SUNFLOWER TOTE

The Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder was at the very top of my July Online Exclusives list. It’s the large format 6″ x 8″ folder, so the options are endless for cards as well as 3D projects. I turned it into a sweet little tote.

  • Stamps: Spring Corners
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Darling Duckling, Timid Tiger, Mellow Moss
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder, Spotlight on Nature dies, Spring Corner dies, daubers, 25-27 In Color Flat Pearls, Paper Snips (gone 😭), Mossy Meadow 1/4″ Gold Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

It’s quick work to color the embossing folder with daubers. I began by dragging my Mossy Meadow ink pad lightly across the side of the embossed card stock where the sunflowers were recessed. (It’s called the debossed side, but who knows that?) Add ink to the design using daubers, and the result is a rustic, homespun look. If that’s not your style, use Stampin’ Blends, Watercolors, or Watercolor Pencils – but it will take a lot longer!

The handles are two big Spotlight on Nature circles, cut with a smaller circle centered inside. TIP: if you use washi tape across the circles, you can get an even and repeatable ring. Just be sure to take some of the stickiness off the washi by pressing it onto whatever you’re wearing once or twice so it doesn’t tear the paper when you remove it. There’s something about sending it through the Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine and smashing the daylights out of it that makes it want to stick to paper.

My tag is hand cut. I used a piece of chipboard from the back of a DSP package to make a pattern for the angles at the top. I snipped the corners with my Paper Snips and added the corner die cut from Spring Corners, along with a tiny 25-27 In Color Flat Pearl. A bow with the Mossy Meadow and Gold ribbon finishes it off!

Paper Snips, we will miss you. 😭😭😭 They sold out in a hot minute after Stampin’ Up! announced that they would no longer be available from the manufacturer. Stay tuned for an update on a replacement. In the meantime, take good care of your Snips!

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: JULY 2025

I blinked and it was July. We have 6 months of beautiful DIY Calendars behind us, and 6 ahead – so let’s get started with this one! I’m featuring a brand new set, available today, called Perfectly Pears.

  • Stamps: Perfectly Pears
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Old Olive, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lolly, Darling Duckling
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Perfectly Pears dies, DIY Calendar Template, Daubers, Blender Pen, Masking Paper

Not much to this one! The outlines were first, done in Old Olive. I inked the pears in Darling Duckling, then added some Granny Apple Green with a dauber. I gave them the lightest of mists before I put them to paper. The flowers are outlined in Darling Duckling, colored with a Blender Pen in Daffodil Delight and Lemon Lolly. I added Granny Apple Green to the centers because there was a lot of yellow.

I die cut the leaves and added them across the top for a little dimension. I considered die cutting the “front” pear but yeah, nah. The leafy branch isn’t included as a stamp, so it had to be a die cut.

You can find Perfectly Pears in the Online Exclusive release for July. But I’m warning you, there are a lot of glorious new products in the Online Store!

Ready to see what the rest of the DIY team has done? Click the button below to see! And thanks for stopping by this month.

2026 Calendars will be available in September!

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: June 2025

Welcome to the June DIY Calendar Blog Hop. I took a look at the last few months and decided it was time I focus on something other than FLOWERS. Almost everyone loves them, but I think there can be too much of a good thing! My June calendar is definitely different:

  • Stamps: Along These Lines, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Memento Black, Basic White, Secret Sea, Misty Moonlight, Azure Afternoon, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stampin’ Blends, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was inspired by Jay Soriano’s blended ocean background. He does a masterful job of creating a smooth transition in his colors. I chose a slightly different palette from Jay, but I followed his technique and was very pleased with the outcome.

If you don’t have Elements of Text, consider adding it to your next order. It’s my GO-TO set whenever I need a little extra something. Well. On a card, anyway. 😉

I fussy cut the dolphin so they would really stand out. I considered masking them, but I was afraid the movement of the brushes might dislodge the masks. They’re small and simple, and fussy cutting allowed me to put one of them up on a dimensional.

Please take a moment to follow along on our hop and see what Malia, Cheryl and Sharon have created for the month of June. We’re very glad you chose to join us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

COUNTRY FLOWERS SUITCASE TREAT BOX

Have you seen the Suitcase Treat Box? it first appeared in the Jan-April 2025 mini catalog, but it’s survived Last Chance and moved to the Online Exclusive category. Confused? Don’t be. It doesn’t matter, just know it’s available!

