Sail Away

Posted on May 16, 2011 by mauistamper

There’s something romantic about a sailboat. Sailboats evoke feelings of freedom in me, and though I’m not a sailor I love watching them on the water.

Sail Away and Hope Happens stamp sets
Whisper White, Night of Navy and Baja Breeze cardstock
Random Designer Series Paper in Tangerine Tango and maybe So Saffron??
Night of Navy Classic ink pad
Night of Navy and Cajun Craze Stampin’ Write Markers
Aquapainter and Blender pen
Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

OK, first order of business is to make sure you know I am not sneaking in some other company’s sentiment stamp – that is a VERY carefully inked stamp from the Hope Happens set. The verse is “Do not put off until tomorrow what can be Enjoyed Today” and I used a marker to ink just the letters I wanted. I know, now you’re full of remorse for thinking I would have committed Rubbah-dultery, as Jan Tink calls it. If you want to make it up to me, you can come pick the orange cat hair out of my Stampin’ Scrub, because it’s full of the stuff and it’s a pain in the patootie! It makes funny lines on my stamps when I ink them up. That Darn Cat.

Anyway, I digress. We were talking about sailboats, no?

I don’t go out on the water a lot, because the truth is that if it’s not perfectly smooth I get queasy. I make an exception for whale season and trips to Lanai, and I take something to settle my stomach and pray for good weather. Heading out on a boat provides such a different perspective of our island, and as long as my stomach cooperates I can stay out for hours just watching. A sailboat has the added bonus of being quiet – just the sound of the waves and the wind in the sail – and it can be very meditative. If you’re lucky enough to have a whale surface nearby, you hear that big WHOOSH when it breathes (but don’t breath in, because whales have the fishiest halitosis EVAH). If you hit the jackpot and one breaches nearby, nothing compares with the sound of a school bus hitting the water.

I digress again. It’s not even whale season. Sigh.

This sailboat card is simple and flat by design. Lately I’ve been frustrated when I needed to send a card and couldn’t find one that would actually Fit In An Envelope. Can you imagine that? What a concept! I’m making an effort to create cards that can be put in an envelope and mailed, no fuss no muss, and this one qualifies. It takes a little discipline and I was sorely tempted by ribbons, buttons and brads but I held out for simple. We’ll see if I can do that again.

Courage

Posted on April 3, 2010 by mauistamper

I bought the Hope Happens stamp set because I liked this sentiment so much:

Hope Happens and Vintage Vogue stamp sets
Whisper White, So Saffron, Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise card stock
Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise Classic ink pads
Ribbon Originals Elementary, Piercing tool and mat, and scoring blade
Big Shot and Beautiful Wings Embosslit

It’s hard to see, but the white card base is scored at right angles to create a texture. I fiddled around for so long with other stuff that I ran out of steam when it came to doing what I’d planned with this scored grid, so I just used it as is.

I don’t consider myself especially courageous, and for that matter, I don’t consider myself especially grown up. I’ve learned to ACT like a grown up at least some of the time, but being one is something altogether different. I can dress the part, and I can certainly talk it too, but I find it hard to believe I’m really a grown up. I suppose that to my kids and their peers I seem like a grown up, always reminding them to do responsible things like pick up after themselves and develop a budget they can stick to and tackle big problems one step at a time (hey, kids, look how I managed to nag each of you!!) But the truth is, I have trouble with all of those things myself – that’s why I can see them so clearly in others (my kids, for example). Real courage lies in looking honestly at ourselves, accepting what we find and stretching to become just a little bit better. And if that’s being a grown up, well maybe I’m in the club after all.

Keeping your feet firmly planted

Posted on February 9, 2010 by mauistamper

Whew.

The past week has been so full. Early Saturday morning we took Carol to the airport, said our goodbyes (a few extra times for good luck) and put her on the plane for Perth. Getting to that point was physically and emotionally exhausting, but once we were there, it felt much better than I’d anticipated. Of course we shed tears, and continue to do so (like right now, typing this post). Her dad and I know this is the right move for her, and after all the sorting, packing and problem solving of last week we are ready to let go. She’s ready too – sorry to leave Maui, but happy to finally live in the same time zone as her boyfriend.

I haven’t accomplished much since Saturday. I did engage in something of a cleaning frenzy yesterday. My son grumbled that it was his sister’s fault that I suddenly needed all his stuff Put Away Now, but he knows I’ll get over it. My next task is to clear out the debris that remains in Carol’s room, clean it up, and return it to the purpose it fulfilled so well for 4 years of university: My Stamp Room. Ah yes. Every cloud does have its silver lining.

In the meantime, I sat down at the disaster area that currently functions as a stamp space and made a card. Boy, did that feel good. So good, I think I’ll make another later on!

Fifth Avenue Floral, Vintage Vogue, and Hope Happens Stamp sets
Whisper White, Regal Rose, Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa card stock
Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom and Regal Rose Classic ink pads
Big Shot and Beautiful Wings Embosslit die
Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Aquapainter and the Scallop Trim border punch
Stamp-a-ma-jig, Embossing Buddy, Fine Supernova Stampin’ Glitter and Tombo Adhesive

The color inspiration for this card came from colourQchallenge – this is ColourQ 19. I used the same embellished leaf stamp from Vintage Vogue on the Blush Blossom card base and the Whisper White focal image, but I stamped it off on the Whisper White panel to make it more subtle. To get the mixed colors with the glitter, I dotted Tombo adhesive in the center of the flower a few times and dusted with the Chocolate glitter, then repeated and dusted again with the Pink glitter. Don’t forget to use your Embossing Buddy on your cardstock before glittering – it really makes a difference!