Thank You

Thanks and Giving

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

People all around us are kind and give, often more than we have asked for.  I love those people.  They inspire me.  To be creative, and more importantly, to say thank you right back.

Thanks and Giving

A full sheet of bermuda bay card stock went into this tall and lovely gift bag.  The scoring was done vertically at 2″, 4″, 6″, and 8″.  A quick twist horizontally for one more score at 2″ to make the bottom of the bag.  Two hole punches on opposite sides and the ribbon was squished in.  A very tight fit, it didn’t even need to be knotted off or adhered.

 Thanks and Giving

A leftover card front was scored in half to make this tiny card.  Just big enough to echo the stamp used on the bag both on the card front and inside.  The sentiment comes from the same lighthearted leaves set and works perfectly.  Plenty of sponging and this lovely project was all done.  All I need is something wonderful to put inside.  I just need to decide who needs it.

Thanks and Giving

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sheltering Tree

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Who doesn’t love the look of the beginning of fall?  The leaves are just starting to turn in my yard.  Some bright, some darker, and then there are those lovely dark ones that look almost burgundy.  Those would be my favorite.

Sheltering Tree

The tree is stamped in tip top taupe, the leaves in pear pizzazz and the turning leaves in perfect plum.  The card base is also in perfect plum with a slight framing in tip top taupe.  Very clean look for sure.  A few wraps with some linen thread and it was nearly done.

Sheltering Tree

I did a little echo stamping inside the card with the accent leaf color, just a bit in opposite corners.  I like to have enough there to connect to the front, but not so much that it interferes with the writing room.  It is still a card after all.  The front is popped up on dimensionals and that is all there is to it.  the outer dimensions are 4 1/4 x 4 1/4, a little different for me.  I am not prone to square cards, but I was working with my scrap pile, and that is what I had at ready.

Sheltering Tree

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Big Meaning Tiny Treats

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Welcome back and thank you too!  Going back to work yesterday, after taking a long weekend off, left me thinking I should give a little thank you to my student TA’s.  They are a great bunch and were honestly quite happy with these treats.

One Big Meaning Tiny Treats

I kept things very simple, because I knew they would really just want the candy.  So, I used some adorable retired ribbon, with an effort to keep it neutral.  I have young men and knew they wouldn’t appreciate anything too girlie.  However, I did give them color choices and they picked the ones they liked best.  Three of five kept the little tag in their things.  How cute is that!

One Big Meaning Tiny Treats

What do we gain from this?  First of all, saying thank you is so important.  Secondly, it doesn’t have to be huge and elaborate to be appreciated.  Honestly, these took me maybe ten minutes from start to end, including a quick set of photos.  Having great tools to work with makes all the difference.  Give something like this a try.  This punch combo is fantastic!  The 1 3/4″ circle punch is large enough that lots of sentiments fit inside quite easily.  Add the 2″ circle for a tiny border and it looks so great!

One Big Meaning Tiny Treats

Have a creative day!

Moana

All About Sugar Fry Box

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It is so nice to be home, even though I miss my college kids.  After falling asleep at a ridiculously early hour last night, I woke up full of energy and enthusiasm.  Maybe that is why I migrated to a fun treat box!  I do have some thank you’s to give out today.  I have five student TA’s at school that I know kept things just as I like them for my return from a four day weekend.  They are awesome!

All About Sugar Fry Box

So is this adorable fry box die.  As soon as it hit the catalog last year I had to have it.  Along with its hamburger box friend.  They just make me giggle.  And to have a coordinating stamp set makes it even better!  I love sharing treats and kindness, but when it looks as cute as this, I like it even better.

All About Sugar Fry Box

A half sheet of card is all it takes to make this guy, plus a little scrap.  I used cucumber crush, because it is just a super happy color.  The sentiment was stamped on whisper white, fussy cut, layered on some more cucumber crush, fussy cut again, and sponged like crazy.  Two mini silver brads finish off the front so nicely.  And with some yummy treats all tucked into a bag, tied off with the lovely dotted lace trim, this little gift is ready to go.  I did sponge the entire box to keep everybody coordinated.  Love my sponging!

