Love

August 8, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How would you suggest I celebrate my 200th blog post? Some would perhaps do a give away, a special sale, or something else full of excitement. I just might be a little different. How about showing something simple, something that I love.

How about just saying that I have loved my journey so far, and am looking forward to continuing. I do love being creative, love sharing it with others, and love the joy that comes from helping others find they are creative and talented too. There, love.

This cute little bag? How about using a 6×6 piece of paper, like this Go Wild DSP stack, scoring it at 2″ on all four sides, quick snip on both score lines on opposite sides, and watch it come together. A little hole punching for the ribbon, which I do love the dotted lace trim too much, and a sweet bow.

One tiny stamp with one tiny tag layered on another tiny tag. Two little basic rhinestones and it is all finished. I do love a simple project that shares more than just pretty product that is fun to work with, it shows you care about someone enough to do something special. That is what I love.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Game On!

August 5, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

July 30, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How weird is it to make a card with yourself in mind? I have to think that sometimes that is more than okay. More than okay, it is a great idea!

I have to say that I am proud of this little card though. My thoughts were more than scattered as I sat down to work. I have a small stack of scraps to the side that I just haven’t filed back. Today I made this project entirely from scrap, with the exception of the pearls and ribbon. How cool is that!

That makes my work easier, cleans up that little stack, and keeps my main stash of paper untouched for one more day. I do feel a paper order coming on though.

I love love love this brick embossing folder. It makes so many fun looks and I love how it is 6×6 so I can have my bricks facing how I want regardless of my paper direction. Wheeee!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks A Latte

July 27, 2015July 27, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Well then, how about these precious little cups! Last Saturday a good friend of mine came over to paper craft with me and we just got out several of my paper pumpkin kits and went to work. Some were partials and some were unopened, sorry to say. Busy crafter here.

But this one is actually the current July kit. By itself it is absolutely adorable. I really let myself play on this one. The instructions showcase simple stamping and there you go, totally adorable. I had to watercolor.

After making a lovely little wisteria wonder cup and a little plant set I knew I wanted to do more. The next cup I took the flowering stamp, it could be a plant but I made them flowers, that would have been the plant growing out of the cup. I created a pattern on the cup with it, colored them with markers, and then went to town with my aqua painter. The cup is a little more than an inch square.

The new flowers were punched with the floral punch from the itty bitty accents punch pack and the stems were from variegated embroidery floss. A bit tricky to put together, but lovely at the end.

If you have ever thought about a paper pumpkin subscription, just look at how much fun you can have with them! There was enough material to make eight cards in this kit, plus totally adorable envelopes. And, I now have the so cute stamps that came with.

Have a creative day!

Moana

I’m So Grateful For You

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

After yet another awesome summer concert I am super exhausted! So I asked my daughter this morning what color she thought this flower would be. She talked about purple, orange or yellow. I thought about tropical, but went with elegant eggplant.

It is hard to tell, but there is silver ink painted over the purple. Of course I had to get out my trusty aqua painter for all three ink colors I used. Totally love that thing!

There was a heavy amount of sponging as well. I loved the sentiment, but it was the second half of the front sentiment and it was basically a dangling participle. So, I just didn’t ink up the ‘and’ and the beginning. Perfect!

I may have been half asleep for this project, but it turned out really wonderful. It is great when I get to sit back and be impressed with myself. A job well done.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Love You My Friend

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

In the middle of cleaning out book shelves I had an idea for a card. So I went to my desk, pulled out the stamps, dies and ribbon, and went back to my shelving. This morning I just looked at them and thought, “What did I have in mind?” Not sure, but this is what I ended up with.

I think it is funny because if you don’t read the little word love that is inside the heart cut out, the tags just say “you my friend”. A bit basic, but really made me laugh.

All of the detail work went pretty quickly. I started out by using the heart die cut on the whisper white paper and then ran it through the big shot to emboss it. I thought the stamping inside the heart would be tricky to place. Not at all. I just eyeballed it and it was perfect! Go figure! The tags were simple stamping on scrap. I do save scrap a bit too much sometimes. But, the half inch that gets cut off when I trim down my paper works perfectly for sentiments and the banner punch. Some might call it clutter, but I have used them so many times.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely

July 19, 2015July 19, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Afternoons are good for blogging too. Especially when you put your family first in the morning. I do love a good routine, but sometimes you need to be flexible.

I do try to say thank you right away, but sometimes you need a bit more. Just like this little treat bag. It is tiny, but is the right touch to emphasize the thank you. I loved giving it away this morning at church.

The new paper stacks are so fun. This lovely floral pattern is one of many in the pack. I do love floral paper, probably too much. Either way, I thought the flowers on the paper matched the flowers in the hostess stamp set A Whole Lot of Lovely. They look so nice together.

