#You’re Welcome

April 12, 2015April 12, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Literally, one of my favorite things has become a card and matching box or bag. This little project set fits that perfectly.

The Balloon Bash stamp set is full of whimsy. The saying is all cute and pretty and then has the punch line at the bottom. How often do people forget to say thank you anymore. They really ought to make a card, but the words would do. This one just made me laugh.

Could the paper be any more exciting? The Birthday Bash Specialty dsp is almost full of energy. All kinds of confetti going on here. I stamped the sentiment I wanted and fussy cut it out. It didn’t look done, so I fussy cut a boarder as well. I do prefer a framelit or a punch, but we can’t have that every time. In the bottom corner I snuck a little star with a matching epoxy sticker over the top. Just right.

I repeated the pattern on some calypso coral card stock with the confetti stamp from the same set. Tone on tone is a beautiful thing. A little treat bag with some heart candy and topped with coordinating chevron ribbon. Just right. I did sneak some of the retired sale-a-bration ribbon to wrap around the french fry box, love that die cut, just to give it a hug. It really did come together pretty quickly. And of course I had to sponge absolutely everything. No holding back there.

Have a wonderfully creative day!

Moana

Guy Greetings Woo-Hoo!

April 8, 2015May 28, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This was an awesome set to make! I couldn’t stop giggling at this little muscle man saying woo-hoo! Really, so funny. I was going for masculine here and think I nailed it.

The gift bag here is a tall one but still came from one sheet of card stock. It measures 1 x 1 x 7.5. Yup, pretty darn tall. I think one of those huge candy bars would be awesome inside. I like how I always want to put candy in my bags. I did put some fairly stout items inside and my linen thread handle still held strong. I couldn’t have a ribbon handle, no too girlie.

The mix of the image with the typeset paper along with the muscle man gave it a very vintage look. I sponged everything to continue the look. Even though you can’t see a lot of it, I think the alphabet embossing folder gave the texture I needed.

So how about you dig into your stamps and make something that brings a grin to you and the person you give it to. That is why we do this after all, right?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Birthday Bash

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The happiest of birthday wishes start with an awesome card and the wonderful things you write inside. Doesn’t this set just look like a party waiting to happen?

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how to proceed with the framelit banner pieces. They are so adorable, but tiny and stuff. But, as always, it came together and looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. How fun!

Everyone needs a friend though, even an adorable card. Hence my continual need to make a matching bag or box to go along. The stamping tone on tone made the perfect connection, don’t you think? Treats and a gift card seem the perfect fit for this darling little bag. It measures 2 x 2 x 3.5. In case you wondered, I made both of these treasures from one sheet of card stock. How perfect!

Have an absolutely wonderful and truly creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You Little Birthday Buddy

April 6, 2015April 6, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the times where you don’t even have to think about coordination much at all. I wanted some chevrons in a baby card. Done. Pull the matching colors and some awesome tools and there you have it!

A girlfriend had asked about baby shower invitations with some of these components and I made some demos. They decided to do something different with photographs and never got to see these. So, I got to have the design fun and get to use the projects myself. Sounds like a win to me.

This little matching bag is not quite the size of the matching card, but it is so precious. Just right for a tiny gift and a gift card. What more could you ask for?

I think the little characters in the Little Birthday Buddy set are so adorable. I had fun coloring this toucan with the coordinating ink colors using blending pens. You always have the right marker color with those awesome tools.

Day one of the Utah trip has begun nicely. I got a surprise visit from my niece and got to shower my mother with beautiful cards. Awesome. Now I get to help her get caught up on her paper pumpkin kits. Also awesome!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Adventure Awaits the Best Day Ever!

April 5, 2015April 6, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This day was so much fun. I know the Best Day Ever set is a retired sale-a-bration item, but it was the theme for the day. First of all, it was the first day of a long awaited spring break. Awesome!!

I have been working ahead to get ready for a trip to Utah with my family. We are going to get some awesome things done, getting my second child all ready for university, and spending more time with other family. Specifically, my oldest already at university and my parents. Talk about yummy!

Could this bag be any more awesome? I loved how the ribbon is tied and dangles all cool. I got the idea from the card below, when my knot was just too big for the spot I had. I was determined, and then cut off too much, and then loved the discovered result. So I put it to work properly on the bag. Love it!

These cards remind me of graduation. There are so many kids I know graduating this year, and these feel like a great send-off. Of course they are going to need a gift card inside, what graduate doesn’t need those?

