MAY 2024 DIY: ICE CREAM SWIRL BERRIES

Posted on May 1, 2024 by mauistamper

It’s May Day! And I’m thinking about SUMMER FRUIT. The Strawberry in the Ice Cream Swirl stamp set has been calling my name for days, and I’ve given it an entire month on my craft desk:

Stamps: Ice Cream Swirl, Sending Love, Bee My Valentine
Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lolly, Memento Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

The strawberry isn’t the focal point of the Ice Cream Swirl set, but I noticed it when I was editing my stamps to be current with the new 24-25 Annual Catalog. I’m a big fan of fruit in season, and we get beautiful strawberries from Upcountry Maui this time of year.

I masked the strawberries as I stamped them – I always stamp the middle first! After I colored them with my Blends, I thought it needed a little something more. I tried a bunch of options, but a little bird made me happiest, and you KNOW that’s how I make my decisions.

Thanks so much for visiting our little calendar mini hop! Please stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for May. We love to make these little calendars and share them with you.

The 24-25 Annual Catalog has finally arrived in the store! New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

If you have EVER considered joining Stampin’ Up! this is your best offer! This is the richest offer we’ve seen, well, maybe forever! Your $99 USD lets you choose $125 worth of any available product PLUS a glorious assortment of the brand new 24-26 In Color products! Check this out before you place your first order this month. There’s no obligation to continue or to sell and there are no strings attached. Message me for details or learn more HERE.

The Best There Is, the May Paper Pumpkin kit, contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes. It features woodgrain textures and masculine, earth tones . An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by May 10th.

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.

Processing…

Success! You're on the list.

Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.

SPECIAL DELIVERY TRUCKING ALONG

Posted on October 15, 2023 by mauistamper

What is it about trucks? They’re just so darn, I don’t know, photogenic. Stampa-genic? When I saw this one in the Online Exclusives I wanted to resist but I knew it was pointless.

A handmade card with a red truck and the text “special delivery”

Stamps: Trucking Along
Color Palette: Basic White, Real Red, Shaded Spruce, Lost Lagoon, Smoky Slate, Memento Black
Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Basics 3D Embossing Folder, Deckle Rectangle dies, Radiating Stitches dies, Black and White Gingham ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This could be a Christmas card – in fact, I made something similar using the Christmas tree in the back of the truck. But this is an all-season card (perhaps even 4 wheel drive.)

I’ve been in an off-center mood lately. I like seeing the slight asymmetry. It suits my slightly off-balance sense of humor, I guess.

Here’s the Christmas truck project. I CASED it, but can’t find the original post. If it’s yours, or you know whose it is, please let me know so that I can give them credit.

The inside of the Scallop Gift Card box with text "wishing you a festive Christmas)

The Scallop Gift Card box includes this insert that pops up when the box is opened. It’s absolutely genius.

Find trucks and more when you shop the Online Store..

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available. Let me know if you need a copy, or shop online HERE!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

SEASON OF CHIC: PINK ALOHA

Posted on October 3, 2023 by mauistamper

I’ve wanted to make a lei-style card for a while. After I used this flower from Season of Chic for a couple of other cards, I decided to try stringing it into a lei. I’m not perfectly satisfied, but I think it’s a decent start:

A long pink watercolor wash card with a flower lei and the text "aloha"

Stamps: Season of Chic, Alphabest
Color Palette: Basic White, Moody Mauve, Petal Pink, Lost Lagoon, Shaded Spruce
Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Chic dies, Stampin’ Blends, Irridescent Rhinestone gems, Daubers, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Watercolor Paper

I’m not sure what this blossom is, but it doesn’t look like any lei flowers I’m familiar with! Let’s call it Artistic License. The outline is inked in Moody Mauve, and the fill stamp is inked in Petal Pink. I added a light wash of Moody Mauve applied with a dauber and then lightly misted before stamping on watercolor paper. Let’s have a cheer for two-step stampin’!

