The Little Moments

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

I got it into my head to open this paper, do a sponge ombre look, and call it good. I loved this type of paper from the Sale-a-bration bonus catalog and couldn’t wait for Stampin’Up! to make more. They sure did. But I had a surprise when I opened the pack up.

There were six white sheets and six colored ones. I looked into the catalog to see what was up, and sure enough, there the colored ones are too. I thought they were just examples of how it could look all inked up. I did not pay attention very well. Fun for me though!

The resist pattern looks like raindrops to me, guess that is what it actually is. Marina mist seemed to be the appropriate color choice, so I sponged away to make an ombre look. I love how striking the raindrops are, yummy.

I took a sentiment from the watercolor wings stamp set and punched it out with the note tag punch and layered it up. Pretty simple overall. I started out with a 6×6 piece of paper, sponged it, scored it and stuck it together. If I was brave enough to video you would have witnessed an epic ribbon battle. No one was injured in the making of that bow, but it was close.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Timeless Elegance

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

Jumping in with both feet here everyone. I managed to once again open a new pack of DSP, that I am so in love with, take out my favorite pattern and make something without guilt. Isn’t this paper just so beautiful?

I feel like I got into my daughters sketch book and took out drawings for a card front. Almost a dreamy feel. The whole pack of paper is so pretty. One side has a hand drawn feel and the other sides are more patterned and organized. Best of both worlds. I also like that it isn’t just black and vanilla, but includes sahara sand for that perfect balance. I will be buying more of this I can tell.

To give a touch of color, even though it didn’t need it, I got out my blackberry bliss sponge dauber and did some ever so exact swirling. It took just a few seconds to swirl around and bring in some color. Good stuff.

I tried to use a ribbon or something else to accessorize it, but kept pulling it off. The paper spoke for itself on this project. I couldn’t even do a layered tag for the sentiment. So I used my versamark and embossing powder to put the sentiment right on the paper. I even left the inside clean to keep the focus all on this paper.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just For You Treat Bag Card

July 8, 2015July 8, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I started this project out completely different than it ended up. Who doesn’t like an adventure now and again, right?

The mini treat bag thinlits were out waiting to get to work. I wanted to use he heart framelit and coordinating stamp. After I pulled the paper and matching seam binding ribbon, it switched around on me. Not a problem,

Then I didn’t have a treat to put inside so I could give it away. How can you give away a treat bag with no treats? You can’t, that wouldn’t be any fun. So I thought, does it have to hold a treat? Why not make it an envelope and put a card to write on inside.

Worked like a champ! Now I have another choice with how I use this set. Not everyone wants a treat, but something sweet to read is also yummy. This little number will also fit inside one of our standard envelopes for mailing. How cool is that!

A quick note on the stamp. I stamped the image once and used the coordinating framelit. It cut off the cool dashed boarder that I liked so well. So I stamped it again, fussy cut it out, not my favorite activity, and layered it on dimensionals. After I sponged everything of course. Thought you might like that little detail.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just For You

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

Sometimes I feel like there are one too many butterflies flying around my craft area. But then I remember, you can never have too many butterflies! Especially when Stampin’Up! keeps coming out with even more exciting stamps to use. This set is just one of those types. I could just put these everywhere.

The color scheme is very simple, blushing bride and whisper white with tiny 1/8″ boarders. I do love those. Only one butterfly on this card front. The base image is done in blushing bride. The next layer, the detailed image, was stamped in versamark ink. That alone looked wonderful with the darker tone. A quick sprinkle of iridescent ice went over the versamark while it was still sticky and took a trip to the heat gun to melt it in place.

I tried to angle the photo to show you the almost purple glimmer that comes from the powder. You can kind of see it. Absolutely lovely stuff. The body and antennae are separate stamps that make the body. And yes, this is a photopolymer set. You just have to see through these stamps to get images just where you want them.

