Those glorious orchids

Posted on June 13, 2017 by mauistamper

I love a new catalog. There are new stamps, new colors, new ribbons and inspiration to last for ages! I couldn’t sleep last night after an evening of crafting – there were so many ideas swirling around in my head!

I inked up the gorgeous Climbing Orchid suite last week. Orchids are abundant in Hawaii, and I have a local source that’s quite reasonable, so they are almost always blooming in my home. I couldn’t wait to try the paper version:

Stamps: Climbing Orchid, Touches of Texture
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Berry Burst, So Saffron, Soft Suede
Accessories: Big Shot, Orchid Builder Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals, a new set of cutting pads!!!!

The new cutting pads are my favorite indulgence. I can make the old, crusty, doubled-up pads work, but why? They leave funny marks on the paper because they’re so chopped up. And opening a new set of cutting pads is one of those hold-your-breath moments. They’re so smooth! I always have two new backup pairs in my Big Shot Organizer – I ordered the replacements the same day I opened the new set.

You don’t have to cut this many layers, but I’m glad I chose to. The extra depth and texture make the card special, and most of the time, paper layers don’t create the dreaded Post Office Bump.

Once I decided on a color scheme, this card was pretty quick and simple. I’m looking forward to playing with these orchids all year long.

Re-creating a Maui Stamper Classic

Posted on June 9, 2017 by mauistamper

Sale-a-bration 2016 inspired a card that has become my all time favorite. Because the stamps were available for such a short time, I made a few different versions but then moved on. I’ve watched every catalog for a suitable replacement, and when I spied Flirty Flowers in the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog I knew I had a good possibility.

Stamps: Flirty Flowers, Sunshine Sayings, Timeless Textures
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede
Accessories: Linen Thread, Stampin’ Write Markers

There’s a time commitment in cutting and stamping this card. It’s not a good candidate for mass production, but it’s a great project for relaxing and enjoying the creative process.

It’s really enjoyable to mix and match textures, images and colors to create a unique card. My original design using the Sale-a-bration stamp set Field Flowers was done in yellow tones, but I also created one in pinks and another in blues. The monochromatic palettes tie together an otherwise chaotic collection of images.

I tried this one with Fresh Fig and Sweet Sugarplum. There are things I like about it, but it’s definitely a different vibe.

In all honesty, I think Flowering Fields was a once-in-a-lifetime set of stamps. I’d love to know what you think – please leave me a comment with your thoughts.

And just for the record, here’s the original Flowering Fields cards in Crushed Curry and So Saffron. It was CASEd many, many times, and I am very grateful to those generous crafters who acknowledged my design. If you CASE a card, please give the original artist credit. Thanks.

The New Catalog is LIVE!

Posted on June 1, 2017 by mauistamper

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for today!

The new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog is live and available for ordering, and Stampin’ Up! has added a sweet incentive for hosts. Your event can earn bonus Host Dollars in the month of June!

Contact me for details and inspiration. There are lots of ways to host an event!

Oh, and that new catalog? Yeah. Shop HERE.

Happy Wanderer

Posted on June 1, 2017 by mauistamper

Warning: once we get to June, my calendar images may include retired stamps. I create the calendars in January. It is what it is.

This little gem comes from the retired So Sublime stamp set. It’s colored with an Aquapainter and a few markers and it’s as simple as can be.

I’m not a camper, but how could you resist an adventure in such a cute little roll-along?

Stop by and see what Cheryl and Crystal have designed for June!

Have cape, will solve problems

Posted on May 31, 2017 by mauistamper

I wish a cape was all it took to solve a problem. I don’t want to dive too deeply into the problems of the world, but it seems to me that we could use a few more good guys and gals wearing capes:

Stamps: Everyday Hero (retiring TONIGHT)
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Dapper Denim, Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist
Accessories: Eastern Palace Specialty DSP, Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils, Aquapainter, Enamel shapes, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I use an Aquapainter to blend our Colored Pencils. You can use a regular brush with water, but the Aquapainter is sitting on my craft desk 10 inches from my hand. It’s so easy.

This set has especially good sentiments for adding to the inside of the card. It would be a great Father’s Day card, but this one actually went to a friend who accomplished something pretty special.

Today is the last day to shop the Retired List for 2016-2017 and you know what that means: the new 2017-2018 catalog begins tomorrow! Today is also the last day to get your free Very Vanilla note cards or Thick Very Vanilla card stock with your Eastern Palace bundle!

I just sent in my last order for the old catalog, and my list for the new catalog is ready to roll as soon as the system goes live (Stampin’ Up! promises by noon Mountain time). Are you ready?? Shop HERE.

A sunny package

Posted on May 26, 2017 by mauistamper

This past April, Maui was completely abuzz over a field of sunflowers. For days, my Facebook feed was filled with their shining faces beaming towards the sky, and before long I started looking for a paper version. The Eastern Elegance suite proved to be just the thing:

Stamps: Basket Bunch (retiring and on sale!)
Color Palette: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Kraft
Accessories: Big Shot, Eastern Medallions Thinlit dies, Layering Circle framelits, Big Shot Die Brush (indispensable, on sale, and being retired to make way for a new version), Stampin’ Dimensionals, Ink Daubers, Crushed Curry Bakers Twine (retired and sold out), Gift Bag Punch Board, an old leaf Bigz die that is long, long retired, and a enamel dot from two Christmas catalogs ago.

