QUEEN BEE

Last weekend my Stampin’ buddy brought over the Queen Bee suite. We decided to see how it would work on a new layout I’ve been using. To keep things interesting, we made it in both landscape and portrait. I think both cards are winners!

Blackberry card with
  • Stamps: Queen Bee, Dainty Delight
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Basic Black, Blackberry Bliss, Crushed Curry
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Queen Bee dies, Basics 3D Embossing Folder, Vellum Card Stock, StazOn Ink, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Write markers, Dainty Flowers DSP (SAB 2023, retired)

I LOVE the embossing folders in the new Basic 3D assortment! You won’t find them in any catalog – they’re part of our new Online Exclusive collection. You can see them in the Online Store. They’re currently out of stock, and are scheduled to be available the week of May 1.

Please forgive the retired DSP – it was already cut and sitting on my desk as we started to design!

White card panel with small flowers

I added a floral image inside the card and colored it quickly with Stampin’ Write markers. I am an enormous fan of Stampin’ Blends, but for something this small I find it more satisfying to break out the traditional markers.

Black card with bees and sentiment "Thanks for lighting the way"

Here’s version 2. The primary differences are the layout (landscape now), the alternate embossing folder from the bundle, and the card base (black instead of blackberry!) The inside has a similar image, but if you have sharp eyes you’ll see it’s not exactly the same.

What do you think? Portrait or landscape?

white card

Be sure to subscribe by April 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The April kit is called ALL THE LITTLE THINGS. It’s a card kit featuring iridescent foil accents – don’t miss it!

Banner with Paper Pumpkin logo and mosaic-style flowers

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you.

We’re in the last month for the January-April Mini Catalog and Queen Bee is just one of the awesome suites available through May 1. The retiring list will be out this week, so beat the rush and get your Queen Bee bundle at a savings before it’s gone. Shop HERE.

A Little Trailer in the Trees

If you weren’t able to pick up the Tree Lot dies as a Sale-a-bration reward, they’ve sold out. I’m so sorry, because everyone should have the chance to craft this little trailer!

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! Trees for Sale Paradise Palms Tree Lot dies Sale-a-bration DIY handmade card
  • Stamps: Trees for Sale, Paradise Palms, Art Gallery
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Pear Pizazz, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, Pool Party
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Tree Lot dies (no longer available), Vellum card stock, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Black Sharpie pen

I mixed and matched the Old Olive and Pear Pizazz ink when I stamped the trees, and I’m not sure if I have a favorite. After all, trees are unique, and the fact that each of these are a little different is pretty true to life. I used a small piece of vellum in the “windows” and then placed the die cuts behind them so you didn’t see through the window to the trees.

Oh, and I stamped “Happy Birthday” just a little bit crooked on purpose. That’s so you know it’s made by hand 🤩

There are a lot of options for creating this card with other focal points. Try the tent from Campology, or the deer from Grassy Grove. You might just have something perfect in your stash! Shop HERE, and if there’s a Sale-a-bration reward you’ve got your eye on, maybe today would be a good day to add it to your cart!

Maui Stamper 2023 DIY Easel Calendar template $5

The 2023 DIY Template is now available! It’s just $5 and you may use it to make as many calendars as you like. It includes a page of covers, 12 monthly calendar blocks (4 to a page), and a set of cutting instructions. The blocks are designed to be cut to 3 1/2″ square.

Contact me to make your payment – I use Square to invoice, and you don’t need an account to use it.

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! Spooky Treats Paper Pumpkin DIY Craft Kit

Be sure to subscribe by September 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This kit makes 18 Halloween treats. You’ll be all set for the ghosties and goblins in your life!

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Don’t miss this kit!

Sale-a-bration 22v2 is up and running! Whether your tastes are whimsical, romantic, or outdoorsy, everyone will find stamps to enjoy for free! But wait – there’s more! Designer series paper and dies that coordinate with our stamps are options when you spend $50 usd. On August 2nd an fresh set of products was added to the rewards offerings. Time to go shopping! See the choices HERE.

Our Mini Catalog is packed with new designs and products to inspire and delight. There’s something for everyone, and one of my favorite Do Not Miss This products is our Embossing Additions Tool Kit with all the tools you’ll need for perfect results. Shop the Mini Catalog and then choose your Sale-a-bration reward!

Stampin’ Up! always has a bonus joining offer during Sale-a-bration, and this one is really special! You’ll receive a gorgeous planner, 3 coordinating notebooks, and an exclusive stamp set to help organize your projects, your priorities, and your plans! You don’t need to make a business out of this to enjoy your new planner.

