The Kitchen Sink Archives - PageThe Maine Stamper

Pulling Punches

March 10, 2020

Need to create a quick card or project and want it to be more than just layers of boring cut paper? Looking to spice up the images of your creation, but don’t want to fuss with a die cutting machine? The easiest way to accomplish this is by pulling punches.

This punch holder houses my smaller punch collection along with some basic shapes. It sits on my work counter for easy access.

Punch A Bunch

Stampin’ Up! offers a vast variety of punches. In fact, there are currently over 40 different punches to choose from in the Annual and Mini Catalogs. You can purchase large, medium or small punches, border punches, tag topper punches, builder punches (make a punch template!) and trio punches.

This heavy duty punch holder is home to my basic punches. Also located on my work counter, it is my number one go to for punch shapes!

Every year as new offerings come out, I am working them into my orders and crafting with utter glee, pulling punches from my collection to work with. Every now and then, I remember to update my punch binder for quick-find access ( a project that is currently on my to-do list!). I also rotate punches into new locations as my collection expands.

My 5×7 binder is punched and labeled cardstock in protective sleeves. Cardstock colors differentiate specific punch types, and are filed accordingly. At a glance, I can view what punches I own, and if it will fit a particular stamped image via the “punch template”.

Another punch holder, this 7 drawer cabinet really packs them in!

Versatile Punches

Punches are amazing! They offer quick and instant results, can be layered, embossed, turned into 3D projects and combined into punch art. No batteries, electricity or great skill are required to manipulate a punch. And they can add so much to your project.

Stacked or crated, punches make great decorative accessories in your craft room. Beautiful to look at and to use!

Get Punchy

Punches are available to purchase individually, or as a bundle when newly released. Bundles typically include a coordinating stamp set, along with a 10% savings. When you have images that you can stamp and punch to exact shape, your crafting is more enjoyable.

If you are new to papercrafting, punches are the way to go for building blocks in your crafty arsenal. For experienced papercrafters, adding new punches to the mix adds fresh variety and elevates your projects into greatness. Stop by my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, and pull some punches onto your order today.

A Month Made For Crafters

February 28, 2020

Creative Outlets For All

March is National Craft Month! Artisans have 31 days to celebrate what we love best. This seems like a good time for me to share more about my favorite craft: stamping.

FUN FACT: 56% of US households craft at least once a year.

To me, taking ink to stamp to paper is instant art. I don’t have to be able to draw a straight line, thread a needle or plane lumber. Stamping is easy and provides instant gratification. In this world full of hurry, I can stop and relax to stamp and get quick end results as well.

FUN FACT: Crafting has gained popularity as a great form of meditation, mindfulness and relaxation.

Soft Spring Host Stamp Set — One stamp set + two ink colors = instant art!

Papercrafting Supplies

Stamping is only a fraction of the fun in my papercrafting world. I am enchanted by the rainbow of colors in the form of cardstock. Carefully selecting the perfect print of designer series paper is magical.

Like a kid in a candy shop, I am obsessed with buttons, brads, embellishments and ribbons. (Really, can a crafter ever have enough of these needed supplies on hand?) My crafting symphony is written as I put all of these elements together into one project.

FUN FACT: Students who participate in arts and craft projects are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.

Pleased As Punch DSP — Stampin’ Up! makes color coordination super easy!

Build Your Inventory

Before I became a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I received some of my crafty stash without cost by hosting stamping parties. Joining a monthly stamping club was another great way to slowly build my inventory, as well as earning free product when it was my turn to host. As a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I thoroughly love my discount on all their great products and take advantage of the savings continuously.

FUN FACT: When you buy a Stampin’ Up! Bundle, you automatically save 10% on the offered product every day.

Stampin' Up! Host Sets — Just for hosts, exclusive stamp sets for free!

Learn and Teach

The role of Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is also that of a teacher and a leader. As I learn new stamping techniques, tips and tricks, or simple how to’s, I get to pass that information on and watch with delight as others discover their love for stamping. Sharing my learned skills brings my love of papercrafting full circle.

FUN FACT: National Children’s Craft Day is observed annually on March 14^th.

Kids craft with artistic abandon that is so refreshing to witness!

Cards and Projects

Experiment and create cards, scrapbooks, home décor and 3D projects. You, too, will discover the wonder that papercrafting brings. Additionally, handcrafted items make great gifts, your one-of-a-kind creation can not be duplicated.

FUN FACT: Stamping is a lot of fun!

Papercrafting is not limited to cardmaking.

By default, my favorite part of stamping is turning my art into a card. Adding extras like embossed paper, designer paper and embellishments to my project is like icing a cake. When my cake, er…card, is done, I get to share it with someone by giving it away. And much like cake, I have found that a beautiful handmade card is also received with happiness and joy.

Soft Spring Host Stamp Set with Gorgeous Grape and Granny Apple Green Ink Pads, Eyelet Lace Embossing Folder, Brights 6 x 6 Designer Series Paper, Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins, Circle Punches

Even though March is considered National Craft Month, there is never a bad time to start your crafting journey. Take a stamping class or host a stamping party. Purchase some Stampin’ Up! supplies or become a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. Ask me how today!

