Tag Archives: Stampin’ Blends

Tags are the new cookies

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Hear me out now, before you start shouting at me! I love cookies as much as the next girl but this time of year they seem to be lurking around every corner, and it gets dangerous. One of my host clubs exchanged tags every year instead, and it’s such fun!

  • Stamps: #Elfie
  • Color Palette, Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, Shaded Spruce, Daffodil Delight, soft Suede, Ivory Seaside Spray, Rococco Rose
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Snowfall Puff Paint, Heat Tool, Wink of Stella

The puff paint is amazing! It’s a quick way to add some fun texture. Be sure to let it puff up all the way, and then I find it’s more durable if you let it sit for half an hour or so before touching or stacking it. I make it the last step and then set the tags aside to “cure”. Watch this video for more: https://s.tamp.in/yo-AGL

A dozen of these went together really quickly – but you need to enjoy coloring. I didn’t do any shadowing because it’s such a small image.

To create a little blush in #Elfie’s cheeks, I dabbed a dot of Rococco Rose Blends and then blurred it with the color lifter. Do this BEFORE you add the skin tone (I used ivory) or you’ll see a funny circle.

Make a tag, swap a tag! There’s still time!

December 2019 DIY

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I’m smitten with #Elfie! He’s just the guy I want hangin’ out on my craft desk this month!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie
Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie

I went a little over-the-top with the Snowfall Accents Puff Paint. Well, actually, I went over-the-top with the Paper Snips, too. In the stamped image, #Elfie is leaning against the bottom of the signpost, but that makes the image too tall for a little calendar! I REALLY wanted to use this image, so out came the snips and I disassembled the whole business.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie

When I figured out how to settle him into a snowbank with the post popping out I was pretty pleased with myself. But…it looked a little empty. Maybe it was just lop-sided, but it needed something. That’s when I dug into my retired stash for the set from last year. It’s just the packages, and I could have probably hand-drawn them…HA. Imagine how successful that would have been!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie

This turned out just the way I imagined it, which is quite a feat. If you’re imagining your own set of DIY Easel Calendars for 2020, there’s still time to purchase the PDF! It’s just $5 and you can print your own set of months to play with all year long. Click Contact the Maui Stamper above and give me your email, and I’ll send you an invoice.

Be sure and stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have crafted for your inspiration this month! Happy December!

October 2019: Spooktacular Bash DIY Easel Calendar

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Happy October First! It’s the month of ghosties, ghoulies and mummies as well as yummy treats – I’m not sure I’m as excited about these treats as the mummy is, but to each their own, right?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Spooktacular Bash
Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Spooktacular Bash

I’m kinda in love with the Mummy. I think it’s the eyes. I mean, really, look at them all side-eye! Perfect for the jars o’ bits, and perfect for coloring with Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Spooktacular Bash

Enjoy your October! It’s a fun month as autumn starts to feel real (OK, who am I kidding – I live on Maui – all we’re asking is that the insane heat we have had all summer Goes Away!!) Halloween is a fun time here in the islands, because trick-or-treating doesn’t require boots or parkas.

Please stop by to see what Crystal and Cheryl have created for October. If you are interested in creating your own DIY Easel calendar, I have the 2020 pdf for sale. It’s only $5 – let me know if you’re interested.

September 2019: This Little Piggy Can Fly

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If a pig can fly, she can certainly be purple – Purple Posy, that is! My September 2019 DIY Easel Calendar will keep me smiling all month.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up This Little Piggy DIY Easel Calendar 2020

All of the piggies in This Little Piggy are charming, but I think this one is my favorite. Since this set was released last year, it’s languished a bit as I’ve focused on new things. It was time to change that!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up This Little Piggy DIY Easel Calendar 2020

Wink of Stella is one of those non-negotiable, indispensable products on my craft table. It’s controlled sparkle, and if you know anything about Mr. Maui Stamper, you’ll know he believes that sparkle needs to be under control.

*There are a couple of sneak peeks in my September calendar. The Holiday catalog will be available to everyone on September 4, but demonstrators have had a month to play. There are new metallic inks – Silver, Gold and Copper – and of course plenty of new stamps!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up This Little Piggy DIY Easel Calendar 2020

Be sure you hop on over to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for September. If you need more STELLAAAAAAA, shop here.

A Good Man

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I’ve taken a summer blogging break, but I’ve been creating with a lot of energy. I needed a breather!

Last month, one of my groups asked to make Manly Cards. They’re really not difficult, but it does take a different mindset. I enjoyed the challenge and discovered that once I switched off the flowers-and-birdies reflex, it was a lot of fun! An easy place to begin is with A Good Man, one of the new stamps sets in the Stampin’ Up! 2019-2020 Annual catalog.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Manly Cards A Good Man

This card is notably plain. I find most embellishments are too, well, embellishmenty for a Manly Card. A little linen thread wouldn’t hurt here, but I honestly felt it was just right, just as it was. I think the gingham pattern on the DSP added enough interest.

One of the things I love about gingham is the even character of the pattern. Yes, I took the time to cut it so that the same row appeared on each edge, and yes, I measured my center panel so it would fit just so. I’m not an engineer (heaven forbid, we have plenty of those in my family, enough is enough), but I do love symmetry.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Manly Cards A Good Man

This image is really simple to color. I try to work with the lines that Stampin’ Up! gives me to guide me in my dark-to-light balance. It helps to imagine the sun shining from one side or the other, but I’m not seeking perfection here, just a pleasing appearance.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Manly Cards A Good Man

I colored quite a few of these and used different combinations and background papers. This is another retired paper from the Nature’s Poem series, and I think this is a perfect way to use up that stash. (Confess it: you have one too.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days July 2019

Don’t forget – there are just two more days to earn Bonus Days vouchers!