I am so envious of those artists who are able to create beautiful watercolor washes. I’ve tried more times than I care to acknowledge, and it never comes out the way I see it in my mind. For this card, I used the lightest Petal Pink Stampin’ Blend on Basic White card stock.

This card needs a custom envelope, and I found just the thing in my stash of retired papers. I’m quite pleased to found something that coordinated so well! (I’m also pleased to have one less sheet of DSP in my retired stash – it’s a bit overwhelming.)

We have so many beautiful flowers in our stamp offering, and you probably have one that would be perfect for this technique. On the off chance you don’t, you’re welcome to shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

SEPTEMBER 2023 DIY: Abundant Beauty

Posted on September 1, 2023 by mauistamper

I’m really excited to share a sneak peek of a new product. The September-December Mini catalog debuts our first set of layering masks called Abundant Beauty. See if you think that’s an appropriate name:

A Handmade calendar page for September. It features 3 stenciled flowers in yellows and reds with green leaves.

Stamps: None (gasp)
Color Palette: Lemon Lolly, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, Cherry Cobbler, Copper Clay
Accessories: Abundant Beauty Decorative masks, Regular and Small Blending Brushes, 23-25 In Color dots, DIY Calendar template, Wink of Stella, Paper Snips, Masking paper, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I gave my Blending Brushes a workout. It’s easy to align the masks as they are numbered AND have a notch in each layer so you can register them accurately. There are 3 sizes of flowers on the masks, but I chose the smallest one and repeated it.

I used masking paper to cover the 2 flowers that I placed directly on the calendar, and then brushed some leaves (a bit randomly, I’d say) around them. I brushed a third flower on a scrap of Basic White and cut it out with my snips.

The color combinations are ENDLESS. I expect this to be a really popular item, so shop the Online Store early! The Mini is available beginning September 6th.

I’ve had a number of requests for the 2024 DIY Calendar template. I’d intended to offer it early this month, but the wildfires on Maui have been very disruptive. My family and I are fine, and our home was unaffected, but our island is like a small town. I appreciate your patience – I’ll make the calendar available soon.

Cheryl is taking a break in September, but Crystal has a calendar for you. Take a look at her beautiful calendar! And thanks for stopping by today.

Just a few more days until our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Customers can place orders beginning September 6th. Let me know if you need a copy!

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 September 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! With Love & Gratitude is inspired by Shelli Gardner. It includes eight treat packages (you can also use for small gifts) and eight miniature note cards with matching envelopes and specialty gold foil embellishments. Whether you need a hostess gift, a sweet surprise for dinner guests, or have another reason to give love and thanks, this kit has you covered.

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “With Love and Gratitude"

There’s also a beautiful journal available as an additional purchase exclusively for Paper Pumpkin subscribers.

AUGUST 2023: BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Posted on August 1, 2023 by mauistamper

Oh these chunky little birds have stolen my heart! There’s something about the Bird’s Eye View crew that enchants me. These three are colored with Stampin’ Blends, and there’s a little color riddle in this calendar – do you see it?

A Handmade calendar page for August with 3 birds colored blue, yellow and green.

Stamps: Bird’s Eye View, Easter Bunny
Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Azure Afternoon
Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

I’m always torn when new birdies show up in the catalog, because I might already have a *few* bird stamps. But I’m certain I don’t have any birds wearing glasses, so that gave me the justification I needed to add The View to my Stampin’ Collection.

After I stamped this little family, I decided they needed something upon which to stand. Fortunately, the Easter Bunny was more than willing to share a little grass, and masking paper made sure the grass remained in the background.

I know I say this every month, but this month I will REALLY enjoy my desktop calendar!! Be sure and see what Cheryl and Crystal have done this month. And if you don’t have your own Bird’s Eye View Crew, I think it’s time you shop the Online Store.

A red, blue, white and pink graphic with the text "Ready Set Redeem" and "it's time to use those coupons you earned! You can redeem your $5 coupons between 1-31 August.