The Purple Posy Collective

February 18, 2020

The In Color Story

Every year, Stampin’ Up! adds 5 new colors to their core color collection. Known as In Colors, they freshen the palette, mimicking current fashionable trends. After 2 years, In Colors are retired to make way for the next wave of color to come…in.

With the release of the 2019 Annual Catalog, we first met the In Color, Purple Posy. This pale, soft shadow of purple whispers beauty. Unfortunately, the angelic Purple Posy is also problematic.

Purple Posy Cardstock 150881 — Purple Posy Cardstock, the lightest purple hue Stampin’ up! has offered.

The Purple Posy That Wasn’t

From April thru November, Stampin’ Up! strived to meet standards when developing the Purple Posy Ink Pad. Manufacturing issues and testing proved grim. Color shifting was not acceptable. After a few failed attempts to get it distributed to anxiously awaiting customers, the ink pad was permanently pulled.

This was a strange anomaly for the 2019-2021 In Color Collection. No Purple Posy ink pad? The catalog went live, the product was showcased. But it was too late for this color to be removed from the line-up or be replaced with another.

Perfect Purple Posy’s

Although this particular ink pad will remain unavailable, Purple Posy is abundant in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. And it is here to stay until 2021. Consequently, that results in numerous possibilities for use of this fabulous purple.

Woven Threads DSP 149497 — Woven Threads Designer Series Paper has Purple Posy “woven” throughout.

You can purchase Purple Posy as cardstock in sizes 8.5 x 11 and 12 x 12. In Designer Series Paper, you will find it well represented in the 6 x 6 In Color stack, with gingham, argyle, script and mosaic designs. As a supporting color, Purple Posy is found in the 12 x 12 Woven Threads pack, featuring variations and irregularities for an authentic feel.

Choose embellishments like the Purple Posy Scalloped Linen Ribbon, thick and luxurious. The In Color Faceted Dots provide adhesive enamel fun, or sprinkle some of the Woven Threads Sequin Assortment throughout your creations. Ink in Purple Posy is available in the form of the Stampin’ Write Markers In Color Collection, or Stampin’ Blends in both light and dark.

Woven Threads Sequin Assortment 149498 — Faceted sequins add sparkle and allure to any project.

Purple Posy Potential

Along with the vast product selection, there are multiple applications for this exceptional color. My next blog post will show you how easy it is to work Purple Posy into your project without the use of a stamp pad in that color, so be sure to follow up for directions.

This card blends Purple Posy into the color spectrum seamlessly.

Meanwhile, grab some of these great Purple Posy products from my online store http://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net and be prepared to purple the world.

My Stamping Journey

January 23, 2020

My stamping journey started in 2007, I was freshly “home” again after spending 20 years traveling the eastern states with my Coast Guard hubby and two kids. First retirement had hit, and I was eager to catch up on all the things my extended family was involved in while I was away.

Enter Christmas Stamp Camp! My mom and sister-in-law faithfully attended, and invited me along. Now I was no stranger to trying out new things. The military lifestyle certainly prepares one for that.

In my younger years, I dabbled in drawing and painting. Love DIY crafts. Spent long hours cross-stitching and had made a killer Barbie house out of plastic canvas for my daughter. I could do this stamping thing too.

My indoctrination into the stamping world was eye opening! Women were ecstatic over the papers, designs, stamps and more. Like kids in a candy shop, they wanted it all. As we went to each card making station, we oohhed and ahhhed over what was displayed in glory before us. I was hooked. I needed more.

I hosted Stampin’ Up! parties, attended camps and classes. Consistent effort grew my ability at card making. The desire to stock my shelves with supplies was undeniably strong. My collection of stamps started small but expanded quickly. I needed more.

My first Stampin” Up! catalog and stamp set, and early card making effort.

My demonstrator spoke of starting a monthly stamp club that involved the commitment of gathering to make cards, place orders and take turns reaping host benefits. She needed participants. This idea intrigued me greatly, and I was the driving force in collecting enough friends, family and coworkers to make it happen.

Life happens, and after some time my demonstrator needed to step down. Our little club of enthusiastic stampers was temporarily adrift. We did not want to end the good thing we had going. There was talk among us of using another demo in the area.

Admittedly, I was jealous. I didn’t want someone else to take over. Why couldn’t it be me? I realized then that not only did I need more, I could do more!

I would sign up to be the demonstrator. I would run the club. My classes and camps would be offered. This was my opportunity to create and share, make new friendships, spend all the money I made in more stamping supplies (truth).

Being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator nurtures my creativity. The colorful sunrise, waves crashing on the beach or snowflakes drifting in the air are all truly inspirational to everyone. Yet somehow the most mundane items can stimulate my stamper’s intellect. When I find the hidden beauty in ordinary things, I feel like the world is a better place.

Some might see a rug, the back of a dehumidifier, a mop and extension cord…

The crafter sees an embossed image, dies, decorative masks and swirly stamps.

My stamping journey is far from over. Sure, I have come a long way since I held that first stamp in my hand. And being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is a path with its own challenges and rewards. But there are always new things to learn, new people to meet and new stamps to collect. I will never stop needing more!

Join me on my stamping journey and fulfill your needs too. Sign up for my newsletter, come to a class, follow me on social media, shop my online store https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net. Let’s create beauty and share love, one card at a time.