A quick sentiment from the same set and a tiny cotton ribbon bow, and it was done. I did stamp a few dots on the inside panel, of course.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Happy Thoughts for You

July 5, 2015July 5, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

When I first subscribed to Paper Pumpkin it was all about getting exclusive stamp sets that I couldn’t purchase through regular shopping. I didn’t want to miss out. That was true in the beginning stages, but then the kits started getting better and better and the projects were almost better than the stamps.

I had a hard time putting those great stamps to work after I finished up the kits. So I tried something different this time. With my last kit, I used the stamps separately before I got into the kit. These are the stamps, but nothing at all to do with the card kit, which is fabulous by the way.

I am in love with the new heavy weight whisper white cardstock. I love a white card and it just had to be sturdier. Job well done. Sahara sand might be my favorite neutral. It goes so well with everything. Just a hint of color without any obvious distraction.

A little bit of simple layering and a bunch of dimensionals. The aqua painter got involved again, it is such a great tool. Using it along the stamped images to bring in the lightest amount of color. What a great look and so easy to accomplish. Finish it off with the lovely dotted lace trim.

Have a creative day!

Moana

My Dear Friend

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

I focused on one image for today’s project. It initially reminded me of a Japanese maple tree as it starts to change colors. They are so vibrant. As I started to paint them I noticed the flowers and the leaves looking different. I thought it was more of a shrub. Put your glasses on, right?

I put the aqua painter to work here. I stamped the image in cherry cobbler and brought the color in with just water. Then I added in old olive and mixed the colors, just as the leaves would be looking. I decided I wanted the flowers to stand out more, so I darkened the centers to bring out the detail. I can’t believe I didn’t notice the flowers the first time.

Talk about being generous with the basic rhinestones, but I wanted all of the centers to sparkle. Such a pretty look. Is it over the top? Well, if it is for a dear friend, you want it special. The friend stamp seemed a bit lonely, so I wrote in above it using an old olive stampin’ write marker. First try even, not bad.

There are so many new products used today. The framelits, the embossing folder, the stamp, and they work together great! I even got all nostalgic thinking about an old friend that I just don’t get to see anymore. Guess I know where this one is going!

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re So Vintage

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

I have been doing so many floral projects I thought I should bring out something different. I have been waiting to use this stamp set, it is so different and funny to me. The sentiment reminds me of something out of my elementary school wardrobe. I might have had matching jeans, how exciting.

I am more happy with the sentiment layer than the rest, but I am happy enough with it to make up for the other. It seems like the star boarder punch was a bit much, but I kept it there. The colors though, they are spot on. They were cool then and have made it around to be cool again. How fun is that?

I knew I wanted to use markers to make the words different colors, but I wasn’t sure how it would react on the photopolymer. By the time I did the last word the others had beaded up quite a bit. I went over them, huffed a lot, and used my foam mat. It still came up all splotchy. However, it was perfect for the phrase! I am so happy with it! It looks extra cool for sure. I almost created a lava lamp to go along, but relaxed on that front.

I can’t wait to try this out on other stamps and see which ones still look awesome. Floral stamps could look water colored even. One adventure at a time.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable You

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

I think going on that pioneer trek took a little more out of me than I thought. I tried to sit down at my usual 5:30 this morning, but I could hardly focus. Time to get into a good summer routine.

I absolutely fell in love with this stamp set when I saw it in the catalog. The floral images are so elegant. They cover several of my favorites. I had to use this one first, because it is my absolute favorite.

I started by stamping the image in garden green. I got out my aqua painter and drew in the color for the stems and some of the outer lining. I brought in daffodil delight and hi-lighted with so saffron. Just a touch of color there.

I used the oval framelits to make my layers with the third largest for the flowers and the second largest for the frame. I stamped and sponged and put everything I could up on dimensionals. I tried out the triple banner punch and it works like a champ. That is going to get a lot of use. Finally, I hid my glue dot under the velum with a rhinestone. I used a section to curve around the top left of the frame and called it done. I didn’t even stamp inside! Scandalous, I know.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Awesomely Artistic at last!