To top it off, my daughter just made me smile. We had gotten our nails done and she just stated that we needed to make a card with our nail colors. Mission accomplished, and then some!

So, she called this #bestcardsetever! How cute is that?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Mixed Bunch Work of Art

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

I have Easter on the brain and these are the colors that keep coming to mind. So saffron and pear pizzazz. They are so lovely together. This might suggest I am ready for Easter. Ooops, I am not. I still have a bit of time though.

So, are you a card person, a bag or box person, or do you need a matching set? I keep going back and forth. But I do like a bag that is beautiful enough to be a card as well. This bag is big enough to hold a nice gift for sure. Almost too big for candies. Wait, is there a bag too big for candies?

I used the same stamp to decorate each piece to tie the set together. But, since they have the same sentiment, I wouldn’t use them together. They just coordinate nicely.

Either way, I enjoyed making them. I also hadn’t had the work of art set out for a while. That one just begs for a quiet afternoon to play with it. When does that happen anymore?

Well, I am off with my girls to enjoy our first day of spring break. Shopping and nails then lunch. Wonderful for sure!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

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

How about a big gift box for a change. I had to control myself and keep the cards separate from this post. You can see them tomorrow. Eight fit inside. Curious? Check it out tomorrow.

I used one sheet of 8.8 x 11″ cherry cobbler card stock for this box. Just some basic scoring, one tiny punch for a notch and a few snips. Then, the box is there.

I made a top with another layer of cherry cobbler, giving an 1/8″ border, with a stamped whisper white sheet also cut with another 1/8″ border. Simple stamping and some sponging. I had planned on putting flowers on top, but it was just too much.

So here we are, a nice simple box. It measures 6.5 x 4 x 1. Plenty of room for the cards I made to go inside, or something else fun and exciting for sure.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Today is the last day of Sale-a-bration. So sad, but happy because of all of the beautiful and fun products I have been able to enjoy. I thought I would celebrate by giving myself a gift.

I started out with this gift bag in mind. I took a whole sheet of Irresistibly Yours DSP and sponged it like crazy with blushing bride. It was so beautiful just sitting there on my desk. When I cut the large pieces I needed for the bag I had a good portion left.

So, of course I had to make a set of cards to go along. The Yippee-Skipee! stamp set is chuck full of wonderful sayings, six all together. A great set to have, really. I have used it like crazy.

All I knew when I sat down is the color scheme and the designer paper. I was more than pleased when they all came together. The cards all fit so nicely inside the gift bag.

My Denali said that set spoke of lovely rich chocolate. So perhaps I will have to find just the right one to complete it. I really love this set. I love that I do this!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Throwback Birthday!

March 26, 2015March 26, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about another Throw Back Thursday? You got it! The designer paper I used was from last years Spring Occasions catalog and it was my favorite. I used it like crazy, but kept one pack whole just so I could love it some more. So pretty.

It was the watercolor wonder set. If you didn’t get any, you should be crying about it. Really, you should try to find some on ebay or something. Why am I going on about it now? Well, every catalog has paper that is specific to it and then it goes away when the catalog is done. If you find a paper you love, stock up before it’s gone!

I paired this awesome paper with two current sets. The Age Awareness photopolymer set and Work of Art. Both are absolutely fantastic sets that are loaded in fun! I even dipped into some really old sweater trim. Remember that stuff? I have loads of it. I stocked up when it hit the clearance rack. I love a good sale.

Can you see just how big this bag is? I scored a whole sheet in portrait mode and created this monster. If you want to know how the handle worked out, you will have to send me a comment. It was an accident, and I love how it worked out. Might be a new regular for my bags.

Have a super awesome creative day!

Moana

Bloom With Hope Birthday

March 25, 2015March 25, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I don’t think I can ever get enough of this color combination. It is just so soft and elegant. I am trying to get my fix of coastal cabana in before it retires this summer. I really do love this color.

The sale-a-bration designer paper I used is already soft and pretty. But doesn’t it look even dreamier with velum over the top? Absolutely yes!

This cute box is open on top and is ready to be filled. My girls thought it should be filled with hershey’s kisses. How fun to have this out and ready to be shared!

Can you see the echo stamping I did on the inside of the card. It looks just as pretty in blue as it does in black on the front. I do love the inside stamped.

Well, this set speaks for itself, in volumes. You should try it out.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just Kidding, Tap Tap Tap

March 20, 2015March 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I can’t even tell you how much this stamp set makes me laugh. Stampin’ Up! comes out with new photopolymer stamp sets during the year and their themes are all over the place. You need to look up this set and get ready to laugh.

