Thank You

Lovely Amazing You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

When you live in a house with teenage girls you get to enjoy all of the fun that goes along with it.  That includes having a healthy obsession over a fun band, One Direction.  My husband bought us concert tickets last fall, as a Christmas gift, and the concert was this last weekend.

Lovely Amazing You

While we were waiting for the show, I studied the stage and, guilty as charged, I started thinking of a card idea.  Well, why not, right?

Lovely Amazing You

I used three different stamp sets to put this together, and I could have done more.  I love how so many sets have these little accent stamps that can be used tons of different ways.

Lovely Amazing You

This comes down to a thank you card that will never be sent, I am sure my daughter will just want to keep it.  It was a blast to be with my girls, watching them totally fan girl over their ‘boys’, and revel in their happiness.  Just like Christmas morning magic for a child, really.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You for Everything and More.

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What a wonderful way to start this special holiday.  Making this card this morning gave me some quiet alone time to contemplate.  I do my best thinking while I am crafting, I really do.

Thank You for Everything and More.

This project was more about the sentiment than anything.  Of course the color choices were important.  I kept everything subtle so the message was clear.

Thank You for Everything and More.

Gratitude, plain and simple.  Grateful for the freedoms I know I have, but so much more.  There is a larger picture that regular citizens are just simply unaware of, and sometimes grateful for that ignorance.  I do feel truly blessed for the way I am allowed to live my life.

Thank You for Everything and More.

Take the opportunity to share the gratitude you feel in the way you feel most comfortable.  I get to enjoy my quiet  beginning, attend a flag raising social at my church, and spend the afternoon with family.  Just wonderful.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You Are So Kind

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Nothing says elegance quite like a white on white greeting card.  I love how they look and how subtle their beauty is.  I am not sure this will fit into a regular envelope with all of those layers.  I think I will have to make a custom one.

You Are So Kind

I knew I wanted to use the new brick wall embossing folder, I have been so excited to get it.  I also knew I wanted to use both sets of butterflies dies.  I just didn’t know for sure how to fit them all together nicely.  They ended up all layered together, all five of them.

You Are So Kind

I only used one stamp from the watercolor wings set for the sentiment.  I haven’t let myself play with all of the other stamps.  I do try to budget how much time I give to my craft each day, otherwise nothing else would get done.

You Are So Kind

I used the bitty banner punch to give me banner ends on my sentiment and layered everyone up with dimensionals.  I glued my butterfly layers together using tombo and put the final butterfly object on dimensionals as well.  I finished it off with basic rhinestones, a string of nine for the body, and a scattering along the left side and bottom.  Just right.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cucumber Crush Party

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Getting back into the groove can be a bit slow at first.  I also gave myself a challenge this morning by making cucumber crush my main color.  We haven’t become friends just yet, so I thought we needed some together time.  I helped it find a friend in blushing bride, and I like how it worked out.

Cucumber Crush Party

I used a full sheet to make this pretty gift bag.  I stamped the background paper with the fun leaf from the Kinda Eclectic set.  Loved it.  I used it full strength some, but mostly stamped it off once first.  I like how different this color looks at different strengths.

Cucumber Crush Party

I sometimes stop myself from using flowers, because I feel like I really get them everywhere.  I just love flowers!  So, I didn’t hold back at all here.  I usually stamp off blushing bride, but it needed to be strong to work with this fun green.  The combo is full of life.  I think a yellow would have paired nicely, but I had to stop somewhere.

Cucumber Crush Party

These pretty clear faceted buttons are so fun to use.  It helped me finish up this gift bag nicely.  Sometimes I go overboard on bling, but not today.  I wasn’t sure when I started this project, but I love how it ended up.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You and Thank You

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Today we clean up, make it beautiful, and head back home for a nice long shower and a nap.  Well, that is my plan anyway.  I am sure my girls will more than approve.  Perhaps a quick stop for an ice cream on the way home?  We will have to see on that one.

Thank You and Thank You

These cards are the samples for one of the two service projects that were scheduled for camp.  The first and second year girls worked on fleece blankets, while the third and fourth year girls made these simple cards.  I didn’t create the design, and to be honest, I forgot who did.  Sorry for not giving credit where due, but the inspiration was provided for a great project. 

Thank You and Thank You

The girls worked on these and then wrote special messages to the armed forces.  These will be sent out to say thank you to those that protect us day and night.  It was a lot of prep work, but more than worth it.

Thank You and Thank You

All of the stamping, cutting, and punching was done for them.  All they had to do was to adhere the pieces down and curl the twine.  That made it much easier for me, because guiding a group of sixty girls through a crafting project is more than tricky.

