Tag Archives: Stampin’ Blends

A Natural Prints Dies Wreath

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When I saw the Natural Prints dies I was immediately taken by the wreath shape, but I wasn’t sure how to use it. Ultimately, I gave in to the fact that it had to be a square card.

  • Stamps: Love & Happiness
  • Color palette: Basic White, Pear Pizazz, Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Natural Prints dies, Seasonal Labels dies, Brick Embossing Folder, White Crinkled ribbon, Polished Dots, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I kept fiddling with the layout and colors and finally settled on Pear Pizazz and pale Papaya. I colored both the flower die cuts and the crinkle ribbon with the Pale Papaya Blends to get exactly what I envisioned.

Side note: when you color the Crinkled Ribbon with Blends it develops a little more body – not so much that it’s hard to work with, just the right little extra bit.

A small calendar page decorated with floral stamps and the message Love Changes Everything

I mashed the ribbon onto some glue dots and did the same with the die cut flowers. I put a tiny piece of Calypso Coral card stock behind the opening in the flowers. It’s not enough to see without squinting , but I know it’s there.

A small calendar page decorated with floral stamps and the message Love Changes Everything

There will be a custom envelope, but it’s been a busy week and I’m not ready to send this card. Besides, I want to leave it here for you and if I wait until the envelope is done, we’ll, that might be a while. So enjoy – and then go shopping HERE.

The June Paper Pumpkin features fresh summer designs and sentiments to make 9 cards with matching envelopes. Your kit includes a customizable canvas bag – and you can order more mini bags to deliver your cards with style!

Stampin Up Paper Pumpkin Box with stamped bag and berries and title Pick of the Crop

Be sure to subscribe by June 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 won’t last.

April 2022 DIY: Celebrate Sunflowers

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The war in Ukraine and the plight of the Ukrainian people has been on my mind for weeks, and when I started to reflect on my April calendar, it was their sunflower that came to mind. I’ve created this as a reminder on my desktop to keep them all – fighters, citizens, refugees – in my prayers.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! DIY Easel Calendar Celebrate Sunflowers
  • Stamps: Celebrate Sunflowers
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Naturals 700 and 800, Soft Suede, Misty Moonlight
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends

I masked off the top of the calendar and then stamped the image as close to the top as I could. I used a LOT of color, and kept going back over the image to create variety and intensity. Our new Naturals Blends were the perfect complement to those sunny yellows. I’ve matted this one with a double mat in Daffodil Delight and Misty Moonlight in honor of the Ukrainian colors.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! DIY Easel Calendar Celebrate Sunflowers

These little calendars are such fun to make, and I sell the pdf for $5 so that you can design your own. Message me for details.

Take a moment to visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’ve done with their DIY Easel calendars!

It’s that time of year! The Annual Last Chance list is out, and many products from the 21-22 Annual Catalog are available at savings up to 50%

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Last Chance 21-22 Annual Catalog

Pay close attention – many bundles are “retiring” but their components are not. You’ll still be able to get the stamps and dies or punches, but the discount will be gone!

Be sure to subscribe by April 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. The April kit will make 9 coordinating cards and envelopes that you can tailor to your card-sending needs. Don’t wait!

Waves of the Ocean has arrived in the Online Store! Don’t wait to get your hands on this gorgeous suite, although if you just want some of these goodies, you can buy them individually as well. This is another 2022-2023 Sneak Peek, and pay close attention: the stamps and dies will be in the new catalog, but the Designer Series paper, the foiled papers (swoon), and the gems are exclusive to the Sneak Peek and are only available until May 2, 2022. Check it all out HERE!

The All Together Suite includes Here Together stamps, Here for You dies, All Together Designer Series Paper, and our brand new Natural Tones Stampin’ Blends combos! They’re available as a suite, bundle or individually – but only the Blends will be available after May 2, 2022. The Light and Medium Light Blends duos are currently unavailable due to supply chain concerns, but all other products are currently in the warehouse and ready to ship to your doorstep!

