One Layout Three Ways

Posted on April 24, 2020 by mauistamper

Earlier this month I sent my club members the card stock and ribbon for this layout, and we crafted our own versions via Zoom. Who knew that I had chosen to create my samples with 3 stamp sets from the 2020 Last Chance List? Not sure if I was prescient or just lucky. I’m guessing lucky.

The process worked far better than I anticipated (OK, I had no expectations!). We shared images while we worked, asked for and got great advice, and had a good opportunity to catch up. It wasn’t quite the same as getting together (one group is notorious for fabulous food!) but it was a good substitute under the circumstances. We’ve already planned our next Zoom!

Stamps: Little Elephant, Ride with Me
Color Palette: Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Elephant Builder punch, White Crinkle Seam Binding Ribbon, Golden Honey DSP (SAB 2020 Retired), Black rhinestone jewels (retired, use a black Sharpie) Stampin’ Dimensionals, Black-and-White-Wired-Ribbon-that-is-Old-As-the-Hills-and-Retired (lol)

The Elephant Builder punch is what really MAKES this card, and it’s currently on sale in the Online Store. It’s the ear. I love the ear!

Stamps: Piece of Cake
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape
Accessories: Cake Builder Punch, Gingham Gala Sequins, Stampin’ Blends, Golden Honey DSP (SAB 2020 Retired), Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack (2019 SAB Retired)

A note on Stampin’ Blends: You’ve seen them on the Last Chance list – I know I did, and I may or may not have said a Very Bad Word when I saw them! They’re NOT RETIRING. They will be repackaged and sold in pairs, one light, one dark, instead of as single markers. No need to panic.

Both Piece of Cake and the Cake Builder punch are retiring, and the punch is on sale for $10.80. Take a look at this set, because there are a lot of great sentiments as well as really fun images! The self-adhesive Gingham Sequins are on their way out as well.

I stamped the cake layers multiple times on Whisper White and Highland Heather card stock using Memento Ink. I cut the layers apart (the stamp has them stacked together, one large, one small) so that I could alternate the White layer with the Heather layer.

Stamps: Painted Harvest
Color Palette: Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Paper Snips, Same ol’ retired DSP and Ribbon. Sorry!

Three cards, three pops of color, three retiring stamp sets, and one layout – I think it’s pretty fun, don’t you? Grab some DSP and have some fun with this concept. And shop the Last Chance products HERE. Don’t delay – many have already sold out.

Little Gray Elephant: Colour INKspiration 38

Posted on July 28, 2018 by mauistamper

I missed the last Colour INKspiration challenge, and creating something for #CI38 was a high priority this weekend. The Little Elephant bundle has been on my desk this week and it didn’t take me long to imagine how it would work perfectly with the palette of Gray Granite, Petal Pink, Berry Burst, Basic Black and Whisper White:

Stamps: Little Elephant, Petal Palette
Colour Palette: Powder Pink, Berry Burst, Gray Granite, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Elephant Builder Punch, Twinkle Twinkle DSP, Pearlized Doilies, Sponge Daubers, Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Write markers, Tropical Elements, Clear Embossing Powder, Versamark ink, Heat Gun, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Black Rhinestone (Retired)

Stampers in the know might have already spotted that Berry Burst Tropical Elements flower. They don’t come in that color, and I had to get pretty creative to make it happen! Stampin’ Up! doesn’t currently sell a Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends marker, which would have been my first choice. I used a Sponge Dauber to add Berry Burst ink to the button, then lightly tapped it into the Versamark Ink and dusted it with Clear Embossing Powder. When I heat set that combination, the color was too light. I ended up repeating the process two more times with just the Berry Burst Ink and the Embossing Powder to get the color I wanted. I used the end of a wooden skewer to hold the button while I blasted it with the Heat Gun.

I also used Sponge Daubers to color the edge of the Pearlized Doily, and I used a Gray Granite Stampin’ Write marker to tone down the Linen Thread. I keep a nice little stash of Sponge Daubers because they are such a quick and easy solution to coloring just about anything. Need some – or need to make a last minute order of Designer Series Paper before the Buy 3 Get One Free sale runs out on July 31? Shop HERE if you’re in the United States.

Here’s the inspiration photo for the Colour Inkspiration challenge. It’s a Facebook group and you don’t need a blog – you can upload directly to their page to participate. It’s an absolutely lovely group of crafters, and the projects are always top notch. Be sure to tag your post with #CI38. Enjoy!

July: Little Elephants

Posted on July 1, 2018 by mauistamper

I’ve got Little Elephants in a parade across my desk this month!

This charming stamp set and the coordinating punch were on my “Must Have” list for the new Annual Catalog! I wasn’t thinking of it at the time, but they’re the perfect size for my DIY Easel Calendar.

Stamps: Little Elephants
Color Palette: Whisper White, Lovely Lipstick, Balmy Blue
Accessories: Elephant Builder Punch, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Write markers, Black Rhinestones (retired)

The Builder Punch even punches out a separate little ear ❤

I used Stampin’ Write markers to color the balloons. At first I wasn’t sure I liked the way they appeared, but despite the minor smudges, I’ve changed my mind. They look translucent and reflective, as a proper balloon ought to do.