All Abloom Gift Set

April 17, 2015April 17, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes we go back to our beginnings when we aren’t even thinking about it. Years ago when I first started paper crafting it was all about the paper and utilizing great tools. I was pretty tired and just started without thinking. Half way through I recognized where I was and just went with it.

After I picked this patterned paper from the All Abloom dsp stack I literally had to scrounge for some coordinating pistachio pudding paper. I try really hard to get through my in color stash before they retire. I will be so sad to see this one go.

Using the faintest of stamping, just color on color for the pistachio pudding strip, I enjoyed a little ribbon sewing. So simple, yet it gives a lot of texture and interest.

I used a couple of sheets to make the cute little matching bag. Any more I give a card with a tiny gift or treat, it is almost compulsory. I just love giving.

Have a creative day!

Moana

So Much Joy

April 16, 2015April 16, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

There is so much joy in every day life, why not in our cards and paper projects too?

When I saw this weeks specials on the Stampin’Up! site I knew I had to break out some tools and make something special with them together. Both framelits shown here plus the large pansy punch are all on sale. Plus a few other goodies that I don’t have, yet. I love a good sale!

I grabbed a piece of paper from the birthday bash set to set the color stage and gave it some friends with crushed curry and tangelo twist. Good friends. I knew I wanted to make a gate fold card and decided to anchor the fold with a flower. Since it was going to be layered, I knew it needed some strength.

Enter the awesome huge designer vintage faceted buttons. They are so fabulous! Just when you think you couldn’t possibly use a button that large, bam! The perfect choice!

So Much Joy

Lots of sponging, some glue dots, and a few dimensionals and here is another great set! I love it when everything comes together to create beauty like this.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

April 15, 2015April 15, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I wasn’t sure what I would come up with last night. I had pulled some product to work with, but when I sat down to do it, I wasn’t feeling it. Total do over. How about this awesome stamp instead? Absolutely!

I had been waiting until closer to Mother’s Day to use this beauty, because it so reminded me of my mom. She always makes flowers look beautiful, no matter how they show up. Even in rumpled newspaper.

I had to do echo stamping inside, but wanted my gift bag to mirror the stamp as well. I think it worked out pretty good, don’t you? Both the card and bag were made from one sheet of card stock, plus a little scrap to frame my stamped image.

I really couldn’t wait to make the little pretend newspaper on this image, like so many other stampers have done. It was so fun, even if it was a bit tricky. You should totally give it a try.

Just looking at this set under my spotlights makes me smile. I absolutely love them. With workshop coming this weekend, I might have to change a project? No, I will stay firm, but I don’t want to.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You With Elegance

April 14, 2015April 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

“When you feel terrible, can you still create something beautiful?” That is what I asked myself last night. I had an endodontist appointment yesterday that I thought was headed one way and took another. So, I wasn’t feeling very creative.

Or so I thought. I knew black was my base, I had been wanting to make something with black for several days. But the flower I wanted to stamp with I had just used and didn’t want to just create another card in another color. I pulled the Crazy About You set out and picked this flower out of it.

I was reaching for my momento tuxedo black ink when I saw the silver. I thought it could be cool to layer the stamping. Was I right or what?

I love how this turned out. I did learn, and please trust me on this one, that you have to clean your stamp after each layering stamp. I stamped in silver first and let them dry for a while. I went back in with the black, but it was picking up silver and then I was putting it back into the pad and getting silver in it. Not fun. So I ended up cleaning the stamp after each black flower was stamped. Not too tiring, but necessary. And yes, my ink pad survived nicely.

I placed just a few of the large basic rhinestones in the centers of the black flowers. It is kind of hard to tell with my photos, but they are the perfect touch. I added a touch of ribbon and left the sentiment out of it. They turned out very elegant. My matching gift bag has an angled purse look to it, and I absolutely love it.

Sorry for the long post, I was apparently feeling a bit chatty.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Mother’s Love

April 13, 2015April 13, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This card is clean and simple, but perfect. I just got back from a trip visiting family and getting my second ready for university. I just had to make a Mother’s Day card right away. I wish I could just walk it over instead of mail it.

I am normally a stamp, punch, lots of layers kind of girl. But this stamp set just didn’t call for it. The stamps go so nicely together. I can see myself using these flowers all of the time. But I made myself wait until now. I hate waiting, but I love the feeling of something new to work with.

I also don’t usually stamp sentiments inside. I like to leave them blank for whatever I want to write, which is usually lots. But this set had such a perfect companion sentiment that I just had to, and then show you. Isn’t it wonderful?

