Ah, December, let me be a Peaceful Deer this holiday season! Let my crafting be inspired, my celebrations be joyful, and my scale be compassionate. Wouldn’t that be a perfect month?
Stamps: Peaceful Deer, Penguin Place
Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Just Jade, Pool Party, So Saffron
I’m working on my Stampin’ Blends technique – what do you think about this deer? I really need to take a proper class, focusing on technique and shading. It’s on my to do list, but I currently have 3 lifetime’s worth of things To Do!
I went slightly non-traditional in my color choices. I considered adding a red nose, or a red bow, but ultimately decided to skip the red and go for the softer, cooler tones. It’s in keeping with my December philosophy (inspired, joyful, compassionate) and I’m hopeful that I can live it out.
As always, Crystal and Cheryl have December calendars to share today as well. If you’d like to create your own Easel calendar, the 2022 calendar pdf is available for $5. Contact me for an invoice and I’ll get the pdf out to you right away.
It’s your Last Chance to shop the July-December mini catalog! Save up to 50%, but hurry! And news flash: BOTH the Deer Builder and the Penguin Builder punches are in stock!
The gorgeous Eden’s Garden suite includes stamps, dies, exclusive papers and embellishments available as a sneak peek of the January – June 2022 mini catalog. The dies and stamps will carry over, but the papers and embellishments are available only during this promotion. Get yours today and enjoy the holiday crafting options!
For my November DIY Easel calendar, I used a Blending Brush technique to create a background, then featured a sentiment from Create with Friends. What do you think?
Stamps: Create with Friends
Color Palette: Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Pale Papaya, Flirty Flamingo, Calypso Coral, Merry Merlot
Accessories: Blending Brushes
I began by masking across the top of the calendar portion. I found the center of the space above the masked line where I wanted to create my sunburst and used it as a pivot point.
I used a fresh piece of card stock as a mask and began by placing it diagonally through that pivot point, using the upper corners and the edge of my mask for alignment. I loaded up my blending brushes with Flirty Flamingo and starting blending! Once I was satisfied with the color intensity, I moved my card stock mask to the center of the calendar (again using that pivot point) and loaded another Blending Brush with Daffodil Delight. I have a few sets of brushes so that I can dedicate some to color like Daffodil Delight that don’t like to share.
Once I had the vertical and diagonal lines established, I moved my straight card stock mask around rather randomly, filling in the color as I liked. I enjoyed NOT measuring or calculating or planning ahead: most often I work that way, but I really enjoyed this spontaneous process. Maybe another time I’ll plot it out. Or not.
The final step was to add the sentiment in Merry Merlot to coordinate with the card stock mat I chose for November.
I confess I was a little nervous as I removed the mask across the bottom, but it must have been my lucky day and it came off perfectly. This is an easy technique that is adaptable to a variety of uses, and I’d love to hear what you think of it.
If you’d like to create your own calendar, the 2022 DIY Calendar PDF is available for sale. Click on Contact the Maui Stamper and send me your email and I’ll invoice you. It’s just $5, and you’re welcome to create for your own use as well as for sale. Please note this is a PDF – you’ll receive a file and print your own copies.
Be sure you stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for November.
I’ve embraced a Halloween theme for October this year. I don’t always, but this goofy jack-o-lantern from Clever Cat stole my heart. How can you resist him with that Sorting Hat on top?
Accessories: Big Boss, Forever Flourishing dies, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals
I fussy cut the cat and jack-o-lantern, and then cut apart a couple of leaf images from the Forever Flourishing dies to create some fall foliage (or what I imagine would be fall foliage, that’s not really a thing here on Maui.) Forever Flourishing is such a versatile set of dies!
Stampin’ Blends are my favorite coloring medium, hands down. I’m still learning different techniques for color grading and shadowing, but that doesn’t stop me from playing with them every chance I get. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s handmade!
Be sure you stop by to see what Cheryl and Crystal have created for October.
If you’d like to create your own calendar, the 2022 DIY Calendar PDF is available for sale. Click on Contact the Maui Stamper and send me your email and I’ll invoice you. It’s just $5, and you’re welcome to create for your own use as well as for sale. Please note this is a PDF – you’ll receive a file and print your own copies.
Ready to try your hand at these nifty little calendars?
It’s still just $5, and you can still make all the copies you want for gifting, personal use, or even craft sales. If a fellow crafter asks you for a copy, I’d be very grateful if you’d direct then to me for the PDF.Â
I recommend you print your calendars on Basic White card stock (regular, not thick). My printer has issues, so I send my file to a local print shop and use their high-end copy machines to get the best possible results. It’s worth the trouble to me!Â
If you need inspiration, use the blog search function and type in DIY. I’ve been making these since 2013 (gasp) so be prepared for some browsing.
I just need your email – click on Contact Me and I’ll invoice you. Once you’ve paid, your PDF, a page of 2022 covers (for gifting) and the cutting instructions will be flying to your inbox via the wonders of the internet!
