Favors

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Where was my crafty side yesterday?  Getting ready for a wonderful engagement party for my son and darling fiance, that’s where.  Not to mention making all of these bad boys.  Yup, over fifty of them.

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The game was to pick a gift and give it to the couple with your introductions.  As they opened it you had the opportunity to either tell them what the gift item would be good for, or offer wedding advice.

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Then, you got to ask them a question, a get to know you question. It was so great to get to know her, and my son with her, so much better.  Good food, good laughs, and even a pinata contest.  They each had their own and we all cheered them on to see who could bust theirs open first.  So many laughs.

Now we get to enjoy another fun day with them and other family.  Weddings can be just so exciting!  Loving every minute of all of this adventure.

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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

 

You’re a Whole Lot of Lovely

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When I was cleaning up my desk I came across several kits left over from workshops that hadn’t been filed away.  Usually I just break down the kits and put the supplies back. This one had the stamping, punching and they were layered together.  So I thought I would make something with them.

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I do not remember what the original kit was at all.  It had two pieces of 6 x 6 paper, ribbon, and the stamped embellishment.  So, I decided to not bother looking it up on my blog and make something new. My go to projects are cards with matching tiny gift bags. Mission accomplished and kit used up.  I still don’t know what the other one was, but I am quite happy with this little number.

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Have a creative day!

Press Forward

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

When it is time to make a set of invitations, I usually struggle to keep them simple.  That was needed this time around though, and I managed to pull it off.  I even got to put some retired product to use.  Love that.

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The invitations are basic and only one sided.  The graphic was provided, I do love it though, and I put it to work.  I got a little digital for this project.  I opened the image in InDesign and started picking fonts.  It didn’t take long to decide, I made it white and placed it as an overlay on the image.  Then I included the basic details below in a softer gray because black looked too stark.

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I used the full graphic, including the title with supporting scripture reference, for a water bottle wrap.  I think these will look adorable.  When digging around, I came across another retired product I could use.  First, ribbon for the invitation, second, bakers twine for the bottle wraps, and third, paper to make a box for the invitations.  Everything gets used eventually, and I love having it on hand for quick project work.  This one wasn’t that quick, but took a good portion of the day from conception, design, prep work and assembly.  All done and ready to go though!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Oh Hello Baby Box…

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When something is this tiny, all you can do is giggle.  Especially when you are greeted by an adorable little smiley face that is just large enough to fit inside a 1/2″ circle punch.  The ribbon is just 1/4″ wide.  I absolutely adore tiny things.

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This is made entirely from my to be filed scraps on the side of my desk.  Just like the flowers from my last project.  I guess if I keep pulling from there I won’t have anything to file back.  There is a thought.  I am hoping to spend some time cleaning up a bit today.

The dimensions of this box are 1″ x 1″ x 3 1/4″.  How about that?  I wasn’t sure if the striped dsp would match up okay, but it did pretty darn good.  I tried to save on dsp and cut only a strip off the end to snip up into place.  If I had cut a square and then my strips they would have lined up better, but I chose to save the dsp.

A double layer of the bitty banner punch with one tiny little stamp.  The image is from the Hello free Sale-a-bration set.  As I have said before, I love it when a stamp fits into a punch.  Makes my life easy and keeps the images super clean.

I thought about putting candies inside, switched to a chapstick, but I think I could even put a lovely lipstick inside.  I will have to see what I get up to on this one.  Love it though!

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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

Hello Little Sunshine

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It is so wonderful to have stamp sets that speak to you.  I literally would say this phrase over and over to my children when they were little.  Now that they are much older, it still manages to sneak in for a tender moment or two.

Hello Little Sunshine

When I started making the background for the card by just stamping off as I went along, I knew I needed to make a coordinating gift bag.  That little sunshine stamp is so adorable.  I could see myself sneaking it in lots of places.  And to top it off, the Hello stamp set is a free one during Sale-a-bration!  Free is nice, but free and adorable is not a common thing.

Hello Little Sunshine

A tall slender gift bag was in order today.  I was feeling like a different gift option, but of course I could totally see a big yummy candy bar going inside.  How about a fat quarter of fabric instead?  Yes, my quilting friends would totally agree with that one.  Maybe I could find some sunshine paper too?  Or stamp some to match?  A project and a gift, sounds great!

