Springtime Foils Narrow Note Cards

Posted on March 17, 2018 by mauistamper

The Springtime Foils DSP available through March 31 as a free Sale-a-bration choice is one of my favorite SAB offerings EVER. Seriously. This paper is absolutely beautiful on its own, and can be dressed up left, sideways and upside down as well. I may or may not have splurged on some extra supplies just to stock up on this paper.

Last month’s Host Club got to play with this paper as a simple background for some charming note cards:

Stamps: Beautiful Bouquet
Color Palette: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Narrow Note Cards, Ombre Lemon Lime Twist ribbon, Bermuda Bay shimmer ribbon (SAB 2018), Big Shot, Bouquet Bunch Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, Tutti Frutti Adhesive Backed Sequins, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestone gems, retired ribbon

The Beautiful Bouquet bundle has the perfect assortment of flowers, leaves and sentiments to satisfy any card occasion, but it’s the subtle patterns and glimmer in that Springtime Foils DSP that really sets the card apart. You’ve seen plenty of great techniques with these papers, but don’t forget that they have great impact just as they are.

Truth: I thought the Tutti Frutti Adhesive Backed Sequins were kind of a dumb idea and a waste of money. WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. These little sparklers pack a big punch and are super easy to add to any project. I am seriously in love and regret ever doubting their marvelousness.

I chose Crumb Cake for the mat in this suite of cards to tie them together and to allow the bright colors to pop. This is the sort of card I would keep in my desk at work for that moment when you want to dash off a quick note of appreciation and leave it in someone’s bag to discover on the way home

This final design features the sparkly ribbon in the Shimmer Ribbon pack (SAB 2018). It’s sparklier than you can see in the photo, and when we’d finished crafting for the evening it took a while to figure out where all the glimmer on the table had originated. Mr. Maui Stamper is NOT a fan of glitter, so I had to get out a microfiber cloth and apply some elbow grease to make sure all traces were eradicated. It’s a small price to pay to live with that wonderful man.

What’s a cute note card set without a custom box? The last part of the ensemble is a package made with the Lots to Love Framelit dies. I used a Pool Party Stampin’ Blend to add color to the leaves on the Springtime Foil paper, and stamped and punched a pair of Daisies (Daisy Delight stamps and the Daisy punch – and there’s a bundle!) for the embellishment on the top. The center of that embellishment is supposed to be a Clear Faceted Gem, but for the life of me I cannot find them in the chaos of my craft space. I know they’re there. I’ve used some of them, recently even. It drives me crazy when this happens. CRAZY!!

Yesterday Stampin’ Up! announced additional products to the 2018 Sale-a-bration lineup. These products are items from the Annual Catalog that you can choose with you $50 or $100 product order. If you choose one of those Annual Catalog items, be sure to use the unique Sale-a-bration reward code and not the product code in the catalog.

There are some great values, and one in particular is worth noting: the Color Me Happy project kit is valued at $25 and you get it for free with a $50 order! There is a coordinating Color Me Happy stamp set that will get you started with your Sale-a-bration order, or you can use stamps from your existing collection. The cards are delightful, the envelopes are luxurious, and you have to look far and wide find another deal like this. But don’t take my word for it: shop for yourself.

Blending the Birdies

Posted on March 10, 2018 by mauistamper

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.

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

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?

Creating with Petal Palette and a little Brusho

Posted on March 5, 2018 by mauistamper

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:

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.)

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

Posted on March 1, 2018 by mauistamper

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:

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.

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!

New Sale-a-bration Swag today!

Posted on February 16, 2018 by mauistamper

There’s a brand new selection of Sale-a-bration swag available today. It’s an addition, so you have plenty of time to earn these new goodies or any of the fabulous choices from the first release (did someone say panda?)

Shop HERE

Heart Happiness Valentines

Posted on February 13, 2018 by mauistamper

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.

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.

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:

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.

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

Posted on February 12, 2018 by mauistamper

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.

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

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.

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!

Posted on February 6, 2018 by mauistamper

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!

With deepest sympathy

Posted on February 6, 2018 by mauistamper

It’s the card no one wants to make, but the one that means so very much to receive. Mr. Maui Stamper and I needed a card for dear friends who lost a beloved mother, grandmother, friend.

Stamps: Hello Friend, Loving Thoughts (retired)
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Big Shot, Layering Circles framelits, Black Diamond Jewels (retired Holiday 2017), Layered Leaves Dynamic TIEF, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was pleased with the color palette because it was light enough to be hopeful, but subdued enough to convey the depth of our feelings. Color speaks volumes.

I stocked up on those tiny black rhinestone jewels from the Holiday 2017 catalog, and they were the perfect touch.

I hope you don’t need a card like this, but if you do, I hope you’ll be inspired to make and send one. Don’t worry about what to put inside. Simple things are best, things like “I’m thinking of you” or “I’m available to pick up your kids from school all month”. Don’t try to fix it or make it better. Grief takes its own course. Just be present.

Panda Panda Panda! Sale-a-bratin’ in February

Posted on February 1, 2018 by mauistamper

February is going to be fabulous – look at what I’ll have on my desk all month!!

Stamps: Party Pandas (SAB 2018), Tabs for Everything
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Berry Burst
Accessories: Stamparatus, Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Write markers

I just love their little bellies.

The hearts are from Tabs for Everything and there’s one more large heart that is a solid image. That set is a bit of a sleeper!

Stamparatus has become my GO-TO, who-knew-I-needed-this, favorite tool ever! Well, maybe it’s in a first place tie with the Big Shot, because I don’t like to fussy cut. Getting a perfect, solid image when you mask can be tricky, but not with Stamparatus! Lining up images in a straight line can be tricky, but not with Stamparatus! If you’re not in the reservation queue, put this at the top of your list for the 2018-2019 catalog. I promise, you’ll fall in love!

Crystal and Cheryl have more to share – check out what they’ve done. If you’d like to share your calendar creations with us on Pinterest, please put your Pinterest user name in the comments and I’ll add you to our board.

The Maui Stamper

papercrafts, my stories, and the occasional insight

Springtime Foils Narrow Note Cards

Blending the Birdies

Creating with Petal Palette and a little Brusho

A Beautiful Peacock sailing through March

New Sale-a-bration Swag today!

Heart Happiness Valentines

This Little Piggy Loves You

FAST FUSE SALE is back!

With deepest sympathy

Panda Panda Panda! Sale-a-bratin’ in February

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