Author: moanaj

Something Lacy with Serious Sparkle

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A special friend expecting her first baby.  I knew I had to make something super special, a card to be remembered. One nice enough and large enough to be framed.  That would be this card.  It measures 6 x 8, and I love it huge!

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I am not one to go so large with glimmer paper.  But I needed a big piece for that huge butterfly, so I used it for both.  If you looked underneath to just the glimmer paper you would see where I cut it out with my butterfly framelit.  Worked out great!

101_9936

I also loved having tons of space to write all that I wanted.  Nothing worse than running out of space just in the middle of a special phrase.  Not today.

Tickled Pink

On Thursday I showed a card for part of a baby shower gift set.  Of course I had to make a box big enough to hold all twelve cards, cover card and envelopes.  This is what I came up with.  I made it in colors to match her nursery so she could use it for storage or something when the cards were done.  Just too fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Lotus Blossom Gift Set

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I really wasn’t feeling well when I sat down to create today’s project, but knew it needed to be done.  My first thought was to make a get well card.  It didn’t do anything for me.

Lotus Blossom Gift Set

But a friend recently really helped me out when I was in an absolute bind.  Doing something nice for someone is always my perfect inspiration.

Lotus Blossom Card

So even though I was half asleep and feeling terrible, I managed to make something that I really loved.  It might even make its way into next weekends workshop.  Serving others is awesome!

Lotus Blossom Gift Bag

This project set is all about Lost Lagoon and bows.  I used the Big Shot for the large bow, can’t get enough of that huge bow.  Then I brought in the Bow Builder Punch that is so popular right now.  I thought they went nicely together.  I focused on the Lotus Blossom stamp set.  I tried something new to me.  Instead of putting connecting sentiments on the inside and outside of a card, I connected them with the card and matching gift bag.  The closure on the bag actually just tucks just under that bow and it holds it beautifully.  How awesome is that!  I used designer series paper from the Moonlight paper stack.  Such pretty paper.

Lotus Blossom Gift Set

Well, I am super excited about this project.  I hope you find it interesting enough to give it a try.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Throw Back Thursday with Petite Petal and Pansy Punch Gift Set

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Today’s project isn’t about a stamp set, but retired paper and ribbon.  I used paper from last years neutral pack collection.  It sadly got nearly completely ignored.

Pansy and Petite Petal Punch

Yup, ignored.  Having projects to make using retired product makes me happy.  I bought it for a reason, even if I got distracted for a while.  The ribbon has been retired for a bit, but I loved it so much I bought several spools from the clearance rack.  I also snatched many packets of the large rhinestones.  I just love all the sparkle they give.

Pansy and Petite Petal Punch

I have the opportunity to go to a baby shower this weekend and couldn’t help but to make some cards to go with her registry gifts.  I used the colors from the nursery decor.  That led perfectly into strawberry slush, basic gray, and smokey slate.  Just perfectly.  It is hard to tell from my early morning photo, but I also used the current polka dot embossing folder on the background paper.

Pansy and Petite Petal Punch

As you can tell, there are lots of flowers all ready to go.  The set will include a dozen of these pretty cards.  I originally thought them to be thank you cards, but decided to leave off the sentiment as I saw they could be used for a number of things.

They are so simple yet lovely.  You should give them a try!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thoughts & Prayers

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Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes it is just sad.  Making cards is always enjoyable, but sympathy cards feel different.  They certainly aren’t something I make ahead of time and have a go to stash.

Thoughts & Prayers

When I needed a special card this last week this is what I came up with.  I had a request for an additional one, so I used a different image from the same set.  The only difference is just a little bit of seam binding ribbon.

Thoughts & Prayers

These types of cards really don’t ask for a lot, really clean and simple.  I guess that would be because you just want to share your support and not a lot of extras.

Thoughts & Prayers

I used very vanilla and double mounted it.  My card base is early espresso with just simple stamping and punching.

Thoughts & Prayers

Have a creative day!

Moana

From the Herd

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Here is one of the best stamps I have played with in a long time.  Every time I look at it I just giggle.  Even in the box.  And with all of the animals it makes for fun coloring.