Hello Little Sunshine

Have a creative day!

Moana

Perfectly Artistic Gift Box

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Sometimes you just need a big box to fill with treats.  I have found that if I keep treats on hand to put in my blog projects, I just eat the treats.  So this guy is on display empty, but I imagines it with Lindt truffles, the white chocolate ones that come in a white and silver wrapping.  Wouldn’t that be lovely?  Thought so too.

Perfectly Artistic Gift Box

I did use a whole sheet of paper for this project.  But when it is a free paper pack, love that Sale-a-bration, it is easier to do that.   I had to fight the urge to tack down my banners so the sentiment was easier to read.  I will need to remove the ribbon to fill it up for gifting, so I  had to just let them dangle.  I do like how they look with the ribbon tails though, so I am good with it.

After I did my scoring and folding I ran the paper, folded in half and half again, through the big shot all at once with my oval framelit.  I know they are designed to be used with one layer of paper at a time.  I have found that when the design is simple, they do great with more than one layer.  I would be cautious with cardstock, but the dsp worked like a charm.  That way my oval windows were all exactly the same placement.  And that makes me very happy.

Perfectly Artistic Gift Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

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I was asked to make a gift box for a specific sized item for an 80th birthday gift.  I of course had to make a matching card because I had just the thing!

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

I am normally quite the Stampin’Up! purist when it comes to product, especially my stamps, but I couldn’t resist these.  I purchased them at a recent convention I went to from http://www.stampsbyjudith.com.  There are actually three used for the front, a sentiment for the inside, and then little flies as well.  Yes, I said flies.  Like I said, I couldn’t resist!

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

The box used a whole sheet of the heavy Shine On Specialty DSP, and isn’t it lovely?  I needed something strong because the jar going inside is heavy.  I made the largest box with the Gift Box Punch Board, but left the flaps open since the jar was too tall.  I think it will just have to get some fun tissue or something.  I will leave that to the giver.

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

I know I goofed my stamping some, but I was having too much fun to care.  I honestly just forgot to mask off some of the sign for my vulture to sit on.  I think everyone will live through it though.  The humor in the card is just too awesome!

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

Have a creative day!

Moana

Bouquet Bigz L Die Meets Thrift Store Skirt

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

My daughter gave me a challenge.  She took a photo of this wild skirt she saw at the thrift store she works at.  She wanted to see it made into a card.  Well, I took it a different direction.  And yes, the skirt looks this wildy.  How fun!

Bouquet Bigz L Die Meets Thrift Store Skirt

I made flowers using the Bouquet Bigz L Die with real red.  It was actually the maiden voyage of that die cut.  As I looked at it I decided I could spend way too much time playing with it.    I distressed the petals before I put them together.  Even though it adds time in the process, it was worth it.

Bouquet Bigz L Die Meets Thrift Store Skirt

I attached them to a rectangle of black cardstock so I could put the flowers on the ribbon and not the box.  Makes for easy opening and the opportunity to re-use both the box and the flowers.  This box though.  The pattern of this paper is more than fun, don’t you think?  And with a simple wrap of satin ribbon it was done and ready to be used.

Bouquet Bigz L Die Meets Thrift Store Skirt

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just For You Gift Set

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One of these days I will be able to create beautiful calligraphy like this, but until then, thank you Stampin’Up! for making yet another beautiful phrase for me to use!  Isn’t it just so pretty?

Just For You Gift Set

The set has three secondary phrases to go with it.  However, I think that it could stand alone quite easily.  You do know how I love to make a matching gift set though.

Just For You Gift Set

I finally got on board and got the curvy corner trio punch.  I can totally see why it was on back order so much.  Love that guy!  This set was made with one sheet of dsp, and I have a section left still, and a single card base.  Not a lot of tricks here, just the basic layering with beautiful product to work with.  Nice.

Just For You Gift Set

Have a creative day!

Moana

CD Gift Envelopes

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More gifts?  Well of course!  Giving little favors to people is just one of my favorite things to do.  I have found that nearly everyone I give to loves a hand made gift.  Works for me!

