Gift Set

Flourish Wishes

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Such a perfect combination here. Nearly all of my favorite things combined into one project. The only thing missing would be some water coloring, but with paper this beautiful I don’t feel like there is anything lacking here. Even better, this took almost no time at all.

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I just received an order that had this glimmer paper in it, one of the new free items during Sale-a-bration right now, and I couldn’t wait to enjoy it.  It comes in three colors, but the bermuda bay tone was on top so it was literally that simple. I knew there was the same color included in the cupcakes and carousel dsp stack and that became step two, pick a pattern. I probably spent the longest just deciding which one to choose.

The die cut was not as easy to decide because there are so many wonderful ones to choose from.  I kept it simple though and went for a favorite. The glimmer paper was cut to size and then I did the die cutting from the center, knowing it wouldn’t show, and I could make that paper last longer.  Glimmer paper is such a weakness for me, especially in colors like this. The flourish was glued down with tombo and then the designer paper adhered to the glimmer paper with fast fuse.  Regular adhesive and glimmer paper aren’t friends, it needs something stronger.

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The sentiment was stamped in the same ink color, die cut, layered zippity quick and raised up on dimensionals.  How easy is that? I had a bit of room for another little die cut before I adhered it down, so that had to happen, hence the need for a matching gift box to use that piece. No problem, just get another piece of the same paper and happiness was achieved. What a great way to launch National Craft Month!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Window Box

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Each time I sat down to work on something I got frustrated, hated it and walked away.  I made myself go back and fix those projects, but not until this one made me happy first. It was a bit of a chore putting it together, but isn’t it lovely?

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The thinlits dies that make this box are so fun.  After I fussed around a bit with the fold lines and flaps to glue in place I stopped getting cranky.  You need to do the large die cut piece twice, once for each side of the box, and then however you are going to decorate it. I made a floral top, but could have done the same for all six sides, and the bottom too I guess. I went with just the top this time and made stamped panels for the sides. The stitched shapes framelits had a square the perfect size!  I thought that was great.  I used a larger one to make a card base as well.

This ribbon is so fun to work with.  It has been fun having it, but as with this lovely green color, it will retire this summer.  So I need to enjoy it while I have it.  I punched a small hole in the card corner and attached it to the ribbon instead of tucking it under the bow.  I didn’t want to cover much of that floral top after all.  This way the ribbon will slide off and allow me easy access to fill the box with a present or maybe even some treats.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Cloud Nine Birthday

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Birthday gift sets really make me smile.  I love everything have a theme and coordinating, very satisfying.  Another workshop project all ready to go.  Should be a large group and this will be the detailed project for sure, not a hard one, but a bit time consuming.

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I have found myself staying away from peekaboo peach because it is so bright.  Almost too bright for my taste.  So, I thought I would take it head on and go for it.  Also, this main pattern of designer paper overwhelmed me like crazy.  Keeping the view controlled really made a difference and I love how it turned out!  Of course it helps to have such a wonderful die cut to focus on.  These balloons are so great.

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The matching gift bag used a whole sheet of paper.  I do try to use and not horde fun paper and this is one of the ways to do that.  Just use it!  It is a bit of therapy for my card group too, they aren’t the best about using up their paper either.  We all need a nudge now and again.  The gift bag is simple, letting the balloon accents take front stage.  The ribbon is a nice accent, but really just a closure.  No bow or focus up there, letting it all fall around the balloons and clouds.

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While this card requires some patience, I think it is worth it.  I love how the die cuts let me decorate the balloon as I would like.  I simply used portions of the same designer series paper that was more solid to fill those spaces.  That way it really coordinates well. I used tiny dots of tombo glue on the back of the balloon to adhere my pieces.  That way I had some wiggle room to put them just where I wanted.  I also used foam adhesive strips to layer it up.  That way there was an extra bit of adhesive to keep those pieces in place and the balloon got extra lift, more height than dimensions alone offer.  I thought that to be appropriate.  I didn’t plan on using basic rhinestones, but I had a tiny dot of ink in a spot I couldn’t get past, so I covered it up.  Job well done!