I think this set would be perfect to share a little gift with a crafting buddy or two. I could put tons of little goodies in the gift bag. One of my favorite things.

This spiral border punch I used is so much fun. I have to be careful, or all of my projects are going to get that look. Do you ever fall in love with a product and just want to go crazy with it?

These tiny little buttons are part of a free gift with purchase set. They come along with the little twines you see on top of the tag. I pulled apart the strands for a lighter look. They come in all five colors, five yards each, and a collection of these little buttons. They are so sweet.

I think this will be project number two for workshop tomorrow. I picked the first one from a prior project and I will post the third in the morning. They are a fun mix for sure.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Bash Gone Wild

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

This got a bit wild I think, but my girls thought it was great. I suppose for teen girls it would be. Sometimes we need to just step outside a bit and see what happens.

I suppose I should have done something green, for St. Patrick’s Day, oooops. I am wearing what I call my grinch shoes. Quite comfy, if a bit silly too.

I digress…so let’s focus here. This tiny bag is just 2 x 2 x 3 1/2″, but you could fill it with lots of little treats or a gift or two. It looks adorable, don’t you think?

I normally have to use a die cut or punch for my sentiments. I was distracted and found myself fussy cutting. So I just went that way all around. Admittedly, I am not the best at that. I avoid it as much as possible actually. I know, it’s silly.

The stacked with love paper stack isn’t just about Valentine’s Day. The back side of the red prints are more than fun in all of these exciting black and white patterns. I use it more than my other stacks to be honest. Interesting.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Painted Blooms with Lotus Blossom

March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

I finally gave in and cut into those whole sheet pieces of art in the Painted Blooms DSP. I have used several of the other patterns, just not the one lovely enough to be framed. I got brave and was really pleased with the results.

A trio of happiness for sure. Along the top left and top left of the paper it opens us, just like it would in a flower garden. I used those spaces for stamping and then again as my inside paper. It was as if I had stamped it, but didn’t need to. And I didn’t want to not use it, but it wasn’t the right balance for a card front.

This need to make matching gift bags is really starting to fill up my work station. I can count ten bags from where I am sitting. Seriously now, I need to do some gifting.

I really enjoy the combination of rose red and wild wasabi. They really are beautiful together. Sweet words, pretty colors, flowers and butterflies, my work is so happy here.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sheer Perfection

March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I had taken a break from blackberry bliss, since I couldn’t leave it alone. I went through a pack of that paper pretty darn quick. Just had to order another. I absolutely love, love, love that color. I am glad we get it for another year.

Isn’t this velum paper just beautiful? It is yet another free gift with a qualifying purchase during Sale-a-bration! Those folks at Stampin’Up! did a really clever thing during this sale. By the time we hit March, things have slowed a bit, so they introduced four new gift items! Wheeeeeee!

I picked my favorites right away of course. This pack has several patterns and they are all wonderful. You should really get some of it, really.

The gift bag I made to go with is pretty darn simple. I probably should have done more, but I was wasn’t feeling it. My daughter thought it would be perfect with a couple of candy bars inside. What bag wouldn’t, right?

Either way, I finally got these together. Some Saturday’s are busier than others, and today was chuck full of very wonderful distractions. Life can be so good.

Hope you had a creative day!

Moana

Bundled Baby Shower Invitations

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

Do you remember this one? It was one of the choices for a baby shower invitation. So, today isn’t a new project, just a whole slew of them with another color option.

This is what fifty of these bad boys look like. Kind of impressive.

I used up all of my pistachio pudding paper and had to dip into a little so saffron. I think it worked out pretty nice. The biggest work portion was all of the inking on that awesome star embossed sale-a-bration paper.

They are ready for delivery and my fingers are ready for a rest. Enough said.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Back to Black Throw Back Thursday

March 12, 2015March 12, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

I let myself get so caught up in the fun of the spring and sale-a-bration catalogs that I neglected one of my favorites. Digging into old product and paying homage.

It might be hard to tell just what is retired here, because it looks familiar. Well, the pool party paper used here is the retired version. If you look closely, you can see some of the texture. Remember that? Just a subtle thing, but nice. Also, how about all of that bling? I was quite generous with the rhinestones, even the retired ones. Yup, the large rhinestones. When they hit the clearance rack, I bought a bunch. It will be sad when that stash is gone, but that won’t be any time soon.

