Adventure Awaits Gift Set

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

I made this lovely set for a baby shower I went to today. Don’t you think motherhood is one of the great adventures in life? It will be her first, so it is definitely an adventure.

I have used three of my favorite stamp sets to complete this project. And yes, all three are retiring. I will be using them regardless. When I find sentiment sets that say just what I want, I have a hard time letting go. The new catalog has some fun options, but I can’t share them just yet. It goes live on June 2nd. Wheee!!!

I am realizing more and more how my camera is giving up on me. Sorry for the photo quality, but for now it will have to do. My main color really is pear pizzazz, really. I sponged my background paper to give it an ombre look that is so awesome with these patterns. I had to use my yummy chevron ribbon as well, and am truly sad that it is retiring. It is so great to work with. No whining, right?

When I finished the two sets of cards I was giving as the actual gift, they didn’t fit in my first bag. So I had to make another, get a bit creative, and pair them together. It worked out great! This bundle has 14 cards and envelopes in total! The ladies loved it, especially my friend.

I think everyone should have beautiful cards to give away, especially as special thank notes. That is why I love to gift these.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Dash with Box Buddy

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

Someone you know having a birthday and need a card right away? Why not make a card with a matching box buddy? It may look like it took a lot of time, but it was super quick. Enough said.

I used one sheet of sahara sand to base both of these projects. I cut a 6 x 6 portion first and used the remaining for the card. It came together really nice actually.

When you have paper as beautiful as the birthday bash set, you really want to showcase it. I usually don’t cover it, but I felt the need to play with this awesome ribbon! It is huge, soft, and full of color. Too much fun.

The card is a bit off normal size, but only a 1/2 inch shorter. Yes, it will fit perfectly in my regular envelopes, no need to make a custom one. The bit of extra space allows for that huge ribbon. Perfect!

Get out your pretty paper and put it to work for you. This paper won’t be around much longer, retiring and all. I might have to get a bit more, it makes such wonderful birthday cards.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Happy Heart Mini Treat Bag

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

Could this treat bag be any cuter? I don’t know, maybe. I did buy some chocolate to put inside, but forgot to take a photo with them included. Ooops, but it will still get in there. I am actually going to give it away today.

I used the framelit set to cut out the bag bits. While I was working the big shot I went ahead and cut out the ‘for you’ sentiment from the same paper, calypso coral. I did some sponging, but knew I needed something more for the bag front.

I used the heart framelit from the same set on some of the coordinating washi sheets. I had planned on sticking it directly to the paper, but the embossing changed that plan. I left it on the white background paper it came on and liked it. I did punch a few hearts with the bitty heart punch and stuck them on. But not til I had embossed the bag front with the happy heart folder. Those little hearts fit in pretty darn good. I used my stylus to help tuck them in just right. Before I did, I used my brayer and inked over the embossed hearts to make them pop a bit. I got a little messy, so I went with that and sponged a bunch to help balance it out.

I used the row of dots framelit, also in the same set, to make some sewing punches for my ribbon. It wraps around the back, but laces in the front. I put it in a bow and tied my tag on. I did stick the tag with a dimensional to help it stay just right. Now, to get the chocolate in and give it to my friend. Should be fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sassy Salutations with Flowering Flourishes

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

Let’s just say that my camera doesn’t always do me the best favors. It is pushing ten years of heavy use, guess that is to be expected. You get the idea though.

I was stumped for an idea, so I asked my youngest daughter for a little help. All I asked her for was a color, something to get me started. She said red, but not a love card. I took her challenge and had fun with it.

I don’t normally work in red, but I do like the results. I used two cut and ready card bases, retiring sad to say, for this set. One for the card and the other for the box. You could also make these from just one sheet.

I stamped on the velum with stazon and let it dry for a bit while I did the red stamping. I hid my adhesive under the stamping and my embellishments. Aren’t these just beautiful? When they went on sale I broke down and bought a couple of containers. So glad I did. They are also retiring.

Even though my camera didn’t help out too much today, I think you get the idea. Give yourself a challenge and see what happens. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Mixed Bunches of Sassy Salutations

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

Well Good Morning! Isn’t this just a huge ray of sunshine? Bright, happy, sunny, and they make me smile. What a great combo!

There is something about huge polka dots that just makes me smile. After adding a smattering of flowers and an adorable greeting, all you need is someone wonderful to share them with.

Out of this set, what is retiring? The paper of course. Such a versatile set, I will miss it. The angled tag topper punch. I am glad it have it. I love the curled and pretty ones, but sometimes you don’t want that. And of course the flower stamp used. It is from a set of designed flowers that also have center round stamps for layering and extra fun. I make backgrounds out of those all of the time. There is a coordinating punch for the flower that I didn’t use on this one. I didn’t have crushed curry ribbon, but the hello honey was just right. This particular ribbon is retiring, but the color will be with us for another year. It is hard to tell in my photo, but the ribbon is just a shade or two darker. And I love it!

These went together really fast. The perfect example of simple stamping with coordinating products to give it the professional look we all love.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Geometrical Confetti Celebration Retirement Party

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

More retirement stuff? Absolutely! So, out of this project, what did I use that will be retiring? It would be easier to share what isn’t. That would be the whisper white paper and coordinating seam binding ribbon. Yup, everything else is heading out.

When I bought this stamp set I admit it was for the sentiments. Specifically, the cheer up buttercup one. Totally worth it in my mind. But I have gotten a little more attached to the funny little shapes. It is nice to do something different once in a while.