Becoming a demonstrator is ALWAYS a great value – the kit itself includes $125 of product (you choose every bit of it) for $99. It also includes catalogs and other business supplies should you choose to share what you love doing. But the icing on the cake is the discount that every demonstrator earns on every single order. There’s no long-term commitment – let’s chat and see if this makes sense for you! Contact me to learn more. Ready to sign up? JOIN HERE.

Hand-Penned Petals for the One I Love

I have one last Valentine, a love letter, if you will. I’ve used a combination of products, but the foundation is the Hand-Penned Petals bundle. You won’t find colors like these in nature, but that’s irrelevant: reinventing what you see is what creativity is all about.

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! #BasicMasks #DIY #Handmadecard #OneILove #Valentines #HandPenned
  • Stamps: Hand-Penned Petals, Love & Happiness
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Pool Party, Soft Succulent, Just Jade
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Penned Flowers dies, Layering Circles dies, Basic Patterns Decorative Masks, Blending Brushes, Vellum Card Stock, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Basic Patterns Decorative Masks have sat neglected on my craft desk for an embarrassing amount of time. I’ve left them out, in the way and looking as though they ought to be picked up and put away, just to be sure I use them more. I LIKE them. They’re SIMPLE to use. They add a 💥 to any project.

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! #BasicMasks #DIY #Handmadecard #OneILove #Valentines #HandPenned

One of the reasons I love Hand-Penned Petals so much is (wait for it, you know it’s coming) I love to color. These flowers have enough detail to inspire me to try something different each time, but not so much as to be exhausting. Yeah, I know you’re not supposed to have brown leaves, that’s kind of a bad thing in the real, garden world. But don’t you think it works here?

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! #BasicMasks #DIY #Handmadecard #OneILove #Valentines #HandPenned

I added a little more stenciling with the mask on the inside of the card. Detailing the inside of the card and the envelope are little extras that help to focus the hand-made nature of a hand-made card. It’s another way of saying “I love you.”

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! #BasicMasks #DIY #Handmadecard #OneILove #Valentines #HandPenned

You don’t need a special occasion to send this card, or any other card. Write a few lines inside – copy a couple of lines of poetry or steal something from social media. You don’t need to be all Shakespearean about it, and it doesn’t have to be perfect to be very, very good.

If you’ve never tried our masks, today is a great day – and with just a couple of days left to take advantage of Sale-a-bration, if you hurry, you’ll get something wonderful for free! Shop HERE.

Celebrate a new day with the new Stampin’ Up! kit “Celebrate Today”! Design your personalized magnet board to display inspiration, treasures, and even your grocery list. Our kits contain everything you need, but they’re only available while supplies last. Check out Celebrate Today – today!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Celebrate Today Magnet Board #kit #DIY #stampinupdemo #whilesupplies last

Have you seen the latest release at Stampin’ Up!?

The All Together Suite includes Here Together stamps, Here for You dies, All Together Designer Series Paper, and our brand new Natural Tones Stampin’ Blends combos! They’re available as a suite, bundle or individually – but only the Blends will be available after May 2, 2022. As of this moment, the two light Blends combos are out of stock and anticipated in the warehouse the week of April 4th.

Sale-a-bration is still going strong. Everybody loves FREE!! Choose FREE goodies but don’t wait – this promotion ends February 28, 2022!! Shop HERE.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Sale-a-bration Join FREE STAMPS

Before you place that order, consider the Very Best Deal – joining Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator! If you join by February 28, 2022, there’s a super opportunity. Choose 2 FREE stamp sets PLUS:

  • $125 additional product of your choice for $99
  • Free shipping on your kit
  • 20% savings on your own purchases
  • 6 months to try us out without risk – continue with just a $300 quarterly minimum
  • Earn Sale-a-bration and host rewards on RETAIL price not your discounted price
  • An incredible community of crafters
  • Early access AND sneak peeks (you know you want to know!)

Join by February 28th for those two free stamp sets! Message me if you have questions or want to chat.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin #bonusstamps #DIY #papercrafting #paperkit

Be sure to subscribe by March 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. The March kit will make 9 coordinating cards and envelopes that you can tailor to your card-sending needs. These nature-inspired images will take your breath away. There’s a bonus stamp set (yup – TWO SETS) in March to say thanks for choosing Paper Pumpkin. Don’t wait!

Stampin’ Blends and the Alcohol Technique

I spent a marvelous afternoon a couple of weeks ago playing with Stampin’ Blends and the alcohol technique in Crystal’s Stampin’ Garage. It took a few tries to get the hang of it, but once we got over that bump we couldn’t stop. All you really need are Stampin’ Blends, vellum, a small paintbrush, and 91% rubbing alcohol.

