birthday

Because You Care and Gold Soiree

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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.

Because You Care and Gold Soiree

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.

Because You Care and Gold Soiree

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.

Because You Care and Gold Soiree

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

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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.

Lovely Amazing You and Wisteria Wonder

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!

Lovely Amazing You and Wisteria Wonder

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.

Lovely Amazing You and Wisteria Wonder

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

Throwback Birthday!

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How about another Throw Back Thursday?  You got it!  The designer paper I used was from last years Spring Occasions catalog and it was my favorite.  I used it like crazy, but kept one pack whole just so I could love it some more.  So pretty.

Throwback Birthday

It was the watercolor wonder set.  If you didn’t get any, you should be crying about it.  Really, you should try to find some on ebay or something.  Why am I going on about it now?  Well, every catalog has paper that is specific to it and then it goes away when the catalog is done.  If you find a paper you love, stock up before it’s gone!

Throwback Birthday

I paired this awesome paper with two current sets.  The Age Awareness photopolymer set and Work of Art.  Both are absolutely fantastic sets that are loaded in fun!  I even dipped into some really old sweater trim.  Remember that stuff?  I have loads of it.  I stocked up when it hit the clearance rack.  I love a good sale.

Throwback Birthday

Can you see just how big this bag is?  I scored a whole sheet in portrait mode and created this monster.  If you want to know how the handle worked out, you will have to send me a comment.  It was an accident, and I love how it worked out.  Might be a new regular for my bags.

Have a super awesome creative day!

Moana

Bloom With Hope Birthday

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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.

Bloom With Birthday Hope

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!

Bloom With Birthday Hope

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!

Bloom With Birthday Hope

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.

Bloom With Birthday Hope

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Bash Times Two

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Can you see a theme at my work station?  Yup, still working on birthday cards.  With paper this beautiful, you don’t really need a lot of extras.

Birthday Bash Times Two

I don’t know if you can tell from the photos, but several of the printed balloons are in gold foil.  It is just so pretty.  It could easily have gone without stamping, but I did just for fun.

Birthday Bash Times Two

I thought with the color combination it could easily be masculine.  Even with the seam binding ribbon.  Simple and strong.

Birthday Bash Times Two

I could go on and on, but these cards speak for themselves.  Dip into those pretty papers and put them to work.  Don’t be shy, just cut into them and make something beautiful.  That is why you bought them, right?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Perfect Pennants Birthday Bash

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Aside from the rushed photos and my crazy allergies, I think these cards are rather fun!  They are a definite challenge to the cloudy rainy day we have here.  We need the rain and I need the pollen washed away.  Actually, everything has a dusting of pollen that gives it a crushed curry look.  Funny…

Perfect Pennants Birthday Bash

My mind is pretty darn blank today.  Again with the allergies.  But I needed some birthday cards and wanted to brighten up my desk.  Mission accomplished.

Perfect Pennants Birthday Bash

The banner framelits really make a fun look.  So simple to do, my favorite kind of excitement on a card.  It doesn’t have to be all tricky and unique to give the right effect.  Having everything all tidy and clean really gives a professional edge.  Nice.

Perfect Pennants Birthday Bash

So, get out there and make some birthday cards!  You know you need them and it is always nice to have them on hand.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Bash Gone Wild

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This got a bit wild I think, but my girls thought it was great.  I suppose for teen girls it would be.  Sometimes we need to just step outside a bit and see what happens.

Balloon Bash

I suppose I should have done something green, for St. Patrick’s Day, oooops.  I am wearing what I call my grinch shoes.  Quite comfy, if a bit silly too.

Balloon Bash

I digress…so let’s focus here.  This tiny bag is just 2 x 2 x 3 1/2″, but you could fill it with lots of little treats or a gift or two.  It looks adorable, don’t you think?

Balloon Bash

I normally have to use a die cut or punch for my sentiments.  I was distracted and found myself fussy cutting.  So I just went that way all around.  Admittedly, I am not the best at that.  I avoid it as much as possible actually.  I know, it’s silly.

Balloon Bash

The stacked with love paper stack isn’t just about Valentine’s Day.  The back side of the red prints are more than fun in all of these exciting black and white patterns.  I use it more than my other stacks to be honest.  Interesting.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate This!

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I always call it a celebration when you get to use product that has been sitting quietly waiting its turn.  It seems I have been doing that a lot lately.  That would be the difference between preparing for workshop projects and blogging daily.  I think the daily thing is a lot more interesting, even if a bit tiring.

Confetti Celebration

I have to admit I struggled with this one a bit.  I tend to lean to the softer look and this one was pretty darn edgy.  But, I absolutely adore orange, so I persevered.

Confetti Celebration

Late night and early morning work tend to make for a lot of shadows in my photos. But when you have a family that comes first, those tend to be the available hours of my day.  I can cope well enough with the shadows, most of the time.

Confetti Celebration

This gift bag had a different plan to start with.  I had a math problem while using my scoreboard and I had to improvise.  It is actually a pretty nice size.  It used a whole sheet of cardstock with only a little bit snipped away.

On a side note, it was extremely satisfying to use hexagon shaped dimensionals on a hexagon shaped punch.  For those of us who like things just so, it is definitely just so.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Dear Heart and Cheerful Critters

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

Dear Critter

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

Dear Critter

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

Dear Critter

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

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cheerful Critters with Snuggles & Smooches

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

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

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

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

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

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

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

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

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

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

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

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

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

Flower Flurry Bigz Gift Box

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Tickled Pink with Flamingo Lingo

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

Flamingo Lingo

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

Flamingo Lingo

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

Flamingo Lingo

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

Flamingo Lingo

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

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

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

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

Birthday Card Bonanza!

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

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

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