Tag Archives: Too Kind

Whisper White vs. Very Vanilla

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Do you select between Whisper White and Very Vanilla intentionally or randomly?  Sometimes I really think about it, and other times I just grab the one that’s closest at hand.  I started this card with Very Vanilla, but as soon as I stamped the first tone I wanted to see what it would look like on Whisper White.  At that point it was just as easy to make both cards, and so I did:

Maui Stamper Too Kind Work of Art Whisper White

  • Stamps:  Work of Art, Too Kind, Memorable Moments or Regarding Dahlias
  • Color Palette:  Basic Gray, Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White or Very Vanilla
  • Accessories:  Honeycomb TIEF, Pool Party Seam Binding (retired)

Here’s the Vanilla Version:

Maui Stamper Too Kind Work of Art Very VanillaI see a substantial difference between the two.  In my eyes, the colors are much crisper and cleaner on Whisper White.  I guess I should know that, but it was something I hadn’t really thought about.  Very Vanilla changes the color of the ink.

Maui Stamper Too Kind Work of Art Very VanillaHave some fun experimenting on your own.  I don’t think you would see the same dramatic result if you were working with warm colors – Tangerine Tango, Tangelo Twist and Pumpkin Pie, for example.  I’ll think more purposefully about my neutrals now.

When a card is really a hug

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Sometimes a friend is hurting and it’s not possible to deliver a hug in person.  What is it about the touch of another person that brings such comfort?  I called a friend today and she said “I was just thinking of you.  I need an Anne hug.”  It was a reminder to me that a small gesture can have the great impact – and I may never know that it did.

There’s a woman in our church – and she’s a saint, she really is – who has taken on the unseen task of sending cards to people in our community who are hurting.  It’s a big job, and I’m happy to help by keeping her supplied with cards.  Sometimes I have trouble coming up with a design that is generic enough to suit whatever need arises, but still has that hand-made touch.  They also have to be 100% easy to mail:

Maui Stamper Simply Soft Hostess 13-14

 

  • Stamps:  Simply Soft (Retired 13-14 Hostess) and Trust God stamp sets
  • Color Palette:  Very Vanilla, Pool Party and Wild Wasabi
  • Accessories:  Etcetera DSP, 3″ Circle Bigz, 3 1/2″ Circle Bigz, Big Shot, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aqua Painter

Simply Soft is one of those retired stamp sets that I can’t bring myself to sell.  I used it for my daughter’s engagement party invitations.  I am so fond of those Dandelion-like flowers –  or maybe they’re Alliums, or perhaps Agapanthus.   It doesn’t matter.  I like them.

Maui Stamper Simply Soft Hostess 13-14I have to admit that I’m a little anti-OCD when it comes to this sort of two-step stamping.  I kind of LIKE that it’s not lined up perfectly.    On the other hand, I would have really liked to put a little ribbon on this card…but it needs to be flat.

Maui Stamper Too Kind Thinking of YouThis copycat uses Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe and Calypso Coral.  The Polka Dots TIEF (it survives another year!!!!!) adds a little texture, and the Sweet Sorbet DSP from Sale-a-bration adds a bit more with its tone-on-tone colors.  The flowers from Too Kind (another survivor!) are a lighter version of the Dandelion/Agapanthus/Allium flower, and the contrasting mat distracted my eye, so I let the Very Vanilla circle to stand on its own.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes….BIG SIGH OF RELIEF…my right-hand-stamp will also be around for at least another year.

Maui Stamper Too Kind Thinking of YouHere’s a little more “rock the boat” two step stamping.  Now you’re seeing my rebellious side.

The Etcetera DSP, the 3″ Bigz and the 3 1/2″ Bigz are all retiring.  If you have circles framelits, you really don’t need the Bigz – unless you make multiples.  I’ve gotten my money’s worth many times over cutting 6 or more circles at one time with these dies.

If you’re anything like me, you have a small stash of cards that have been collecting dust for a while.  Each one of those cards has the potential to make someone’s day…you just need to write a line or two, sign your name, and attach a stamp.  Shoots, you don’t even have to lick the stamp any more.  Go send a card.  You’ll be glad you did.

Simple and Sweet

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The Sweet Sayings Cards and Envelopes are Grrrrrrrrrreat!!Maui Stamper Sweet Sayings Handmade Cards(I think my demographic may be showing…does anyone else remember Tony the Tiger?)

  • Stamp sets:  Too Kind and Wetlands
  • Color Palette:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana and Real Red
  • Accessories:  Sweet Sayings card and envelope set

And now for something completely different…

Maui Stamper Sweet Sayings Handmade CardsChange the font (this is from Oh, Hello) and create my own DSP with the Dictionary background set and it’s a Manly Card – even with those cute squiggles and tiny hearts at the bottom.