  • Stamps: Country Flowers (Last Chance)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Old Olive, Basic Grey, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Suitcase Treat Box, Woven Texture DSP, Mediterranean Blooms DSP, Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Country Flowers dies, Daffodil Delight 1/8″ ribbon, Stampin’ Write marker, Tear n Tape, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Woven Texture DSP is an absolute essential if you love texture! It fits right into a Hawaii design sensibility, so I’ve stocked up. And Mediterranean Blooms DSP did not get the Last Chance Ax! I love citrus and the designs on this paper are gorgeous. As a bonus, the reverse sides are gorgeous blue tile style prints, so this DSP does double duty.

I put the DSP on the top panel of the box and then trimmed to the opening. It has a hole for the suitcase handle to slip through. It’s easy to do with the Take Your Pick tool and the accessory Crafter Tips set. Just use the knife to outline the opening from the underneath, then take an emery board to smooth out the edges.

This box is just the right size for a few sweet treats, a gift card, or Black Pearl Earrings. (Just in case you were wondering.) See it in the Online Store.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: PRETTY FLORALS FOR MAY 2025

HAPPY MAY DAY! Welcome back to DIY Calendars! We’re so glad you’ve joined us today for a little May Day inspiration. I’m featuring a new bundle from the soon-to-be-released 2025-2026 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. I think you’ll love Pretty Florals!

  • Stamps: Pretty Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Bubble Bath, Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine, Pretty Florals dies, Blending Brushes, Stampin’ Write markers

I struggled a bit, thinking this was too plain, but ultimately decided I could let go and be happy with simple. The background is lightly brushed with Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia, Bubble Bath, Pool Party and Lost Lagoon to create an ombrè style gradation, and I added a few Stampin’ Write marker flicks.

There aren’t any other embellishments – you could easily add some bling or even another set or two of flowers, but I held back. I’d love to hear what you think.

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created in May. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: APRIL 2025

Welcome to our April DIY Calendar Blog hop. Sharon, Cheryl, Malia and I hope you’ll be inspired. Our designs are designed for the DIY Easel Calendar, but you’re so crafty, we know you can do more with them. Let us know how you use our ideas!

  • Stamps: Impressions Abloom, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Boho Blue, Lemon Lime Twist, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Impressions Abloom dies, Gold Open Weave Trim, Low-Profile dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Impressions Abloom will be available on May 5th in the Online Store. It’s part of the May 2025 Online Exclusives release, but don’t be overly concerned about that. The best way to see ALL the new things is to log onto the Online Store and click on “What’s New” – don’t worry if it’s in a catalog or an Online Exclusive, it will all be there!

I used Elements of Text (currently available) to create a muted background. The leaves are stamped on top of the text, but the flowers are each die cut and adhered to the calendar. You could mask them if you’re not a fan of die cutting, but I like the additional dimension they have when they’re an added layer.

I’ve also added a bit of the Gold Open Weave Trim and some Low-Profile dots for extra shine. I absolutely love that trim, especially for wrapping packages! It’s ideal for a card as it’s very lightweight and adds no bulk.

If you’d like the 2025 template, please contact me. Be sure to tell me that you’d like the template and that you’re a real person – you’d be amazed how much junk is out there. The template is $5 (no April Fools, just five bucks!) You can print copies for yourself. I take it to my local printer and have them print on Basic White card stock.

Thanks for stopping by! Click below to visit the other blogs on the hop.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: MARCH 2025

Welcome back to DIY Calendars! Thanks for joining us this month – and every month – as we share our creative ideas. This month, I’m using a bundle that Stampin’ Up! included in the spring Scrapbooking Brochure, but I think it’s perfect for cards and calendars.

  • Stamps: Everyday You and Me
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Fresh Freesia
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Gold Open Weave Trim, Glue Dots

Have you seen Everyday You & Me? There are trendy stamps and dies and some absolutely gorgeous Designer Series Paper, but it’s easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. Here’s my tip: when you visit the Online Store, look for the button that says “What’s New” and choose “Shop All”. You’ll see new catalog products, new Online Exclusives, new scrapbooking products, and new kits all in one place.

That would also include this gorgeous gold Open Weave Trim. We had silver a while back, and I used it a lot. It’s gorgeous on packages, but you can smoosh it behind a focal point or unweave it a bit for an unstructured accent.

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created in March. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: FEBRUARY 2025

Welcome to the second DIY Calendar Blog Hop of 2025. I hope you’re ready for some inspiration from our crafty calendar crew!

I am smitten with the Floral Delight Suite, but I’ve primarily worked with the yellow tones of the DSP. It was time to branch out (get it???) and try a new color combination. I’m loving the lavenders!

