Earning their keep

Posted on December 17, 2009 by mauistamper

I really like stamps that earn their keep. If they’re going to stay in my stamp room f0r very long, they need to be either versatile or extraordinary, and preferably both. When I first saw this Autumn Days stamp set as a demonstrator sneak peak, I dismissed it because I thought I wouldn’t use a fall-themed stamp set very much. In Hawaii, we mark our seasons not by the standard set of four, but in recognition of what is plentiful: Mango Season, Whale Season, and of course, Tourist Season. Well, we used to have that last one, but the Hawaii Visitors Bureau has done such a fabulous marketing job that we don’t seem to have a Tourist Season any more – we always have lots of visitors.

Ah, back on topic…Autumn Days. I borrowed it from Crystal and was pleasantly surprised to find it inspired me in many different ways. Today’s card is a variation on THIS card.

Autumn Days, Woodgrain, and Christmas Punch (Level II Hostess) Stamp sets

Real Red, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss and Whisper White card stock

Old Olive, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke and Real Red Classic Ink pads

Petals-a- Plenty embossing folder and the Big Shot

Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint and Sponge Daubers

Red Gingham Ribbon, and the Double Rectangle punch

Do you have the Double Rectangle punch (105088)? It’s only $5.95 and I’m telling you, it’s a workaholic. When I add a knot or a bow to ANYTHING, I punch a double rectangle and tie through the openings. It’s much more secure than a glue dot. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer.

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 26, 2009 by mauistamper

Every day is Thanksgiving Day…sometimes we just forget to say thanks. I’m grateful for so many things, large and small, significant and insignificant. I hope your day will be filled with things that make you feel thankful.

Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Inspired by Nature and Woodgrain stamp sets
Dusty Durango, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron and More Mustard Classic ink pad; Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write marker
So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla card stock
Chocolate Chip corduroy button; latte button assortment
Dusty Durango grosgrain ribbon; Linen thread; Stamp-a-ma-jig

Happy Thanksgiving.

Pretty Pheasants All in a Row

Posted on November 12, 2009 by mauistamper

This Autumn Days stamp set has proved itself much more versatile than I anticipated. The leaves, the grasses, and especially the pheasants have surprised me in the best possible way.

We do have pheasants on Maui…not down here at sea level where I live, but on Haleakala, in the area of the island we call “Upcountry”. Maui has so many micro climates – wet side, dry side, sand at sea level, red dirt at upper elevations, lava flows and forest – if you don’t like what you see, keep going because in a few miles it will change. I always like what I see.

I colored these fellows with markers and then masked them so they could step through the weeds together.

Pheasants_in_a_row

Autumn Days and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango and Very Vanilla cardstock
Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun Stampin’ Write Markers
Chocolate Chip and More Mustard Class ink pads; Basic Black Stampin’ Write Journaler
Chocolate Chip narrow grosgrain ribbon; mini glue dots; Stampin’ Sponges; Scotch Post-it notes (for mask)

They’re all relaxed-like, cruising through the weeds, because they know they’re safe for now – it’s Big Cousin Tom Turkey who needs to be lookin’ out in November.

Beautiful leaves

Posted on November 10, 2009 by mauistamper

Last month Ray and I were in New Hampshire and Boston to see the fall color and visit our daughter at Tufts University. We got a little bit of everything in just over a week…gorgeous blue sky, cloudy sky, snow…brilliant leaves…great food…and of course, time with our favorite university student. (I can say this now that her sister is graduated and her brother is still in high school.) In Hawaii, leaves don’t change color much, so the sight of a tree like this really took our breath away.

Portsmouth-leaves

I’ve wanted to work with these colors since I got home, and this morning I had my opportunity. I love the reds and oranges in the photo, and the way they contrast with the brilliant blue sky. Within 24 hours, by the way, we were looking at grey skies and snow, so that blue sky is a fond memory! No blues in my card though…I had a different idea.

Autumn Days Leaf Wreath

Autumn Days, Woodgrain and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
More Mustard, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Naturals Ivory cardstock
More Mustard, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, and Pumpkin pie Classic Ink pad; Versamark ink pad
Dusty Durango Stampin’ Write marker and Aquapainter
Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Vintage brads, piercing tool and mat pack, double rectangle punch, 3/4″ square punch and corner rounder punch
Tissue paper and Dotto

I wanted my wreath to have a nice circular shape, so I traced a circle very lightly with a pencil onto my cardstock before I started. I think if I were to do it again, I would try to avoid getting ink on the stems of the leaves – they’re not a big deal, but I would be happier if they weren’t visible. I just played with the leaves in the circle until I liked the pattern and fullness. Of course, then I got the brilliant idea that the image needed the Woodgrain background. I’m crazy, but I’m not crazy enough to cut out all those leaves for masking. That’s nuts. Seriously.

Instead, I placed a piece of tissue paper over the image, drew an arrow to indicate the top, and traced around the inside and outside perimeters of the wreath. I did a rough cut around the edges and used a little Dotto to hold that mask in place. When I stamped the Woodgrain, it looked a little stark so I blurred it with my Aquapainter.

The little banner isn’t pegged down completely flat – it has a little lift to it in real life. Those lovely, symetrical corners were created with the corner of the square punch – you didn’t think I could get them like that on my own, did you? And just in case you don’t know the piercing tool and mat trick, that’s the way to get perfect placement for your brads anywhere on your project.

This is a 5 x 5 inch card, a size I almost never work with. I think I’ll have to change that.

Journey into Autumn

Posted on October 29, 2009 by mauistamper

Spending time on the Mainland this month has put me in an Autumnal mood. Living in Hawaii our seasons are defined a little differently; we have mango season, lychee season, whale season, and tourist season. I love the colors and the setting sun – I’m sure it’s setting. The sky has that hazy glow and the silhouetted grasses are dry as can be.

Autumn_Days_brayer