March 2022 DIY: Plentiful Plants

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This month I’ve got a little bit of garden and a little bit of wildlife for your DIY Desktop. I combined the Plentiful Plants bundle with those chubby kiwis (birds, not people!) from Count on Me for an “only in my craft room” scene from nature:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! 2022 March #DIY Easel #Calendar #PlentifulPlants #CountOnMe
  • Stamps: Plentiful Plants, Count on Me, Rainbow of Happiness
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Garden Green, Old Olive, Cinnamon Cider, Crushed Curry, Blends 400 & 500
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Perfect Plants dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Faux Sea Glass Shapes, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Markers

I played a bit with the colors – I used both Garden Green and Old Olive on the plants, and I used multiple colors on the kiwi. I masked the one in the foreground, and used my Crushed Curry Stampin’ Write marker for their little beaks and feet, since they were such small features. Then I just played with the Neutral Blends until I got something I liked. I don’t promise they look like this in nature, but they do in my craft room!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! 2022 March #DIY Easel #Calendar #PlentifulPlants #CountOnMe

To be honest, the Sea Glass Shapes don’t exactly make sense in the forest (or for that matter, in my house where the potted plants live) but I’ll stand on creative license here and say that I like the way they look.

Take a moment to visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’ve done for March. We have such fun every month putting these little calendars together! I sell the full year of mini calendar pages in a pdf for just $5, so if you’d like to make your own, just message me! For everything else, you can shop HERE.

March is coming in like a LION with savings on the Mini Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine and select stamp-and-die bundles sized to fit perfectly in the Mini! The Savings Are in Bloom in this month!

This hard working little Baby Boss is your perfect travel companion and at 20% savings, you’ll thank yourself again and again for adding it to your crafting tools. This sale is WHILE SUPPLIES LAST and ends on March 31, 2022. Do I need to say it? DON’T WAIT!

Choose a bundle – oh my goodness, choose many bundles – because you’ll save on them as well. Take special note of the Art Gallery, Celebrate Sunflowers, and Garden Wishes bundles. These items were featured in a previous catalog and are not currently listed as bundles. They’ve been re-bundled for this event so you save even more!

Waves of the Ocean has arrived in the Online Store! Don’t wait to get your hands on this gorgeous suite, although if you just want some of these goodies, you can buy them individually as well. This is another 2022-2023 Sneak Peek, and pay close attention: the stamps and dies will be in the new catalog, but the Designer Series paper, the foiled papers (swoon), and the gems are exclusive to the Sneak Peek and are only available until May 2, 2022. Check it all out HERE!

The All Together Suite includes Here Together stamps, Here for You dies, All Together Designer Series Paper, and our brand new Natural Tones Stampin’ Blends combos! They’re available as a suite, bundle or individually – but only the Blends will be available after May 2, 2022. The Light and Medium Light Blends duos are currently unavailable due to supply chain concerns, but all other products are currently in the warehouse and ready to ship to your doorstep!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin #bonusstamps #DIY #papercrafting #paperkit

Be sure to subscribe by March 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. The March kit will make 9 coordinating cards and envelopes that you can tailor to your card-sending needs. These nature-inspired images will take your breath away. There’s a bonus stamp set (yup – TWO SETS) in March to say thanks for choosing Paper Pumpkin. Don’t wait!

February 2022 DIY: Driving By

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If you’re not on sunny Maui, you might need a bit of Sunshine and Rainbows today. How about a whimsical VW bus driving through your February DIY Calendar?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up February 2022 DIY Easel Calendar Driving By Palms dies Sunshine and Rainbows desktop calendar
  • Stamps: Driving By (Sale-a-bration 2022v1), Paradise Palms
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Calypso Coral, Mango Melody, Gray Granite, Pear Pizazz, Old Olive, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Sunshine and Rainbows Designer Series paper (Sale-a-bration 2022v1), Big Boss, Palms dies, Basic Borders dies, Stampin Dimensionals, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write markers, Watercolor pencils

I used the paper piecing technique with the bus. I stamped it once on one of the striped patterns from the Sunshine and Rainbow DSP, and then again on a piece of Basic White. I used Blends to color the top, wheels, bumpers and windows of the bus. Then I removed the top, wheels, bumpers and windows of the bus from the DSP version and adhered it to the Basic White version.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up February 2022 DIY Easel Calendar Driving By Palms dies Sunshine and Rainbows desktop calendar

I made a road using the curve from the Basic Borders dies and the White Watercolor Pencil. I measured another piece of the Sunshine and Rainbows DSP to fit behind the bus and the road and used multipurpose glue to adhere all of those layers – except the bus, the bus had to be on Dimensionals.

