Gifts

Birthday Bundle Paper Pumpkin

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I normally keep my Paper Pumpkin to myself and just have my own party.  But oh my goodness, this set was so huge and just had to share!

Birthday Bundle Paper Pumpkin

Imagine this set, but multiplied.  The kit comes with enough supplies to make six cards, with envelopes, and four of these huge bags.  Wowsers.  The bags are huge and super sturdy.  These kits just keep getting better and better.

Birthday Bundle Paper Pumpkin

I just got mine yesterday.  I normally wait til the weekend to play, but I thought I would share instead of making something else new.  I put these two together so quickly my husband was surprised.  “You are done already?”  He is such the patient husband of a craft blogger.

Birthday Bundle Paper Pumpkin

Well, there you go.  I used two little strips of adhesive from my fast fuse, the rest of everything came in the kit.  I love this stuff.  I should mention, just because it is nice to share, that if you sign up by June 10th you get your first two months half price.  Nice.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Corner Garden Gift Bag

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Sometimes I design a bag around a gift or to match some cards I have made.  This time I wanted to work around a specific stamp.  I wanted to do a tone on tone with the Corner Garden stamp set.  The detail is fine and subtle, just the look I was going for.

Corner Garden Gift Bag

The bag is large enough to hold plenty.  It could hold a large set of cards and envelopes, or any number of things.  It is sturdy too.  A nice heavy cardstock bag with my favorite chevron ribbon.  Bring on the heavy gift, I am totally ready.

Corner Garden Gift Bag

At workshop Saturday my ladies teased me about my need to sponge the edges of everything.  I was able to say that I had controlled myself and we only sponged one of our three projects.  So I was feeling the need and definitely got busy on this bag. I just love the look it gives.

Have a creative day!

Moana

May Workshop Club Thank You!

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Everyone does their workshops in their own way.  I just love to say thank you in fun little gift ways.  I have the privilege of sharing Saturday mornings with some really wonderful people.  Some are regular club members and others come just for the projects.

May Workshop Club Thank You!

Both sets of friends come away with plenty of wonderful.  I go overboard on my projects on a regular basis, so that is always fun.  But my regular shoppers get a little extra.  I shop ahead and plan for special thank you gifts.  Like this awesome ribbon that I have had for quite a while.  It retired last year and I have been waiting, and waiting.  But getting a ten yard spool of awesome ribbon is so worth it!  They are going to be so pleased!

May Workshop Club Thank You!

I also try to make something that they can re-gift.  No need to be wasteful.  They are also getting a little embellishment treasure.  We all oogled over the something borrowed embellishments but decided they might be a bit too pricey.  They went on sale and I got us a pack to share and one for me to keep.  They are so pretty.

May Workshop Club Thank You!

As I write this I am watching the clock.  I need to leave in just over an hour to be nice and early for setup.  The bag is made with a half sheet of hello honey and coordinating paper and ribbon.  The paper will stay, but the rest is retiring.  The new product is lovely though.  Two weeks til the new catalog goes live!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hello There Farewell

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I have been trying to stay focused on this years catalog and finish it through, but the new product keeps on sneaking into my thoughts.  I thought this would be a fitting solution to all that is going on.

Hello There Farewell

I like to make samples using the new in-colors for the season and send them along with the new catalog to my club ladies.  They love getting to see, and touch, some of the new product along with the catalog.

Hello There Farewell

Last year I made a card in this format using tangelo twist as one of the five samples included.  I thought it fitting to make another with a companion gift bag, since I love that these days, with an in-color that is retiring.  Farewell to strawberry slush, and your four other friends.  I have loved using you!

Hello There Farewell

I have begun planning my new samples with the wonderful new in-colors.  I also got to pre-purchase some of the new host sets, perks of being a demonstrator, and they are lovely!  They will make some great gifts for my ladies.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sweet Taffy Gift Bag

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How about a huge bag made from awesome paper?  Sounds like the perfect thing to me.  It wasn’t hard to decide which paper to use, but which stamp would go best on the tag.

Sweet Taffy Gift Bag

I knew it had to be bold and long.  But I didn’t want the reader to turn sideways to read it.  So I had to dig into my sale-a-bration stash and use this beauty.  I have used this one like crazy.

