Author: moanaj

Kinda Eclectic with Flashback DSP

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Yet another dip into the awesome annual catalog brought out this beauty!  The Kinda Eclectic stamp set looked almost too trendy for my style.  I think we found a middle ground, don’t you?

Kinda Eclectic

We’ve got just about everybody involved today.  There is stamping of course, punches, framelits, stapling, and creative adhesive use.  Phew, what a workout!

Kinda Eclectic

Actually, it wasn’t that hard.  It really is great to have tools that are designed to create an awesome look so easily.  It makes a master crafter out of just about anyone.  You should really give it a try.

Kinda Eclectic

I used pool party, crushed curry and smokey slate.  I think the inside stamping really gives it a nice look.  And who doesn’t love a coordinating stamp and punch!

Kinda Eclectic

Well, I had better sign off and head to my next adventure.  It would be making twenty sour cream box guys for a camp meeting this evening.  How fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Tap Tap Tap

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I have to admit, when the spring catalog comes out I get a little distracted.  I sometimes forget the annual catalog and all of the stamps and products I love from it  This stamp set is one great example.

Tap Tap Tap

Isn’t it just so cute?  I made the cards a little different this time.  I put a masculine and feminine emphasis on each one.  It made me happy.

Tap Tap Tap

What really made me happy was this awesome bag!  I don’t know if someone else has made one with these dimensions before, but it is all new to my brain.  It was my families favorite.  It can hold a huge candy bar, and even several greeting cards.  How about a combo of both?

Tap Tap Tap

The typewriter is great, but I love the tap tap tap stamp.  It really makes me giggle. So, it had to get used as much as possible.  I would have done more if I could.

Tap Tap Tap

What products did I use for these projects?  Tons!  I worked in basic black with the Typeset Specialty designer series paper.  I accented in hello honey and blackberry bliss stitched satin ribbon.  I even played a touch with that super fun handheld stapler.  Much easier to use than my desktop one, much.  Of course I had to add petite petals in black with basic pearls.  I grabbed a sentiment for the bag from the Sale-a-bration stamp set A Happy Thing.  Really, tons of fun stuff here.

Now, how about you go out there and have a creative day!

Moana

Dear Heart and Cheerful Critters

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Today is totally out of my comfort zone, but I stuck with it.  It was hard not to add a ribbon or some sort of accessory.  Do the mini brads count?

Dear Critter

I took this cute little raccoon from the Dear Heart set.  I have enjoyed the little boys faces so much that I hardly noticed this guy.  I was ready to use the dinosaur instead, then I saw him.

Dear Critter

I couldn’t decide on a background, at all.  I had picked the sentiment from Cheerful Critters, but thought it would be a punch.  I actually went to bed frustrated with nothing but the raccoon colored.  In the morning I merged the two together.

Dear Critter

Even though I am not the most precise stamper when it comes to things like this, I liked the results.  But I have to admit I did rummage through the ribbon one more time trying to add something else.  I stayed firm though and left it as is.

I used smokey slate as my primary color for the paper, stamping, and blendabilities.  I only used a bit of real red for the focal sentiment.  All good? Thought so.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cheerful Critters with Snuggles & Smooches

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Working with pretty paper is always a ton of fun.  I decided to pick out a sheet of designer series paper and go for it.

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

This paper is from the Sweet Taffy set.  The whole pack is really fun, exciting, and full of bold color.  You are seeing both sides of one sheet today.

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

That is probably my greatest frustration with some of the paper packs.  Which side do you love more?  Well, today I used both.  I made a card for each side.  Aren’t they fun?

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

The stamping was pretty basic and the layering was simple too.  Sometimes that is just all you need.  I really wanted to enjoy the paper though.

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

Of course, if you know me well, you know that orange is my favorite color.  When I get asked that question I always clarify with, “Yes, orange, like a pumpkin orange.” Too much fun there!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Painted Petals with Elegant Eggplant

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I sat down to work on this blog project with only one thing in mind, purple.

Painted Petals

I am totally feeling it.  I haven’t used elegant eggplant in ages.  I think it could have easily been a year.  For shame…

Painted Petals

The painted petals stamp set is such a useful set.  The sentiments, all three shown here, are wonderful.  The flowers have so many options.   The additional graphic elements really give a lot of interest.  I wonder how many projects I could make with just this set.  That thought just sent my mind spinning.

Painted Petals

It seems I can’t make a card these days without a matching bag or box.  It makes for a really busy desktop.  I obviously need to give more of this away.

Painted Petals

The background is cardstock velum stamped with white stazon using lovely lace and then I embossed it.  Sometimes the double treatment is necessary.

Painted Petals

I hope you feel inspired to get out there and have a creative day!

