Tag Archives: DIY 2023

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!

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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.

SEPTEMBER 2023 DIY: Abundant Beauty

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I’m really excited to share a sneak peek of a new product. The September-December Mini catalog debuts our first set of layering masks called Abundant Beauty. See if you think that’s an appropriate name:

A Handmade calendar page for September. It features 3 stenciled flowers in yellows and reds with green leaves.
  • Stamps: None (gasp)
  • Color Palette: Lemon Lolly, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade, Cherry Cobbler, Copper Clay
  • Accessories: Abundant Beauty Decorative masks, Regular and Small Blending Brushes, 23-25 In Color dots, DIY Calendar template, Wink of Stella, Paper Snips, Masking paper, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I gave my Blending Brushes a workout. It’s easy to align the masks as they are numbered AND have a notch in each layer so you can register them accurately. There are 3 sizes of flowers on the masks, but I chose the smallest one and repeated it.

I used masking paper to cover the 2 flowers that I placed directly on the calendar, and then brushed some leaves (a bit randomly, I’d say) around them. I brushed a third flower on a scrap of Basic White and cut it out with my snips.

The color combinations are ENDLESS. I expect this to be a really popular item, so shop the Online Store early! The Mini is available beginning September 6th.

I’ve had a number of requests for the 2024 DIY Calendar template. I’d intended to offer it early this month, but the wildfires on Maui have been very disruptive. My family and I are fine, and our home was unaffected, but our island is like a small town. I appreciate your patience – I’ll make the calendar available soon.

Cheryl is taking a break in September, but Crystal has a calendar for you. Take a look at her beautiful calendar! And thanks for stopping by today.

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

Just a few more days until our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Customers can place orders beginning September 6th. Let me know if you need a copy!

Online Exclusives are HERE. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Be sure to subscribe by September 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! With Love & Gratitude is inspired by Shelli Gardner. It includes eight treat packages (you can also use for small gifts) and eight miniature note cards with matching envelopes and specialty gold foil embellishments. Whether you need a hostess gift, a sweet surprise for dinner guests, or have another reason to give love and thanks, this kit has you covered.

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “With Love and Gratitude"

There’s also a beautiful journal available as an additional purchase exclusively for Paper Pumpkin subscribers.

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.

JULY 2023: INKED & TILED

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Inked and Tiled is my new top-of-desk fave! Today those flowers make a super-bloom meadow for my July DIY Easel calendar:

A Handmade desktop calendar for July 2023 with a field of yellow flowers
  • Stamps: Inked & Tiled, Lighting the Way
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Parakeet Party
  • Accessories: Daubers, paper snips, masking paper

I use daubers to apply the ink to the stamps. They’re faster than markers, and I think the coverage is better. After I stamped them on the calendar, I stamped the flowers again on masking paper and fussy cut them with my snips to mask the flowers. Such a mindless activity when you’re on hold (forever, and ever, and ever, and ever) with the tax department.

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

I ink the stem with the daubers first, then use Lemon Lolly on the top of the flower. I dip the edge of a dauber in Daffodil Delight and carefully add it to the base of the blossom. (Sometimes more carefully than other times!)

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

The background is stamped with an image from Lighting the Way – I think it’s a lightning bug swarm. I used Lemon Lime Twist, stamped off once to keep it soft and in the background. The background mat is Parakeet Party, because I liked it better.

Cheryl and Crystal have July calendars for your too! Please take a moment to see their work. We 💕💕💕 your comments!!

Create your own calendar template, or see details for purchasing mine HERE. For all other products, shop the Online Store.

COMING SOON!! Online Exclusives will be available starting July 6th. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Bonus Days are coming – just in time for your Online Exclusives order! Starting July 6th, with every $50 merchandise order you’ll earn a $5 coupon to spend in August. NO LIMITS!! Earn all month from July 6 to 31.

Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Make 9 accordion fold cards with the July kit. It includes a Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Spot and plenty of embellishments.

cartoon seashore scene with text "Fun in the Sun Paper Pumpkin Kit"

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.

