DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: DECEMBER 2025 TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS

Hi there friends! Welcome to the last calendar hop of 2025. Our calendars provide a little snapshot of what Stampin’ Up! released during the year, and it’s fun to reminisce. In December, I’m taking advantage of the gorgeous Traditions of Christmas Designer Series Paper to give my calendar a little extra pop.

These gold-enhanced, watercolored flowers come straight from the DSP and are die cut with the coordinating Christmas Greenery dies. I also cut the holly leaves with the same dies, giving them a little ink brush with my dauber to add dept.

The past couple of months I’ve been double-matting my calendars. This month, the design just begged for a little extra glimmer around the edge. I don’t expect to do it every month, in fact I don’t think it’s usually necessary – but I did it in December!

December is such a busy month, and Mr Maui Stamper and I were away for almost 3 weeks in November so I’m kicking into high gear! Using DSP is a great way to save a little time. Stop back on December 31st when I’ll have my annual DIY roundup – all 12 months in one glorious post!

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created this month. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

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!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: BRANCHING OUT (again!!)

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!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: OCTOBER 2025 BRANCHING OUT

Welcome back to DIY Calendars! We’re so glad you’ve stopped by this month. Be sure to take a look at what the rest of the crew has created for October.

  • Stamps: Branching Out, Everyday You and Me
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Timid Tiger, Old Olive, Pecan Pie, Pretty Peacock, Blackberry Bliss
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stampin’ Dimensionals

October is always a bit of a predicament for me. I don’t want to look at a Halloween motif all month, although I know some of you have already had your decorations up for 3 weeks. 😉Maui doesn’t really have fall colors, and we don’t wear fuzzy sweaters either. But we do have lots of beautiful plants, and I ultimately chose my colors based on what’s in my garden.

I used Everyday You & Me, an older set currently on the Last Chance List, with Branching Out, a new set from the September – December 2025 Mini Catalog. Both have smaller foliage elements that combined surprisingly well. I confess there are no pine cones in my garden, but my Royal Poinciana has massive pods, and I decided that was close enough. Did I give you enough fall vibes??

Everyday You & Me is available as stamps, dies and a bundle. The bundle is NOT discounted, but the stamps and dies are. And the LAST CHANCE page has been updated today! Check it out.

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what my crafty friends have created in October. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

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!!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: SEPTEMBER 2025 LONG TIME NO SEE

It’s the first of the month, and it’s time for another DIY Calendar! The DIY Team stands ready to inspire you this month and every month. Fun Fact: We do not discuss what we’re doing each month. The other posts are as much a surprise to me as they are to you! Let’s see what’s happening in September.

  • Stamps: Long Time No See, Textured Notes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Summer Splash, Granny Apple Green, Fresh Freesia, Memento Black
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template (2026 is now available! see below), Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, So Swirly Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’m not usually on the Cute Animal Train, but I made an exception with this set. My husband grew up with dachshunds, and he tells some pretty fabulous stories. When we were first dating, the dachshund in residence was Max, and he was a very stubborn dog. But that’s a story for another time…

If you look carefully, you’ll see the Summer Splash mat is embossed with the So Swirly 3D Embossing Folder. I don’t usually do that, but when I went to find a scrap for the mat, this one was there begging to be chosen. Why not? It’s kind of fun.

Now go and see what the Team has created for September!

Did you think I would forget 2026? I know some of you have been waiting for September!! Yes, the 2026 template is available. You can now purchase and download it right away – no more waiting til it’s daytime in Maui for me to respond 😆

Technology has a price, though. The template will be $6 this year, just 50 cents a month! You’re welcome to print multiple copies for yourself and for gifts. You are purchasing JUST a template: you’ll need to print and trim the pages.

I recommend Stampin’ Up! Basic White standard card stock. My printer doesn’t give me a crisp enough image, so I take my template and my paper to my local print shop. It’s worth the effort. I hope you’ll enjoy making your own DIY Calendar!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: AUGUST 2025 CHEERS AND SIPS

Happy August, and welcome back to DIY Calendars! We’re glad you’ve stopped by for a little late-summer inspiration. I’m thinking cool and refreshing adult beverages this month with the Cheers & Sips bundle from our Online Exclusives line.

Mr Maui Stamper is a fabulous bartender. He’s a measure twice, cut once kind of guy anyway, and during the pandemic he put that mindset to creating refreshing adult beverages. He’s become an expert, and I’m always happy to test his new creations!

I had a lot of fun blending watercolors for this card, but not half as much fun as he has blending spirits and mixers. So yes, Cheers to Us!

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created in August. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? 2025 is still available, and 2026 will be available next month. I know some of you are champing at the bit to get to it!

The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

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

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: JULY 2025

I blinked and it was July. We have 6 months of beautiful DIY Calendars behind us, and 6 ahead – so let’s get started with this one! I’m featuring a brand new set, available today, called Perfectly Pears.

