May by the Seashore

Posted on May 1, 2015 by mauistamper

Happy May Day! Here in the blogging universe, it’s also Mini-DIY-Calendar-Blog-Tour-Day! Take a peek:

I was terribly disappointed to see By the Seashore on the list of stamps which will retire June 3, 2015. The images are beautifully drawn and I’ve used them for cards, packaging, calendars, tags – just about anything.

I’ve just about convinced myself to purchase it as a wood mount stamp – I bought it in clear, and I will absolutely add it to my permanent archive.

I have a confession: I pulled one other thing out of the archive. I bought <many> bottles of Champagne Mist Glimmer paint before it retired a couple of years ago. I have tried to refrain from sharing those projects, but it’s irresistible here. I’m sorry if you don’t have any.

Please take a moment to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done for the first of May! And Happy May Day!

A cheery Easel Calendar for April

Posted on April 1, 2015 by mauistamper

Sunny yellow flowers are perfect for spring:

The color theme is Hello Honey with a little Pear Pizazz and some Basic Black. I love a basic black and white theme with a pop of color, don’t you? Stamps are Gorgeous Grunge and Bordering Blooms, with the Itty Bitty Accents punch pack shaping the flower. I used Glue Dots to add a little bit of dimension to the flower without really popping it up. My Chalk Marker added just a little highlight – white but not too bright!

These little calendars go together quickly, and they’re really satisfying to complete. It’s such a pleasure to have one sitting on my kitchen counter!

No April Fools here – head on over to see what Crystal and Cheryl are doing for April.

Nuts About You: March 2015

Posted on March 1, 2015 by mauistamper

March is a little nuts, so Nuts About You seemed just right for the March calendar:

Stamps: Nuts About You
Color Palette: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizazz, Old Olive, Tangelo Twist, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede
Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Stamp n’ Write markers

I used sponge daubers to color the tree stamp in order to get smooth coverage, and the markers to color the bird and the possum. It’s fun and it’s silly – kinda like me!

Nuts About You is a Host set. They’re in every catalog. You can’t buy them with dollars, only with host dollars. If you host your own order and earn host benefits, you can earn them all by your lonesome!

Check out what Crystal and Cheryl have done this month.

You Make Me Happy: February 2015

Posted on February 1, 2015 by mauistamper

Is it February already? Oh, my…time for a new calendar:

I started thinking Valentines, but ultimately just kept the pink color and skipped the holiday. Pink is such a happy color. It’s a different sort of happy from yellow, a calmer, more serene kind of happy – at least to me.

“You make me happy” seems a lot like “I like your face”, but said more subtly.

The first of every month we have a teensy weensy DIY calendar blog hop, so go see what Cheryl and Crystal are doing for February.

And be happy!

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2015 by mauistamper

I love a fresh start!! A new journal, new goals and dreams…and a new calendar!

I love this goofy fox. He looks annoyed by the rain. Silly fox. Rain is a wondrous thing!

Visit Cheryl and Crystal to see how they’re starting off the New Year. And a Happy New Year to you and all of yours!

DIY calendar – February 2014

Posted on February 1, 2014 by mauistamper

Do you speak the Language of Love?

My own DIY calendar this month combines banners and pennants from the Language of Love stamp set featured in the Occasions catalog. I’m not a huge fan of hearts, but there’s something different about this set – I {heart} it! (I can hear you groaning…)

Clear #133077 $12.95 Wood #133074 $16.95

There’s a punch for the pennant and a framelit for the banner too – but the truth is I hand cut them both. I know some of you refuse to acknowledge that is an option, but I enjoy it. I wouldn’t want to do loads of them, and I draw the line at curves, but these are pretty straight forward and I can handle them.

Colors are Melon Mambo and Soft Suede. I added some Gold Baker’s Twine and a little tiny Diah-mund to sparkle it up. The pennants are on dimensionals too. Just because.

We’re running a mini-blog-tour the first of every month to share different versions of the DIY Calendar concept. Go visit Crystal and Cheryl to see what their February calendars look like, and be sure you give them a little blog-loving; (comments!). And although we’re one month into the New Year, it’s not too late to make your own. Click HERE to order your own DIY calendar kit – they’re $8 with the easel and $5 without (plus shipping.) Pull down those stamps, pull out that ink, and have a little calendar fun!

A new year, a new calendar

Posted on January 1, 2014 by mauistamper

There’s something refreshing about turning the calendar page, and the most exciting turn of all is from December to January. Good morning, 2014!

