Looking back, looking ahead

Posted on December 23, 2009 by mauistamper

I know I repeat myself…certain persons in my household have accused me of it on multiple occasions just to be sure I’m aware of that flaw. Guilty as charged.

There are some sets on the Stampin’ Up! Dormant List that will retire in January which I will be very sorry to see leave. One of the challenges of being a demonstrator – yes, we DO have challenges – is when a stamp set retires, we have to decide if we will allocate precious storage space to stamps we can no longer demonstrate. If you’ve followed this blog at all, you know I don’t often do a very good job of letting go of retired things. It’s partially because I get attached to the images, and partially because I’m something of a pack rat. Eventually, I have to let go to make room for all the wonderful images being released. It’s that time of year.

Wonderful Watercolors and En Francais stamp sets

Whisper White, Regal Rose, and Pretty in Pink card stock

Mellow Moss Designer Series Paper from the Hostess Prints Pack III

Mellow Moss and Regal Rose Stampin’ Write Markers and Ink Refills

Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint and Aquapainter

Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon and Mini Glue dots

Scallop Trim Border (SAB sneak peak) and Stamp-a-ma-jig

Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die and Elegant Bouquet Embossing folder

This is a SplitCoastStampers Sketch Challenge layout, SC260. I’ll add the sentiment later when I’m ready to sent the card. The little flowers look like the flowers on what I only know as Butterfly Bush, although I think the originals only come in lavender. Artistic license! There’s Shimmer Paint mixed in with the Regal Rose ink refill on those little flowers.

The crazy Mainland weather has created some chaos in our household. My middle daughter had an epic journey home from university in Boston, and her dear roomie who was to spend Christmas with us will instead arrive Christmas night. They’re laughing about it now, in agreement that it will be one of their best college memories, but on Sunday as they dealt with cancellations, delays, and planes that loaded and de-planed without going anywhere, none of us were laughing much.

Safe travels.

The Aquapainter, and Why You Need Ink Refills Part III

Posted on November 8, 2009 by mauistamper

I wanted some paper with Almost Amethyst and Summer Sun accents for a birthday card for my Mom. I had some old Amethyst Designer Series Pattern paper, but it was much too understated for the look I wanted. I wanted stripes. I could visualize the stripes! I pulled out my Aquapainter and some Whisper White cardstock and some Ink Refills, and I started to play.

Wonderful Watercolors birthday'

Wonderful Watercolors and Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set
Almost Amethyst, Summer Sun, Lovely Lilac and Whisper White cardstock
Lovely Lilac Classic stamp pad; Almost Amethyst and Summer Sun ink refills
Almost Amethyst, Summer Sun and Lovely Lilac Stampin’ Write markers
Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint,Scallop Circle punch, hand held rectangle punch (retired)
Uniball Signo Gel Pen, Piercing tool and mat, Stamp-a-ma-jig and White Taffeta ribbon

Don’t you like my stripes? The Summer Sun should have been a little more intense, but I like the haphazard, random look of the pattern. I’m playing with some other stripe combinations. I’ll share them if I like them. If I don’t…well, it’s just paper.

There’s a little Shimmer Paint mixed into the Summer Sun ink refill for the centers of the flowers. Honestly, if that stuff doesn’t make it into the next Idea Book and Catalog I’ll be so disappointed. Are you listening, Stampin’ Up!?

I don’t get it.

Posted on September 25, 2009 by mauistamper

Who makes up the Dormant List? Some of the stamps that are on the dormant list break my heart. How about Wonderful Watercolors?

Wonderful Watercolors 113688

This set has such a soft, soothing style that caused me to move towards a more vintage look. I had a “dyed with tea” sort of theme going on in my head as I stamped and moved things around. The card started looking a little dark, but when I created a background out of the stem image I was satisfied with the color balance.

Vintage Watercolors

Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and Naturals Ivory cardstock
Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, and Mellow Moss Classic Ink
Wonderful Watercolors and Sincere Salutations Stamp sets
Wide Oval and handheld rectangle (ret) punches, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon
Aquapainter, Stamp-a-ma-jig and Stampin’ Sponges

You can link to the Dormant List from the sidebar of the blog or by just clicking here. A word of warning though – the link to the Dormant List is a link to the general Stampin’ Up! customer website and not my Demonstrator Website. They’re two different places.