DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: APRIL 2025

Welcome to our April DIY Calendar Blog hop. Sharon, Cheryl, Malia and I hope you’ll be inspired. Our designs are designed for the DIY Easel Calendar, but you’re so crafty, we know you can do more with them. Let us know how you use our ideas!

  • Stamps: Impressions Abloom, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Boho Blue, Lemon Lime Twist, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Impressions Abloom dies, Gold Open Weave Trim, Low-Profile dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Impressions Abloom will be available on May 5th in the Online Store. It’s part of the May 2025 Online Exclusives release, but don’t be overly concerned about that. The best way to see ALL the new things is to log onto the Online Store and click on “What’s New” – don’t worry if it’s in a catalog or an Online Exclusive, it will all be there!

I used Elements of Text (currently available) to create a muted background. The leaves are stamped on top of the text, but the flowers are each die cut and adhered to the calendar. You could mask them if you’re not a fan of die cutting, but I like the additional dimension they have when they’re an added layer.

I’ve also added a bit of the Gold Open Weave Trim and some Low-Profile dots for extra shine. I absolutely love that trim, especially for wrapping packages! It’s ideal for a card as it’s very lightweight and adds no bulk.

If you’d like the 2025 template, please contact me. Be sure to tell me that you’d like the template and that you’re a real person – you’d be amazed how much junk is out there. The template is $5 (no April Fools, just five bucks!) You can print copies for yourself. I take it to my local printer and have them print on Basic White card stock.

Thanks for stopping by! Click below to visit the other blogs on the hop.

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DOUBLE POINT CARD: HAPPY HIBISCUS

When I started the Winterly Treetop Double Point card, I made two sets of the DSP. The second set sat around until I decided to try it with the Happy Hibiscus.

  • Stamps: Happy Hibiscus
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Blueberry Bushel, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lolly
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Happy Hibiscus dies and Hybrid Embossing Folder, Spotlight on Nature dies, Adhesive-Backed Shiny Sequins, Stampin’ Blends, Natural Tones Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I chose a different die from Spotlight on Nature. I doubled up the gorgeous Natural Tones Linen thread for a simple bow, and added a few shiny sequins for sparkle. And I really, really love the Happy Hibiscus Hybrid Embossing Folder. 💛

I left the interior of this one black too. When it’s time to add the sentiment, I’ll pencil a couple of marks with the interior panel in place so my sentiment falls behind the focal point.

What do you think? Does this one work? It’s a lot of white, but seriously, have you ever seen a blue hibiscus? I’ve seen lavender, but not blue.

Either way, you can shop for supplies in the Online Store.

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DOUBLE POINT CARD: WINTERLY TREETOPS

I came across the Winterly Meadow Designer Series Paper in my craft room the other day and started to play. The card design is called Double Point, and it’s apparently been around for a while – but it’s new to me! It’s a perfect way to use our beautiful paper.

  • Stamps: Winterly Treetops, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Wild Wheat, Blueberry Bushel, Shaded Spruce, Pretty Peacock
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Winterly Treetop dies, Spotlight on Nature dies, Stampin’ Blends, Iridescent 1/2″ trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I colored this birdie with Blends to make sure there was a perfect match with the DSP. I might have gotten a little silly with the Iridescent trim – I sliced it up into little strips. Can you use your imagination? Does it look just a little bit like a nest? Humor me.

The interior panel slides right out. I’ll add a sentiment in the center when I decide to send the card. I often leave off a sentiment if it’s easy to add at the last minute to give myself options.

I’m wondering if it’s worthwhile to make a tutorial for this card. I’m away from my craft desk for a few more days, but if you’re interested, leave a comment. In the meantime, you can shop for supplies in the Online Store.

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CORNER IN BLOOM: DELIGHTFUL WISHES

There are so many things I love about this card, and I saved it for the end of Sale-a-bration hoping you had already added Corner in Bloom to your order. If you haven’t, cross your fingers it’s still available.

  • Stamps: Corner in Bloom, Delightful Wishes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather, Lost Lagoon
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Delightful Wishes dies, Stampin’ Blends, Purple Fine Shimmer Gems, Stripes & Florals Mix & Match Cards & Envelopes, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Don’t miss out on the Stripes & Florals Mix & Match Cards & Envelopes. You will LOVE having them at your fingertips! And watch for the Textured Notes dies coming on March 5th – talk about an easy way to elevate your projects!

Today is the last day of Sale-a-bration 2025. Some of these products have really stolen my heart, and I hope you’ve enjoyed them as well. But in just a couple of days we’ll have a new selection of Online Exclusives, and in my humble opinion this is one of our best offerings yet! Stay tuned.

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TEXTURED NOTES:COLOUR INKSPIRATION #181

I am so overdue for a Colour INKspiration challenge! My life has been really full since the holidays, but when I saw this Colour combo I told myself I HAD to make time for it.

