Botanical Blooms is retiring and there’s nothing I can do about it

Posted on May 3, 2017 by mauistamper

Every year when the retiring products list is published, I hold my breath and scan it for favorites. This year, there was a BIG sigh when I saw Botanical Blooms right there in black and white. It’s a go-to floral set for me, and has an unmistakeable tropical vibe. This is one retiring set that will go into my personal archive.

I created this extended card when I learned that a dear friend was going to be a mom for the first time. When I created the card, the baby’s gender hadn’t been revealed, so I mixed up the colors to be gender neutral.

This image makes the card look waaaaay longer than it is – it will fit in a standard medium envelope. Note that all the stamping is on the inside white panel – the actual embellishments are simply die cut, not stamped.

I’ve created a lot of cards using this basic technique. I cut a large stack of assorted shapes and start layering and placing them on my card. There’s a lot of texture with the shapes and layers, but the card itself is still flat enough to mail.

Stamps: Botanical Blooms
Color Palette: Crumb Cake, Shimmer White, So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Marina Mist
Accessories: Big Shot, Botanical Builder Framelits, Falling in Love DSP (retired and sold out), Pearl jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue dots

There’s still time to add either the stamps, the framelits, or both to your craft room! Shop HERE.

Biff! Pow!! Socko!!! Wow!!!!

Posted on February 16, 2017 by mauistamper

Biff! Pow!! Socko!!! Wow!!!!

Doesn’t that bring back Saturday morning cartoon memories? So does Everyday Heros, an under-appreciated stamp set from the Occasions 2017 catalog.

Back the in days before DVR, Netflix, DVDs, even videos, kids were programmed to get up early on Saturday – the same kids who were pulled kicking and screaming from their beds Monday through Friday. The reason? Network cartoons. I can still sing (or at least hum) way more cartoon theme songs than I care to admit. And this stamp set revives them all.

Stamps: Everyday Hero
Color Palette: Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Watermelon Wonder, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Accessories: Falling in Love DSP, Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pens, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestone Jewels

Watercolor pencils are back in stock but we have been warned that the supply is limited. This hot product is So.Much.Fun. If you don’t have them, trust me, you need them. An image like this heroine is detailed and small enough that traditional watercoloring, especially on Very Vanilla cardstock, would be a challenge. The Watercolor pencils plus Blender pens are the HEROS of this card!

And don’t forget your Free Sale-a-bration Gift with Purchase! New items arrive on February 21st.

Sending RemARKable Love

Posted on January 15, 2017 by mauistamper

Welcome to the January 2017 RemARKable Blog tour. Our focus this month is Sending Love – which in addition to a wonderful practice, is a fabulous Stampin’ Up! product suite!

I’ve taken the obvious route and chosen Valentines, but these projects could easily be adapted to other expressions of love – wedding, anniversary, or just Love ya, Babe!

This is our fabulous Popcorn Box thinlit made up in Blushing Bride. There’s a panel of Falling in Love DSP behind all of that embellishment, as well as a Delicate White Doily spritzed with Sahara Sand and smushed for texture. (SMUSH is an active verb.)

Stitched Shapes Framelits will be available again on January 16th – be ready to order!! Product #145372 will cost $30 and will be sold as supplies last.

The Sealed With Love set sentiment is stamped twice with Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand – photopolymer stamps make the placement easy as can be!

I LOVE the Sending Love Glassine Sheets, and they are perfect for creating the little envelopes in the Love Notes Framelits. I also love how that row of hearts fits perfectly across the top of the little note insert.

The TIEF is called Falling Petals, but let’s be serious. They’re hearts. Sheesh. {wink}

Next up is Heather Mathieson. Click on the image below, or scroll down to the list of blog tour participants for more inspiration! Thanks for stopping by.

Anne Matasci YOU ARE HERE!!

A radiant card for a radiant couple

Posted on January 5, 2017 by mauistamper

One of my regular stamp club members was married last week. She’s been coming with her mom since she was in high school, and we all love her vibrance and creative spirit. It goes without saying that I needed a special card.

Stamps: None
Color Palette: Whisper White, Shimmer White, Gold
Accessories: Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits, Sunshine Wishes Thinlits, Gold Thread, Metallics sequin assortment, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Fine tip glue pen, Wink of Stella Gold and Clear, Vellum card stock

I cut the detailed portion of the dragonfly wings in Vellum, and used the fine-tip glue pen down the body to adhere them to the Shimmer White solid dragonfly.

Wink of Stella Gold was perfect for adding a tiny accent to the head for dragonfly eyes, and the Wink of Stella Clear made the rest of the body shimmer.