2024 DIY Calendar Year in Review

It’s the last day of December, and it’s my tradition to review my DIY Easel Calendar month-by-month. Are you ready? Let’s start with JANUARY:

A handmade calendar page for January with the pink roses and green leaves

I started the year with Stippled Roses for January 1, 2024. This particular image is really easy to color because of the shading marks in the stamps.

Painted Lavender was a carryover from last year, and the idea of fields of lavender seemed romantic for February. See the details in my post on February 1, 2024.

Tropical Leaf was a very early Online Exclusive, and it is tailor-made for a gardener-crafter like me. Check out the original post on March 1, 2024.

Planted Paradise was the perfect image to recreate the vibrant colors of the crotons in my garden, You can see them in this post for my April calendar

In May I stayed with a garden theme! I chose strawberries from Ice Cream Swirl. See the original post on May 1, 2024.

Time for a change – off to the ocean! Seaside Wishes has been a go-to stamp set all year. Read the details for this calendar page in June 1, 2024.

I featured the lemon with its blossoms from Citrus Blooms for July in honor of my own dwarf Meyer Lemon. You can see the details on July 1, 2024.

In August, I chose warm tones and the flowers and butterfly from Spotlight on Nature. You can see it all HERE.

Bee My Valentine is a year-round stamp set! Look at this adorable pollinators featured in my September 1, 2024 post.

These gorgeous blooms are from Regal Flora, which sadly moved to the Last Chance list at the beginning of December. You can see the original post on October 1, 2024.

Happy Hibiscus is a KEEPER! It’s an Online Exclusive that I hope will be around for a long time. Learn more in the November 1, 2024 post.

Every year it comes sooner! Whoosh, it’s December! It feels as though Stampin’ Up! really met us in the tropics in 2024. You can see this post from the beginning of this month HERE.

And 2024 is a wrap! I hope you’ve enjoyed this review. Comment on this post and share which month is your favorite. You can pick more than one – clearly, I can’t decide, so I won’t ask you to! I create my calendars month by month so that I can use the newest product. However, in review you’ll notice that many of these products are now retired. And tomorrow we begin a new month, a new year, and an exciting surprise with a new DIY Blog Tour! Make sure you pop in for a look.

If you feel inspired, you can create your own calendar for 2025. The 2025 DIY Template is just $5 and you may use it to make as many calendars as you like. It includes a page of covers, 12 monthly calendar blocks (4 to a page), and a set of cutting instructions. The blocks are designed to be cut to 3 1/2″ square. Please be patient if you order in the next couple of days – it’s a busy time.

Contact me to make your payment – I use Square to invoice, and you don’t need an account to use it. Be sure to leave a message in the comments space so I know you’re a real person and not spam.

Thanks for following the Maui Stamper and sharing in my crafting journey. Tomorrow starts a New Year, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you. Aloha 🌺

DIY OCTOBER 2024: REGAL FLORA

Didn’t think I needed another flower. Didn’t think I needed Regal Flora. Didn’t think I WOULD BE SO WRONG!

  • Stamps: Regal Flora (and yes, you need it too!)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pebble Path, Petal Pink, Calypso Coral
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Regal Flora dies, 24-26 In Color Shimmer Gems, Dauber, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This is such an easy technique to add depth to an image. Ink your stamp (I used Petal Pink) and dunk your dauber into another color (Calypso Coral in this example). Gently tap your dauber – you don’t want a circle of color, you want a gradation. Stamp! And admire your cleverness.

I also stamped off the Pebble Path background twice before I added it to the calendar page, and once before I stamped it for the stems.

I featured Regal Flora twice last month on the Maui Stamper, and pretty much stole THIS idea for my calendar. (HERE is the other one.) I could have chosen another color palette, but I like this one. Choose what you like at the Online Store.

Be sure you take a minute or two to visit Create with Cheryl and Hannie Joy and Crafts to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for their October calendars. We’ve been making them since 2012 (wow). If you need inspiration, check out the archives!