From the Herd

I have a friend that kept their birthday a secret, so I missed it.  Perfect opportunity to pull out the phrase “It’s pasture birthday…”  How funny is that?

From the Herd

I couldn’t just leave it at that.  I had to add googlie eyes to the goat.  They do have crazy eyes as far as I am concerned.  It just makes it even funnier.

From the Herd

You should give this set a try.  It is just awesome!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Painted Petals and Marina Mist

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I have been waiting to play with this set for a while now, but couldn’t decide on a color.  So when I got a spool of marina mist cotton ribbon, I made my choice.

Painted Petals

It isn’t my usual color scheme, so it gave me some frustration for sure.  The stamping was pretty darn fun thou, even if a bit tricky.

Painted Petals

I made a matching gift bag while I was at it.  I liked how it turned out, almost better than the card.  Now all I need is an occasion to put something inside.

Painted Petals

I couldn’t leave it alone though, I had to get out some pearls and add butterflies.  That made me feel more at home.  But I still had to walk away for a while.

Painted Petals

But after a few hours I decided that it wasn’t so bad.  Just different than my normal.  Shouldn’t we always challenge ourselves?  Of course!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Bash with Bermuda Bay and Age Awareness?

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Just what does all of that have in common?  Well, it comes together to make one fantastic birthday card for one fantastic friend!

Age Awarness

What do we have going on here?  Bermuda bay with the awesome birthday bash designer series paper paired perfectly with the Age Awareness stamp set.  Don’t forget that bit of gold glimmer paper.  Gotta love the bling!

Age Awareness

When I showed my girls this little card they both agreed that it looked like a party.  I couldn’t agree more.  Birthdays are all about good friends and fun times together.

Age Awareness

The gift that goes along is all about paper crafting too.  The fun just doesn’t end!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Bundled Baby Shower Invites

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How do you make a baby shower invitation when you don’t know if it is a boy or girl?  You have options, that is what you do.  I am trying to decide between these two choices.

Bundled Baby

I love the darker look because it shows those adorable stars.  And shouldn’t every baby be the shining star?  Of course!

Bundled Baby

But then I love the lighter combo because it becomes all about that adorable little baby.  The focus becomes so clear.  I am also in love with the spiral punch I used on the top.

Bundles Baby

So, what do you think?  I so enjoyed using all the fun products here.  Lots of ink and blendabilities of course.  Just my kind of fun.

Bundles Baby

Have a creative day!

Moana

Letterpress Winter Throw Back Thursday

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Welcome to another Throw Back Thursday!  Don’t you love this invite?  So simple but still lots of fun.  I needed a batch of invites for a girls camp kick-off meeting.  It filled the order nicely.

Letterpress Winter

So, what is old and what is new?  The only current products are the spiral border punch and the splotchy stamp from the perpetual calendar kit.  They are awesome though.  You might recognize the infamous gumball green color and last years spring catalog designer series paper that was all about awesome water color looks.

I just love bringing out product that is retired and loving it all over again. Remember to mix the old and the new for fabulous projects every time.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Because You Care

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Back to a Valentine’s card.  It is a pretty simple card, but I loved how it turned out.  The frame around the sentiment is separate so you can put different phrases inside.  The stamp set comes with four different choices, plus other elements.  Really a great hostess set!

Because You Care

I have decided that I am in love with the seam binding ribbon.  It makes really pretty bows, knots, and is easy to attach to stuff.  And it comes in lots of color choices.

Because You Care

The photos are a bit over exposed, but I was in a rush.  When am I not though, really.  Just like right now.  Have to go!

Because You Care

Have a creative day!

Moana

Little Buddy Birthday

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I have another Valentine’s card set to share, but when I made this last night I just about died of cuteness!  So, it cut in line.  Really, isn’t is just the cutest thing ever?

Little Buddy

I know I don’t have little children, but I couldn’t help myself.  And just to validate myself, both of my teenage girls totally fell in love with this little guy!  We all have a weakness for cute things, and this stamp set is no different.  If you haven’t seen it yet, you should.  There is also an adorable toucan and an armadillo.  Yup, an armadillo.  All are so adorable.

