It’s RemARKably Halloween!

Posted on September 18, 2016 by mauistamper

Welcome to the September version of the RemARKable Blog Tour. This month I’m featuring the Cookie Cutter Halloween stamps paired with the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch. It’s cute, it’s fun to color, and it’s quick!

I didn’t have Halloween paper at my fingertips, so I pulled out this starry paper from the Presents and Pinecones Holiday Catalog DSP and used it with the Mini-Treat-Bag thinlits.

The little scarecrow is my favorite to color – I chose watercolors (Ink Refills and the Aquapainter) to achieve a vintage look. The tag is the same for each of my projects – a Cookie Cutter Halloween punch, a 1 3/4″ Pumpkin Pie card stock circle, a black card stock tag embossed with the Woodland TIEF, and a vellum “washi” cut from the Mini-Treat-Bag thinlits set and stamped with Happy Halloween from Teeny Tiny Wishes, one of my crafting workhorses!

This little vampire isn’t very scary, and he’s easy to color with Stampin’ Write markers (Rich Razzleberry and Pear Pizazz). He tops a treat bag made with the Gift Bag Punch Board.

The little mummy is my all around favorite. I added the little heart (it’s one of the builder items on the punch) and colored a little Razzleberry face in there – how easy is that? There’s a little mummy brigade behind the tag punched directly onto the Kraft Tag a Bag gift bag.

The Gold Binder clips are perfect for attaching tags and closing up bags! And that ribbon is the Peekaboo Peach taffeta – it blends very well with Pumpkin Pie!

Last in the lineup is the Skelly, accompanied by a Row of Ravens (Nevermore!) across the Petite Cafe Gift Bag.

Our new Kraft Rope trim is soft and easy to tie, and it coordinates with everything. That’s my kind of accessory.

Here’s the lineup! You can hand out treats, deliver home-baked goodies, or even fill them up with worms and dirt and give them to all of the naughty boys and girls.

Well, we wouldn’t really do that now, would we?

Next stop on the tour is Heather Mathieson, and she is definitely not going to be naughty – I know she has wonderful projects to share with you! Enjoy the tour.

Anne Matasci YOU ARE HERE!

Cookie Cutter Builder Punch #140396 $18

Maui Stamper Cookie Cutter Halloween Stampin Up

Cookie Cutter Halloween stamps Wood #142242 $23 Clear #142255 $17

Oh What Fun!

Posted on September 15, 2016 by mauistamper

There’s not a whole lot of sleighing in the islands. Native Hawaiians enjoyed the sport of land sledding, and although there are a few contemporary athletes, it’s relatively obscure (something to do with the fact that accidents were often quite deadly.)

But the sleigh – or really The Sleigh – is such an iconic Christmas image that I couldn’t resist:

Stamps: Oh What Fun
Color Palette: Real Red, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Shimmer White, Silver and Gold
Accessories: Santa’s Sleigh Thinlits, Big Shot, Precision Base Plate (you need this!!), Stampin’ Dimensionals, Linen thread, Jingle Bells, Real Red Glitter Embossing Powder, Silver Foil sheets, Gold Foil sheets

I love the Shimmery White card stock on this card. It’s very clean with a lot of texture from the foil and the Glitter Embossing Powder, and the shimmer makes me think of snow. (Yes, I know about snow. I have been to the University of Notre Dame in February, aka the Frozen Tundra. Thank goodness for Mary Travis and her boots.)

This is a 5″ x 5″ square card, but an envelope is quick and easy with the Envelope Punch Board.

I had a small environmental disaster making this card. You may know that certain persons in my household consider glitter to be of the Dark One. Tonight I was working with the Real Red Glitter EP and I moved the embossing tray just a little too quickly. Clouds of red glitter were IMMEDIATELY dispersed into the stamp room atmosphere. The EPA may have to be summoned. I finally took everything outside to try to get the EP back into the little jar (sort of like returning the genie to the lamp) and now my back lanai is infected. Fortunately, Mr. Maui Stamper is on a business trip until Friday afternoon.

If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do. If you want to create your own environmental disaster, shop HERE.

Maui Stamper Holiday 2016 Favorite Things

Posted on September 2, 2016 by mauistamper

Raindrops on roses…well, not exactly! I’ve had a month to play with many of the products from the Stampin’ Up! Holiday 2016 catalog, and I thought I’d share my Maui Stamper Favorite Things with you. I can’t promise that my list won’t change throughout the season, but here’s where it stands today:

#1. Copper Foil Paper

I’ve shared a sample using Santa’s Sleigh (see #8 below) and this paper is amazing. There’s coordinating Embossing Powder and Copper Thread in the Annual Catalog. The look is rich and luxurious and this is my absolute favorite catalog product.

#2. Cookie Cutter Christmas bundle

These are the cutest! I am not usually a “cute” card person, but this set has made a believer out of me! The images are easy to stamp and color, and a Wink of Stella is the perfect finishing touch. You’ll use these over and over for cards, tags and package embellishments.

