Retirement Party

Pleasant Poppies Gift Set

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

As poppies are in bloom, my attention was drawn once again to my favorite background stamp.  I am sad to see it retire, I truly am.  Retiring or not, this one is a keeper that I will use for years to come.

Pleasant Poppies Gift Set

With that said, this post is a good news bad news.  Yes, my precious poppies will retire, but the wonderful Perpetual Calendar stamp set carried over!  The little flowers I stamped all around my gift bag are one of many adorable little stamps in that set.  It is so versatile.  I think it has been the most heavily used stamp set from the spring catalog.  Interesting…

Pleasant Poppies Gift Set

You cannot tell from the photo, but there is a little cellophane bag inside.  I made the floral windows on both sides to show the “treats”, but there aren’t any to show.  Literally, I don’t keep candy at my home.  You will just have to use your imagination.

Pleasant Poppies Gift Set

I stamped the poppies on a very vanilla card front using tangelo twist.  I then used my aqua painter to get a bit of ink to the centers of the flowers that showed them.  I cleaned my brush of ink and just used water on the rest.  I simply brushed over the stamped flowers to move bits of the ink around.  It gives a very subtle look, but it is just right.  I could have brought in another color for the stems, but I wanted this monochromatic.  A simple bow of very vanilla seam binding ribbon, sadly retiring, finishes off both projects.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Glorious Painted Blooms

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When I sat down to create something for today’s blog I was stumped.  I had been reading for a while and had a hard time getting focused.  What I usually do when that happens is go to my designer series paper and pick something that catches my eye and work from there.

Glorious Painted Blooms

What I discovered tucked between to organizers of paper was an unopened set of the Painted Blooms designer series paper.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I felt like a little kid.  I have loved this set so much and have used a ton of it.

Glorious Painted Blooms

Since it will be retiring with the spring catalog, I got really bold.  I opened it up and took out my favorite pattern.  The first pack I had I treasured this pattern and had the hardest time cutting in up.  So, I just went for it.  I used one whole sheet and made a beautiful gift bag to showcase it.  It was quite liberating.  Good thing there is two of each pattern in a package.  I can still treasure the last one.  Maybe I will do like others have and frame it.

Glorious Painted Blooms

I didn’t want to cover up one bit of it with a tag or any stamping.  So, I went a little crazy with the seam binding ribbon.  How perfect is this gift bag!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Yippee-Skippee in Love!

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There are times when how I feel just saturates what I create.  Today’s project set is a perfect example of that.

Yippee-Skippee in Love

Last night I finished a lovely book in a series I had previously enjoyed.  I am a middle school librarian, so I have the perfect excuse to revel in young adult literature.  Who am I kidding, I would read it regardless.  I have always enjoyed reading what my children do and visa versa.

Yippee-Skippee in Love

Love, true love, is an obvious theme here.  Even though the series continues and I have to wait for the next novel, I was left all emotional and girlie and super in love.  Hence, the color choices and such.

Yippee-Skippee in Love

I used a whole sheet of 12 x 12 silver foil velum here.  Two card fronts and a lovely bag.  I poured out the chevron ribbon, because I love it so, and added a few elegant embellishments.  I knew these cards could be for a variety of occasions, so I left the sentiment off the front.  I will stamp the inside with just the right thing when I put them to work.

Yippee-Skippee in Love

I might have to fill the bag with truffles or something lovely and give it to my husband.  That sounds just right.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flowerpot Painted Petals Trio

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Sometimes when you draw a blank, you still come out on top.  I was sure I had crafters block yesterday.  So I sat and read a novel instead.  When I made myself go back and sit down I decided to pull out a sheet of designer series paper and just design a bag and call it good.  As soon as I had this sheet of paper on my desk my brain got busy.  Cool right?

Flowerpot Painted Petals

I hadn’t paired this ribbon with rich razzelberry yet and I wish I would have.  They look great together!  And then a bit of glimmer paper to frame a tiny sentiment and we are off and running.

Flowerpot Painted Petals

I trimmed off a 4″ section from the whole 12 x 12 for a card front.  When I finished the other cut to give me the 4 x 5 1/4″ front I needed I was left with a choice.

Flowerpot Painted Petals

Make a second card, put the remainder back with its set, or make another tiny bag to go along.  The tiny bag won.  What a cute little baby bag.

Flowerpot Painted Petals

This set went together really quickly.  That is what happens when you have great product.  Just a little bit of stamping, some creasing, adhesive here and there and a ribbon on top.  I went to bed with a smile for sure.

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

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

Adventure Awaits on Sea Street

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I do enjoy it when a designer series paper set has a matching stamp set.  Everything just goes together that much better.  I thought this stamp from the Adventure Awaits set had the perfect sailor sentiment.  All kinds of happy here.

Adventure Awaits on Sea Street

I don’t know why I can’t just make one card, but I like everyone to have friends, even my crafting projects.  That sure does make extra stacks of cards to deal with.  I have taken to just giving people blank cards to play with.  It works for everyone.

Adventure Awaits on Sea Street

How about the cute little bag though.  It started out as a bag, I measured wrong, tried a box, then went bag to a modified bag.  What a busy bit of paper.

Adventure Awaits on Sea Street

Of course I had to do some inside stamping.  Those little flags are so adorable.  If I had more patience last night I would have colored them with markers, but I kept it one color for the sake of sanity.  Everyone needs some of that.

The designer paper is retiring, as well as the little oval punch I used to punch out my little anchor from the Sea Street set.  I use that punch a lot.  I will keep that one on hand for sure.  Too useful.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Guy Greetings Thank You

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How do you say thank you to a man with a card?  Just like this.  Simple, a bit of elegance, and a touch of humor, but just a touch.

Guy Greetings

Denali requested a special manly thank you card for her prom dates father.  He is doing all of the driving for the two of them, neither one have a license, even as seniors, so they need a little help.  Hence, the thank you.  I thought that was adorable.

Guy Greetings

Also, it works for sharing with you today!  This set doesn’t seem to be carrying over to next year, so we have to say goodbye.  So sad, because it is a great manly set.  Well, I won’t stop using it.

Guy Greetings

This is a quick project day, because it is prom day!  When you have a young lady going to her first and only prom, you want to make it special.  There are still some things that have to be dealt with, like sharing some joy and some basic chores. Other than that, we are all about getting pretty.  Nails and hair are already done, so just enjoying the fun of makeup.  The next photos I take will be filled with a lovely young lady and her good friend.  Wheeeeee!

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