Category Archives: Calendars

Gratitude 2019

Posted on by
1

My thoughts are increasingly focused on being grateful, and this time of year the focus intensifies. It’s not just the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, but the approaching holiday season that causes me to dive into thankfulness. My November 2019 calendar is born out of this focus and will maintain it as well:

  • Stamps: Soft Spring (HOST)
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Pineapple Punch, Grapefruit Grover, Terracotta Tile, Cajun Craze

I like to play with words, and using the Soft Spring Host set for an Autumn themed calendar page makes me smile. First of all, I think it works quite well! It doesn’t represent any particular flower (at least not one I know) but it represents the feeling of Fall because of the colors I chose. Secondly, it’s Spring now in the Southern Hemisphere, and since my daughter lives there I’m more aware of that juxtaposition.

My technique was super simple. I inked the outline image in Crumb Cake and stamped it on the calendar. I inked the floral fill image completely in Pineapple Punch, then about 75% in Grapefruit Grove, about 50% in Terracotta Tile, and finally added Cajun Craze to the top 25%. I didn’t wipe off previous colors – they’re all piled on top of each other!

Maui Stamper 2020 DIY Calendar

If you’d like to make your own 2020 DIY Easel calendar, I’m selling the PDF for $5. Just click on Contact the Maui Stamper above and message me your email address. I’ll get an invoice out to you, and as soon as it’s paid, I’ll email the file including the cover page and a set of cutting instructions. You’ll be on your way!

I also have a Pinterest Board with literally years of these pages for your inspirational enjoyment. Crystal and Cheryl have created their own version of the November 2019 calendar, so be sure to visit them too.

Host stamp sets are a bit of an under-appreciated category in the catalog. They’re a great value, because they’re priced below market. The catch is that you have to use Host Rewards to purchase them, but those begin to accrue when your order or workshop reaches $150. You can start shopping the Online Store, or contact me about hosting an event of your own, either in person or online. Crafting is a lot more fun with a friend!

October 2019: Spooktacular Bash DIY Easel Calendar

Posted on by
3

Happy October First! It’s the month of ghosties, ghoulies and mummies as well as yummy treats – I’m not sure I’m as excited about these treats as the mummy is, but to each their own, right?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Spooktacular Bash
Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Spooktacular Bash

I’m kinda in love with the Mummy. I think it’s the eyes. I mean, really, look at them all side-eye! Perfect for the jars o’ bits, and perfect for coloring with Stampin’ Blends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Spooktacular Bash

Enjoy your October! It’s a fun month as autumn starts to feel real (OK, who am I kidding – I live on Maui – all we’re asking is that the insane heat we have had all summer Goes Away!!) Halloween is a fun time here in the islands, because trick-or-treating doesn’t require boots or parkas.

Please stop by to see what Crystal and Cheryl have created for October. If you are interested in creating your own DIY Easel calendar, I have the 2020 pdf for sale. It’s only $5 – let me know if you’re interested.

September 2019: This Little Piggy Can Fly

Posted on by
1

If a pig can fly, she can certainly be purple – Purple Posy, that is! My September 2019 DIY Easel Calendar will keep me smiling all month.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up This Little Piggy DIY Easel Calendar 2020

All of the piggies in This Little Piggy are charming, but I think this one is my favorite. Since this set was released last year, it’s languished a bit as I’ve focused on new things. It was time to change that!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up This Little Piggy DIY Easel Calendar 2020

Wink of Stella is one of those non-negotiable, indispensable products on my craft table. It’s controlled sparkle, and if you know anything about Mr. Maui Stamper, you’ll know he believes that sparkle needs to be under control.

*There are a couple of sneak peeks in my September calendar. The Holiday catalog will be available to everyone on September 4, but demonstrators have had a month to play. There are new metallic inks – Silver, Gold and Copper – and of course plenty of new stamps!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up This Little Piggy DIY Easel Calendar 2020

Be sure you hop on over to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for September. If you need more STELLAAAAAAA, shop here.

August 2019 DIY: Lilypad Lake

Posted on by
3

It’s been HOT. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere have had some really hot summer days in the past few weeks, and here in South Maui it’s been no exception. When it’s this hot, the best place to be is on the water! I’ll be there as much as possible this month, even when I’m at my craft desk.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar Lilypad Lake July 2019

I usually look through the previous months when I sit down to create a new calendar card, but apparently I haven’t done a very thorough job! When I reviewed the first half of the year, I found birds and flowers. Lots of birds, and lots of flowers. I know, you’re shocked, right? I needed to break the pattern this month.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar Lilypad Lake July 2019

You could create this calendar in just about any color combination you like, and I think it would be fabulous in rainbow hues. I’m pretty smitten with Pretty Peacock right now, especially as that’s about the color of my ocean in the late afternoon.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit Crystal and Cheryl and see how they’re keeping cool in August. If you’d like to make your own calendar, I’ve made the 2020 pdf available. Each calendar page is 3.5″ square, and I pair them with a 3.75″ mat so they fit very nicely on the small wooden easels available in just about any craft store. The pdf is $5 and you can print as many copies as you like! Contact me and I’ll send you an invoice.

Keep cool! And shop HERE!

July 2019 Calendar: Free as a Bird V2

Posted on by
1

The namesake birds in the Free as a Bird set are the July stars:

  • Stamps: Free as a Bird
  • Color Palette: whisper White, Basic Black, Old Olive, Pool Party, Soft Suede, So Saffron, and Rococo Rose
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends

I really enjoy coloring with Stampin’ Blends. I’m not an expert by any stretch but that hasn’t stopped me from experimenting! These calendars sit on MY craft desk and I’ll color them any way I please. 😊

These calendars are such a delight to create. The format is small and they only sit out for a month, so they provide a perfect opportunity to try something new.

