender Pen
A retired Pretty in Pink button (substitute Sherbet Designer Buttons) and Mini glue dots
the Stamp-a-ma-jig

Kinda used a lotta stuff, didn’t I? More is more…

I used the markers to add highlights – details on the leaves and a little grid on the birdie wings – and to marker the stamps after removing ink with the Blender Pen. It’s much faster than trying to color larger areas of a stamp.

My craft desk was kind of a mess after this card but it was worth it. I don’t mind picking up after my own messes, but everyone else’s? Well, there’s an obvious answer to that.

Celebrating the new Mini

Posted on January 5, 2010 by mauistamper

Yee haaa! New stamps and accessories still give me that adrenaline rush! Today the Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-a-bration mini are available for customer orders. If you haven’t gotten your catalog, take a quick peek online to see what’s in store!

Here’s a little something to celebrate with:

Vintage Vogue Clear Mount Stamps
Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla Cardstock
Melon Mambo, Sahara Sand and Soft Suede Classic ink pads
Melon Mambo and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write markers
Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, and a Blender Pen

I’m not usually a big fan of bright colors, but I make an exception for brights paired with neutrals. I’m really happy with this Melon Mambo and Soft Suede combination. With the new Stampin’ Up! Clear Mount stamps I didn’t even use my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the images on top and bottom. I did make use of the Blender pen to selectively remove ink so that I could marker the areas where I wanted to add contrast to my images. I also used the stamping off technique to create variety in my background.

Find something to celebrate today.

Same colors, same sketch, new look

Posted on January 4, 2010 by mauistamper

Different stamps and a quarter turn from yesterday yield a completely different card:

Sock Monkey and Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp sets
Barely Banana, Basic Gray, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Dusty Durango Designer Series Paper (level I hostess)
Barely Banana and Dusty Durango Classic Ink Refills and the Aquapainter
Basic Gray Classic ink pad and Stampin’ Write markers; Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint
Trio Flower punch; Stamp-a-ma-jig; Stampin’ Dimensionals

Watercolor is an on-again, off-again technique for me and in my opinion it’s a little off right now. Doesn’t stop me, but makes me a little bit crazy. Or perhaps I’m just crazier than usual.

I wanted to see what happened when I used the same colors (even papers) and sketch for two cards. Looking at today’s card compared with yesterday’s, I like the difference and enjoy the stretch. Challenges really make me work, and even when I’m not thrilled with the results I always learn something new.

They’re called challenges for a reason

Posted on January 3, 2010 by mauistamper

I spend some time this weekend playing with some challenges. The latest Splitcoast Color Challenge was really a stretch for me! I saw it when it posted on Wednesday and thought I would pass, but after returning to it a couple of times and looking at the gallery samples I decided to give it a shot. Wouldn’t you think twice about Dusty Durango, Barely Banana and Basic Gray?

Upsy Daisy and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
Whisper White, Barely Banana, Basic Gray cardstock; Dusty Durango Designer Series Paper (Hostess level I)
Dusty Durango and Barely Banana Classic ink pad; Basic Gray Stampin’ Write marker
Latte buttons, paper piercing template and tool
Gray taffeta ribbon, linen twine, Dusty Durango classic ink refill

Do you like the twine? I colored it with the ink refill and waiting for it to dry was the hardest part for me! The floral image was stamped with Barely Banana ink and I removed the color from the stems before applying the Basic Gray marker. It’s a very easy technique – just remember to “huff” on your stamp to moisten the ink before impressing the image.

This layout is also a Splitcoast challenge layout. If you check back tomorrow you’ll see the same concept with a completely different stamp set. Til then!

TWO new catalogs!

Posted on January 2, 2010 by mauistamper

Breathe deeply…. it’s THAT time of year!

Stampin’ Up! has made the Sale-a-bration and Occasions Mini catalogs available online a few days early to make sure everyone has a couple of days to work on a wish list. I’ve already placed a demonstrator pre-order but there are plenty of items still on my list from these two great offerings. Be sure to click on the links to see what all the excitement is about!

The products in these catalogs will be available for order through Anne’s Online Store or directly through me on January 5, 2010.

