Flowers of Friendship: the Golden Poppy Version

Posted on July 28, 2021 by mauistamper

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!

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

Posted on June 4, 2021 by mauistamper

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

Posted on May 26, 2021 by mauistamper

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.

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

Posted on February 7, 2021 by mauistamper

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???

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.

Sending Snail Mail

Posted on January 22, 2021 by mauistamper

The only thing better than making cards is sending cards. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like getting a card in the mail, and I like to make cards! What a perfect match. The stars of my latest batch are the charming, bug-eyed snails from Snail Mail.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Snail Mail Pretty Perennials Happy card

Stamps: Snailed It, Pretty Perennials
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Purple Posy, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Wink of Stella, Fine Tip Glue Pen

This is a pretty simple card without a lot of embellishment. The snail has a little Stella in her eyes, and I used the Fine Tip Glue Pen to make those black eyeballs good and shiny. Other than that, there’s some coloring and some doodling. This is a relaxing and enjoyable project!

Can you see the sparkle and shine? The combination really works for these hilarious eyeballs. I considered adding some Stella to the doodles running around the edge of the card, but it seemed a little too, well, snaily.

I mean, the truth is that I’m a gardener and snails are my arch-enemy out there! The Stampin’ Up! concept artists did an amazing job making these little critters so appealing, because in person, I like them NOT SO MUCH. (Also, in Hawaii we have ginormous snails, and that’s even more gross.)

Once I got started I was on a roll. Coloring the snails is addicting. I’ve always loved to color, and Stampin’ Blends are such a satisfying coloring tool.

I chose Flirty Flamingo, Calypso Coral, and Just Jade for this version. I used the same treatment on those big eyes – don’t you love the lashes?? Seriously. It must be such fun to dream these things up. I would need someone else in the room to call over and affirm my creative genius! I think that’s one of the things I miss most as a result of the pandemic. It’s such fun to craft alongside someone else, and try as she might, the cat doesn’t cut it.

So what do you think? Are these colors too far from reality? (Of course they are, I would freak out if I saw snails in my garden that looked like this.) I’m trying to decide if I dare try one in shades of blue…

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Sale-a-bration 2021-JaFe

Snail Mail is available as a bundle with snaily dies, or as a suite that includes the bundle, Designer Series Paper, and two different embellishments. If you’re ready for some paper snails that won’t snack on your herb garden, shop HERE.

Brightly Gleaming Coffee Carrier

Posted on October 9, 2020 by mauistamper

The ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS Brightly Gleaming Designer Series paper was so popular last year that it’s making a “Hana Hou” (one more time!) appearance this year. Those metallic accents work beautifully with the kraft composition of our charming Mini Coffee Carrier.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Brightly Gleaming Mini Coffee Carrier gift packaging

Stamps: Christmas Gleaming
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Pretty Peacock, Night of Navy
Accessories: Mini Coffee Carrier, Scalloped Tag Topper punch, Brightly Gleaming Designer Series paper, Copper Foil, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write markers, Paper Snips, Old Olive/Pretty Peacock reversible ribbon, Star Designer Elements, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This tag makes me happy.

I love the play of colors, the gleam of the copper, the tonality of the Stampin’ Blends and the slightly-off-tradition combination of Poppy Parade and Pretty Peacock.

I choose to cut the DSP into four panels rather than try to wrap it around in one piece. It’s really hard to get it even when you wrap it! My pieces are all 2 1/4″ high: the long side is 5 5/8″ and the short side is 2 5/8″. The fit is tight, which is what I wanted.

Our printed gusseted cello bags are a perfect fit to hold candies or other small treats, and of course our coordinating Mini Coffee Cups are a perfect fit. A bottle of hand soap or moisturizer fits well, and a 3″ candle is a perfect fit too. At $5 for a package of 8 carriers, this is an economical way to beautifully package small holiday gifts!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2020 Designer Series paper sale

Don’t miss our DSP sale this month! Buy as few or as many packages you want at great savings. There are 15 papers included in this promotion, including 5 holiday assortments and some beautiful neutrals as well. See all the details and stock up HERE.

DIY July 2020: Celebrate Sunflowers

Posted on July 1, 2020 by mauistamper

There are SO MANY GORGEOUS FLOWERS in the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog! I am a complete pushover for a gorgeous flower stamp set, and Celebrate Sunflowers definitely sent me over the edge. Two sizes of flowers, lots of leaves, great sentiments – well, what’s not to like?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers DIY Calendar July 2020

Stamps: Celebrate Sunflowers
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody, Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow
Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Wink of Stella

These sunflowers are really fun to color with Stampin’ Blends. I have a pretty simple formula: follow the lines, start dark in the center and end up light on the ends.

