Congratulations

Forever Begins Today

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I don’t think I can get enough of this pretty paper.  I am glad I managed to earn an extra pack of this paper during Sale-a-bration.  This particular pattern was my second favorite, hard to top it though.

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Another sad part about this card is that soon the blackberry bliss I used for the card base will soon retire.  I will so miss using it.  It was really my favorite.  Time to enjoy it as much as possible and get ready for some new colors.  I think I might get a little stash of it built up to enjoy though.

This card is like the others in the series, pretty direct and to the point.  I stamped my sentiment in old olive, punched it with the extra-large oval punch, sponged it with silver encore ink and shadowed it with another punch in blackberry bliss.  I raised them up on dimensionals and put them just to the side of a lovely ribbon tied with seam binding ribbon.  I could use that ribbon on just about everything.  I thought I wouldn’t love anything as much as the chevron ribbon that retired last year, but I sure do!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

You Wonderful Thing You

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Yet another adorable card in this series.  I sure have loved sharing this card set, even more so giving it away for someone else to share and enjoy.  The true joy of card making.  What a fun color combination for sure, one of my favorites.

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The seam binding ribbon I used got a little rumpled in the center of the spool.  However, I decided I liked the look of it and didn’t try to iron it out.  I have bought ribbon before that was ruffled on purpose and liked it that way.  So, instead of getting frustrated at the center of the spool, I just made the best of it and enjoyed the results.

The sentiment was stamped on whisper white and layered with a scalloped circle of calypso coral to coordinate with the card base.  Don’t you just love this paper?  Full of whimsy and cuteness.  The simplicity of the color scheme also keeps this one very clean and simple.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate You

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This card series has been so fun to share.  I love the simplicity of the cards themselves, allowing the sentiments to really be the focal point.  Sometimes there is so much, what you are trying to say gets lost.

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I actually liked this card without the sentiment nearly as well as with it.  The ribbon is so elegant it speaks for itself.  However, I wanted this one.  I have been enjoying sponging the sentiments in silver ink with this series.  I am usually all about the exact coordination, but it is a nice contrast without being a distraction.

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Have a creative day.

Moana

Success Looks Good On You

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Don’t you love it when designer paper has such unexpected patterns?  This awesome paper from Sale-a-bration, which will end soon, has a few patterns that are so fun and different.  You  wouldn’t guess that this dotted pattern comes from a primarily floral set paper.

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This project is the first of a dozen cards that I made for a gift set to share with my daughter. It is nearly spring break and my family gets to all be together.  She loves to paper craft with me, and actually kept me company through crafting nearly all of these.  So, you get to enjoy a different one each day.  The series will end with the coordinating container I made to store them all in.  It is so pretty.

The card is super simple.  Just one layer of dsp cut to leave a 1/4″ border, one strip of ribbon tied in a knot, and a layered sentiment.  I stamped in black stazon, punched with the decorative label punch, and then sponged with silver encore ink.  I did use a double layer of dimensionals to keep the tag high enough to clear the ribbon knot underneath.  Simple, right?  Sometimes simple is just right.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Celebration

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Experimenting with water coloring has become one of my new favorite things to do.  I am so young in this medium that it is a constant adventure.  I do try not to do it all of the time, but it might just be my favorite.  Hard to put that off.

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I did stamp off the balloons twice before they got to the card front.  I wanted dark color, but still opaque.  It worked nicely.  The second layer stamping was done only stamped off once to make sure it was seen well.  Also a good fit.  I did go over the balloons again with the aqua painter to smooth things out.  A bit of dabbing with a paper towel helped to create better highlight spots.  Fun and fun. I am still waiting for the back-ordered balloon punch, so I had to layer the balloons with just ink.  That is why I had them opaque.  To allow the layering to show the balloons behind, just like it would with a real bouquet of balloons.  I do think this card is good for just about anyone’s birthday, masculine too.  A really great project that was satisfying on so many levels.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Hello Perfect Plum

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Living in the country has its perks, but sometimes it can be frustrating.  For example, when you live far enough out you are restricted to satellite internet.  It is slower for one thing, but when it is very stormy the weather interferes. Sometimes it stops it all together.  That would be this last weekend.  Bummer.  Let’s catch up.

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I made this lovely little gift set for a friends daughter.  She had the role of Violet Boreguarde in a children’s musical this last weekend.  Of course the gift bag needed to be filled with gum, because that is what Violet is all about.  That was so much fun!

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I also dug out one of my old stamp sets from 2004.  I wanted to create the look of bubbles, for the gum of course, and this set came to mind.  I don’t even remember the name of the set.  When you purchase quality it lasts for sure.  This set is twelve years old and worked like a charm.

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I brought in perfect plum, elegant eggplant and some gold encore ink for this set.  Violet did indeed get a golden ticket after all.  When the scene came for her to change into the large blueberry, she had this inflatable suit that literally made her look so huge and round and most definitely violet in color.  It was a great night.  The grin she made when she looked in the bag was fantastic.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Hip Hip Hooray for Today!