If we ever stop carrying Stampin’ Dimensionals I will be unable to function.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up February 2022 DIY Easel Calendar Driving By Palms dies Sunshine and Rainbows desktop calendar

The palms – oh my gosh, Stampin’ Up! has heard me mutter – those palms were inked with Stampin’ Write markers and cut out with the dies. It took me a hot minute to figure out how I wanted to line everything up, but lah-dee-dah, I am pretty pleased with the results! What do you think?

You can make your own Easel calendars with my handy-dandy print-yer-own pdf. It’s just $5 and I create one every year. Message me if you’re interested. There’s also a Pinterest board where you can find years of inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, pop over and see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for February. And when you’re done, do yourself a favor and take yourself shopping (the Paradise Palms bundle is a great place to start) and then add that VW Bus to your order for free. You’ll thank yourself over and over! (Be sure to get the English version of Driving By, unless of course you happen to speak French.)

Everybody loves FREE!! Choose FREE goodies from January 4 to February 28, 2022!! Shop HERE.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Sale-a-bration Join FREE STAMPS

Before you place that order, consider the Very Best Deal – joining Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator! If you join by February 28, 2022, there’s a super opportunity. Choose 2 FREE stamp sets PLUS:

  • $125 additional product of your choice for $99
  • Free shipping on your kit
  • 20% savings on your own purchases
  • 6 months to try us out without risk – continue with just a $300 quarterly minimum
  • Earn Sale-a-bration and host rewards on RETAIL price not your discounted price
  • An incredible community of crafters
  • Early access AND sneak peeks (you know you want to know!)

Join by February 28th for those two free stamp sets! Message me if you have questions or want to chat.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Paper Pumpkin February 2022 Safari Celebration kit

Be sure to subscribe by February 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. The February kit will make 9 playful cards with envelopes that you can tailor to your card-sending needs. Don’t wait!

December 2021: Peaceful Deer

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Ah, December, let me be a Peaceful Deer this holiday season! Let my crafting be inspired, my celebrations be joyful, and my scale be compassionate. Wouldn’t that be a perfect month?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Peaceful Deer 2021 DIY Easel Calendar
  • Stamps: Peaceful Deer, Penguin Place
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Just Jade, Pool Party, So Saffron
  • Accessories: Deer Builder Punch, Stampin Blends, Stampin Dimensionals, Blending Brushes, Spritz tool (retired)
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Peaceful Deer 2021 DIY Easel Calendar

I’m working on my Stampin’ Blends technique – what do you think about this deer? I really need to take a proper class, focusing on technique and shading. It’s on my to do list, but I currently have 3 lifetime’s worth of things To Do!

I went slightly non-traditional in my color choices. I considered adding a red nose, or a red bow, but ultimately decided to skip the red and go for the softer, cooler tones. It’s in keeping with my December philosophy (inspired, joyful, compassionate) and I’m hopeful that I can live it out.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Peaceful Deer 2021 DIY Easel Calendar

As always, Crystal and Cheryl have December calendars to share today as well. If you’d like to create your own Easel calendar, the 2022 calendar pdf is available for $5. Contact me for an invoice and I’ll get the pdf out to you right away.

2021 July- December Stampin Up Last Chance banner

It’s your Last Chance to shop the July-December mini catalog! Save up to 50%, but hurry! And news flash: BOTH the Deer Builder and the Penguin Builder punches are in stock!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Edens Garden

The gorgeous Eden’s Garden suite includes stamps, dies, exclusive papers and embellishments available as a sneak peek of the January – June 2022 mini catalog. The dies and stamps will carry over, but the papers and embellishments are available only during this promotion. Get yours today and enjoy the holiday crafting options!

