Blending the Birdies

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Do you think it’s a coincidence that there are HEAPS of great images in the current Stampin’ Up! line that are absolutely perfect for coloring with Stampin’ Blends?

I don’t think it’s a coincidence either.  But either way, I’m pretty happy about it.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Flying Home Stampin' Blends

  • Stamps: Flying Home
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Blushing Bride, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
  • Accessores: Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Lemon Lime Twist Striped Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Flying Home Stampin' Blends

I choose to color these images pretty quickly, without a lot of finesse in the shading. I wanted to see what my results would be, and in my humble opinion, it worked out just fine.

It also gives me great delight when I discover that I can “fudge” the color coordination. Lemon Lime Twist, Pear Pizazz and Old Olive are unique and distinct colors, but that Lemon Lime Twist ribbon works perfectly with Pear and Olive. It’s the happy co-existence of different types of fruit, don’t you think?

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Creating with Petal Palette and a little Brusho

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Brusho intimidated me for a while. Everyone else seemed to be an expert, but I was afraid to begin. I’m happy to report that my fears were unfounded: even a Brusho Novice can get really interesting results:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Brusho Petal Palette

  • Stamps: Petal Palette
  • Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke
  • Accessories:  Big Shot, Petals and More Thinlits dies, Brusho, Watercolor Paper, Aquapainter, Layering Oval Framelits, Twine (retired from Holiday 2017), Rhinestone Jewels, Fine Tip Glue Pen

Did you know that the Fine Tip Glue pen works like a gloss coat? I should have let the ink dry a bit longer, but the resulting muddied colors made the roses look more vintage. (That’s my story and I’m standing by it.)

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Brusho Petal Palette

The Green Brusho can separate out into component colors including yellow and purple. This result was completely unexpected, but inspired the color palette that I ended up using. Honestly? I haven’t used either Elegant Eggplant or Always Artichoke in a very long time – years, perhaps!  I was really pleased with the outcome, which goes to show that stretching out of your comfort zone (or the zone of the familiar) is a good thing.

When was the last time you stretched outside your creative routine?

 

 

A Beautiful Peacock sailing through March

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The end of each month, I look forward to turning the page on the calendar. It’s a signal that I’m making a fresh start, and I love fresh starts! Of course, it also means that I have a new image to enjoy for the month. I’m not quite turning the page here, but I do enjoy taking down one card and putting up the next. Here’s the focus for my craft desk in March:
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! DIY Easel Calendar Beautiful Peacock SAB 2018

  • Stamps: Beautiful Peacock (SAB 2018)
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy and Pool Party
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestone Jewels

I used the simplest method ever to get two tones on the peacock tail: I inked the top half with Pool Party, flipped the stamp around and inked the bottom half in Dapper Denim. If you look really closely, you can see the line where they overlap. I recommend you ink the light color first so that if a little of the ink transfers from the stamp to the next color ink pad, it’s light onto dark and won’t show.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! DIY Easel Calendar Beautiful Peacock SAB 2018

Beautiful Peacock has lots of options for creating a stunning bird, but the various swirls and embellishments are also great options to have in your Stampin’ Arsenal. You have until March 31st to make this – and a lot of other gorgeous stamps and accessories – your own. Receive them for free with every $50 in merchandise you purchase. Shop HERE.

Cheryl and Crystal have calendar pages for your inspiration this month – be sure and check them out!

Heart Happiness Valentines

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I’m not really a “heart person”, although I’m liberal with heart emojis 💕 in my text messages. I made an exception for Heart Happiness because of this beautiful, ombre-screened, striped heart. There’s something about it that makes my own little stamper heart sing.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Heart Happiness Valentine

  • Stamps: Heart Happiness
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
  • Accessories:  Big Shot, Heart Happiness, Lots to Love Framelits, Bakers Twine, Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This is a very simple design, and I chose to leave it without a sentiment on the front. I tried to put a phrase on the banner, but nothing seemed to work and I decided less would be more.

I know.  SHOCKING.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Heart Happiness Valentine

I also played with the stripes using Stampin’ Write markers. There’s a little heap of these hearts in my craft room, but these bold colors were my favorites:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Heart Happiness Valentine

  • Stamps:  Heart Happiness, Tabs for You
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist
  • Accessories:  Big Shot, Lots to Love Framelits, 3/8″ Lemon Lime Twist stripe ribbon, Stampin’ Write markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Again, I considered adding more (specifically, using a background stamp or TIEF on the Bermuda Bay panel) but decided to stick with less.  There are lots of men in my life who need Valentines.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Heart Happiness Valentine

This is my Go Bold Or Go Home combo. I LOVE THESE COLORS TOGETHER, and I hope that you do too.

This Little Piggy Loves You

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Last week I sat down with a friend to make some Valentines. It was such a pleasant evening together, and it underscored why I love to craft. It’s a great solitary activity, but it’s just as enjoyable to share it with someone else. You get caught up on one another’s lives, you share some ideas, and you take home something useful! Perfect.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! This Little Piggy Valentine

  • Stamps: This LIttle Piggy, Heart Happiness
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Memento Black, Pear Pizazz, Calypso Coral, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party
  • Accessories:  Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Scattered Sequins Dynamic TIEF, Calypso Coral 1/8″ Sheer Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! This Little Piggy Valentine

I used the scattered heart image from Heart Happiness with Pink Pirouette ink on the inside of the card. I’ll just write over those soft hearts when I send this Valentine.

Do you have the Stitched Shape Framelits? I find myself reaching for them over and over again. There are graduated sizes of circles, ovals and squares, and the stitching lines that frame the inside of each shape create such a clean, finished look.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! This Little Piggy Valentine

I’m gaining some confidence with Stampin’ Blends. I don’t have to THINK quite so hard when I approach a new image. I’m just letting it happen. I made a few of these, and each pig is different.

They’re in the mail already – have you sent your Valentines yet?

FAST FUSE SALE is back!

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Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Fast Fuse

The sale is on beginning Thursday February 8th (could be Wednesday February 7th for Hawaii folks – check the time zone!)  Buy one Fast Fuse Adhesive #129026 and Stampin’ Up! will send you two refills for FREE.  This deal is scheduled to run through February 12th but it is WHILE SUPPLIES LAST and it sold out early the last time it was offered!

Mark your calendars, set your alerts, and don’t miss out. Use Host Code QEYJPXAN at my Online Store. Order 5 Fast Fuse and you can select a FREE Sale-a-bration product as well!

You might consider adding in a one month (#137858, $20) or three month (#137859, $59) Paper Pumpkin subscription.  Stampin’ Up! has just announced that Paper Pumpkin will celebrate 5 years of Crafting Goodness with a very special March box. Purchase multiples and gather your friends for a no-muss, no-fuss evening of crafting with Paper Pumpkin and Fast Fuse!