Category Archives: 3-D

November 2021: Create with Friends

Posted on by
2

For my November DIY Easel calendar, I used a Blending Brush technique to create a background, then featured a sentiment from Create with Friends. What do you think?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar November 2021 Create with Friends
  • Stamps: Create with Friends
  • Color Palette: Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Pale Papaya, Flirty Flamingo, Calypso Coral, Merry Merlot
  • Accessories: Blending Brushes

I began by masking across the top of the calendar portion. I found the center of the space above the masked line where I wanted to create my sunburst and used it as a pivot point.

I used a fresh piece of card stock as a mask and began by placing it diagonally through that pivot point, using the upper corners and the edge of my mask for alignment. I loaded up my blending brushes with Flirty Flamingo and starting blending! Once I was satisfied with the color intensity, I moved my card stock mask to the center of the calendar (again using that pivot point) and loaded another Blending Brush with Daffodil Delight. I have a few sets of brushes so that I can dedicate some to color like Daffodil Delight that don’t like to share.

Once I had the vertical and diagonal lines established, I moved my straight card stock mask around rather randomly, filling in the color as I liked. I enjoyed NOT measuring or calculating or planning ahead: most often I work that way, but I really enjoyed this spontaneous process. Maybe another time I’ll plot it out. Or not.

The final step was to add the sentiment in Merry Merlot to coordinate with the card stock mat I chose for November.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar November 2021 Create with Friends

I confess I was a little nervous as I removed the mask across the bottom, but it must have been my lucky day and it came off perfectly. This is an easy technique that is adaptable to a variety of uses, and I’d love to hear what you think of it.

If you’d like to create your own calendar, the 2022 DIY Calendar PDF is available for sale. Click on Contact the Maui Stamper and send me your email and I’ll invoice you. It’s just $5, and you’re welcome to create for your own use as well as for sale. Please note this is a PDF – you’ll receive a file and print your own copies.

Be sure you stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for November.

October 2021 DIY: Clever Cat (and pumpkin!)

Posted on by
2

I’ve embraced a Halloween theme for October this year. I don’t always, but this goofy jack-o-lantern from Clever Cat stole my heart. How can you resist him with that Sorting Hat on top?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Clever Cats
  • Stamps: Clever Cat
  • Color Palette: Memento Black, Basic White, Pumpkin Pie, Cinnamon Cider, Cajun Craze
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Forever Flourishing dies, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I fussy cut the cat and jack-o-lantern, and then cut apart a couple of leaf images from the Forever Flourishing dies to create some fall foliage (or what I imagine would be fall foliage, that’s not really a thing here on Maui.) Forever Flourishing is such a versatile set of dies!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Clever Cats

Stampin’ Blends are my favorite coloring medium, hands down. I’m still learning different techniques for color grading and shadowing, but that doesn’t stop me from playing with them every chance I get. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s handmade!

Be sure you stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for October.

If you’d like to create your own calendar, the 2022 DIY Calendar PDF is available for sale. Click on Contact the Maui Stamper and send me your email and I’ll invoice you. It’s just $5, and you’re welcome to create for your own use as well as for sale. Please note this is a PDF – you’ll receive a file and print your own copies.

2022 DIY Easel Calendar PDF now Available!

Posted on by
3

Ready to try your hand at these nifty little calendars?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up 2022 DIY Easel Calendar PDF

It’s still just $5, and you can still make all the copies you want for gifting, personal use, or even craft sales.  If a fellow crafter asks you for a copy, I’d be very grateful if you’d direct then to me for the PDF. 

I recommend you print your calendars on Basic White card stock (regular, not thick). My printer has issues, so I send my file to a local print shop and use their high-end copy machines to get the best possible results. It’s worth the trouble to me! 

If you need inspiration, use the blog search function and type in DIY. I’ve been making these since 2013 (gasp) so be prepared for some browsing.

I just need your email – click on Contact Me and I’ll invoice you. Once you’ve paid, your PDF, a page of 2022 covers (for gifting) and the cutting instructions will be flying to your inbox via the wonders of the internet!

If you’re in need of Basic White card stock or stamping supplies for your own DIY masterpiece, shop HERE.