Maui Stamper Sweet Sayings Handmade CardsYet another look – very girly – with a sentiment from Four You and the fabulous little blooms from Petite Petals.  It’s hard to see in the photo, but the Coastal Cabana panel is embossed with Perfect Polka dots and carried through with the pierced line on the Whisper White oval (love those piercing guides!!)

Click Maui Stamper Whole Lot To Love 2014 to view the PDF with all the details on these Sweet Sayings Note Card sets.  They’re only available until January 27 – or until supplies run out.

 

Thank yous after the gifts

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I was so busy making Christmas crafts this month that I completely forgot about thank you notes.  Yesterday I sat down to write a few and realized I didn’t have any cards made!  (Well, there were a couple – but they were boring.)

Maui Stamper Thank You Handmade Card Too KindOne of my orders this month included some Crumb Cake Note Card envelopes, sized for 3 1/2″ x 5″ note cards.  Oh, Crumb Cake, you are such a versatile neutral!  (Don’t tell on me, but I still call it Kraft.  It’s the Stubborn Girl inside.)Maui Stamper Thank You Handmade Card Too Kind

  • Too Kind and Four You stamp sets
  • Naturals White, Primrose Petals and Crumb Cake card stock
  • Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals and Crumb Cake FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pads)
  • Two Way Glue Pen
  • Dazzling Diamonds (don’t tell Mr. Maui Stamper!!)

That “grass” is just the stem image turned upside down and stamped all katty-wompus.

Maui Stamper Thank You Handmade Card Too KindThese flowers NEEDED the sparkle that you can only get from Dazzling Diamonds.  So much Christmas sparkle is floating around our house that I’m pretty sure he won’t notice this extra bit.  Christmas cards, ornaments, packages – all kinds of contraband covered in glitter has been sneaking into our house!

Maui Stamper Handmade Card Gorgeous Grunge ThanksHow about turning 180 degrees?  Crumb Cake goes from flowers to grunge!

Maui Stamper Handmade Card Gorgeous Grunge Thanks

 

  • Gorgeous Grunge, Off the Grid and Hip Notes (sneak peek!) stamp sets
  • Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake card stock
  • Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Early Espresso FFIP
  • Linen Thread
  • Epic Day This n That Washi tape
  • Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi tape (another sneak peek!)
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Stampin’ Sponges

Maui Stamper Handmade Card Gorgeous Grunge ThanksFlags are still hot, washi is very hot, and washi flags are easy as can be.  Stampin’ Up! washi tape is sold in coordinating packages of 3, saving you money and time.

Speaking of saving yourself time and money, don’t forget to order your DIY calendar kit for 2014.  $8 with easel, $5 without.

Maui Stamper DIY Calendar Kit $8Complete details are HERE.

Easy Custom Gift Bags

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LOVE these muslin gift bags from the Holiday catalog!

Maui Stamper Handmade Gift Packaging Too Kind

  • Muslin Gift Bags (Holiday catalog)
  • Too Kind and Yippee Skippee stamp sets
  • Primrose Petals, Old Olive and Raspberry Ripple FFIP
  • Primrose Petals Stitched Ribbon
  • Clothespin (Tag a Bag Accessory kit)
  • Rhinestone jewel

Lazy girl that I am, I cut a piece of ribbon and just clipped it on with the clothespin from the Tag a Bag accessory kit.  That little rhinestone is a leftover from…something.  A kit, the name of which I cannot remember or find.  But you could take a plain rhinestone jewel and color it with a Sharpie® marker and get the same result.

Maui Stamper Handmade Gift Packaging Too KindHere’s what I did to stamp the bags:

  1. I opened the package of bags and took them out.
  2. I stamped them.

THAT’S IT.  I did NOT wash, fold, dry, iron or otherwise pay any attention to these bags.  I used Stampin’ Up! Classic Ink.  It dried to the touch but I noticed that as I stuffed the bags the ink would transfer to my hands, so I recommend allowing them to dry overnight before gifting them – there was no ink transfer the next day for me.  I stamped 4 different times – the 2-step flower image in Primrose Petals and Raspberry Ripple, the stem in Old Olive, and the sentiment in Raspberry Ripple – and didn’t have any problems with smearing.

Maui Stamper Handmade Gift Packaging Too KindI made a bunch of these for my Hostess Club members.  They’re filled with a cute stamp and some Trader Joe’s Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels (I think I’m happy that TJ’s isn’t in Hawaii because these would become an ISSUE for me).  These bags are a perfect last-minute-gift solution!  I’ve got a stash on hand and I think you should too 🙂

 

 

Stampin’ with the Maui Stampers!