Sweet Taffy Gift Bag

I used the dotted hexagon stamp from the six-sided sampler set to coordinate with the paper.  I thought it paired wonderfully.  The bow does make it a bit more feminine, but if had put it in a knot it would be great for a guy as well.  Good stuff there.

Just how big is the bag?  I used a whole 12 x 12 sheet to make this one.  I measures nearly 3 x 3 at the base and goes up to 9″ to the top.  Plenty of space to put in a light gift or two, maybe even a stash of taffy?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Park Lane Duo

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I started this set yesterday morning, got stumped, fussed last night, and finally fixed it this morning.  I kept trying to put the yellow butterfly on the card front.  Yes, the one I inlaid back into the gift bag I cut it from.  Strange how things come together better when you give your creativity a break to refocus.

Park Lane Duo

I colored the paper with my ink sponges.  I didn’t want a lot of exact color, just subtle hints.  So I just used the sponges with leftover ink already on them.  It did the job just right.  Of course my photos make it hard to see, but I love the effect.

Park Lane Duo

When you use delicate die cuts it helps tremendously to sandwich wax paper in between the layers.  The paper just pops out then.  I decided to use the wax paper ones as well.  I didn’t want to cover up the coloring and the yellow butterfly just took over.

Park Lane Duo

After I swapped things around I fell in love.  I attached my wax paper butterflies with some folded glue dots and then ran a string of basic pearls down the body.  It gave such a delicate finish.

Park Lane Duo

One quick stamp from the Sheltering Tree set and the card was done.  No ribbon, no other extras, just some light color and transparent butterflies.  Since they are so thin, the move when the card does.  Beautiful.

Get out there and have a creative day!

Moana

Huge Thank You Part 2

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Here is the other half of the project.  You saw a bit of color at the front and probably suspected more cards.  How many?  How about ten?  Yup, I did the entire brights collection.  I knew this stamp and card idea would look wonderful no matter what color I used.  I wonder if I should do the other color sets?

Huge Thank You

All ten cards fit nicely inside this container that coordinates with both the gift set and the main card.  It also allows the large card to be on display without being in the way.  What a perfect way to brighten up your desk, right?

Huge Thank You

What card set would be complete without matching envelopes?  It just finishes everything off.  I only goofed one envelope with the stamp in the wrong corner.  It is hard to get everything right all of the time.  I can deal with that.

Huge Thank You

Now it is turned over to my daughter for nice signatures and gift giving.  It always feels good to say thank you, especially when it looks as beautiful as it feels.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Huge Thank You

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When a lot of people need to say thank you, you need a huge card.  This one measures 5.5 x 8.5, totally huge.  It has signing panels on both sides, plenty of room for everyone.

5-10 (2)

I had the opportunity to be a driver for my oldest daughters small business class field trip to Silicon Valley.  There was a lot of prep work, a hectic schedule, and highway time galore.  I thought it appropriate that the students thank their teacher for all of her hard work.

5-10 (3)

To make it a little better, I made a little something extra that I will share with you tomorrow.  You can see the top of them poking out of the holder.  It should sit nicely on her desk either at home or school.

5-10 (1)

My Denali will get the students to sign during the morning and give it to her during class.  It should be a nice thank you from all of us.  Sometimes we need to help others to be grateful.  Let’s call this an additional learning opportunity for the students.

I will share photos of the gift portion of the thank you tomorrow.  So festive and fun.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

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I made this lovely set for a baby shower I went to today.  Don’t you think motherhood is one of the great adventures in life?  It will be her first, so it is definitely an adventure.

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

I have used three of my favorite stamp sets to complete this project.  And yes, all three are retiring.  I will be using them regardless.  When I find sentiment sets that say just what I want, I have a hard time letting go.  The new catalog has some fun options, but I can’t share them just yet.  It goes live on June 2nd.  Wheee!!!

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

I am realizing more and more how my camera is giving up on me.  Sorry for the photo quality, but for now it will have to do.  My main color really is pear pizzazz, really.  I sponged my background paper to give it an ombre look that is so awesome with these patterns.  I had to use my yummy chevron ribbon as well, and am truly sad that it is retiring.  It is so great to work with.  No whining, right?

