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

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

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

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

Because You Care and Gold Soiree

March 28, 2015March 28, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Today is all about the paper. And I couldn’t decide on which combinations to use. The Gold Soiree specialty designer series paper is more than wonderful. The other sides of these two papers are equally awesome. You will get to see those tomorrow, so come back to check.

Can you see the obvious glare on the paper? I know my photos are less than ideal at times, but the glare is on purpose. I wanted you to see the glossy reflection. This paper is so smooth and glossy and just fancier than the rest. Hence the specialty title.

The colors in this set are some of my favorite. Especially calypso coral. Can I just say that in my last house I painted my laundry room just a few shades lighter than this. It was called marmalade. I got teased, but it was so super happy in there.

As you have noticed, I have been creating extra birthday cards. My mother-in-law is so good about sending out cards. So I keep her supplied. Last night she picked up six. She only needed three this month, but couldn’t decide and took six. So cute. Now I have to get back to work!

Hope you have a super creative day! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to see how the other side looks.

Moana

Lovely Amazing You and Wisteria Wonder

March 27, 2015March 27, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Well, I finally did it. I jumped on the ‘feather’ bandwagon. I really didn’t see the big interest, just thought it wasn’t my thing.

That is until a friend talked about them at our last workshop and how she thought they were different and looked nice. You know what? She was totally right. Something else to be grateful for that was carried over into the spring catalog from last fall, the feather set. More to buy, oooops!

I did enjoy taking the paper and softening it up with ink. With the card above I just gave it a gentle sponging all over with the coordinating wisteria wonder ink. Below I gave it the ombre look. The photo gives you an idea, but it looks better in person, of course.

And of course I loved that I got to use a favorite ribbon that hadn’t been out in a while. I do so love the chevron ribbon. Good stuff there.

As we head into the weekend I think you should take a little time for yourself, and have a creative day!

Moana

Bloom With Hope Birthday

March 25, 2015March 25, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I don’t think I can ever get enough of this color combination. It is just so soft and elegant. I am trying to get my fix of coastal cabana in before it retires this summer. I really do love this color.

The sale-a-bration designer paper I used is already soft and pretty. But doesn’t it look even dreamier with velum over the top? Absolutely yes!

This cute box is open on top and is ready to be filled. My girls thought it should be filled with hershey’s kisses. How fun to have this out and ready to be shared!

Can you see the echo stamping I did on the inside of the card. It looks just as pretty in blue as it does in black on the front. I do love the inside stamped.

Well, this set speaks for itself, in volumes. You should try it out.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Kinda Eclectic Ray of Sunshine

March 21, 2015March 21, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Eclectic is the true nature of this card. A little bit of everything coming together to create something beautiful. With these colors, stamped images, punches, and a perfect Walt Whitman quote, how could you go wrong?

Of course I had to layer in the 1/8th” fashion as is my thing these days. But it makes me happy, even if it seems a bit wasteful. I often punch or cut out underneath anyway, so it isn’t too bad. I didn’t think I would notice if I inked the edges or not in such a narrow border, but you totally do. It looked almost plain otherwise with this combo. Interesting.

When I stamped inside I used just the corner of the sunburst, it was just right. It made me think of a quilt block I have never been brave enough to try. I think I have seen it called New York beauty and it involves paper piecing to keep those points just so. Beautiful, but daunting. Maybe someday.

Well, today is workshop day, so I had to keep it brief. No time for a second variation of the card and a matching bag. I still have to get to the store before I go!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just Kidding, Tap Tap Tap

March 20, 2015March 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I can’t even tell you how much this stamp set makes me laugh. Stampin’ Up! comes out with new photopolymer stamp sets during the year and their themes are all over the place. You need to look up this set and get ready to laugh.

I think this set would be perfect to share a little gift with a crafting buddy or two. I could put tons of little goodies in the gift bag. One of my favorite things.

This spiral border punch I used is so much fun. I have to be careful, or all of my projects are going to get that look. Do you ever fall in love with a product and just want to go crazy with it?