Click on the image to download the 2010 Occasions Mini catalog

Click on the image to download the 2010 Sale-a-bration catalog

Late Night Stamping

Posted on January 2, 2010 by mauistamper

In November I discovered a stamping forum called Late Night Stampers. Since I’m

a chronic late-night crafter and
a minimum of 2 time zones earlier than the Continental U.S.

this group seemed tailor made for my style. I could be Late Night with them and even get to bed on time!! I’ve hovered around their forum for some time and finally am participating in a stamping challenge. How could I not? The challenge was to use brads and I couldn’t ignore such a simple offer. Without further ado, here is my entry to LNS Challenge 51:

Stampin’ Up! Vintage Vogue Clear Mount stamp set
Stampin’ Up! Very Vintage Jumbo wheel
Crushed Curry, Barely Banana, Mellow Moss and Whisper White card stock
Crushed Curry, Barely Banana, and Mellow Moss Classic ink pad
Scallop Trim Border, 1/2″ circle punch, 1/16″ hand held punch
Circle Rhinestone brad, white taffeta ribbon, stampin sponges, paper snips

Did you notice that bit about the Clear Mount stamps? Stampin’ Up! is taking the leap, and the best news of all is that we now have two options. All the new stamps in the Ocassions Mini Catalog running January 5 to April 30 are offered in your choice of clear mount or wood mount.

I’ve spent some time with those clear mount stamps and love how easy it is to position your image through the clear block. These stamps are rubber, not acrylic, and they give the same crisp, beautiful image that classic wood mounted stamps yield. They also store more compactly in a clear DVD-style case and I know I’m going to use that fact to justify just a few more sets!

Hey – did you click on the Ocassions Mini link a couple of paragraphs above? It will take you to a pdf of the new Mini Catalog so you can see for yourself! Happy browsing.

Wait! Don’t toss those cards…

Posted on January 1, 2010 by mauistamper

Re-use, reduce, recycle.

If you love paper and paper crafts, then it’s likely you save old cards – even commercially printed cards. I’m guilty as charged, and further guilty of saving pretty ribbons from Christmas packages as well. In the past, I’ve used a hand-held tag punch to create small gift tags, but this year I stepped it up.

I certainly hope you bought the Stampin’ Up! Two Tags Bigz die (#115954, $21.95) when it was on sale during the 12 Days of Holiday Sales promotion, because that’s what I used to make these tags. A stack of old cards, a pile of Christmas ribbon and about half an hour with the Big Shot yielded a bunch of tags ready for duty next year. Here’s a closer look:

To encourage my family to wrap their own packages, I have gift wrap, ribbon and tags readily available around the first of December. The tags and some stamped gift card holders are in a basket and everyone knows it’s first come, first served – this year we ran short on the afternoon of the 24th! Getting a head start on next year’s tags avoids panic in December and keeps me from looking like a crazy bag lady when my family discovers packages of old cards stashed with the Christmas decorations. Be sure to check that there’s nothing written on the inside of your image; someone else’s message about their kid’s moment of glory at the band concert shouldn’t compete with “To Kimo, Love Tutu”.

I think there’s another stash of old cards somewhere. Off to crank out a few more tags. Re-use. Reduce. Recycle.

Happy New Year.

What could be cuter?

Posted on December 30, 2009 by mauistamper

There was a surprise shower on Sunday for my wonderful friend and upline. There’s something about a new baby that brings out the best in a group of women. We were all so happy to come together to celebrate Crystal and her February baby.

I was thrilled to be included and quickly offered to make favors for the shower. It didn’t take me long to decide what to do – I’d seen a card posted on Lyssa Zwolanek’s blog Song of my Heart and knew it would make a great favor. There was a little trial and error involved to get the proportions right.

Dotted Wheel (retired)
Bashful Blue and Close to Cocoa cardstock
Bashful Blue Classic Ink
Scallop Trim Punch (SAB Sneak Peak)
Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz
Tombo Adhesive, Small Cello bag, and Bashful Blue narrow grosgrain ribbon
Retired button, Non-SU silk flower, DMC Embroidery Floss, and Hershey Nuggets

The scallop circles are adhered to a “2-4-6-8” box with the dimensions adjusted to 1.25 x 2.5. Four Hershey kisses are squeezed into a Cello bag that fits perfectly into the box. It was a little bit of work, but well worth it for a sweet baby and mama.

A Mom’s gotta brag a little…

Posted on December 26, 2009 by mauistamper

My son loves to take photos. He has the ability to see ordinary things in an extraordinary way. A year and a half ago he bought a new digital SLR camera, and we’ve all enjoyed seeing the world through his lens.

For the past two years, I’ve teamed up with him at Christmas to produce cards using a selection of his photos. This year he bought a macro lens and took amazing plant photos last summer at Lotus Land and his Grandma’s garden, both in Santa Barbara. (Sorry, Grandma doesn’t have a web site!) It was really hard to narrow it down, but we finally decided on 6 floral shots. Before I show you the cards, I have to warn you that I’m not much of a photographer, and taking pictures of pictures is harder than you can imagine!