Category Archives: Calendars

MAY 2024 DIY: ICE CREAM SWIRL BERRIES

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It’s May Day! And I’m thinking about SUMMER FRUIT. The Strawberry in the Ice Cream Swirl stamp set has been calling my name for days, and I’ve given it an entire month on my craft desk:

  • Stamps: Ice Cream Swirl, Sending Love, Bee My Valentine
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lolly, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

The strawberry isn’t the focal point of the Ice Cream Swirl set, but I noticed it when I was editing my stamps to be current with the new 24-25 Annual Catalog. I’m a big fan of fruit in season, and we get beautiful strawberries from Upcountry Maui this time of year.

I masked the strawberries as I stamped them – I always stamp the middle first! After I colored them with my Blends, I thought it needed a little something more. I tried a bunch of options, but a little bird made me happiest, and you KNOW that’s how I make my decisions.

Thanks so much for visiting our little calendar mini hop! Please stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for May. We love to make these little calendars and share them with you.

The 24-25 Annual Catalog has finally arrived in the store! New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.

If you have EVER considered joining Stampin’ Up! this is your best offer! This is the richest offer we’ve seen, well, maybe forever! Your $99 USD lets you choose $125 worth of any available product PLUS a glorious assortment of the brand new 24-26 In Color products! Check this out before you place your first order this month. There’s no obligation to continue or to sell and there are no strings attached. Message me for details or learn more HERE.

The Best There Is, the May Paper Pumpkin kit, contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes. It features woodgrain textures and masculine, earth tones . An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by May 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

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APRIL 2024 DIY: PLANTED PARADISE

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When I’m not crafting, I’m in my garden. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I have lots of plant, flower and tree stamps in my library! My April calendar is an homage to all the colors in nature:

  • Stamps: Planted Paradise
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Sweet Sorbet, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Shaded Spruce
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Sponge Dauber, Stampin’ Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals

For my colorful leaves, I inked the stamp in Daffodil Delight and applied Sweet Sorbet and Garden Green with a Dauber. I misted the stamp lightly with the Spritzer and stamped. I love the watercolored effect.

You might be thinking “OK, MauiStamper, it’s pretty and all, but what kind of plants look like that?”

Behold my garden:

This is Codiaeum variegatum, known locally as Croton (although that’s technically inaccurate). I have leaves this shape as well as plants with long, strappy leaves, and there are a number of other varieties common to the tropics. They love the climate and we love them!

Sweet Sorbet is retiring April 30th and I will miss it! But there are 5 gorgeous new colors coming to take the place of the 22-23 crew, and we will see them soon 😁

Thanks so much for visiting our little calendar mini hop! Please stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for April. We love to read your comments!

Say goodbye to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy of the Last Chance List HERE. All discounts begin on April 9th. To see the catalog offering, go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The 23-24 Annual Catalog offering ends on April 30th. See the Last Chance List for the Annual Catalog HERE. Just as with the Mini, all discounts will be effective April. 9.

Delicate Wings, the April Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and features precut paper pieces and butterfly designs, as well as champagne foil images, sentiments and labels. An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by April 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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MARCH 2024 DIY: TROPICAL LEAF

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Tropical Leaf is one of my favorite Online Exclusive products. There’s a stamp & punch bundle, and it’s perfect for any tropical location or plant lover. I’ve been meaning to play with the watercolor effect direct to stamps, and tried it with the leaf. Tell me what you think:

  • Stamps: Tropical Leaf
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Lost Lagoon
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Stamp n Write Markers, Linen Thread, Water Painters, Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue dots, DIY Easel Calendar Template

I started playing with ink and the water spritzer on the leaf. You can see in the middle row that I went a little overboard with the water! After some experimenting, I found that using the small Water Painter brush to move the ink a bit on the stamp (after spritzing, before stamping) gave me the result I wanted.

You can also see the difference between inked veins and inked-and-stamped-off veins in the second row.

The punch fits the large leaf in the stamp, and I chose to use the smaller one so I fussy cut the leaves. Look at the difference when you follow the edge into the shape of the leaf!