September 2021 DIY: Hand-Penned Petals

Posted on by
1

Don’t put any money on this yet, but I think Hand Penned Petals may be my favorite set from the 21-22 Annual Catalog. I love the images, and what’s more, they are REALLY fun to color with Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up September 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Hand Penned Petals
  • Stamps: Hand Penned Petals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Shaded Spruce, Black
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Big Boss, Penned Flowers dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Multi-Purpose Glue, Paper Snips, Blending Brushes

Because this image doesn’t quite fill the space, I was looking for something subtle to add behind it. I tried various leaves and backgrounds, but even when I used a very light hand it felt like too much. The moment I realized this was a perfect job for Blending Brushes, I knew I’d found what I needed.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up September 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Hand Penned Petals

I did a bit of fussy cutting and layered the flowers and leaves. It’s absolutely not necessary as this image stands on its own very well, but I was in a moooood.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up September 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Hand Penned Petals

Please take a moment to visit Cheryl and Crystal and see their September 2021 DIY Easel calendars!

And, yes, I’m happy to announce that today I have the 2022 DIY Calendar PDF available for sale. Click on Contact the Maui Stamper and send me your email and I’ll invoice you. It’s just $5, and you’re welcome to create for your own use as well as for sale, but please don’t share the PDF. Share the link to this post and encourage your friends to support a small business instead. You’ll feel so much better if you do.

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

Today begins Month #2 of SALE-a-bration 2021 #2! Your qualifying order earns exclusive merchandise free of charge, including Beautifully Penned 12×12 Designer Series Paper. It coordinates perfectly with the Hand Penned stamps.That’s what you expect from Stampin’ Up!, right?

Shop HERE.

Penguin Place: August 2021 DIY Calendar

Posted on by
3

In just a couple of days, Penguin Place – and a host of other new designs – will be available in the Online Store. I gave these little aquatic artists a tropical look. Who said penguins have to wear black?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place
  • Stamps: Penguin Place
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Bermuda Bay, Polished Pink, Highland Heather, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: Penguin Builder Punch, Paper Snips, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write marker, gold thread, sponge, Tombo Multipurpose Glue
Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place

I tried a number of penguin accessories, but in the end, I liked the fishing pole best. I used my paper snips to cut the thinnest strip possible from Crumb Cake card stock. I put a few tiny drops of Tombo on the back and gently placed a single strand teased from gold thread into place. I laid that into the penguin hand/paw/wing and then used a glue dot to position a fish I created with Polished Pink Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place

I’m pretty pleased with that fish, because the entire reason I fell in love with rubber stamps is that I do not like the way I draw.

Choosing the direction of the gaze of each penguin ended up being a LOT of fun – I can see more stories to tell playing with that concept!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up August 2021 DIY Easel Calendar Penguin Place

Please stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have to share for August! If you’re ready to shop, I’d be delighted to serve you as your demonstrator – shop HERE.

I’ve had a few enquiries about the 2022 calendar pdf. Never fear, it’s in the works and will be released in September.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up July Designer Series Paper Sale

TWO MORE DAYS TO SAVE ON DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!! DON’T MISS OUT – SEE IT HERE.

Flowers of Friendship: July 2021 DIY Calendar

Posted on by
2

Flowers of Friendship is a brand new stamp-and-punch bundle in the 2021-2022 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog and it caught my eye the moment I turned the page. This wasn’t my vision at that moment, but as I thought about my July calendar I imagined these bright colors:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship DIY Easel Calendar July 2021
  • Stamps: Flowers of Friendship, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Highland Heather, Polished Pink
  • Accessories: Flowers and Leaves punch, Playing with Patterns Resin Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Water Painter, Ink refill

I chose to watercolor these flowers. I would have gotten different results had I thought to stamp and punch them from watercolor paper, but that’s not what happened today. You see, I’ve embarked on a massive project: I am giving my craft room the full KonMari. As a result, crafting has taken a bit of a back seat, and crafting supplies are no longer where they used to be.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Empty Craft Room

I removed EVERYTHING from the craft room and heaped it in the hallway and the bedroom across the hall. Once everything was out I cleaned (massive clouds of cat hair, UGH.) There was also an astonishing amount of adhesive stuck to everything: countertops, floors, cabinets, you name it. Apparently when I get tired I throw glue dots at the wall! Slowly but surely I have been returning things with intention. I haven’t exactly used the “spark joy” technique, but I am being very discriminating about what goes back, and I’m thinking carefully about where things go. I’ve been at this for nearly 2 weeks and I’m not done.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship DIY Easel Calendar July 2021

The good news is that today I’ve made something, and that means that at least some things are where they belong! It’s quite satisfying to work in an orderly space – the chaos has been very discouraging.

