Thank You

Thanks For Being You

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The beginning of a new and simple series.  It is focused on one designer series paper set that is new with the new catalog.  It is also all about thank you.  I am fortunate enough to have a great set of TA’s that do so much for me at school.  They of course will be getting special personalized thank you gifts from me.  Some kind words and chocolate, that is what works for them.  Well, me too I guess.

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Super simple and super simple.  I didn’t spend a lot of time on the bags in the series because I know they will look at it for a bit, like it, empty the candy slowly and then it will go away.  No need for a lot of fuss there.

Have a creative day!

Moana

“Suite” Treats

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People are placed in our lives for a reason.  It is so wonderful to realize those precious moments as they occur.  A simple, sweet thank you speaks volumes.  As does the kindness shown to me time and time again.

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In my desk scrap file I looked for something pretty to make a gift bag for a friend.  I came across this wonderful foil velum.  I scored the long sides 1″ in, on both sides.  The bottom of the bag was scored at 5 1/2″ and 6 1/2″ to give a 1″ margin all around.  Folding, adhering, and then adding a bow all went very easy.  Deciding on a phrase took a moment, but as I have often enough, I turned to the Suite Sayings set and found just what I wanted.  The stamping was done in the soon to be retired blackberry bliss, I sure will miss that color, and then punched with the 1 3/4″ circle punch.  A layer of silver foil was punched with the 2″ circle punch and then layered in place.  The tag is stuck to the bag so the ribbon can be removed easily.  That is important for getting to those treats and even re-gifting the bag.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You at First Sight

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

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

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

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

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

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Blooms with Blackberry Bliss

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And a happy good morning to everyone!  I do love a Friday that is full of promise and enthusiasm.  The only problem is that I usually have my goals too high and get frustrated when I fall short.  Either way, I love Friday and the fun evening often in store.

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This little thank you is so adorable, yet lovely.  I used a half sheet of very vanilla for the box, scoring at 2″, 4″, 6″, and 8″.  Then turning one quarter turn, portrait now, to score at 2″ for the bottom.  I used a companion piece of very vanilla for the stamped and embossed layers. The piece is cut first at 3 1/2″ so the stamping could be done.  I just used the large floral image to create a pattern.  Then the second cuts came at 1 3/4″ each, needing four of these all together.

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Before they were attached I embossed them with the fluttering embossing folder.  Such a nice result.  I layered them up with dimensionals and thought about leaving it just the way it was, but continued on with the plan.

I made the tag from the scrap left over from stamping and punched it with the extra-large oval punch.  A added a ribbon handle and attached the tag to the under side of the ribbon tail.  A few butterflies later and a smidge of pearls and I was ready to add my treats.  So much fun, just so much fun.  Now to deliver!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Helping Me Grow

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I do love to water color, that much is more than obvious.  Since spring is everywhere I knew I had to do some flowers like the ones I see everywhere.  How about lupin?  Pretty sure I spelled that wrong, but they are the prettiest wildflower, next to the poppy of course, that are growing all around this time of year.  My husband even recognized the flower on the card, and that is saying something.

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I stamped the large floral image on my masked piece of water color paper in black stazon. The flowers were initially painted in marina mist, letting the ink run lighter as I went up the flower.  After, I added in hi-lights of wisteria wonder in the centers and across some of the petals.  The stems were done in pear pizzazz.  I did a touch more with the gold wink of stella to give it a sparkle.  That was both on the petals and the stems.  I know, it is hard to see in the photo, but it is there.

I painted the background in so saffron, allowing it to be lighter and darker just here and there.  I didn’t have a specific rule in mind, I let it happen.  I then used my aqua painter to drop clean water across the card to make water spots.  I let the drops sit there for several minutes then came back and dabbed them up with paper towels.  That removed ink and left the fun spots behind.

A simple bow across the front finished it off.  I used a piece of very vanilla for the inside.  I decided not to leave it blank and opted for a repeated image of the front.  Instead of black, I used so saffron stamped off and placed it right in the middle just like the front.  The idea is that it is light enough to be written over, kind of like a water mark.  It looks great.

