Floral Squares and Fun Folds in Black and White

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Oh, I do love black and white with a pop of color! My dear friend Robbie showed me this fun fold, and I thought it was perfect for our Host Pattern Party DSP and the Floral Squares. I confess I was also inspired by the black and white gingham ribbon in the current mini as well!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Floral Frames Pattern Party fun fold handmade card
  • Stamps: Many Messages
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Floral Squares dies, Messages dies, Stampin’ Blends, Pattern Party DSP (Host), Black & White Gingham ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The papers in Pattern Party have gorgeous color on one side (both tone-on-tone and rainbow brights). The reverse side for every sheet is a black and white pattern. I LOVE THEM ALL (oops, sorry, got carried away with myself.) This huge pack has 48 sheets, so there are 4 of each design – plenty for a big project, and enough so that you don’t fear cutting into one sheet.

The Fun Fold part of this card is that front panel. Mine is 2 3/4″ wide and 5 1/2″ tall, with a DSP layer that’s 2 1/2″ wide on the front and a Basic White panel of the same width inside. Pro tip: Make your inside panel a smidge (highly scientific mathematical term) shorter – maybe 5 7/’16” tall – so that it doesn’t crowd the top fold and make your card wonky (highly scientific paper management term.)

Please note this is a highly scientific blog.

The dies for the Floral Squares include small flower dies that coordinate with the floral images in each square, but I preferred coloring with my Stampin’ Blends. I find it so therapeutic to sit with a stack of die cuts and just color. I did a few with Watercolor pencils as well, but I love the vivid color and shading of the Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Floral Frames Pattern Party fun fold handmade card

This is a different die, combined with Poppy Parade and Old Olive. I love the bold stripes on the back panel – they begged to pair up with Poppy Parade.

My Floral Square panels are adhered to a 2″ square of Basic Black card stock, letting the image and the color stand out. You can leave them without color and adhere them to a patterned paper background, but that wasn’t the look I wanted for this project.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Floral Frames Pattern Party fun fold handmade card

Fresh Freesia made a softer looking card, and that criss-cross railroad track pattern was a great match for the lighter look. I used the dotted lines on all the card fronts to let the bold backgrounds be, well, BOLD.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Floral Frames Pattern Party fun fold handmade card

I oriented this last square on what seemed to be the side for me. A slightly different direction gave it a casual look, and the combination of Daffodil Delight and Calypso Coral added to that laid back style.

Which is your favorite? Leave me a comment and if you’re feeling frisky, tell me why!

There are stamps (All Squared Away) that coordinate with the Floral Squares dies, but I didn’t use them this time. I left off the sentiments as well so that I could add them when it was time to send each card. I like having options <wink>

Maui Stamper Stampin Up SALE-a-bration 2021 8-3 to 9-30

Don’t miss everyone’s favorite promotion, SALE-a-bration! Earn free stamps, dies, or gorgeous paper at two sales levels! Available while supplies last through September 30th.

Ready to shop? Please visit the Online Store.

The World Needs More of You

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I guess you’re either a cat person or you’re not – and I am a cat person. When I saw Clever Cats in the mini catalog (available TODAY!) I put it at the top of my list. The set has a Halloween theme, but I had other plans:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Clever Cats Cat-in-a-box
  • Stamps: Clever Cats, Free as a Bird
  • Color Palette: Basic Black, Basic White, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: Stamparatus, Stampin’ Blends, Pattern Party DSP (Host), Stampin Dimensionals, shreddies
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Clever Cats Cat-in-a-box

This captures cats so well – in the box, no matter what. The shreddies were a bit of a wild inspiration as I looked at the image of the cat and the box, and as luck would have it, I had the right color on hand. Some things are meant to be.

The Stamparatus is an enormous help in getting a clear, even impression from this bold image. I used a number of colors, but Memento Black was clearly the winner in my mind. It took a 3 impressions for me to be satisfied with Memento Black, but only 2 with Stampin’ Up! Classic Ink. But regardless of the number, the Stamparatus creates a perfect image – and re-image – every time!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Clever Cats Cat-in-a-box

I put a 1/4″ strip of DSP across the bottom of the panel on the inside of the card, and I added a sentiment from the now-retired Ridiculously Awesome stamp set. I created this card with the colours of Colour INKspiration #104 in mind.

The Mini Catalog is now live in the Online Store, and Clever Cats can be yours with a couple of clicks. We’re celebrating Sale-a-bration V.2 in August and September, so you’ll choose free gifts with your $50 or $100 purchase. Shop HERE.

