Avant Garden Welcome v2.0

Posted on March 9, 2017 by mauistamper

Once I decided I liked the Avant Garden stamps, I couldn’t stop playing with color combinations:

It’s a funny coincidence that I wasn’t all that crazy about the 2016-2018 In Color Sweet Sugarplum. Maybe it’s the name. Maybe it’s something else. But as much as I know a lot of people who loved this color at first sight, I did not.

I guess it just had to grow on me.

Stamps: Avant Garden (Sale-a-bration 2017), sentiment from a retired demonstrator-only set
Color Palette: Whisper White, Sweet Sugarplum, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Sweet Sugarplum ruched ribbon, Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Thinlits, Pearl Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The color gradations come from stamping off (inking your stamp, stamping lightly onto scratch paper, and then stamping your project with the ink that remains on the stamp.) One of the things that I liked about the way that process worked on this card was that by stamping off lightly, there were gradations remaining on the flower image.

There’s one more version to come – stay tuned!

An Avant Garden Welcome

Posted on February 22, 2017 by mauistamper

I’ll be honest with you. I was not impressed with Avant Garden when I first opened my 2017 Sale-a-bration brochure. I mean, flowers again already? I should have known better. There have been very, very few stamp sets that I have not grown to love. (It does happen. I try not to talk about it.)

The first step towards learning to love Avant Garden was to apply some of my favorite colors. Second step was to remember that hey, it was free – that starts the love flowing!

Stamps: Avant Garden (2017 Sale-a-bration), retired demonstrator exclusive sentiment
Color Palette: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Pool Party, Island Indigo, So Saffron
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Thinlits, Pool Party Stitched Satin Ribbon, Very Vanilla Lace Trim, Metallics Sequin Assortment, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots

I almost didn’t include the lace trim. It’s Very Vanilla. The card is Whisper White. I decided to get over it and I’m glad I did. This may be a first for me!

There are many ways to adhere sequins to a card, but I use Glue dots 99.99% of the time. They’re clear, they’re the same shape, and it’s the fastest way I know to get the job done. Bam!!

I’m thrilled to be welcoming more demonstrators to the Maui Stampers. There’s still time to join and reap the awesome Sale-a-bration benefits: you’ll earn two additional FREE stamp sets of ANY price when you sign up during SAB. There’s no risk and no requirement to continue. It’s a great way to test drive being a demonstrator, and there will be some fabulous sneak peeks in the next few months (2017-2018 Annual Catalog, anyone?). Demonstrators always get the news first! Learn more HERE.

Sending RemARKable Love

Posted on January 15, 2017 by mauistamper

Welcome to the January 2017 RemARKable Blog tour. Our focus this month is Sending Love – which in addition to a wonderful practice, is a fabulous Stampin’ Up! product suite!

I’ve taken the obvious route and chosen Valentines, but these projects could easily be adapted to other expressions of love – wedding, anniversary, or just Love ya, Babe!

This is our fabulous Popcorn Box thinlit made up in Blushing Bride. There’s a panel of Falling in Love DSP behind all of that embellishment, as well as a Delicate White Doily spritzed with Sahara Sand and smushed for texture. (SMUSH is an active verb.)

Stitched Shapes Framelits will be available again on January 16th – be ready to order!! Product #145372 will cost $30 and will be sold as supplies last.

The Sealed With Love set sentiment is stamped twice with Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand – photopolymer stamps make the placement easy as can be!

I LOVE the Sending Love Glassine Sheets, and they are perfect for creating the little envelopes in the Love Notes Framelits. I also love how that row of hearts fits perfectly across the top of the little note insert.

The TIEF is called Falling Petals, but let’s be serious. They’re hearts. Sheesh. {wink}

Next up is Heather Mathieson. Click on the image below, or scroll down to the list of blog tour participants for more inspiration! Thanks for stopping by.