Farewell to First Frost

Posted on May 29, 2020 by mauistamper

This time of year I get a little verklempt over some of the retiring stamps. Others, not so much – but I’ll be sorry to see First Frost leave the catalog. I discovered a little embossed bit in my “pieces” a couple of days ago, and brought the set out for one last inking.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up First Frost in Gray

Stamps: First Frost, Beautiful Bouquet
Color Palette: Whisper White, Memento Black, Basic Gray
Accessories: Vellum card stock, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Frosted Bouquet dies, die cutting machine, Stitched So Sweetly dies, Pearl jewels, Stampin Dimensionals. The DSP and ribbon are LONG retired.

I cut small pieces from the Stampin’ Dimensionals sheet to adhere the embossed vellum stem. The White Embossing Powder perfectly masked the dimensionals, and I was able to cut them in narrow strips by using the extra bit of foam that’s left behind when all the dimensionals are used.

Funny, when I stamped the first images (Memento Black ink on Whisper White) I liked them so well I almost didn’t use the vellum bit that was my inspiration in the first place. Instead, I created this second version using Basic Gray and Very Vanilla card stock. It’s almost the same, although I used the Metallic Pearls and a retired sympathy sentiment (Teeny Tiny Wishes.)

I’m having trouble deciding which one I prefer! But I’ll tell you this: if you’re on the fence about adding First Frost (or Beautiful Bouquet and its great sentiments) to your craft stash, you’ll need to visit the Online Store right away as these two sets will be retired at close of business on June 2, 2020. Don’t dilly dally.

Quick and tiny notes

Posted on March 6, 2020 by mauistamper

Sometimes you just need a little something to write a quick note. You don’t have a lot to say (I KNOW, but it happens!!). The card doesn’t need to go in the mail – it’s going on a package or in a lunchbox. Short and sweet!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Timeless Tropical

Stamps: Timeless Tropical, Beautiful Bouquet
Color Palette: Whisper White, Mossy Meadow, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Linen Thread, Sponge Daubers

The Sponge Daubers are the easiest way to apply ink directly and precisely onto a rubber stamp. When you want more than one color, “a little daub’ll do ya!”

These are the same colors and stamps, but by using the plumeria image I’ve changed the feeling of the entire card. The only embellishment is a pearl jewel, and there is absolutely no measuring or placement involved in this card. Change the sentiment, or do as I do and make a few with no sentiment at all. When you need a note, add the appropriate sentiment and you’re set! These note cards fit perfectly in our 3″ x 3″ Whisper White envelopes.

Keep it easy and keep a stash! Need supplies? Shop HERE.

Vibrant Vases: Colour INKspiration #60

Posted on August 12, 2019 by mauistamper

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:

Stamps: Vibrant Vases, Crackle Paint, Beautiful Bouquet
Colour Palette: CI#60 Petal Pink, Terracotta Tile, Pretty Peacock, Blueberry Bushel; also Gold and Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin’ Write markers, Aqua painter, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stitched Rectangle dies, Metallic Pearls, Gold thread (retired)

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.

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.

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.

A Gorgeous Birthday In Color

Posted on May 24, 2018 by mauistamper

Crystal and I have decided that May is as busy with December but without the presents or the cookies. RIGHT???? How can we be a week away from the end of the month? That means we’re a week away from the end of the current Annual Catalog and the debut of the 2018-2019 catalog! It was high time I cracked open the 2018-2020 In Color Collection:

Stamps: Beautiful Bouquet, Happy Birthday Gorgeous
Color Palette: Whisper White, Lovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple Punch, and Lemon Lime Twist
Accessories: Big Shot, Bouquet Bunch Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pearl Jewels

The Beautiful Bouquet stamps and Bouquet Bunch framelits are available as a discounted bundle for one more week – don’t miss that great deal! This is a really versatile set.

I don’t usually share my progression, but I enjoyed the way this card evolved, and I thought I’d share the process with you. The first image is the first card, and some of those die cuts are covering up things I didn’t like. The result left me feeling I could do better, so I gave it another shot:

I like the left offset on this one, but the scalloped mat disappears into the stamped images. I also decided that the little green thingamajigs were better than the leaves for this design. It was back to the drawing board one more time:

This version was the winner in my mind! I skipped the tiny Lipstick flowers in favor of the green deely-bobbers. Changing the scalloped oval mat to Lemon Lime Twist helped pop the sentiment out of the floral arrangement. The differences are minor, but I’m convinced it’s the little things that count.

If you’d like to save on this bundle, get yourself to the online store and order today!

Springtime Foils Narrow Note Cards

Posted on March 17, 2018 by mauistamper

The Springtime Foils DSP available through March 31 as a free Sale-a-bration choice is one of my favorite SAB offerings EVER. Seriously. This paper is absolutely beautiful on its own, and can be dressed up left, sideways and upside down as well. I may or may not have splurged on some extra supplies just to stock up on this paper.

Last month’s Host Club got to play with this paper as a simple background for some charming note cards:

Stamps: Beautiful Bouquet
Color Palette: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Narrow Note Cards, Ombre Lemon Lime Twist ribbon, Bermuda Bay shimmer ribbon (SAB 2018), Big Shot, Bouquet Bunch Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, Tutti Frutti Adhesive Backed Sequins, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestone gems, retired ribbon

The Beautiful Bouquet bundle has the perfect assortment of flowers, leaves and sentiments to satisfy any card occasion, but it’s the subtle patterns and glimmer in that Springtime Foils DSP that really sets the card apart. You’ve seen plenty of great techniques with these papers, but don’t forget that they have great impact just as they are.

Truth: I thought the Tutti Frutti Adhesive Backed Sequins were kind of a dumb idea and a waste of money. WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. These little sparklers pack a big punch and are super easy to add to any project. I am seriously in love and regret ever doubting their marvelousness.

I chose Crumb Cake for the mat in this suite of cards to tie them together and to allow the bright colors to pop. This is the sort of card I would keep in my desk at work for that moment when you want to dash off a quick note of appreciation and leave it in someone’s bag to discover on the way home

This final design features the sparkly ribbon in the Shimmer Ribbon pack (SAB 2018). It’s sparklier than you can see in the photo, and when we’d finished crafting for the evening it took a while to figure out where all the glimmer on the table had originated. Mr. Maui Stamper is NOT a fan of glitter, so I had to get out a microfiber cloth and apply some elbow grease to make sure all traces were eradicated. It’s a small price to pay to live with that wonderful man.

What’s a cute note card set without a custom box? The last part of the ensemble is a package made with the Lots to Love Framelit dies. I used a Pool Party Stampin’ Blend to add color to the leaves on the Springtime Foil paper, and stamped and punched a pair of Daisies (Daisy Delight stamps and the Daisy punch – and there’s a bundle!) for the embellishment on the top. The center of that embellishment is supposed to be a Clear Faceted Gem, but for the life of me I cannot find them in the chaos of my craft space. I know they’re there. I’ve used some of them, recently even. It drives me crazy when this happens. CRAZY!!

Yesterday Stampin’ Up! announced additional products to the 2018 Sale-a-bration lineup. These products are items from the Annual Catalog that you can choose with you $50 or $100 product order. If you choose one of those Annual Catalog items, be sure to use the unique Sale-a-bration reward code and not the product code in the catalog.

There are some great values, and one in particular is worth noting: the Color Me Happy project kit is valued at $25 and you get it for free with a $50 order! There is a coordinating Color Me Happy stamp set that will get you started with your Sale-a-bration order, or you can use stamps from your existing collection. The cards are delightful, the envelopes are luxurious, and you have to look far and wide find another deal like this. But don’t take my word for it: shop for yourself.