Stampin’ Blends and the Alcohol Technique

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I spent a marvelous afternoon a couple of weeks ago playing with Stampin’ Blends and the alcohol technique in Crystal’s Stampin’ Garage. It took a few tries to get the hang of it, but once we got over that bump we couldn’t stop. All you really need are Stampin’ Blends, vellum, a small paintbrush, and 91% rubbing alcohol.

(Who knew 91% Rubbing Alcohol was so hard to find? Thanks, Covid.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Stampin Blends Alcohol Technique Happy Birthday card
  • Stamps: Art Gallery
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Garden Green, Balmy Blue
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Stitched Rectangle dies, Forever Flourishing dies, Poinsettia dies, vellum card stock, 91% rubbing alcohol, small paint brush, small dropper, Stampin’ Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals

You need a non-porous paper like vellum for this technique to work. It’s pretty simple: add color with Stampin’ Blends in any pattern you like. Use 91% rubbing alcohol to reactivate the ink and gently move it around, color by color. Finally, add interest by dripping the alcohol with a small dropper, the Stampin’ Spritzer, or the flick of your paintbrush.

I chose to add these leafy elements, but some of my results needed nothing more than a sentiment. I learned that I like more monochromatic combinations, especially blues and greens. (HUGE surprise there, eh?)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up SALE-a-bration 2021 8-3 to 9-30

Shop early, shop often – your supplies for this project or your holiday crafting can earn free stamps, paper and accessories! SALE-a-bration runs through 30 September 2021, but supplies are limited! Shop HERE.

Flowers of Friendship: the Golden Poppy Version

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I grew up in California, and the state flower, the California Golden Poppy, is an evocative memory of home. This image in the Flowers of Friendship set reminded me of those beautiful golden fields.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship Square Card
  • Stamps: Flowers of Friendship, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Crushed Curry, Basic White
  • Accessories: Flowers & Leaves punch, Hand Penned Designer Series paper, White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding, Granny Apple Green dark Stampin’ Blend, Stampin’ Write markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Most people think of poppies as, well, poppy-colored, but California Poppies also grow in a glorious shade of yellow. I used Crushed Curry for the outline image of the flower (I used Stampin’ Write markers direct to the stamp) in order to make the petals more defined.

I colored the White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding with my Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blend. I was prepared to wait a bit to be sure the ink was dry, but between the soft, lightweight ribbon and the magic of alcohol markers, the ribbon was dry and ready to add immediately. I hope we *always* have White 1/4″ Crinkle Seam Binding!!!

I also fussy cut parts of each flower to layer them and add more dimension. The shapes are simple, so it’s not really fussy cutting – more like snip-snip-cutting!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship Square Card

I left the sentiment off this card, as I often do, so that I can customize it when I’m ready to send it. I’ll create a custom square envelope with coordinating DSP and add the extra postage to be sure it arrives. If you make your card a 4 1/4″ square, you can put it in our standard envelope and send it for the regular one ounce USPS rate.

This set is another great option for quick and easy cards. The images are simple to color, and the coordinating punch makes it easy to add a layer. Shop HERE to add it to your crafty stash!

Just 5 more days in the DSP sale! Save 15% on these gorgeous papers – you’ll be so glad you did.

Color and Contour and Stampin Blends

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Can I just go out on a limb and say you NEED the Color and Contour Bundle? The images and sentiments make gorgeous cards, and the dies – especially the layering scalloped rectangles – are indispensable. Oh, and Blends: you’ll need Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Color and Contour Stampin Blends #handmadecard #DIY #makeacardsendacard #fancyfold
  • Stamps: Color and Contour, Sweet Strawberry
  • Color Palette: Pale Papaya, Mint Macaron, Basic White, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Scallop Contour dies, White Crinkled Seam Binding ribbon, 21-23 In Color DSP, Champagne Rhinestones, Stampin Dimensionals

This card is a Fancy Fold. It’s pretty tricky to photograph and get the full impact, but the scalloped focal point opens on a hinge to the right, and the card opens the normal way to the left. My inspiration was a Stamptastic Designs Youtube video and she does a great job of explaining how the card is constructed.

