Moving Forward with love

Posted on October 21, 2012 by mauistamper

Hello, dear friend – who wouldn’t like to hear those words? Or read them, for that matter:

Moving Forward stamp set
Pacific Point Classic FFIP
Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write marker
Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler card stock
Pacific Point Prints Pack Designer Series paper
Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots TIEF
Blender pen
3 inch Bigz Circle
2 1/2 inch Circle Punch
Rhinestone Jewels

I took this project to the high school my kids attended as a thank you to the hard-working staff. They had such a good time, we’ll do it again!

RemARKably Luxurious: A Regal World Card Making Day

Posted on October 6, 2012 by mauistamper

So glad you’ve come back for a little more WCMD RemARKable blogging goodness! A hand made card is a very special gift, and although today I’m featuring cards for birthdays, thank yous and Christmas, the best card is the one that arrives “just because”. It’s a simple act but it means a lot.

This third round on the hop is full of rich, royal colors: the Stampin’ Up! Regal Color Family

If you know me at all, you know that I run late. I’m not proud of that, and I have developed a variety of habits designed to get me out the door on time, but the sad truth is that I run on Maui Stamper time. Fortunately, Maui time and Maui Stamper time are similar concepts!

This little mollusk has a good excuse for being tardy – he had to wait for the Crystal Effects to dry! (don’t tell, but I did a Maui Stamper No-No. I broke out the Dazzling Diamonds. Mr. Maui Stamper DOES NOT LIKE GLITTER. It has to do with an incident at least 10 years ago involving a teenager’s glittered tee shirt and a pair of cycling shorts in the same load of laundry. I almost never use DD, but I just couldn’t resist!)

This card might take that extra bit of postage, but that lumpy knot on the Cherry Cobbler tulle is worth every penny! The tulle is luxurious and soft, and ties easily and gracefully. It can be pleated – I use sticky strip because hot glue, while it is somewhat more effective, has an unnatural affinity for my fingers. And it burns.

I am an ENORMOUS fan of Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing folders (TIEF). Give a piece of cardstock a quick run through the Big Shot and it goes from hum to HUM BABY! (I am also an enormous fan of caps, because I talk with my hands – caps are not shouting to me, they are gestures.) This oval is my new holiday fave. As far as snowflakes go, we see them about once every 10 years at the summit of Haleakala – but this one looks like a design for a traditional Hawaiian quilt, and that suits me.

Having fun? Full to the brim with ideas? Fingers weary from all that Pinning? Get some rest, because there are two more posts to come before the day is through! In the meantime, let’s check out what Maria has up her sleeve…

Raising money for Ronald McDonald House

Posted on August 22, 2012 by mauistamper

Every year Stampin’ Up! designs a stamp set dedicated to raising money for Ronald McDonald House. This year, each demonstrator attending convention received a free Moving Forward set and I’ve been busy with mine:

Moving Forward and Itty Bitty Banners stamp sets
Whisper White, Gumball Green and Midnight Muse card stock
Patio Party Designer Series paper
Midnight Muse and Gumball Green FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pads)
Midnight Muse and Gumball Green Stampin’ Write markers
1 3/4 inch circle and Bitty Shapes punches
Bitty Banners Framelits
Finishing Touches Edgelit
Essentials Paper Piercing Pack
Rhinestones and Pearls Jewels
Stampin’ Dimensionals

As a parent, I’ve spent more than one restless night in a hospital worrying about one of my children, but I’m grateful none of them has had to be hospitalized long term. It’s difficult to watch your child struggle with health issues and to maintain control of your emotions – at least in your child’s presence. When I think about the stress of long-term hospitalization and the accompanying expense, it becomes very simple to want to support an organization like Ronald McDonald House.

Every Moving Forward stamp set sold generates a $3.00 donation from Stampin’ Up! to Ronald McDonald House. It’s such a delightful, versatile set – doesn’t it belong on YOUR wish list? Shop now at my Online Store #126332 clear, #126320 wood

Stampin’ Up! Convention 2012: It’s a wrap

Posted on July 21, 2012 by mauistamper

My bags are packed, I’m ready to go…

And I have to tell you that having my bags packed – within weight limits – is an absolute miracle. I’m taking home 7 new stamp sets, oodles of completed projects, loads of swaps, and heaps of Memento Mall swag. There also might be a little bit of shopping in my suitcase that is unrelated to Stampin’ Up! (just maybe!)

The classes today were excellent. I know there are people who come to convention and spend most of their time socializing, networking, (shopping, eating) and doing things besides the classes – but I LOVE the classes. I am inspired, I am challenged, I am learning new things!

Our final session was memorable for so many reasons. Dale Hampshire, the manager for the Candian business, showed off some pretty impressive dancing as he entered the stage to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Stampin’ Up! in Canada. Carrie Cudney showed off some pretty impressive bagpiping (with her “baby” brother) as she entered the stage to demonstrate all sorts of hand-crafted flowers. Shelli and her daughter Sara revealed the destination for the Grand Vacation 2014 in a hilarious skit with CEO Rich Jutkins. The location? A Western Carribbean cruise on the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas.

Then Shelli – well, Shelli did what she does best. She talked about the company and the people – staff and demonstrators – that make Stampin’ Up! what it is. Shelli also gave away stamps – our 2012-2013 Ronald McDonald House benefit set, Moving Forward, as well as the new hostess set for the Holiday Mini catalog, Mixed Medley. We also earned a fabulous demonstrator-only set, and when you add all of those together with our Make-and-Take sets, it was some pretty impressive loot!