Just some birds and bees

Posted on June 30, 2011 by mauistamper

It’s been another busy day. As much as I love to travel, and as much as I love to come home, the first week back always seems so frantic. It feels like a combination of herding cats and trying to stick Jello to the wall.

The new Stampin’ Up! catalog is just a few hours away from its public debut, and that’s part of the reason my week has been so intense. There’s a lot of tension between the things I NEED to do and the things I WANT to do! I already have my Sneak Peak order in house – matter of fact, I had my Sneak Peak copy of the new Idea Book and Catalog shipped to the log cabin we stayed at in South Dakota. I’ve been through it cover to cover, left, right and forward, but I’m still struggling with what to order when the whole catalog is available. I’m sure I’ll make good choices when the time comes 🙂

In the meantime, I have a few cards to share with you. These are all retiring sets, so I’m not going to give you the itemized supply list. If you desperately need to know something, leave a comment and I promise I’ll respond.

This is the Always stamp set in Pear Pizazz and Marina Mist.

Oh, the sweet bees from Just Buzzin’ By! I am going to miss these sassy little buzz-bombs.

And my silly Cheep Talk birdies are retiring too! I’ve done so many things with this stamp set. I know it’s time to move on, and there just isn’t room in my studio for heaps of retired stamp sets, but I’ll be sorry to see Cheep Talk go.

Eastern Blooms is yet another set I’ll miss, but there are so many gorgeous new floral sets that I’ll surely find a new favorite. All Holidays may be another story. Stampin’ Up! hasn’t created a sentiment anything like “My Dear Kind & Wonderful Friend” at least not one that I’ve seen. Correct me if I’m wrong! I may hang onto All Holidays for a while.

It’s a bittersweet time of year, but the longer I’m a demonstrator the more I come to look forward to the change. I do keep a few retired sets, but I find after a year or so I’m ready to let go of most of them. Some people enjoy going back to old favorites, but I guess I just have a short attention span. I love seeing new, fresh ideas! Check back early in the morning for a link to the new catalog, and sweet dreams.

Starting the day out right

Posted on September 11, 2010 by mauistamper

While the Morning Cup set was on my desk I put together a quick 3×3 notecard:

Morning Cup and Always stamp sets
Whisper White and Early Espresso card stock
Play Date Designer Series Paper
Early Espresso Classic ink pad
Blender Pen and Stampin’ Pastels
Real Red 1/8 inch ribbon
1 1/4, 1 3/8 inch and scallop circle punches

This sentiment from the Always stamp set struck me as the perfect complement to this image. That first cup in the morning is what makes my day come to life. We have an espresso machine and my dear husband makes me a cappucino every morning. It’s one of the many ways he spoils me, and so in a way this card is all about him, too.

Blast from the Past Page Two

Posted on March 7, 2010 by mauistamper

This was the first paper I found in my foray through the scrap bin. I loved this paper the first time I laid eyes on it, and it took me a while to cut into it – I kept thinking there was something I needed to save it for! Upsy Daisy is so appealing.

Always Stamp set
Baja Breeze, Brushed Silver and Gloss White card stock; Retired Designer Series Paper
Baja Breeze Classic ink pad
1 3/4″ circle punch; Embossing Buddy, Clear Detail Embossing Powder and heat tool
White taffeta ribbon and Stampin’ Dimensionals
Paper Snips

I think I’ve rhapsodized about the Stampin’ Up! Paper Snips before, but if you weren’t listening, well, here I go again! They are so sharp and precise and they making cutting details so easy. Did you notice I even cut out the space between the bird’s two skinny bird legs? I made an X with a craft knife then used the snips to finish the job.

Speaking of craft knives, I have the one that belonged to my grandfather. I remember finding it in his desk drawer when my sister and I went through the house before it was sold, and at the time I just wanted it because it was his. Now I keep it on my craft table and and I get so much pleasure from using it. Such a small thing, but it reminds me of him.

How do you choose?

Posted on October 2, 2009 by mauistamper

I love this bird from the Always set. It caught my eye the first time I saw it. The other images in the set complement it well, and are especially useful when you need to give some texture or design to a solid piece of cardstock.

Plant your feet firmly and let your heart have wings

Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive and Naturals Ivory cardstock; Retired Designer Series Paper
Always and Hope Happens stamp sets
Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay Classic Stamp pads
Embossing powder and heat tool

Over the years, I’ve learned to be more critical when I select a set for myself. If it’s for me, of course I have to love the images, but I also look for versatility. I’ve bought my share of “one hit wonders” and to be honest, I begrudge the room they occupy in my little bitty stamping space (known to the rest of the family as the laundry room…sigh). As my style develops, I have to watch that I don’t select the same thing again and again- natural images like birds, flowers, and trees. Sure, I have some holiday stamps, and a few that would work as baby or wedding items in a pinch, but maybe it’s time to branch out to something new. Ha. Maybe I’ll get Season of Friendship. I’ve been looking at that tree for the longest time.