Open Me Already!

These two guys do nothing but make me grin!  I haven’t used them together before, but here they are in all their glory.  Also, I changed up the big monster by turning his closed eyes into eyebrows and giving him some google eyes as well.  Thought that was cute.

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This kit was a birthday card and I think this one could work for that as well.  But any type of celebration could enjoy a project like this.  The hexagon dynamic texture embossing folder got to work in a different way.  I used the debossed side, the normal version has the hexagons raised up instead of recessed.  To bring in a little color I lightly sponged over the top of the embossed paper and look what happened!  What a great effect.  Also, I couldn’t wait to get my chicken stamps back out and use this background like it was chicken wire.  What a fun find.

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The confetti image from the balloon adventures stamp set really got some work.  It was used on the sentiment tag, the card front as well as the inside.  Pretty darn fun if you ask me.  I have another one of these kits left, I think I will get that put together pretty quick.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re How Old?!

This was an experiment all the way around.  The only thing I hadn’t used yet was the paper. The color burst powder is some crazy cool stuff, but new to me.  That was an adventure. Well, the brushing of color, adding and removing, stamping, spritzing and general mess making left me with this. I wasn’t quite happy with it, but let it be shared anyway. It is so silly after all.

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I began the adventure with some of the color powder on a pallet, added water and began to apply to the background area.  It was actually very dark purple to start with. The blue came second, and then both were lightened tremendously.  Then I tried tapping bits of powder here and there on the piece and spritzing with water.  A cool, and very different look happened then.  That is where it looks like sprinkles of color.

It ended up making my wording look very muddled and hard to read.  I had to outline the stamping with a pen and chose a brush tip just too wide.  That is why it looks so very wonky. Like I said, I stuck with it.  I painted the adorable little bird and was getting pleased again.  Then I went too far and applied wink of stella to that bird.  The gold wasn’t a problem, it was the white area.  It got onto the stamp lines and instead of stamping over again, because I would have had to use my stamp-a-majig, and I didn’t feel that adventurous.  My mistake, because my pen drawing over the goofed edges really didn’t do the stamp justice at all.  Like I said, mistakes were made, products were experimented with, and I still thought I wouldn’t get judged too much on the final product.

My card base was made with pacific point card stock and layered with basic black. Nothing was layered up, just adhered heavily with fast fuse to keep that paper under control. It really got a proper working over. I do want to try again though.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Fiesta Like There’s No Manana

I haven’t made a card and bag set for a while, but today called for it.  A special birthday for a special someone.  When a birthday isn’t looked forward to what do you do?  Find an adorable llama stamp set and put it to work.  Mission accomplished.

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This bag was made in a particular size for a special gift.  It only needed one piece of cardstock, but I fiddled with the measurements until it was just the right size.  There are two bars of home made soap inside and they fit perfectly.  It also had to be made from card stock instead of designer series paper, which might have been a bit more festive, but I needed it to be stronger for the weight of the soap.

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I mixed my coloring a bit here to put color to the llama image. He was stamped on the heavy weight whisper white card stock so I could have a smooth stamp and water color a bit too.  The stamping was done in black stazon, accented in emerald envy with the rope and blanket.  I colored some with the water color pencils and brushed the color around.

Where did that little hat come from?  I dug into the No Bones About It set, the ones with the dinosaurs and so funny sentiments, and there it was.  The perfect size for the perfect llama. And now he is ready to party, as much as a llama can.  How adorable, right?

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Fiesta Like There’s No Manana

Here is one of the projects I made with my club ladies last Saturday.  Such a fun and interesting birthday card.  Plenty of color and who doesn’t just love an adorable llama?  Finally though, a project where I love the brightness of cucumber crush.  It is just one gregarious green there.

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Framelit cutting made pretty darn quick work of the elements for this project.  A little stamping before and after doing the cutting.  The llama was really fun, but I felt he was a little on the whimsy side to worry about painting and making him look too real.  Besides, his teeth really aren’t accurate, they come from the bottom not the top like a bunny.  Still totally adorable though.  The banners were stamped afterwards though.  Since you can see through the photopolymer stamps there is not a worry to be found.  Fun and easy to do.

Everything was put on tipped one way or the other to add to the silly look.  Nothing about this card says slow down, just have a bunch of fun!  And my club ladies sure did.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Happy 29th Birthday {Again}

And the third workshop project has arrived.  Good thing too, since tomorrow is workshop! I often know further in advance what I want to do, but not this time.  I have been doing a lot of detailed water coloring and that doesn’t go well for large group instruction.  Folks need their own tools and materials for that kind of work.  We are doing one water color and that is stressful enough.

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Isn’t this one so adorable?  The paper, matching stamps, and the ease of stamping and die cutting the numbers really make this one fantastic.  It isn’t too difficult to make, but sure brings a smile. Believe it or not, I tried several times to add die cut flowers for a fun layered look, but had to leave them off.  Sometimes that happens.

