A New Year, a new calendar

Posted on January 1, 2017 by mauistamper

New. There’s so much promise in that word – but there’s uncertainty as well. New is different, fresh, and sometimes uneasy. New is exciting and invigorating, but it is also unpredictable and challenging. I love a new year, a new calendar, a fresh start. I set goals, make plans, and dream big dreams. And I make a brand new DIY Easel Calendar!

Stamps: Cookie Cutter Christmas, Thoughtful Branches (retired)
Color Palette: Basic Black, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Flirty Flamingo, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Cookie Cutter Builder punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Wink of Stella Clear

I’ve achieved one goal: I already have a post set up for every month of the year in 2017! Crystal, Cheryl and I are continuing our Mini-Blog hop, so be sure to see what they’ve done to begin the year.

If you’ve had your eye on the Cookie Cutter Christmas bundle, you’d better hurry! The stamps and punch will be available separately after January 3rd, but the bundle will be a lost opportunity. Shop the Online Store to get that deal!

If you’ve been thinking you should make a calendar this year, I have just 6 kits left. Email me at AnneMatasci@gmail.com and I’ll send you an invoice.

Happy New Year!

DIY Calendar Refill $6 plus shipping

The Merry Month of December

Posted on December 1, 2016 by mauistamper

December is here, and it will surely be merry!

Stamps: Happy Scenes (Holiday 2015, retired), Be the Star
Color Palette: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Dazzling Details
Accessories: Christmas Greetings Thinlits, Red Foil paper, Fine Tip Glue pen

The Red Foil is luxurious! I find the Fine Tip Glue pen to be indispensable when it’s time to adhere these words.

A word about retired products: Yes, I realize it’s frustrating when you want to re-create a project and you don’t have access to the exact product that was used. At the same time, I’m not presenting these calendars as a class. They are for your enjoyment and inspiration, and I encourage you to look around your craft space for options. Explore! Improvise! Be creative – it’s such a glorious process.

Now make your merry way over to Cheryl and Crystal to see their December calendars!

The 2017 DIY Easel Calendar has landed!

Posted on November 16, 2016 by mauistamper

Whew! I’ve been cutting paper for what seems like forever, but the glorious result is that DIY Easel calendar kits are available for 2017.

This petite calendar is a canvas ready for your creative touch! You’ll receive12 precisely-cut monthly calendar pages and a cover page featuring the year. There are 13 cut-to-size mats featuring the 2015-2017 and 2016-2018 In Colors, plus Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Marina Mist.

There are two ways to purchase the kit. You can purchase it complete with an easel, and it will come packaged in a clear box with a ribbon (colors vary) ready for gifting.

If you’ve purchased before, or already have an easel, I am making the calendar pages and coordinating mats available separately. They’re packaged in a clear envelope.

Not sure about the colors? Please consider that my camera and your monitor may not capture the exact hue and tone, but you’ll receive mats in the following colors:

Dapper Denim, Marina Mist, Emerald Envy, Cucumber Crush, Mint Macaron, Sweet Sugarplum, Real Red, Watermelon Wonder, Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, Tip Top Taupe, Delightful Dijon and Daffodil Delight. If you want to take a better look, visit my Online Store to see the Stampin’ Up! card stock collection.

DIY Easel Calendar Kit is $9.00
DIY Calendar refill is $6.00

Shipping is by USPS and will be sent First Class or Priority Mail. I ship the best possible method at the best possible price and will calculate based on what you order. Typically, a single Calendar refill can be sent in a First Class envelope with postage of $.68. Easel Calendar Kits are shipped Priority Mail Small Flat Rate with postage of $6.80. I can ship multiple kits in one box.

Many crafters have asked for the template over the years. I do not sell the template. I didn’t create it and I don’t own it, and the crafter who does own it does not want to sell it as a template. These kits are the only way to purchase this particular calendar.

To order, leave a comment or email me directly at AnneMatasci@gmail.com. I’ll need your order and your email address, and will send an invoice via Square. At this time, I’m not shipping these outside of the United States.

