Tag Archives: teeny tiny wishes

Settling into routine

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Captain Stupidhead at RestIt’s been an interesting week, this first official Empty Nest week.  The cat is doing his best to convince us that the nest is NOT empty, that he is still here and that he needs attention and he needs it now.  But clearly it’s not the same – you can’t throw a child out the back door and come back 8 hours later, lah dee dah.  Captain Stupidhead has a lot to say, but if you keep him fed the rest is easy.

Mr Maui Stamper and I are doing the same things we did when there were chickens in the nest, but it feels different now.  I’m not thinking about what the family wants or needs, I’m thinking about the present.  We were married for 6 years before we had our first child, and that BC (Before Children) lifestyle is a comfortable fit.  Of course, our kids are an enormous part of our lives, and we are in touch with them often, but they aren’t on my To-Do list now.  Well, they are of course…there’s a wedding early next year, and plane tickets for Thanksgiving…but it’s not an every day type of thing.

You would think that I would have stamped up a storm by now, but the sad truth is that my stamp studio has been a scene of absolute and atrocious chaos since before convention.  I’ve been up here a couple of times trying to make progress.  Finally last night I got serious with the heaps, bits and pieces, methodically working through the mess.  It was a late night, but I’m happy to report success.  There’s still some work to do – I have a number of brand new sets that aren’t put together – but I can think in here.

I have a card to share, too.  I didn’t make it last night, but a couple of days ago.  A friend of ours lost his dad, and though it wasn’t unexpected, the loss of someone dear weighs on your heart.  I remember when my grandmother died at the age of 92 – she didn’t remember us any more, and she wasn’t the same energetic woman I’d grown up with, but still when she died I was sad to realize we wouldn’t make any new memories together.  Fortunately, I have wonderful memories of both of my grandmothers, and those stories help to define who I am.

Thoughts and Prayers

  • Thoughts and Prayers, Artistic Etchings, and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Naturals Ivory and Soft Suede card stock
  • Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake FFIP
  • Baja Breeze Stampin’ Write marker
  • Baja Breeze Seam Binding
  • Oval and Small oval (retired) punches
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’m really sorry that Stampin’ Up! retired that small oval punch, and I’m a bit stubborn about giving mine up as a result.  You could just use the regular oval and ink up the edges, but that’s not what I wanted.  Well.   And that’s that.

And here I was going to say something about embracing change…

 

 

Betsy’s little pocket

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The Petite Pocket Bigz die cut has called my name for quite a while, but I’ve resisted…until now.  Cheryl and I designed vintage monochromatic Pockets HERE, and that was it:  I gave in and bought the die.

Maui Stamper Betsy's Blooms Petite Pocket

  • Betsy’s Blooms and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit and Primrose Petals FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pads)
  • Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit and Raspberry Ripple card stock
  • Blossom, 1/2 and 3/4 inch Circles and Jewelry tag punches
  • Linen thread and Island Indigo 3/8 inch ruffled ribbon
  • 2011-2013 Printed Designer brads
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Big Shot and Petite Pocket Bigz die

I try not to jump on the new Big Shot Die Bandwagon every time a new die comes out.  Sometimes I’ll borrow it from another demonstrator to find out if I really like it.  Sometimes I find it’s something I don’t really need to have.  Most of the time, I’m hooked.

I filled this little pocket with a couple of yards of ribbon to say thanks to some kind friends.  It’s just the right size for a little gift and it uses a half sheet of cardstock cut the long way.  It goes together easily with a little Tombo (the wonder adhesive).  Betsy’s Blooms is a great “go-to” stamp set.  It’s versatile and the big round floral image fits perfectly in the Blossom Punch.

I’m getting ready for convention – it’s just around the corner – and things are getting a little wacky around here.  Seems as if the whole summer has been a progression from one big event to another!  Can’t wait to find out what Stampin’ Up! has in store for us.  I’ll share as much as I can!

 

 

I’m in love!!

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And OH MY GOODNESS!!  You are going to be in love too!  Just wait until you get your hands on our new Stampin’ Up! Firm Foam Ink pads!!!

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  • Make a Cake and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Patio Party Designer Series Paper
  • Whisper White, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse,Primrose Petals and Baja Breeze card stock
  • Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse and Primrose Petals FIRM FOAM INK PADS!!
  • 1 inch square, Blossom, 3/4 inch circle and Bitty circle punches
  • Bitty Buttons
  • White Bakers Twine
  • Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

I am waiting for the rest of the colors – I only have the In Color 2012-2014 ink pads in Firm Foam but as soon as I used them I knew I had to have the rest!  I am stalking my own front lanai because they should be here any day now!!!

{OK.  Breathe.  It’s going to be just fine.  Breathe.}

In other news, if you choose to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in June (for only $99 I must add) you’ll receive the Make a Cake stamp set, Patio Party Designer Series paper and Patio Party My Digital Studio Suite as a free gift!  It’s a pretty sweet deal – check it out.  Details at My Online Store – you can sign up in minutes and have your goodies on your doorstep in days.  YES – you too can be a front-lanai-stalker!