Little Buddy

I brought in some of that delicious embossed card stock that I really can’t get enough of.  I know it is all pretty and scalloped, but I was thinking of dragon scales here.  My husband agreed right away.  How lucky am I that my family is so involved with my love of paper crafting?

Little Buddy

So find yourself some wild wasabi and wisteria wonder and make something adorable.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Stacked With Love and Paper Pumpkin

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Cards for holiday seasons are always fun.  But can’t you tell someone you love them any time you like?  Of course you can!

Stacked With Love

I really couldn’t help myself though.  This is the first Valentine’s card I have made this year, and it does drip in hearts galore.

Stacked With Love

The sentiment comes from the January Paper Pumpkin kit.  There are several to choose from, and I love them all.  I already have my candy ready to make all of the treat bags up and give them out.

A pretty traditional card with real red, basic black, whisper white, and silver foil. I used the sweetheart punch for the large hearts and the heart from the itty bitty punch pack.  There are more inside the card and even a little one on the back. Donna, that is for you, giggle…

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Card Bonanza!

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So, am I a bad blogger, or a busy one?  Maybe a bit of both.  I had prepared cards to share for Friday, Saturday, and today.  They were even all ready Thursday evening.  Obviously many things got in the way.  On with the show!

Birthday Bash

Either way, you still get to see them all.  I had mention previously that I have been making a collection of birthday cards by request.  Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who get one?

Birthday Cards

If you have a February birthday, you just might be in luck.  The designer paper on these last two cards really is just too amazing to cover up with much of anything.  The photos don’t show it as well as I would have liked, but they have gold foil elements in them.

Birthday Cards

They just kind of stand out on their own.  Well, just like any beautiful card should do, right?

I suppose I could have waited and used these cards for the next three posts, but I have already made some awesome Valentine’s day cards I want to share!  We are  now officially caught up.  Feels great!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Throw Back Thursday to Seasonally Scattered

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The Seasonally Scattered stamp set was just from last fall, but I have been waiting to make a valentine card from the moment I opened it.  And yes, all those little tiny speckle bits are hearts.  I get so curious sometimes how they make all of those details appear so perfectly in stamps.  Is a field trip in order?  I think yes.

Seasonally Scattered

Putting it together with crisp cantaloupe and crumb cake was a result of loving the Sale-a-bration ribbon just so much.  Of course the wonderful Irresistibly Yours embossed designer series paper has to be my favorite thing out of all the freebies available.

Seasonally Scattered

So, don’t forget the stamps you love.  They will always find a way to work with new product.  Stampin’Up! is all about coordination, wouldn’t you agree?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Big Day for Park Lane DSP!

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Happy Birthday to Who?  The lucky folks who are getting these lovely cards.  I hadn’t had the park lane designer series paper out for some time, but I sure do love it!

Big Day

I like how the different patterns lend themselves to a masculine for feminine look, but not entirely.  It makes it really versatile.

Big Day

The Sale-a-bration free stamp set Big Day is one you will want for sure.  This cute little cake on a stand is just one of the stamps.  The candle is separate, so you can put on however many you want, or can squeeze in.

Big Day

Then, bring on the blendabilities for the perfect coordinating look.  Both cards are accented with linen thread and crumb cake paper.  The card base is naturals white.  That stuff is so beautiful, and a great deal too.

Big Day

I used the bitty accents punch pack to make those cute flowers out of more crumb cake and put a basic pearl inside each one.  Even the one inside.  I punched the stamp with the 2″ circle punch and bordered it with crumb cake using the 2 3/8″ scallop punch.  It went together really quick.

Drum roll please, I didn’t sponge anything!  If you know me you know that is so out there.  But I really liked it this way.  Try something new yourself now!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Best Day Ever Angled Tag Topper Punch

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I knew I loved the stamp set.  It really has so many options and I love that I got it free!  And I love my Stampin’Up! demonstrator discount, who doesn’t love a perpetual sale?  Especially when it is one of my favorite hobbies.  What I wasn’t sure about was this simple tag topper punch.  Angled corners and a hole in the middle?  I can just do that on my own.