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

When I finished the two sets of cards I was giving as the actual gift, they didn’t fit in my first bag.  So I had to make another, get a bit creative, and pair them together.  It worked out great!  This bundle has 14 cards and envelopes in total!  The ladies loved it, especially my friend.

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

I think everyone should have beautiful cards to give away, especially as special thank notes.  That is why I love to gift these.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Happy Heart Mini Treat Bag

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Could this treat bag be any cuter?  I don’t know, maybe.  I did buy some chocolate to put inside, but forgot to take a photo with them included.  Ooops, but it will still get in there.  I am actually going to give it away today.

Happy Heart Mini Treat Bag

I used the framelit set to cut out the bag bits.  While I was working the big shot I went ahead and cut out the ‘for you’ sentiment from the same paper, calypso coral. I did some sponging, but knew I needed something more for the bag front.

Happy Heart Mini Treat Bag

I used the heart framelit from the same set on some of the coordinating washi sheets.  I had planned on sticking it directly to the paper, but the embossing changed that plan.  I left it on  the white background paper it came on and liked it.  I did punch a few hearts with the bitty heart punch and stuck them on.  But not til I had embossed the bag front with the happy heart folder.  Those little hearts fit in pretty darn good.  I used my stylus to help tuck them in just right.  Before I did, I used my brayer and inked over the embossed hearts to make them pop a bit.  I got a little messy, so I went with that and sponged a bunch to help balance it out.

Happy Heart Mini Treat Bag

I used the row of dots framelit, also in the same set, to make some sewing punches for my ribbon.  It wraps around the back, but laces in the front.  I put it in a bow and tied my tag on.  I did stick the tag with a dimensional to help it stay just right.  Now, to get the chocolate in and give it to my friend.  Should be fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sassy Salutations with Flowering Flourishes

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Let’s just say that my camera doesn’t always do me the best favors.  It is pushing ten years of heavy use, guess that is to be expected.  You get the idea though.

Sassy Salutations meets Flowering Flourishes

I was stumped for an idea, so I asked my youngest daughter for a little help.  All I asked her for was a color, something to get me started.  She said red, but not a love card.  I took her challenge and had fun with it.

Sassy Salutations meets Flowering Flourishes

I don’t normally work in red, but I do like the results.  I used two cut and ready card bases, retiring sad to say, for this set.  One for the card and the other for the box.  You could also make these from just one sheet.

Sassy Salutations meets Flowering Flourishes

I stamped on the velum with stazon and let it dry for a bit while I did the red stamping.  I hid my adhesive under the stamping and my embellishments.  Aren’t these just beautiful?  When they went on sale I broke down and bought a couple of containers.  So glad I did.  They are also retiring.

Sassy Salutations meets Flowering Flourishes

Even though my camera didn’t help out too much today, I think you get the idea.  Give yourself a challenge and see what happens.  You might be pleasantly surprised.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Petite Purse Retirement Party

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Why is this little tiny purse all alone?  I wanted to showcase just it.  I have loved this die for so long now.  Admittedly, I am addicted to die cuts that make boxes and other such things.  However, this one has always been my favorite.

Petite Purse

I kept it very basic here, just showing off the adorable flowerpot dsp and only one little punch with a rhinestone.  Simple, but perfect.  Can’t you just see opening it up and finding a truffle?  Of course you can.

Petite Purse

I have changed out the top with other cutting or even removed it entirely and had an open container.  I have made different fancy handles, covered the top in little pearls or jems, or even smothered it button or butterfly closures.

Petite Purse

I am so glad these dies last so long.  This is one I have enjoyed and will keep in my collection for years to come.  Thanks Stampinup! for such a fun product!  What will you replace it with?  I wonder.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Geometrical Confetti Celebration Retirement Party

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More retirement stuff?  Absolutely!  So, out of this project, what did I use that will be retiring?  It would be easier to share what isn’t.  That would be the whisper white paper and coordinating seam binding ribbon.  Yup, everything else is heading out.

