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

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

Camp Bountiful in a Card

June 14, 2015June 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Spending a week with a wonderful group of ladies working together to serve the most beautiful girls, communing with nature and worshiping God, it is obvious why I created the card I did.

Lovely as a Tree will remain one of my long time favorites, always. Being surrounded by nature and removed from technology and distractions brings solace like no other.

The girls, that huge group of lovely girls, worked together, learned together, laughed together, and cried together. It was such a wonderful experience and I hope I get the opportunity to serve again next summer.

It wont be easy to get back into the routine of life, but there isn’t a choice. But, I can choose to keep myself in tune with the things I learned and felt. I will continue to serve those I love.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate Today – Happy Graduation!

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

Yup, today is the big day! Our Denali is graduating! How exciting! Glitter, or shall I say glimmer paper, is definitely in order. I don’t use this very much, but this more than called for it! I even managed to make these without her seeing. She might have been distracted, since it is the last day of school, and all they do this morning is practice the ceremony. To be honest, she is so ready to be done.

Even so, celebration time is here. We have family in town, a dinner planned, and a special gift or two. Now, if the planets can only align, it might all come together. This card is a perfect start though.

My card base is tangelo twist, with a full layer of silver glimmer paper, and a card front in whisper white. I kept it very clean, just about the sentiment here. You know how hard that is for me, but I did it!

I used the confetti star boarder to give the inside a bit of bling. I love how that looks. Still plenty of room to write, a fun look, and maintains the clean style.

I know the ribbon is retired, but it matches and I had to match. I am glad that there are other colors of this satin stitched ribbon in the new catalog. It is so lovely to work with. Off to get many other things done. I took the last day of school off, how selfish right? Not really, family first.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Something to Say with Flowering Flourishes

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

I honestly sat down to my very messy desk and couldn’t think of what to do. There are many reasons to stay organized, and that is one of them. I looked to my paper for inspiration, as I usually do when I get stumped. But I haven’t purchased any of the new paper yet, so that threw me another loop. I really had to look for a little extra creativity, so I kept looking. The foil velum carried over and I had some of that. For the win!

I started out with the idea of making a purse style gift bag, but thought it was looking to be too bulky and wide. So, I cut it in half and went for two of these little beauties. I stamped my wisteria wonder card stock with the medium stamp from flowering flourishes to go under the velum. I love the soft layering it gives.

I used a whole 12 x 12 sheet of velum to start with. When I trimmed it to match the 8.5 x 11 I had a nice strip left over. I cut that in two and made two mini envelopes for the tiny gift cards. The cards are large enough for a tiny note and also house a gift card. Nice, right?

I plan on putting a couple of gourmet cookies in a cellophane bag to tuck inside the gift bags. It should make a lovely set.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Congratulations to a Wonderful Man

May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Yesterday was such a wonderful day for my family, especially my husband. He was able to participate in a graduation ceremony for earning his masters degree. Working full time, teaching early morning religion classes, and completing his program in eighteen months with straight A’s. Congratulations to a Wonderful Man, truly. A card doesn’t sum up an accomplishment like that, but I needed somewhere to write the words that would. Perfect solution.

The new stamp set Happy Birthday, Everyone is obviously more versatile that just birthdays. I used one of the many phrases included in this host set to make my background paper. I just stamped it over and over again, not even trying to be straight, and it turned out pretty well. I added the congratulations from the Sassy Salutations set. I used black paper as well to emphasize the main sentiment, all about the congratulations here.

Even though it was for my husband, I though I could get away with a little of the dotted lace trim. Almost compulsory there since it is new and coordinates so well. I only used a tiny amount, no bows or anything. Welcome to yet another wonderful In-Color. Glad to have you Delightful Dijon!

Have a creative day,

Moana

Thank You for Mint Macaron

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

Isn’t this lovely minty color so pretty? This is the third of the five new In-Colors for Stampin’Up! and I am already having so much fun with them. I wasn’t quite ready to let go of coastal cabana or some of the others, but this helps me feel better.

I hadn’t made a bag or box for a bit, so I thought I would do both. I am still using the same stamp set, A Whole Lot of Lovely, three days in a row. That just goes to show how versatile this set is.

Of course I got the new colors, but I also had to get all of the new lace trims as well. I am quickly getting attached to them. They are a little more subtle and opaque on my projects. More of an accent than a focus.