Some stamping, a little bit of pearls, and plenty of ribbon and off we go! Take the time to make a special thank you, it feels great to give it away!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just Kidding…

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

Emma thought I should do a card that went with our current nail polish colors. She has the blue and yes, I do have a very bright pink. I wasn’t sure about the combination, but went for it anyway. Why not?

Looking at the colors, I knew I had to put something silly together. The Just Kidding stamp set is very silly, so that was the obvious choice.

A standard card base with a narrow white card front, which I embossed in the decorative dots folder. Then I added a layer of pool party, also with a narrow border, and the final stamped card front. The aqua painter came to the rescue again and helped me color this funny lady in.

I used a coordinating sentiment for the inside that says, “You’ll be missed.” So, it ends up nice after all. Just Kidding, get it? Like I said, a silly set. There are lots of fun phrases in it, lots. A not so quick bow tied at the front and I called this one complete.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable You

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

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

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.

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.

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

You’ve Got This

July 15, 2015July 15, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I love beautiful paper, just love it. This Timeless Elegance set is truly wonderful to work with. Once I cut this piece for a card front the rest of the card came together so easily.

The card base is very vanilla with a narrow background of the same color. It isn’t easy to see, but it gives it just the right touch. The stamping was also done on the same color and cut out with the tags and labels framelits. That new set makes me very happy. I like a tighter border in layering and this set does it well.

Of course everything is layered up on dimensionals, I have to have that. And that ribbon. I just got this one and couldn’t wait to use it. The stitched satin ribbon is lovely, just lovely. A pretty bow and then on to flowers.

The petite petal punch and the flower from the itty bitty accents punch pack make it work. I filled the corner up nicely and gave everyone basic pearls in the center. Simple and yet very elegant.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Lovely Amazing You

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

When you live in a house with teenage girls you get to enjoy all of the fun that goes along with it. That includes having a healthy obsession over a fun band, One Direction. My husband bought us concert tickets last fall, as a Christmas gift, and the concert was this last weekend.

While we were waiting for the show, I studied the stage and, guilty as charged, I started thinking of a card idea. Well, why not, right?

I used three different stamp sets to put this together, and I could have done more. I love how so many sets have these little accent stamps that can be used tons of different ways.

This comes down to a thank you card that will never be sent, I am sure my daughter will just want to keep it. It was a blast to be with my girls, watching them totally fan girl over their ‘boys’, and revel in their happiness. Just like Christmas morning magic for a child, really.

Have a creative day!

Moana

That Thing You Did

July 12, 2015July 11, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This stamp set is just the best. The combination phrases really get me laughing. This one in particular is my favorite. You’re on my mind, but not in a creepy way. How great is that.

I like how it looks all pretty and then this secondary saying just throws it off like crazy. Almost like if you aren’t really paying attention, you will totally miss the joke. My favorite.

A simple embossed background with the new cool boho chic folder. I wasn’t sure at first, but that didn’t last long. It is way cool. Lots of options there.

This is short and sweet today because first, the card just doesn’t need a lot of explaining. Second, I am posting ahead because I am taking my girls to a concert, that they have been waiting for since Christmas, and I wanted to focus on that. I made this card as a thank you for my sister-in-law for letting us stay over at her place after the concert. I also made a little matching tote with a bunch of other cards for her to use as part of the thank you. Good stuff there!

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’ve Got This

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

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!

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

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.

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

Timeless Elegance

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Jumping in with both feet here everyone. I managed to once again open a new pack of DSP, that I am so in love with, take out my favorite pattern and make something without guilt. Isn’t this paper just so beautiful?

I feel like I got into my daughters sketch book and took out drawings for a card front. Almost a dreamy feel. The whole pack of paper is so pretty. One side has a hand drawn feel and the other sides are more patterned and organized. Best of both worlds. I also like that it isn’t just black and vanilla, but includes sahara sand for that perfect balance. I will be buying more of this I can tell.

To give a touch of color, even though it didn’t need it, I got out my blackberry bliss sponge dauber and did some ever so exact swirling. It took just a few seconds to swirl around and bring in some color. Good stuff.

I tried to use a ribbon or something else to accessorize it, but kept pulling it off. The paper spoke for itself on this project. I couldn’t even do a layered tag for the sentiment. So I used my versamark and embossing powder to put the sentiment right on the paper. I even left the inside clean to keep the focus all on this paper.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just For You Treat Bag Card

July 8, 2015July 8, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I started this project out completely different than it ended up. Who doesn’t like an adventure now and again, right?

The mini treat bag thinlits were out waiting to get to work. I wanted to use he heart framelit and coordinating stamp. After I pulled the paper and matching seam binding ribbon, it switched around on me. Not a problem,

Then I didn’t have a treat to put inside so I could give it away. How can you give away a treat bag with no treats? You can’t, that wouldn’t be any fun. So I thought, does it have to hold a treat? Why not make it an envelope and put a card to write on inside.