 

Thank You and Thank You

I thought I would give you one last peek at the adorable camp favors the youth camp leaders got this week.  These are super, and so are the hard working girls who made it happen.  I get to get back into my work station and make something beautiful.  After being surrounded by nature all week, I am sure I will have more than enough ideas to work with.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

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I must be one of the few Stampin’Up! demonstrators not showing new product today.  It is the first day with the new annual catalog.  Well, I have a different perspective sometimes.  I get just as excited for the stamp sets I already have that carry over to the new catalog.  So, there you have it.

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

The first is Big News.  It has these fun sentiments designed around exciting news and events.  They are written like we talk in a quirky way.  It makes it kind of fun.  The second is Perpetual Birthday Calendar.  I sure have gotten a lot of use out of this set.  An easy background maker if you ask me.  It really gets a lot of use.

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

I am also happy that the cotton ribbon, which was new last catalog, stayed with us.  It really makes such a pretty accent.  I must say, this bow is nearly perfect.  I kept this card pretty simple, but sometimes that is all I want.

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

I did a small pre-order earlier in the month to get the new colors that I have already shared with you.  I also got a couple of host sets, and they will be so fun.  Now I will let myself get into the new catalog and get a few stamp sets.  Isn’t that fun?  I thought so.  You should check it out.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You for Mint Macaron

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Isn’t this lovely minty color so pretty?  This is the third of the five new In-Colors for Stampin’Up! and I am already having so much fun with them.  I wasn’t quite ready to let go of coastal cabana or some of the others, but this helps me feel better.

Thank You for Mint Macaron

I hadn’t made a bag or box for a bit, so I thought I would do both.  I am still using the same stamp set, A Whole Lot of Lovely, three days in a row.  That just goes to show how versatile this set is.

Thank You for Mint Macaron

Of course I got the new colors, but I also had to get all of the new lace trims as well.  I am quickly getting attached to them.  They are a little more subtle and opaque on my projects.  More of an accent than a focus.

Thank You for Mint Macaron

I left this bag rather simple.  I wanted to just see the stamped image and focus on that.  It really is pretty.  I know I will be using this one like crazy.  Speaking of crazy, that is what is in store for my day, so I had better get on it!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Maritime Thank You

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Today is a day filled with gratitude.  Not only for our freedom, but for those who sacrificed so much to provide it to us.  Sometimes we feel a bit removed from celebrations like Memorial Day.  Today I have the opportunity to spend time with family, and to thank my own sailor, my father-in-law.  Hence, the nautical themed projects for today.

Maritime Thank You

I used the awesome anchor from Guy Greetings to make a background paper for my sentiment and stamp inside as well.  All you need to say is ‘Thank You’.  We will enjoy writing special notes in these.

Maritime Thank You

I had to make a treat bag, of course.  But I knew I would be making this specific, so I actually bought candy to go inside.  It is already tucked inside ready to go.  Everyone needs a treat once in a while.

Maritime Thank You

So, don’t forget to take some time in your busy, and hopefully wonderful, holiday to share your gratitude.

Maritime Thank You

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

Stacked With Love

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Today is all about the paper.  The stacked with love dsp set is often overlooked in my stash.  One side is Valentine’s Day, and awesome at that.  The other is all of these really cool black and white themed prints. So functional.

Stacked With Love

However, I like to soften the look with sponging ink all around.  I did an ombre effect across the diamond pattern.  It is heaviest at the right where I placed the sentiment.  I so love when a stamp has a coordinating punch.  Just yummy.

Stacked With Love

I hadn’t known what to do with this pattern.  It stumped me.  When I put the Just Kidding sentiments to work, I wish I had tons of this sheet.  There is four of each pattern in the stack, but not enough.  I love this card.  Luckily I have an embossing folder with a similar image.  It is retiring, but I have mine.  So exciting!

Stacked With Love

I also like how I sponged around the image to draw additional attention to it.  A simple but effective technique.

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

Huge Thank You Part 2

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Here is the other half of the project.  You saw a bit of color at the front and probably suspected more cards.  How many?  How about ten?  Yup, I did the entire brights collection.  I knew this stamp and card idea would look wonderful no matter what color I used.  I wonder if I should do the other color sets?

Huge Thank You

All ten cards fit nicely inside this container that coordinates with both the gift set and the main card.  It also allows the large card to be on display without being in the way.  What a perfect way to brighten up your desk, right?

Huge Thank You

What card set would be complete without matching envelopes?  It just finishes everything off.  I only goofed one envelope with the stamp in the wrong corner.  It is hard to get everything right all of the time.  I can deal with that.

Huge Thank You

Now it is turned over to my daughter for nice signatures and gift giving.  It always feels good to say thank you, especially when it looks as beautiful as it feels.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Huge Thank You

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When a lot of people need to say thank you, you need a huge card.  This one measures 5.5 x 8.5, totally huge.  It has signing panels on both sides, plenty of room for everyone.

5-10 (2)

I had the opportunity to be a driver for my oldest daughters small business class field trip to Silicon Valley.  There was a lot of prep work, a hectic schedule, and highway time galore.  I thought it appropriate that the students thank their teacher for all of her hard work.