I apologize for using things that aren’t available, but at the end of a catalog cycle it gets a little crazy! If you’ve been crafting for a while, you know how it feels to find just the right thing – and then discover it’s not current.

The sunflower was really easy – two flower segments are paired with a dark circle behind the Eastern Elegance stacked thinlits. I love that you can layer those thinlits and just make one pass with the Big Shot! The Crushed Curry ink on the outside of the petals gives them a little more dimension. I did this with Crushed Curry flowers and it worked beautifully as well.

These were goodie bags for my Host Club members. We use a 6 month calendar for maximum flexibility, and we have a new round beginning in June. There’s always room for another crafter at the table, so if you’re on Maui, let me know if you’d like to check it out.

Just a few more days for your free gifts with either the Basic or Premier Eastern Palace Suite bundles! Shop HERE.

The Eastern Palace Suite

Posted on May 24, 2017 by mauistamper

I’ve had this early-release product for some time, but if I’m absolutely honest, it kind of intimidated me. The stamps coordinate perfectly with the framelits, and there are a million and one ways to use the framelits – and that was what had me holding my breath. Fortunately, I’ve survived that crisis and am happy to share the results with you today:

Stamps: Eastern Beauty
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Tranquil Tide
Accessories: Big Shot, Softly Falling TIEF, Eatern Medallions Thinlits, Precision Base Plate, Copper Thread, Eastern Palace Specialty DSP, 1 1/4″ circle punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I kept this card intentionally simple, partly because it was for a swap, and partly to keep myself from freaking out. I wasn’t sure if the color combination would work, but I LOVE IT! I lean towards monochromatic color combinations and this made me very happy.

I used two separate thinlits on the Very Vanilla piece, and was thrilled to discover that they lined up perfectly together so that I could get this look with just one pass of the Big Shot. (Remember: this was for a swap so I needed a bunch!)

The Very Best Part about this card is something you wouldn’t know if I didn’t tell you (GUESS WHAT? I’M GONNA TELL YOU!!) If you purchase the Premier Bundle, not only do you get the stamps and thinlits and DSP and embellishments and ink and paper (new In Colors too!), but you get our brand new, not-yet-released-but-in-the-new-catalog THICK VERY VANILLA CARD STOCK!!!!

I know. I’m sorry. I keep shouting. But as you can tell, I’m just a teeny tiny bit excited.

There are two bundles featuring the Eastern Palace Suite. Both include free gifts!! One is a Basic Bundle, and the other is the Premier Bundle. Either one will keep you happily crafting for days, but you’ll get that Very Vanilla card stock as a free gift in the Premier Bundle. And I promise it will make you very, very happy.

Shop HERE.

A late Mother’s Day post: edited

Posted on May 18, 2017 by mauistamper

I knew I had CASED this card but didn’t realize how closely my card resembled the original. I want to give credit to Charlett Mallett for the design and color scheme for this card!

**************************************************************************************************************

A belated Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, moms, grandmas, nanas, aunties, and any woman who has nurtured a child (teachers, this means all of you!). Loving and guiding a child through life’s ups and downs is one of the most challenging and fulfilling experiences of my life.

I’m very proud of my three children, as well as the many young people I’ve loved through family, school, scouting, church, neighborhoods and even Facebook. I absolutely believe the adage that it takes a village to raise a child, and in today’s world of increased mobility, the village has become global in nature as well. I turned to circular images for this card to reflect the continuous nature of mothering.

Stamps: Oh So Succulent
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Falling Petals TIEF, Succulent Framelit Dies, Swirly Scribbles Thinlit dies, Lace Doilies (sold out), Blushing Bride Sequin Trim, 1 1/4″ Circle Punch, Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

There’s a 1 1/4″ Very Vanilla circle punch behind the Swirly Scribble die cut, as the center of the doily is very lacy and I found it distracting.

Many of these products are retiring, and stamps are guaranteed availability only through May 22. After that date, they’ll be sold on a while supplies last basis. Don’t miss your favorites! Shop HERE.

Spring flowers, mainland style

Posted on May 12, 2017 by mauistamper

I love tropical flowers – a lot! – but in the spring, I miss the spring flowers I grew up with. You know the ones: daffodils, tulips, iris, paper whites…you might be able to grow them in some parts of the island where it gets cold at night, but the heat of the day forces them open way too fast. The markets often have bouquets in the spring, but I suspect they’re flown in, and by the time I get them home they’re already looking like they need a couple of hours in the fridge.

Fortunately, I can enjoy paper flowers all year round without having to pick up the wilted petals:

Stamps: Basket Bunch, Gorgeous Grunge
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Mint Macaron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Big Shot, Festive TIEF, Wink of Stella Clear, Stampin’ Write markers, retired ribbon, and that Mint Macaron DSP – I think it’s from the Presents and Pinecones DSP from the Holiday catalog, and I’m pretty sure it’s in the Clearance Rack!