ADORABLE OWLS in GINGHAM

Gingham!! It’s timeless, it comes in limitless colors, and it’s a versatile design pattern. Today I’ve paired our Country Gingham 6×6 inch Designer Series paper (you need this!!) with some gingham ribbon and our Adorable Owls. I’ve love how it looks – what do you think??

Fun fact: the Gingham pattern was invented in the 1600’s with roots in Asia, possibly Malasia. After over 400 years of enduring popularity, I’d say it’s a pretty solid tradition!

  • Stamps: Adorable Owls (SAB 23), Rays of Light
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry, Balmy Blue
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Stylish Shapes dies, Versamark Ink, Stampin’ Blends, Paper Snips, Black & White Gingham ribbon, Fine Sparkle Gems (retired, sorry!) Stampin’ Dimensionals

These are square cards measuring 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″. You can create an envelope to fit them precisely, but you’ll need to pay extra postage in the US for a non-machinable card. Or you can just grab our medium envelope and mail them in that – they don’t need to fill the whole thing!

Each of these owls has been fussy cut with Paper Snips. I know that’s a deal breaker for some crafters, but it’s not for me. Do what you love and be happy about it. If you don’t like to fussy cut, die cut that circle from Basic White card stock and add some stamping around the edge. Don’t stress, this is FUN.

The “Hoot hoot” owl has a sassy “come hither” backwards glance that cracks me up. And don’t let the prospect of coloring all these owls hold you back. They’re simple, and you can leave lots of white space as I did to simplify the task. Remember, we’re having FUN. (Says the Drill Sergeant Stamper.) The background stamp for this card is Spiral Dye, stamped again in Versamark. That’s one of my favorite ways to add texture – Versamark ink!

This owl was almost a tragedy. I colored the eyes with the Sweet Sorbet Stampin’ Blend marker, since that’s the color of the Gingham DSP. I IMMEDIATELY regretted my choice, as they had that creepy demon-in-the-night sort of look! I toned them down with a couple of the Natural Blends (sorry, don’t remember which ones as I was in a panic!!)

Do you see what I mean? Kinda spooky. But now you know, and you won’t make this mistake. (You’re welcome.)

There’s another mistake you don’t want to make: you don’t want to miss Sale-a-bration 2023! These owls are available as a free selection with a qualifying order, but only until February 28th. They’re not the only option, but I think they’re one of the best! And if you’ve already added them to your stampin’ ensemble, there are 10 new options available as SAB rewards. Whoooo’s ready to SHOP?

Be sure to subscribe by February 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The February kit has a sunny theme and includes everything you need to make 9 cards and envelopes. These cards are sure to brighten the day and for the first time ever, there are coordinating dies available as an add-on!

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!

New products in the January-April Mini Catalog are flying off the shelves! Even better, when you place a qualifying order you will choose FREE Sale-a-bration products. Sale-a-bration ends February 28th and as always, those products are while supplies last.

A Japanese New Years Wish

I’ve learned a lot about different cultures living on Maui. Our community is diverse for many reasons, but primarily because the sugar plantations brought in workers from many countries beginning in the mid-1800’s. While sugar is no longer grown commercially here, the many families who arrived to work in the fields have taken root and enriched our communities with their traditions.

The first Japanese workers arrived in the mid-1880’s. Their legacy is found in everyday life on Maui, including food, language, art, celebrations, and so much more. When Stampin’ Up! offered the New Years Celebration set to the U.S. market, I was excited to have the opportunity to craft with these images.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up New Year Celebration
Maui Stamper Stampin Up New Year Celebration

The characters for Happy New Year are embossed in gold and are written in Kanji, one of three writing systems. The colors are also very symbolic, as red and white are used to represent happiness and joy, and gold represents wealth and prestige. Bamboo represents wealth and prestige, and the chrysanthemum flower signifies longevity and rejuvenation. There’s a big message in this simple card!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up New Year Celebration

This set is not in any catalog, and it will only be available to the U.S. market through January 31, 2020. You can see samples and an interpretation of the images HERE, and of course, you can shop at the Online Store. These images are so Kawaii!

Feels Like Frost Sincere Condolences

The dreamy photo realism used in the Feels Like Frost DSP makes it extremely versatile. The second card I made was a sympathy card, and the simplicity of the design allows the message to speak for itself. The tonal color palette is also well suited to expressions of sympathy:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Feels Like Frost Condolences
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Feels Like Frost Condolences

I trimmed just a smidge from one of the Christmas Layers, and it was a nice echo of the image in the photo. The Happiness Blooms dots include dots in Not Quite Navy, creating a little balance for the opposite side of the sentiment banner.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Feels Like Frost Condolences

While this makes a beautiful and very appropriate sympathy card, with a shift in the sentiment panel size and shape, it could easily become a birthday card, thank you card, or even a Christmas card. Let me know which one you try!

Do you need the Feels Like Frost DSP yet? Shop HERE.

Snowflake Showcase Final Hours!

There are just a few hours left for these elegant snowflakes!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up!  Snowflake Showcase Limited Edition 2018

I paired the snowflakes made with the Snowfall Thinlits with images from Beautiful Blizzard.  The sentiment is embossed with White Embossing Powder, and the snowflakes are inked in Versamark for a more understated look.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up!  Snowflake Showcase Limited Edition 2018

The white snowflake is cut from Shimmery White. It’s such beautiful paper, and it really adds another layer of grace to an already elegant image. The silver Glimmer Paper is a luxurious touch as well.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up!  Snowflake Showcase Limited Edition 2018

I struggled with layering the snowflakes – and which jewel to put in the center. I guess it’s kind of a mom thing: I love them equally.

You’ve got until 11:50pm Mountain Time tonight (November 30) to order the thinlits. Get them HERE.