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

What kind of fun events do you get excited for?  There are so many special days to celebrate it is hard to choose just one.  For me?  Well, today is all about celebrating the special meeting of my future daughter-in-law.  I have to admit, there is a bit of nervous energy going on there, more than I am aware of I am sure.  But still, what a wonderful day to celebrate.

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I am in love with this tiny little balloon punch.  It has two friends, a tiny cupcake and a tiny candle, but I can’t get past the balloon.  I have a thing with tiny things and this fits the bill perfectly.  They are just big enough to fit a dimensional behind so they get to look like they really are floating.  And if you use your bone folder across the linen thread it will curl just a bit.  It makes me smile.

The framelit is from a set two piece set that makes pop up card centers.  I trimmed the sides to give me this huge tag.  It was very difficult to throw out the inside cut pieces.  They were perfect!  I played with them, told myself to throw them in the bin, I did, then I got them back out, played again and tossed them again.  Seriously, get a grip.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

 

Bloomin Hearts Everywhere!

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Springtime sure does bring a lot of beauty, especially love.  It is so much fun to hear about new engagements and wedding plans.  There are three this spring and early summer that are pretty darn exciting, one in particular, my son’s.

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I was getting a little misty eyed and created a couple of cards with their wedding colors so I could write them each a personal note of congratulations.  I really had fun just taking my time and enjoying the process.  I did have a brief thought that these could be a lovely wedding invitation front.  Then I thought about having to make 400 or so and quickly decided that would be a lot of time spent that could be better spent otherwise.

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The detail on this framelit is just so wonderful.  It makes such a pretty piece of art you don’t need anything else on the front.  I did do a little more, but just embellishments. Two varieties of pearls, one with the added framelit flowers, each with a different embossed background, and both finished off with very vanilla satin ribbon.  What an elegant look.

They are very similar, but also uniquely different.  Just like the two people I was thinking about when I made them.  This weekend we are hosting an engagement party for them. It should be so much fun!  I am new to this part of life, but I am definitely up for it.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Hooray! for Perfect Pairings

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I could probably keep making samples for these bridal shower invitation choices.  Where do you draw the line?  Is three enough?  How about five?  Perhaps four is just right…

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Even though this is still floral, it is has a much stronger navy blue influence.  With the soft seam binding ribbon, the navy doesn’t seem too overpowering.  Not too complicated a card here.  There are 1/8″ simple borders layered with a decorated front.  I started with the navy flower background stamping and then included the pink centers.  How fun is it to have just the colors you want.  The beauty of stamping.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Forever Begins Today

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This was for yesterday, however, yesterday was for my family and there wasn’t time to share this with you.  I am sure it was worth the wait though.  Aren’t these flowers just the best thing ever?

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One framelit set gives you all of these pieces, plus a couple more.  And they coordinate with velum, designer series paper just to name a couple. I have been planning this one for a while now, with a very specific goal in mind.  I am fortunate enough to have my son getting engaged and this is how I am going to approach the second reception.  What else could I possibly use for my inspiration piece, right?

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I do admit that once I cut into a piece of designer series paper for a card front, I look to the remainder of the sheet and immediately think of a bag or box I can make to coordinate.  I have a hard time stopping myself to be honest.  I also have a bit of a problem filing back my scraps of cardstock when I work.  All of these colors were available to me in my stack of put me away papers.  I put them to good use for sure.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate Forever

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The other day I asked my husband and youngest daughter to draw me a doodle that I could use for a card front.  I make cards all of the time and rarely hesitate to get to work.  This was different though.

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I don’t have stamps, or papers, or materials that go with his style of art.  It presented a challenge to be sure.  If I had been thinking ahead I would have had him draw on water color paper.  You work with what you are given, right?  It is easy for me to focus on all of the problem areas, but I think it will work nicely.  And it is an original, one of a kind.

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I used two different sentiments to create this combo.  I masked off half of each phrase and got just what I wanted.  I think I have gotten a bit spoiled to have just the right tools for nearly everything I do.  When I had to trouble shoot I got pretty darn frustrated.  Plenty of learning opportunities today.  I hope you get brave and try something different, even if it is a bit overwhelming.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Bash with a Twist

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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.

Balloon Bash with a Twist

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!

Balloon Bash with a Twist

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!

Balloon Bash with a Twist

Have a creative day!

Moana

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

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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.

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

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.

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

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…

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

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

Bombs Away Birthday

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Did you ever buy something just loving it and being so excited to use it?  That would be the inspiration for this card today.  When Stampin’Up! first started coming out with their own photopolymer stamp sets I was so excited.

Bombs Away Birthday

I would buy them and have an absolute blast.  But, as you get more, some get neglected.  This particular set was so funny to me that it was a must.  I pulled it out and remembered why I hadn’t used it yet.  I loved the sentiments but was stumped on what to pair them with.

 Bombs Away Birthday

Enter the super awesome brick wall embossing folder.  I used my brayer to roll some cajun craze on one side of the folder, embossed a piece of the heavy weight whisper white cardstock and knew I had found the perfect pairing.  The way the ink beads up a bit on the folder actually gave the bricks a porous look.  Unexpected and very welcome indeed.