I might have used all of the floral punches, but one. Have to love a good floral card and matching box right? Now it just needs something fabulous to go inside. How about some jewelry or truffles? I like it.

If you want to re-create any of these, just get out your back to black dsp, all of your floral punches, pool party paper and matching ribbon, and a healthy stash of basic rhinestones. I took the guesswork out of the box and used my box punch board. You might notice all the lift. Of course there is a serious dimensional party going on here too. So, join in!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate This!

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

I always call it a celebration when you get to use product that has been sitting quietly waiting its turn. It seems I have been doing that a lot lately. That would be the difference between preparing for workshop projects and blogging daily. I think the daily thing is a lot more interesting, even if a bit tiring.

I have to admit I struggled with this one a bit. I tend to lean to the softer look and this one was pretty darn edgy. But, I absolutely adore orange, so I persevered.

Late night and early morning work tend to make for a lot of shadows in my photos. But when you have a family that comes first, those tend to be the available hours of my day. I can cope well enough with the shadows, most of the time.

This gift bag had a different plan to start with. I had a math problem while using my scoreboard and I had to improvise. It is actually a pretty nice size. It used a whole sheet of cardstock with only a little bit snipped away.

On a side note, it was extremely satisfying to use hexagon shaped dimensionals on a hexagon shaped punch. For those of us who like things just so, it is definitely just so.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just a Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’

March 9, 2015March 9, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Today is all about quick and simple. I was able to attend a girls camp planning meeting last night and of course I had to have something to share with the girls. Imagine this set times four.

It only took about an hour to whip up twenty handouts! How about that! I got into my stash of retired designer series paper and pulled out these awesome colors. I cut the squares 6×6, put adhesive on two perpendicular sides, rolled into a tube and squished one end together.

Fill with candy and staple shut! Really, it was just about that simple. I used the other side of the paper to give a more solid pattern to frame my stamped phrase. It was so quick.

It makes people feel special when they know you made them something, even a little something like this. What a great use of awesome products, right?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Tap Tap Tap

March 7, 2015March 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I have to admit, when the spring catalog comes out I get a little distracted. I sometimes forget the annual catalog and all of the stamps and products I love from it This stamp set is one great example.

Isn’t it just so cute? I made the cards a little different this time. I put a masculine and feminine emphasis on each one. It made me happy.

What really made me happy was this awesome bag! I don’t know if someone else has made one with these dimensions before, but it is all new to my brain. It was my families favorite. It can hold a huge candy bar, and even several greeting cards. How about a combo of both?

The typewriter is great, but I love the tap tap tap stamp. It really makes me giggle. So, it had to get used as much as possible. I would have done more if I could.

What products did I use for these projects? Tons! I worked in basic black with the Typeset Specialty designer series paper. I accented in hello honey and blackberry bliss stitched satin ribbon. I even played a touch with that super fun handheld stapler. Much easier to use than my desktop one, much. Of course I had to add petite petals in black with basic pearls. I grabbed a sentiment for the bag from the Sale-a-bration stamp set A Happy Thing. Really, tons of fun stuff here.

Now, how about you go out there and have a creative day!

Moana

Painted Petals with Elegant Eggplant

March 4, 2015March 4, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I sat down to work on this blog project with only one thing in mind, purple.

I am totally feeling it. I haven’t used elegant eggplant in ages. I think it could have easily been a year. For shame…

The painted petals stamp set is such a useful set. The sentiments, all three shown here, are wonderful. The flowers have so many options. The additional graphic elements really give a lot of interest. I wonder how many projects I could make with just this set. That thought just sent my mind spinning.

It seems I can’t make a card these days without a matching bag or box. It makes for a really busy desktop. I obviously need to give more of this away.

The background is cardstock velum stamped with white stazon using lovely lace and then I embossed it. Sometimes the double treatment is necessary.

I hope you feel inspired to get out there and have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

Gifts

#You’re Welcome

Guy Greetings Woo-Hoo!

Balloon Birthday Bash

Crazy About You Little Birthday Buddy

Adventure Awaits the Best Day Ever!

Mixed Bunch Work of Art

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!

Throwback Birthday!

Bloom With Hope Birthday

Just Kidding, Tap Tap Tap

Balloon Bash Gone Wild

Painted Blooms with Lotus Blossom

Sheer Perfection

Bundled Baby Shower Invitations

Back to Black Throw Back Thursday

Celebrate This!

Just a Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’

Tap Tap Tap

Painted Petals with Elegant Eggplant