Category Archives: Calendars

October 2020 DIY: Stitched Triangles (and a DSP sale!)

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I visited two Maui State Parks and a National Park last week, and big trees were on my mind when I started thinking about my October DIY Easel calendar. Stampin’ Up! has Designer Series paper on SALE this month, and the Stitched Triangles dies gave me a way to tie it all together:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2020 DIY Easel Calendar Stitched Triangles
  • Stamps: None
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Just Jade, Pretty Peacock, Shaded Spruce, Soft Sea Foam, Seaside Spray
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss, Stitched Triangle dies, Forever Greenery Designer Series paper, Stampin’ Sponge
Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2020 DIY Easel Calendar Stitched Triangles

I used a Stampin’ Sponge and Seaside Spray and Soft Sea Foam ink pads to create a light color wash on the calendar page. I cut a bunch of tiny triangles (our new Stamp Cut & Emboss machine is a dream!) and started arranging them on the sponged page..and arranging them…and arranging them.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up October 2020 DIY Easel Calendar Stitched Triangles

Eventually I settled on this arrangement, but honestly, any of them would have worked!

Visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’ve done for October.

The Forever Greenery DSP is my absolute favorite this year, and it’s one of many on sale in October! Check the list HERE, and shop HERE to see the gorgeous designs included in the sale.

Finally, here are a few pictures from our adventures last week:

Maui Stamper Pīpīwai Trail Kīpahulu District Haleakalā National Park
Waimoku Falls at the top of the Pīpīwai Trail in Haleakalā National Park (Kīpahulu District)
Maui Stamper Pīpīwai Trail Kīpahulu District Haleakalā National Park
Pīpīwai Stream in Haleakalā National Park (Kīpahulu District)
Maui Stamper Wai'ānapanapa State Park
The Black Sand Beach at Wai’ānapanapa State Park
Maui Stamper Redwood Trail Polipoli State Park
The Maui Stamper – with Mr. Maui Stamper – on the Redwood Trail at Polipoli State Park

Hope you enjoy! We certainly did – one of the small pleasures of the pandemic has been how calm the island has been. Tourism is our lifeblood, but we have enjoyed this little silver lining in the Covid Cloud.

If you’d like to make your own DIY Easel calendar, click on Contact the Maui Stamper above and send me your email. The pdf is just $5 and you can make as many as you’d like!

September 2020 DIY: Love of Leaves

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Are you as stunned to discover it is September as I am? My sense of time is completely disoriented, and that makes me really grateful for calendars. I have the feeling that I need a big board in my kitchen that says TODAY IS TUESDAY. IT IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2020. And then it needs a big picture of, oh, LEAVES:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar September 2020 Love of Leaves
  • Stamps: Love of Leaves
  • Color Palette: Shaded Spruce, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Cut and Emboss (available TODAY!), Stitched Leaves dies, Watercolor paper, Ink Refills, Stampin’ Spritzer, 2020-2022 In Color Enamel dots, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Yes, I’m still smitten with the Love of Leaves bundle. If you follow that link and add it to your shopping cart and wait for it to arrive on that big Brown Truck, you’ll be smitten too, I promise you!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar September 2020 Love of Leaves

I got my Watercolor paper pretty wet with the Stampin’ Spritzer and added color from the Ink Refills. The design was pretty random, but I enjoyed moving the Stitched Leaves dies around the paper to visualize how best to use it. (Prepare yourself, it’s pretty bold!)

When I looked at this result I was pretty skeptical. But I Kept Calm and Cut and Embossed On, and was pleased with the end result.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Love of Leaves bundle

That long strip die is what I used to create the background on the paper. It works on the flap of an envelope, tooo. Each leaf can be cut out, leaving a stitched leaf-shaped opening behind, and the solid dies create the stitched vein pattern in the leaves. This set has covered ALL the bases!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar September 2020 Love of Leaves

September…wow…hard to believe we are here! I have the 2021 pdf available for just $5 if you’d like to create your own calendar. Click Contact the Maui Stamper at the top of the page and send me your email, and we’ll get you started!

Cheryl and Crystal create these fun little calendars too, and I hope you’ll stop by and see what they’ve done for September. If you’re ready to browse, SHOP HERE.

August 2020 DIY: Timeless Tropical

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August…who would have imagined this is where we would be???

