Tag Archives: Gorgeous Grunge

Spring flowers, mainland style

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I love tropical flowers – a lot! – but in the spring, I miss the spring flowers I grew up with.  You know the ones: daffodils, tulips, iris, paper whites…you might be able to grow them in some parts of the island where it gets cold at night, but the heat of the day forces them open way too fast. The markets often have bouquets in the spring, but I suspect they’re flown in, and by the time I get them home they’re already looking like they need a couple of hours in the fridge.

Fortunately, I can enjoy paper flowers all year round without having to pick up the wilted petals:

Maui Stamper Basket Bunch Daffodil

Maui Stamper Basket Bunch Daffodil

The flowers were fun to color – I used Stampin’ Write markers this time – and I was quite pleased to actually capture some of the Wink in this photo!

Maui Stamper Basket Bunch Daffodil

Basket Bunch, Gorgeous Grunge and the Festive TIEF are all retiring – shop HERE to get yours before they’re gone!

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On the Gonna Miss List: Gorgeous Grunge

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I remember the catalog when Gorgeous Grunge was released. I was at the Stampin’ Up! convention in Salt Lake City and if I’m not mistaken, the talented Pam Morgan introduced this stamp set and told us how much we were going to use it. At first glance, I wasn’t sure, but by the end of her presentation I was convinced.

Maui Stamper Gorgeous Grunge and Number of Years

  • Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge, Number of Years
  • Color Palette:  Wild Wasabi, Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White, Crushed Curry
  • Accessories:  Stampin’ Write Markers, Thick White Bakers Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Brights DSP pack (sold out)

I can’t begin to list the cards I’ve made using one of the images from Gorgeous Grunge. It adds a little bit of texture, fills a gap in a design, or creates a background as I’ve done here.

Maui Stamper Gorgeous Grunge and Number of Years

This particular stamp is very forgiving with regard to placement – really, they all are – and that makes it easy to create texture or a design element without beating your head against the desk. (Not that I do that often, but it’s possible.)

Maui Stamper Gorgeous Grunge and Number of Years

Gorgeous Grunge is available until May 31, 2017, or while supplies last. It’s going to stay in my stamp collection for sure.  Get yours HERE.

The Retiring List – what’s a crafter to do?

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2017 Retiring Header

I’ve had a little time to look through the list of products retiring from 2016-2017, and I have a few things to share with you. Products are selling out VERY QUICKLY, so don’t delay.  Here are a few things I consider noteworthy:

  • Bundles are retiring – in some cases, stamps will continue. Many have already sold out.
  • Many suites, especially in the Occasions catalog are retiring. Stock up on DSP and embellishments for things you already have
  • Project Life products are retiring, many at a discount. The cards packs are GREAT for card making!!
  • Gorgeous Grunge – Clear and Wood –  is retiring.  Don’t miss that one.
  • Botanical Blooms (discounted!) and the Pineapple Clear and Wood stamp  are retiring – if you do tropical cards, snap these up!
  • The Owl Builder punch is retiring. So.Much.Punch.Art.
  • Christmas Greetings Thinlits  are retiring – one of my absolute favorites.
  • Stars Framelits are retiring.  These are a holiday staple.
  • The Adhesive Remover is retiring, and I consider it a crafting essential.

Did I mention things are selling out quickly??  If you want the

Retiring Products page, start HERE.

Retiring Stamps page, start HERE.

Retiring Bundles page, start HERE.

Retiring Everything Else, start HERE.

But start NOW!!

 

So hard to find the words

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One of the most difficult cards to make is a sympathy card. It needs to express something that is truly beyond words, a message spoken from one heart to another. I often choose elements from nature for a sympathy card, partly because the images are soothing, but also because nature represents the full circle of our existence.