  • Stamps: Delightful Wishes, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Pecan Pie, Gray Granite
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Delightful Wishes dies, Rainbow Adhesive Backed Dots, Masking Paper, Stampin’ Dimensionals, DIY Calendar template

This branch can be die cut or stamped, and for the calendar I wanted the extra lift of the die cut. Adding each blossom takes a little more time, but I hope you like the end result. I don’t think I would do this for a stack of cards, but it’s no problem for a little calendar page.

And for the record, I LOVE LOVE LOVE our new Elements of Text stamps. Trust me when I tell you that you NEED this stamps set!!

I created this “cheat sheet” for the floral spray if you prefer to stamp them. The stamps are mounted on blocks and each block is numbered. The number is placed at the top of the block to make it easier to line up the flowers. I designed the cheat sheet for THIS project.

How do you like Delightful Wishes in lavenders? It’s a completely different feeling, much more calm and gentle versus the happy exuberance of shades of yellow.

Click the button to see what Cheryl, Malia and Sharon have in store for this month. Thanks for visiting today!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

DELIGHTFUL WISHES WITH FERN 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER

Take a look at that beautiful vellum paper! It’s part of the Floral Delight Suite, and it is truly delightful. The whole suite is absolutely charming.

  • Stamps: Delightful Wishes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Garden Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Delightful Wishes dies, Fern 3D Embossing Folder, 1/8″ Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’m gonna get real here: I have no idea if those flowers are layered the way they’re supposed to be. I tried Plan A, Plan B, Plan C-D-E-F-G and finally just said “This is good!”

But that’s what I love about making a card. You get to decide. You create it as you see it.

If I was to give this card to someone and that person were to say “I’m not sure those flowers are lined up right” well, let’s just say that might be the last card they would get from me. Right?

This entire gorgeous suite is in the January-April 2025 mini catalog as well as the Online Store. (The Suite is currently unavailable, waiting the return of the ribbon. It’s expected on February 3, but you can purchase all the other elements of the suite right now.)

The embossing folder isn’t part of the suite, it’s an old friend that is still available, so pick it up while you still can. And be sure to check out the options for Sale-a-bration 2025 😉

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

2024 DIY Calendar Year in Review

It’s the last day of December, and it’s my tradition to review my DIY Easel Calendar month-by-month. Are you ready? Let’s start with JANUARY:

A handmade calendar page for January with the pink roses and green leaves

I started the year with Stippled Roses for January 1, 2024. This particular image is really easy to color because of the shading marks in the stamps.

Painted Lavender was a carryover from last year, and the idea of fields of lavender seemed romantic for February. See the details in my post on February 1, 2024.

Tropical Leaf was a very early Online Exclusive, and it is tailor-made for a gardener-crafter like me. Check out the original post on March 1, 2024.

Planted Paradise was the perfect image to recreate the vibrant colors of the crotons in my garden, You can see them in this post for my April calendar

In May I stayed with a garden theme! I chose strawberries from Ice Cream Swirl. See the original post on May 1, 2024.

Time for a change – off to the ocean! Seaside Wishes has been a go-to stamp set all year. Read the details for this calendar page in June 1, 2024.

I featured the lemon with its blossoms from Citrus Blooms for July in honor of my own dwarf Meyer Lemon. You can see the details on July 1, 2024.

In August, I chose warm tones and the flowers and butterfly from Spotlight on Nature. You can see it all HERE.

Bee My Valentine is a year-round stamp set! Look at this adorable pollinators featured in my September 1, 2024 post.

These gorgeous blooms are from Regal Flora, which sadly moved to the Last Chance list at the beginning of December. You can see the original post on October 1, 2024.

Happy Hibiscus is a KEEPER! It’s an Online Exclusive that I hope will be around for a long time. Learn more in the November 1, 2024 post.

Every year it comes sooner! Whoosh, it’s December! It feels as though Stampin’ Up! really met us in the tropics in 2024. You can see this post from the beginning of this month HERE.

And 2024 is a wrap! I hope you’ve enjoyed this review. Comment on this post and share which month is your favorite. You can pick more than one – clearly, I can’t decide, so I won’t ask you to! I create my calendars month by month so that I can use the newest product. However, in review you’ll notice that many of these products are now retired. And tomorrow we begin a new month, a new year, and an exciting surprise with a new DIY Blog Tour! Make sure you pop in for a look.

If you feel inspired, you can create your own calendar for 2025. The 2025 DIY Template is 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. Please be patient if you order in the next couple of days – it’s a busy time.

Contact me to make your payment – I use Square to invoice, and you don’t need an account to use it. Be sure to leave a message in the comments space so I know you’re a real person and not spam.

Thanks for following the Maui Stamper and sharing in my crafting journey. Tomorrow starts a New Year, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you. Aloha 🌺