30 Day Challenge: Boys are back in town

There’s a new card challenge on Instagram, hosted by the very talented @MartinMayhem. He’s a Stampin’ Up! Artisan and has come up with 30 days of card prompts to keep us inspired.

I’m not very good at challenges because I have consistency issues. Today’s card is a case in point: this is the prompt from Day 3, which was, oh, I don’t know, a few days ago. But hey, there’s a pandemic on, I’ll make my own schedule. RIGHT?

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted In Nature

I wanted to soften that Whisper White card stock just a little. I experimented with a couple of techniques and came up with the idea of the Stamping Sponge. You can layer the color and it keeps the image crisp, unlike watercoloring that blurs the edge.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted In Nature

I added a few leaves on the inside too. That leaf is from Timeless Tropical rather than the Rooted in Nature leaf, as I preferred the serrated edge for this card. If you look closely, you’ll see a little line detail on the Garden Green strip between the two sets of leaf panels.

Martin Stone is a Stampin’ Up! Artisan and you can find him – and his challenge – on Instagram @martinmayhem. You might be inspired to try one of his challenges too! He’s quite generous about timing, so pick a day, any day, and make a card!

If you need supplies, the Stampin’ Up! warehouse is still shipping! Shop HERE.

August 2019 DIY: Lilypad Lake

It’s been HOT. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere have had some really hot summer days in the past few weeks, and here in South Maui it’s been no exception. When it’s this hot, the best place to be is on the water! I’ll be there as much as possible this month, even when I’m at my craft desk.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar Lilypad Lake July 2019

I usually look through the previous months when I sit down to create a new calendar card, but apparently I haven’t done a very thorough job! When I reviewed the first half of the year, I found birds and flowers. Lots of birds, and lots of flowers. I know, you’re shocked, right? I needed to break the pattern this month.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up DIY Easel Calendar Lilypad Lake July 2019

You could create this calendar in just about any color combination you like, and I think it would be fabulous in rainbow hues. I’m pretty smitten with Pretty Peacock right now, especially as that’s about the color of my ocean in the late afternoon.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit Crystal and Cheryl and see how they’re keeping cool in August. If you’d like to make your own calendar, I’ve made the 2020 pdf available. Each calendar page is 3.5″ square, and I pair them with a 3.75″ mat so they fit very nicely on the small wooden easels available in just about any craft store. The pdf is $5 and you can print as many copies as you like! Contact me and I’ll send you an invoice.

Keep cool! And shop HERE!