And oh, did I love working with these summery colors! This flower reminds me of clematis, although I’ve never seen a vine with all of these colors. The July calendar will be a joy to see all month long.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship DIY Easel Calendar July 2021

If you’re as smitten with Flowers of Friendship as I am, head over to the Online Store. You can purchase select DSP on sale this month while you’re there! And please take a look at the July calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have created this month – I know you’ll be delighted by their talent.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up July 2021 DSP sale

I’ve had a couple of requests for the 2022 DIY template. It will be available late this summer or in the early fall. I’ll be sure to let you know here, and if you’ve purchased in the past, you’ll get an email to notify you it’s ready for sale.

Friends Are Like Seashells: June 2021 DIY

Posted on by
1

When I realized I had yet to create a seashells calendar I had a moment of disbelief: how had I neglected that? Never fear, the situation is remedied. And June is a lovely month to think of seashells and sandy shores and all things beachy:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Friends Are Like Seashells DIY Calendar June 2021
Friends A
  • Stamps: Friends Are Like Seashells
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Soft Succulent, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Seashells dies, Blending Brushes, Stampin Dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Silver and Clear Epoxy Essentials, Water Painter

I was inspired by a very talented Aussie demonstrator named Narelle Farrugia. She’s on the Artisan Design Team for Stampin’ Up!, and when you see her work it’s clear why she earned that opportunity. Check out her work – I’m sure she’ll inspire you!

I used Petal Pink and the Blending Brushes to create a soft, tropical background, and used the Brushes on some of those die cut images as well to soften them. Color is a never-ending experiment for me, which is one of the reasons I love stamping so much. I don’t have to draw – and I’ve never been happy with the results when I do – so stamping allows me to focus on the parts that I like. These die cut images are layered with dimensionals and multi-purpose glue to create a little dimension on this tiny canvas.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Friends Are Like Seashells DIY Calendar June 2021

I’m looking forward to seeing these seashells each day in my crafting space. I’m in the midst of a re-organization, and that’s messy work. These soothing colors and reminders of the beach will help me keep my focus.

Maui Stamper Last Chance 2021 January-June

There are FABULOUS savings beginning today on the products featured in the January – June 2021 mini catalog. Do not hesitate – these deals will fly off the webpage! Shop HERE.

If you’d like your own printable 2021 calendar pdf, please contact me with your email. It’s $5 and you can print as many as you’d like! I know there are early-birds out there, but the 2022 pdf won’t be ready until the fall. I promise to let you know as soon as it is.

Stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for June – every month we have a teeny DIY calendar blog tour! And if you’d like to do add the Seashell stamps, dies, and embossing folder to your crafty stash, shop HERE.

….annnnd a little dose of Vitamin Sea from a sweaty but very happy Maui Stamper!! Mr. Maui Stamper and I have a tandem bike and take it out most Sundays for a spin. This past Sunday was especially gorgeous, even by Maui standards!

Sweet Strawberry: May 2021 DIY

Posted on by
5

It’s time for fresh strawberries: strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, strawberries eaten out of your hand with the juice running down! The Sweet Strawberry bundle is sadly on the not available list right now, but when it comes in, you’ll want to be first in line to get yours! I shared a strawberry card on Wednesday, and today I’ve made the May DIY calendar with the same images:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up May 2021 Sweet Strawberry DIY Calendar
  • Stamps: Sweet Strawberry, Natural Textures (21-22 Host Rewards stamp)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Gray Granite
  • Accessories: Strawberry Punch, Pearl Jewels, Stampin Dimensionals, clear raindrops from the craft archive (pretty sure it was a long past Paper Pumpkin)
Maui Stamper Stampin Up May 2021 Sweet Strawberry DIY Calendar

Can I just say that Poppy Parade could easily be renamed Sweet Strawberry? I’m not very good with alliteration, but the folks at the Head Office seem to have made it an art form.

