All in Good Fun

Posted on August 26, 2011 by mauistamper

I received so many incredible cards at Joan Cristo’s WOW swap at convention this year. Honestly, I could spend an entire year creating new projects based on these beautiful cards. I made 130 cards to swap, and yes, that was insane. I don’t like production, and even though I made 2 different designs (so that I “only” had to create 65 of each) I found myself grumbling through the process. Then I would remind myself of the rewards and start humming, thinking about the possibilities.

There’s something about holding a design in your hand – versus seeing a photograph of it – that inspires me. If you’ve never participated in a swap, I highly recommend you give it a try. There are swaps of all shapes and sizes in a variety of forums online, or your stamp club or demo team might be willing to give it a try. Not every card will be to your taste or liking, but every card contains a possibility!

Last night at hostess club I worked from a design that I received in 3 or 4 different versions. It’s a relatively simple design, and I’ve seen it referred to as a telescoping card. We made our version in the bright, happy colors of the Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper:

Perfectly Penned, Ain’t Love Grand, Pennant Parade and Crazy for Cupcakes stamp sets
Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight and Real Red card stock
Big Top Birthday Designer Series paper
Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, and Real Red Classic ink pads
Daffodil Delight and Real Red Stampin’ Write markers
Aquapainter
Unibal Signo White gel pen
Stampin’ Sponges
Piercing tool, template and mat
Petite Pennants Builder punch
Silver brads
Real Red 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon
Big Shot and ALL the Scallop Circle and Circle Bigz and Originals dies

There must have been some fumes coming off those ink pads last night! The Piercing Tool, formerly known as the Pokey Doodle, suddenly became the Stabber. We had balloons and Stampin’ Sponges flying every which way, and I think we disturbed the concentration required to watch Sports Center in the other room 🙂 Ah well, all in the name of good fun and good times.

Crazy for Cupcakes

Posted on October 7, 2010 by mauistamper

Is it any wonder that cupcakes are so trendy? They’re just the right size to fit in the palm of your hand and can generally be eaten in just a few bites. We were in Santa Clara a short time ago celebrating a very special family birthday, and my fabulous Sister-in-Law introduced me to Kara’s Cupcakes at Santana Row. It’s a good thing I live 2500 miles away – I’m a Weight Watchers® leader, for goodness sake! I can’t recommend the Coconut cupcakes. Or the Chocolate Velvet cupcakes. And whatever you do, avoid the Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Ganache cupcakes at all costs. I warned you.

Phew. OK. Let’s get to the card:

Crazy for Cupcakes, On a Pedestal and All Holidays stamp sets
Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White card stock
Play Date Designer Series Paper
Tempting Turquoise and Wild Wasabi Classic ink pads
Wild Wasabi and So Saffron Stampin’ Write markers
So Saffron 5/8 inch grosgrain ribbon (retired)
Scallop Edge punch
Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder

Clearly I have cupcakes on the brain. Sara, can you get home this weekend to bake a batch? (I know, I know, I just need to send you the ticket. Sigh.) I pieced the cupcake paper to match the layer behind the focal point. It’s really simple with this set – just stamp the cupcake on your DSP and trim out the part of the image that you want.

This looks good and contains no calories. I should be happy. Yes, I should.

Sweet Birthday Girl

Posted on June 7, 2010 by mauistamper

It’s been a wonderful couple of weeks, but I’m sending my daughter back to Boston this evening. The job market on Maui isn’t much to speak about, and she’s found not one but two paying internships in Boston that give her great experience AND cash in hand. I’ve loved having her home and will miss her big bunches, but thank goodness for email, cell phones, and skype.

It was her birthday a week ago and I CASE-d another idea from the new Idea Book and Catalog:

Sincere Salutations and Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Sets
Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Whisper White card stock
Sending Love Designer Series Paper (retired)
Not Quite Navy Classic Ink pad
Real Red, Barely Banana, and Soft Suede Classic Ink refills
Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker; Stamp-a-ma-jig
Crystal Effects; On Board Chipboard letters (retired)
Scallop border and horizontal slot punches
Real Red Double Stitched ribbon
Tombo Adhesive and Sanding Blocks

The Crystal Effects makes the cupcakes look like stickers. I was really patient this time and gave it a LOT of time to dry. That’s the key if you want it to really shine – use a lot of product and then leave it alone!

My daughter loved her card and I think she knows there is a lot of love in the making. I wish I could put myself in an envelope and send myself to visit her.

My First Mojo

Posted on September 24, 2009 by mauistamper

Card challenges can be addicting. They stretch you to try new techniques, layouts, and colors. Sometimes they go together so easily that you are exhilarated. Sometimes you push and pull and struggle and end up throwing the whole thing away (well, I do anyway. It’s just paper.)

I’ve been following the Mojo Monday blog and challenges for a while but haven’t taken the leap. This week I jumped – just couldn’t resist those scallops along the bottom. The Mojo bloggers have such awesome samples that it’s a little tough to get started, but it was fun to play with this sketch.

Mojo Monday 105

Blush Blossom and Whisper White cardstock, retired Stampin’ Up! DSP
Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink
Champagne Mist shimmer paint and sponge daubers
Crazy for Cupcakes and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets
Wide Oval, Scallop edge and 1/16″ circle punches
Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon and Gold cord
Stamp-a-ma-jig, crewel needle, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I keep pulling out that darn Kiwi Kiss paper and ink. I really loved last year’s In Color collection from Stampin’ Up! and I’m having a hard time letting go of it. Eventually I’ll run out of scraps…but then there will be this year’s In Color collection to deal with. If it’s not one challenge, it’s another!