All About Sugar Fry Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

Banner Blessings Gift Set – Thanks

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Another wonderful day with many adventures ahead.  I feel so blessed and grateful to be able to spend time here with my children.  How fortunate I am to have a husband that allows me to do so.

Banner Blessings Gift Set - Thanks

This lovely card came together pretty darn quick. A few simple layers with my favorite sponging left it nearly done.  I wanted to use the trim without covering up the beautiful embossing from my favorite embossing folder.  I think everyone should have this one. It is so great to have a tool like this that can be used in so many ways.  So I just attached a simple knot of trim instead of a card front wrap.

Banner Blessings Gift Set - Thanks

I chose the pattern of the DSP with the tiny flowers.  It went better with the nature look of the trees.   A touch of dimensional a went with the sentiment layer only.  Simple to make and easy to mail.  Sounds like a win to me.

Banner Blessings Gift Set - Thanks

Have a creative day!

Moana

Floral Gift Bag

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

The seasons are all backwards, so why not create a spring themed gift bag!  Seems kind of silly to really feel like fall might have arrived, then summer heat, then what.  Who knows, so I will craft what I like, and I like this.

Floral Gift Bag

One whole sheet of 12 x 12 dsp went into this bag.  The dots are too much cuteness, so they had to be out front.  I wasn’t feeling a particular stamp, so I curled a couple of flaps over to show the writing side.  This paper pack is so adorable.  A bunch of bright and happy paper going on.

Floral Gift Bag

The diagonal scoring plate is what helped this box happen.  I scored on the 3″ marker, on the diagonal, on each corner.  It worked out pretty darn good.  I don’t always feel confident my scoring is accurate when using the diagonal plate, but when putting the bag together, my sides and corners matched up.  Go me!

Floral Gift Bag

A few punches from the heavy whisper white cardstock and regal buttons for centers made the embellishments I wanted.  The bag was sealed, but not sealed, with a stretch of dotted lace trim.  It is stretched around the top, under the front and back flaps, and then tied in a bow.  Just untie it and the bag will flop open.  Easy to use and re-use.  My kind of bag.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Lovely Amazing You

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

While sitting next to my youngest daughter, trying to keep her awake to finish homework, I thought I would complete my project for the next day.  Good idea, right?  I pulled two stamp sets I hadn’t used in a while and asked her for a color idea.  She said dark blue, so I went with Night of Navy.  The card began.

Lovely Amazing You

She wasn’t having the best of evenings and her older sister came to the rescue, even though she is out of state attending university.  I do think that technology can interfere with real personal relationships, but this was perfect.  The infamous ‘snapchat’ was just the thing.  The sad faces turned to happy and then on to absolutely silly.  And that is how I chose my sentiment.  Thank you my sweet daughter for being the best big sister ever.

Lovely Amazing You

The brayer was still out from workshop so I let it give me my background on the large polka dot embossing folder.  Kind of artsy looking, even if I didn’t keep it perfectly clean.  I then decided to do a lot of sponging to disguise some of that, can’t hide it all, and also sponged lightly all over the paper.  Nice.

Lovely Amazing You

The little notebook sheet was created with a stamp from the Tap Tap Tap set, offset on some Night of Navy cardstock, raised up on dimensionals and embellished with basic rhinestones.  I even used the 1/16″ hand held punch and punched actual holes over the stamped ones.  Pretty cute.  I finished off the project with a bow of seam binding ribbon and decided I loved it!

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely

~ moanaj ~ 6 Comments

Today is quite the contrast to yesterdays color scheme.  But I certainly am all over the place in regular life, so why should my crafting be any different.  Makes sense enough to me.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

I have wanted to try this technique for ages but have never sat down to actually do it. I saw a card that did this as a lattice background for a lovely floral collection and saved the image for later.  That was two phones ago, and I have long since lost that image, but not in my mine.  