Beginning today, August 1st, you can redeem your Bonus Days coupons! Your unique codes, delivered by email in July with your $50 order, can be spent through August 31st.

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!

JUNE 23 DIY: PLAYING IN THE RAIN

Posted on June 1, 2023 by mauistamper

I love this sweet little turtle from Playing in the Rain! Just the thing for a June calendar. A little spring rain is sure to yield spring flowers as well.

a small June 2023 calendar with a cartoon turtle

Stamps: Playing in the Rain
Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Soft Sea Foam, Fresh Freesia, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: DIY Easel Calendar template, Stampin’ Blends, Water Painter, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips

My supplies ought to include the Big Boss and the Playing in the Rain dies, but the dies are temporarily AWOL in my craft room. It’s admittedly a big mess right now, but I’m usually pretty good about putting away stamps and dies. They’ll turn up, but in the meantime I had to fussy cut that little reptile.

I gave the clouds the softest wash with Lost Lagoon, and used Pool Party for the turtle-belly. The shell is Lost Lagoon and Soft Sea Foam, and the head and limbs are also Soft Sea Foam. I had a hard time choosing colors for this image, but I was happy with the softness that I got with this palette. It’s easy to create a color range with Stampin’ Blends.

This cute smile will bring me pleasure all month long!

Be sure to take a look to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created this month for their DIY Easel Calendar. If you’d like your own Playing in the Rain stamps (or if you need to replace your dies, doggone it!) shop the Online Store.

The text Designer Series paper Sale Stock up and save 15% and images of

There’s a Designer Series Paper sale in June! 15% off select papers – shop early to avoid any disappointment.

It’s a great time to become a demonstrator! Join my team and create the opportunity you want. Select your choice of product valued at $155 for just $99 and you can be a happy shopper, enjoy early access to upcoming products, and save on every Stampin’ Up! purchase you make! If you choose, you can build a business, but that’s not a requirement. Try it out risk free – JOIN TODAY.

Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The June kit features 9 elegant, detailed cards. This is a card kit with an option to purchase coordinating dies while supplies last.

MAY 2023 DIY: CIRCLE Sayings

Posted on May 1, 2023 by mauistamper

Tomorrow is the Big Day: the 23-24 Annual Catalog is available to EVERYONE! Demonstrators have had the opportunity to shop a limited selection, but tomorrow it’s All The Things for All The Crafters!!

In celebration, I’m using a brand new stamp set from the new catalog for my May 2023 DIY Easel calendar. These images and sentiments are great starters for a new crafter, but have plenty of room for creativity for someone who has crafted a little longer.

Stamps: Circle Sayings
Color Palette: Basic White, Basic Black Gray Granite, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Boho Blue, Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon
Accessories: Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Blends

The original image is a circle, but I wanted to expand it to fill my space. Here’s the original:

I used a simple masking technique to repeat the image on either side. The paper I used to mask came off the back of our self-adhesive strips, so it was opaque enough for me to see through. I stamped the image twice, and trimmed the left, then the right side of the image. Then I covered the right, aligning the mask carefully by using the ability to see through:

This stamp is photopolymer, so I could see just where I wanted it!

Repeat with the right side!

And here you have it! The alignment isn’t exact, but this is the real world and things aren’t always perfect. Now to color:

I used a LOT of blues. There’s some Boho Blue, although I would have preferred Lost Lagoon. Alas, I don’t have those Blends (yet!!) I used Pool Party for brightness and Pretty Peacock to tone down the Boho Blue. The birds are defined with my Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker.

There you have it! Be sure to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for their May DIY Calendar.

There’s still a few hours to save on the Last Chance sale – use Host Code 3YYCMTDH.

Be sure to subscribe by May 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The May kit features outdoor landscapes and the new 23-25 In Colors. This is a card kit with an option to purchase additional cards and envelopes on May 2nd.