A tropical scene seems like a soothing vision for this month, and I think many of us need that right now. I feel so fortunate that I can take a walk and place myself in this setting, but if that’s not available to you, I invite you to enjoy this paper version!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar August 2020 Timeless Tropical
Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar August 2020 Timeless Tropical

I worked a bit outside my comfort zone with this project – lots of sponging and improvising and experimentation. I managed to cover up some of the printed dates, but to be honest, I hardly ever use these DIY calendars to actually check the DATE.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar August 2020 Timeless Tropical

This is the second version I did for August. I got a little carried away with the first version, and after sleeping on it decided I would go back to the simpler version. Here’s the “I couldn’t stop myself” calendar:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Timeless Tropical DIY August 2020 desktop calendar

I kept adding layers and details, and at some point I set it down and said enough. This one has a lot more sponging, some Wink of Stella, and a fair amount of glossing using the glue from the Fine Tip Glue pen. I kept looking at it and asking myself if I would be happy with it for 31 days, and it became pretty clear that the answer was NO. What do you think? Would you choose the calmer, simpler calendar, or would you take it over the top?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days Promotion July 2020

Just a few more days to take advantage of Bonus Days – earn a $5 savings coupon for every $50 you spend. Those $5 coupons can be redeemed beginning Tuesday, August 4 – which just happens to be the first day that the August-December mini catalog is available to customers! Shop Here.

Cheryl and Crystal have their own versions of August for your inspiration, and I hope you’ll stop by and see what they’ve done.

If you’d like to create your own calendar, please click on Contact Me and provide me with your email. I’ll invoice you for the bargain price of $5 and you’ll have your own pdf to print and enjoy for all of 2021.

DIY July 2020: Celebrate Sunflowers

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There are SO MANY GORGEOUS FLOWERS in the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog! I am a complete pushover for a gorgeous flower stamp set, and Celebrate Sunflowers definitely sent me over the edge. Two sizes of flowers, lots of leaves, great sentiments – well, what’s not to like?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers DIY Calendar July 2020

These sunflowers are really fun to color with Stampin’ Blends. I have a pretty simple formula: follow the lines, start dark in the center and end up light on the ends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers DIY Calendar July 2020

It’s hard to see, but I added a l’il Wink of Stella to the center of the flowers. Stella makes EVERYTHING better. I’ve also used the masking technique to add a little dimension. There are die cuts for this set if you prefer that look, and they’re sold as a bundle with the stamp set so you can save when you choose both!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Celebrate Sunflowers DIY Calendar July 2020

These little calendars are really fun to design, and they’re gratifyingly small when you need a little project to start and finish all in one go. I have both the 2020 and the 2021 calendar pdf available, and if you’d like one please click on Contact the Maui Stamper to securely provide your email address. Each pdf is $5 and you can make all the copies you like, making it a great purchase for a crafty gift. Be sure to let me know if you want 2020, 2021, or both!

Please visit Crystal and Cheryl to see their July calendars. It’s our pleasure to share these images with you every month for your inspiration and amusement!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Bonus Days Promotion July 2020

Ready to add some sunflowers to your crafty stash? It’s a great day to do it – July marks the return of BONUS DAYS and you’ll earn a $5 reward to spend in August for every $50 in merchandise you purchase in July. You can get started right HERE.

DIY June 2020: Birds & Branches

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I’ve got a little preview for your today. On Wednesday the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog will be live and available for your shopping pleasure, but I have a peek at a charming new stamp and die bundle that’s all about feathered friends.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar June 2020 Birds and Branches
Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar June 2020 Birds & Branches

Look at their little birdie feet!!!

I sponged the leaves on the branches for a little depth – it’s amazing the impact you get from a small step like sponging.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar June 2020 Birds & Branches

And there’s NEWS!!!

I am AMAZED by how many of you are chomping at the bit for your 2021 DIY Easel Calendar pdf. As of today, the pdf fairy is granting your wishes! Please use the contact me button at the top of the blog to send me your email, and I’ll invoice you for just $5. When your invoice is paid, I’ll email you the pdf with the 2021 monthly calendar pages (4 to a sheet), a page of covers should you choose to give the calendar as a gift, and a sheet of cutting instructions.

Ready for more inspiration? Stop by to see what Crystal and Cheryl have created for June. You can still shop the Last Chance list at the Online Store through 11:50pm MDT/6:50pm HST on June 2, 2020. The 2020-2021 Annual Catalog will be available by noon MDT/8:00am HST on June 3, 2020.

Farewell to Tropical Chic: May DIY Calendar

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Tropical Chic is one of my favorite, go-to suites, and it’s retiring on June 2, 2020. It will have a permanent place in my archives, for both practical and sentimental reasons. This set is the one I am most sorry to see retire this year.

Maui Stamper Tropical Chic May 2020 DIY Easel Calendar

The Tropical Dies are on sale for $18.90, and I can highly recommend them even as a standalone product without the stamps (although why you would do that is beyond me, but a lot of things are beyond me, especially lately). There are beautiful tropical leaves and a versatile “leaf window”.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Tropical Dies 146831

I used these dies to create the Save the Date cards for my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding this past January, and I cut a LOT of Tropical Leaves!!! It’s amazing that my dies are still working so well, because I really put them to the test.