A Whole Lot of Lovely

I used my simply scored set and diagonal plate to make these lines.  If you look closely you will see all of my errors, but it was my first time trying.  I tried to keep my score lines 1/2″ apart, but didn’t get them exact every time.  The look turned out though, and you get the idea.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

Some simple stampin, layering everything up on dimensionals, a couple of strings of basic rhinestones, and a healthy dose of sponging helped to finish it off. I of course had to stamp and sponge the inside to make it almost as lovely as the front, they need to coordinate.

Have a creative day!

Moana

More Thankful Swaps

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Isn’t this a lovely pairing?  The colors of fall are so beautiful to me, truly my favorites.  It should be turning fall here, but is still hot like summer.  A girl can dream, and enjoy pretty cards about fall, right?

More Thankful Swaps

These are other swaps that were completed samples for me, but I can’t wait to make them myself.  I have a lot of the tools, but didn’t get that cute little bear.  It comes from the Thankful Forest Friends set and I saw it as a bit too whimsy for me.  I think he, and his friends, are adorable and have put it on my wish list.

More Thankful Swaps

This window frame framelit set is a must have.  Paired with the brick wall embossing folder, there are endless options to enjoy.  I can honestly see myself making way too many projects with those in hand.  How fun!

More Thankful Swaps

The Into the Woods designer paper is so wonderful.  As I said, fall colors are my favorite, and these showcase them beautifully.  Hard to resist for sure.

I think my little stamping group would love the swap idea.  We haven’t yet, but I am going to have us try this out for sure.  Everyone has a different style and a unique set of artistic skills.  It is so fun to experience so many all at once.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You For Strong Girls

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I do so love a pretty little carton to give someone, especially when it is full of their favorite treat.  I was thinking about my girls this morning, and how strong and amazing they are, and this treasure came to life.

Thank You For Strong Girls

I am so grateful for my daughters who remain strong through adversity.  When a woman can stand up for herself, and truly value herself, it is something worth celebrating for sure.

Thank You For Strong Girls

I took a full sheet of this wonderful Color Me Irresistible Specialty DSP, cut off two inches from one side and began to score.  Each side measures 2 7/8″, so you need to start from one side, measure that distance and score each time.  This will leave you with 1/2″ on the edge that will allow you to adhere the box.  The bottom score line also measures at 2 7/8″.  I scored the top at 1/2″ and then at 3″.  Although I am not the best at directions, it does come together pretty easily.

Thank You For Strong Girls

I stamped Thank You from the One Big Meaning set.  It fit perfectly within the 1 3/4″ circle punch.  I punched a 2″ circle from the Dazzeling Diamond paper and layered them with dimensionals.  A lovely bow made from the Dotted Lace Trim finishes it off.  I did do a bit of sponging on all of the edges.  I love a sponged edge.

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

To get my mind off the heat last night I sat down at my desk and got a little more creative.  It has been a bit since I spent this much time for one project, but to be fair, I didn’t have any idea what I was going to do when I sat down.

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

I used a whole sheet of tip top taupe to make the bag.  Just simple scoring there, nothing fancy.  I did forget to stamp before I scored, ooops.  So, my stamping does have little crease marks on the edges.  Can’t be perfect.

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

The base has two layers, tip top taupe and a stamped layer of very vanilla.  I brought out the aqua painter again, oh how I love that tool.  Just using the ink from the stamp gives such a soft look.

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

 

The oval framelits were put to work again for the focal point.  What a lovely flower.  I brought in tip top taupe into the flower and water colored it into the old olive.  I can tell the color difference, but I can also see a hint of lavender forming.  Interesting.  Crystal effects really made a difference in the look of the flower.  I could really use that stuff way too much.  A final stamped sentiment layered with some circle punches finished the front.

A touch of dotted lace trim was put to the side and also used to make a simple handle for the bag.  It really turned out beautiful.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You Always Do For Others…

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The people in our lives that give endlessly, they are so awesome!  They deserve much more than something like this, but always appreciate it.  Someone has to something nice for them, right?

You Always Do For Others...

