Onstage 2025 in Brisbane

The past month has been absolutely glorious. Mr. MauiStamper and I have been traveling in the South Pacific – first to the beautiful South Island of New Zealand, and then Australia – with our firstborn and her partner. Last weekend, I took the train to Brisbane to attend OnStage 2025, the Stampin’ Up! Annual Crafting/Friendship/See-New-Stuff event. I can’t begin to put it all into one post.

Let’s start with Friendship. I’ve been chatting online with Lou Kitzelman (on the right) since 2018, and we got to meet in person at OnStage. She introduced me to Peta Stephens (on the left) on Thursday when I arrived. We had a FANTASTIC time together. These are my type of women: warm, friendly, kind, and slightly snarky. I didn’t have to worry about a thing: they made me an honorary Australian and I honestly feel as though we’ve been friends since forever. It was such a joy and privilege to spend OnStage with them.

One of the perks of going to an event like OnStage is seeing things in advance. Stampin’ Up! didn’t waste any time in handing out the 2025-2026 Annual Catalog, and even halted the presentations for 10 minutes or so to give us all a chance to take it in. Trust me, there is something for everyone in this edition, and it’s going to be a wonderful year as we explore every bit of it!

We previewed the 2025-2027 Stampin’ Up! In Colors and oh, my goodness, are we in for a treat! They’re all glorious, but you’re going to see a lot of Cloud Cover (that first light blue/grey tone) and Secret Sea (the third color, a deep, dark, almost-black-blue).

We saw lots of new products, too, and I’ll be sharing some here and some on Facebook. We’re not home yet, but we’ll there soon. Give me a little time to unpack and check out my garden and I’ll be back here soon.

In the meantime, enjoy the Sydney Harbor approach from aboard the return ferry from Manly Beach:

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IT’S LIVE!!!

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.

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happy new catalog day!

Are you ready?

Our beautiful new 23-24 Annual Catalog is available to EVERYONE!

text 2023-2024 Annual Catalog with craft images

And on top of that, we’re introducing another Kits Collection choice: Confetti Birthday Kit!

3 cheery cards and words confetti birthday kit

Make these fun shaker cards – everything you need is in the package.

Paper Pumpkin box with plant and rocks

Be sure to subscribe by May 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The May kit features outdoor landscapes and the new 23-25 In Colors. This is a card kit with an option to purchase additional cards and envelopes on May 2nd.

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.

December 2019 DIY

I’m smitten with #Elfie! He’s just the guy I want hangin’ out on my craft desk this month!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie
Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie

I went a little over-the-top with the Snowfall Accents Puff Paint. Well, actually, I went over-the-top with the Paper Snips, too. In the stamped image, #Elfie is leaning against the bottom of the signpost, but that makes the image too tall for a little calendar! I REALLY wanted to use this image, so out came the snips and I disassembled the whole business.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie

When I figured out how to settle him into a snowbank with the post popping out I was pretty pleased with myself. But…it looked a little empty. Maybe it was just lop-sided, but it needed something. That’s when I dug into my retired stash for the set from last year. It’s just the packages, and I could have probably hand-drawn them…HA. Imagine how successful that would have been!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar December 2019 #Elfie

This turned out just the way I imagined it, which is quite a feat. If you’re imagining your own set of DIY Easel Calendars for 2020, there’s still time to purchase the PDF! It’s just $5 and you can print your own set of months to play with all year long. Click Contact the Maui Stamper above and give me your email, and I’ll send you an invoice.

Be sure and stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have crafted for your inspiration this month! Happy December!

June 2019 DIY Calendar: Free as a Bird

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

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.

Availability of Coordinating Dies

There’s discouraging news from Stampin’ Up! this morning:

The Doily Builder dies have run out and are not being carried forward in the 2019-2020 Annual catalog. They are discontinued effective immediately.

The following dies are in low inventory status. When the supply is exhausted, they will also be discontinued as they are not continuing into 2019-2020:

In addition, the Hop Around and Call Me Cupcake coordinating dies (marketed as limited supply for SAB) have sold out. Stampin’ Up! has expressed concern about this situation, and understands it is a frustrating and disappointing experience for everyone. They’re working on a solution, but in the meantime, if these dies (or their associated bundles) are on your shopping list, place your order as soon as possible in my Online Store.

I’m heading into my craft room. Nothing cures the blues faster than a little time with paper and ink!!

Addicted to Happiness Blooms

Happiness Blooms is absolutely addicting. It has such a presence that it practically makes the card all by itself:

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Bloom By Bloom

. .

  • Color Palette: Night of Navy, Call Me Clover, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Bloom By Bloom

This card is just a few rectangular pieces of paper, one stamp, one color of ink, two short bits of ribbon, and some adhesive. The ribbon is made into loops and secured with Mini Glue Dots. The sentiment panel is raised on Stampin’ Dimensionals (which allows room for the ribbon to breathe). The colors are bright and suitable for nearly any occasion (except perhaps a sympathy card…I don’t think I would choose this design for that purpose.)

Pretty cards don’t have to be difficult! Have some fun with stamping. If you need supplies, check out the Happiness Blooms suite HERE.

A Bloomin’ Birthday

I’m channeling my inner ND Mom (thankfully, the days of tuition payments are over) with the colors in today’s card. I’ve always loved the various combinations of blue and green, and these particular tones bring back fond memories. The Happiness Blooms DSP is a real winner!

Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Bloom By Bloom

Stamps: Bloom By Bloom, Celebrate Your Day  (SAB 2019)

 Maui Stamper Stampin' Up! Bloom By Bloom

There’s still time to join us tomorrow night to make cards! I’ll have all the supplies ready for you to make 6 fun cards using this great stamp set – just $15. There will be a variety of sentiments so that you can customize each card to your needs.  Message me today!

Want your own stamps? Shop HERE.

February 2019 DIY: Hey Love

Welcome to February at the Maui Stamper! I’m celebrating with these crazy long-legged birds from Hey Love in the Occasions 2019 catalog. You don’t see them there? Well, I do have a little trick…

Maui Stamper DIY Easel February 2019 Hello Love

Maui Stamper DIY Easel February 2019 Hello Love

I masked off the little short legs that this birdie was given by the (awesome) artists at Stampin’ Up! using a sticky note.  I inked them in Memento Black and stamped them up and down across the calendar – and as you can see, one of them is on the way out. Using a Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker, I drew legs on each bird. I was inspired by Sharni Haines in THIS POST.

Maui Stamper DIY Easel February 2019 Hello Love

It’s not too late to create your own 2019 DIY Easel Calendar. I’ve made the pdf available for your personal use at a cost of $5. It includes 12 months plus a cover should you choose to gift your own version of a DIY calendar. Just message me your email and I’ll be glad to send you an invoice.

My favorite crafty buddies in the whole wide world have February calendars to share with you too. Visit Crystal and Cheryl for more 2019 goodness.

If you’d like to draw legs on your own set of birds, shop HERE.