Tag Archives: Aqua Painter

Vibrant Vases: Colour INKspiration #60

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I am just under the wire for the Colour INKspiration #60 challenge! It often catches me because the deadlines are in Australian Eastern Standard Time Zone, and that means it’s a day ahead because of the International Dateline. I should know better – my daughter lives north of Sydney – but even when I do the math correctly I’m often under the wire. But here’s my contribution:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Vibrant Vases CI#60

This is the inspiration image for CI#60. I’ll tell you, these colours are a bit of a challenge to put together! Terracotta Tile and Petal Pink are made for one another, but those other two, well, it was a stretch. This project sat on my craft desk for a few days in pieces.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Vibrant Vases CI#60

When I got the idea for the classic Blue-And-White for the vases, things started to come together. I used both Stampin’ Write markers and the Aqua Painter to get shading on the blooms, and used the Aqua Painter for the vases. I intended for it to have that slightly uneven, outside-the-lines look that old china pottery has.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Vibrant Vases CI#60

If you’ve never tried a Colour Inkspiration challenge, I highly recommend it! You’ll love the projects that have been submitted for CI#60.

And if you’d like to do a little shopping, click HERE.

Stampin’ Up! Host Rewards: Soft Spring

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Host sets are a bit of a mystery to me. They’re a great value, but they don’t get the exposure or interest they should. They’re available at a discounted price, but the twist is that you have to use Host Rewards to purchase them. Today I’m featuring Soft Spring:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Soft Spring Host Rewards

I used the Stamping Sponge to add a little texture and soften the Crumb-Cake-on-White look of the Birch background. I cut the word THANKS out twice, once in Blushing Bride and once in Gold Foil, and offset layered them for added dimension. This is a perfectly flat, no-questions-asked MAIL WORTHY card!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Soft Spring Host Rewards

Those Stitched Nested Label dies (also sold as part of the Free as a Bird bundle) are going to be a constant crafting companion! And there’s a bonus in the set: a single long die to make a line of stitching anywhere you’d like it.

I originally created this as an entry for Colour Inkspiration #58, but decided to submit THIS CARD instead. I think I made the right choice! That’s the fun of color challenges: you can repeat them over and over again with such different results.

If this post has resulted in the desire/need to shop, click HERE.

June 2019 DIY Calendar: Free as a Bird

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Happy June First! Just a couple more days until the debut of the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. My calendar for June features a new stamp set, but I’m not using the birds. Instead, I chose these sweet flowers and our new In Color, Rococo Rose:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! June 2019 DIY Calendar Free as a Bird
  • Stamps: Free as a Bird (available June 4), Good Morning Magnolia (available June 4)
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Rococo Rose (available June 4), Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers, Aqua Painter

I used a sticky note mask to layer the floral images, and added a touch of Daffodil Delight in the center to brighten them up. Other than that, this is a very simple and quick design that can be incorporated into a variety of designs. The sentiment is from Good Morning Magnolia.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! June 2019 DIY Calendar Free as a Bird

I have both the 2019 and 2020 DIY Easel Calendars available for $5 as a PDF – they’re such fun to create! Message me and we’ll get you started today.

Be sure to visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’ve done for June.

If you don’t have a demonstrator and need a 2019-2020 catalog, message me and I’ll get one into your hands. This one’s a stunner.

May 2019 DIY Calendar: Best Birds

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Happy May Day! It’s the first of the month, and that means I’ve got a new calendar to share. This month, I’m featuring one of the charming birds from the Best Birds set – it retires in June and while I’m sad to see it go, I’ve seen enough to know that there are new birdies in my future!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

I used Stampin’ Blends to color the bird, and I’m experimenting with some new coloring techniques. One of the things I thought I’d heard was to use circular motions to blend the colors, but as I’ve explored more it seems that short, flicked strokes layered on top of each other give a smoother result. It’s still a work in progress.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

However you choose to color, it’s a lot of fun to play with different combinations. I have a couple more birds on my craft desk waiting for projects.

And yes, I know this guy isn’t exactly on the branch. Call it artistic license.

Please stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have done for May. We all enjoy putting these calendars together for you each month. I have both the 2019 and 2020 calendars available in PDF form for the great price of $5 each. Message me if you’d like to purchase one or both!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

And if you’re ready to add this charming little avian to your next, shop HERE.

The abundance of November

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It’s a little late for figs, although I have to admit that I made a lovely dish with them this summer. If I’d had the 2017-2018 In Colors when I made this calendar page, I absolutely would have made it in Fresh Fig.  But there you go. We are operating in an alternate universe with these calendars.

Maui Stamper DIY Easel Calendar Fabulous Flora

  • Stamps:  Fabulous Flora, Gorgeous Grunge (sorry, both retired from the 2016-2017 Annual Catalog)
  • Colors: Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede
  • Accessories:  Aqua Painter

Maui Stamper DIY Easel Calendar Fabulous Flora

An Aqua Painter is an indispensable tool on my craft desk. I have multiples just because I use them so often. They need to be everywhere.

Take a moment to be inspired by the creations that Crystal and Cheryl have created for November.  You’ll be glad you did.

Want to create your own DIY Easel Calendar? I have just a few left – check THIS POST for details.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! 2018 DIY Easel Calendar Kit

Rocky Raccoon

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Love this little raccoon! It amazes me how quickly something gets moved to the back of the stack when new goodies come along. It’s been a while since I’ve played with Foxy Friends, but clearly, Rocky is perfect for October.