Moana

Sheltering Tree

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Spring is in the air and blossoms are all over my fruit trees.  I thought I would try to re-create that with my maiden voyage of this beautiful stamp set.  It worked.

Sheltering Tree

I tried  to add more interest with white stazon flowers in the trees, but my color pallet was too light and they were kind of lost.  Seeing them in person makes it easier that through a photo.  I thought I could color with some blendabilities over the stazon parts, but decided against it.

Sheltering Tree

The card base is wild wasabi with whisper white and blushing bride layers.  To keep the boarders nice and tidy I adhered them with tombo multipurpose glue so I could wiggle them in just the right place.  I love the skinny boarders, but they can be a bit tricky.

Sheltering Tree

It needed some kind of embellishment, but it had to be subtle.  The linen thread became the perfect choice and finished it off perfectly.

Sheltering Tree

Now, with these cards looking so happy and ready to go, I wish I had a bunch more to send to all my dear friends.

Have a creative day!

Moana

B.Y.O.P. Trio

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How about waking up to this bundle of sunshine!  I’ve noticed that I have migrated to yellows quite a bit.  It must be a bit of spring fever in the air.  I know it is only February, but with how warm it has been, everything is bright and in bloom.  Just like this bundle.

B.Y.O.P.

This awesome stamp set B.Y.O.P. has the best sayings ever.  If you are a gift card giver, this is the set for you.  It has sentiments for everything and they range from funny to nice to just right.  I’m telling you, just awesome!

B.Y.O.P.

The products are pretty basic here today.  I think it is obvious that I love flowers.  There are four different floral punches and even a floral die cut.  Yup, I love flowers.

B.Y.O.P.

The color scheme is all about crushed curry.  That is one of the colors used in the free designer series paper pack.  The ribbon and buttons are also from a coordinating set.  Also free.  Don’t you love that?

B.Y.O.P.

So, no matter what kind of gift giver you are, this totally works.  But really, giving a gift card can look kind of tiny, even though it can be just right.  Why not give it a beautiful wrapping?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Yee-Haw For Big Sisters!

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Some things in life just require a great big ‘Yee-Haw!’  Like announcing you are having a baby!  That is definitely something worth celebrating.

Yee-Haw

A friend just announced her third child through the most adorable set of photos posted on  Facebook.  Her two girls were all done up in hot pink with cowgirl galore.  I couldn’t stop looking at them and loving every moment.

Yee-Haw

Then, I remembered this awesome stamp set.  I had made a card some time ago for workshop with totally different colors, but a similar design.  The original design credit goes to Brian King, another Stampin’Up! demonstrator of sheer awesomeness.  So, he inspired me, and then this beauty came along.

Yee-Haw

One stamp set, Yee-Haw, along with a heavy dose of melon mambo and basic rhinestones, and this beauty is perfect.  I thought about adding flowers too, but actually managed to hold back.  I might go back later, just because, you never know.

Either way, the card is awesome, big sisters are awesome, and I can’t wait to give it to her!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cheer Up Buttercup!

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Does this little guy just cheer you up or what?  I absolutely love the fry box die cut!  I have made so many for quick little gifts here and there.  They go together so quickly and look adorable every time!

Cheer Up Buttercup

The geometric stamp set has this awesome sentiment and is actually the reason I had to have it.  It has also had tons of use for obvious reasons.

Cheer Up Buttercup

I was actually headed out to work and decided I needed a little get well goody for a student of mine.  I already had the flower ready from the other days project.  With that said, it only took about ten minutes to put this all together, including a quick few photos to share.

Cheer Up Buttercup

I am telling you, this die is the best!  Get into those quick project ideas and share some happiness!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hello You

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I was pretty unsure about using such a dark color.  I normally would have brightened it up, but stuck with it.  The results did come together pretty nicely I must say.

Hello You

The designer paper from the Birthday Bash set had been fussing at me for a while to get out the Night of Navy.  Isn’t it pretty paper?

Hello You

The wording set is a combo of a stamp and a thinlit.  The small words come from a huge set of stamps that really give so many choices.  They are photopolymer so placement is super easy.  The adorable ‘hello’ is one of five thinlits from the Hello You set.  For being so delicate, it was super easy to use.  Great results!

Hello You

I went back and forth on adding the Boho Blossoms flowers or not.  The card actually was lovely without them, but I kept on. I liked how they added just the right touch.   If you are a clean and simple kind of crafter, just remove the flowers. It really does make a difference.

Hello You

Either way, you should give this card a try.  It uses a ton of fun products that come together in a way that only Stampin’Up! could.  I so love how everything coordinates in every way.  Especially with a monochromatic look like this.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Bloom With Hope

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I just love making my own background paper.  The stamp set Bloom With Hope is full of these delicate lines that are just beautiful.  The flower I used is only one of many.  If you love flowers, well, this is a great set for you.