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

I have made it through my June adventures and have finally been able to sit down with a long awaited stamp set and designer series paper. I am still way beyond tired after completing a sixteen mile handcart trek, so it took me longer than normal to get going, but I did it. It kind of feels a bit vintage and a strong nature theme. So pretty.

I learned my lesson with the last designer series paper that I loved too much to use for way too long. I opened this pack up, took out my favorite pattern, and cut it for the card front. Quite brave if you ask me.

I stamped inside with two of the stamps from the set using night of navy and soft suede. I have a hard time leaving the inside blank.

I used a piece of water color paper to stamp the dragonfly a few times. I started with black stazon, water colored with night of navy on the wings, then used some two way glue to attach dazzeling diamonds glitter to the wing edges. I absolutely love dragonflies. They are my signature mark and have been for some time.

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Butterfly Too Many? I Think Not…

June 27, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

It was time to gather the butterflies, and I didn’t even use them all! There is another punch and framelit and other stamps as well. Clearly I love these! Can you blame me? They are so beautiful. I am getting excited for a new stamp set that is on its way. It has a dragonfly in it and those are my favorite.

It is hard to match this combination though. I wonder how many butterflies I have seen so far on my pioneer trek. I might be too tired this morning to notice. But today I get to come home. This yellow is the accent color in my skirt and matching apron I made for this trek. What an event it must have been. I will have to tell you more later.

I layered up this beautiful butterflies after I sponged their edges pretty heavily. I wanted them to be one color, but have a subtle difference as well. It worked nicely, I also used the tiny butterfly stamp from the perpetual birthday calendar set to create a flock of them flying up the side and across the top. That was really fun. With some heavy sponging that look was complete.

I didn’t know if I wanted to stamp my sentiment with so saffron or black. I started with so saffron, decided it wasn’t bold enough, and offset a second stamping in black. It worked out really well. The photopolymer stamps really make things like that super easy. I repeated some of those stamps on the inside and then blinged up the butterflies properly. They do look grand, do they not?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flower Patch Beauty

June 24, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

My husband was given a thank you note that inspired this simple creation. I usually like more, but this couldn’t be more perfect. The subtle layering of the flower, the gentle stem, and the touch of glitter come together to make this stunner.

I did a narrow border with an additional layer of watermelon wonder and popped that combo up on dimensionals. I thought about adding some of that lovely dotted lace trim, but didn’t want to interfere with the glitter or the stem. Really, it turned out so nice.

So, here it sits, in its simple glory. I love this color and I love it even more in this beautiful card. Maybe I should send this note back to the friend that inspired it. They certainly are wonderful.

Look for inspiration in every day life, it is there waiting for you.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Kinda Eclectic with a Ray of Sunshine

June 23, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This burst of sunshine should be posting while I am in Utah getting my Denali all settled at university. She is a huge burst of sunshine in my life, so it suits the day perfectly.

I have used the sunburst stamp from the Kinda Eclectic set in so many projects. It is why I bought the set, but the rest of it is just as beautiful. I am so glad that it carried over to the new catalog. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet.

I loved using the super smooth whisper white card stock to make a matching bag. It folds rather crisp, but is easier to manipulate that the other card. And of course I love the stamp. This set is done in hello honey and it works so well. I even got out an embossing folder to give it a little extra.

A simple card that is all about the saying and a few bright touches to bring it full circle. Perhaps this one will find its way to someone in need of a pick me up. Sounds about right!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You

June 22, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

A simple gift set that is truly all occasion. You never know when you will need a ready to go set at the last minute. It would be nice to remember all of our events all of the time, but that doesn’t always happen. Or when someone is wonderful and you just want to say thank you in a special way.

That is what this set is for. I used the scalloped flower from the Crazy About You set to make the background for the card and matching bag. I did a simple overlay of velum and scattered large rhinestones in the center of the flowers. So simple, yet so pretty.

I added a touch of linen thread and used my bone folder to help it curl just a little. It also takes the kinks out, but I do love a bit of curl. I stamped a couple on scrap and punched them out with the 1 3/4″ scalloped circle punch and accented the front and the inside of the card.