  • Stamps: Perfectly Pears
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Old Olive, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lolly, Darling Duckling
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Perfectly Pears dies, DIY Calendar Template, Daubers, Blender Pen, Masking Paper

Not much to this one! The outlines were first, done in Old Olive. I inked the pears in Darling Duckling, then added some Granny Apple Green with a dauber. I gave them the lightest of mists before I put them to paper. The flowers are outlined in Darling Duckling, colored with a Blender Pen in Daffodil Delight and Lemon Lolly. I added Granny Apple Green to the centers because there was a lot of yellow.

I die cut the leaves and added them across the top for a little dimension. I considered die cutting the “front” pear but yeah, nah. The leafy branch isn’t included as a stamp, so it had to be a die cut.

You can find Perfectly Pears in the Online Exclusive release for July. But I’m warning you, there are a lot of glorious new products in the Online Store!

Ready to see what the rest of the DIY team has done? Click the button below to see! And thanks for stopping by this month.

2026 Calendars will be available in September!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: June 2025

Welcome to the June DIY Calendar Blog Hop. I took a look at the last few months and decided it was time I focus on something other than FLOWERS. Almost everyone loves them, but I think there can be too much of a good thing! My June calendar is definitely different:

  • Stamps: Along These Lines, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Memento Black, Basic White, Secret Sea, Misty Moonlight, Azure Afternoon, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stampin’ Blends, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was inspired by Jay Soriano’s blended ocean background. He does a masterful job of creating a smooth transition in his colors. I chose a slightly different palette from Jay, but I followed his technique and was very pleased with the outcome.

If you don’t have Elements of Text, consider adding it to your next order. It’s my GO-TO set whenever I need a little extra something. Well. On a card, anyway. 😉

I fussy cut the dolphin so they would really stand out. I considered masking them, but I was afraid the movement of the brushes might dislodge the masks. They’re small and simple, and fussy cutting allowed me to put one of them up on a dimensional.

Please take a moment to follow along on our hop and see what Malia, Cheryl and Sharon have created for the month of June. We’re very glad you chose to join us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

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

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: PRETTY FLORALS FOR MAY 2025

HAPPY MAY DAY! Welcome back to DIY Calendars! We’re so glad you’ve joined us today for a little May Day inspiration. I’m featuring a new bundle from the soon-to-be-released 2025-2026 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. I think you’ll love Pretty Florals!

  • Stamps: Pretty Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Bubble Bath, Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine, Pretty Florals dies, Blending Brushes, Stampin’ Write markers

I struggled a bit, thinking this was too plain, but ultimately decided I could let go and be happy with simple. The background is lightly brushed with Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia, Bubble Bath, Pool Party and Lost Lagoon to create an ombrè style gradation, and I added a few Stampin’ Write marker flicks.

There aren’t any other embellishments – you could easily add some bling or even another set or two of flowers, but I held back. I’d love to hear what you think.

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created in May. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

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

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: MARCH 2025

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 that Stampin’ Up! included in the spring Scrapbooking Brochure, but I think it’s perfect for cards and calendars.

  • Stamps: Everyday You and Me
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Fresh Freesia
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Gold Open Weave Trim, Glue Dots

Have you seen Everyday You & Me? There are trendy stamps and dies and some absolutely gorgeous Designer Series Paper, but it’s easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. Here’s my tip: when you visit the Online Store, look for the button that says “What’s New” and choose “Shop All”. You’ll see new catalog products, new Online Exclusives, new scrapbooking products, and new kits all in one place.

That would also include this gorgeous gold Open Weave Trim. We had silver a while back, and I used it a lot. It’s gorgeous on packages, but you can smoosh it behind a focal point or unweave it a bit for an unstructured accent.

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created in March. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

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

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: JANUARY 2025

It’s a new year, and we have new things in store for you! I’m delighted to have two new crafters joining us, and I think you’ll love what they have to offer. Sharon Bukert of As the Ink Dries is a seasoned Stampin’ Up! demonstrator with an expert eye for design and color. Malia Webb of Crafted by Malia is a relatively new demonstrator who has grown up in the business. She’s the daughter of Cheryl Hamilton, who you know as Create with Cheryl, and it’s a thrill to have two generations of crafters on this blog hop! Crystal Kondo is taking a break for family reasons.

Welcome to 2025, welcome to the blog hop, and welcome to all of our new friends! I’ve chosen an almost-available new stamp set from the January-April 2025 Mini Catalog for this month: introducing Terrific Toadstools:

  • Stamps: Terrific Toadstools (available January 7), Seaside Wishes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar template, Paper Snips, Brushed Brass Butterflies

I wanted the largest Toadstool to be Poppy Parade, but the inside needed to be a neutral. I had a minor stroke of genius, if I do say so myself: I stamped the image on the calendar in Crumb Cake (stamped off), then stamped it again in Poppy Parade on a scrap. I cut out the middle and adhered it with “green glue”.

The little dits are from Seaside Wishes -I thought there needed to be some magic in the air.

Click on the button to cruise through the hop – you’re in for a treat!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

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

The January Paper Pumpkin Kit is Hearts for You. It contains everything you need to make 9 beautiful cards with champagne foil accents – just in time for all of your loving occasions in February and beyond. If you don’t have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, you can 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.

Want to see the September – December mini catalog as an online publication? Here you go! Many of these products are in Last Chance status – scoop them up before they’re gone!

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