JUNE 23 DIY: PLAYING IN THE RAIN

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I love this sweet little turtle from Playing in the Rain! Just the thing for a June calendar. A little spring rain is sure to yield spring flowers as well.

a small June 2023 calendar with a cartoon turtle
  • Stamps: Playing in the Rain
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Soft Sea Foam, Fresh Freesia, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: DIY Easel Calendar template, Stampin’ Blends, Water Painter, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips

My supplies ought to include the Big Boss and the Playing in the Rain dies, but the dies are temporarily AWOL in my craft room. It’s admittedly a big mess right now, but I’m usually pretty good about putting away stamps and dies. They’ll turn up, but in the meantime I had to fussy cut that little reptile.

I gave the clouds the softest wash with Lost Lagoon, and used Pool Party for the turtle-belly. The shell is Lost Lagoon and Soft Sea Foam, and the head and limbs are also Soft Sea Foam. I had a hard time choosing colors for this image, but I was happy with the softness that I got with this palette. It’s easy to create a color range with Stampin’ Blends.

This cute smile will bring me pleasure all month long!

Be sure to take a look to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created this month for their DIY Easel Calendar. If you’d like your own Playing in the Rain stamps (or if you need to replace your dies, doggone it!) shop the Online Store.

The text Designer Series paper Sale Stock up and save 15% and images of

There’s a Designer Series Paper sale in June! 15% off select papers – shop early to avoid any disappointment.

It’s a great time to become a demonstrator! Join my team and create the opportunity you want. Select your choice of product valued at $155 for just $99 and you can be a happy shopper, enjoy early access to upcoming products, and save on every Stampin’ Up! purchase you make! If you choose, you can build a business, but that’s not a requirement. Try it out risk free – JOIN TODAY.

banner paper pumpkin welcome inn

Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The June kit features 9 elegant, detailed cards. This is a card kit with an option to purchase coordinating dies while supplies last.

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.

April 2023 DIY: Friends are like seashells

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Every year when Stampin’ Up! announces the Last Chance list, there is at least one thing on that list that breaks my heart. This year, it’s Friends Are Like Seashells. I know there are wonderful things in the 23-24 Annual Catalog (cuz I’ve seen it!!) but I’m still sad. It will be bittersweet to see this calendar all month:

Small calendar with sea shells
  • Stamps: Friends Are Like Seashells
  • Color Palette: Shimmery White, Mint Macaron, Blushing Bride, So Saffron, Bermuda Bay – ALL RETIRING!!
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Seashells dies, Seashells 3D Embossing Folder, White 3/4″ Frayed Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I have mixed feelings about the retiring of our Pearl Basic Jewels. I don’t use them a lot any more, but I do love these tiniest peals. I’ll miss them but since they’re all I really love in the pearl assortment, it’s ok that they’re on the Last Chance list.

I used a cotton swab to apply the ink to these images. They’re mostly trimmed from the 3D embossing folder, and even the daubers were too big to have the control I needed for this project. Moving the ink around on Shimmery White paper is easy as it is very forgiving. You might want to pick up a few packages as Shimmery White is on the Last Chance list too.

I disassembled the Frayed Ribbon to get those yarn-like fibers. Ribbon isn’t sacred – I cut it apart and tease out the pieces to get the size and texture I want.

The stamps, dies, embossing folder, ink, pearls and ribbon are ALL on the Last Chance list! Shop early, shop often. Note carefully: the discounts are effective beginning April 4, but all items on this list are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Here are the updated Last Chance lists. If your list doesn’t say “updated March 31” you need to replace it with this linked list:

ANNUAL CATALOG LAST CHANCE

JANUARY – APRIL MINI LAST CHANCE

It’s the first of the month, so be sure to visit Cheryl and Crystal to see the DIY calendars for April. We really enjoy creating these little desk top treasures, and hope you do to. You can check our PINTEREST board for more inspiration!

Banner with Paper Pumpkin logo and mosaic-style flowers

Be sure to subscribe by April 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The April kit is called ALL THE LITTLE THINGS. It’s a card kit featuring iridescent foil accents – don’t miss it! 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.

There are some gorgeous new crafting options about to join the family! I can’t wait to get my hands on them! If you’d like to be first on your block to have them, ask me about the best paper crafting deal around – becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. Join on April 4th and you can choose these fresh new colors in your introductory kit. Or go ahead and take the plunge and JOIN NOW and place your first order in technicolor!