Maui Stamper Tropical Chic May 2020 DIY Easel Calendar

I used the last few Grapefruit Grove Enamel Dots from my stash of Happiness Blooms embellishments for the center of these hibiscus. A true hibiscus has a gorgeous, feathery style, but that’s a very difficult thing to create out of paper, much less embellishments. I’m happy with this look even if it’s not perfectly botanically correct.

As always, Cheryl and Crystal have creations to share in our little monthly Blog Tour. I hope you’ll stop by and see what they’ve come up with for May. If you’d like to add a set of Tropical dies or any other Stampin’ Up! product to your craft archive, please shop HERE.

A Chunky Lamb for April

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Happy First of April!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar April 2020
Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar April 2020

I’m smitten with this little sheep, with her posture and her fluffiness. I can’t decide if she’s doing a seated wide angle yoga pose (Upavista Konasana) or if she’s a cheerleader doing the splits, but I know this: she’s pretty flexible!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar April 2020

Crystal and Cheryl have calendars to share as well on this April morning. Please stop by and say hello! And if you need a little Wink of Stella or your own Chunky Lamb, please shop HERE. There’s also a brand new early release suite from the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog called Ornate Garden – be sure you check it out! That big bold THANK YOU is going to be amazing.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Ornate Garden

Sparkly Ladybugs for March

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Little Ladybugs is a charming collection of images suitable for young and old alike. I think that makes it perfect for my March DIY Easel calendar!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Little Ladybug March 2020 DIY Easel Calendar
Maui Stamper Stampin Up Little Ladybug March 2020 DIY Easel Calendar

I used my Snips to fussy cut all the Ladybugs (Officially Lady Bird Beetle, from the family Coccinellidae. (There are dies, I just didn’t have them at hand!) If you are using anything other than Stampin’ Up! paper snips, do yourself a ginormous favor and spend the $10. You won’t believe how they will Change Your Life.

I’ve seen a lot of them colored with red wings, but I just couldn’t do it. This girl clearly has her hands full with those four roly-polys, and she needs a little sparkle to get through the day. I certainly would.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Little Ladybug March 2020 DIY Easel Calendar

I’ ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (and again, and again). That field of poppies image from Peaceful Poppies might just be the best image in the entire January – June spring catalog.

If you’d like your own 2020 template, click on “Contact the Maui Stamper” and I’ll send you an invoice. For $5, you can print all the calendar pages you’d like! And for those of you EARLY BIRDS who are looking for 2021, hold on! We’ll get there, I promise, and you’ll be the first to know.

Stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal are doing for March. If you’re ready to do a little shopping to start the month of right, head over to the Online Store.

February DIY: Lovely Lilypad

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WHOOSH!

February is upon us and January is in the rear view. I’m glad there will be an extra day in February this year, because I need it! (See previous post, lol.) Here’s to the turn of the calendar:

I wanted to use the embossed image technique for the Lilypad, but I wasn’t happy with what I was coming up with using the Blender pens, the Aqua painter, or the Stampin’ Blends, so I pulled out the actual, bona fide, genuine article – the paintbrush.

I’m not trained by any stretch of the imagination, so this was absolutely trial and error, but I had a great time and I’m happy with the results so I count it for a win! A little Wink of Stella gives it a little shine.

Do you make your own DIY Calendar? It’s quick and easy, and so gratifying to see on your craft desk every month. Click on “Contact the Maui Stamper” above if you’d like to purchase your own calendar – I sell the pdf for just $5 so you can make as many as you like.

Stop by to see what Crystal and Cheryl are doing for February. And if you’re ready to shop, visit the Online Store!

The Gang’s All Meer for 2020!

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Happy New Year! January First is the original fresh start, new leaf turned over, time to renew…you’ve heard them all. It’s also 2 days before Sale-a-bration 2020, and I think it’s safe to say that The Gang’s All Meer will be a huge favorite.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up The Gang's All Mere SAB 2020
Maui Stamper Stampin Up The Gang's All Meer SAB 2020

I used our Watercolor Pencils to color the image and softened the lines with the Blender Pen. I took the liberty of adding hair-bows to a couple of the ‘cats and even added a little color on lips and eyes.

I was able to add those fine details because I found a LIFE CHANGING pencil sharpener. Really. This tool has a little dial on the front, and you can have it make your pencil super-dee-duper sharp or wider and softer for coloring. Life changing, I tell you!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up The Gang's All Meer SAB 2020

It comes in turquoise or pink or black (ho hum) and you can even get a two-pack. I got mine on Amazon.

Maui Stamper 2020 DIY Calendar

The 2020 DIY Calendar PDF is still available and it’s just $5. Please click Contact the Maui Stamper above and message me your email (we’re all a lot less likely to be spammed if I do it this way).

Crystal and Cheryl are sharing their calendars again this year – stop by to see how they’re kicking off 2020.

And of course, if you need supplies, check out the Online Store. The Holiday Catalog will be finished, kaput, complete at close of business Mountain TIme on January 2nd.