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Have a creative day.

Moana

Thank You Times 250?

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

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

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

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks For Being You

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Aside from some very hasty photography, and as a result poor images, I do rather like this card.  Even though several of the cards in this series look similar, this one feels different.  I guess that can happen when you include black a little unexpectedly.  The ribbon is nice though, even if it is a bit strong.

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I hadn’t had the bitty butterfly punch out in quite a while, but it was just what I wanted.  I sponged them in silver ink and thought it looked like the raindrops had given them a bit of a sheen.  I also sponged the tag in the same silver ink.  A favorite touch of mine.

I couldn’t let myself use the other photo I had taken.  Just too rushed for something decent, but I still wanted to share it.  I raised up the sentiment and the butterflies on dimensionals and left it at that.

Have a creative day.

Moana

Thanks to You I Grew Up Loved

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What a sweet, tender card.  I was thinking of my mother as I put this one together.  She is all about flowers and everything that go along with them.  As I shared this one with her, we shared a few tears.  Having a wonderful mother that helped you grow up loved is more than a blessing, it is an absolute treasure that we both share.

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This lovely card showcases the dsp almost as much as the sentiment.  It is hard to decide which is the focal point, so I will call it a draw.  I stamped the sentiment on whisper white and punched it with the most narrow portion of the triple banner punch.  I then created a border of calypso coral and repeated the punching  to give a nice quarter inch boarder that tied the entire card front together.  After a lovely bow tied with seam binding ribbon I decided to put the tag on an angle.  It turned out so adorable and yet so simple.  One of my favorite ways to work.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

You Wonderful Thing You

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Yet another adorable card in this series.  I sure have loved sharing this card set, even more so giving it away for someone else to share and enjoy.  The true joy of card making.  What a fun color combination for sure, one of my favorites.

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The seam binding ribbon I used got a little rumpled in the center of the spool.  However, I decided I liked the look of it and didn’t try to iron it out.  I have bought ribbon before that was ruffled on purpose and liked it that way.  So, instead of getting frustrated at the center of the spool, I just made the best of it and enjoyed the results.

The sentiment was stamped on whisper white and layered with a scalloped circle of calypso coral to coordinate with the card base.  Don’t you just love this paper?  Full of whimsy and cuteness.  The simplicity of the color scheme also keeps this one very clean and simple.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks for Being You

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Day two in this adorable little series finds me fortunate enough to be in Utah visiting family, family, and more family!  How wonderful is that?  It is  more than fun, especially for me.  So many fun social opportunities.

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I do love this paper.  The little dandelions dancing in the wind are so cute.  Simple and fun but it will be the perfect thank you for the person who has been so kind.  Giving cards is always so much fun.  This gift set will be fun for my daughter to use.  And use it she will.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Because You’re So Nice

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Nice people are just, well, so nice.  Saying thank you is always fun and feels great, but why not take it up a notch.  That is just the kind of thank you a super nice person deserves.

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My daughter got some much needed study notes help last night from a friend.  She had re-written her notes for a big test, threw away the old messy ones, or so she thought.  Yup, she threw out the new ones, with the latest additions as well.  She reached out to a friend and they came to the rescue.  Favorite candy bar, MilkyWay.  Mission accomplished and the thank you is on it’s way.

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This is a smaller version of a sliding box I had made earlier last month.  Instead of using full sheets of 12 x 12, I used two 6 x 6 pieces.  Same principal of making the score lines just 1/8″ in and it works pretty darn good.  I think I would have liked it more snug, but the candy needed the room so I didn’t want to chance it.  My daughter was so excited to take it to school today and share it with her buddy.  Me too.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re a Whole Lot of Lovely

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When I was cleaning up my desk I came across several kits left over from workshops that hadn’t been filed away.  Usually I just break down the kits and put the supplies back. This one had the stamping, punching and they were layered together.  So I thought I would make something with them.

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I do not remember what the original kit was at all.  It had two pieces of 6 x 6 paper, ribbon, and the stamped embellishment.  So, I decided to not bother looking it up on my blog and make something new. My go to projects are cards with matching tiny gift bags. Mission accomplished and kit used up.  I still don’t know what the other one was, but I am quite happy with this little number.