Maui Stamper DIY Easel Calendar Foxy Friends

  • Stamps: Foxy Friends
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Basic Grey, Tangerine Tango
  • Accessories:  Stampin’ Write Markers, Aqua Painter

When I told Crystal his name was Rocky Raccoon, she didn’t get it. Even when I started to sing. As in, she had no idea that there was a SONG. By the BEATLES.   It’s moments like this that make me feel O.L.D. Sigh.

Maui Stamper DIY Easel Calendar Foxy Friends

Using Stampin’ Write markers on a stamp to get multiple colors out of one impression is one of those things that makes me happy. Plain and simple happy. Not hard at all happy. Let’s drink cocktails while we’re writing blog posts happy (oopsie).

Cheryl and Crystal have October inspiration for you as well – enjoy!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! 2018 DIY Easel Calendar Kit

I still have a few DIY Easel Calendar kits and refills available.  Visit THIS POST for details.

A Special Card for ONE

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A very special little girl is turning ONE!

Maui Stamper A Little Wild Stampin' Up!

I love this little bear from A Little Wild, and the coordinating thinlits are the icing on the cake!

Maui Stamper A Little Wild Stampin' Up!

I had to play with the message, so I used the Labeler Alphabet so that I could create my own message. The 1 is cut from the Large Numbers Framelits with Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper.

Maui Stamper A Little Wild Stampin' Up!

If you’re interested in the Easel Calendar, they’re selling quickly!  Details are HERE.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! 2018 DIY Easel Calendar Kit

  • DIY Easel Calendar Kit is $9.00
  • DIY Calendar refill is $6.00

Shipping is by USPS and will be sent First Class or Priority Mail.  I ship the best possible method at the best possible price and will calculate based on what you order.  Typically, a single Calendar refill can be sent in a First Class envelope with postage of $.91.  Easel Calendar Kits are shipped Priority Mail Small Flat Rate with postage of $7.15.  I can ship multiple kits in one box.

Many crafters have asked for the template over the years. I do not sell the template. I didn’t create it and I don’t own it, and the crafter who does own it does not want to sell it as a template.

To order, leave a comment or email me directly at AnneMatasci (at) gmail (dot) com.  I’ll need your order, your delivery address and your email address. I will send an invoice via Square, and you can choose your payment method.  Your calendars will not ship until the fourth week of September. At this time, I do not ship outside of the United States.

Happy Bird-day

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I love birds. I love to hear them at the beginning and the end of the day, rustling in the trees and calling out to each other.  I love to watch them on my walks and in my gardens, searching for tasty bits and strutting across the lawn. Shouldn’t be a huge surprise to learn that the Feathery Friends Host set was at the top of my list for the 2017-2018 Annual catalog.

Maui Stampers Feathery Friends Host set

I had a fabulous time with the Watercolor Pencils and the Aqua Painter. Coloring is really relaxing for me.

Maui Stampers Feathery Friends Host set

I used the Pokey Doodle to make holes to thread the Bakers Twine. I REALLY don’t like it when bows fall off.  Sometimes I’m lazy and use a Glue Dot, but threading the twine through the holes guarantees that bow will Stay Put.

You know, there just aren’t that many things that are guaranteed any more, and I like knowing my bow is going to stay on the card.

If you’ve never tried Paper Pumpkin, you can try it at 50% savings this month! Subscribe HERE by Monday, September 10th and use the code HALFOFF0917.

Maui Stamper Paper Pumpkin HalfOff0917

 

Tasty Truck Birthdays

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I’m a little behind sending January birthday cards, but when this one arrives I hope I’ll be forgiven my tardiness!

Maui Stamper Tasty Truck Birthday Sale-a-bration 2017

  • Stamps: Tasty Truck (Sale-a-bration 2017)
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Basic Grey, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Up! Watercolor pencils, Wink of Stella Clear, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aqua Painter, A Little Foxy DSP Stack, Bermuda Bay 1/8″ Stitched Ribbon

I had a fabulous time coloring that truck, because I let my creative spirit run free.  Some of it is done with Stampin’ Write markers, some with Stampin’ Up! Colored pencils, some were smoothed with the Aqua Painter, and there’s a liberal dose of Stella adding sparkle to the whole thing!

Maui Stamper Tasty Truck Birthday Sale-a-bration 2017

The Little Foxy DSP is PERFECT behind this truck, and finding it in my stamp room was absolutely serendipitous. (Miraculous, even.)  The DSP inspired this treatment on the inside of the card:

Maui Stamper Tasty Truck Birthday Sale-a-bration 2017

I’m pretty happy with the way this turned out. My creativity needed a boost and this fun stamp set was just the thing to do the job.

LATE BREAKING NEWS FROM STAMPIN’ UP!  Watercolor pencils have reached a significant backorder status and will not be available to order after noon on January 26th (MST – that will be 9am HST).  If you want to be on the backorder list, place your order ASAP.  

Tasty Trucks is free with a qualifying purchase during Sale-a-bration.  Shop HERE to learn more!

 

Fabulous Figgy Flora

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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:

Maui Stamper Fabulous Flora Thanks

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.

Maui Stamper Fabulous Flora Thanks

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.