5-10 (3)

To make it a little better, I made a little something extra that I will share with you tomorrow.  You can see the top of them poking out of the holder.  It should sit nicely on her desk either at home or school.

5-10 (1)

My Denali will get the students to sign during the morning and give it to her during class.  It should be a nice thank you from all of us.  Sometimes we need to help others to be grateful.  Let’s call this an additional learning opportunity for the students.

I will share photos of the gift portion of the thank you tomorrow.  So festive and fun.

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

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

Clueless Thank You?

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Just what is today’s odd card about?  It is truly a ‘clueless thank you’.  Not too long ago our church youth group had a large activity that was a living version of the game Clue.

Confetti Celebration

We had  a character that had been ‘kidnapped’ and had several ‘suspects’.  They were each in their own classroom throughout the church building. The kids were partnered up to visit the suspects gathering clues along the way.  The volunteer suspects were amazing and many of them went all out.  I love people!

Confetti Celebration

So, a proper thank you was in order.  I couldn’t just use a stamp to say what we needed.  I got on the computer and made something special.  I thought it was pretty darn clever.  I made a dozen of these and each one is filled with hand written notes from youth and leaders.  Doing good things feels good.

Confetti Celebration

I used the retiring paper set confetti celebration.  It goes wonderfully with basic gray.  I had to have a card that was attractive without being feminine.  Mission accomplished.  A little bit of bermuda bay ribbon brought just enough color in.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Blooming With Kindness Thank You Notes

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A quick, but special, project graced my desk today.  I wanted to make special thank you cards for the young ladies that I teach in a church class.  They were to write about things that they were thankful for concerning our gospel lesson.  It was a really great experience for them.

Bloom With Hope

I only recently got this stamp set at my daughters request, so I have used it a lot.  I was so sad to see it put on the retirement list.  I have enjoyed every project though.

Bloom With Hope

I think this flower image would look stunning no matter what color I used.  It is just that lovely.  I decided to use early espresso so I could pair it with the retiring seam binding ribbon.  These have become my go to products.  Only positive thoughts here though.  I know something equally amazing will come our way.

Bloom With Hope

The card assembly was really quite simple.  Just a basic card cut to measure 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and scored at 4 1/4.  A very vanilla single layer on top measuring 4 x 5 1/4 with a length of ribbon tied in a know.  I stamped full strength in the four corners and then stamped off once to do the gaps in between.  It gave it a bit of dimension and was super easy.

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

Sew You Paper Pumpkin Kit

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What is this paper pumpkin kit thing?  It is my little bit of happy, that’s what it is.  As a demonstrator of Stampin’Up! I am the one doing the creative thinking, preparing and sharing of my work.  Well, this is what I give myself as a thank you.

Sew You

This is a subscription service that I love.  Each month I get a complete kit to make something so fun.  All I have to supply are scissors and some adhesive.  I really like having it just show up like a present or something.

Sew You

Sometimes I make it just like the directions, or sometimes I give it my own little touch.  Like these two cards.  I added a healthy dose of sponging to both of them.  The kit came with the yellow embroidery thread.  I liked it quite a bit.  But then I thought, what about other colors?

Sew You

Who doesn’t have a bunch of this running around their craft room, right?  So I got out some variegated green and paired it with wild wasabi ink.  Perfect fit.  This is only two of the eight cards that came with the kit.  There is a whole bunch of other stuff that it came with that I will find a use on other projects.  I liked adding my own ink colors to it instead.

I hope you don’t mind my little shortcut today, but I do enjoy my paper pumpkin!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Blooming With Kindness Trio

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This set started with an experiment, had some problems, then turned the corner and gave me something beautiful.  Pretty fun experiment there.

Blooming With Kindness

I started out wanting to use pink pirouette, saraha sand and very vanilla.  The papers looked lovely together, however, the way they looked on the very vanilla compared to whisper white made all the difference.

The pink looked so different on the vanilla that it made it look like my card stock was the wrong color.  That was odd for sure.  But I loved the paper I had created using the huge flower from the blooming with kindness set, so I had to get creative.

Blooming With Kindness

I made other cards using the front and inside bits I had stamped on the very vanilla.  Then I made another background piece on whisper white and the pinks were much more friendly.  And I ended up loving the secondary cards more than my original.  How about that?

Blooming With Kindness

Even though my results went a bit off, I do love the look I made.  I stamped the flower with versamark ink onto the card stock and quickly sprinkled iridescent ice powder on the wet ink.  I heat set it and while it was still tacky I hit it again with the powder and heat set it again.  You can kind of see how shiny and sparkly it is.

Blooming With Kindness

Each card got a different sentiment, and they are all so beautiful.  My daughter is the one that said we had to have the set.  She was so right, my creative buddy.

Remember, there are no mistakes in art, only opportunities.

Have a creative day!

Moana