Shop HERE.

July 2019 Calendar: Free as a Bird V2

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The namesake birds in the Free as a Bird set are the July stars:

  • Stamps: Free as a Bird
  • Color Palette: whisper White, Basic Black, Old Olive, Pool Party, Soft Suede, So Saffron, and Rococo Rose
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends

I really enjoy coloring with Stampin’ Blends. I’m not an expert by any stretch but that hasn’t stopped me from experimenting! These calendars sit on MY craft desk and I’ll color them any way I please. 😊

These calendars are such a delight to create. The format is small and they only sit out for a month, so they provide a perfect opportunity to try something new.

Visit Crystal and Cheryl for their July DIY calendars. If you’d like to purchase the pdf for either 2019 or 2020 please message me. It’s just $5 and it’s a great way to explore your own tiny desktop creativity.

Saying Farewell to Hey Love

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These little critters have wiggled their collective way into my heart and I am really sad to see them retire on June 3. Even though this set is designed as a Valentine’s Day set, I’ve used it for many other purposes and been delighted with the results. Here’s one last look:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Farewell to Hey Love
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Farewell to Hey Love

These Narrow Note cards are not big enough to mail through the USPS, but they’re perfect enclosures for a small gift or a quick message. I like to have a few on hand as they’re perfect for last minute notes.

Hey Love is retiring on June 3, but is guaranteed available only through May 24, 2019. Don’t miss out – shop HERE.

A new look at Daisy Delight

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Rumor has it there’s a new Daisy set (with a coordinating mid-sized punch) in the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. I don’t have it yet, but seeing some of the images from our April Demonstrator Event sent me to the craft room to play.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Daisy Delight and the Daisy Punch

I’m starting to get a little neurotic about plant parts. I decided I didn’t like the stems that came with the Daisy stamp, so I cut my own out of Basic Black card stock with my Paper Snips and adhered them with the Fine Tip Glue Pen. I’m starting to feel kind of renegade about stems and leaves (do you remember my orchid leaves?)

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Daisy Delight and the Daisy Punch

I embossed the daisy images on the Vellum so the lines wouldn’t run when I colored them. In retrospect, I could have stamped them with Stazon ink and colored them on the REVERSE side and gotten a very similar look. I call that Delayed Intelligence. When you’re coloring with Stampin’ Blends, you need to use Memento Ink to avoid smearing, but Stazon will dry much faster on Vellum and since it’s translucent, you can color from behind.

The Fine Tip Glue Pen dries clear behind Vellum so it’s the perfect adhesive, but it also leaves a lovely clear lacquer effect if you’re patient and allow it to dry.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Daisy Delight and the Daisy Punch

I’m leaving this one without a sentiment for now. I like to have a few cards ready-to-personalize for last minute card needs. What would you choose for this one?

If you’d like to purchase any of these products, please shop HERE.

May 2019 DIY Calendar: Best Birds

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Happy May Day! It’s the first of the month, and that means I’ve got a new calendar to share. This month, I’m featuring one of the charming birds from the Best Birds set – it retires in June and while I’m sad to see it go, I’ve seen enough to know that there are new birdies in my future!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

I used Stampin’ Blends to color the bird, and I’m experimenting with some new coloring techniques. One of the things I thought I’d heard was to use circular motions to blend the colors, but as I’ve explored more it seems that short, flicked strokes layered on top of each other give a smoother result. It’s still a work in progress.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

However you choose to color, it’s a lot of fun to play with different combinations. I have a couple more birds on my craft desk waiting for projects.

And yes, I know this guy isn’t exactly on the branch. Call it artistic license.

Please stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have done for May. We all enjoy putting these calendars together for you each month. I have both the 2019 and 2020 calendars available in PDF form for the great price of $5 each. Message me if you’d like to purchase one or both!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

And if you’re ready to add this charming little avian to your next, shop HERE.

Colour Inkspiration 54: Wonderful Romance

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This is the first card I created for the Colour Inkspiration 54 challenge – Black and White with a POP of colour. I love how it turned out, but I didn’t feel it represented the POP very well.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour Inkspiration 54 Wonderful Romance

What do you think? I love the softness of the composition, but that’s exactly why I don’t think it qualifies for a POP of colour. It’s more muted, especially with the grey tones added in.

There’s one little trick you might not have noticed. The smallest rectangle in the Rectangle Stitched Framelits isn’t that small. I stamped my greeting and aligned one end of the framelit with the beginning of the message. Once I’d run it through the Big Shot, I carefully repositioned the framelit on the other end and rolled it through the Big Shot just enough to cut off the opposite end right where I wanted it!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Colour Inkspiration 54 Wonderful Romance

The Wink of Stella helps brighten these pretty white flowers. I wish there were dies of all three blooms in the set of framelits, because I think that would really enhance the composition and set off the floral aspect. I usually don’t mind fussy cutting, but I just wasn’t feeling it on this one. It is what it is!

I think this image could really work in a lot of other colour combinations. I currently have one in process on my craft desk, but it’s giving me a little bit of a fit trying to figure out how to finish it off. If I’m successful, I’ll share it with you next week. To share your own beautiful Black and White and POP project, visit the Colour Inkspiration Facebook page.

ColourINKspiration Challenge #54

In the meantime, there are all kinds of gorgeous products at great discounts available on the Clearance Rack. The retiring stamps, bundles, and accessory products are selling quickly, and when those products are gone, they’re gone. (Hint: bundles are priced with a 10% discount – they may continue into 2019-2020, but they won’t be bundled and you won’t have the opportunity to save.) If there’s something you love, I highly recommend you take immediate action. Shop HERE if you’re feeling inspired!