Maui Stamper Touches of Texture Sympathy

  • Stamps: Touches of Texture, Gorgeous Grunge, An Open Heart
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Sweet Sugarplum, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry
  • Accessories:  Stampin’ Write markers, Aquapainter, Sweet Sugarplum 3/8″ Ruched Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Maui Stamper Touches of Texture Sympathy

I used Stampin’ Write markers to color the leaves and the centers of the flowers, then added a lighter touch with the Aquapainter to give the blooms some depth.  I’m not a formally trained artist, and so my watercoloring is nothing more than whimsy.  I’m ok with that.

 

 

A Bicycle Built for Two

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Growing up, my parents had a Schwinn Tandem.  The Pedal Pushers stamp set from Sale-a-bration brought back very fond memories of that bike:

Maui Stamper Pedal Pusher

  • Stamps:  Pedal Pusher, Teeny Tiny WIshes, Gorgeous Grunge
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories:  Botanical Gardens Designer Washi, Big Shot, Arrows TIEF, Stampin’ Write markers, Corner Rounder punch

Coloring this tandem with Stampin’ Write markers goes quickly, and I wouldn’t hesitate to make a stack of these – it wouldn’t take long.  The color splashes are a nod to the 60’s and 70’s.  It’s a bit of an inside joke, a throwback to the time when this bike would have been in our garage.

Maui Stamper Pedal Pusher

Don’t tell my dad you’ve seen this card.  I’m saving it for his birthday. #ImBringingBirthdaysBack.

If you like this stamp set, today is the last day to place an order and get one for free.  Shop HERE.

Happy Amazing Birthday

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Last weekend we made #ImBringingBirthdaysBack cards:

Maui Stamper Beautiful Ride Amazing Birthday

  • Stamps:  Amazing Birthday, Beautiful Ride, Gorgeous Grunge
  • Color Palette:  Hello Honey, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
  • Accessories:  Party Punch Pack, Black Glimmer paper (Holiday 2015), Stampin’ Write markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals

There were 10 cards and everyone could choose which card and how many to make.  It was a lovely Saturday afternoon, and I made quite a few cards myself.  It worked out so well that I’m planning on doing another one soon.  Let me know if you’d like to come.

Maui Stamper Beautiful Ride Amazing Birthday

I lopped off the first HAPPY from this sentiment to make it fit the picture in my head.  The retired Black Glimmer paper leaped out of my stash and insisted on being included in this card.

I love how this card feels like a square card – the Whisper White panel is 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ – but measures a standard 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ to make the whole envelope/mailing/postage thing work out.  What’s the point of a birthday card that’s too much trouble to mail?

Sale-a-bration is wrapping up.  The last day for orders is next week Thursday at 7:50pm HST.  Avoid the rush:  shop HERE.FreeGift_PaperPumpkinApril2016

And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I hope you’ll seriously consider the  April Paper Pumpkin.  The kits are beautifully designed and perfect to grab and go when you need a little crafty pick-me-up.  You can choose a one month subscription to try it out or save on a three month subscription and get a free SAB pick.  Deadline to receive the April kit is April 10th!

 

A remarkable friend

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If you’re lucky, you have a remarkable friend.  She is generous, thoughtful, and knows just when to send you a really DUMB meme that will make you laugh until you…well, you know.  I needed a card for a remarkable friend, and Stampin’ Up! heard me loud and clear:

Maui Stamper Remarkable Friend

  • Stamps:  Remarkable You, Gorgeous Grunge
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Gold
  • Tools:  Aquapainter, Lost Lagoon satin ribbon (retired), Winter Wonderland DSP (Holiday 2015), Gold Washi (retired), Island Indigo Baker’s Twine (retired, other colors available), Iced Rhinestone Embellishments (Holiday 2015)

Maui Stamper Remarkable FriendI’ve used just a tiny piece of the Winter Wonderland DSP (Designer Series Paper) but every sheet in that assortment is gorgeous.  There’s new gold washi in the Holiday 2015 catalog too, but I had this on hand.  And check out the Iced Rhinestone Embellishments!!  Can I get a chorus of “More is MORE!!” here please??

Pool Party and Island Indigo are one of my favorite color combinations.  I can use it all year without feeling out of season – maybe that’s why I like it so well!

Happy birthday, my Remarkable Friend!