These tiny little buttons are part of a free gift with purchase set. They come along with the little twines you see on top of the tag. I pulled apart the strands for a lighter look. They come in all five colors, five yards each, and a collection of these little buttons. They are so sweet.

I think this will be project number two for workshop tomorrow. I picked the first one from a prior project and I will post the third in the morning. They are a fun mix for sure.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Wildflower Meadow Watercolor

March 19, 2015March 19, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about waking up to a ray of sunshine? This feels like a spring sunrise. The kind you wish you could get lost in, or just put on pause so you can stay there.

I was sulking over my blendabilities tragedy and wanted to play with color. So I pulled out some watercolor paper and decided to make a mess. I picked my colors, mushed some ink from my pads onto wax paper, sprayed them with water and started putting my paper on it to make patterns. Those colors were too dark, so I switched to the ones you see. Soft sky, daffodil delight and blushing bride. I repeated the process and the colors were just right. I dried it with my heat gun because I have no patience, sheesh…

I then stamped the wildflower meadow stamp in black stazon and went for it. I love the texture that shows through the ink. I finished it off with a tiny stamp from the Tap Tap Tap set to just say “hi”. I used the tiny oval to punch it out, inked it and backed it with another oval punched in daffodil delight.

A healthy smattering of basic pearls and a big hug in seam binding ribbon and this guy was ready. I raised it up on dimensionals and called it done. Kind of simple, but has lots of interest at the same time. Give it a try!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Painted Blooms with Lotus Blossom

March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

I finally gave in and cut into those whole sheet pieces of art in the Painted Blooms DSP. I have used several of the other patterns, just not the one lovely enough to be framed. I got brave and was really pleased with the results.

A trio of happiness for sure. Along the top left and top left of the paper it opens us, just like it would in a flower garden. I used those spaces for stamping and then again as my inside paper. It was as if I had stamped it, but didn’t need to. And I didn’t want to not use it, but it wasn’t the right balance for a card front.

This need to make matching gift bags is really starting to fill up my work station. I can count ten bags from where I am sitting. Seriously now, I need to do some gifting.

I really enjoy the combination of rose red and wild wasabi. They really are beautiful together. Sweet words, pretty colors, flowers and butterflies, my work is so happy here.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Adventure Awaits with Lullaby?

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

Sometimes traditional, sometimes floral, and sometimes, just right. That is how I feel about the projects for today. They came together so effortlessly. I guess when you are in the zone good things happen.

Can you believe these designer papers came out of the lullaby set? They could speak baby, I guess, but really have a lot more uses than that. Super fun with even a twist of masculine.

I snatched the anchor from the Guy Greetings set to add to the nautical theme. My husband told me that the color combination felt like the beach. Guess it worked.

I brought in the spots stamp from the Perpetual Birthday set and it gave just the right touch. The largest spot is the exact size as the small epoxy sticker from the sticker set. Things just lined right up! I do love decorating the inside of the card to match.

With the square and circle framelits to do my cutting, it kept the sentiments large but still a nice layering effect. I have gotten into 1/8″ boarders on my layering. Those are hard to line up without using tombo adhesive to wiggle it into place. Love that stuff. And I even got to use more of my Sale-a-bration ribbon stash! Winning all around!

Have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

All Occasion

All Abloom Gift Set

So Much Joy

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

Crazy About You With Elegance

Blooming With Kindness Trio

Adventure Awaits the Best Day Ever!

Hello There Vivid Vases

Mixed Bunch Work of Art

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!

Hello There Painted Petals!

Gold Soiree with Banner Blessings Part 2

Because You Care and Gold Soiree

Lovely Amazing You and Wisteria Wonder

Bloom With Hope Birthday

Kinda Eclectic Ray of Sunshine

Just Kidding, Tap Tap Tap

Wildflower Meadow Watercolor

Painted Blooms with Lotus Blossom

Adventure Awaits with Lullaby?