CD Gift Envelopes

These are actually decorative covers for some holiday CD’s I gave out this holiday season.  There are a few little treats inside and a horrid extreme sour warhead candy cane.  My daughter loves them, I am not a fan.  But those that got these gifts also appreciate sour stuff like that.

CD Gift Envelopes

This particular last minute gift set was so close to Christmas that the paper was on clearance!  Good for me, but definitely cutting it a bit too close.

CD Gift Envelopes

Have a creative day!

Moana

Treat Boxes for Friends

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I worked ahead so I could enjoy the holiday.  These little treat boxes have already been delivered and hopefully enjoyed as well.

Treat Boxes for Friends

I am finishing up just a few things before the evening is done, and sharing this little bit of joy is one of them.  Just a little reminder to share more of yourself with those around you.  Even if Christmas was yesterday, keep the spirit going strong.

Treat Boxes for Friends

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just the Right Box

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What do you do when you have an odd sized gift?  Make your own box, that is what you do.  It also needed a little extra reinforcing.  Heavy weight craft card stock to the rescue!

Just the Right Box

I used two 12 x 12 sheets to wrap this lovely little gift.  It didn’t quite reach around the back, so that is why I had to use a second sheet.

Just the Right Box

I have been surprised how often I have gone to my paper to create a specific gift box.  I guess I will have to be mindful to keep more of that in stock.  A quick wrap for that last minute gift, just the thing I needed.

Just the Right Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flameless Candle Favors

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Two days off in a row?  What is up with that I would like to know.  Well, these little babies are to blame.  Well, these are the ones left over from the original 150 I made.  Yes, there were 150.

Flameless Candle Favors

Our church youth group decided to go Christmas caroling to a few nursing homes in our area and well, the final decisions came a bit late.  We normally would have collected fuzzy grippy bottom stockings, or made knitted hats or something along those lines.  I live in a small town and couldn’t gather up enough of those kinds of things this late in the holiday season.  So, it ended up being a paper crafting moment, or two, or more.

Flameless Candle Favors

My Saturday was spent making these little treasures.  If you weren’t making a ton it would be a super quick craft.  I cut 6″ squares, scallop trimmed the tops, punched two snowflakes on opposite sides and tucked in a candle at the bottom.  The candles got a little extra grip from glue dots to make sure they stayed put.  It is a tight fit, but just in case.  They are tubes so you can turn the candle on and off without taking it out.  Pretty simple, but very nice.

As we sang the kids passed out lit favors to the nursing home guests.  It really was a lovely experience for everyone.  Christmas is about giving after all.

Flameless Candle Favors

Have a creative day!

Moana

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

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What says thank you better than a big bar of chocolate?  A really pretty bar of chocolate with a coordinating card, that’s what!  I really like how this Paper Pumpkin set got used  so differently than I normally do.

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

I have mentioned my teacher aides before and how awesome they are.  The holidays are the perfect time to share that gratitude.  Especially when they feel special and others get to see that too.  Okay, they are teenage boys that love to feel awesome and oh so cool.  This works very well, just like they do.

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

I used the card base to wrap over my vanilla cardstock and it fit around so nicely.  I was able to give it nice little scores and get two swipes of fast fuse to keep this together.  After a hefty wrapping of ribbon, I know it is so secure.  These holly leaves and little adhesive backed berries are so adorable though.  I could definitely get into a die cut to make more of these.  I will have to look around for one.

It is fun to go to work when you have this kind of joy to share.  Besides, today is the last day of school before a very nice and long three week break.  Phew!

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

Have a creative day!

Moana

Garden Green Gift Box

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Need a gift box or two?  During the holidays we are always looking for something to wrap a last minute gift or party favor.  That is what my husband needed for a work party tomorrow.

Garden Green Gift Box

They are having a white elephant gift exchange, so I thought a really great box would throw them off completely.  The ornament inside is nearly bizarre, but almost interesting at the same time.  It has a flying pheasant, with a hunting fest hung below, and then a pheasant call hung below that.  Yes, somehow I let that one not go on my tree.  I wonder how that happened.