I used the dark Mint Macaron Stampin’ Blend to color the White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. It is VERY easy to do, and dries in the blink of an eye. (Really.) I also used the leaf image to create an abstract border on the white panel inside of the card. Those little extras aren’t necessary – but they make a card so personal.

Each scalloped rectangle has a different detail on the edge, but they nest beautifully. The large stitched scallop edge die is also part of the set, and I confess I clapped my hands and laughed out loud when I figured out that I could add that to the edge of the card. Those details are truly a Stampin’ Up! trademark.

Spend a little happy time coloring with Stampin’ Blends this weekend. And don’t forget the Last Chance products from the January – June Mini Catalog! They’re available while supplies last, but gone for good on June 30th. Find all of them HERE, and click HERE if you’d rather just see those on sale.

Maui Stamper Last Chance 2021 January-June

Using Designer Series Paper with Garden Wishes

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I love our Designer Series Paper (DSP). My favorite thing is the way it coordinates with our products, both colors and images. But wait, there’s more! I love the range of styles, the images themselves, and the perfect weight: not too heavy, not too light, jussst right. The fact that it’s two-sided (and often a multi-colored design on one side and a monochromatic design on the other) expands your crafting options even further.

DSP is an easy way to add interest or complexity to a simple design. With a couple of well-measured cuts, you have a quick addition to your project that often just makes it sing. Our Dandy Garden 6×6 DSP has been a star in the January-June Mini Catalog, and it’s going to retire at the end of June. It coordinates with both the Garden Wishes and Dragonfly Garden stamp sets, so it’s a real hero.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Dandy Garden DSP Garden Wishes
  • Stamps: Garden Wishes, Many Messages
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Mossy Meadow, BumbleBee, Basic Black
  • Accessories: Stitched Rectangle dies, Messages die, Stampin’ Blends, Mossy Meadow Braided Linen Trim*, Stampin Dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Dandy Garden DSP*
  • *Retiring June 30 and available while supplies last

I used the Daffodil Delight and Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Blends to color this image, and treated the light and dark toned Blends as separate shades. The Dandelion leaves need a light color and a soft touch to retain the detail in the images. I’ve also used a very old, long-retired tool to get that color spritz. I just can’t seem to pull off the paint-brush-flick with any reliable results!

I did a series of these cards with my clubs using the monochromatic papers from the Dandy Garden DSP pack, and I had a narrow strip of the Bumblebee Dandelion design left over. I really wanted to use it, and came up with the idea of adding the Mossy Meadow strip to the side in order to fill out the front of the card.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Dandy Garden DSP Garden Wishes

I used the same layout with a multi-hued DSP option from the same pack. It’s definitely colorful! This card includes one of the little ladybug embellishments that will retire the end of June. They’re the perfect size to secure with a Glue Dot.

Ready to shop? The Connect, Craft, and Collect offer adds $25 in Host Rewards to your qualifying order through June 14th! Maybe you’re ready to take the leap and earn a discount on Every. Single. Purchase. you make – Join+ increases the value of your No Obligation kit when you join the team by May 31st!

Or just pop on over to the Online Store to see what catches your eye. There’s ALWAYS something!

Another Donkey, Another Rose

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Snails and Donkeys! Who would have thought I would be so crazy about such, hmmm, non-traditional creatures? I mean, neither one is especially snuggly. But here we are, with The Rose:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Darling Donkeys Quite Curvy
  • Stamps: Darling Donkey, Quite Curvy, Forever Fern, Ridiculously Awesome
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Soft Suede, Petal Pink
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Curvy dies, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Red gemstone, retired corrugated heart and DSP
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Darling Donkeys Quite Curvy Forever Fern

How did I ever create a card without Stampin’ Blends? I’m sure I did it, but I find Blends indispensable now, not to mention therapeutic. It’s so relaxing to color, especially when I can blend and re-blend the tones and hues until I get exactly what I want. Seriously – what else can you do and get just what you want???

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Darling Donkeys Quite Curvy Forever Fern

The messages and hand-lettering in the Ridiculously Awesome are, in fact, ridiculously awesome. I could never write p.s. i love you and have it look like that. And why should I? There’s a stamp for that.

There’s still time to make a Valentine. Quick. Shop HERE.