I do a Happy Dance when Stampin’ Up! releases a bundle that includes masks. They generate such great images with a minimum of effort, and if you’ve followed me for any time at all you know I love a minimum of effort! I pulled out the Painted Pumpkins bundle to play with the masks again
I stamped a heap of pumpkins to color, die cut, and use on projects. It makes it so easy to create as they’re almost like embellishments. I stamped the Sweet Foliage image with Crushed Curry and used the Blender Pen to add a little extra color to some of the leaves.
I did make a Halloween card, but that sentiment is long retired.
This birthday sentiment is from Birthday Shoutout, a new – and fantastic – collection of birthday sentiments. It’s being released with the November 2026 Online Exclusives on November 3rd. Check it out!
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Welcome back to DIY Calendars! Thanks for joining us this month – and every month – as we share our creative ideas. This month, I’m using a bundle from the May-August 2026 catalog called Fern & Flora. It has tender sentiments and beautiful line drawn botanical images, making it a very versatile bundle.
I don’t often add 3-D elements to my calendars, but I wanted this sentiment to stand out. The original wording is “you make the world a better place” but I used a Blender Pen to hand-color the stamp and leave out the word “you”.
I wanted to see if the Blender Pen would work. We used to use Stampin’ Write markers for this technique, but since they’re no longer available I was looking for an alternative. It worked!
The panel of lines in the back has been stamped off to create a softer look. The calendar is mounted on a Highland Heather panel. It’s a color I don’t use very often, but I’m very happy with the way it combines with Mossy Meadow and Daffodil Delight. I’m debating on working my way through the entire Stampin’ Up! color collection – what do you think? There are a few colors that will definitely provide a challenge for me!
Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon and Cheryl have created this month. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!
Would you like to make your own 2026 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.)
The 2027 Calendar will be available in September. I know some of you are already counting the days! For now, it’s only 2026 that’s available.
You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
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It wasn’t my original intent, but this card turned out to be quite the girly card. ALL THAT PINK!!! Sometimes I surprise myself.
Stamps: Spotlight on Nature, Keeping Tabs
Color Palette: Basic White, Pretty in Pink, Granny Apple Green
Accessories: 24-26 In Color Designer Series Paper, Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Greetings of the Season dies, Stampin’ Write markers, Blender Pen, Pretty in Pink Bordered Ribbon, Transparent Adhesive Backed Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals
My original intent was to work with the Spotlight on Nature dies to see what I could do with them. I cut a circle from Pretty in Pink DSP from the Color Family pack, then cut a white ring with a larger circle to create a frame. I stamped the floral image from the Spotlight on Nature stamps onto a white card front, then layered the DSP with the opening over the image.
I used the marker to stamp method, coloring directly onto the stamp with my Stampin’ Write markers. Instead of filling in with Stampin’ Blends, I chose to use a Blender pen. The shading is softer and allows the details from the stamped image to show.
Need your own Spotlight on Nature bundle? Those dies are pretty awesome! Shop the Online Store.
Be sure to check out the Online Exclusives available ONLY in the Online Store! Many of my favorite bundles are there.
The October Paper Pumpkin Kit is Nests of Christmas. It includes everything you need for 10 beautiful cards and envelopes, and coordinates with the Nests of Winter Suite from the Sept-Dec Mini Catalog. New subscribers get 40% off their first kit when they subscribe by October 10th. Subscribe HERE by October 10th and use the code HOLIDAY40. (This offer is available to new subscribers only.)
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.
The 24-25 Annual Catalog is filled with inspiration. New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors are waiting for you!! 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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How can it be June already? Crystal got it right: May is like December, but without the presents. And, I might add, without the cookies. The good news is that when the month changes, so does the calendar page:
Stamps: Love What You Do
Color Palette: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, and Lemon Lime Twist
Accessories: Blender Pen, Stampin’ Write marker
I am THRILLED that Poppy Parade has made a return to the Core Colors. It’s always been one of my favorite red tones – that vibrant, orange red that says LOOK AT MEEEE!
There’s a big, gorgeous new 2018-2019 Annual Catalog that goes live today – what’s on your shopping list?? There are so many new colors – returning favorites and brand new shades to love – and I want them all. Ordering begins by noon Mountain Time today (June 1st).
When you place your order, be sure to enter Host Code 32K6EETG for a special new catalog gift. Hint: it’s all about color!
Crystal and Cheryl have June calendars for you too – be sure and stop by!
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.