Have you been waiting for the 2025 DIY Easel Calendar template?? It’s ready!!! Contact me and let me know you would like an invoice – it’s just $5 – and I’ll get it out to you ASAP. Be sure and give me your correct email address!

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

Check out the September – December mini catalog. You’re gonna love it! So much crafting.

Are you a scrapbooker? Stampin’ Up! has released a new, digital-only scrapbooking brochure. It’s designed to coordinate with the September – December mini. Shop HERE.

Be sure to check out the Online Exclusives available ONLY in the Online Store! Many of my favorite bundles are there, but you’ll never see them in a paper catalog.

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.

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JULY 2024 DIY: CITRUS BLOOMS

I just added Citrus Blooms to my stash during the June bundle sale, and it didn’t take long to make a plan for my July DIY Calendar. Mr Maui Stamper and I are anxiously awaiting our latest crop of lemons and I have Citrus on my mind.

  • Stamps: Citrus Blooms
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Citrus Blooms dies, Stampin’ Blends, Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2024 DIY Calendar template

The blossoms are sparkly with a li’l Wink of Stella – that’s to remind me of their heavenly fragrance. This little powerhouse of a tree is right outside my kitchen door, and oh, does it smell good!

This is a dwarf Meyer Lemon, and it is incredibly fruitful!

We add lemons to our cooking, make lemonade, and of course we enjoy a few refreshing adult beverages. There’s nothing like stepping out the kitchen door and picking what you’ll eat or drink. Gardening and crafting are my creative favorites.

How did we color before Stampin’ Blends? My Daffodil Delight Blend gets a lot of use, so I just ordered a new set. Oh, the joy of coloring with brand new Blends!

If it’s time to freshen up your blends or treat yourself to Citrus Blooms, shop the Online Store. And please take a moment to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for July! You’ll be glad you did.

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.

Bonus Days is back! Start earning from July 3 (this Wednesday) and find a $5 coupon in your email inbox for every $50 you spend. Redemption is in August and there’s no limit!

Painted Petals is the July Paper Pumpkin kit. It includes everything you need for 9 cards and envelopes, and features easy-peasy die cuts and a gorgeous floral box. Every Celebration, an exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 third quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by July 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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MAY 2024 DIY: ICE CREAM SWIRL BERRIES

It’s May Day! And I’m thinking about SUMMER FRUIT. The Strawberry in the Ice Cream Swirl stamp set has been calling my name for days, and I’ve given it an entire month on my craft desk:

  • Stamps: Ice Cream Swirl, Sending Love, Bee My Valentine
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lolly, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

The strawberry isn’t the focal point of the Ice Cream Swirl set, but I noticed it when I was editing my stamps to be current with the new 24-25 Annual Catalog. I’m a big fan of fruit in season, and we get beautiful strawberries from Upcountry Maui this time of year.

I masked the strawberries as I stamped them – I always stamp the middle first! After I colored them with my Blends, I thought it needed a little something more. I tried a bunch of options, but a little bird made me happiest, and you KNOW that’s how I make my decisions.

Thanks so much for visiting our little calendar mini hop! Please stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for May. We love to make these little calendars and share them with you.

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.

The Best There Is, the May Paper Pumpkin kit, contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes. It features woodgrain textures and masculine, earth tones . An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by May 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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APRIL 2024 DIY: PLANTED PARADISE

When I’m not crafting, I’m in my garden. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I have lots of plant, flower and tree stamps in my library! My April calendar is an homage to all the colors in nature:

  • Stamps: Planted Paradise
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Sweet Sorbet, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Shaded Spruce
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Sponge Dauber, Stampin’ Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals

For my colorful leaves, I inked the stamp in Daffodil Delight and applied Sweet Sorbet and Garden Green with a Dauber. I misted the stamp lightly with the Spritzer and stamped. I love the watercolored effect.

You might be thinking “OK, MauiStamper, it’s pretty and all, but what kind of plants look like that?”

Behold my garden:

This is Codiaeum variegatum, known locally as Croton (although that’s technically inaccurate). I have leaves this shape as well as plants with long, strappy leaves, and there are a number of other varieties common to the tropics. They love the climate and we love them!