Well, this project was a quick make and has lots of possible uses. Try one out for yourself!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Wondrous Wreath and My Plum Trees…

June 19, 2015June 19, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

I was out looking at my plum trees last night and decided I wanted to bring those colors into a project. My photos aren’t the best, you can hardly even see the mossy meadow layer in-between the two others, but it is there. I so need a new camera.

Either way, I still love how it turned out. I stamped off once on my first layer of leaves. So when I added the second layer of leaves with the second stamp I left it full strength. Lovely contrast if I do say so myself. I did the berries in rich razzelberry to match of course. I continued those little guys on the inside, and they are so cute. I can see me using the berry stamp to make a background paper.

I know my wording is a bit slanted, but I was tired. The heat has been so bad lately that by the time I get to settle down to work, I am so warm and tired that I don’t have the patience I should.

My brain is so all over the place. Just too many things to get done and not enough time. Summer break may be here, but I have yet to really enjoy any of it. July will be better, supposedly.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Trek Inspired Bordering Blooms

June 18, 2015June 18, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Trek Inspired? Well, of course! Coming up next week around two hundred youth and adult leaders will be heading out for a three day handcart pioneer trek covering about 15 miles. My husband and I get to participate as “Ma and Pa” for a group of eight youth who will be our “children” during the trek. I don’t know if I am more excited or scared. Good to be both though.

I have been sewing my pioneer outfit and have it ready to go. I am actually typing while wearing it. What a great pioneer thing to do, right? I even have my hair in french braids and my straw hat on. I thought it might be a good idea to try and walk around in these skirts a bit. My lace will be getting dirty I think.

While I saw sewing I saw a card coming together. Mix my two favorites, right? I stamped with one of the border stamps in old olive on very vanilla. I used my aqua painter and the other ink colors to color in the flower and leaf patterns. Yet another background creation. And now I have two all occasion cards ready to go.

Here is a sneak peek at part of my apron. Can you see the colors coordinating? I know the marina mist is a bit brighter, but it was close enough to get my brain creating. Ruffles and lace and ruffles and lace. My mother will be so proud.

I think I will do some more trek inspired projects to share while I am gone. Yee-Haw!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Banner Blessings with Beautiful Bunch

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

I so enjoyed getting the silver ink out yesterday that I went back for more. I really love working with metallic inks. I hadn’t water colored with them before, but I thought I would give it a go.

The idea came from my daughters art final. She pained this beautiful water color and brought in gold. It looks much more dramatic on her project, but hey, it is a start, right? I liked how it turned out.

I wanted to use a stamp from my collection that would suggest a star, to match the sentiment, without being a star. I ended up going with the flower centers from the Beautiful Bunch set. I tried a different one first, but it looked more like paint splats or bad graphics from an old Star Trek episode. I settled with the one you see here. I do love making my own background paper.

I repeated the stamping on the edges of the card base and of course had to stamp on the inside opposite corners of my insert. I even did one on the back bottom center, just to make Donna happy. I love how the gold ink looks on blackberry bliss. I see another project with those two coming along soon.

I used my aqua painter and the gold ink to highlight the scripture reference. I stamped ink on a clear block and used that as my pallet. It worked like a charm!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Butterfly Basics

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Simple elegance is one of my favorite things in a card. This color combination surely does lend itself in that direction. I even think it is neutral enough to be masculine, what do you think?

I used the Butterfly Basics set for this project for the element and sentiment. I put the fern stamp to work with three different inks. I started with black stazon, layered with silver encore, and finished up with elegant eggplant. I continued stamping inside with just the elegant eggplant.

I added some silver satin ribbon to keep those ferns together but kept it in a knot instead of a bow. The ribbon kind of took over when it was tied in a bow, but just right in a knot.

I kept the boarders narrow and popped the front up on dimensionals. A nice clean look for an elegant card. I think I have just the person to send it to.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Guy Greetings and Father’s Day Too!