If you’re in need of Basic White card stock or stamping supplies for your own DIY masterpiece, shop HERE.
Don’t put any money on this yet, but I think Hand Penned Petals may be my favorite set from the 21-22 Annual Catalog. I love the images, and what’s more, they are REALLY fun to color with Stampin’ Blends.
Stamps: Hand Penned Petals
Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Shaded Spruce, Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Big Boss, Penned Flowers dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Multi-Purpose Glue, Paper Snips, Blending Brushes
Because this image doesn’t quite fill the space, I was looking for something subtle to add behind it. I tried various leaves and backgrounds, but even when I used a very light hand it felt like too much. The moment I realized this was a perfect job for Blending Brushes, I knew I’d found what I needed.
I did a bit of fussy cutting and layered the flowers and leaves. It’s absolutely not necessary as this image stands on its own very well, but I was in a moooood.
Please take a moment to visit Cheryl and Crystal and see their September 2021 DIY Easel calendars!
And, yes, I’m happy to announce that today I have the 2022 DIY Calendar PDF available for sale. Click on Contact the Maui Stamper and send me your email and I’ll invoice you. It’s just $5, and you’re welcome to create for your own use as well as for sale, but please don’t share the PDF. Share the link to this post and encourage your friends to support a small business instead. You’ll feel so much better if you do.
Today begins Month #2 of SALE-a-bration 2021 #2! Your qualifying order earns exclusive merchandise free of charge, including Beautifully Penned 12×12 Designer Series Paper. It coordinates perfectly with the Hand Penned stamps.That’s what you expect from Stampin’ Up!, right?
In just a couple of days, Penguin Place – and a host of other new designs – will be available in the Online Store. I gave these little aquatic artists a tropical look. Who said penguins have to wear black?
Stamps: Penguin Place
Color Palette: Basic White, Bermuda Bay, Polished Pink, Highland Heather, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
I tried a number of penguin accessories, but in the end, I liked the fishing pole best. I used my paper snips to cut the thinnest strip possible from Crumb Cake card stock. I put a few tiny drops of Tombo on the back and gently placed a single strand teased from gold thread into place. I laid that into the penguin hand/paw/wing and then used a glue dot to position a fish I created with Polished Pink Stampin’ Blends.
I’m pretty pleased with that fish, because the entire reason I fell in love with rubber stamps is that I do not like the way I draw.
Choosing the direction of the gaze of each penguin ended up being a LOT of fun – I can see more stories to tell playing with that concept!
Please stop by and see what Crystal and Cheryl have to share for August! If you’re ready to shop, I’d be delighted to serve you as your demonstrator – shop HERE.
I’ve had a few enquiries about the 2022 calendar pdf. Never fear, it’s in the works and will be released in September.
TWO MORE DAYS TO SAVE ON DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!! DON’T MISS OUT – SEE IT HERE.
Flowers of Friendship is a brand new stamp-and-punch bundle in the 2021-2022 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog and it caught my eye the moment I turned the page. This wasn’t my vision at that moment, but as I thought about my July calendar I imagined these bright colors:
Stamps: Flowers of Friendship, Forever Fern
Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Highland Heather, Polished Pink
Accessories: Flowers and Leaves punch, Playing with Patterns Resin Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Water Painter, Ink refill
I chose to watercolor these flowers. I would have gotten different results had I thought to stamp and punch them from watercolor paper, but that’s not what happened today. You see, I’ve embarked on a massive project: I am giving my craft room the full KonMari. As a result, crafting has taken a bit of a back seat, and crafting supplies are no longer where they used to be.
I removed EVERYTHING from the craft room and heaped it in the hallway and the bedroom across the hall. Once everything was out I cleaned (massive clouds of cat hair, UGH.) There was also an astonishing amount of adhesive stuck to everything: countertops, floors, cabinets, you name it. Apparently when I get tired I throw glue dots at the wall! Slowly but surely I have been returning things with intention. I haven’t exactly used the “spark joy” technique, but I am being very discriminating about what goes back, and I’m thinking carefully about where things go. I’ve been at this for nearly 2 weeks and I’m not done.
The good news is that today I’ve made something, and that means that at least some things are where they belong! It’s quite satisfying to work in an orderly space – the chaos has been very discouraging.
And oh, did I love working with these summery colors! This flower reminds me of clematis, although I’ve never seen a vine with all of these colors. The July calendar will be a joy to see all month long.
If you’re as smitten with Flowers of Friendship as I am, head over to the Online Store. You can purchase select DSP on sale this month while you’re there! And please take a look at the July calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have created this month – I know you’ll be delighted by their talent.
I’ve had a couple of requests for the 2022 DIY template. It will be available late this summer or in the early fall. I’ll be sure to let you know here, and if you’ve purchased in the past, you’ll get an email to notify you it’s ready for sale.