Mom’s are the best, so they deserve beautiful things like this to know how much they are loved. I have many friends whose mothers have already passed, but don’t we all know a mother we can celebrate? Of course we do! Truly a great project.

Get out there and have a creative day!

Moana

#You’re Welcome

April 12, 2015April 12, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Literally, one of my favorite things has become a card and matching box or bag. This little project set fits that perfectly.

The Balloon Bash stamp set is full of whimsy. The saying is all cute and pretty and then has the punch line at the bottom. How often do people forget to say thank you anymore. They really ought to make a card, but the words would do. This one just made me laugh.

Could the paper be any more exciting? The Birthday Bash Specialty dsp is almost full of energy. All kinds of confetti going on here. I stamped the sentiment I wanted and fussy cut it out. It didn’t look done, so I fussy cut a boarder as well. I do prefer a framelit or a punch, but we can’t have that every time. In the bottom corner I snuck a little star with a matching epoxy sticker over the top. Just right.

I repeated the pattern on some calypso coral card stock with the confetti stamp from the same set. Tone on tone is a beautiful thing. A little treat bag with some heart candy and topped with coordinating chevron ribbon. Just right. I did sneak some of the retired sale-a-bration ribbon to wrap around the french fry box, love that die cut, just to give it a hug. It really did come together pretty quickly. And of course I had to sponge absolutely everything. No holding back there.

Have a wonderfully creative day!

Moana

Cheerful Critters Party

April 11, 2015April 11, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

There are never enough birthday cards to be made, never. Sometimes I just dip into my stash of designer paper, pick a sheet, and get working from there.

That is exactly where these two came from. Of course I love the Cheerful Critters stamp set. I know I teased it at first, but I have fallen in love with it every time I use it. Really, how cute are these guys!

I absolutely love my inside stamping to coordinate with the my card front. It makes me very happy. To the point that I have a hard time leaving the inside blank. Kind of like doing your hair. Everyone can make the front look nice, but the back needs just as much attention, or so my brain says.

I had a fun time using my stampin’ write markers on this guy. I have such confidence issues with them and making it look smooth. But I have to say, this one didn’t turn out too bad. Maybe I can do it after all.

And let me just say one more time, the perpetual birthday calendar stamp set is so absolutely wonderful. I use those little guys all of the time. Since they are designed to accent different months of the year, they go with everything. How perfect is that!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Blooming With Kindness Trio

April 10, 2015April 10, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This set started with an experiment, had some problems, then turned the corner and gave me something beautiful. Pretty fun experiment there.

I started out wanting to use pink pirouette, saraha sand and very vanilla. The papers looked lovely together, however, the way they looked on the very vanilla compared to whisper white made all the difference.

The pink looked so different on the vanilla that it made it look like my card stock was the wrong color. That was odd for sure. But I loved the paper I had created using the huge flower from the blooming with kindness set, so I had to get creative.

I made other cards using the front and inside bits I had stamped on the very vanilla. Then I made another background piece on whisper white and the pinks were much more friendly. And I ended up loving the secondary cards more than my original. How about that?

Even though my results went a bit off, I do love the look I made. I stamped the flower with versamark ink onto the card stock and quickly sprinkled iridescent ice powder on the wet ink. I heat set it and while it was still tacky I hit it again with the powder and heat set it again. You can kind of see how shiny and sparkly it is.

Each card got a different sentiment, and they are all so beautiful. My daughter is the one that said we had to have the set. She was so right, my creative buddy.

Remember, there are no mistakes in art, only opportunities.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Throw Back Thursday with Essence of Love

April 9, 2015April 9, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I so enjoy dipping into my older stamps to create something. It is easy to get caught up in all of the new product available. It is the perfect reminder that I love all of the stamps I buy, and they should still get used, even if they are retired.

As you can tell, this floral stamp still looks as crisp and beautiful as the first time it got used, which was nearly ten years ago. I even pulled out some retired paper. That venetian romance dsp set is so beautiful. I opened my last pack of it to make these cards.

I loved mixing all of these elements together. Any time I get to use oranges I am a happy crafter. This particular card set brings together all of my favorite things. Flowers, butterflies, elegant ribbon, more flowers, lots of orange (tangerine tango), and the most beautiful sentiments ever. Like I said, my favorites.

With all that said, get into your stash of your favorite things, make something beautiful, and have a creative day.

Moana

Guy Greetings Woo-Hoo!

April 8, 2015May 28, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This was an awesome set to make! I couldn’t stop giggling at this little muscle man saying woo-hoo! Really, so funny. I was going for masculine here and think I nailed it.