For the record, I am also very much in love with my wonderful husband, Mr. Maui Stamper.  In fact, the Firm Foam Ink Pads, as Fabulous as they are, do not hold a candle to Mr. Maui Stamper.  Just sayin’.

Choosing colors

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The way I look at it, sympathy cards pose a unique challenge.  I want them to convey hope, warmth and comfort, while still acknowledging the fact that a family is grieving.  The challenge for me is in choosing the colors; I want them to lift the spirit but still be soothing.

Just Believe With Sympathy

  • Just Believe and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Concord Crush Classic ink pad
  • Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, So Saffron and Concord Crush card stock
  • Stampin’ Sponge
  • Pearl Jewels
  • Modern Label Punch
  • Crop-a-dile
  • Pear Pizazz Seam Binding

I made 10 of these for a ministry group at my church.  When they need cards, I’ll come up with 2 or 3 designs and make 10 of each – it’s much more enjoyable for me than 20 or 30 of the same design.  10 is my magic number when it comes to production – more than that and I start wondering why on earth I said I would do this!

I’m very fond of the Just Believe stamp set, but I have a feeling it may be on the retired list this year.  It was a convention set in 2010.   Stampin’ Up! gives us heaps of free stamps at Convention, and they’re always brand new.  I’ve heard that the Powers That Be are planning on cleaning house a little bit and giving us a fresh start with a lot of new product, so I’m trying to put myself in the right frame of mind to say good-bye to some old favorites.  Cross your fingers that Teeny Tiny Wishes makes the cut and remains to stamp another year – that set is my absolute sentiment anchor!!!

The most difficult thing to let go of will be Pear Pizazz.  It’s a 2010-2012 In Color, and since it’s 2012 now that means Pear Pizazz (plus Blush Blossom, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait and Concord Crush) will be retiring to make room for a new group of colors.  Embrace change!!

So what do you think?  Are these colors hopeful or hopelessly bright?

I hope there are trees in Heaven

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I love using the image of the tree from Thoughts and Prayers for a sympathy card.  It’s a full, graceful tree that hints of a life well-lived, of abundance and generosity and beauty.

It also seems like a little piece of heaven.  Haven’t been there myself, but it seems to me that heaven must have a feeling like  being in the woods…and like walking on a white sandy beach…and like climbing tall, majestic mountains…all of those beautiful, powerful places that bring the presence of God alive in a very tangible way.  I hope this card conveys that feeling of  God’s presence to my friend.

Thoughts and Prayers Limeade

  • Thoughts and Prayers and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade and River Rock card stock
  • Lucky Limeade Prints Pack Designer Series Paper
  • Lucky Limeade and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write markers
  • Lucky Limeade Classic ink pad
  • Piercing tool and Mat
  • 1/8 inch Lucky Limeade Organdy Ribbon (SAB)

I made holes on either side of the tree trunk with the piercing tool and used a big upholstery needle to thread the Organdy Ribbon through.  It’s soft and easy to work with, and I much prefer tying my ribbons onto cards instead of attaching them with Glue Dots.  Don’t get me wrong – I love those Glue Dots – but I don’t want to take the chance that the ribbon will fall off.  I’m picky that way.

 

Cheery holiday trees

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This is a case – maybe it was Robin Merriman, maybe not – but honestly, the past week I’ve been goin’ 178 miles an hour in a convertible with my hair on fire (please say that with your bestest deepest Southern accent, because that’s how I first heard it).  Here in the Stamper Household we are T minus 4 days from departure for the land down under.  I haven’t seen my oldest daughter for over a year, and I CAN’T WAIT.  I didn’t think we were ever going to get to this point!

Ah, but I do have a card to share:

Three Holiday Trees

Imagine how many different cards you could make with all of the fabulous holiday Designer Series Paper scraps you have in that scrap box of yours.  Yeah, you know the one.  It’s full of pieces that were too big to throw away, or that you just loved so much you couldn’t bring yourself to use, or that you can’t remember the name of any more and coordinating colors will be a wild guess.  It’s all okay – this is the perfect project!

I used the Perfect Pennants Bigz L die (# 123126 for $32.95, and you know you’ve been so good this year and worked so hard making everything Just Right for everyone else in the family – you deserve it, don’t you??) but you could cut triangles if you really wanted to.  I am terrible at cutting triangles.  Didn’t like geometry all that much anyway.  My triangles always come out catty-wompus (and of course that’s a word, if you read it right here on the World Wide Web, well, you KNOW that makes it a word!!).   Anyway, before I went on that little rant I meant to say that the Perfect Pennants die gives me – yep, you guessed it – perfect pennant shaped triangles every time.  No compass and slide rule required.  Hallelujah for that.

The other product you don’t want to miss on this card is Teeny Tiny Wishes.  (#115370 $36.95).  I’m feelin’ the Mom-thing here…if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times:  You need this stamp set.  Seriously.  And that’s all I have to say about that.