It’s time for fresh strawberries: strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, strawberries eaten out of your hand with the juice running down! The Sweet Strawberry bundle is sadly on the not available list right now, but when it comes in, you’ll want to be first in line to get yours! I shared a strawberry card on Wednesday, and today I’ve made the May DIY calendar with the same images:
Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Gray Granite
Accessories: Strawberry Punch, Pearl Jewels, Stampin Dimensionals, clear raindrops from the craft archive (pretty sure it was a long past Paper Pumpkin)
Can I just say that Poppy Parade could easily be renamed Sweet Strawberry? I’m not very good with alliteration, but the folks at the Head Office seem to have made it an art form.
The designs in the about-to-be-released Natural Textures stamp set are right up my alley. I stamped off the Gray Granite in this case because I wanted to showcase the berries. These textural images will be heaps of fun.
Cheryl and Crystal have a calendar to share with you too! Please stop by and give them a little blog-love. If you’d like to make your own 2021 DIY calendar, it’s just $5. Click Contact the Maui Stamper and give me your email address, and I’ll send you an invoice.
You have just 2 more days to shop the Retiring List, which would be terribly sad except that it means we are about to have access to the ENTIRE new 2021-2022 Annual Catalog! I am ready to fill my cart – how about you?
Let’s not have a review of 2020 The Year, okay? I don’t know about you, but much beyond early March the story is all the same. But there was a DIY Easel Calendar every month in 2020, and we can take a look through those! Click on the link for the details on each project.
Not my usual style, but really fun in this format. These petite easel calendars are really satisfying in that way – there’s just a little space to design, but plenty of room for creativity.
Oh, I was sad to see this stamp set and the beautiful accompanying dies hit the retiring list! It’s in my archive of favorites and I know I’ll use it again and again.
This is the smaller flower, and the way it fit made me think of sunflower fields. I colored the images with Stampin’ Blends, which are one of the most forgiving coloring tools I’ve ever used.
In August I featured Timeless Tropical, our new tropical set. While it doesn’t replace Tropical Chic, I am thrilled to have these palms in my creative stash:
A simple design for a simple setting – there’s an ocean out there somewhere! Check the original post if you’d like to see my first, more detailed version.
Stampin’ Up! has gifted us with a wonderful assortment of stitched dies, and these leaves really take it to the limit (one more tiiiiime….🎶) They’re gorgeous left plain, but they were a lot of fun to spritz and watch the color move where it wanted.
I didn’t buy pumpkins or make a jack-o-lantern this year since there wouldn’t be trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood. I just wasn’t feeling Halloween, so it was a forest instead.
For November I previewed Dragonfly Garden, a gorgeous stamp set with a coordinating punch:
This stamp set will be available on January 5, 2021 as part of an entire garden suite and I predict you will LOVE it!
Finally, the beginning of this month I featured my out-of-this-word Poinsettias:
I’ve loved looking at these all month and I’m going to really have to work at it to top this one! (Who am I kidding? It’s done already and you’ll see it tomorrow 🤓)
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little stroll through my 2020 DIY year. If you’d like to make your own DIY for 2021, there’s still plenty of time! Contact me and give me your email address and I’ll send you an invoice via Square. For just $5 you’ll have a pdf of the calendars plus a set of covers so you can gift them to the people you love best.
And if you need supplies for any of the above, SHOP HERE. I appreciate it!
What is this Dragonfly Garden, Maui Stamper? It is not in my catalog!! It is not in my mini!!
Nope. You’re right. It’s a super-dee-duper sneak peek of a set we’ll all be lovin’ up big time in January. Demonstrators who signed up for our fall virtual event were given the opportunity to buy it early. And yes, I did!!
Stamps: Dragonfly Garden (2021), Right Triangle
Color Palette: Whisper White, So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Cinnamon Cider
Choosing colors for this was HARD. I went through multiple combinations, but this one felt right for fall. It was hard to keep it clean too – I started experimenting with backgrounds and quickly realized that in such a small space, less is truly more.
The 2021 Easel Calendar pdf is for sale! For just $5, I’ll send you a pdf and cutting instructions to make your own calendar. If you start this month, you’ll have plenty of time to make them as gifts, and this small format (3.5 x 3.5) is an easy size for creating. Don’t put your email in the comments – click on Contact the Maui Stamper to send it to me securely, and I’ll send you an invoice via Square. Requested one in the past and never paid it? No shame, I don’t judge, send again and we’ll get it done!
It will be time to order this soon enough – but this month there’s another sneak peek with a Christmas bonus!
This sneak peek bundle is available with benefits – you’ll get the stamps and dies that will be featured in the January – June mini catalog PLUS a coordinating Christmas stamp set and a stack of holiday Designer Series paper! Shop HERE and have it first on your block (Zoom block? It could happen!)
Ready for more November DIY Calendar inspiration? Visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they’ve created this month. And join us with your own!
The Maui Stamper 