Have a creative day!

Moana

 

Every Heart Needs

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Gift sets are so great! A bit better than this paper series, but not by much.  I usually am not the kind of person that wants realistic photo paper prints, but this set has my attention. The way the lace is folded really looks dimensional here, even if my photos don’t capture it well.  It is lovely.

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I used one 12 x 12 sheet for this set.  The first cut was to give me a sheet 4 x 12, then a second cut at 5 1/4″ for the card front.  I used the remaining piece to trim out the decorative layers.  The larger section left, measuring at 8 x 12, was scored to create the matching bag. Put that pretty paper to work, otherwise you are left with a bunch of paper that you love and cannot bear to part with.  I know it is hard, but how pretty is this set?

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The doilies are so lovely.  They are very vanilla on one side and whisper white on the other. So versatile, and made from paper that can be worked with a bit.  As you can tell, I sponged these two and gave them a proper crinkle.  A doily doesn’t lay flat after all.

The sentiments came from two different sets and I went against my usual on this one.  I stamped and fussy cut.  I really love a die cut or punch to take care of that, but it had to be done.  Both projects were finished off with this elegant vanilla satin ribbon.  And yes, it is that smooth and delicious to the touch.  I love beautiful ribbon.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thinking of You

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What an impact some pretty paper and a lovely stamp can make.  I tried to think of other things to add to embellish this project and kept coming up empty.  So, I left it as is and was quite happy with the simplicity of it.

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The designer paper stack is measured 6 x 6 and I used every bit.  The card front was measured out first which left me a wide strip.  Yup, I made a tiny gift bag to go with.  What can I put inside?  I thought of several that would work and I can’t wait to give it a try.  It was a tricky little bag to put into place.  Any piece of leftover paper seems to find its way to a gift bag or box with me, I do hate wasting!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Oh Happy Day

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There is a certain someone getting close to having a baby girl and this just about sums it up. It is truly a happy day and I can’t wait.  And with the heat we have been having I am sure she is more than excited.

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The very fun and exciting playful palette designer series paper stack almost overwhelmed me. The colors and patterns are so busy, almost too busy for me.  I started out with the most subtle one in the stack.  I can’t imagine some of these patterns in a 12 x 12, good thing this is contained to a 6 x 6 stack.  There will be a lot of fun card and gift bag sets I think. Smaller than my regular by far, which makes it much more manageable.

I punched several balloons from plain card stock, but wanted a different look too.  With my aqua painter I covered a section of water color paper with wide light swipes of coordinating ink.  I did sponge all of them as well. The stamp set, Thoughtful Banners, has tons of sayings that fit inside the banner stamp.  There is a coordinating punch for the banners, so that makes me very happy.  I did my stamping, but trimmed it right to the stamp so I could punch another one from card stock and have a tiny border all the way around.

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The solid bakers twine really makes me happy.  I had longer strings attached to each balloon and trimmed them after they were squished into place with glue dots.  With the extra hanging off the card I tied one simple knot and used it as the embellishment for the gift card sized gift bag.  I do hate wasting product.  It turned out great!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Weather Together with Love

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This is what I had in mind this morning, thinking of my recently married son and my soon to be married daughter.  Love is definitely in the air.  Then I read the news.  Seems like love is needed elsewhere today, and so much of it.

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It doesn’t take a lot to show someone you care about them and sometimes it is the little things that mean the most.  Little treat boxes, little hearts, and a little love.  This kind of thing really brings me joy.  Something wonderful from something a simple as a piece of paper.  Yup, just one piece of paper.

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The card was made with a half sheet, the front with one quarter and the box with the last quarter.  Hearts were stamped like crazy using the stamp from the weather together set. The word ‘Love’ also came from the same set.  I know I could have written it myself, but I don’t trust my writing all of the time and I wanted it embossed to really stand out.  After all, isn’t love the most important thing of all?