The designs in the about-to-be-released Natural Textures stamp set are right up my alley. I stamped off the Gray Granite in this case because I wanted to showcase the berries. These textural images will be heaps of fun.

Cheryl and Crystal have a calendar to share with you too! Please stop by and give them a little blog-love. If you’d like to make your own 2021 DIY calendar, it’s just $5. Click Contact the Maui Stamper and give me your email address, and I’ll send you an invoice.

You have just 2 more days to shop the Retiring List, which would be terribly sad except that it means we are about to have access to the ENTIRE new 2021-2022 Annual Catalog! I am ready to fill my cart – how about you?

Beautiful Friendship: April 2021 DIY

Posted on by
1

My heart stopped for just a moment when I saw that Beautiful Friendship would retire with the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog. I’ve made so many cards with this set (look HERE and HERE for examples) and I’ll miss these soft, color-saturated images and the sentiments that go with them. Today I’ll give you one last look at this Beautiful Stamp Set:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship DIY Easel Calendar April 2021
  • Stamps: Beautiful Friendship (retiring), Friends Are Like Seashells (dots)
  • Color Palette: Rococo Rose (retiring), Pear Pizazz, So Saffron, Seaside Spray (retiring)
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Pearls

I love the tiniest pearls on our sheet o’ pearls. They are almost lost on most projects, but these calendars are perfectly sized for them. The Wink of Stella looks a little bold in this photo, but it’s really pretty subtle.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship DIY Easel Calendar April 2021

You can see everything available in the Last Chance Product Sale HERE. These products are absolutely while supplies last, so if you love it, nab it – or you’ll have to let it go.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Beautiful Friendship DIY Easel Calendar April 2021

I invite you to stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have designed for their April calendars. If you’d like to make your own, I sell a pdf for just $5 – Contact Me with your email address and I’ll send you an invoice. (They print out perfectly – it’s my rat-fink-printer that doesn’t play well.)

Pretty Perennials: March 2021 DIY

Posted on by
3

Pretty Perennials was my favorite sneak-peek stamp set in the January-June mini catalog, but as with all things topsy turvy in 2021, it has been waiting patiently for ink. As of today, it’s got it in the DIY Calendar for March!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Pretty Perennials DIY Easel Calendar March 2021
  • Stamps: Pretty Perennials
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Big Boss (Stampin Cut and Emboss), Perennials Petals dies, Stampin’ Sponge, Blue Adhesive-backed gem, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I wanted a soft look behind my die cuts, especially because I was working with tone-on-tone. I attempted to get the look I wanted with the stamping off technique, but with this type of screened stamp, the resulting image was irregular (ok, truth: when I saw it I exclaimed “now that’s UGLY!”)

Instead, I sponged the ink onto the stamp. It gave me the softer impression I wanted without going all ugly on me. The largest flower is in Pool Party, but the other two are Coastal Cabana. In the photo, you can’t see any difference and might wonder why I would go to that trouble, but in person it’s different. You’ll just have to trust me on that.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Pretty Perennials DIY Easel Calendar March 2021

The little dots in the center of the 4 petal flowers are from the center of the 6 petal flowers. Perfect serendipity! I think I will go back and make them shiny with a splash from the Fine Tip Glue pen, but here in Hawaii it takes a loonnnnng time for that to dry, and I don’t want to take a chance of smudging it while I’m taking photos and such. March has 31 days, I’ll be good!

I still have the 2021 pdf available for $5. Click on Contact the Maui Stamper and send me your email address, and I’ll send an invoice via Square. These calendars are the perfect tiny canvas for inspiring new ideas – I have a dozen projects lined up now!

Hop on over to see what Cheryl and Crystal are doing for March. “Winter” is over here in the islands (unless you live above the 4000 foot level on the mountain) so it’s time to put the A/C back on! Yes, we have seasons – right now we’re in whale season, and it’s nearly lychee season! You have to learn the art of subtle observation to see the seasons change here.

If it’s Stampin’ Season (and when ever is it not??) pop on over to my Online Store for a little Shoppin’ Season!