Penguin Place: August 2021 DIY Calendar

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In just a couple of days, Penguin Place – and a host of other new designs – will be available in the Online Store. I gave these little aquatic artists a tropical look. Who said penguins have to wear black?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place
  • Stamps: Penguin Place
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Bermuda Bay, Polished Pink, Highland Heather, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: Penguin Builder Punch, Paper Snips, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write marker, gold thread, sponge, Tombo Multipurpose Glue
Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place

I tried a number of penguin accessories, but in the end, I liked the fishing pole best. I used my paper snips to cut the thinnest strip possible from Crumb Cake card stock. I put a few tiny drops of Tombo on the back and gently placed a single strand teased from gold thread into place. I laid that into the penguin hand/paw/wing and then used a glue dot to position a fish I created with Polished Pink Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place

I’m pretty pleased with that fish, because the entire reason I fell in love with rubber stamps is that I do not like the way I draw.

Choosing the direction of the gaze of each penguin ended up being a LOT of fun – I can see more stories to tell playing with that concept!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place

Please stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have to share for August! If you’re ready to shop, I’d be delighted to serve you as your demonstrator – shop HERE.

I’ve had a few enquiries about the 2022 calendar pdf. Never fear, it’s in the works and will be released in September.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up July Designer Series Paper Sale

TWO MORE DAYS TO SAVE ON DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!! DON’T MISS OUT – SEE IT HERE.

Flowers of Friendship: the Golden Poppy Version

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I grew up in California, and the state flower, the California Golden Poppy, is an evocative memory of home. This image in the Flowers of Friendship set reminded me of those beautiful golden fields.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship Square Card
  • Stamps: Flowers of Friendship, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Crushed Curry, Basic White
  • Accessories: Flowers & Leaves punch, Hand Penned Designer Series paper, White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding, Granny Apple Green dark Stampin’ Blend, Stampin’ Write markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Most people think of poppies as, well, poppy-colored, but California Poppies also grow in a glorious shade of yellow. I used Crushed Curry for the outline image of the flower (I used Stampin’ Write markers direct to the stamp) in order to make the petals more defined.

I colored the White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding with my Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blend. I was prepared to wait a bit to be sure the ink was dry, but between the soft, lightweight ribbon and the magic of alcohol markers, the ribbon was dry and ready to add immediately. I hope we *always* have White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding!!!

I also fussy cut parts of each flower to layer them and add more dimension. The shapes are simple, so it’s not really fussy cutting – more like snip-snip-cutting!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship Square Card

I left the sentiment off this card, as I often do, so that I can customize it when I’m ready to send it. I’ll create a custom square envelope with coordinating DSP and add the extra postage to be sure it arrives. If you make your card a 4 1/4″ square, you can put it in our standard envelope and send it for the regular one ounce USPS rate.

This set is another great option for quick and easy cards. The images are simple to color, and the coordinating punch makes it easy to add a layer. Shop HERE to add it to your crafty stash!

Just 5 more days in the DSP sale! Save 15% on these gorgeous papers – you’ll be so glad you did.

You’re A Peach and Biggest Wish Birthday

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Birthday cards mean a lot to me. Of course I love to get them, but let’s face it: that’s once a year. Rather, I love to send them. Most of us get so little personal mail anymore, so I like to be a little bit of sunshine in someone’s mailbox. As a result, I make a LOT of birthday cards!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up You're A Peach Biggest Wish Birthday
  • Stamps: Biggest Wish
  • Color Palette: Petal Pink, Basic White, Calypso Coral
  • Accessories: You’re A Peach Designer Series Paper (on sale til August 2!), Big Boss, Stitched Rectangle dies, Petal Pink Organdy Striped Ribbon, Pearl jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals, staple

The You’re A Peach DSP is a stunner!! And it’s on sale (along with 8 other collections) through August 2nd. Every single piece of this paper is gorgeous, and the designs on the “B” side are beautiful, versatile monochromatic prints that make great accent elements on a card. It’s a perfect summertime paper, even if you choose to get it without the coordinating Sweet as a Peach bundle. (But why would you?)

I had a narrow strip left over when I cut my panel for the front of the card, so I used it along the bottom of the inside of the card. Little extras like this are what set apart a hand-made card, and this one is easy as can be. Card base, DSP, one die cut with a sentiment, a couple sticky jewels and a stapled ribbon! I choose to line the inside of every card with a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White panel unless the card base is Basic White. I prefer the finished look that extra step provides, and it literally costs just pennies.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up You're A Peach Biggest Wish Birthday

When you have paper this gorgeous, you can create beautiful cards and have them in the mail before breakfast! (NOT BEFORE COFFEE. BEFORE BREAKFAST.) Every design in the You’re a Peach pack will give you these results, and if you add in the versatile Biggest Wish stamp set, you could have a month’s worth of cards with a quick morning’s work. Ready to get started? Shop HERE.

