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

Part 2 with Gift Cards as Promised

April 2, 2015April 2, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

These little cards are just so cute. And yes, all eight of them do fit nicely in yesterdays box project. It was hard not to share them together, but I managed.

I thought the cards were perfectly sized to write a tiny note and put in a gift card. This would be a great stash to have on hand. The cards were made simply with 1/4 of a page of card stock and then scored in half. That way I was able to make all of the card fronts from one sheet of whisper white.

I stamped the whole page and then chopped it into eight pieces. How easy is that? It was super easy,no questions.

Now, you need to go try something fun like this. 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

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

Birthday Bash Times Two

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Sheer Perfection

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

I had taken a break from blackberry bliss, since I couldn’t leave it alone. I went through a pack of that paper pretty darn quick. Just had to order another. I absolutely love, love, love that color. I am glad we get it for another year.

Isn’t this velum paper just beautiful? It is yet another free gift with a qualifying purchase during Sale-a-bration! Those folks at Stampin’Up! did a really clever thing during this sale. By the time we hit March, things have slowed a bit, so they introduced four new gift items! Wheeeeeee!

I picked my favorites right away of course. This pack has several patterns and they are all wonderful. You should really get some of it, really.

The gift bag I made to go with is pretty darn simple. I probably should have done more, but I was wasn’t feeling it. My daughter thought it would be perfect with a couple of candy bars inside. What bag wouldn’t, right?

Either way, I finally got these together. Some Saturday’s are busier than others, and today was chuck full of very wonderful distractions. Life can be so good.

Hope you had a creative day!

Moana

Bundled Baby Shower Invitations

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

Do you remember this one? It was one of the choices for a baby shower invitation. So, today isn’t a new project, just a whole slew of them with another color option.

This is what fifty of these bad boys look like. Kind of impressive.

I used up all of my pistachio pudding paper and had to dip into a little so saffron. I think it worked out pretty nice. The biggest work portion was all of the inking on that awesome star embossed sale-a-bration paper.

They are ready for delivery and my fingers are ready for a rest. Enough said.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Dear Heart and Cheerful Critters

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

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?

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.

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.

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

Sheltering Tree

March 3, 2015March 3, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Spring is in the air and blossoms are all over my fruit trees. I thought I would try to re-create that with my maiden voyage of this beautiful stamp set. It worked.

I tried to add more interest with white stazon flowers in the trees, but my color pallet was too light and they were kind of lost. Seeing them in person makes it easier that through a photo. I thought I could color with some blendabilities over the stazon parts, but decided against it.

The card base is wild wasabi with whisper white and blushing bride layers. To keep the boarders nice and tidy I adhered them with tombo multipurpose glue so I could wiggle them in just the right place. I love the skinny boarders, but they can be a bit tricky.

It needed some kind of embellishment, but it had to be subtle. The linen thread became the perfect choice and finished it off perfectly.

Now, with these cards looking so happy and ready to go, I wish I had a bunch more to send to all my dear friends.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cheer Up Buttercup!

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

Does this little guy just cheer you up or what? I absolutely love the fry box die cut! I have made so many for quick little gifts here and there. They go together so quickly and look adorable every time!

The geometric stamp set has this awesome sentiment and is actually the reason I had to have it. It has also had tons of use for obvious reasons.

I was actually headed out to work and decided I needed a little get well goody for a student of mine. I already had the flower ready from the other days project. With that said, it only took about ten minutes to put this all together, including a quick few photos to share.

I am telling you, this die is the best! Get into those quick project ideas and share some happiness!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thoughts & Prayers

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

Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes it is just sad. Making cards is always enjoyable, but sympathy cards feel different. They certainly aren’t something I make ahead of time and have a go to stash.

When I needed a special card this last week this is what I came up with. I had a request for an additional one, so I used a different image from the same set. The only difference is just a little bit of seam binding ribbon.

These types of cards really don’t ask for a lot, really clean and simple. I guess that would be because you just want to share your support and not a lot of extras.

I used very vanilla and double mounted it. My card base is early espresso with just simple stamping and punching.

Have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

clean and simple

Hello There Vivid Vases

Mixed Bunch Work of Art

Part 2 with Gift Cards as Promised

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!

Gold Soiree with Banner Blessings Part 2

Because You Care and Gold Soiree

Lovely Amazing You and Wisteria Wonder

Bloom With Hope Birthday

Birthday Bash Times Two

Kinda Eclectic Ray of Sunshine

Wildflower Meadow Watercolor

Painted Blooms with Lotus Blossom

Adventure Awaits with Lullaby?

Sheer Perfection

Bundled Baby Shower Invitations

Dear Heart and Cheerful Critters

Sheltering Tree

Cheer Up Buttercup!

Thoughts & Prayers