#3. Mini Pine Cones

AAAACCCKKK!! I can’t stand how adorable these are!! There’s nothing else to say.

#4. Jolly Friends and the Jolly Hat punch bundle

All of the images in this set are cute – again, I’m usually not into cute, but I’m pleading the 5th! The moose is my absolute fave, hands down.

#5. Glitter Embossing Powder: Emerald Envy and Real Red

If you’ve read my blog for any time at all, you’ll know that Mr. Maui Stamper is NOT (Capital N.O.T.) a fan of glitter. This embossing powder keeps the sparkle in place and keeps my man happy. In Real Red and Emerald Envy – gotta get ’em all!

#6. Christmas Pines and Pretty Pines thinlits

The thinlits alone are reason enough – those delicate branches have multiple applications. There’s some gorgeous DSP and Washi to coordinate with this suite as well.

#7. Tin of Tags Project Kit and the Tin of Tags stamps

Last year we had Oh What Fun (and that set is still available and still one of my faves) but Tin of Tags has that TIN!! If you’ve run out of creative holiday hostess gifts, look no further. This is the One Gift to Rule them All.

#8. Santa’s Sleigh stamp and thinlit bundle

There are a million and one things you can do with this combination. The main images of a sleigh, reindeer and tree are just the beginning! Again, tags, cards and package embellishments are a snap with these versatile pieces.

#9. Merry Mice (also available in wood)

I have to confess, I love these little critters. I’m not inviting them into my house, but look at those ears! Stamp them with Archival Ink (black or gray) on Shimmery White card stock for a gorgeous, easy-to-watercolor image.

#10. Stampin’ Write Marker sets to Coordinate with the Designer Series paper!!

When I saw these, I actually jumped up and down. I have wanted options for markers besides buying the full sets, and this catalog made my dream come true!! Now you can stock up on your favorite colors – the ones that coordinate perfectly with our DSP – and color to your heart’s content.

So there you have it. Lots of great products didn’t make the top 10, but it’s my party and I’ll choose what I want!

Ready to shop? Start HERE.

September Patterns

Posted on September 1, 2016 by mauistamper

These calendars are petite, and even detailed hand-coloring doesn’t take long:

Stamps: Lighthearted Leaves (Holiday 2015, retired)
Color Palette: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Rich Raspberry
Accessories: Leaflets Framelits (Holiday 2015, retired), Stampin’ Write markers

When you look at these three colors, they make a pretty bold statement. But their color values are very similar, and I think that’s what makes them work so well together. Color is a very personal decision, but I love this look.

I considered cutting out one leaf and popping it up on dimensionals, but when I added it to the calendar it didn’t do what I expected it would. Sometimes less really is more.

Check out the calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have designed for September.

The Holiday Catalog is LIVE today – check it out HERE! And be SURE to stop by tomorrow for my first ever Maui Stamper Holiday Catalog Favorite Things!!!

Oh What Fun

Posted on August 30, 2016 by mauistamper

We’re just days – hours, really – from the release of the 2016 Holiday catalog and I thought you would enjoy a little sneak peek. Here’s something sparkly I designed:

This card has a lot of texture and shine, and might surprise you when you find how easy it is to assemble.

Stamps: Oh What Fun
Color Palette: Shimmer White, Real Red, Basic Black, Silver, Gold
Accessories: Santa’s Sleigh thinlits, Precision Base Plate and the Big Shot, Glitter Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Versamark Ink, Heat Gun, Jingle Bells, Gold Foil, Silver Foil, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Oh What Fun was the coordinating stamp set from last year’s Christmas tag kit and remains in the Annual Catalog this year. I’m really happy to see it back as I was a huge fan of so many of the sentiments!

This is one of the card’s you’ll make if you join us on September 10th. Early Bird registration ends Thursday, September 1st!

Merry Christmas Wishes

Posted on August 27, 2016 by mauistamper

The new Stampin’ Up! 2016 Holiday Catalog will be available on September 1st, and I can’t resist showing you a few things I’ve been working on. This edition is full of gorgeous new products!

Maui Stamper Santas Sleigh Stampin Up Holiday 2016

There is beautiful Copper Foil paper to compliment the Copper embossing powder, and the Santa’s Sleigh stamps and framelits have versatile images to create looks ranging from cute to classic.

The reindeer and sentiment are embossed in copper, and the circle and mat layer are Copper foil. I used the Softly Falling TIEF for texture and the Layering Circles framelits for the moon. The tree and star are both included in the framelits that are bundled with Santa’s Sleigh.

Only 5 more sleeps until this catalog is released!

The Early Bird gets (to make) the Tags!

Posted on August 26, 2016 by mauistamper

We’ve been hard at work creating projects we think you’re really going to enjoy. Presenting the 2016 Maui Stamper Holiday Card and Tag classes!!

Early Bird registration is through September 1st and includes 4 BONUS Merriest Wishes tags. RSVP and pay for both classes and make TWO sets of tags!