Flowers of Friendship: July 2021 DIY Calendar

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Flowers of Friendship is a brand new stamp-and-punch bundle in the 2021-2022 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog and it caught my eye the moment I turned the page. This wasn’t my vision at that moment, but as I thought about my July calendar I imagined these bright colors:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship DIY Easel Calendar July 2021
  • Stamps: Flowers of Friendship, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Highland Heather, Polished Pink
  • Accessories: Flowers and Leaves punch, Playing with Patterns Resin Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Water Painter, Ink refill

I chose to watercolor these flowers. I would have gotten different results had I thought to stamp and punch them from watercolor paper, but that’s not what happened today. You see, I’ve embarked on a massive project: I am giving my craft room the full KonMari. As a result, crafting has taken a bit of a back seat, and crafting supplies are no longer where they used to be.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Empty Craft Room

I removed EVERYTHING from the craft room and heaped it in the hallway and the bedroom across the hall. Once everything was out I cleaned (massive clouds of cat hair, UGH.) There was also an astonishing amount of adhesive stuck to everything: countertops, floors, cabinets, you name it. Apparently when I get tired I throw glue dots at the wall! Slowly but surely I have been returning things with intention. I haven’t exactly used the “spark joy” technique, but I am being very discriminating about what goes back, and I’m thinking carefully about where things go. I’ve been at this for nearly 2 weeks and I’m not done.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship DIY Easel Calendar July 2021

The good news is that today I’ve made something, and that means that at least some things are where they belong! It’s quite satisfying to work in an orderly space – the chaos has been very discouraging.

And oh, did I love working with these summery colors! This flower reminds me of clematis, although I’ve never seen a vine with all of these colors. The July calendar will be a joy to see all month long.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship DIY Easel Calendar July 2021

If you’re as smitten with Flowers of Friendship as I am, head over to the Online Store. You can purchase select DSP on sale this month while you’re there! And please take a look at the July calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have created this month – I know you’ll be delighted by their talent.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up July 2021 DSP sale

I’ve had a couple of requests for the 2022 DIY template. It will be available late this summer or in the early fall. I’ll be sure to let you know here, and if you’ve purchased in the past, you’ll get an email to notify you it’s ready for sale.

Sassy Snailed It Snails

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Here’s one last peek at the Sassy Snailed It snails! It’s a snail parade, celebrating great accomplishments – I’ve die cut and colored this lineup with Stampin’ Blends. I have LOVED this stamp set, and I’ll be sorry to see it retire in just a couple of weeks.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Snailed It Handmade Card DIY
  • Stamps: Snailed It, Picture Perfect Birthday (retired sentiment)
  • Color Palette: Poppy Parade, Pale Papaya, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Highland Heather, Gray Granite, Basic Black, Basic White
  • Accessories: Snailed dies, Big Boss, Stampin Blends, Peony Garden (retired Designer Series paper)

(My apologies: I used a couple of retired elements for this card.)

I cut out a bunch of these snails and started playing with colors. I decided I liked using Gray Granite as a neutral body color to offset the rainbow of snail shells, and once that was in place, the fun of combining the colors began!

I thought that setting alternate snails up on Stampin’ Dimensionals helped separate them and give more sense of motion. The shading got easier as I went along, as I could just repeat the process with different colors.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Snailed It Handmade Card DIY

I created another version with a Gorgeous Grape card base and Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, Mint Macaron, Balmy Blue and Gorgeous Grape snail shells. I used the Gray Granite blend to shadow underneath the die cut snails.

This bundle leaves the lineup for good on June 30. Shop the Online Store for your own Slither of Snails!

Color and Contour and Stampin Blends

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Can I just go out on a limb and say you NEED the Color and Contour Bundle? The images and sentiments make gorgeous cards, and the dies – especially the layering scalloped rectangles – are indispensable. Oh, and Blends: you’ll need Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Color and Contour Stampin Blends #handmadecard #DIY #makeacardsendacard #fancyfold
  • Stamps: Color and Contour, Sweet Strawberry
  • Color Palette: Pale Papaya, Mint Macaron, Basic White, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Scallop Contour dies, White Crinkled Seam Binding ribbon, 21-23 In Color DSP, Champagne Rhinestones, Stampin Dimensionals

This card is a Fancy Fold. It’s pretty tricky to photograph and get the full impact, but the scalloped focal point opens on a hinge to the right, and the card opens the normal way to the left. My inspiration was a Stamptastic Designs Youtube video and she does a great job of explaining how the card is constructed.