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

Card workshop is today and even though I am totally exhausted, I know I will have a great time. This is one of the projects we will be making. It is getting close to Father’s Day, so of course we had to make something to celebrate that wonderful holiday.

Can you see the learning opportunity in this first photo? I was chatting it up with my own father and wasn’t paying close attention. I know my stamping is a bit wonky, but I neglected to use my stampin’ pierce mat with the one on the left. Of course my image wasn’t as clear and even a bit void in the center. Yes well, it didn’t click on that second attempt. The one before is hiding behind that one. I tried to re-stamp it, but even with the photopolymer being so very clear, the image was too detailed for me to line up perfectly. It gave it a nauseating 3-D look that had to go. We all learn, right? Use that mat for best results with photopolymer.

Some of my ladies like to have choices as they work, so this should work nicely. The stamp set it so huge that not only do they have choices, they just might be overwhelmed.

I have used just a touch of seam binding ribbon to add some color, just a little bit. A nice masculine card is definitely something to have on hand, and this fits the bill. I am so glad this stamp set carried over because it is the best for making all kinds of manly cards. Love it!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You Mint Macaron

June 4, 2015June 3, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I tried something different today. I started an all occasion card and found I had measured wrong. My brain is really rattled with the end of school here in two days, girls camp around the corner, and my daughters graduation smack in the middle. Not to mention all of the things that go along with that schedule.

Focus here, try to stay focused. So, I just thought I would use an edgelit to fix my piece that was too narrow. The only boarder edgelit that wasn’t retired is the file tab one, and I didn’t think that would work with my design idea. I looked through the framelits to look for something that could give a fun edge. Enter the striped scallop thinlits die. I just lined up my paper one sheet at a time along the very last scallop and look what I got! How cute is this? At first, the whisper white sheet looked like big teeth. Admit it, you can see them. Once they were layered and sponged the teeth went away, for the most part.

I started the card portrait, but discovered it looked nice either way. Talk about a versatile card. There you have it. I started with only a color in mind, added a stamp for background, goofed my measurements and then discovered something fun. I honestly have been nervous to put this thinlit to work. How funny that the first time I use it you can hardly recognize it.

Now I get to see if I figured out how to schedule this post correctly. I am shooting for 5:00 am, we will have to see. My blog clock doesn’t match mine. I need to get this sorted before I go to camp next week so my posts can happen. Or, I might just take the week off.

Have a creative day, or night, or afternoon, whenever this blog shows up.

Moana

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

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

I must be one of the few Stampin’Up! demonstrators not showing new product today. It is the first day with the new annual catalog. Well, I have a different perspective sometimes. I get just as excited for the stamp sets I already have that carry over to the new catalog. So, there you have it.

The first is Big News. It has these fun sentiments designed around exciting news and events. They are written like we talk in a quirky way. It makes it kind of fun. The second is Perpetual Birthday Calendar. I sure have gotten a lot of use out of this set. An easy background maker if you ask me. It really gets a lot of use.

I am also happy that the cotton ribbon, which was new last catalog, stayed with us. It really makes such a pretty accent. I must say, this bow is nearly perfect. I kept this card pretty simple, but sometimes that is all I want.

I did a small pre-order earlier in the month to get the new colors that I have already shared with you. I also got a couple of host sets, and they will be so fun. Now I will let myself get into the new catalog and get a few stamp sets. Isn’t that fun? I thought so. You should check it out.

Have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

All Occasion

The Little Moments

Timeless Elegance

Just For You Treat Bag Card

Just For You

Happy Thoughts for You

My Dear Friend

You’re So Vintage

Remarkable You

Awesomely Artistic at last!

One Butterfly Too Many? I Think Not…

Flower Patch Beauty

Kinda Eclectic with a Ray of Sunshine

Crazy About You

Wondrous Wreath and My Plum Trees…

Trek Inspired Bordering Blooms

Banner Blessings with Beautiful Bunch

Butterfly Basics

Guy Greetings and Father’s Day Too!

Crazy About You Mint Macaron

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar