Tag Archives: Blending Brush

COLOUR INKSPIRATION CHALLENGE #CI193 FEATURING BRANCHING OUT

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Oh, I loved colour challenge #CI196 – Shy Shamrock, Summer Splash, Gray Granite and Early Espresso. I knew I wanted to use a lot of white space with those intense In Colours and Branching Out provided just the image I needed.

  • Stamps: Branching Out, Layers of Beauty
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Shy Shamrock, Summer Splash, Gray Granite, Early Espresso
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Branching Out dies, White 1/4″ ribbon, Woven Textures DSP, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Marker, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Shy Shamrock and Summer Splash are next door neighbors, but I assure you they’re both here. I used Shamrock for the greenery, then added a gentle wash of Summer Splash behind it with the Blending Brush. The layer under the Woven Textures DSP is also Summer Splash. And the Stampin’ Write Marker splatters are Shy Shamrock. (I may have to stock up on markers just so I can make those fine splatters!)

The white ribbon was transformed to Gray Granite ribbon with the magic of Stampin’ Blends. That ribbon is now on the Last Chance list (sigh) so you might want to stock up while you can.

I enjoy the Colour INKspiration challenges so much, and the team is the nicest group of crafters you could ask for. Take a look at their page – maybe you’d like to give this challenge a try! Here’s the inspiration photo for CI#196

And as always, I’m grateful for your support at my Online Store.

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CHARMING (BIRTH) DAY

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Have you seen Charming Day? It’s a new Online Exclusive, and yes, it’s another flower set. Telling myself “NO more flowers!” doesn’t seem to be working very well. In this case, it was the sentiments and the fonts that pushed me to Add To Cart. 😆

  • Stamps: Charming Day, Spotlight on Nature
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Strawberry Slush, Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Charming Day dies, Impressions Abloom dies, Floral Impressions DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used a couple of tricks to make this easy. I used a Blending Brush with Pretty in Pink ink to create a light wash of color on my Basic White card base, then added a few textural elements from Spotlight in Nature. I inked the words on the sentiment separately so that I could offset them on the card front.

I cut the DSP and the mat to size and used just a little adhesive to hold them in place, then ran them through the Big Boss together. DSP is lighter weight than card stock, so the two pieces cut through cleanly. I pulled out the center ovals, then finished adhering the card stock and DSP and added them to the card front. The stitched frame on the inside fits inside the opening, so it needs to be carefully glued into place.

The Floral Impressions DSP is all about gorgeous florals, but the “B” sides of the papers are gorgeous tone-on-tone designs. So many options! Time to get crafting, friends.

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PLAYING IN THE RAIN: BABY BIRTHDAY

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Mister Maui Stamper and I went to a wonderful baby One Year Birthday Party last weekend at a local beach park. There were lots of babies and baby mamas and papas and we were blessed to be part of it. Such a special event called for a special card, and I reached for my favorite turtle since this was an “O-FISH-AL” birthday party:

  • Stamps: Playing in the Rain, Attention Shoppers
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pool Party, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Peach Pie, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Playing in the Rain dies, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Blends, Transparent Adhesive Back Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used the Blending Brush to put down a soft wash of Pool Party as a backdrop. I struggle with a watercolor wash, and the Blending Brush is much easier for me. I added a little Pool Party to the bottom of the clouds in the same way, giving them some depth. I colored the turtle and the flowers with Stampin’ Blends and put it all together with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The Playing in the Rain images are whimsical enough to work for adults, but they’re equally suited for children. They’re from a past mini catalog, so you might have missed them. Find them in the Online Store.

The 24-25 Annual Catalog is filled with inspiration. Beautiful stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors are waiting for you!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

July is BONUS DAYS earnings month – for every $50 you spend on Stampin’ Up! Merchandise, you’ll get a coupon code worth $5 for your August orders. There’s no limit to the codes you can earn, so it’s a great time to stock up!

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Stippled Roses with Blending Brushes

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My local crafting groups love new techniques, and they really love time saving techniques. Using Blending Brushes to color the Stippled Roses is a perfect example – it’s so much faster than other methods of coloring, and the result is soft and appealing. The amount of shading in these stamps really make a difference when you’re using this technique.

  • Stamps: Stippled Rose, Something Fancy
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: Stippled Rose dies, Stippled Rose DSP (SAB 24), Blending Brushes, Adhesive Backed Cork rounds, Ribbon Duo Combo Pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Blender Pen

There are only 2 ink colors on this card: Petal Pink and Crumb Cake. The image is stamped in Crumb Cake since the Blending Brush doesn’t blur the stamped lines the way a Stampin’ Blend would do. And Crumb Cake and Petal Pink are both what I think of as “dusty” colors, so if there’s a little overlap with the brush it doesn’t matter.

After adding color with the Blending Brush, I used the Blender Pen to add a little more depth and detail. You can see it on the leaves: I use the natural shading that’s part of the stamped image to guide my placement.

The sentiment is fussy cut with my snips, but that’s a really quick task. (You DO have a pair of Stampin’ Up! Paper Snips, don’t you?? INDISPENSABLE.) This is a speedy card, and it would be suitable for a lot of different occasions. You could easily swap out the focal point as well.

Don’t miss those Cork Rounds. I was skeptical when I saw them, but I’m a big fan. They’re so different from other embellishments, they’re soft so they don’t add bulk to your card, and they work really well with nature-themed projects. Try them, you’ll like them!

And thank you so much for shopping the Online Store.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the Stampin’ Up! year – Sale-a-bration! This year we’re featuring an unprecedented variety of products including LOTS of gorgeous, coordinating Designer Series Papers. See a digital copy of the brochure HERE or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The February Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for spring and Easter themed cards and treat boxes. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by February 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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CIRCLE SAYINGS IN COLOR

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In Colors Wild Wheat (23-25) and Orchid Oasis (21-23) work beautifully together in this birthday card featuring the new Circle Sayings stamp set. I chose a subtle design from our new color families Designer Series Paper for this simple layout.

handmade card in blue and gold with Happy Birthday message
  • Stamps: Circle Sayings, Nature’s Prints
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Wild Wheat, Orchid Oasis
  • Accessories: 2 3/8″ Pircle Punch, Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine, Basic Borders dies, Blending Brush, Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals, retired ribbon.

Circle Sayings is bundled with this big circle punch for extra savings. I found it easiest to punch the circle first and stamp second in this case. These are clear photopolymer stamps, making it easy to align them on the edge of the curve.

handmade card in blue and gold with Happy Birthday Message

I used the fern image from Nature’s Prints to soften the edges of the white card base, then brushed over them lightly with Orchid Oasis ink. The sentiment from Circle Sayings fits perfectly inside the border (of course it does!!) and the result is a surprisingly quick card.

There are 6 different edge treatments in the Best Borders dies – I chose the rickrack border because I liked it with the linear design in the DSP. Are you ready to dive into our new slate of In Colors? The Class of 23-25 are all beautiful neutrals that complement the rest of our color lineup. Choose your favorites at the Online Store!

Our beautiful new 23-24 Annual Catalog is available to EVERYONE! There’s a lot to explore and I’ll do my best to share what I love from this catalog. Our Color Refresh is at the top of my list. Be sure to check out our Online Exclusives in the Online Store – you won’t find them in the catalog.

text 2023-2024 Annual Catalog with craft images

Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The June kit features 9 elegant, detailed cards. This is a card kit with an option to purchase coordinating dies while supplies last.

banner paper pumpkin welcome inn

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

Beauty of the Earth Designer Series Paper

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We don’t see many traditional fall colors on Maui, but nevertheless I’ve fallen in love with Beauty of the Earth Designer Series paper. It conveys a feeling of autumn without having a strong regional sense, and the colors are so warm and inviting.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beauty of the Earth DSP Forever Flourishing Dies handmade card
  • Stamps: Forever Fern, Art Gallery
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Garden Green, Merry Merlot, Pumpkin Pie
  • Accessories: Copper Foil sheets, Big Boss, Forever Flourishing dies, Scalloped Contour dies, Stitched Rectangle dies, Blending Brush, Linen Thread, Stampin Dimensionals