The gift bag here is a tall one but still came from one sheet of card stock. It measures 1 x 1 x 7.5. Yup, pretty darn tall. I think one of those huge candy bars would be awesome inside. I like how I always want to put candy in my bags. I did put some fairly stout items inside and my linen thread handle still held strong. I couldn’t have a ribbon handle, no too girlie.

The mix of the image with the typeset paper along with the muscle man gave it a very vintage look. I sponged everything to continue the look. Even though you can’t see a lot of it, I think the alphabet embossing folder gave the texture I needed.

So how about you dig into your stamps and make something that brings a grin to you and the person you give it to. That is why we do this after all, right?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Birthday Bash

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The happiest of birthday wishes start with an awesome card and the wonderful things you write inside. Doesn’t this set just look like a party waiting to happen?

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how to proceed with the framelit banner pieces. They are so adorable, but tiny and stuff. But, as always, it came together and looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. How fun!

Everyone needs a friend though, even an adorable card. Hence my continual need to make a matching bag or box to go along. The stamping tone on tone made the perfect connection, don’t you think? Treats and a gift card seem the perfect fit for this darling little bag. It measures 2 x 2 x 3.5. In case you wondered, I made both of these treasures from one sheet of card stock. How perfect!

Have an absolutely wonderful and truly creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You Little Birthday Buddy

April 6, 2015April 6, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the times where you don’t even have to think about coordination much at all. I wanted some chevrons in a baby card. Done. Pull the matching colors and some awesome tools and there you have it!

A girlfriend had asked about baby shower invitations with some of these components and I made some demos. They decided to do something different with photographs and never got to see these. So, I got to have the design fun and get to use the projects myself. Sounds like a win to me.

This little matching bag is not quite the size of the matching card, but it is so precious. Just right for a tiny gift and a gift card. What more could you ask for?

I think the little characters in the Little Birthday Buddy set are so adorable. I had fun coloring this toucan with the coordinating ink colors using blending pens. You always have the right marker color with those awesome tools.

Day one of the Utah trip has begun nicely. I got a surprise visit from my niece and got to shower my mother with beautiful cards. Awesome. Now I get to help her get caught up on her paper pumpkin kits. Also awesome!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Adventure Awaits the Best Day Ever!

April 5, 2015April 6, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This day was so much fun. I know the Best Day Ever set is a retired sale-a-bration item, but it was the theme for the day. First of all, it was the first day of a long awaited spring break. Awesome!!

I have been working ahead to get ready for a trip to Utah with my family. We are going to get some awesome things done, getting my second child all ready for university, and spending more time with other family. Specifically, my oldest already at university and my parents. Talk about yummy!

Could this bag be any more awesome? I loved how the ribbon is tied and dangles all cool. I got the idea from the card below, when my knot was just too big for the spot I had. I was determined, and then cut off too much, and then loved the discovered result. So I put it to work properly on the bag. Love it!

These cards remind me of graduation. There are so many kids I know graduating this year, and these feel like a great send-off. Of course they are going to need a gift card inside, what graduate doesn’t need those?

To top it off, my daughter just made me smile. We had gotten our nails done and she just stated that we needed to make a card with our nail colors. Mission accomplished, and then some!

So, she called this #bestcardsetever! How cute is that?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hello There Vivid Vases

April 4, 2015April 4, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Good Morning! Saturdays are busy, so I don’t always get to post first thing. But it is still technically morning, so it counts. And what a lovely morning it has been.

I had an itching to water color. The vivid vases stamp is simple, but gives a lot of opportunity to play. And play I did. I actually had out seven different inks if you can image it. I love color! Especially when it is subtle like in this project.

I just got my colors out and an aqua painter. Enough said. I stamped my image in stazon on water color paper and then got painting. I used soft sky as my main color because it was the color of the water in my vases. It turned out so lovely.

I had some extra paper from the sheet I cut into, so I turned it into a matching sour cream treat container. Just right for sure.

I also got to showcase the lovely lace embossing folder. Isn’t it so beautiful? I finished off both projects with coordinating seam binding ribbon. I love that stuff. I think I actually have all of the colors. That is unusual for me, I am more selective than that.

Have a super creative day!

Moana

Mixed Bunch Work of Art

April 3, 2015April 3, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I have Easter on the brain and these are the colors that keep coming to mind. So saffron and pear pizzazz. They are so lovely together. This might suggest I am ready for Easter. Ooops, I am not. I still have a bit of time though.