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You for Everything and More

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Kind words and a sweet treat.  It doesn’t quite add up to all the gratitude I have been feeling these days, but sometimes that is all you can muster.  Making something yourself means so much more I think.  You should give it a try.

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Clean and simple yet again.  When you want to focus on the lovely sentiment and wonderful paper that is just how it needs to be done.  I did add a layer of mint macaron under the DSP before I attached it to the crumb cake card base.  It gave it a little extra style without becoming a distraction.  So fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks Kindly

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Here is the official beginning of summer for me.  I do have a wedding reception to host this Saturday, so it isn’t time to head to the lake just yet.  Soon though, soon.

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This series of clean and simple thank you gift sets sure was fun to create.  I enjoyed giving them just as much, and isn’t that why creative people create?  To share with others the joy that comes with creating?  Try your hand at something this simple and realize how rewarding it really can be.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You Are Too Kind.

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When you are surrounded by kind people even the simple things are wonderful.  As huge life events come into play it just keeps getting better and better, don’t you think?

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A clean and simple card and gift bag duo can be so rewarding.  This is just as simple as the others in this series and was received with great smiles and even a few giggles.  So rewarding, so very rewarding.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Bouquet Duo

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Another adorable gift set just ready for a fun birthday event.  This is my version of a one sheet wonder.  I enjoy a matching gift set just as much if not more than making several cards from that same sheet.  What can I say, more isn’t always better to me.

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The card is actually quite simple.  Only one piece of designer series paper was used.  A ribbon wrapped around the front and a double tag slid under the bow.  A collection of tiny flowers scattered around and centered with basic rhinestones.  Most of the items were sponged with watermelon wonder, including the inside whisper white piece.

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This adorable tall bag was made from the large remainder of the designer series paper.  The other side was just as fun for a birthday theme, don’t you think?  It was topped with a huge ribbon which was used to hang the cute birthday tag with silver cording trim.  Bitty flowers were also stamped and punched in whisper white centered with basic rhinestones again. What a great companion to an adorable simple card.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable…

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This quite simply was round two.  I had this fun idea to emboss this flower with silver powder on black card stock.  Thought that would look pretty cool.  Then, I thought I would water color with a bit of silver encore ink and touch it up with wink of stella.  Can I just say that all went in the trash bin?  True story, not a good combination there.  Next try…better.

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These colors are all I have on my brain lately.  The wedding is three weeks away and the reception I am hosting is four weeks away.  It is hard to find blackberry bliss in the spring out and about. I have managed what I can, and have had to let go of other ideas.  It is going well.  Just like this card duo.

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Simple stamping and die cutting with oval framelits.  Touches of basic pearls to set it off and wrapped in pretty satin ribbon.  My kind of yummy.  After donating my stash of cards and bags for a fund raiser, this is the first one to begin the rebuilding.  All for a good cause.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Bohemian Work of Art

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Rich colors and exciting patterns, that is the theme for today.  In between wedding reception planning I have managed to create this lovely due.  Now I get to add this to the collection of card sets and greeting cards I am donating for a cub scout fundraising event tonight.  I get to share my work and clean out my stash at the same time!  I call that a win.

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The card began with the chevron stamp from the Work of Art set.  I didn’t really pay too close attention, just stamped it four times down a piece of water color paper.  The color pallet came from the bohemian designer series paper set, only leaving out the yellow tone. The focus was on bermuda bay and I started there.  Color was layered, sponged off, added, and distressed a ton until I was satisfied.  Then I did something that was new for me.  I hi-lighted some of the distress areas with my gold wink of stella brush pen.  That was super fun and I had a hard time stopping.

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The gift bag was made from a whole sheet of designer series paper.  I went for a wide stocky bag instead of my usual tall slender ones.  It is nice to change things up a little bit here and there, don’t you think?  The ribbon I had in rich razzleberry was just long enough to go around the bag top.  I do love using up product that is retiring before it actually retires.  I am not often that lucky.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Sea Street Pop-Up Party

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A super happy birthday would be coming your way with this adorable gift set.  I suppose it might be more inclined towards a child, but I have a great appreciation for cuteness, and this is definitely cute.