Geometrical

When I bought this stamp set I admit it was for the sentiments.  Specifically, the cheer up buttercup one.  Totally worth it in my mind.  But I have gotten a little more attached to the funny little shapes.  It is nice to do something different once in a while.

Geometrical

This card set was made from four cut and ready card bases.  Three cards and one holder, and yes, the holder was made from a card base.  A little scoring, a little edgelit work, a little inking and there you have it.  Crazy, right?  I need to get the whole video thing going, you would like to see how easy that one is.  I surprised myself.

Geometrical

I am enjoying more and more making sets that I can use as gifts.  People love getting pretty things they can turn around and use.  I love the smile on their faces when they look at them.

Geometrical

Well, I had better get going.  I have a prom dress to add sleeves to.  That is okay, my sewing machine feels neglected when I paper craft so much.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pairs Retirement Party

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Well, after yesterday’s absolute shenanigans, I really wanted to keep it simple.  I think things went well enough.  These are two stamp sets that I will really miss, not to mention basic gray.

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pair

It is hard to tell in this photo, but I did stamp that adorable armadillo all over this basic gray paper.  The little lines of the stamp almost disappear, but not quite.  Perfect for a treat or a little gift card.

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pairs

I painted this adorable little guy with me aqua painter using basic gray, smokey slate, and a touch of blushing bride for his nose.  Really, how adorable.

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pair

I used one sheet of card stock for this trip.  I cut the paper to measure 5 x 8.5, just under  a half sheet, to make the little bag.  Then I took the 6 x 8.5 portion, turned it on its side and cut it in half so the two card bases measured 3 x 8.5 and then scored at 4 1/4.   The card fronts and inserts measure 4 x 2 3/4.

There, I even gave some measurements, I am trying to improve what I share.  One day at a time!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Chalk Talk Retirement Party

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How about this for an overdone party.  I really should set some limits with myself, because seriously, six cards and two bags for one blog post is just a bit much.  But hey, it is a party right?

Chalk Talk

The designer paper I used was so fun.  I guess that is why I ended up with two sets, because each side of the paper was too cute.  I am used to having paper around for a catalog year, but I do tend to get attached to the colors.  I really did enjoy the 2013-2015 In Colors.

Chalk Talk

The stamp set Chalk Talk is retiring, but the framelit isn’t.  So, maybe a new set will be available?  We will have to wait and see.

Chalk Talk

For a little throw back I used the stretch ribbon from last years catalog.  It was really fun to play with.  This is a reminder to me to get the items I want that are retiring before they run out.

Chalk Talk

Well, I am running behind for sure with all my crafting.  Off to another adventure!

Have a creative day!

Moana

That’s the Ticket Retirement Party

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What is with all of the product in this photo?  Well, I am beginning a series of posts that will last the next month.  It is a retirement party, and these products are invited.  I am trying to celebrate them, because I have had so much fun making beautiful projects with them.

That's the Ticket

When the new catalog comes out in June there will be tons of new product to oogle over.  But, some have to step aside to make room.  I really am bummed out about lots of them, but am trying to stay positive.  So, welcome to my party.

That's the Ticket

As you can tell, I still have babies on the mind.  Not for me, yikes!  Several of my friends are becoming grandmothers for the first time or enjoying the blessing of another grandchild.  It is infectious!

That's the Ticket

I used one sheet of wisteria wonder to make this trio.  I cut a large square 8 x 8 and used my gift box punch board.  I took the remaining strip, cut it in half and made two little gift cards to match.  Aren’t they adorable?  I chose the baby stamp from the stamp set and stamped tone on tone all over my paper before I folded it up.  Of course I had to sponge it a bunch.  Yummy.

That's the Ticket

All of the time I have used this ticket punch I have wondered how to incorporate the miniature tickets that punch out with the larger one.  I thought they fit perfectly below my favorite ribbon ever, weep weep, the lovely chevron ribbon.

With all that said, I love these products I have shown you.  Only a month left to get your own, unless they sell out sooner.

Have a creative day!