I took the background dsp and put it through the bigshot  with an oval framelit centered.  I then took that piece and turned it over to fill that same oval hole.  The two sides coordinate so nicely I could resist.  I used the next smaller framelit to make an oval from whisper white.  The numbers were stamped in blushing bride, cut with their coordinating framelits and centered on the oval.  I did raise them up on dimensionals.  Then the sentiment was stamped centered over the top and bottom of the numbers.  The tiny ‘th’ was die cut first, then stamped.  The framelit for that tiny one doesn’t have a window to look through, so I had to.  But with photopolymer stamps you can see exactly where you are placing your image.

I stamped inside with the largest flower from the Birthday Blooms set in each corner using a different portion of the stamp to make it look different.  The center phrase ‘again’ was the last thing added.  How fun is that?

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Have a creative day!

Moana

It’s My Party

What kind of chatter do you need to say anything about a suite that speaks so much for itself?  The paper stack is huge and full of so many great patterns.  Bright, fun and exciting.  Just like any birthday celebration should be.

It's My Party

How about this bitty balloon punch?  It comes in a trio along with a tiny candle and a cupcake.  They are so sweet.  This stamp set is going to get a lot of use for sure.  Birthdays are going to happen, so why not have a diverse stamp set to give plenty of options, right?  I used glue dots under the balloons and bakers twine to keep them in place.  They were just a bit too tiny for dimensionals and I knew the glue dots would hang on to the twine better.

It's My Party

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

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

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

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

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

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

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

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

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Hamburger Box

This die cut hasn’t been out in a while and I miss it!  I have had so much fun making boxes of one kind or another and I just love the shape.  I am pretty darn good at making a box or bag for a custom gift, but boxes like this just need a die cut.

Birthday Hamburger Box

One of my TA’s has a birthday today and I thought he would get a kick out of this guy.  I think he is expecting something because he has mentioned his birthday several times in the previous weeks.  Well, of course I had to deliver.  I think I will pick up a wonderful pastry this morning to put inside.  Yummy.

Birthday Hamburger Box

One sheet of  island indigo went into the box.  I was left with scrap enough to make the matching gift card and leave a couple of good sized scraps behind.  That is great.  I did sponge all of the edges really well before I glued it together.  I also used tombo to put the edges together.  Much easier with a little bit of wiggle room while it bonds and then it is there to stay.  My kind of adhesive.  I ran my bomb stamp down one direction of the die cut and then flipped it around and went the other.  The pattern turned out random enough to look like patterned paper.  I love making my own background paper for projects.

Birthday Hamburger Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

Dude, Happy Birthday

While chatting with my daughter I asked her for a little inspiration for a project.  She came up with these two stamp sets.  She remembers the Paper Pumpkin stamps much better than I do.  Good to get a reminder or two.

Dude, Happy Birthday

I have to admit, I am really into the Bombs Away Birthday set.  This particular one is my favorite, but they are all pretty awesome.

Dude, Happy Birthday

I was originally going to spritz the designer paper, but I forgot to get a re-inker in tip top taupe.  Ooops!  So I opted to sponge it instead.  The geometric pattern looks pretty darn cool.  A little bit of layering, lifting everything up on dimensionals, touches of silver mini brads and a finish with silver metallic thread and this card is ready to go.

Dude, Happy Birthday

I need to remember to get those paper pumpkin stamp sets out more often.  The kits are so fun to work with when they first come, but I often put the stamps away and then move on.  I think I will have to work on getting them in cases to keep them more visible.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Bombs Away Birthday!

Well, I must admit, I think Call of Duty visited my craft table this morning.  My plan began differently, honestly.  But then things got a little interesting.

Bombs Away Birthday!

I started out with the fun birthday bomb stamp and made background paper.  I knew I wanted to add my husbands name, but wasn’t sure on the color.  Since the black is so strong, I knew I needed to heat emboss the lettering.

Bombs Away Birthday!

Of course all of my colors are not quite masculine, and I wanted bright color.  I guess I could have done silver, but too late for that.  I had a couple of tiny spots that didn’t get powder to stick, so I thought I would just sponge a little ink here and there to fill them in.

Bombs Away Birthday!

I went out of the lettering a bit on the second B, so I gave in and sponged away. Then I giggled as I imagined how much cherry cobbler looked like dried blood, especially next to a bunch of bombs.  Maybe this is a bit tacky or even offensive, but my husband will get a kick out of it, and it is totally for him.  Happy Birthday my love!

Have a creative day!

Moana

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

When you get asked for a birthday card for a little boy, don’t you just think of dinosaurs?  This fun card could be for folks of all ages.  You know, the cards that tease you about being older than a dinosaur, or a fossil in this case.

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

I gave warning that I would be into this set like crazy, and I love every chance I get to use it.  I have a few more children’s birthday cards to make and I think they will all have a dinosaur on them.  Tee hee.

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

The card itself is very simple.  Narrow borders layered together with some very simple stamping.  I only used three stamps for this card.  I think it looks like this dinosaur is smiling.  I digress…

All About Sugar and No Bones About It

Simple stamping, basic color pallet, sponging on the edges and a touch of ribbon.  Keeping open spaces on a project isn’t my strength, but when I manage it, I realize that I really do like it.  I just forget.