COUNTRY FLORAL with COLOR and CONTOUR

Posted on February 14, 2023 by mauistamper

Happy Valentines Day, my crafty friends! I have one more Valentine for you using the Country Floral Lane Designer Series Paper. This time I’ve paired it with the Color and Contour stamp set. It’s an older set so you might have it – you could whip this card up this afternoon for last minute giving! (Well. Assuming you have nothing else that is demanding of your time. Quite the assumption.)

Stamps: Color and Contour, Country Bouquet, Friendly Gnomes
Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Sweet Sorbet, Daffodil Delight, Balmy Blue
Accessories: Big Boss, Scalloped Contour dies, Stitched Rectangle dies, Stylish Shapes dies, Country Floral Lane Designer Series Paper, Stampin’ Blends, White Crinkle Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

You might have seen versions 1 and 2 of this card a few days ago in THIS post. The change in DSP makes a big difference – there’s a lot of (Balmy) Blue in this version and it just FEELS different. Gotta love our DSP.

I keep a stash of pre-cut Basic White panels measuring 4″ x 5 1/4″ next to my primary work space. All of my cards have an interior white panel, even if they’re a lighter color. I like the crisp look of that white panel on the interior, and I think it’s a beautiful finishing touch. It makes any interior stamping stand out as well.

To borrow a concept, I did a Love It Chop It move on this entire pack of DSP. I don’t always love EVERY design in a package, but I sure loved Floral Bouquet! It’s a great balance of large and small, monochromatic and colorful designs with very appealing colors. You might just need to get yourself a package to see.

There’s still time! You can make someone’s day a little brighter doing something you love! Give a Valentine or two to someone who won’t be expecting one. ❤️ And Happy Valentines Day from the Maui Stamper 😘

Sale-a-bration 2023 is a great time to stock up on basics – or add something new and special to your craft stash. Earn product for FREE with a qualifying purchase. See the choices HERE.

Be sure to subscribe by March 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The March kit is fresh and botanical, and includes a bonus stamp set to celebrate 10 years of Paper Pumpkin. It makes 9 cards and includes coordinating envelopes, and this month’s Stampin’ Spot is Polished Pink.

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!

New products in the January-April Mini Catalog are flying off the shelves! Even better, when you place a qualifying order you will choose FREE Sale-a-bration products. Sale-a-bration ends February 28th and as always, those products are while supplies last.

COUNTRY BOUQUET VALENTINE

Posted on February 4, 2023 by mauistamper

It’s nearly Valentines Day, my crafty friends! I’ve combined the Happiness Abounds bundle with the Country Floral Lane Designer Series Paper to create a pair of sweet Valentines. Check your stash of stamps and papers, because I’ll bet you have the supplies to make this card. (If you don’t, hurry off to the Online Store.)

Stamps: Happiness Abounds, Country Bouquet, Friendly Gnomes
Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Sweet Sorbet, Daffodil Delight, Mint Macaron
Accessories: Big Boss, Blossoming Happiness dies, Stitched Rectangle dies, Stylish Shapes dies, Country Floral Lane Designer Series Paper, Stampin’ Blends, White Crinkle Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The colors in this paper are perfect for Valentines, but they don’t insist on it. This could be a Valentine, a birthday card, a girlfriend card, or a just-because-you’re-so-amazing card. I need to send more of those. I made this one a Valentine, and the “Love You” sentiment comes from Friendly Gnomes – that’s all I used from the set.

One of the delights of our DSP is that the colors, patterns and designs are so easy to mix and match. I flipped things around a bit, and colored the Happiness Abounds flowers with Sweet Sorbet instead of Petal Pink. One design will give you a lot of cards.

It helps to think out your panel sizes before you start cutting. 😉 Our 12 x 12 DSP yields 6 panels measuring 4″ wide and 5 1/4″ tall if you cut carefully. That’s a perfect card front layer, and you’ll still have a nice 1 1/2″ x 12″ strip to play with.