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Have a creative day!

Flowering Fields Thank You

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So I was looking through my blog site and discovered this as a draft and not a blog.   Oooops on my part.  I really loved this one too.  Enjoy!

 

While browsing a catalog I came across this book.  The title was awesome, but to be honest, I knew I had to make a card that looked like it.  It sat at my desk for several days until I had a little time to experiment.  I got my inks out and went to work.

Flowering Fields Thank You

I went back and forth on using just ink, or a versamark with gold embossing powder.  I went with just ink and then used my aqua painter with some ink to add details and make the flowers a bit more prominent.  Aren’t these pretty?  Yet another awesome free set during Sale-a-bration!  Wheeee!  The thank you came from Another Thank You.

Flowering Fields Thank You

I masked the water color paper and brushed it heavily with water before I added ink.  I added, dobbed, and added more until I was satisfied.  So much fun, honestly.  I could do that a lot.  Wouldn’t it be fun if we could just hide away in a creative bubble?  Either way, I absolutely loved making this card.  But not more than sending it to share a very special thank you.

Flowering Fields Thank You

Have a creative day!

Moana

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

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What says thank you better than a big bar of chocolate?  A really pretty bar of chocolate with a coordinating card, that’s what!  I really like how this Paper Pumpkin set got used  so differently than I normally do.

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

I have mentioned my teacher aides before and how awesome they are.  The holidays are the perfect time to share that gratitude.  Especially when they feel special and others get to see that too.  Okay, they are teenage boys that love to feel awesome and oh so cool.  This works very well, just like they do.

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

I used the card base to wrap over my vanilla cardstock and it fit around so nicely.  I was able to give it nice little scores and get two swipes of fast fuse to keep this together.  After a hefty wrapping of ribbon, I know it is so secure.  These holly leaves and little adhesive backed berries are so adorable though.  I could definitely get into a die cut to make more of these.  I will have to look around for one.

It is fun to go to work when you have this kind of joy to share.  Besides, today is the last day of school before a very nice and long three week break.  Phew!

Paper Pumpkin Re-Make

Have a creative day!

Moana

Joy, Plain and Simple

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As we have been showered with much needed rain here in Northern California, all I feel is joy and gratitude.  We have a long way to go, but every little bit helps.  I thought I would put my feelings into a card.

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The Color Me Irresistible  Specialty DSP is so much fun to work with.  It was actually my inspiration.  I knew it had a raindrop pattern and the project just went from there.  I sponged with a dauber in silver encore ink all over in tiny swirls to give a cloudy gray look.  Turned out fantastic I must say.

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The flowers were punched with the pansy punch hovering over the large dots in the silver fancy foil designer velum, using the dots as the flower center.  Nice idea, right?  I used a bone folder to curl the petals of the velum and decided I needed more flowers.  Basic gray became the flower background color and I punched another six of those.  I distressed those with a large stylus to give them dimension and lift.  Layered with dimensionals and glue dots, the side border came together.

A single stamp from the Your Presents set put the focus just right.  It was framed with a smokey slate oval and both were sponged with more silver ink.  The “i” was dotted with a metal rimmed pearl and a tiny ribbon was wrapped around.  Add one more awesome card to the mix.  A very rewarding project to make and enjoy.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Schoolhouse Thank You Gift

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People do kind things all of the time and never ask for anything in return.  I am fortunate enough to have people like that in my life.  A school secretary is definitely a wonderful person.  They do more than most people imagine.

Schoolhouse Thank You Gift

As it happens, I have been helped along once again.  So, I wanted to thank her, again.  This lovely box was made to look as school like as possible.  The Schoolhouse DSP had so many patterns to choose from, but I needed a vehicle of sorts, so I went with the bicycles.  I used a whole sheet of 12 x 12 card stock in Hello Honey and a good portion of the dsp to decorate it.  It is filled with large pretzel sticks that have been dipped in white chocolate. So yummy.

