Balloon Bash with a Twist

October 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

A tangelo twist that is. I went to my color buddy yet again this morning and she said orange. What a great team. I don’t need much, just a nudge sometimes.

I had made a version of this card some time ago for a workshop. I was asked for a birthday card and the design just popped right into my head. So I guess I cased myself, again. Well, I do tend to like my designs most of the time, so why not!

It is a pretty direct layout today. Everything is done in 1/4″ increments, nothing too tricky. Dimensionals are definitely put to work, and I gave myself permission to sponge everything. So liberating. There is a lot going on, but it is also simple and easy to mail. Gotta love that!

Have a creative day!

Moana

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

August 21, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

When you get asked for a birthday card for a little boy, don’t you just think of dinosaurs? This fun card could be for folks of all ages. You know, the cards that tease you about being older than a dinosaur, or a fossil in this case.

I gave warning that I would be into this set like crazy, and I love every chance I get to use it. I have a few more children’s birthday cards to make and I think they will all have a dinosaur on them. Tee hee.

The card itself is very simple. Narrow borders layered together with some very simple stamping. I only used three stamps for this card. I think it looks like this dinosaur is smiling. I digress…

Simple stamping, basic color pallet, sponging on the edges and a touch of ribbon. Keeping open spaces on a project isn’t my strength, but when I manage it, I realize that I really do like it. I just forget.

Have a creative day!

Moana

No Bones About It

August 16, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

No, I don’t have little children, and yes, I did have to have this set. I actually pegged it for a favorite when the new catalog first came out. It really isn’t the speed of my card group I teach, but I wanted it for myself. How cute is it?

There are four different dinosaurs in the set, all with matching skeletons, some fossil plant looking stamps, some splats and these awesome footprints. As well as a few super cool sentiments to go along.

This card was done in mossy meadow and whisper white with no frills. I embossed the base with the chevron folder and made my layered tag from the tags & labels framelits set. Plenty of dimensionals for everyone and there you go. I did accent it a bit with some linen thread using the 1/16″ hand held punch for the knot to show through.

I am going to really enjoy this set a lot, and I mean a lot.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Game On!

August 5, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Know someone who is taking on a new challenge? Me too, and this card is just right for her. I guess it could go for a lot of different occasions, even a child’s birthday card, use your imagination. I sure did.

The card base is bermuda bay and I kept it just to that one color. The card front has a narrow boarder with the stamped front layered on another piece of bermuda bay cardstock and lifted up on dimensionals. The simple sentiment comes from the Dear Heart set, along with this adorable little boy.

He is prepped for adventure with a mask from the Calling All Heroes set stamped in coordinating ink. I punched him out with the 1 3/4″ circle punch and layered that again with a 2″ circle punch of more bermuda bay. A simple accent of striped grosgrain ribbon finished it off nicely.

I sponged color around the edges of the card front, the inside panel and the circle punches. Just softening it a little bit. Now I can’t wait to give it to my friend.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sweet Taffy Gift Bag

May 13, 2015May 13, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about a huge bag made from awesome paper? Sounds like the perfect thing to me. It wasn’t hard to decide which paper to use, but which stamp would go best on the tag.

I knew it had to be bold and long. But I didn’t want the reader to turn sideways to read it. So I had to dig into my sale-a-bration stash and use this beauty. I have used this one like crazy.

I used the dotted hexagon stamp from the six-sided sampler set to coordinate with the paper. I thought it paired wonderfully. The bow does make it a bit more feminine, but if had put it in a knot it would be great for a guy as well. Good stuff there.

Just how big is the bag? I used a whole 12 x 12 sheet to make this one. I measures nearly 3 x 3 at the base and goes up to 9″ to the top. Plenty of space to put in a light gift or two, maybe even a stash of taffy?

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

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

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

Perfect Pennants Birthday Bash

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

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…

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.

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.

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

Just a Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’

March 9, 2015March 9, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Today is all about quick and simple. I was able to attend a girls camp planning meeting last night and of course I had to have something to share with the girls. Imagine this set times four.

It only took about an hour to whip up twenty handouts! How about that! I got into my stash of retired designer series paper and pulled out these awesome colors. I cut the squares 6×6, put adhesive on two perpendicular sides, rolled into a tube and squished one end together.

Fill with candy and staple shut! Really, it was just about that simple. I used the other side of the paper to give a more solid pattern to frame my stamped phrase. It was so quick.

It makes people feel special when they know you made them something, even a little something like this. What a great use of awesome products, right?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cheerful Critters with Snuggles & Smooches

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

Big News on Sea Street

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

Is it obvious that I have babies on the mind? So many of my friends are becoming grandmothers for the first time or more. So much fun to say the least.

There have been baby showers, invitations, and fun shopping galore. So of course I need lots of cards and matching bags! I can’t imagine how I will be with my own grandchildren.

This stamp set has been waiting patiently for me. The ladies I host workshops for are patient with my whimsy. The coordinating paper is all navy and nautical colored. I love that, but I wanted these colors today. I picked the colors before the stamp set.

I just love it. I used blushing bride, pool party, and calypso coral to make my background paper. I embossed that cute octopus with pool party. Goodness, what a cutie!

I added a little bling with the in-color sequins on the card and matching bag. I used the 1 3/4 round punch and matching scallop punch for those starfish. I finished off each project with blushing bride chevron ribbon. What more could you ask for?

How about yet another baby shower to use it at? Done!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Letterpress Winter Throw Back Thursday

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

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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?

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

children’s birthday

Balloon Bash with a Twist

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

No Bones About It

Game On!

Sweet Taffy Gift Bag

Birthday Dash with Box Buddy

Cheerful Critters Party

Balloon Birthday Bash

Perfect Pennants Birthday Bash

Just a Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’

Cheerful Critters with Snuggles & Smooches

Big News on Sea Street

Letterpress Winter Throw Back Thursday

Little Buddy Birthday