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I started out with the idea of this octopus holding eight balloons.  I suppose I should have used the bitty balloon punch, but I stayed with it.  Perhaps I will make it again to see how it would look.  I thought the small balloons would get lost in the fun background paper.

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The inside framelit action really makes a statement.  Even though it is in the middle, there is still plenty of room to write a personal message.  I do love the motion of the popup.  I had a large piece of paper left from the card background and went with a matching gift bag. If you are giving a birthday card, odds are you are giving a gift too.  Making a set is always my favorite thing.  It also helps me be brave and use up my designer series paper.  You can’t hang onto that too long you know.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Brushstrokes Through a Garden In Bloom

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The ‘Brushstrokes’ background stamp finally made its way into my collection and I am wondering why I waited so long.  This project reminds me of a summer picnic.  The red checked table cloth, I think we have all had one at one time or another.

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I stamped vertically and then horizontally with real red on water color paper.  I did tape it off first to give me the extra border I love so much.  The flowers and butterflies were stamped in black stazon and followed with the second step stamps to fill them in. Additional painting was done to sharpen the color some and touches of silver got in as well.

I used half a sheet of cardstock for the card base and couldn’t leave the other half just sitting there, so I made a tiny box to go along.  The black butterflies were stamped with the same set and I scored each panel measuring 7/8″ and topped it with a baby bow.  Adorable. Now another set can be added to the donation collection for Saturdays scouting fundraiser.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

 

Awesomely Artistic with Watermelon Wonder

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The weekends seem to get busier all of the time.  I guess that is what happens when you have a child getting married soon.  Errands and then some.  I wouldn’t have it any other way though.  I enjoyed some relaxing time yesterday afternoon finishing this gift set I actually started Friday night.  Talk about being busy.

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With my love of water color, you would have thought the card came first.  Not this time.  I started with this awesome designer series paper and made an adorable gift bag.  You would think I had tons of gifts to give all of the time with the amount of bags I make, not true though.  I just love to make them.  I do share them with others though, usually as a gift to use for others.  They all find happy homes, I promise.

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I did try something new with the card though.  The dragonflies were stamped in versamark on the water color paper, not new there.  I used iridescent ice on them, also not new. However, using them together as a resist for water coloring is new.  As color was applied the resist was pretty neat, not as clean as embossing powder, but still holding up.  I decided to add silver ink as well and then it changed even more.  The silver ink clung to the images more than the watermelon wonder ink did.  The look is fantastic, don’t you think? I added a little bit of silver metallic thread and five clear sequins to finish off the look.  Just divine.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

English Garden with Rose Wonder

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The morning may be trying to run away from me, but I am trying to keep up.  I did get this set made yesterday, but haven’t had the chance to get it shared yet.  Let’s hear it for lunch breaks, everyone needs one.

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The card was the beginning of this trio, and the paper was the focus.  It is sad to say that this paper is retiring soon, I sure have loved using it.  What can be better than water colored floral paper?  With my kind of projects, not much.  Unless I sit down and paint my own, with paper this pretty I don’t have to.

The designer paper is layered on a piece of blushing bride cardstock and then on a pear pizzazz card base.  Old olive is actually the light green used in this paper, but I wanted a lighter tone and thought it looked nice.  All of the sentiments come from the Rose Wonder stamp set, there are some lovely ones in there.  I stamped, did a banner punch, sponged and then sponged another one to layer underneath.  The strip is 1/2″ wide and was left over when I cut the piece of whisper white for the inside card panel.  I love those little leftover strips, they always come in handy.

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I made a couple of gift bags with totally different dimensions in mind.  I usually work with tall rectangle shapes, but went with a short clutch concept.  The cardstock version could hold heavier tall items, but the designer series paper needs to keep it light.  I had several ideas of gift items that would fit inside easily inside, lots of chocolate to be honest.  I love sharing a chocolate treat or two, you should give it a try.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Beautiful Ride for Newlyweds

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It may be hard to tell, but there are an absolute ton of colors going on here.  I had a blast working on this set.  When I finally finished I was a bit surprised to see how late it got, but it was worth it for sure.  I love making wedding cards just for special people in your life. This one is no different.