Have a creative day!

Moana

No Bones About It

No, I don’t have little children, and yes, I did have to have this set.  I actually pegged it for a favorite when the new catalog first came out.  It really isn’t the speed of my card group I teach, but I wanted it for myself.  How cute is it?

No Bones About It

There are four different dinosaurs in the set, all with matching skeletons, some fossil plant looking stamps, some splats and these awesome footprints.  As well as a few super cool sentiments to go along.

No Bones About It

This card was done in mossy meadow and whisper white with no frills.  I embossed the base with the chevron folder and made my layered tag from the tags & labels framelits set.  Plenty of dimensionals for everyone and there you go.  I did accent it a bit with some linen thread using the 1/16″ hand held punch for the knot to show through.

No Bones About It

 

I am going to really enjoy this set a lot, and I mean a lot.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Bombs Away Birthday

Did you ever buy something just loving it and being so excited to use it?  That would be the inspiration for this card today.  When Stampin’Up! first started coming out with their own photopolymer stamp sets I was so excited.

Bombs Away Birthday

I would buy them and have an absolute blast.  But, as you get more, some get neglected.  This particular set was so funny to me that it was a must.  I pulled it out and remembered why I hadn’t used it yet.  I loved the sentiments but was stumped on what to pair them with.

 Bombs Away Birthday

Enter the super awesome brick wall embossing folder.  I used my brayer to roll some cajun craze on one side of the folder, embossed a piece of the heavy weight whisper white cardstock and knew I had found the perfect pairing.  The way the ink beads up a bit on the folder actually gave the bricks a porous look.  Unexpected and very welcome indeed.

Bombs Away Birthday

Simple layering, sponging to make me happy, and a touch of gold metallic thread and this project is ready to be mailed!  Would you believe I have three different guys in my life that this would be perfect for?  Yes, they are all very much alike.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Happy Age Awareness Day

This birthday stamp set never gets old for me.  I think some of the phrases are just too funny.  I must have migrated here today because I am a little tired and have a bit of the giggles.  Maybe that is why my photos are all wonky.  Oh well…

Happy Age Awareness Day

I went with just lost lagoon for my color scheme.  Sometimes using one color is all that is needed. It helps to enjoy other parts of the project, like embossing or even just the sentiment.

 Happy Age Awareness Day

I put the banner triple punch to work today and really am pleased how they layer so nicely together.  Super simple to make without all of the frustration of trying to make a banner just right.  Thank you for that awesome punch!

Happy Age Awareness Day

Finishing it off with some of the new metallic silver thread also made me very happy.  It is like using ribbon without any of the distractions you sometimes want to avoid.  How fun is that!

Have a creative day!

Moana

#You’re Welcome

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

#You're Welcome

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.

#You're Welcome

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.

#You're Welcome

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

Cheerful Critters Party

There are never enough birthday cards to be made, never.  Sometimes I just dip into my stash of designer paper, pick a sheet, and get working from there.

Cheerful Critters Party

That is exactly where these two came from.  Of course I love the Cheerful Critters stamp set.  I know I teased it at first, but I have fallen in love with it every time I use it.  Really, how cute are these guys!

Cheerful Critters Party

I absolutely love my inside stamping to coordinate with the my card front.  It makes me very happy.  To the point that I have a hard time leaving the inside blank.  Kind of like doing your hair.  Everyone can make the front look nice, but the back needs just as much attention, or so my brain says.

Cheerful Critters Party

I had a fun time using my stampin’ write markers on this guy.  I have such confidence issues with them and making it look smooth.  But I have to say, this one didn’t turn out too bad.  Maybe I can do it after all.

And let me just say one more time, the perpetual birthday calendar stamp set is so absolutely wonderful.  I use those little guys all of the time.  Since they are designed to accent different months of the year, they go with everything.  How perfect is that!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Guy Greetings Woo-Hoo!

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.

Guy Greetings and Just Sayin'

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.

Guy Greetings and Just Sayin'

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.

Guy Greetings and Just Sayin'

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

Throwback Birthday!

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.

Throwback Birthday

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!

Throwback Birthday

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.

Throwback Birthday

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

Birthday Bash Times Two

Can you see a theme at my work station?  Yup, still working on birthday cards.  With paper this beautiful, you don’t really need a lot of extras.

Birthday Bash Times Two

I don’t know if you can tell from the photos, but several of the printed balloons are in gold foil.  It is just so pretty.  It could easily have gone without stamping, but I did just for fun.

Birthday Bash Times Two

I thought with the color combination it could easily be masculine.  Even with the seam binding ribbon.  Simple and strong.

Birthday Bash Times Two

I could go on and on, but these cards speak for themselves.  Dip into those pretty papers and put them to work.  Don’t be shy, just cut into them and make something beautiful.  That is why you bought them, right?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Bash Gone Wild

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.

Balloon Bash

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.

Balloon Bash

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?

Balloon Bash

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.

Balloon Bash

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