Beauty of the Earth is a stunning pack of autumn colored Designer Series papers. While it’s designed to coordinate with the Beauty of Friendship bundle, I’ve found it works wonderfully with many different stamps and dies. I had a hunch that the Copper Foil sheets would really shine (lol) as a focal point with this design.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beauty of the Earth DSP Forever Flourishing Dies handmade card

I did a second version with a different paper from the same Designer Series paper assortment. I kept it simpler with fewer layers and a little spritz created by flicking my markers. I love the dash of Night of Navy in this paper – it’s not 100% realism, but sometimes I need a break from reality.

In the News You Can Use department, our seasonal sale is coming up! Mark your calendar and order early, as I predict these essentials will fly out the door. Save on

  • Card stock 10%
  • Stampin’ Up! ink (exclusive of bundles) 15%
  • Dies – yes, dies – 20%

When you order your ink pads, be sure to add the coordinating ink refill to your order. It’s just a few extra dollars, and trust me, you’ll be so glad to have it on hand! Plan your orders in the Online Store so you’re ready to go on November 16th.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Start With Savings Demonstrator Promotion November 2021

How would you spend $75? Through November 30, you can sign up to save on every order you place – and join a community of friendship, inspiration and fantastic support. Your $75 turns into $125 of Stampin’ Up! product that YOU choose – free of shipping – and is your ticket to the Maui Stampers and the inside world of Stampin’ Up! Contact me with your questions or join now!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Edens Garden

Don’t forget the gorgeous Eden’s Garden Suite, available now as a sneak peek from the January – June 2022 Mini Catalog.

Snailed It: Magical Mushrooms

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The Stampin’ Up! January – June mini catalog is filled with delights, and these sweet mushrooms are Exhibit A. They remind me of the Alice in Wonderland sort of mushroom, and I find coloring them to be endlessly appealing. Because they’re magical, they lend themselves to whimsical colors.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Snailed It Magical Mushrooms birthday card
  • Stamps: Snailed It, A Wish for Everything
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, So Saffron, Mango Melody, Mint Macaron, Basic Black
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Snail dies, Subtle Embossing Folder (retiring May 3), Stitched So Sweetly dies, Polka Dotted Tulle Ribbon (retiring May 3), Blending Brush, Stampin Dimensionals

The Subtle Embossing folder is such a go-to texture on my craft desk that I’ve actually ordered a second one in the dire event that something happens to mine. It creates a dobby, fabric-like impression on our card stock that doesn’t distract from anything else: it’s SUBTLE.

Speaking of subtle, be still my heart but I do love our Blending Brushes! No more blobs or streaks, just lovely subtle washes of color. You can build color, you can blend colors, you can spend all day playing with your Blending Brushes! (Not that I would do that, of course.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Snailed It Magical Mushrooms birthday card

I have a my own technique for adding the ribbon to the back of a focal point. I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos where crafters just seem to wave their fingers in the air and viola! they have a beautiful, casual ribbon bundle for their project. When I wave my fingers in the air, well, it’s just messy, let’s leave it at that.

My technique is to put some Stampin’ Seal on the back of the panel and then place the ribbon, layer by layer, on that adhesive. I flip it back and forth to see how it looks, and if I’m not happy with it, it’s simple to pull it off the adhesive and reposition it. Once I have the look I want, I add a small piece of tape (the ordinary desktop kind) to secure everything in place.

The Clearance Rack has been updated – snap up Designer Series Papers, ribbons, embellishments, punches and more at great prices – while supplies last. Or if you prefer, snap up the Snailed It bundle and go color some mushrooms of your own. I promise it will be magical.