Bloom With Hope

I chose not to use a sentiment with this card.  There are several in the set from birthday to sympathy, but I left it ready for anything.  I was just in the mood for sunflowers, and this is what I came up with.

Bloom With Hope

I did a lot of stamping on the background paper, but none of the images were at full strength.  Stamping off is the secret here.  Just play a bit and it will be wonderful.

Bloom With Hope

I stamped my main flower in Hello Honey and colored it with my Daffodil Delight Blendabilities.  Yup, there are many colors that will work and not bleed, not just the Momento ink.  Another experiment for you.  Although, I do think that Stampin’Up! did provide a list of compatible inks at one time.  I will have to look.

Bloom With Hope

I added some bling and colored them in with Crumb Cake Blendabilities.  That helped my sunflower concept come around.  I cut out my image using the rounded square shape from the Apothecary Accents Framelits set.  Love that one!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Big News on Sea Street

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Is it obvious that I have babies on the mind?  So many of my friends are becoming grandmothers for the first time or more.  So much fun to say the least.

Big News on Sea Street

There have been baby showers, invitations, and fun shopping galore.  So of course I need lots of cards and matching bags!  I can’t imagine how I will be with my own grandchildren.

Big News on Sea Street

This stamp set has been waiting patiently for me.  The ladies I host workshops for are patient with my whimsy.  The coordinating paper is all navy and nautical colored.  I love that, but I wanted these colors today.  I picked the colors before the stamp set.

Big News on Sea Street

I just love it.  I used blushing bride, pool party, and calypso coral to make my background paper. I embossed that cute octopus with pool party.  Goodness, what a cutie!

Big News on Sea Street

I added a little bling with the in-color sequins on the card and matching bag.  I used the 1 3/4 round punch and matching scallop punch for those starfish.  I finished off each project with blushing bride chevron ribbon.  What more could you ask for?

Big News on Sea Street

How about yet another baby shower to use it at?  Done!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Calling All Heroes!

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I have always had so much fun with this set.  It truly makes me giggle, every time.  I know I have seen many projects with a serious theme using the city skyline, but I love the whimsy.

Calling All Heroes

I put these notebook covers together for a lovely group of girls.  As summer slowly approaches, we all start to prepare for the coming events.  One of them that is big in my life is my daughters week long church camp.  It is just so wonderful for everyone involved.  The older girls have the opportunity to be the Youth Camp Leaders  or YCL’s.  They picked superheroes as the theme for their campsite.  So, naturally, I went here.

Calling All Heroes

We had a planning meeting on Sunday evening, and I made these notebook sets to help them stay organized.  And of course to let them know how special they are!  What better way than this?  I couldn’t think of one either.

Calling All Heroes

The sunburst framelits work so well here giving it a little extra zing.  It stayed pretty clean so the focus could be on these little heroes.  They felt super special and looked awesome too.  I made eighteen of these guys.  Yup, it took a while, in several sitting.  Too much fun though!  Go get some stamps out and make something for someone else.  You will feel great doing it!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Lovely As a Tree

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These lovely cards were actually my handout for a church lesson I taught yesterday morning.  I have the privilege of teaching a young women’s class for girls from the ages of 16-18.  They are such an amazing group.

Lovely As a Tree

Our topic was “Why Do We Need Adversity”.  Good question right?  An object lesson that was in the talk I used spoke of a young sapling tree standing alone in the wind and how trees in that situation grow deep roots, thicker bark, and ways to be more flexible in order to survive.  It was so perfect for today’s times.

Lovely As a Tree

So, when I planned this handout, I knew the beautiful oak tree was the perfect subject.  How symbolic of standing the test of time, a strong beautiful tree.

Lovely As a Tree

I put this together using almost artichoke, saraha sand, and very vanilla paper.  I stamped in momento ink and used a sentiment from a Tim Holtz collection.  I loved the touch of the embossing folder bringing out the tree theme even more and finished it off with a wooden oak leaf element.  Great right?  The layout could hold many options. There seems to be a need for masculine styled cards in my collection more often than not.  You should try this out!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Because You Care Workshop Gifts

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I love getting ready for workshop, especially the special gift I make my club members.  Others attend just to make the projects, but don’t necessarily order. Having fun making pretty things doesn’t have to be about buying, but they often go hand in hand.  Especially when it comes to me.

Because You Care

These cute little gifts contain a huge spool of sadly retired pacific point ribbon.  You can still get it in other color choices though.  It is really awesome!  The designer paper is Painted Blooms.  I really can’t get enough of this paper.  I truly am a floral girl at heart, thanks to my lovely mother.

Because You Care

Well, I would love to chat, but I need to get out the door.  Literally, in fifteen minutes.  Yikes!  Get off the computer already!

Have a creative day!