My school secretary is just that person.  She even keeps the little containers I make her gifts in.  She has a cute little collection.  This one is a bit larger than others I have given her, but she deserves it!  The beginning of school is always so hectic.

You Always Do For Others...

One whole sheet of rich razzelberry for this gift bag.  Doesn’t it look lovely?  I didn’t have a project in mind, so I just reached to my paper files with my eyes closed, pulled the first file and there it was.  I then turned to my punches and grabbed the first one I focused on.  That would be the confetti hearts border punch.  The rest just fell into place.

You Always Do For Others...

 

I did my favorite sponging and opted not to layer the base.  Sometimes my fronts tend to curl a bit at the edges when I layer cardstock on cardstock with gift bags.  So, after I punched and sponged I used tombo liquid multipurpose glue to get to the edges well to make sure it stayed down nicely.  Perfect job.

A little matching cotton ribbon, subtle but still there, and the gift bag was done! Now I have the pleasure of getting the perfect treats and a gift to go inside.  That will be a fun little activity for sure.  Sea salt chocolates and maybe a lovely lotion.  Sounds nice.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Little Thanks

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What to do with a spool of silver metallic thread?  Make butterfly antennae of course.  This tiny, oh so tiny, tiny little bag is also closed with the same thread.A Little Thanks

This bag is sized just right to hold a gift card and you could squeeze in a flat chocolate or two.  How perfect a thank you is that?  I do love giving gift cards to people and having them tucked inside something as adorable as this makes it even better.

8-7

I started out with a piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, yup, that tiny.  I stamped half way down with my little butterflies, flipped it around and went down the other way.  I did that so if you turn the bag around, my butterflies aren’t upside down.  Clever, right?  Thought so too.

8-7 (2)

My score lines were all about the 1/2″ mark.  Just a tiny little bag here, so cute.  Can you tell I love tiny things?  Well, I do!  And this bag is all done and ready to get that special gift card for some lucky friend.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You For Being You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I am feeling a little extra grateful this morning.  There are those out there that step forward and go beyond their own limits just to be kind and take care of others.  Truly a beautiful thing.

Thank You For Being You

So, it had to be all about a special thank you.  Not to focus on too many distractions, just keep the emphasis on the thanking, specifically ‘you’.  With this totally awesome Larger Than Life Alphabet & Numbers set, no problem.  I am looking at this card across the room and it is so obvious what the card is about.  Perfect.

Thank You For Being You

The card base is the heavy weight whisper white card stock.  Love that stuff.  I just like knowing that the base will stand up to whatever I put down on the front.  Today’s isn’t heavy at all, but I know it won’t tip over or curl.  Happy days!

Thank You For Being You

 

What makes this project even better?  It has all kinds of fun, but it won’t need extra postage because it is flat.  How cool is that!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Seriously Amazing

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

You will have to indulge me one more day of paper pumpkin projects.  This is the other portion of my paper crafting fun day.

Seriously Amazing

These I made very traditional, just like the directions.  It was still super fun and I was much happier with the results than I thought I would be.  Sometimes simplicity can be so beautiful!

Seriously Amazing

How about tiny ones too?  Wouldn’t these be great for gift cards?  I think so too.  I don’t see these as either masculine or feminine, just fun.  So, that means good for either and makes them that much more awesome!

Seriously Amazing

All of these and the kit is only half used.  Yup, I get to make two more large ones and two more small ones.  And, of course I get the totally cute stamps to add to my stash.

Seriously Amazing

All of these fun cards have been added to the card file.  I so love having just the right card right when I need it.  I totally have helped out more than one friend in a bind too.  Share when you can, right?  Of course!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Tiny Thank You

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Spending the morning with my husband took first place today.  So, blogging had to happen later on in the morning.  Works great for me, during the summer that is.

Tiny Thank You

I didn’t know where to start this morning, so I turned to my scrap pile.  You know, those extra bits of paper that are too big to toss and haven’t filed back into the paper files.  Well, there was this piece of bermuda bay measuring 5×6 that was calling to me.  I did the math and ended up using my scoreboard to make this cute little carton.  Simple division is a beautiful thing, did I just say that?  Yup!