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Maui Stampers is my blog, and it’s also my Stampin’ Up! group name!

Crystal and I came back from convention loaded with ideas, inspiration and most of all, SWAPS!  We wanted to share as much as we could, as quickly as we could, with the  Maui Stampers who were unable to make the trip to Salt Lake.  We put together a wild and crazy Stamp-a-palooza.  I’ve shared a few of the projects but there are just too many to keep posting one at a time, and they’re all pretty simple since we were in production mode.  Here are the rest, in no particular order:

Maui Stamper Handmade card Zoo BabiesI’m just giving quickie info on these – this one is Zoo Babies in Gumball Green, Calypso Coral and Coastal Cabana, with a bit of Epic Day Washi Tape along the back.

Maui Stamper Handmade Card Toil and TroubleThis is Toil and Trouble with Teeny Tiny Wishes – it’s hard to see, but the black card base is embossed with the Stripes Embossing folder.  That Vintage Button is filled with Black Glitter from the Holiday catalog and I am telling you, that stuff is GLITTERY!!!  Mr. Maui Stamper woulda had a fit if I’d brought this out at home, but we were Some Where Else.  Thank goodness.

Maui Stamper Handmade Card You're My HeroI am IN LOVE with You’re My Hero!  It’s not just for kids, either – I have some things to share in another week or so that I think you’re gonna love.

Maui Stamper Handmade card Simply Sketched SympathySimply Sketched is a hostess set, and I think it’s a bit of a sleeper.  The images are beautiful line art and the sentiments are things you need.  I chose Pear Pizazz and Baked Brown Sugar for this sympathy card.

Maui Stamper handmade card Gorgeous GrungeGorgeous Grunge is another catalog sleeper – and it is SO MUCH FUN!!  Just slap on that ink, baby!!  There’s a little Witches Brew Washi on this card – Washi is translucent so you can get extra dimension by layering it over a stamped image.  The greeting is Label Love – don’t miss the savings on that bundle!  And yes, I hand-cut the sentiment to layer it.  It’s not that hard 🙂

Maui Stamper Handmade Card Too Kind Tags 4 YouThis last card uses Too Kind, one of the first sets I purchased from the new catalog.  I’ve used it for so many things – those big, free form flowers are so versatile and easy to stamp.  I do NOT use the Stamp-a-ma-jig on them, much as I love it – these are just Bash and Stamp images!  Love that new Tags 4 You set in the Holiday catalog – you’ll see more of that, too.  Calypso Coral and Crisp Cantaloupe are the perfect tone-on-tone combo.

And just for fun, here we are:

Maui Stampers TeamStampers and guests!  These are brave women – it was a little bit touch-and-go as Ms. Hurricane Flossie tried to rain on our parade.  But neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.  Or stamping.

Convention Swap: Top Notch Swap

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Too Kind was one of my first “Must Have” stamp sets from the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog.  It was an easy choice for a swap:

Maui Stamper Convention 2013 Top Notch Swap

  • Too Kind, Petite Pairs and French Script stamp sets
  • Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and Crushed Curry card stock
  • Soft Suede, Old Olive, Crumb Cake and Crushed Curry FFIP
  • Versamark ink pad
  • Clear Embossing Powder
  • Heat Tool
  • Embossing Buddy
  • Linen Thread
  • Big Shot
  • Lattice TIEF
  • Window Frames Framelits
  • Paper Piercing Tool (aka Pokey Doodle)
  • Piercing Mat and Festive Paper Piercing pack
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was surprised to see how much depth of color I achieved by using clear embossing powder for the second part of the two-step stamping.  That’s just Versamark with a dunk in the Crushed Curry ink and embossed with clear.  (Do you know that technique?  If you don’t have embossing powder in a color you want to use, take a clean stamp and ink it with Versamark.  Before pressing onto the paper, press your stamp into your colored ink pad.  When you stamp, the color transfers onto the paper first and the Versamark sits on top.  Quickly cover your image with clear embossing power and heat emboss!)

Maui Stamper Convention 2013 Top Notch Swap Too Kind This card is the other candidate for my Swap Cards class on August 24th.  Your vote will help me to decide!

Maui Stamper Convention 2013 Top Notch Swap Too KindI only made 20 of these cards and I’m glad that’s all I signed up for.  This Top Notch swap yielded another set of gorgeous swaps, and  everyone really did put their best effort into creating for their fellow demonstrators.  Thanks to all the Top Notch swappers!