Holiday Cards will be Saturday, September 10th from 1 to 4pm in Wailuku. Cost is $18 for 6 cards, 4 Stampin’ Up! envelopes and 2 custom envelopes PLUS a bonus Tombo to help you put them all together.

Holiday Tags is offered Wednesday, September 7th from 7 to 10pm in Wailuku. Cost is $12 for 6 cards and a fresh bottle of Tombo – the Wonder Adhesive!!

Pay for the Tin of Tags kit ($22, we pay shipping & tax) with your Early Bird registration and we’ll have a station set up so that you can stamp all the pieces.

You’ll love using all of these gorgeous tags and cards, but they would make FABULOUS gifts as well. If you’re tired of giving the same old gifts to co-workers and friends, consider a handmade paper gift!

RemARKably Thoughtful Branches

Posted on August 21, 2016 by mauistamper

RemARKable Blog Tour

Welcome to the August RemARKable Blog Tour. We’re featuring the exclusive, available-only-this-month scrum-tiddily-umptious Thoughtful Branches stamp set, paired with the Beautiful Branches thinlits. I’m not featuring the thinlits today, but you can see them used HERE and HERE. Instead, I’m focusing on the trees.

Maui Stamper RemARKable Blog Tour Thoughtful Branches

I elected to keep this card on the simple side. You could use just about any sentiment – thanks, sympathy, hello or even Christmas. I made it a birthday card because, well, #imbringingbirthdaysback. Aren’t you?

Maui Stamper RemARKable Blog Tour Thoughtful Branches

The color palette is Pool Party, Island Indigo, Whisper White and Crumb Cake. I’ve used the Thoughtful Branches stamp set and the Thoughtful Banners set for the sentiment. The Designer Series Paper is from the Subtles Stack. Oh, and of course I’ve used Stampin’ Dimensionals!

I love that you can stamp the trunk independently of the branches. No more fussy markering the stamps! (Ha!! My spell-check doesn’t think MARKERING is a word. Silly spell-check.)

Maui Stamper RemARKable Blog Tour Thoughtful Branches

This card is slightly stepped up – but not too much. I used the Floral Boutique DSP and the Softly Falling TIEF for texture, and added a little sparkle with the Wink of Stella clear brush. The image is cut with Ovals framelits, and I added a greeting cut from Silver Foil paper using the Christmas Greetings thinlits.

Maui Stamper RemARKable Blog Tour Thoughtful Branches

This beautiful, versatile set is only available this month. You can purchase the stamps, the thinlits or the bundle, but whatever you do, don’t wait!

Next up on the tour is Audra Monk, and you know she always has a great RemARKable post. Enjoy the tour!

Mary Jo Price Williams

Paper Pumpkin BOGO!

Posted on August 18, 2016 by mauistamper

There’s a fantastic offer for first time Paper Pumpkin craft kit subscribers!

Subscribe between now and September 10th, and pay full price for your September kit ($19.95 + tax). You’ll receive the October kit for free! Use promo code BOGO at checkout. You can sign up or learn more HERE.

Subscribe between September 11th and October 10th and you’ll pay for October and get November for free!

What’s a Paper Pumpkin? It’s a complete paper crafting kit delivered to your door ready to open and craft, or to take when you’re out and about. All you need to supply is adhesive. Here are examples of kits from 2016:

The Fine Print:

IMPORTANT: This offer is invalid if your subscription is suspended or cancelled during the first two months. In other words, subscribers cannot cancel or suspend their subscription during their first two months—if they do, the offer is void.
After the first two months, the subscription will continue for $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included) unless cancelled or suspended. Promotion Ends October 10, 2016.
This offer is open to first-time subscribers only.
Not valid on prepaid subscriptions.
Ends October 10, 2016 (the last day to subscribe and get the October kit).

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Fabulous Figgy Flora

Posted on August 14, 2016 by mauistamper

There’s a group of stamp sets that get sold short in the Annual Catalog, at least in my opinion. The Host Rewards sets don’t seem to get the same attention that the rest of the catalog enjoys. Fabulous Flora is a host set, and I think it deserves a better look:

Stamps: Fabulous Flora (Host), Thoughtful Banners, Best Birds, TImeless Texture
Color Palette: Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Pear Pizazz, Soft Suede, White (I used watercolor paper, not Whisper White), Basic Black, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Watercolor paper, Wink of Stella Gold, Aqua Painter, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’m not as big a fan of Wink of Stella Gold – I prefer the Clear version. However, I’ve found a use for it that I really love – the flick. You know. You get the brush end loaded up with the color and then flick it against your finger over the paper to get some spatter.

It’s easy to do as long as you remember to load up the brush end. If it’s dry, you can do a whole lot of flicking without seeing much in the way of results.

I played a bit with the Aqua Painter here too, layering the color and adding a light Smoky Slate wash around the images to set them off. Since this card has very limited layers, I wanted to create more texture with the watercoloring.

In order to own a Host Rewards stamp set, you need to be the host of an event/party/order/group order that reaches $150. Let me know if you’d like help in figuring out how to make that happen! I think Fabulous Flora is worth the effort.