  • Stamps: Textured Notes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Azure Afternoon, Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Summer Splash
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Stampin’ Write markers, Party Dots, Pack Your Bags Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’ve tried a lot of methods to get those tiny flecks. The one that works consistently for me is to use a Stampin’ Write marker and flick the brush tip against the cap. That gives me uniformly small, evenly dispersed flecks and that’s what I want.

The Textured Notes dies are an absolute must for your crafty stash!! They will be available on Wednesday March 5th as part of the new Online Exclusive release. Don’t miss it! You NEED these dies. Best way to find them is to long into the Online Store and click on What’s New.

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CORNER IN BLOOM IN WILD WHEAT

This image is one of the single, not-a-corner images from Corner in Bloom, and the more I looked at it, the more I saw something wheat-like. I’m not a farmer, and I’m pretty sure I’m close but not quite on the mark with this, but it was close enough in my book. It had to be done in Wild Wheat.

  • Stamps: Corner in Bloom (SAB 2025), Translucent Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Wild Wheat, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Natural Tones Linen Thread, 23-25 In Color Opaque Sparkle Dots, 23-25 In Color DSP Pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals

We’re getting close to the end of the story for Wild Wheat and the other 23-25 In Colors. I confess I did not love Wild Wheat when I first saw it, and in fact compared it to something kind of yucky having to do with new babies. (Use your imagination if necessary.) But it’s worked its magic on me, and I’ll be sad to see it go.

The new Textured Notes dies will be available March 5th and they are AWESOME!! Put them on your list.

In the meantime, this is your final boarding announcement for Corner in Bloom. Doors will be closing SOON. Shop now.

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FRIENDLY SEAGULLS: THANKS

I grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and seagulls were the bird-soundtrack of our beach days. Their noisy calls and antics are a big part of my memory, and I still love to watch the rascals when I visit home. Needless to say, Friendly Seagulls (SAB 2025) was a must.

  • Stamps: Friendly Seagulls (SAB 25)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Wild Wheat, Poppy Parade, Gray Granite
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Perennial Postage dies, Mini Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder, Mini Alphabet dies, Wild Wheat Jute Twine, Toadstool Garden DSP (SAB 25), Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Mini Alphabet dies are the BEST!!! One crank of the Stamp Cut Emboss Machine and you have all the letters PLUS extras of the ones you use the most. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

If you live anywhere near seagull habitat, you need these stamps. If you vacation near seagull habitat, you also need these stamps. If you just like a lot of sass and attitude, well, you can guess what I’m gonna say. See them in the Online Store. But don’t wait too long – Sale-a-bration is winding down! You’ve got until February 28th.

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CORNER IN BLOOM: BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS

Today’s Corner in Bloom is a square card, a format I don’t often use because it requires a special envelope and extra postage. But this card just begged to be a square, and I couldn’t say no. (Please don’t judge me for talking to my projects.)

  • Stamps: Corner in Bloom (SAB 25), Something Fancy
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lolly, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Fern 3D Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Blends, Low-profile dots, Gold Open Weave trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Corner Rounder (retired)

As much as these flowers needed Daffodil Delight, that color was too much as the mat behind the colored image. I chose Lemon Lolly instead, and it’s surprising how much difference a small adjustment like that makes.

This layout is super simple – really just a bunch of stacked squares – but it makes great use of these beautiful corner stamps. Shop the Online Store for your own Corner In Bloom.

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SENDING LOVE WITH PERENNIAL POSTAGE

I’m crossing my fingers that the Perennial Postage dies stick around for a while. I especially like the look I get when I mask off the edges. They were perfect for this special Galentine:

  • Stamps: Sending Love
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Coastal Cabana
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Perennial Postage dies, Petal Pink Trim, Masking Paper, Blending Brushes, Low Profile Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I masked the edges of the large die cut to create that “postage stamp” look. I also masked off the mailbox and the circle in the middle of the “postmark”. I’ll tell you a secret: masking the mailbox was to make it easier. 😉 I used the Blending Brushes to create the backgrounds, and let me tell you, they are SO forgiving!

The sentiments in Sending Love are perfect. I like to use this one on the back of the envelope, too.

Hope your Valentines’ Day is sweet!

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A MAGICAL TERRIFIC TOADSTOOL

Today’s Toadstool Magic has a lot more white space. The Fern 3D Embossing Folder adds a woodsy feeling and a little texture to this simple layout.

  • Stamps: Terrific Toadstools
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Fresh Freesia, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green, Melon Mambo
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Toadstool Builder Punch, DSP Color Family Packs, 24-26 In Color Shimmer Gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was wasting time doing research online looking for card sketches and came across this one. Don’t know why it tickled my fancy, but it did – thank you, Tina!

Where do you stand on Terrific Toadstools? I confess I love these bright colors, but I recently spotted some talented crafters (more research, you know) working in neutrals and I’m going to give that a try, In the meantime, you can shop the Online Store for these beautiful, vivid tones. Thanks for stopping by!

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