I used the dark Mint Macaron Stampin’ Blend to color the White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. It is VERY easy to do, and dries in the blink of an eye. (Really.) I also used the leaf image to create an abstract border on the white panel inside of the card. Those little extras aren’t necessary – but they make a card so personal.

Each scalloped rectangle has a different detail on the edge, but they nest beautifully. The large stitched scallop edge die is also part of the set, and I confess I clapped my hands and laughed out loud when I figured out that I could add that to the edge of the card. Those details are truly a Stampin’ Up! trademark.

Spend a little happy time coloring with Stampin’ Blends this weekend. And don’t forget the Last Chance products from the January – June Mini Catalog! They’re available while supplies last, but gone for good on June 30th. Find all of them HERE, and click HERE if you’d rather just see those on sale.

Maui Stamper Last Chance 2021 January-June

Hand-Penned Petals and Stampin’ Blends

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I need to practice my coloring skills with Stampin’ Blends, so I produced a handful of images from Hand-Penned Petals and got to work. To my delight, this image is a PERFECT image for the purpose! Not too big, not too small, not too complex – it’s just right. Here’s what I did with the results:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Hand Penned Petals handmade card
  • Stamps: Hand-Penned Petals
  • Color Palette: Pale Papaya, Pumpkin Pie, Granny Apple Green, Basic White, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Penned Flowers dies, Stitched Rectangle dies, 21-23 In Color DSP 6×6 pack, White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, Champagne Rhinestones

Today’s serendipity: The Champagne Rhinestones are a FABULOUS match with Pale Papaya! (Forgive me shouting, please.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Hand Penned Petals handmade card

The White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon is my favorite. When tied, it’s still soft enough to slip through the USPS without extra postage. You can add color with Stampin’ Blends. And it’s just so pretty! It’s part of my Must Have Stash.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Hand Penned Petals handmade card

My technique with Stampin’ Blends is pretty simple. I start with an overall light blend wash, then add the deeper tones and go back with the light tone to do the blending. I use the shading marks in the stamp to guide me, but I don’t have a sophisticated system for dark/light placement. Learning that is on my to-do list <wink>

The Hand Penned stamps and dies are available in a bundle, saving you precious crafting dollars! Stop by the Online Store to get yours today.

While you’re shopping, don’t forget to check out Last Chance shopping for the January – June 2021 Mini Catalog! June 30 is the retiring date for products in that catalog that don’t carry forward in the new 21-22 Annual catalog. Don’t miss out – check the Mini Catalog page HERE.

Maui Stamper Last Chance 2021 January-June

Friends Are Like Seashells: June 2021 DIY

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When I realized I had yet to create a seashells calendar I had a moment of disbelief: how had I neglected that? Never fear, the situation is remedied. And June is a lovely month to think of seashells and sandy shores and all things beachy:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Friends Are Like Seashells DIY Calendar June 2021
Friends A
  • Stamps: Friends Are Like Seashells
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Soft Succulent, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Seashells dies, Blending Brushes, Stampin Dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Silver and Clear Epoxy Essentials, Water Painter

I was inspired by a very talented Aussie demonstrator named Narelle Farrugia. She’s on the Artisan Design Team for Stampin’ Up!, and when you see her work it’s clear why she earned that opportunity. Check out her work – I’m sure she’ll inspire you!

I used Petal Pink and the Blending Brushes to create a soft, tropical background, and used the Brushes on some of those die cut images as well to soften them. Color is a never-ending experiment for me, which is one of the reasons I love stamping so much. I don’t have to draw – and I’ve never been happy with the results when I do – so stamping allows me to focus on the parts that I like. These die cut images are layered with dimensionals and multi-purpose glue to create a little dimension on this tiny canvas.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Friends Are Like Seashells DIY Calendar June 2021

I’m looking forward to seeing these seashells each day in my crafting space. I’m in the midst of a re-organization, and that’s messy work. These soothing colors and reminders of the beach will help me keep my focus.

Maui Stamper Last Chance 2021 January-June

There are FABULOUS savings beginning today on the products featured in the January – June 2021 mini catalog. Do not hesitate – these deals will fly off the webpage! Shop HERE.

If you’d like your own printable 2021 calendar pdf, please contact me with your email. It’s $5 and you can print as many as you’d like! I know there are early-birds out there, but the 2022 pdf won’t be ready until the fall. I promise to let you know as soon as it is.

Stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for June – every month we have a teeny DIY calendar blog tour! And if you’d like to do add the Seashell stamps, dies, and embossing folder to your crafty stash, shop HERE.

….annnnd a little dose of Vitamin Sea from a sweaty but very happy Maui Stamper!! Mr. Maui Stamper and I have a tandem bike and take it out most Sundays for a spin. This past Sunday was especially gorgeous, even by Maui standards!