Welcome back to DIY Calendars! I’m grateful you’ve stopped by, and hope you’ll take the short tour to see what the DIY team has done in November. Be sure to read through to the end, as I have news about a fun new project.

• Stamps: Branching Out
• Color Palette: Basic White, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Pean Pie
• Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stampin’ Write Markers

I used the markers to create a few background splatters and to hand write the plant name. I just realized that I neglected the diacritical marks! There are two okina and a kahakō in the spelling of ‘ōhi’a lehua. I will fix that!

As I looked at the stamps in this set and tried to imagine alternative uses, I suddenly saw ‘Ōhi’a Lehua. I wasn’t sure it would work, but it’s close! It’s missing the bud clusters and the leaves that emerge down the stem, but choosing to eliminate those things allows the blossom to stand out. Let’s call it creative license.

I had ‘Ōhi’a Lehua in my garden – multiples, in fact. This is one of the first blooms I had and I was thrilled!

They were specifically chosen for my elevation and dry climate. They would grow, even thrive for up to 2 years, and then suddenly waste away. I wanted them to succeed so badly! After 5 separate plantings, I had to give up. Sometimes the garden decides what will grow.

Branching Out is a multi-season stamp set – you can see it along with its companion dies in the Online Store.

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created this month. Thanks for stopping by!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $6. Visit my secure page to make your purchase. (You can also find the page on the banner across the top of my home page.) You’ll receive links to download the templates in an email after you’ve paid. You’ll need to cut and paste those links into your browser. (You may need to check your spam folder to find that email.)

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

If you’ve gotten this far, Bravo!! In January, I’ll be debuting an exclusive PINTEREST board as a companion to the board the team uses. The new board will be for crafters who have purchased the DIY Calendar Template. While anyone will be able to see it, only the “members” will have access to posting and saving to the board. Details will be available in December by email to anyone who purchased the template from me. I can’t wait to see your creations!