Best Day Ever Man

That is what I tell myself, but I really was never happy with my own.  They looked a little off no matter how I tried.  I wasn’t going to pay full price for such a simple tool, right?

Best Day Ever Man

Well, it went on special in a recent weekly deals special.  So, along with my discount, I decided I would go for it.  Making masculine cards certainly called for something less frilly.  Even so, I didn’t think it would make that big of a deal.

Best Day Ever Man

I love it when I prove myself wrong and right at the same time.  I do love how it looks and it works for a masculine card and I got it for a great deal!  It is the little things that make me happy.

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Tag Fits All and Simply Wonderful

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Can you tell who has baby girls on the brain?  Super exciting to say the least. Blushing bride is such a wonderful pink to work with.  Now to get shopping to put something sweet inside.

One Tag Fits All and Simply Wonderful

This little ducky is just adorable.  I did think he needed to have blue eyes though.  I put this together pretty quick.  I used the box builder board and an 8 x 8 piece of cardstock.  The designer paper is from the All Abloom paper stack.  I loved how the little arrow pattern matched the chevron ribbon.  Really sweet.

One Tag Fits All

This tall open box used a full sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock.  I just did a quick math problem to divide it up to get the largest tall box I could.  I wanted it left open on top.  Couldn’t you see a sweet little giraffe poking its head out?  The bag is really sturdy though.  I could put loads of things inside without any worry.

Simply Wonderful

I also used All Abloom paper to decorate the sides.  I had to include one of my favorite punches, Petit Petals.  You just need to have that one on hand.  I used melon mambo for the sentiment, but stamped it off once for a lighter look.

These were so fun to make.  I did have them ready Saturday morning to share, but I am learning that posting during the week fits into my morning schedule quite nicely.  Weekends always have so much to be done.  I will have to work on that.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Few of My Favorite Things, Literally

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If you know me well enough, you will see my favorite things here.  I am so in love with this orange, tangelo twist.  I am glad Stampin’Up! will keep it around for another year.  It has been lovely so far.

A Few of My Favorite Things

When I first got my hands on this butterfly framelit set I couldn’t get this idea out of my head.  I thought about using a retired punch to build flowers for this butterfly to rest on, but gave this stamp set a try instead.  What do you think/A Few of My Favorite Things

I worked with water color paper for all of the layered bits, even the butterfly.  I liked being able to sponge, sprintz, and just go at that butterfly.  It really held up well even with all of those delicate openings.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I had to make a matching gift bag, of course.  This is also done in water color paper.  It is spritzed, stamped, sponged, and stamped some more.  I hadn’t made a bag yet in this type of paper.  I will certainly be doing this again.  It was so fun.

A Few of My Favorite Things

The only thing that would have made this one step better was having a dragonfly involved.  They are my favorite.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Throw Back Thursday Fabulous You and Bow Builder Punch

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This Sunday my Denali was wearing these fabulous shoes.  The more I looked at them the more I saw a card coming together.

Fabulous You Denali!

I originally thought about using the new lace background stamp.  Then I realized I had a beautiful shoe stamp!  Perfect for TBT don’t you think?

Fabulous You Denali

I brought in the bow builder punch to decorate the top of the shoe.  Maybe a bit over the top, but I still love it.  I loved Denali’s reaction, “Mom, you made my shoe into a card!  That is so cool!”  And yes it is, enough said.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hooray It’s Your Day with Birthday Bash Speciality DSP

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Well, could this combo be any more beautiful?  The stamps in this set are huge and just demand to be front and center.

Hooray It's Your Day!

But I of course I couldn’t just leave it at that.  This paper is beyond beautiful.  I am not too sure about the seam binding ribbon, it is growing on me though.  Just like using sequins.  I really like the look they give my projects.

Hooray It's Your Day!

I stamped on velum for both of these cards and tried to be creative on how I attached them to their card bases.  With the stripes it looks like they are different shades of blue and gray.  Just regular bermuda bay there.  I ran adhesive down every other stripe and it gave the paper a new look.  Fun stuff there.

Hooray It's Your Day

Remember that tomorrow is TBT, Throw Back Thursday, and my projects are already ready.  You will just have to come back tomorrow!

Until then, have a creative day!

Moana