So, are you a card person, a bag or box person, or do you need a matching set? I keep going back and forth. But I do like a bag that is beautiful enough to be a card as well. This bag is big enough to hold a nice gift for sure. Almost too big for candies. Wait, is there a bag too big for candies?

I used the same stamp to decorate each piece to tie the set together. But, since they have the same sentiment, I wouldn’t use them together. They just coordinate nicely.

Either way, I enjoyed making them. I also hadn’t had the work of art set out for a while. That one just begs for a quiet afternoon to play with it. When does that happen anymore?

Well, I am off with my girls to enjoy our first day of spring break. Shopping and nails then lunch. Wonderful for sure!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Part 2 with Gift Cards as Promised

April 2, 2015April 2, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

These little cards are just so cute. And yes, all eight of them do fit nicely in yesterdays box project. It was hard not to share them together, but I managed.

I thought the cards were perfectly sized to write a tiny note and put in a gift card. This would be a great stash to have on hand. The cards were made simply with 1/4 of a page of card stock and then scored in half. That way I was able to make all of the card fronts from one sheet of whisper white.

I stamped the whole page and then chopped it into eight pieces. How easy is that? It was super easy,no questions.

Now, you need to go try something fun like this. Have a creative day!

Moana

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

April 1, 2015April 1, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about a big gift box for a change. I had to control myself and keep the cards separate from this post. You can see them tomorrow. Eight fit inside. Curious? Check it out tomorrow.

I used one sheet of 8.8 x 11″ cherry cobbler card stock for this box. Just some basic scoring, one tiny punch for a notch and a few snips. Then, the box is there.

I made a top with another layer of cherry cobbler, giving an 1/8″ border, with a stamped whisper white sheet also cut with another 1/8″ border. Simple stamping and some sponging. I had planned on putting flowers on top, but it was just too much.

So here we are, a nice simple box. It measures 6.5 x 4 x 1. Plenty of room for the cards I made to go inside, or something else fun and exciting for sure.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Today is the last day of Sale-a-bration. So sad, but happy because of all of the beautiful and fun products I have been able to enjoy. I thought I would celebrate by giving myself a gift.

I started out with this gift bag in mind. I took a whole sheet of Irresistibly Yours DSP and sponged it like crazy with blushing bride. It was so beautiful just sitting there on my desk. When I cut the large pieces I needed for the bag I had a good portion left.

So, of course I had to make a set of cards to go along. The Yippee-Skipee! stamp set is chuck full of wonderful sayings, six all together. A great set to have, really. I have used it like crazy.

All I knew when I sat down is the color scheme and the designer paper. I was more than pleased when they all came together. The cards all fit so nicely inside the gift bag.

My Denali said that set spoke of lovely rich chocolate. So perhaps I will have to find just the right one to complete it. I really love this set. I love that I do this!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hello There Painted Petals!

March 30, 2015March 30, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Bringing together my favorites once again. This whole painted blooms and painted petals brings me so much joy. Pairing it with this beautiful hello there phrase makes it work!

I think I could use the painted petals suite exclusively for some time without getting bored. Maybe that should be a challenge for me. Just how many different things can I make, while having them look different, from the same set. I like it!

Of course the paper I am showing here is either side of the same sheet. Yup, awesomeness on both sides! I just love that!

And my little punch buddy. That bow builder makes anything look wonderful. I even have a couple made up that just sit on my desk. They are adorable even all by themselves. What a treat!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Gold Soiree with Banner Blessings Part 2

March 29, 2015March 29, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

And these are the other sides of that pretty paper from yesterdays post. Can you see why I had such a hard time choosing? Both sides are just so wonderful.

I hadn’t had the Banner Blessings set out for a while. I still love it as much as I did the first time. So fun and filled with beautiful wording.

I did have this ready this morning, really I did. But the day has been more than full. And most of it has been wonderful. The other part? Let’s just say that taxes aren’t nearly as fulfilling as creating cards and the like. Oh well, sometimes we have to be human and get things done.

I can’t wait to send these out to special friends. They really were fun to make.

Have a creative night, what’s left of it.

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

Author: moanaj

All Abloom Gift Set

So Much Joy

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

Crazy About You With Elegance

Mother’s Love

#You’re Welcome

Cheerful Critters Party

Blooming With Kindness Trio

Throw Back Thursday with Essence of Love

Guy Greetings Woo-Hoo!

Balloon Birthday Bash

Crazy About You Little Birthday Buddy

Adventure Awaits the Best Day Ever!

Hello There Vivid Vases

Mixed Bunch Work of Art

Part 2 with Gift Cards as Promised

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!

Hello There Painted Petals!

Gold Soiree with Banner Blessings Part 2