I left this bag rather simple. I wanted to just see the stamped image and focus on that. It really is pretty. I know I will be using this one like crazy. Speaking of crazy, that is what is in store for my day, so I had better get on it!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Pleasant Poppies Gift Set

May 24, 2015May 24, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

As poppies are in bloom, my attention was drawn once again to my favorite background stamp. I am sad to see it retire, I truly am. Retiring or not, this one is a keeper that I will use for years to come.

With that said, this post is a good news bad news. Yes, my precious poppies will retire, but the wonderful Perpetual Calendar stamp set carried over! The little flowers I stamped all around my gift bag are one of many adorable little stamps in that set. It is so versatile. I think it has been the most heavily used stamp set from the spring catalog. Interesting…

You cannot tell from the photo, but there is a little cellophane bag inside. I made the floral windows on both sides to show the “treats”, but there aren’t any to show. Literally, I don’t keep candy at my home. You will just have to use your imagination.

I stamped the poppies on a very vanilla card front using tangelo twist. I then used my aqua painter to get a bit of ink to the centers of the flowers that showed them. I cleaned my brush of ink and just used water on the rest. I simply brushed over the stamped flowers to move bits of the ink around. It gives a very subtle look, but it is just right. I could have brought in another color for the stems, but I wanted this monochromatic. A simple bow of very vanilla seam binding ribbon, sadly retiring, finishes off both projects.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Glorious Painted Blooms

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

When I sat down to create something for today’s blog I was stumped. I had been reading for a while and had a hard time getting focused. What I usually do when that happens is go to my designer series paper and pick something that catches my eye and work from there.

What I discovered tucked between to organizers of paper was an unopened set of the Painted Blooms designer series paper. Oh. My. Goodness. I felt like a little kid. I have loved this set so much and have used a ton of it.

Since it will be retiring with the spring catalog, I got really bold. I opened it up and took out my favorite pattern. The first pack I had I treasured this pattern and had the hardest time cutting in up. So, I just went for it. I used one whole sheet and made a beautiful gift bag to showcase it. It was quite liberating. Good thing there is two of each pattern in a package. I can still treasure the last one. Maybe I will do like others have and frame it.

I didn’t want to cover up one bit of it with a tag or any stamping. So, I went a little crazy with the seam binding ribbon. How perfect is this gift bag!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Yippee-Skippee in Love!

May 22, 2015May 22, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

There are times when how I feel just saturates what I create. Today’s project set is a perfect example of that.

Last night I finished a lovely book in a series I had previously enjoyed. I am a middle school librarian, so I have the perfect excuse to revel in young adult literature. Who am I kidding, I would read it regardless. I have always enjoyed reading what my children do and visa versa.

Love, true love, is an obvious theme here. Even though the series continues and I have to wait for the next novel, I was left all emotional and girlie and super in love. Hence, the color choices and such.

I used a whole sheet of 12 x 12 silver foil velum here. Two card fronts and a lovely bag. I poured out the chevron ribbon, because I love it so, and added a few elegant embellishments. I knew these cards could be for a variety of occasions, so I left the sentiment off the front. I will stamp the inside with just the right thing when I put them to work.

I might have to fill the bag with truffles or something lovely and give it to my husband. That sounds just right.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flowerpot Painted Petals Trio

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

Sometimes when you draw a blank, you still come out on top. I was sure I had crafters block yesterday. So I sat and read a novel instead. When I made myself go back and sit down I decided to pull out a sheet of designer series paper and just design a bag and call it good. As soon as I had this sheet of paper on my desk my brain got busy. Cool right?

I hadn’t paired this ribbon with rich razzelberry yet and I wish I would have. They look great together! And then a bit of glimmer paper to frame a tiny sentiment and we are off and running.

I trimmed off a 4″ section from the whole 12 x 12 for a card front. When I finished the other cut to give me the 4 x 5 1/4″ front I needed I was left with a choice.

Make a second card, put the remainder back with its set, or make another tiny bag to go along. The tiny bag won. What a cute little baby bag.

This set went together really quickly. That is what happens when you have great product. Just a little bit of stamping, some creasing, adhesive here and there and a ribbon on top. I went to bed with a smile for sure.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Stacked With Love

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

Today is all about the paper. The stacked with love dsp set is often overlooked in my stash. One side is Valentine’s Day, and awesome at that. The other is all of these really cool black and white themed prints. So functional.