Tiny Thank You

This carton is big enough to fill with plenty of treats or even a nail polish or two.  Sometimes it is fun to say thank you in a different way.  I do have a weakness for cute little boxes and bags.

Tiny Thank You

How about the washi tape though!  I did all of my scores first and then got the tape out.  I put it down on an angle leaving about 3/4″ between pieces.  I didn’t measure, just eyeballed it.  From a distance it looks like striped paper with blue stripes over the top.  Fun look.

Banner punches went to work on the adorable sentiment tag.  Using bakers twine was the only thing tiny enough to work well.  All in all, I do love this little guy. Now, who to share it with…

Have a creative day!

Moana

I’m So Grateful For You

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After yet another awesome summer concert I am super exhausted!  So I asked my daughter this morning what color she thought this flower would be.  She talked about purple, orange or yellow.  I thought about tropical, but went with elegant eggplant.

I'm So Grateful For You

It is hard to tell, but there is silver ink painted over the purple.  Of course I had to get out my trusty aqua painter for all three ink colors I used.  Totally love that thing!

I'm So Grateful For You

There was a heavy amount of sponging as well.  I loved the sentiment, but it was the second half of the front sentiment and it was basically a dangling participle.  So, I just didn’t ink up the ‘and’ and the beginning.  Perfect!

I'm So Grateful For You

I may have been half asleep for this project, but it turned out really wonderful.  It is great when I get to sit back and be impressed with myself.  A job well done.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely

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Afternoons are good for blogging too.  Especially when you put your family first in the morning.  I do love a good routine, but sometimes you need to be flexible.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

I do try to say thank you right away, but sometimes you need a bit more.  Just like this little treat bag.  It is tiny, but is the right touch to emphasize the thank you.  I loved giving it away this morning at church.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

The new paper stacks are so fun.  This lovely floral pattern is one of many in the pack.  I do love floral paper, probably too much.  Either way, I thought the flowers on the paper matched the flowers in the hostess stamp set A Whole Lot of Lovely.  They look so nice together.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

Some stamping, a little bit of pearls, and plenty of ribbon and off we go!  Take the time to make a special thank you, it feels great to give it away!

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Big Meaning

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Today is workshop day!  As much as I dislike all the rush to finish up last minute to-do’s, workshop is always fun.  I get to work with a bunch of really great ladies that love to create and do beautiful work.

One Big Meaning

I set out for a super quick project this morning and found it.  I do love how a few good punches can make magic so quickly.  It really was a grab and go kind of card.

One Big Meaning

This was made with a card front in my ever so favorite newsprint designer series paper.  It is so light and clean.  The look of newspaper without all the mess.  Partnered with a card base in sahara sand, all it needed was a simple sentiment and a bit of fluff.

One Big Meaning

I love the new thank you set, One Big Meaning.  I like having choices of how I say thank you.  A heavy dose of itty bitty flowers and basic pearls and it was nearly done.  A full bow was too much, so I opted for a simple knot instead.  When you are working with the beautiful dotted lace trim you can’t go wrong.  Great stuff!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable You

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Working with great paper makes everything so much more fun.  Colored embossed paper, in such pretty colors?  Of course, why not!

Remarkable You

The project began with the new heavy weight whisper white cardstock, I love having such a heavy base, and gathered layers of stamping and more color.  The image and sentiment come from the same set, which is delicious by the way, and were stamped in black stazon.  I knew I would be water coloring, so that is the perfect ink to work with.

Remarkable You

I blended watermelon wonder with a touch of crumb cake and it turned out so nice.  I chose crumb cake because I was using linen thread and wanted to tie in the colors.  A large ribbon wasn’t going to work here.  It took too much focus away from the flower and sentiment.

Remarkable You

I think I would add a mat or two behind the flower next time, but left it alone for now.  It turned out nice, just right.  I do love a simple water color.

Have a creative day!

Moana