There’s some Smooch and some Glimmer Paper and some ribbon and bling here, too.  This card goes together faster than the reindeer a minute before sunrise and that is some fast my friends!  If you have procrastinated on putting together some cards to send to friends near and far, stack up some DSP on this die and get crankin’.    Just stay out of the convertible when your hair catches on fire.

Oh-so-quick packaging

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I was in a hurry the other day for a quick package:

Paper bag topper

If you’ve made one of those rosettes/lollies/pleated circles, you’ll know that the reason this was a QUICK package was I had a completed rosette sitting on my craft desk.  I love the way they look but they do take time to assemble.  I’ve taken to putting them together in steps.  Once they’re done, I leave them in a bowl on my desktop to inspire me (or to grab in a hurry!)

It’s not super fancy or elaborate but it was simple to do and it suited the occasion.  Just a top note, the rosette, a Boho punch, a brad and a little Soft Suede ink.  I think it took me 3 minutes – seriously.

Paper bag topper

And…MARK YOUR CALENDARS…

There will be FREE downloads available at My Digital Studio November 4 to 7 – stay tuned!

Stampin' Up! Free Digital Content!

A few words of sympathy

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It’s hard to know what to say when someone experiences loss.  Finding the right words is a struggle, and often the words that come to mind don’t express what we’re really feeling.  I’ve found that simple is best:

I'm so sorry

  • Thoughts and Prayers, Teeny Tiny Wishes, and French Script stamp sets
  • Whisper White and Wisteria Wonder card stock
  • Pear Pizazz and Wisteria Wonder classic ink pads
  • Pretty in Pink and Wisteria Wonder Stampin’ Write markers
  • Blender pen
  • Big Shot, Originals 3 inch Circle,  and Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I tried to add more embellishment to this card and it just wouldn’t work.  This is about as close as I get to Clean and Simple.  For this sympathy card, in this situation, it was just right.

Stacy, I’m so sorry.

The 2-4-6-8 box: An old friend made easier with Simply Scored

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Simply Scored makes short work of that old stand-by, the 2-4-6-8 box:

Spice Cake 2-4-6-8 box

  • Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
  • Pool Party, Pear Pizazz, More Mustard and Early Espresso card stock
  • Spice Cake Designer Series Paper
  • Spice Cake Designer Buttons
  • Pear Pizazz Classic ink pad
  • Simply Scored
  • Medium Jewelry tag punch
  • Hemp twine
  • Dazzling Diamonds

Those are some humangajangous buttons!!  I’m going to set up my neglected sewing machine and have some fun with buttons and fabric – it’s been a long time since I’ve done any real sewing.  (We’ll see how far that goes!)

Like my crazy haircut fringe?  I’m not sure what posessed me to do that but it was fun.  I just scored a strip of cardstock so that each side would be 1/8 inch shorter than the corresponding Pool Party side.  Then I snipped that goofy fringe and used SNAIL to stick it to the inside of the box.

Spice Cake Box from the top

The 2-4-6-8 box is a simple concept and easy to adapt.  The basic concept is to score a piece of cardstock across the 8 1/2 inch dimension at 2, 4, 6, and 8 inches.  That gives you 4 panels each 2 inches wide and a little tab that’s 1/2 inch wide.  Turn your paper 90 degrees and score 1 to 2 inches from the bottom, snip and fold up the bottom, and you’ve got a simple open-top box.  If you turn your cardstock to the 11 inch direction, you can easily adapt the box to a rectangle.  For example, score at 2, 5, 7 and 10 and trim the last inch to a half inch and you’ve got a 2 inch by 3 inch box.  Clear as mud?  Try it, you’ll see how easy it is.  Or Google 2-4-8 box as there are loads of tutorials out there.  I’m not into re-inventing the wheel by documenting a technique someone else has already covered!

Needless to say, the Simply Scored tool makes this project super simple.  I’m finding myself reaching for it more and more, and I can’t imagine how I lived without it.  It’s like the Big Shot that way – once you’ve used it, you can’t imagine using anything else!

 

Inking up the butterflies

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Flight of the Butterfly has been collecting a little dust on my shelves.  Another gorgeous WOW swap inspired me to brush it off, and I must confess that I cased this creation almost exactly:

Dawn's Butterfly Easel card

  • Flight of the Butterfly and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette and Early Espresso card stock
  • Melon Mambo, Early Espresso and Pink Pirouette Classic ink pads
  • Butterfly punch
  • Pearl Jewels
  • Flower Designer brads
  • Whisper White 5/8 inch satin ribbon
  • Big Shot and Scallop Circle die

Now that I’ve gotten my hands on a few samples of easel cards, I’m having a lot of fun putting them together.  It’s a perfect format for an announcement – like a baby announcement – when you would like to feature a photo.

This is one of the cards we’ll make at the specialty folds card class next weekend (September 4th) at Ramona’s house in Wailuku.  Space is limited, so check the calendar at the Online Store or contact me directly to hold your place.

I’d like to give credit to the demonstrator who designed the original card.  Her name is Dawn Shearer, and she’s a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in Canada –  and a very talented one at that!