An Owl in the October Woods

Posted on October 2, 2016 by mauistamper

Our calendar tour is a day late this month so that we could celebrate World Card Marking Day on October 1st. This little owl in an autumn wood will watch over my kitchen for all of October:

Stamps: Among the Branches (Holiday 2015, retired)
Color Palette: Tangelo Twist, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Accessories: Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals

In Hawaii, we have an endemic owl call the Pueo. It’s a diurnal, or daytime owl, but I’ve seen them most often at dusk. The silent flight of an owl overhead is always a spell-binding experience.

We don’t have many fall colors, but I’ve chosen to apply creative license to the tree my Pueo has chosen as a perch.

Visit Cheryl and Crystal to see their October calendars!

September Patterns

Posted on September 1, 2016 by mauistamper

These calendars are petite, and even detailed hand-coloring doesn’t take long:

Stamps: Lighthearted Leaves (Holiday 2015, retired)
Color Palette: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Rich Raspberry
Accessories: Leaflets Framelits (Holiday 2015, retired), Stampin’ Write markers

When you look at these three colors, they make a pretty bold statement. But their color values are very similar, and I think that’s what makes them work so well together. Color is a very personal decision, but I love this look.

I considered cutting out one leaf and popping it up on dimensionals, but when I added it to the calendar it didn’t do what I expected it would. Sometimes less really is more.

Check out the calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have designed for September.

The Holiday Catalog is LIVE today – check it out HERE! And be SURE to stop by tomorrow for my first ever Maui Stamper Holiday Catalog Favorite Things!!!

August on the Farm

Posted on August 1, 2016 by mauistamper

I’m smitten with these little farm critters:

Stamps: Barnyard Babies
Color Palette: Mint Macaron, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Soft Suede
Accessories: Paper snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aquapainter

It’s therapeutic to watercolor these three friends, and I didn’t mind fussy-cutting that little bitty billy goat. The longer I enjoy this craft, the more I don’t mind doing the little things that help me feel satisfied with my end result.

Now mosey on over, y’all, and see what Crystal and Cheryl have done with their calendars for August.

A July Calendar that’s NOT Red-White-and-Blue

Posted on July 1, 2016 by mauistamper

I finally did it! I broke out of the Fourth of July, Red-White-and-Blue bonds!

Stamps: Watercolor Wings, Botanical Blooms (2016 Occasions)
Color Palette: Pear Pizazz, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe (still retired)
Accessories: Butterflies Thinlits, Stampin’ Dimensionals

It’s addicting to play with the Watercolor Wings layers – there are so many options. I really do have to apologize for using Crisp Cantaloupe two months in a row. It was sitting on my desktop and I’m quite sure it was taunting me. I think that’s how I was able to break the Red-White-and-Blue-bonds!!

Time to check out the fireworks that Cheryl and Crystal have to share this month.

Dragonflies for June

Posted on June 1, 2016 by mauistamper

There are dragonflies in my backyard, and I love to watch them hover and swoop over the water – they inspired the June calendar:

Stamps: Awesomely Artistic
Color Palette: Tip Top Taupe, Watermelon Wonder, Crisp Cantaloupe (retired)

I ought to apologize for using Crisp Cantaloupe, but I just can’t do that. I bought it, I kept it, and I love it – it wasn’t my decision to retire it!! If you’ve got it, rock it.

Visit Crystal and Cheryl to see their June calendars!

May Flowers

Posted on May 1, 2016 by mauistamper

The soft tones in this month’s calendar welcome May to my kitchen counter:

Stamps: You’re Sublime (available wood and clear mount)
Color Palette: Lost Lagoon, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizazz, So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Watermelon Wonder, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Blender pen, Stampin’ Write marker

I gave my blender pens another chance and loved the soft tones I was able to achieve. The images are smaller – just right to practice. And I’m in love with this curious little wheelbarrow!

Take a look at the calendars that Cheryl and Crystal have created this month.

April Aloha

Posted on April 1, 2016 by mauistamper

This image looks a lot like the plumerias that grow in my backyard. It wasn’t intentional, but the serendipity makes me smile:

Stamps: Birthday Blossoms
Color Palette: Crushed Curry, So Saffron, Lost Lagoon
Accessories: Aquapainter

To be authentic, I should have added heaps of blossoms at the bottom of the calendar. Plumeria are as famous for their beautiful litter as they are for their ease of stringing into lei.

Take a moment to see what Cheryl and Crystal have done with their calendars for April. And if you’d like to shop, visit my Online Store.

A March Lamb

Posted on March 1, 2016 by mauistamper

I’m on an adorable animal kick for my calendar this spring!

Stamps: Easter Lamb
Color Palette: Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Cucumber Crush
Accessories: Wink of Stella Clear glitter brush, Stampin’ Write markers

I used markers to color directly on the stamp and the new Wink of Stella clear glitter brush to add a little sparkle to the fleece. Easter comes in March this year, so there has to be a little glitter!

This is the last month for Sale-a-bration – you have until the 31st to get your FREEBIES. Shop HERE.

Hop on over to see what Crystal and Cheryl have created for their March calendars.

It’s “Bearly” February

Posted on February 1, 2016 by mauistamper

We’re kinda short on bears here on Maui…but I found one for February’s calendar:

Stamps: Bear Hugs
Color Palette: Blushing Bride, Soft Suede
Accessories: Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I love that face! And I chose to fussy-cut the hat and the heart – I wanted them to be really tight to the edge.

Bear Hugs is available as wood mount or clear mount. It’s also available in a bundle with coordinating framelits. Shop HERE!

Visit Cheryl and Crystal to see what they have done for their February calendars.

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2016 by mauistamper

One of my favorite traditions of every New Year is a new calendar:

You may have noticed that I have a bit of a thing for birds. We have both North and South American cardinals in Hawaii, so I am especially fond of the cardinal from Joyful Season.

You have until January 4th to order these stamps for $17.85 (#139770). After that, when you decide you really SHOULD have gotten them, you’ll start looking on all the usual (extortion-priced) websites and beating yourself up for procrastinating. Shoot, you can knock off that Don’t Procrastinate New Year’s Resolution today! (You’re welcome!)

I have one or two DIY Easel calendar kits left if you’d like to make one. Details are HERE.

My BFFs Cheryl and Crystal are joining me again this year with a mini-blog-tour on the first of every month. Check out their calendar inspirations too!

And from me to you, with deepest affection, Happy New Year!