I used Stamp n Write markers to add a little drizzle to the leaves and the calendar page – Lost Lagoon for the leaves and Pool Party for the calendar. I tucked a few unthreaded strands of Linen Thread behind the leaves with a Glue Dot to evoke roots.

Take a moment to visit Cheryl and Crystal for their March calendars. We have such a good time putting these together (although occasionally there’s a moment of panic when you get that email that says “here’s my link” and you look at the calendar!!!) If you need a DIY template, they’re just $5. Send me a message and tell me you’d like an invoice and I’ll get it to you as quickly as I can.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The March Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and coordinates with the Meandering Meadows Suite and the Garden Meadow Bundle. It features precut vellum and wood pieces and includes a bonus full stamp set. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by March 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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February 2024 DIY: Painted Lavender

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This “Lavender Fields” image from the Painted Lavender stamp set is easy to overlook, but it’s my favorite. There are lavender fields in Upcountry Maui, and they’re such a beautiful sight in bloom. Even though they won’t be in bloom til late summer, I chose them for this month.

  • Stamps: Painted Lavender
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape
  • Accessories: Stamp & Write markers, Brushed Brass Butterflies

This is a simple calendar this month. No die cuts, no fussy cuts, no dimensionals – but I did choose to hand-write my sentiment. It’s my reminder to LOVE FIRST.

The stems are stamped twice across the page. with Lost Lagoon. I inked the flowers with Fresh Freesia, and then added more color with the Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape Stamp & Write markers. I love how the extra layers of color add depth, and those brass butterflies were the little bit of sparkle I wanted.

DIY Calendar Templates are still available – message me for yours. They’re just $5.

And before you move on to the rest of your day, stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have done this month. Painted Lavender is back in stock, so if you’d like to create with your own stamps, shop the Online Store.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the Stampin’ Up! year – Sale-a-bration! This year we’re featuring an unprecedented variety of products including LOTS of gorgeous, coordinating Designer Series Papers. See a digital copy of the brochure HERE or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The February Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for spring and Easter themed cards and treat boxes. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by February 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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January 2024 DIY: Stippled Roses

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Happy New Year, my friends! I hope 2024 brings joy and contentment to your lives. I’ll do my best to bring a little joy by starting with a new calendar page featuring a new Stampin’ Up! bundle that is just days from release – Stippled Roses.

A handmade calendar page for January with the pink roses and green leaves
  • Stamps: Stippled Rose
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Sweet Sorbet, Granny Apple Green, Old Olive, Flirty Flamingo
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Stippled Rose dies, Irridescent Adhesive Backed Discs, Blender Pen, Dauber, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I stamped off the rose leaf stamp multiple times before stamping it onto the calendar page as a very subdued background. The die cut leaf is cut in Granny Apple Green, then lightly brushed with Old Olive to give it more depth. The two large rose stamps were inked with daubers, die cut, and colored with a blender pen for softness. The buds were fussy cut 😁 and I chose a Flirty Flamingo mat to continue the soft color theme.

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

I’ve made a short video to show you how easy it is to color with a blender pen – check it out on my YouTube channel. It gives much softer results than either Stampin’ Write markers or the Stampin’ Blends, and you can use the one pen over and over with a variety of colors.

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

Stippled Roses will be available on January 4th in the January – April Mini Catalog. A coordinating Designer Series Paper will be available as a Sale-a-bration offering, so get your list ready!

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

Please take a look at what Cheryl and Crystal have created for January. And if you’d like your own DIY printable template, message me for an invoice – it’s just $5.

Shop the Online Store. for Clearance Rack and Last Chance products, and be sure to check back on January 4th when the January – April mini and Sale-a-bration products are for sale!

The January kit makes 8 cards that coordinate with the upcoming Perennial Lavender Suite. An exclusive coordinating set of dies will coordinate with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by January 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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2023 DIY Easel Calendar Year in Review

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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:

I was thrilled to see a new set of Gnomes (Friendly Gnomes!) in the January-April 23 mini catalog. Such great images, and they coordinate with the Gnomes dies. See the details on January 1, 2023.