It’s hard to see, but I added a l’il Wink of Stella to the center of the flowers. Stella makes EVERYTHING better. I’ve also used the masking technique to add a little dimension. There are die cuts for this set if you prefer that look, and they’re sold as a bundle with the stamp set so you can save when you choose both!

These little calendars are really fun to design, and they’re gratifyingly small when you need a little project to start and finish all in one go. I have both the 2020 and the 2021 calendar pdf available, and if you’d like one please click on Contact the Maui Stamper to securely provide your email address. Each pdf is $5 and you can make all the copies you like, making it a great purchase for a crafty gift. Be sure to let me know if you want 2020, 2021, or both!

Please visit Crystal and Cheryl to see their July calendars. It’s our pleasure to share these images with you every month for your inspiration and amusement!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days Promotion July 2020

Ready to add some sunflowers to your crafty stash? It’s a great day to do it – July marks the return of BONUS DAYS and you’ll earn a $5 reward to spend in August for every $50 in merchandise you purchase in July. You can get started right HERE.

Birds with Gorgeous Branches

Posted on June 17, 2020 by mauistamper

When demonstrators got our first look at the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, Birds & Branches caught my eye right away. My stampin’ bff teased me about it, saying she knew it would be at the top of my list. OK, fine, so we’ve established there are some things you can predict about me!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Birds and Branches card

Stamps: Birds & Branches, Lovely You
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Birds & More Dies, Subtle 3D Embossing Folder, Old World Paper 3D Embossing Folder, Stitched Rectangle dies, Die cutting machine, Stampin Blends, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

My die cutting machine got quite the workout with this project! (SHHHH – Big News – we have an availability date for the new Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine! Demonstrators have a chance to order first – another reason you might want to sign up and take advantage of the June Bonus Bundle offer!)

I love the layered look of the new Old World Paper 3D Embossing Folder behind the Subtle 3D Embossing Folder. I allowed a little reveal around the edge as well, and added a layer of Stampin’ Dimensionals between the Very Vanilla Subtle EF and the Crumb Cake Old World Paper EF.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Birds & Branches card

Coloring those birds with the Stampin’ Blends went quickly as they’re small and are mostly stamped – just a few Daffodil Delight accents and they were good to go. And we ALL KNOW that every project is better when there’s a little bit of linen thread, right?

Are you smitten as I was? Shop HERE.

Sparkly Ladybugs for March

Posted on March 1, 2020 by mauistamper

Little Ladybugs is a charming collection of images suitable for young and old alike. I think that makes it perfect for my March DIY Easel calendar!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Little Ladybug March 2020 DIY Easel Calendar

Stamps: Little Ladybug (SAB 2020 Host), Painted Poppies
Color Palette: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz, Basic Black, Petal Pink
Accessories: Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Blends, Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips

I used my Snips to fussy cut all the Ladybugs (Officially Lady Bird Beetle, from the family Coccinellidae. (There are dies, I just didn’t have them at hand!) If you are using anything other than Stampin’ Up! paper snips, do yourself a ginormous favor and spend the $10. You won’t believe how they will Change Your Life.

I’ve seen a lot of them colored with red wings, but I just couldn’t do it. This girl clearly has her hands full with those four roly-polys, and she needs a little sparkle to get through the day. I certainly would.

I’ ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (and again, and again). That field of poppies image from Peaceful Poppies might just be the best image in the entire January – June spring catalog.

If you’d like your own 2020 template, click on “Contact the Maui Stamper” and I’ll send you an invoice. For $5, you can print all the calendar pages you’d like! And for those of you EARLY BIRDS who are looking for 2021, hold on! We’ll get there, I promise, and you’ll be the first to know.

Stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal are doing for March. If you’re ready to do a little shopping to start the month of right, head over to the Online Store.

Painted Poppy Fields

Posted on February 25, 2020 by mauistamper

As I mentioned in Two Poppies Four Ways, I think this image of stemmed poppies is the most versatile in the entire suite.

Stamps: Painted Poppies, Peaceful Moments
Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Lovely Lipstick
Accessories: Stitched So Sweetly dies, Die Cutting machine, Lovely Lipstick 1/8″ grosgrain ribbon, Glitter Enamel dots , Stampin’ Dimensionals, Lovely Lipstick Stampin’ Blends

This is a fast card – even the coloring with the Blends goes quickly. The main panel is applied to the black mat, and that assembly is lifted with Stampin’ Dimensionals to create more focus. The ribbon looks red in the photo, but trust me, it’s as Lovely a Lipstick as they come!

You can see I didn’t worry too much about coloring inside the lines. That’s actually one of my goals this year – not to be so fussy. 9 times out of 10 it doesn’t matter! My goal is to get the cards made and in the mailbox, and that’s where this one is headed.

If you need some quick cards and you’re need a little somethin’ to pull it all together, shop HERE.