Bombs Away Birthday

Simple layering, sponging to make me happy, and a touch of gold metallic thread and this project is ready to be mailed!  Would you believe I have three different guys in my life that this would be perfect for?  Yes, they are all very much alike.

Have a creative day!

Moana

For the New Two

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Does this conjure images of a wedding couple or what?  I do have another idea though.  Honestly, I went with brighter colors for that other idea.

For the New Two

We often associate two as a couple, as in a relationship couple.  Friends of mine are currently working as nannies for a set of twins.  So, how about congratulating a couple on the birth of their twins?  Get it?  For the new two?

For the New Two

Well,  I thought it was very clever indeed.  There are plenty of gift ideas for baby boys and girls, but how about those twins?  It will take longer for triplets and such, but I am sure there is a way.

 For the New Two

 

This is made from a whole sheet of english garden dsp and isn’t it glorious?  I paired it with the thick backers twine and went cherry cobbler all the way.  A handful of punched and sponged hearts were the perfect embellishment.  A small doily helped to close it off.  The stamp is of course from the wedding set, For the New Two.  I layered the tags using the scalloped tag topper punch, happens to be on sale this week oddly enough, and the hearts border punch as well.  Quite the gift bag if I do say so myself, and I do.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Seriously Amazing

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You will have to indulge me one more day of paper pumpkin projects.  This is the other portion of my paper crafting fun day.

Seriously Amazing

These I made very traditional, just like the directions.  It was still super fun and I was much happier with the results than I thought I would be.  Sometimes simplicity can be so beautiful!

Seriously Amazing

How about tiny ones too?  Wouldn’t these be great for gift cards?  I think so too.  I don’t see these as either masculine or feminine, just fun.  So, that means good for either and makes them that much more awesome!

Seriously Amazing

All of these and the kit is only half used.  Yup, I get to make two more large ones and two more small ones.  And, of course I get the totally cute stamps to add to my stash.

Seriously Amazing

All of these fun cards have been added to the card file.  I so love having just the right card right when I need it.  I totally have helped out more than one friend in a bind too.  Share when you can, right?  Of course!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable You

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Working with great paper makes everything so much more fun.  Colored embossed paper, in such pretty colors?  Of course, why not!

Remarkable You

The project began with the new heavy weight whisper white cardstock, I love having such a heavy base, and gathered layers of stamping and more color.  The image and sentiment come from the same set, which is delicious by the way, and were stamped in black stazon.  I knew I would be water coloring, so that is the perfect ink to work with.

Remarkable You

I blended watermelon wonder with a touch of crumb cake and it turned out so nice.  I chose crumb cake because I was using linen thread and wanted to tie in the colors.  A large ribbon wasn’t going to work here.  It took too much focus away from the flower and sentiment.

Remarkable You

I think I would add a mat or two behind the flower next time, but left it alone for now.  It turned out nice, just right.  I do love a simple water color.

Have a creative day!

Moana

High Five – That Thing You Did

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Yesterday was full of excitement at an adventure park.  I am not so brave, but I do try some because my husband loves them.  I went on my two favorite ones, twice, so I get a big high five!

High Five - That Thing You Did

It may not sound like much, but there are times when I don’t ride anything, so this is improvement.  But, I was pretty darn tired this morning and didn’t feel like creating much.  I was snapchatting my daughter at university and asked her for some help.  These were her color choices.  It was an enthusiastic choice, just like riding a roller coaster.

High Five - That Thing You Did

I used a full sheet of tangerine tango to make this bag.  My scoring measurements were 1 1/4″ and 4″ then repeat to leave a 1/2″ edge.  I scored the bottom at 1 1/4″ to match the sides and did 1/2″ at the top for easy closure.  Quick burnishing and folding put this large bag together.

High Five - That Thing You Did

I stamped the bag tone on tone using the matching tangerine tango ink.  The sentiment was stamped first in crushed curry, then since the other colors were darker and could handle it, I stamped over one edge in garden green and the other edge in tangerine tango.  It gave a really cool look I think.

A fun bag for a fun person I would think.  Now, to figure out just who needs it.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’ve Got This

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My mind is a little more scattered than usual this morning.  That is because there are more than one exciting things going on.  Yes, and that includes me finally getting to showcase this awesome stamp set!

You've Got This

Good things are about to happen, truly.  This is a weekend made for family, friends, and fun.  How exciting, right?

You've Got This

This card though.  I kept the layering very simple and clean.  I wanted to see both of these stamps well and not have one overpower the other.  I think that worked out pretty darn well if I do say so myself.

You've Got This

I stamped the image in versamark ink and heat embossed it using clear embossing powder.  When I stamped over with the background stamp, in sahara sand, the image showed through so nicely.  I did have to rub it a bit with a paper towel to get the ink off the embossing, but not much.  And there you have it!

I repeated the stamping somewhat on the inside using the background stamp edges.  I can see so many possibilities with this set.  I think I will have to set one day aside to see just what I can do with it.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Banner Blessings with Beautiful Bunch

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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.

Banner Blessings with Beautiful Bunch

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.

Banner Blessings with Beautiful Bunch

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.

Banner Blessings with Beautiful Bunch

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