This is a Sale-a-bration calendar, and a stamp set that surprised me with how much I loved it. I embossed this image EVERYWHERE! Check out Beautifully Happy on February 1, 2023.

In March, I celebrated with Love Cats from the January-April Mini Catalog. The Stamparatus – sadly, no longer available – made this image easy to customize. Check out the original post on March 1, 2023.

The Last Chance list for the 22-23 Annual Catalog was released in late March and I was so sad to see Friends Are Like Seashells on that list. I chose it for the April calendar as a fond farewell.

square May calendar with sun and ocean

In May I chose the ocean wave from the brand new 23-24 Annual Catalog Circle Sayings set. See the original post on May 1, 2023.

a small June 2023 calendar with a cartoon turtle

I love this friendly little turtle! Playing in the Rain was a January-April Mini bundle that carried forward to the Annual Catalog as standalone stamps and dies. Lots of fun coloring with Stampin’ Blends for this month! Read the details from June 1, 2023.

A Handmade desktop calendar for July 2023 with a field of yellow flowers

I markered the flower from Inked & Tiled for July. The curvy dotted swirls from Lighting the Way were the perfect accent – light and whimsical. You can see the details on July 1, 2023.

A Handmade calendar page for August with 3 birds colored blue, yellow and green.

I adore this little birdie family! The set is called Bird’s Eye view and you can see the details on August 1, 2023.

A Handmade calendar page for September. It features 3 stenciled flowers in yellows and reds with green leaves.

The Abundant Beauty masks are fun, easy, and pack a punch! Find out more on the September 1, 2023 post.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.

One of my favorite September-December mini catalog products is the Pick of the Patch bundle. You can see the original post on October 1, 2023.

A handmade calendar page for November with the phrase "Beyond Grateful" and blue and gold foliage

I used my favorite mini catalog holiday image for November with non-traditional colors. Learn more in the November 1, 2023 post.

A handmade calendar page for December featuring a red truck and palm trees

Every year it comes sooner! Whoosh, it’s December! You can see this post from the beginning of this month HERE.

That’s 2023! 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.

If you feel inspired, you can create your own calendar for 2024. Here’s how to purchase the 2024 DIY Template. It’s 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.

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 🌺

DECEMBER 2023 DIY: TRUCKING ALONG

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Who doesn’t love a truck? This vintage truck just begs to be done in red, and what could be more fitting for December?

  • Stamps: Trucking Along, Seaside Bay, Paradise Palms (retired)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Pecan Pie, Shaded Spruce, Boho Blue, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Masking paper, Stampin’ Blends

I’m sorry if you don’t have a palm tree stamp in your stash. After I stamped the truck, all I could see was palms in the background. If you don’t live in a tropical climate, then evergreens are surely your best friend here.

A handmade calendar page for December featuring a red truck and palm trees

I discovered at the last minute that my Light Real Red Stampin’ Blend was kaput. I colored the truck with the Dark Real Red Blend and added highlights with the Color Lifter. The “dits” are a stamp from Seaside Bay, and I imagined them as sea spray.

A handmade calendar page for December featuring a red truck and palm trees

I love making these little calendar pages each month. They’re small enough to be quick and satisfying to create, but suiting each one to the appropriate month adds a little structure. If you’d like to make your own DIY Calendar, the template is just $5. Message me and I’ll get you an invoice right away.

Visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’re featuring in December. And be sure to stop back on the 31st when I showcase the entire year’s worth of DIY calendars!

While you’re waiting, you might want to shop the Online Store.

There’s a lot going on, and to keep things interesting, the mini is ending and Last Chance products have been announced. To see items Carrying Over, click HERE. To see Last Chance items from the September-December mini, click HERE.

A collage of paper crafting supplies on a light blue background with the text "NEW Online Exclusives"

Check out the brand new release of Online Exclusives. These limited edition products are sure to delight and inspire you! Shop HERE.