(Who knew 91% Rubbing Alcohol was so hard to find? Thanks, Covid.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Stampin Blends Alcohol Technique Happy Birthday card
  • Stamps: Art Gallery
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Garden Green, Balmy Blue
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Stitched Rectangle dies, Forever Flourishing dies, Poinsettia dies, vellum card stock, 91% rubbing alcohol, small paint brush, small dropper, Stampin’ Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals

You need a non-porous paper like vellum for this technique to work. It’s pretty simple: add color with Stampin’ Blends in any pattern you like. Use 91% rubbing alcohol to reactivate the ink and gently move it around, color by color. Finally, add interest by dripping the alcohol with a small dropper, the Stampin’ Spritzer, or the flick of your paintbrush.

I chose to add these leafy elements, but some of my results needed nothing more than a sentiment. I learned that I like more monochromatic combinations, especially blues and greens. (HUGE surprise there, eh?)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up SALE-a-bration 2021 8-3 to 9-30

Shop early, shop often – your supplies for this project or your holiday crafting can earn free stamps, paper and accessories! SALE-a-bration runs through 30 September 2021, but supplies are limited! Shop HERE.

Celebrate Sunflowers in Just Jade

Every time I search Celebrate Sunflower images I get a sea of yellow and gold. I’ll be honest: I’ve discarded multiple versions trying to find other color options, but I think I’ve found one that’s a keeper.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers in Just Jade
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers in Just Jade

I’ve LITERALLY just finished this card, and have taken photos in order to share this today. I’ve been crafting a lot but sharing, well, not so much. I am so pleased with this one I didn’t want to wait another minute!

I wanted more texture but with a soft focus, and sponging gave me the result I wanted. I almost kept the little leafy bits to white and vellum, but at the last minute decided to add a couple of stems in Just Jade at the very back of the leaf stack.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers in Just Jade

After determining where I would place the white sunflower die cut, I started sponging dark-to-light from the center out. I sponged across the bottom and nearly but not completely to the top, and used Pool Party ink to add a few speckles from the Forever Fern set.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers in Just Jade

If you NEED the Celebrate Sunflower bundle, don’t forget that you’ll earn Bonus Bucks – a $5 coupon to spend in August for every $50 you spend in July. Shop at the Maui Stamper Online Store.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days Promotion July 2020

I’m off to try this in other colors. I promise I’ll be better at sharing!

Farewell to First Frost

This time of year I get a little verklempt over some of the retiring stamps. Others, not so much – but I’ll be sorry to see First Frost leave the catalog. I discovered a little embossed bit in my “pieces” a couple of days ago, and brought the set out for one last inking.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up First Frost in Gray
Maui Stamper Stampin Up First Frost in Gray

I cut small pieces from the Stampin’ Dimensionals sheet to adhere the embossed vellum stem. The White Embossing Powder perfectly masked the dimensionals, and I was able to cut them in narrow strips by using the extra bit of foam that’s left behind when all the dimensionals are used.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up First Frost in Gray

Funny, when I stamped the first images (Memento Black ink on Whisper White) I liked them so well I almost didn’t use the vellum bit that was my inspiration in the first place. Instead, I created this second version using Basic Gray and Very Vanilla card stock. It’s almost the same, although I used the Metallic Pearls and a retired sympathy sentiment (Teeny Tiny Wishes.)

I’m having trouble deciding which one I prefer! But I’ll tell you this: if you’re on the fence about adding First Frost (or Beautiful Bouquet and its great sentiments) to your craft stash, you’ll need to visit the Online Store right away as these two sets will be retired at close of business on June 2, 2020. Don’t dilly dally.

A new look at Daisy Delight

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.

Butterflies for encouragement

A friend is recovering from one of those “health episodes” that make us all stop and think. I take care of so many people in my life – do I need to do more for me? What would happen if…?  We’re all so glad she is home and recovering, and of course I hoped I could send a little encouragement her way.

Maui Stamper Beautiful Butterfly Just for You

  • Stamps:  Watercolor Wings, You’ve Got This
  • Color Palette:  Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Island Indigo
  • Accessories:  Big Shot, Bold Butterfly Framelits, Butterflies Thinlits, Wink of Stella Clear, Vellum card stock, Silver thread, Metallics Sequins Assortment, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Glue Dots

I’m officially obsessed with cutting out the detailed butterfly wings in vellum.  (News Flash: I am obsessed with Way.Too.Many.Things)  The Fine Tip Glue pen works quite well to adhere just the body to the base, leaving the wings to move.

Maui Stamper Beautiful Butterfly Just for You

I twisted a piece of Silver thread to make it stay in a V shape and put it between the vellum and the base with an extra dab of the Fine Tip Glue pen.  It’s a little touch, but then again, it’s all about the little touches, now, isn’t it?

Take good care of yourselves, my friends.  You are important.  You are loved.