Visit Crystal and Cheryl for their July DIY calendars. If you’d like to purchase the pdf for either 2019 or 2020 please message me. It’s just $5 and it’s a great way to explore your own tiny desktop creativity.

June 2019 DIY Calendar: Free as a Bird

Posted on by
5

Happy June First! Just a couple more days until the debut of the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. My calendar for June features a new stamp set, but I’m not using the birds. Instead, I chose these sweet flowers and our new In Color, Rococo Rose:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! June 2019 DIY Calendar Free as a Bird
  • Stamps: Free as a Bird (available June 4), Good Morning Magnolia (available June 4)
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Rococo Rose (available June 4), Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers, Aqua Painter

I used a sticky note mask to layer the floral images, and added a touch of Daffodil Delight in the center to brighten them up. Other than that, this is a very simple and quick design that can be incorporated into a variety of designs. The sentiment is from Good Morning Magnolia.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! June 2019 DIY Calendar Free as a Bird

I have both the 2019 and 2020 DIY Easel Calendars available for $5 as a PDF – they’re such fun to create! Message me and we’ll get you started today.

Be sure to visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’ve done for June.

If you don’t have a demonstrator and need a 2019-2020 catalog, message me and I’ll get one into your hands. This one’s a stunner.

May 2019 DIY Calendar: Best Birds

Posted on by
2

Happy May Day! It’s the first of the month, and that means I’ve got a new calendar to share. This month, I’m featuring one of the charming birds from the Best Birds set – it retires in June and while I’m sad to see it go, I’ve seen enough to know that there are new birdies in my future!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

I used Stampin’ Blends to color the bird, and I’m experimenting with some new coloring techniques. One of the things I thought I’d heard was to use circular motions to blend the colors, but as I’ve explored more it seems that short, flicked strokes layered on top of each other give a smoother result. It’s still a work in progress.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

However you choose to color, it’s a lot of fun to play with different combinations. I have a couple more birds on my craft desk waiting for projects.

And yes, I know this guy isn’t exactly on the branch. Call it artistic license.

Please stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have done for May. We all enjoy putting these calendars together for you each month. I have both the 2019 and 2020 calendars available in PDF form for the great price of $5 each. Message me if you’d like to purchase one or both!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! May 2019 DIY Easel Calendar Best Birds

And if you’re ready to add this charming little avian to your next, shop HERE.

2020 DIY Calendar is READY

Posted on by
10
2020 DIY Calendar Template

I’m delighted to announce – for all you get-it-done-early crafters – that the 2020 DIY Calendar template is ready for purchase! I’ve had a number of requests to advance the availability of the template, and I’m quite pleased to be able to oblige. The cost is still just $5. Are you ready to get crafty?

And just a note…I depend on your integrity with this purchase. It’s easy enough to share the file with a friend, so what’s the harm done? Well, the harm is that I’m a small business, and those shared files add up. I truly appreciate you sharing my contact information with your friends and fellow crafters, and I’m grateful for your support.

DIY Calendar April First, and that’s no Fool

Posted on by
5

It’s no April Fool! The first of each month I share a DIY Easel calendar for your pleasure and inspiration and today is April 1! (I checked!!)

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! DIY Easel Calendar April 2019 Vibrant Vases
Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! DIY Easel Calendar April 2019 Vibrant Vases

I’m not sure what possessed me to get all Stella, but it was fun! I started with the Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Write marker, because I wanted to add a little color to the vases. It just took off from there.

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Stampin' Storage Solutions 2019

Today there is a brand new product line that I think you will LOVE! We have a modular storage solution for ink pads, markers, Stampin’ Blends, Ink Refills, and whatever odds and ends you can imagine. Visit the Online Store for details!

Be sure to check out what Cheryl and Crystal have created for April!

All That You Are – March 2019

Posted on by
1

If you’ve followed the Maui Stamper, you’ll know that the first of each month I share my version of a small desktop easel calendar. It’s a delightful format precisely because it is so small, and I’m finding that I enjoy coloring these little pages.

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are March 2019 DIY
  • Stamps: All That You Are
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Mint Macaron, Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody, Petal Pink, Flirty Flaming
  • Accessories: Memento Ink, Stampin’ Blends, Sticky Notes
MauiStamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are March 2019 DIY

I often have help in the craft room these days, and even more so in the morning when the sun streams in the windows. It’s been a cold winter on Maui – this morning it was 61°.

(Before you tell me how cold it was in Minnebraska this morning, remember that we live in sundresses and rubber slippers and don’t have heat in our homes. Our bodies are accustomed to 78°, partly cloudy with scattered showers. I live on the dry side of the island where annual rainfall is 11 inches and it seldom gets below 76°. 61° is cold!)

Ahem. So, back to my helper. She’s adorable, but she’s a big pest. I can’t tell you how challenging it is to color with Bella “helping”. She’s never still for long, and she likes to bump things to tell you how much she likes them. I’ll bet there are plenty of you who can relate:

MauiStamper Stampin' Up! All That You Are March 2019 DIY

Crystal and Cheryl and I have a mini-blog hop with our DIY Calendars each month, and I hope you’ll visit them as well to see what they’ve created for March. You can search DIY Calendar or click on the tags to see years worth of these little calendar pages! I have the pdf available for you to create your own as well – message me and I’ll send you an invoice. It’s just $5!

There’s news on the Sale-a-bration front as well! Stampin’ Up! has added product from the Annual Catalog to the $50 Level Sale-a-bration rewards. There are also new coordinating products for Sale-a-bration available. I’ll be back soon with more details. Happy Crafting!