Happy crafting!

That Silly Fox

Posted on November 1, 2016 by mauistamper

I know. I’ve used another retired stamp set this month. You’ll have to forgive me as I create these calendars…well, about now! And the Holiday catalog and all it’s beautiful images is sitting right there on my desk.

Stamps: Thankful Forest Friends (Holiday 2015, retired)
Color Palette: Cajun Craze, Blackberry Bliss, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Tangelo Twist, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Write markers

I’ve begun to include Paper Snips in my Project Recipe when I fussy-cut an image. If you haven’t taken the leap and treated yourself to this indispensable tool, I urge you to give them a try. They aren’t expensive ($10) and you will be amazed by the precise work they make possible. Stuff your stocking!

Check out what Crystal and Cheryl have done this month.

An Owl in the October Woods

Posted on October 2, 2016 by mauistamper

Our calendar tour is a day late this month so that we could celebrate World Card Marking Day on October 1st. This little owl in an autumn wood will watch over my kitchen for all of October:

Stamps: Among the Branches (Holiday 2015, retired)
Color Palette: Tangelo Twist, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Accessories: Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals

In Hawaii, we have an endemic owl call the Pueo. It’s a diurnal, or daytime owl, but I’ve seen them most often at dusk. The silent flight of an owl overhead is always a spell-binding experience.

We don’t have many fall colors, but I’ve chosen to apply creative license to the tree my Pueo has chosen as a perch.

Visit Cheryl and Crystal to see their October calendars!

September Patterns

Posted on September 1, 2016 by mauistamper

These calendars are petite, and even detailed hand-coloring doesn’t take long:

Stamps: Lighthearted Leaves (Holiday 2015, retired)
Color Palette: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Rich Raspberry
Accessories: Leaflets Framelits (Holiday 2015, retired), Stampin’ Write markers

When you look at these three colors, they make a pretty bold statement. But their color values are very similar, and I think that’s what makes them work so well together. Color is a very personal decision, but I love this look.

I considered cutting out one leaf and popping it up on dimensionals, but when I added it to the calendar it didn’t do what I expected it would. Sometimes less really is more.

Check out the calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have designed for September.

The Holiday Catalog is LIVE today – check it out HERE! And be SURE to stop by tomorrow for my first ever Maui Stamper Holiday Catalog Favorite Things!!!

May Flowers

Posted on May 1, 2016 by mauistamper

The soft tones in this month’s calendar welcome May to my kitchen counter:

Stamps: You’re Sublime (available wood and clear mount)
Color Palette: Lost Lagoon, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizazz, So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Watermelon Wonder, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Blender pen, Stampin’ Write marker

I gave my blender pens another chance and loved the soft tones I was able to achieve. The images are smaller – just right to practice. And I’m in love with this curious little wheelbarrow!

Take a look at the calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have created this month.

April Aloha

Posted on April 1, 2016 by mauistamper

This image looks a lot like the plumerias that grow in my backyard. It wasn’t intentional, but the serendipity makes me smile:

Stamps: Birthday Blossoms
Color Palette: Crushed Curry, So Saffron, Lost Lagoon
Accessories: Aquapainter

To be authentic, I should have added heaps of blossoms at the bottom of the calendar. Plumeria are as famous for their beautiful litter as they are for their ease of stringing into lei.

Take a moment to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done with their calendars for April. And if you’d like to shop, visit my Online Store.

A March Lamb

Posted on March 1, 2016 by mauistamper

I’m on an adorable animal kick for my calendar this spring!

Stamps: Easter Lamb
Color Palette: Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Cucumber Crush
Accessories: Wink of Stella Clear glitter brush, Stampin’ Write markers

I used markers to color directly on the stamp and the new Wink of Stella clear glitter brush to add a little sparkle to the fleece. Easter comes in March this year, so there has to be a little glitter!

This is the last month for Sale-a-bration – you have until the 31st to get your FREEBIES. Shop HERE.

Hop on over to see what Crystal and Cheryl have created for their March calendars.