Garden Green Gift Box

This box though.  I used two sheets of garden green cut at 8.5 x 8.5 and scored at two inches all the way around for the sides.  The top score lines were moved a smidge over so the lid would be just a bit larger than the bottom and fit snug.  Mission accomplished.  I used the snowflake stamp from the Perpetual Birthday Calendar set.  Love that one so much.  It gets used all of the time.  I put a whole in the center with a circle framelit, which gave me funny half circle edges on two of the sides, but I couldn’t see a way around it, so I just went with it.

The window sheet was embossed with the elegant dots folder and stuck down inside.  The sheet measured 4 x 4 and I used fast fuse to keep it in there.  I ended up wrapping the gift in some 6″ wide burlap ribbon and doesn’t that look great?  Surprised me too.  Then this lovely box was given a big hug with some satin ribbon, gold to match the stamping, after being sponged like crazy of course.  Now, the fun begins!

Garden Green Gift Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

White Christmas

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I had intended on making a matching bag for yesterday’s card, but I spent so much time on the card I had to call it and move on.  Yet the large piece of velum was still waiting for me to finish it up.  I made an effort or two.

White Christmas

My original plan didn’t work because I didn’t punch my holes along the bag top evenly and the ribbon stitching looked horrible.  I cut off the top and tried again.  There were improvements, but it is still uneven.  It did look really nice with the card, but this is like the Where’s Waldo of crafting goofups to be honest.  Can you find them all?

White Christmas

How about this obvious one.  I was chatting to my daughter and not paying attention to my scoring and the measurements got off.  You don’t waste foil velum though, so I continued on.  That is when I goofed up the hole punching the first time, and a bit again on the second time.  I didn’t bother putting treats inside because I don’t know if I can let this goof off the desk.

But, the set does look nice even if I made mistakes.  I always tell my ladies that there are no mistakes, only opportunities.  I don’t know about this one, maybe an opportunity to learn from my mistakes?

White Christmas

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sheer Perfection Gift Set

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Sitting down with a tool in mind instead of color, design, or even a sentiment can get a bit interesting.  I wanted to make a quick pillow box with a new punch board I just bought and needed some paper that was six inches wide.  Sounds like an easy start, right?

Sheer Perfection Gift Set

The only thing I had at the ready was a retired velum stack, not the easiest stuff to make boxes with.  But, I was trying to be quick, so I stuck with it.  The board wasn’t too tricky, but I was scared of tearing the paper, so I was a bit timid.  It managed to work out.

Sheer Perfection Gift Set

I thought it needed a matching card and this little number came together.  But I kept on getting held up on embellishments.  Little flowers on top, nope, coloring, nope, tags, nope.  So, I just left it as is and called it all occasion.  Good enough?  It was for me.  And it turned out that my daughter needed a little thank you gift and card this morning, so treats went in and smiles will happen.

Sheer Perfection Gift Set

Have a creative day!

Moana

Glittering Holidays

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

After nearly a two week run of a clean and simple holiday gift set I have been more than ready to make something fabulous.  That is exactly what I did, if that sounds a bit showy, well, just look at it!  I have been planning it all week.

Glittering Holidays

I really just had the flowers in mind and knew they should go on top of a box.  So, to get my brain going, I picked some paper, ink and a stamp and got to work.  The paper alone was just lovely.  I stamped in a way to further elongate the tall box I had in mind.  I really wanted it to be about the flowers.  I did have to use my hot glue gun to keep these guys in order.  After they were assembled I attached them to each other.  The ribbon is threaded between them to hold them on top, so they are not attached otherwise and can be used again.

Glittering Holidays

The box is just scored every two inches for the side measurements and the same for the top and bottom.  Simple there for sure.  I closed the bottom, but just folded the top in place.  I am so going to use this for a wonderful gift, so I needed to get back inside.  Not just for a blog post, nope.

Glittering Holidays

My husband actually designed the card for me.  We chatted while he drove to work and he did a great job with the stamp choices I must say.  I stamped in silver ink and heat embossed in clear to give it an extra shine.  So pretty.  I added flowers with metal rimmed pearls in the centers and added a thin ribbon to finish it off.  The ribbon also helped tie the gift box in as a set.

Glittering Holidays

Have a creative day!

Moana