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “All The Best"

The December kit contains supplies for 9 beautiful cards and includes an acetate box for gifting. Keep it for yourself or share with your bestie – they’ll be grateful to have a card stash all year long! Subscribe HERE by December 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is nearing it’s last days – let me know if you need a copy, or shop online HERE!

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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November 2023 DIY: Joy of Noel

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Happy Grateful November! I’ve used non-traditional colors with a traditional holiday stamp from Joy of Noel to create a lovely autumn reminder:

A handmade calendar page for November with the phrase "Beyond Grateful" and blue and gold foliage
  • Stamps: Joy of Noël, Charming Sentiments
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Wild Wheat, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Sentiment Silhouettes dies, Stampin’ Blends, Vellum card stock, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I love this image from Joy of Noël, and I have been looking for alternative ways to use it. When I realized it just needed a shift in colors, I was off to the races.

I tucked a bit of Vellum behind the sentiment. I’m not sure it makes a difference – what do you think?

A handmade calendar page for November with the phrase "Beyond Grateful" and blue and gold foliage

Have you noticed that Stampin’ Up! has started giving dies the same name as the stamp sets with which they coordinate? Not the case with Charming Sentiments/Sentiment Silhouettes, as they’re a hold-over from last year, but I love the new system! Makes my life a lot easier. (And if you’ve gotten to know me at all, you know I 💕 that EASY button.)

A handmade calendar page for November with the phrase "Beyond Grateful" and blue and gold foliage

The 2024 Easel Calendar Template is available for just $5. Message me for an invoice!

Crystal and Cheryl are back with November calendar pages. If you need inspiration for your own, check our Pinterest page or type “DIY” in the Maui Stamper search box for over 10 years of ideas.

For all your Stampin’ Up! shopping needs, I’m very grateful if you shop my Online Store.

Light up the Christmas season with this month’s Paper Pumpkin kit! With traditional Christmas home designs and warm Christmas wishes, spread the light of Christmas with a gift box. Plus, you can get the Warm Wishes Cards & Envelopes Add-On to take your Christmas crafting even further (available while supplies last). Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by November 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available. Let me know if you need a copy, or shop online HERE!

2024 DIY Calendar Template!!

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Thank you for your patience – I know many of you have been waiting. I’m finally able to accept orders for the 2024 DIY Calendar template! As always, it’s just $5.

Riding in Provence on a glorious day

As I write this I’m in a hotel in Barcelona with a 3:45am (!!!) wake up call scheduled to begin my long trip home. I won’t be home until mid-day Thursday Hawaii time, so I may not be the freshest bloom in the bouquet but I’ll be back.

The view from Cezanne’s studio above Aix-en-Provence

Please use the Contact the Maui Stamper form to send me your name and email address. On Friday I hope to send all invoices and will email your template as soon as I have your payment.

A magical hot air balloon with Vol de Coloms in La Garrotxa, Catalonia

Thanks again for your patience.

Interior, La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

OCTOBER 2023 DIY: PICK OF THE PATCH

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I am absolutely smitten with Pick of the Patch. I don’t usually get too excited about Halloween (sorry, Robbie!) but there’s something about the images in this set that has me reaching for it again and again. I’m going to enjoy it all month.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.
  • Stamps: Pick of the Patch
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Garden Green
  • Accessories: Pick of the Patch Builder Punch, Adhesive backed solid gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Did you see my non-traditional pumpkins in September? I had such fun with those colors, but for October I decided to stick with colors you might see in the pumpkin patch.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.

For the card, I fussy cut those swirls. Didn’t really feel like doing that again 😆 so I stamped them right onto the calendar. I’m equally happy with the results, and I’m thrilled that I didn’t have to fussy cut those buggers again.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.

Take a look to see what Cheryl and Crystal are sharing for October DIY!

I’ve had quite a few requests for the 2024 calendar template. Many people know I actually do live on Maui, and the past month or so has been emotionally hard. I’m the first to say that I am very fortunate to have not been directly impacted by the fire, but everyone who lives here is impacted in one way or another. I appreciate your patience – I’ll be making the template available later this month.

Now: if you need your own Pick of the Patch, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.