Schoolhouse Thank You Gift

I got into the Chalk Talk framelits for this huge tag.  I wanted to have a stamp and a spot for a tiny note.  Just right, don’t you think?  I forget about that set sometimes, but the tag options are really wonderful.  I gave them a bit of a go over with my bone folder for some added texture and clipped it around one of my favorite ribbons.  Gift done!

Schoolhouse Thank You Gift

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sparkly Seasons Pumpkin Patch

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It may not look very busy, but these little pumpkins almost did me in.  I nearly got to the point of just showing you how frustrated I was and that there was not much to show for it.  Then I thought about iridescent ice, and the world came together.

Sparkly Seasons Pumpkin Patch

I love that stuff.  It can make the most simple things look almost magical.  I used three different framelits for my pumpkins and got to work.  I used a large stylus to create grooves and texture to the surface, but from the back side.  It really broke down the fibers a lot.  Then I began to water color streaks to give dimension.  That didn’t do a whole lot.  Then I spritzed water and swiped ink on with my finger.  It got better.  Then I sponged with pumpkin pie and added early espresso too.  At that point they looked okay, but still kind of sad.

Sparkly Seasons Pumpkin Patch

That is when I tried the iridescent ice.  I daubed the whole surface with versamark and sprinkled on the powder.  I only used one coating and thought that would be enough.  It was just right.  I did sponge a bit more with early espresso afterwards.  I layered the pumpkins together using dimensionals, with the stems too, and wrapped them all in linen thread.  I wanted to leave it then, but decided on a simple word phrase.  And there you go!

Sparkly Seasons Pumpkin Patch

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker’s Boxes!

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I tried to not purchase this particular die cut, but I fell in love with it at a workshop.  I guess that isn’t too different from the ladies I teach in my workshops.  It works for me because I just love this box!

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker's Boxes!

This adorable box came together so quickly.  The set comes with several other dies to accent or accessorize how you like.  More than enough choices.  I just chose one of my favorite combinations of circle punches with a simple stamp framed with glimmer paper.  How absolutely lovely, right?

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker's Boxes!

One little glue dot just below the handle was all I needed to keep the top snug to add my favorite dotted lace trim with a big bow.  I moved into my favorite sponging party and did it up right.  Simple yet so adorable.   Hope this little project finds you in a good mood and ready to try your own.

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker's Boxes!

Have a creative day!

Moana

 

Happy Birthday Workshop!

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Yesterday was just too busy, but wonderful at the same time.  I had the opportunity to throw a workshop for a bunch of ladies, which was fantastic! The workshop was actually the cover for the real surprise party though.  Worked like a charm!

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These three projects were the fun distraction for all to enjoy.  I had done all of the prep work so it could get finished super fast.  Couldn’t keep dinner waiting too long after all.

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Also, there were going to be many there that hadn’t done much crafting and it had to be fun, not frustrating.  The gal that the party was for is one of my regular workshop members, so she got through super fast and got to chat with all of her friends.  How convenient that they were all there.

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We were all more than excited as the surprise was revealed.  Cheers all around and boy, did her face get super red!  It went great with her huge grin!  A fun part for her is that if people wanted to give a gift, they were encouraged to donate to her Stampin’Up! shopping spree!  What fun that will be.

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Have a creativc

Grateful Gifts

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When you are trying to wind down from a way to crazy day, what do you do to relax?  Well, today I went straight to my desk and worked a day ahead.  This is going to be one ridiculous weekend and I need to get as much out of the way as possible.  Of course I do the fun things first.

Grateful Gifts

The new designer series paper pack is so much fun.  Here is one sheet, showing both sides of it.  I cut one strip 4″ wide and it gave me the card front and the paper for the tiny gift bag.  Yup, 4″ x 12″ is all it took.

Grateful Gifts

I do think that this dotted lace trim has become my favorite ribbon.  I am definitely a girl who loves a bargain, but even if it is a bit pricier, I love it every time I use it, with no regrets.  I can’t always say that about embellishments.  I used both the negative and positive die cuts, one for each project.  Once more, I am totally happy with this set.  I might be on a bit of a gift set kick again.  Hmmm…

Grateful Gifts

Have a creative day!

Moana