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I worked the colors to create a sunrise look and I think it turned out really nice.  I was having a chocolate craving last night, so I settled for chocolate chip paper.  Not quite delicious, but it still worked out.  That led me to marina mist for the car color. From there everything else just came together.

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I wanted a gift bag to go along with the card to give the gift card something to go in.  I think I will put a tiny selection of rich chocolates around it, wouldn’t you like to get a treat too? Opening gifts can be exhausting for a newlywed couple, so they deserve a sugar boost along the way.

The details in this set are really busy and probably hard to notice.  I think a project like this should look simple even if you know better.  Not everyone knows how much work goes into a tiny work of art like this, but that doesn’t stop me from sharing them.  Just a few more weeks and this card will find its way to the deserving adorable couple.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You at First Sight

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Today has started no differently than many other Saturday’s, but I was not going to let another one go by without sharing a project.  I have let my weekends get carried away and it just bugs me that I don’t keep this blog current daily.  Sharing creative projects is my favorite thing and it really keeps me balanced.  So here we go!

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I get to attend a bridal shower today, how fun right?  Well, I have gotten into giving thank you cards as my bridal shower gift.  I think it is most appropriate, since the bride is going to need plenty of these.  Sometimes though, a special thank you is in order, when someone has really been kind or extra wonderful to you.  That is what these are for.

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The steps aren’t too complicated, you can really see them from just looking at the project.  I am really bad about tracking how I score my bags and boxes.  I make them different each time because you don’t always need the same size.  I love to say that I don’t have to toss my first attempt too often, almost never.  I do tell my classes that there are never mistakes, just opportunities, so there is always something you can work out.

I embossed my card base and the bag fronts with the same fluttering embossing folder.  The blushing bride glimmer paper is everywhere.  And yes, my desk is very sparkly just now. Good thing I love glitter.  The bag fronts are raised up on dimensionals, but the card fronts are adhered down flat.  I used liquid glue to place the ‘thanks’ phrase in the middle of the card.  The ‘so much’ phrase was stamped on a 1/2″ strip of very vanilla, punched on one end with the bitty banner punch and raised up on dimensionals again.  The bitty butterflies are placed with glue dots.

The card bases and bag base were made with pink pirouette, not blushing bride.  I honestly liked how it looked together rather than blushing bride to match the glimmer paper.  Hard to tell sometimes why I like what I do, but that is how it worked out.  The bag handle was made with a bunch of satin ribbon, so very elegant.  And there you have it.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You Times 250?

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Just what is this about?  While enjoying a crazy holiday in Utah with family I was given a special request.  My beautiful niece is getting married tomorrow and I couldn’t be more excited.  I had originally offered to make her wedding favors for her wedding gift.  She changed her mind on having them, so instead she asked for thank you cards.  Time was short, but I decided to complete them while I was in Utah so she could have them before the wedding.  Well, it was quite the event.  I took these photos on my cell phone just before we headed home, so they are pretty fuzzy.  I just couldn’t not share.

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I put in an order for the materials I would need to make 250 of these simple cards.  I started out strong on my own, but in the last hour I had to enlist the family assembly line.  They are so well trained.  Now she has custom thank you cards, with matching envelopes, in her wedding colors all ready to go.  I think she will have more than enough and will be left with a lovely stash of cards to say thank you along the way.  How fun!

I did learn an interesting thing.  Stampin’Up! ink pads do have limits.  I didn’t think to order re-inkers to go along with the new ink pads for this project.  Silly me.  I got more than half way through the so saffron stamping when I knew I was not going to make it.  My daughters friend was a demonstrator.  We hit the stash, got to looking, almost gave up, then my husband came to the rescue and found it!  Stamping could continue.  Small world. Oh, and I went through five refills of my fast fuse.  I almost didn’t make it there either.

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Have a creative day!

Moana