Sweet Sorbet is retiring April 30th and I will miss it! But there are 5 gorgeous new colors coming to take the place of the 22-23 crew, and we will see them soon 😁

Thanks so much for visiting our little calendar mini hop! Please stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for April. We love to read your comments!

Say goodbye to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy of the Last Chance List HERE. All discounts begin on April 9th. To see the catalog offering, go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The 23-24 Annual Catalog offering ends on April 30th. See the Last Chance List for the Annual Catalog HERE. Just as with the Mini, all discounts will be effective April. 9.

Delicate Wings, the April Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and features precut paper pieces and butterfly designs, as well as champagne foil images, sentiments and labels. An exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 second quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by April 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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MARCH 2024 DIY: TROPICAL LEAF

Tropical Leaf is one of my favorite Online Exclusive products. There’s a stamp & punch bundle, and it’s perfect for any tropical location or plant lover. I’ve been meaning to play with the watercolor effect direct to stamps, and tried it with the leaf. Tell me what you think:

  • Stamps: Tropical Leaf
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Lost Lagoon
  • Accessories: Paper Snips, Stamp n Write Markers, Linen Thread, Water Painters, Spritzer, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue dots, DIY Easel Calendar Template

I started playing with ink and the water spritzer on the leaf. You can see in the middle row that I went a little overboard with the water! After some experimenting, I found that using the small Water Painter brush to move the ink a bit on the stamp (after spritzing, before stamping) gave me the result I wanted.

You can also see the difference between inked veins and inked-and-stamped-off veins in the second row.

The punch fits the large leaf in the stamp, and I chose to use the smaller one so I fussy cut the leaves. Look at the difference when you follow the edge into the shape of the leaf!

I used Stamp n Write markers to add a little drizzle to the leaves and the calendar page – Lost Lagoon for the leaves and Pool Party for the calendar. I tucked a few unthreaded strands of Linen Thread behind the leaves with a Glue Dot to evoke roots.

Take a moment to visit Cheryl and Crystal for their March calendars. We have such a good time putting these together (although occasionally there’s a moment of panic when you get that email that says “here’s my link” and you look at the calendar!!!) If you need a DIY template, they’re just $5. Send me a message and tell me you’d like an invoice and I’ll get it to you as quickly as I can.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The March Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for 9 cards and envelopes and coordinates with the Meandering Meadows Suite and the Garden Meadow Bundle. It features precut vellum and wood pieces and includes a bonus full stamp set. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by March 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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February 2024 DIY: Painted Lavender

This “Lavender Fields” image from the Painted Lavender stamp set is easy to overlook, but it’s my favorite. There are lavender fields in Upcountry Maui, and they’re such a beautiful sight in bloom. Even though they won’t be in bloom til late summer, I chose them for this month.

  • Stamps: Painted Lavender
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape
  • Accessories: Stamp & Write markers, Brushed Brass Butterflies

This is a simple calendar this month. No die cuts, no fussy cuts, no dimensionals – but I did choose to hand-write my sentiment. It’s my reminder to LOVE FIRST.

The stems are stamped twice across the page. with Lost Lagoon. I inked the flowers with Fresh Freesia, and then added more color with the Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape Stamp & Write markers. I love how the extra layers of color add depth, and those brass butterflies were the little bit of sparkle I wanted.

DIY Calendar Templates are still available – message me for yours. They’re just $5.

And before you move on to the rest of your day, stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have done this month. Painted Lavender is back in stock, so if you’d like to create with your own stamps, shop the Online Store.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the Stampin’ Up! year – Sale-a-bration! This year we’re featuring an unprecedented variety of products including LOTS of gorgeous, coordinating Designer Series Papers. See a digital copy of the brochure HERE or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

Say hello to the January April 2024 Mini catalog! See a digital copy HERE, or go straight to the ONLINE STORE.

The February Paper Pumpkin kit contains supplies for spring and Easter themed cards and treat boxes. An exclusive coordinating set of dies coordinates with all 3 first quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by February 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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