Worked like a champ! Now I have another choice with how I use this set. Not everyone wants a treat, but something sweet to read is also yummy. This little number will also fit inside one of our standard envelopes for mailing. How cool is that!

A quick note on the stamp. I stamped the image once and used the coordinating framelit. It cut off the cool dashed boarder that I liked so well. So I stamped it again, fussy cut it out, not my favorite activity, and layered it on dimensionals. After I sponged everything of course. Thought you might like that little detail.

Have a creative day!

Moana

My Dear Friend

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

I focused on one image for today’s project. It initially reminded me of a Japanese maple tree as it starts to change colors. They are so vibrant. As I started to paint them I noticed the flowers and the leaves looking different. I thought it was more of a shrub. Put your glasses on, right?

I put the aqua painter to work here. I stamped the image in cherry cobbler and brought the color in with just water. Then I added in old olive and mixed the colors, just as the leaves would be looking. I decided I wanted the flowers to stand out more, so I darkened the centers to bring out the detail. I can’t believe I didn’t notice the flowers the first time.

Talk about being generous with the basic rhinestones, but I wanted all of the centers to sparkle. Such a pretty look. Is it over the top? Well, if it is for a dear friend, you want it special. The friend stamp seemed a bit lonely, so I wrote in above it using an old olive stampin’ write marker. First try even, not bad.

There are so many new products used today. The framelits, the embossing folder, the stamp, and they work together great! I even got all nostalgic thinking about an old friend that I just don’t get to see anymore. Guess I know where this one is going!

Have a creative day!

Moana

You Are So Kind

July 1, 2015July 1, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Nothing says elegance quite like a white on white greeting card. I love how they look and how subtle their beauty is. I am not sure this will fit into a regular envelope with all of those layers. I think I will have to make a custom one.

I knew I wanted to use the new brick wall embossing folder, I have been so excited to get it. I also knew I wanted to use both sets of butterflies dies. I just didn’t know for sure how to fit them all together nicely. They ended up all layered together, all five of them.

I only used one stamp from the watercolor wings set for the sentiment. I haven’t let myself play with all of the other stamps. I do try to budget how much time I give to my craft each day, otherwise nothing else would get done.

I used the bitty banner punch to give me banner ends on my sentiment and layered everyone up with dimensionals. I glued my butterfly layers together using tombo and put the final butterfly object on dimensionals as well. I finished it off with basic rhinestones, a string of nine for the body, and a scattering along the left side and bottom. Just right.

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Butterfly Too Many? I Think Not…

June 27, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

It was time to gather the butterflies, and I didn’t even use them all! There is another punch and framelit and other stamps as well. Clearly I love these! Can you blame me? They are so beautiful. I am getting excited for a new stamp set that is on its way. It has a dragonfly in it and those are my favorite.

It is hard to match this combination though. I wonder how many butterflies I have seen so far on my pioneer trek. I might be too tired this morning to notice. But today I get to come home. This yellow is the accent color in my skirt and matching apron I made for this trek. What an event it must have been. I will have to tell you more later.

I layered up this beautiful butterflies after I sponged their edges pretty heavily. I wanted them to be one color, but have a subtle difference as well. It worked nicely, I also used the tiny butterfly stamp from the perpetual birthday calendar set to create a flock of them flying up the side and across the top. That was really fun. With some heavy sponging that look was complete.

I didn’t know if I wanted to stamp my sentiment with so saffron or black. I started with so saffron, decided it wasn’t bold enough, and offset a second stamping in black. It worked out really well. The photopolymer stamps really make things like that super easy. I repeated some of those stamps on the inside and then blinged up the butterflies properly. They do look grand, do they not?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flower Patch Beauty

June 24, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

My husband was given a thank you note that inspired this simple creation. I usually like more, but this couldn’t be more perfect. The subtle layering of the flower, the gentle stem, and the touch of glitter come together to make this stunner.

I did a narrow border with an additional layer of watermelon wonder and popped that combo up on dimensionals. I thought about adding some of that lovely dotted lace trim, but didn’t want to interfere with the glitter or the stem. Really, it turned out so nice.

So, here it sits, in its simple glory. I love this color and I love it even more in this beautiful card. Maybe I should send this note back to the friend that inspired it. They certainly are wonderful.

Look for inspiration in every day life, it is there waiting for you.

Have a creative day!

Moana

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

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

Friendship

Love

Game On!

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

Thanks A Latte

I’m So Grateful For You

Love You My Friend

A Whole Lot of Lovely

Just Kidding…

Remarkable You

You’ve Got This

Lovely Amazing You

That Thing You Did

You’ve Got This

Timeless Elegance

Just For You Treat Bag Card

My Dear Friend

You Are So Kind

One Butterfly Too Many? I Think Not…

Flower Patch Beauty

Kinda Eclectic with a Ray of Sunshine