Moana

For the New Two

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I love an opportunity to use something beautiful.  I loved nearly everything in this particular suite.  The background stamp, Something Lacy, has quickly found its place in my heart.  I have used it so many times.   This could be project three for workshop, you think?

For the New Two

A good friend recently got married and I needed a card of course.  I used the inspiration from the Stampin’Up! Spring Catalog.  Denali wanted the flowers to be blue though.  She thought it appropriate with the idea of ‘something borrowed, something blue’.

For the New Two

Of course the designer series paper we are using for the thank you cards is actually called Something Borrowed.  She didn’t even know it.  Guess that means blue is perfect.

For the New Two

I stamped with white Stazon on vellum cardstock then colored select items from the back side with blendabilities.  I could have done quite a bit more, but wanted the focus to be on the sentiment.

For the New Two

It is all about the bride and the groom after all.  And this couple sure is wonderful!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

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Sometimes my brain thinks things, and sometimes they don’t work the way I envision them.  I struggled with ribbon this time.

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

I wanted to make a pretty gift box for a workshop project and use fun Sale-a-bration products as well.  I wanted a fluffy bow to be in the middle of the flowers.

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

Well, I hated it.  Turns out having all three ribbon colors from the accessory pack was a bad idea.  I thought it was a trashed project idea until I managed to pull out the ribbon bundle and just leave it with coastal cabana ribbon.  Phew!

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

Success after all.  It feels so springy and happy!  Now, what to put inside for the special someone.  Maybe a great big cupcake, or a candle, or who knows!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Tickled Pink with Flamingo Lingo

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Well, doesn’t this just shout Good Morning?  Absolutely, with a giggle I am sure.

Flamingo Lingo

This stamp set, Flamingo Lingo, is the set that has been waiting for me.  Since it had to wait so long, I thought I would do it a service and give it my new favorite one two combo.  I just love putting half of a sentiment on the card and finishing it on a bag or box.  Perfect right?

Flamingo Lingo

I thought about adding more color and making it look a little more tropical, but with a phrase like ‘Tickled Pink’ I stuck with this lovely melon mambo.

Flamingo Lingo

I like this one so well I think it will be one of my projects for workshop this weekend.  Yes, definitely.

Flamingo Lingo

Find a color and just go with it!  I seem to be playing that game a bit these days and I love how it turns out.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Big News with Lots of Favorites

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Today’s projects are all about trying something new.  Coastal Cabana isn’t new, but making it be my only color on a project sure is.  I have been trying to help myself get out of my comfort zone.  It makes me crazy sometimes, but I am finding that I like the results more often than not.

Big News

I used the same embossing folder, just put my brayer to work differently.  I rolled in directly onto the folder for this one so the embossed dots would stay white.  That made me smile.

Big News

Then I embossed my whisper white paper and put the inked brayer right over the top of the embossed dots.  That made me nervous.  I usually go for the secured success route and I saw many options for error.  There is a tiny smudge under my ribbon on the left, but not really a big deal, right?

Big News

I pulled out the Big News stamp set.  It is huge, two boxes of stamps.  But yes, admittedly, I hadn’t used one of them.  For shame.  I was also brave and didn’t ink the edges again.  Very difficult, but also liberating.

Big News

Another product I hadn’t used yet was the tab top framelits.  They just turn anything into cute file folders.  I really loved how the tops came together.  I just used a little strip of the glimmer paper and it worked perfectly.  I finished it off with the flower from the bitty punch pack and the lovely free ribbon from the sale-a-bration accessory pack.  I love earning free product!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Trust God

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Whenever I teach a church lesson I make special handouts that go along with the topic being taught.  When I am creating something I have the best thoughts come along.  Kind of like thinking in the shower for some people.  For me, it is working in my studio.

Trust God

So, yesterday I had the opportunity to speak along side my husband during what we call Sacrament Meeting, or the main congregational service.  I spoke on charity.  Even though I had no intention of making a handout for hundreds of people, I still needed that thinking time.  This is what I came up with.

Trust God

I went to two of my favorite stamp sets of all time.  Lovely as a Tree, who doesn’t own that one by now, and of course Trust God.  They really speak for themselves.  I made this using early espresso for my base and layered with almost artichoke.  I wasn’t sure what technique I would be using, I didn’t plan on water coloring, which is why I have very vanilla involved here.

Trust God

It didn’t curl too much when I took the aqua painter to it.  I would have done better with water color paper, but I still like the results.  I painted the trees with almost artichoke to match the card, did the water in a very diluted marina mist, and finished the sky with soft sky.

I did joke a bit in my talk about having to make a handout, and yes, I did have it with me and showed it over the pulpit.  Those that know me well surely understood.  I do really take my creativity with me everywhere.

Have a creative day!

Moana