SEASON OF CHIC: WATERCOLOR

I’m a late arrival to Season of Chic, but I’m now a true believer. It’s a versatile two-step stamping collection, and that makes it perfect for this simple watercolor technique:

Two white handmade cards with the sentiment "Happy Birthday", one with yellow flowers and one with purple flowers
  • Stamps: Season of Chic, Go To Greetings/Something Fancy
  • Color Palette: Basic White with Orchid Oasis, Highland Heather, Granny Apple Green and Parakeet Party/Basic White with Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Winter Wheat, and Old Olive
  • Accessories: Watercolor Paper, Stampin’ Spritzer, Dauber, Big Boss, Chic dies, Deckle Rectangle dies/Stitched Rectangle dies (retired), Metallic Ribbon/In Color Jute, Tinsel Gems/In Color dots

Do you have a favorite demonstrator (or two) whose work you never grow tired of? For me, Tami Hewlett is one of those people. She recently shared a stunning card showcasing a simple watercolor technique, and I really wanted to give it a try. Ink is applied to the stamp and the stamp is misted with water. Once it’s been stamped on watercolor paper, details are added using the two-step stamping technique.

Detail of a white handmade card with the sentiment "Happy Birthday” and yellow flowers

I don’t have the Tropical Leaf Bundle that she used, but these flowers made me happy. I tried a number of color combinations, and the range of yellows and purples were very satisfying. For this technique, it makes a big difference to have that two-step outline. It adds shape and definition to the soft, flowing watercolor.

Detail of a white handmade card with the sentiment "Happy Birthday” and purple flowers

I originally intended to use Orchid Oasis with Starry Sky, but the combination was too dark and didn’t have enough contrast. Highland Heather provided the balance I needed.

Each flower is unique, depending on where I placed the ink and how much water it got from the Spritzer. Tami applied the darker ink direct to the stamp, but I found it gave me more control to use a dauber.

A white handmade card with the sentiment "Happy Birthday” and yellow flowers

The watercolor paper makes a big difference. It absorbs the water, distributing the color evenly without distortion of the paper.

What color combination would you choose? I’m looking for more ideas! If you’d like to try this technique, shop for Season of Chic stamps and dies, or Tami’s choice, the Tropical Leaf bundle. Either way, I’m confident you’ll have a lot of fun!

Just a few more days to earn Bonus Days coupons! Through July 31st, with every $50 merchandise order you’ll earn a $5 coupon to spend in August. NO LIMITS!!

Online Exclusives are HERE. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Be sure to subscribe by August 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This kit includes 8 cards, 4 each of 2 designs, and 8 coordinating envelopes. The kit is special because of the way it uses the meaning of flowers. On each card, you’ll find a small inscription of what the flowers represent.

"Paper Pumpkin" on red banner, "Meaningful Flowers" in blue on a pale blue background with images of stamped flowers

And don’t wait, because anyone who subscribes to this month’s kit will get a FREE stamp set! This Distinktive stamp set is perfect for a variety of occasions! 

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.

Hues of Happiness and the Fussy Cut

Some crafters detest fussy cutting, others find it relaxing. I find myself somewhere in the middle: I can usually do enough fussy cutting for one project, but then I am DONE. The Hues of Happiness Designer Series paper practically begs to be fussy cut.

#mauistamper #stampinup #huesofhappiness #diy #handmadecard #fussycut #birthday #timeworntype
  • Stamps: Go To Greetings, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Gorgeous Grape, Melon Mambo
  • Accessories: Hues of Happiness DSP, Paper Snips, Big Boss, Timeworn Type EF, Gold Shimmer Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

There’s a little secret buried on this card front: some of these elements are not complete flowers. Images on the edge of the paper can still be trimmed and overlapped, providing even more options when you fussy cut!

I’m revisiting a favorite old technique here. I’ve used the edge of my snips to fray the edges of my card stock. It’s a way of setting the sentiment apart while allowing me to cut the exact size of paper I need.

This is an old fashioned feeling card, but it has a richness to it as well. The Hues of Happiness DSP has so many uses – you might just need to add it to your craft stash. See all the beautiful designs HERE.

Maui Stamper 2023 DIY Easel Calendar template $5

The 2023 DIY Template is now available! It’s just $5 and you may use it to make as many calendars as you like. It includes a page of covers, 12 monthly calendar blocks (4 to a page), and a set of cutting instructions. The blocks are designed to be cut to 3 1/2″ square.

Contact me to make your payment – I use Square to invoice, and you don’t need an account to use it.

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! Spooky Treats Paper Pumpkin DIY Craft Kit

Be sure to subscribe by September 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The September kit is perfect to get ready for Trick or Treat. It makes 18 treat boxes for your favorite little ghosties and goblins.

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. Don’t miss this kit!

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper and dies that coordinate with our stamps are options when you spend $50 usd. On August 2nd an fresh set of products was added to the rewards offerings. Time to go shopping! See the choices HERE.

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and one of my favorite Do Not Miss This products is our Embossing Additions Tool Kit with all the tools you’ll need for perfect results. Shop the Mini Catalog and then choose your Sale-a-bration reward!

Stampin’ Up! always has a bonus joining offer during Sale-a-bration, and this one is really special! You’ll receive a gorgeous planner, 3 coordinating notebooks, and an exclusive stamp set to help organize your projects, your priorities, and your plans! You don’t need to make a business out of this to enjoy your new planner.

Becoming a demonstrator is ALWAYS a great value – the kit itself includes $125 of product (you choose every bit of it) for $99. It also includes catalogs and other business supplies should you choose to share what you love doing. But the icing on the cake is the discount that every demonstrator earns on every single order. There’s no long-term commitment – let’s chat and see if this makes sense for you! Contact me to learn more. Ready to sign up? JOIN HERE.

A Pair of Dragonflies

I had some squares of the most gorgeous Designer Series paper left over from a project, and I couldn’t bear to waste them. I lined them up with a dragonfly, and the resulting card is very pretty, if I do say so myself:

a white card with 3 soft green squares and a dragonfly
  • Stamps: Dragonfly Garden, Go To Greetings, Forever Fern
  • Color palette: Basic White, Mint Macaron, Soft Succulent, Soft Sea Foam
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Deckled Rectangles Dies*, Splendid Day DSP*, Dragonfly Punch, Blending Brushes, 1 1/2″ Metallic Mesh Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

*There are a couple of July-December 22 Mini Catalog sneak peeks here, but it’s almost July 1!

The Deckled Rectangle dies are never going to leave my craft desk. I am head-over-heels with these dies! They offer a rustic elegance we haven’t had before, and I am smitten.

A white card with patterned paper squares and a dragonfly

A card so nice I made it twice! This one is a little plain, but that’s intentional. It has the potential to be a sympathy card should I need one, so I’ve left it simple and without a greeting.

a white card with 3 squares of pattern paper and a

I made a custom envelope for each card with the DSP on the flap. If you’ve got a few squares of luscious DSP on your craft desk, give this a try – you could substitute for the dragonfly if that’s not part of your stash. The main thing is to have a little fun – and then go shopping HERE.

The July Paper Pumpkin features beautifully designed nautical imagery, a fun message in a bottle motif, and sentiments that are “shore” to please.

Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! 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.

Last Chance Products January-June 2022 Mini Catalog

It’s LAST CHANCE time for the 2022 January – June Mini catalog, and these incredible deals won’t last! Many dies are 50% off, so do the math: the best deal may not be the bundle, but buying stamps and dies separately. Whatever you do, don’t wait! These deals disappear on June 30.