Moana

All Abloom Gift Set

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Sometimes we go back to our beginnings when we aren’t even thinking about it.  Years ago when I first started paper crafting it was all about the paper and utilizing great tools.  I was pretty tired and just started without thinking.  Half way through I recognized where I was and just went with it.

All Abloom Gift Set

After I picked this patterned paper from the All Abloom dsp stack I literally had to scrounge for some coordinating pistachio pudding paper.  I try really hard to get through my in color stash before they retire.  I will be so sad to see this one go.

All Abloom Gift Set

Using the faintest of stamping, just color on color for the pistachio pudding strip, I enjoyed a little ribbon sewing.  So simple, yet it gives a lot of texture and interest.

All Abloom Gift Set

I used a couple of sheets to make the cute little matching bag.  Any more I give a card with a tiny gift or treat, it is almost compulsory.  I just love giving.

Have a creative day!

Moana

So Much Joy

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There is so much joy in every day life, why not in our cards and paper projects too?

So Much Joy

When I saw this weeks specials on the Stampin’Up! site I knew I had to break out some tools and make something special with them together.  Both framelits shown here plus the large pansy punch are all on sale.  Plus a few other goodies that I don’t have, yet.  I love a good sale!

So Much Joy

I grabbed a piece of paper from the birthday bash set to set the color stage and gave it some friends with crushed curry and tangelo twist.  Good friends.  I knew I wanted to make a gate fold card and decided to anchor the fold with a flower.  Since it was going to be layered, I knew it needed some strength.

So Much Joy

Enter the awesome huge designer vintage faceted buttons.  They are so fabulous!  Just when you think you couldn’t possibly use a button that large, bam!  The perfect choice!

So Much Joy

Lots of sponging, some glue dots, and a few dimensionals and here is another great set!  I love it when everything comes together to create beauty like this.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

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I wasn’t sure what I would come up with last night.  I had pulled some product to work with, but when I sat down to do it, I wasn’t feeling it.  Total do over.  How about this awesome stamp instead?  Absolutely!

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

I had been waiting until closer to Mother’s Day to use this beauty, because it so reminded me of my mom.  She always makes flowers look beautiful, no matter how they show up. Even in rumpled newspaper.

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

I had to do echo stamping inside, but wanted my gift bag to mirror the stamp as well.  I think it worked out pretty good, don’t you?  Both the card and bag were made from one sheet of card stock, plus a little scrap to frame my stamped image.

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

I really couldn’t wait to make the little pretend newspaper on this image, like so many other stampers have done.  It was so fun, even if it was a bit tricky.  You should totally give it a try.

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

Just looking at this set under my spotlights makes me smile.  I absolutely love them.  With workshop coming this weekend, I might have to change a project?  No, I will stay firm, but I don’t want to.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You With Elegance

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“When you feel terrible, can you still create something beautiful?”  That is what I asked myself last night.  I had an endodontist appointment yesterday that I thought was headed one way and took another.  So, I wasn’t feeling very creative.

Crazy About You with Elegance

Or so I thought.  I knew black was my base, I had been wanting to make something with black for several days.  But the flower I wanted to stamp with I had just used and didn’t want to just create another card in another color.  I pulled the Crazy About You set out and picked this flower out of it.

Crazy About You with Elegance

I was reaching for my momento tuxedo black ink when I saw the silver.  I thought it could be cool to layer the stamping.  Was I right or what?

Crazy About You with Elegance

I love how this turned out.  I did learn, and please trust me on this one, that you have to clean your stamp after each layering stamp.  I stamped in silver first and let them dry for a while.  I went back in with the black, but it was picking up silver and then I was putting it back into the pad and getting silver in it.  Not fun.  So I ended up cleaning the stamp after each black flower was stamped.  Not too tiring, but necessary.  And yes, my ink pad survived nicely.

Crazy About You with Elegance

I placed just a few of the large basic rhinestones in the centers of the black flowers. It is kind of hard to tell with my photos, but they are the perfect touch.  I added a touch of ribbon and left the sentiment out of it.  They turned out very elegant.  My matching gift bag has an angled purse look to it, and I absolutely love it.

Sorry for the long post, I was apparently feeling a bit chatty.

Have a creative day!

Moana