However, I like to soften the look with sponging ink all around. I did an ombre effect across the diamond pattern. It is heaviest at the right where I placed the sentiment. I so love when a stamp has a coordinating punch. Just yummy.

I hadn’t known what to do with this pattern. It stumped me. When I put the Just Kidding sentiments to work, I wish I had tons of this sheet. There is four of each pattern in the stack, but not enough. I love this card. Luckily I have an embossing folder with a similar image. It is retiring, but I have mine. So exciting!

I also like how I sponged around the image to draw additional attention to it. A simple but effective technique.

Have a creative day!

Moana

May Workshop Club Thank You!

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

Everyone does their workshops in their own way. I just love to say thank you in fun little gift ways. I have the privilege of sharing Saturday mornings with some really wonderful people. Some are regular club members and others come just for the projects.

Both sets of friends come away with plenty of wonderful. I go overboard on my projects on a regular basis, so that is always fun. But my regular shoppers get a little extra. I shop ahead and plan for special thank you gifts. Like this awesome ribbon that I have had for quite a while. It retired last year and I have been waiting, and waiting. But getting a ten yard spool of awesome ribbon is so worth it! They are going to be so pleased!

I also try to make something that they can re-gift. No need to be wasteful. They are also getting a little embellishment treasure. We all oogled over the something borrowed embellishments but decided they might be a bit too pricey. They went on sale and I got us a pack to share and one for me to keep. They are so pretty.

As I write this I am watching the clock. I need to leave in just over an hour to be nice and early for setup. The bag is made with a half sheet of hello honey and coordinating paper and ribbon. The paper will stay, but the rest is retiring. The new product is lovely though. Two weeks til the new catalog goes live!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hello There Farewell

May 14, 2015May 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I have been trying to stay focused on this years catalog and finish it through, but the new product keeps on sneaking into my thoughts. I thought this would be a fitting solution to all that is going on.

I like to make samples using the new in-colors for the season and send them along with the new catalog to my club ladies. They love getting to see, and touch, some of the new product along with the catalog.

Last year I made a card in this format using tangelo twist as one of the five samples included. I thought it fitting to make another with a companion gift bag, since I love that these days, with an in-color that is retiring. Farewell to strawberry slush, and your four other friends. I have loved using you!

I have begun planning my new samples with the wonderful new in-colors. I also got to pre-purchase some of the new host sets, perks of being a demonstrator, and they are lovely! They will make some great gifts for my ladies.

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

Park Lane Duo

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

I started this set yesterday morning, got stumped, fussed last night, and finally fixed it this morning. I kept trying to put the yellow butterfly on the card front. Yes, the one I inlaid back into the gift bag I cut it from. Strange how things come together better when you give your creativity a break to refocus.

I colored the paper with my ink sponges. I didn’t want a lot of exact color, just subtle hints. So I just used the sponges with leftover ink already on them. It did the job just right. Of course my photos make it hard to see, but I love the effect.

When you use delicate die cuts it helps tremendously to sandwich wax paper in between the layers. The paper just pops out then. I decided to use the wax paper ones as well. I didn’t want to cover up the coloring and the yellow butterfly just took over.

After I swapped things around I fell in love. I attached my wax paper butterflies with some folded glue dots and then ran a string of basic pearls down the body. It gave such a delicate finish.

One quick stamp from the Sheltering Tree set and the card was done. No ribbon, no other extras, just some light color and transparent butterflies. Since they are so thin, the move when the card does. Beautiful.

Get out there and have a creative day!

Moana

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

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

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

clean and simple

Kinda Eclectic with a Ray of Sunshine

Wondrous Wreath and My Plum Trees…

Trek Inspired Bordering Blooms

Banner Blessings with Beautiful Bunch

Camp Bountiful in a Card

Celebrate Today – Happy Graduation!

Something to Say with Flowering Flourishes

Congratulations to a Wonderful Man

Thank You for Mint Macaron

Pleasant Poppies Gift Set

Glorious Painted Blooms

Yippee-Skippee in Love!

Flowerpot Painted Petals Trio

Stacked With Love

May Workshop Club Thank You!

Hello There Farewell

Sweet Taffy Gift Bag

Park Lane Duo

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

Happy Heart Mini Treat Bag