How better to start the year than with one of my favorite Stampin’ Up! color combinations – Pool Party and Island Indigo? We’ve actually had a bit of rain here on the dry side of the island, and it’s always a sign of blessing and a cause for celebration. These beautiful drops from the My Friend stamp set are just right to start the year, especially with some sparkle. I’m big on dreams and goals, and appreciate a little reminder to keep it positive sitting on my desktop.

This year my first-of-the-month Calendar post will be a Triple Treat – Crystal and Cheryl are posting calendars too! Take a look at their projects for a little more inspiration. If you’d like to create your own calendar, I have DIY calendar kits available. They’re $8 with the easel, $5 without (plus shipping) and you can find more details HERE.

I’ve been doing a lot of reflection as January first has approached, looking ahead to a new year. In my quest for inspiration I came across the Vivid and Brave website – and a list of journaling prompts for 2014. What a find!!! One of the prompts is Clearing the Clutter – and as a self-confessed pack-rat, I had already identified this as one of my highest priorities for 2014. However, the one that really started me thinking was What word or phrase will you eliminate from your vocabulary this year? So many directions to take that…my mind is spinning with the possibilities.

Thank you for reading The Maui Stamper – it humbles me to think that you’re taking time out of your day to see what I’m up to. Whatever your plans for 2014 might be, I wish you comfort and contentment.

Thank yous after the gifts

Posted on December 29, 2013 by mauistamper

I was so busy making Christmas crafts this month that I completely forgot about thank you notes. Yesterday I sat down to write a few and realized I didn’t have any cards made! (Well, there were a couple – but they were boring.)

One of my orders this month included some Crumb Cake Note Card envelopes, sized for 3 1/2″ x 5″ note cards. Oh, Crumb Cake, you are such a versatile neutral! (Don’t tell on me, but I still call it Kraft. It’s the Stubborn Girl inside.)

Too Kind and Four You stamp sets
Naturals White, Primrose Petals and Crumb Cake card stock
Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals and Crumb Cake FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pads)
Two Way Glue Pen
Dazzling Diamonds (don’t tell Mr. Maui Stamper!!)

That “grass” is just the stem image turned upside down and stamped all katty-wompus.

These flowers NEEDED the sparkle that you can only get from Dazzling Diamonds. So much Christmas sparkle is floating around our house that I’m pretty sure he won’t notice this extra bit. Christmas cards, ornaments, packages – all kinds of contraband covered in glitter has been sneaking into our house!

How about turning 180 degrees? Crumb Cake goes from flowers to grunge!

Gorgeous Grunge, Off the Grid and Hip Notes (sneak peek!) stamp sets
Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake card stock
Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Early Espresso FFIP
Linen Thread
Epic Day This n That Washi tape
Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi tape (another sneak peek!)
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Stampin’ Sponges

Flags are still hot, washi is very hot, and washi flags are easy as can be. Stampin’ Up! washi tape is sold in coordinating packages of 3, saving you money and time.

Speaking of saving yourself time and money, don’t forget to order your DIY calendar kit for 2014. $8 with easel, $5 without.

Complete details are HERE.

DIY Easel Calendars

Posted on December 22, 2013 by mauistamper

Did you enjoy my calendars this year? The first of every month, I’ve shared my design for a small calendar page that sits on an easel in my kitchen. I’ve offered this as a class locally, and I’ve had a couple of requests for the pages. I’ve decided to offer a DIY calendar kit – here’s what you’ll get:

12 printed pages with the month and days, pre-cut
12 colored card stock mats (colors listed below)
a wooden easel, just the right size
a clear box for gift packaging

The kit includes mats in Soft Suede, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, Pistachio Pudding, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wisteria, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight. You choose the images and ink you’d like for your calendar. You’re welcome to use mine as a starting place, and I’ll continue to post a new calendar page every month through 2014. As a matter of fact, I’ve joined with two friends who have done similar projects, so on the first of every month we’ll have a Calendar Mini-Tour!

The box is a perfect fit when the calendar is assembled. (It looks even better once you’ve stamped the pages!!)

Cost for your calendar is $8 with the easel, $5 without. Shipping is by flat rate box at $5.80 if you include the easel, first class mail ($.66) without. I can put multiple calendars in the flat rate box. Payment is by paypal – complete the form and I’ll respond with an invoice. Leave a comment or send an email if you have questions.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Want to see the 2013 Calendar? Here are quick links:

I’ll ship them out lickety split!! And in case you’re wondering, flat rate boxes from Hawaii generally reach most places in the US in 3 business days. I’ve got kids spread across the country, and I’m a Flat-Rate-Expert!!