This card set was made from four cut and ready card bases. Three cards and one holder, and yes, the holder was made from a card base. A little scoring, a little edgelit work, a little inking and there you have it. Crazy, right? I need to get the whole video thing going, you would like to see how easy that one is. I surprised myself.

I am enjoying more and more making sets that I can use as gifts. People love getting pretty things they can turn around and use. I love the smile on their faces when they look at them.

Well, I had better get going. I have a prom dress to add sleeves to. That is okay, my sewing machine feels neglected when I paper craft so much.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Retirement Party for Bloom With Hope

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

How did my morning get away from me? Well, it goes along perfectly with the color choices for today’s projects. These lovely cards had to wait for their retirement party until I had helped my oldest daughter.

She is participating in a small business class that has a specific business competition today. Her and another young lady were selected to represent their club and their school at this competition. I just heard from her and they are finished presenting. Just a few more and they will announce the winners. How exciting is that?

What is with the color choices then? Their organization has these two colors, instead of strawberry slush it is a bit more magenta, but pretty close. They were to dress exactly alike with these colors as their emphasis. They look adorable! So I thought I would use product with the same color choices. Cool stuff there.

I also dipped deep into a retired product from last year. The coordinations line sure was a fun one, and I miss it. However, I did get quite a bit of the paper when it hit the clearance racks. As I have used down my stash of in colors, I have found myself out of a few, but have them in coordinations. It works for me!

If you find yourself in need of a few cards, why don’t you give these a try? They actually went together pretty easily and they look great too!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Chalk Talk Retirement Party

April 23, 2015April 23, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about this for an overdone party. I really should set some limits with myself, because seriously, six cards and two bags for one blog post is just a bit much. But hey, it is a party right?

The designer paper I used was so fun. I guess that is why I ended up with two sets, because each side of the paper was too cute. I am used to having paper around for a catalog year, but I do tend to get attached to the colors. I really did enjoy the 2013-2015 In Colors.

The stamp set Chalk Talk is retiring, but the framelit isn’t. So, maybe a new set will be available? We will have to wait and see.

For a little throw back I used the stretch ribbon from last years catalog. It was really fun to play with. This is a reminder to me to get the items I want that are retiring before they run out.

Well, I am running behind for sure with all my crafting. Off to another adventure!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sew You Paper Pumpkin Kit

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

What is this paper pumpkin kit thing? It is my little bit of happy, that’s what it is. As a demonstrator of Stampin’Up! I am the one doing the creative thinking, preparing and sharing of my work. Well, this is what I give myself as a thank you.

This is a subscription service that I love. Each month I get a complete kit to make something so fun. All I have to supply are scissors and some adhesive. I really like having it just show up like a present or something.

Sometimes I make it just like the directions, or sometimes I give it my own little touch. Like these two cards. I added a healthy dose of sponging to both of them. The kit came with the yellow embroidery thread. I liked it quite a bit. But then I thought, what about other colors?

Who doesn’t have a bunch of this running around their craft room, right? So I got out some variegated green and paired it with wild wasabi ink. Perfect fit. This is only two of the eight cards that came with the kit. There is a whole bunch of other stuff that it came with that I will find a use on other projects. I liked adding my own ink colors to it instead.

I hope you don’t mind my little shortcut today, but I do enjoy my paper pumpkin!

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re Wonderful

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

What is wonderful? Mothers are! My mother is wonderful. My mother-in-law is wonderful. Paper crafting for both of them makes all of us happy!

After workshop I tend to have a bit of an empty brain, so I wondered what I could come up with for today. As I put away my materials and tidied my desk I cam across a couple of cards that were part way through. Instead of just putting away the components to become something else, I added to them and made this set.

I love sending my mother cards to use and love. She sets up the ones I personally send her around her house as decoration. How sweet is that? I also keep my mother-in-law supplied in birthday cards. She is so nice to remember literally everyone in her family on their birthday. Even down to the great-grand-babies. Such a kind woman.

So I try to live up to their great examples and share what I can. This pretty set is made from sahara sand, whisper white, and the lovely something borrowed designer paper. I stamped my sentiment from the You’re Wonderful photopolymer set. It is so fun because you can change out the wording that nests in the banners. So awesome!

And what set of mine would be complete without an adorable matching bag? It was made from a card base that was cut at 4 1/4 x 11″. Simple scoring, stamping tone on tone with a smaller flower image from the same set, and adorned with velum flowers and rhinestones. As you can tell, I stamped my sentiment on velum as well.

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

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

#You’re Welcome

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

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

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

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

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

Have a wonderfully creative day!

Moana

Cheerful Critters Party

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Guy Greetings Woo-Hoo!

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

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

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

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

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Birthday Bash

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

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

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

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

Have an absolutely wonderful and truly creative day!

Moana

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

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

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

birthday

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

Birthday Dash with Box Buddy

Happy Heart Mini Treat Bag

Sassy Salutations with Flowering Flourishes

Mixed Bunches of Sassy Salutations

Geometrical Confetti Celebration Retirement Party

Retirement Party for Bloom With Hope

Chalk Talk Retirement Party

Sew You Paper Pumpkin Kit

You’re Wonderful

So Much Joy

Crazy About You With Elegance

#You’re Welcome

Cheerful Critters Party

Guy Greetings Woo-Hoo!

Balloon Birthday Bash

Adventure Awaits the Best Day Ever!

Mixed Bunch Work of Art

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!