This is a standard 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card base with that 4″ x 5 1/4″ DSP layer. The smaller DSP panel is cut from the 4th Stitched Rectangle die (counting from largest down to smallest) and the card stock behind it is 2 3/4″ x 4 1/8″. You can do this!!

Whether you choose this design or one of your own, a paper Valentine sent through the mail is a message of love. You can make someone’s day a little brighter doing something you love! Send a Valentine or two to someone who won’t be expecting one. ❤️

Sale-a-bration 2023 is a great time to stock up on basics – or add something new and special to your craft stash. Earn product for FREE with a qualifying purchase. See the choices HERE.

Be sure to subscribe by February 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The February kit has a sunny theme and includes everything you need to make 9 cards and envelopes. These cards are sure to brighten the day and for the first time ever, there are coordinating dies available as an add-on!

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!

DECEMBER 2022 DIY: PEACEFUL DEER with a GNOME

Posted on December 1, 2022 by mauistamper

This gnome is so kind and gentle that I thought he would make a perfect companion for December. In a month when it’s easy to get lost in Things To Do and Places To Go, holding out a light to help someone find their way seems like a perfect message for this month.

Stamps: Peaceful Deer, Kindest Gnomes, Friends are Like Seashells (stars)
Color Palette: Basic White, Mossy Meadow, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Smokey Slate, Basic Gray
Accessories: Big Boss, Gnome dies, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

It was a happy accident when I realized the images from Peaceful Deer were in perfect scale to use with Kindest Gnomes. The result is a Winter Wonderland feeling, and though it doesn’t really represent living on an island in the middle of the Pacific, it does represent my desire to slow down when things get overwhelming.

I colored the gnome’s beard and used the Color Lifter to create a softer (dare I say gentler?) beard. The light in his lantern is layered so it seems to glow. And when I colored the bunny I left a white patch on the chest and of course the cottontail!

(HINT: The Gnomes BUNDLE is retiring, but the dies will carry over into the spring. That means the Gnome stamps are retiring but there just might be a new coordinating set of stamps in January. Get the bundle and save. IYKYK.)

Crystal and Cheryl are my crafting buddies, and I hope you’ll spend a few minutes seeing what they’ve done for December. I invite you to share this post with your friends/crafting buddies and imagine how you can shine your lights together. If you need crafting supplies, I hope you’ll consider shopping HERE with me. Thanks!

Maui Stamper Clearance Rack December 2022

The CLEARANCE RACK has new goodies! Get them while they’re HOT!! Shop HERE. Looking for LAST CHANCE products from the July-December mini catalog? You can find those HERE and the savings are just a great.

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.

Maui Stamper 2023 DIY Easel Calendar template $5

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

If elegance and romance are your style, you’ll love the Fitting Florets Collection, available now as a sneak peek to the new mini catalog coming in January 2023. The Framed Florets and coordinating dies will be available in January, but the Framed and Festive Stamps, Designer Series Paper, and Gold Swirls are available only while supplies last. Get them HERE!

Be sure to subscribe by December 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The December kit has everything you need for adorable gift card holders. This is an all seasons kit, so make it now or make it later!

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!

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and we’re closing in on the last few weeks of availability. Remember that supplies are limited, so if you love something, don’t wait!

The Maui Stamper

papercrafts, my stories, and the occasional insight

Tag Archives: Stampin’ Blends

MAY 2024 DIY: ICE CREAM SWIRL BERRIES

SPECIAL DELIVERY TRUCKING ALONG

SEASON OF CHIC: PINK ALOHA

SEPTEMBER 2023 DIY: Abundant Beauty

AUGUST 2023: BIRD’S EYE VIEW

JUNE 23 DIY: PLAYING IN THE RAIN

MAY 2023 DIY: CIRCLE Sayings

COUNTRY FLORAL with COLOR and CONTOUR

COUNTRY BOUQUET VALENTINE

DECEMBER 2022 DIY: PEACEFUL DEER with a GNOME

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: