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Nailed It!

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about a tiny tool kit for a gift bag?  These tool framelits are so fantastic, they really just make me giggle. This set is a little more elegant than others, but I still found myself playing with them before I put them in place.  I realized this photo makes it look like it could be a card, but it is a gift bag made from half a sheet of cardstock.  The tools were die cut from a piece of water color paper that had been painted with several ink colors and some liquid metal colors as well.  Love that look!

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I tried to keep the whole hexagon theme going on here and it turned out nice. The paper is so great it speaks for itself.  What a great set of paper, really.  This piece is foiled and heavier than the others.  After I die cut the large hexagon piece, using a die from the same set, I embossed it for another layer of dimension.  The sentiment background was cut from another piece from the same set.  The classic label punch worked pretty great for the actual sentiment and kind of nestled as well.

A bit of ribbon for the handle was all it took.  I was trying to give it the look of a bucket handle.  Not sure if that happened, but it looked pretty good. The large hexagon was placed before the tools, raised up on a couple of dimensionals.  Then I just started wedging the tools in place and squished some tombo glue underneath to keep them in place.  Fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Enjoy…

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Yummy, yummy and yummy.  That is what this card is.  It could be the paper, the delicate tag or the precious bit of copper metallic thread.  More likely, the combination of the three. Some simple cards are way more than simple.  I am going to have to get more of this paper for sure.

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I looked through my stamp stash for a tiny phrase or saying that would be noticed but not distract.  One tiny word from the Endless Birthday Wishes set was just right.  It also helped to make the card truly an all occasion theme.  This project is likely to be reproduced a few times over.  Such a great layout and color scheme.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Happiest of Birthdays to You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Who doesn’t need a simple, yet lovely, birthday card?  It is always useful to have one on hand for those last minute gifts, or even the birthday you forgot.  I keep a few cards on hand at all times, you just never know.  I recently got to share creating a simple card with my daughter-in-love and it was the best.  This is yet another one of the cards I made to rebuild the stash I gave her.  She loves using them, and now making them.  Woo hooo!

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The paper is lovely, the sentiment sweet, layered tags are one of my favorite, but this ribbon.  It is so beautiful.  It has texture yet shines, is thick but ties beautiful bows and knots, and the colors are the best.  I normally don’t go through my ribbons too quickly, I try to make them last.  But these won’t with me, I see having to replace them sooner than later.

Having great tools and beautiful paper really makes quick work of a card like this.  One layer of designer series paper layered on a piece of crumb cake card stock, a ribbon tied in a bow around it, and then raised up on dimensionals on the coordinating card base.  The tag was stamped and die cut super quick and layered up again.  The inside has a clean piece of very vanilla and that makes it complete.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Bouquet Duo

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Another adorable gift set just ready for a fun birthday event.  This is my version of a one sheet wonder.  I enjoy a matching gift set just as much if not more than making several cards from that same sheet.  What can I say, more isn’t always better to me.

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The card is actually quite simple.  Only one piece of designer series paper was used.  A ribbon wrapped around the front and a double tag slid under the bow.  A collection of tiny flowers scattered around and centered with basic rhinestones.  Most of the items were sponged with watermelon wonder, including the inside whisper white piece.

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This adorable tall bag was made from the large remainder of the designer series paper.  The other side was just as fun for a birthday theme, don’t you think?  It was topped with a huge ribbon which was used to hang the cute birthday tag with silver cording trim.  Bitty flowers were also stamped and punched in whisper white centered with basic rhinestones again. What a great companion to an adorable simple card.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Butterfly Garden

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Half way through this little adventure I realized the designer series paper wanted me to stick with whisper white and not very vanilla.  Well, the ribbon was on the pearls were in motion, so I stayed the course.  Not too bad, but it did slow me down.

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I left off the sentiment to give it an option or two.  I have also noticed that the camera is really good at picking up little things that my eyes miss.  Darn, I thought those edges were a little more flat.  Not to worry, it looks just fine.

The butterfly thinlits hadn’t been out in a while and I do so love them.  I keep thinking they will tear apart as I put them to work, but they manage to stay together.  I can bend, curl and mush them around in general and the paper stays true.  It is so nice to work with really good product.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable…

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This quite simply was round two.  I had this fun idea to emboss this flower with silver powder on black card stock.  Thought that would look pretty cool.  Then, I thought I would water color with a bit of silver encore ink and touch it up with wink of stella.  Can I just say that all went in the trash bin?  True story, not a good combination there.  Next try…better.

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These colors are all I have on my brain lately.  The wedding is three weeks away and the reception I am hosting is four weeks away.  It is hard to find blackberry bliss in the spring out and about. I have managed what I can, and have had to let go of other ideas.  It is going well.  Just like this card duo.

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Simple stamping and die cutting with oval framelits.  Touches of basic pearls to set it off and wrapped in pretty satin ribbon.  My kind of yummy.  After donating my stash of cards and bags for a fund raiser, this is the first one to begin the rebuilding.  All for a good cause.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Woodland Baby Shower Gift Set

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I admit it, I love giving gifts of thank you cards.  Especially when everything goes together so nicely.  This sweet friend was given a woodland themed baby shower and I knew I had just the right paper to fit the bill.  The invitations even had turtles and foxes on them.  Fun work time for me!

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The gift box and gift bag were even fun to make.  I honestly haven’t purchased a gift bag in the longest time.  I love it.  Gifts usually aren’t that large, for the most part.  I just set the gift on my score board, measure some and go for it.  I am usually right on target, the box for the card set was a bit long, but it still worked out.  How about the foil cloud bag though, so adorable right?  I hadn’t paired the silver satin ribbon with it yet, and it looks perfect together.

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The cards were very assembly line, both sets the same.  The background paper was cut with 1/4″ borders and a contrasting, but still coordinating, strip of designer paper from the same set was placed near the bottom.  A card stock 2″ circle layered with a stamped 1 3/4″ circle on top.  I stapled matching ribbon along the side of the circles for one more tiny layer and a bit of interest.  I do think they turned out adorable.

Inside this most adorable bag are two very silly baby books.  One is called “Toot”.  And yes, it is all about passing gas.  Just too funny to not share.  Both books were 7″ wide and 1″ thick, so that was easy enough to measure.  I scored at 2″ along each side and made the bottom scoring at 5″ and 7″.  This gave me a bag that measured 7 x 5 x 2 and worked out great!

All in all the set came together really fast.  From basic design concept, product choice and complete assembly it took about three hours.  Two gift bags and 24 cards, not too bad if I do say so myself.  I couldn’t attend the shower myself since I was teaching my card workshop, but one of my club ladies was also going and she took it with her.  It worked out great.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Love You Bloomin’ Love

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Just when I thought I could sit down and make something new my time got snatched up. It seems to happen that way more often than I would like, but we do what we have to do.  So, I grabbed a leftover kit from last months workshop and turned a card base into a box.  Pretty cool if I do say so myself.

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I stamped tone on tone with mint macaron using one of the larger flowers from the Bloomin’ Love set to create the background pattern.  My tag was a tiny piece of very vanilla which measured 1/2″ x 4″.  After I stamped the ‘love you’ sentiment from the same set I punched a banner at the end with the bitty banner punch and sponged around the edges with the same ink.  I curled the banner a bit before I set it in place.

The cardstock was cut at 4 1/4 x 11″.  All ready to be a tall folded card.  I scored along each of the long sides at 1″, turned it one quarter turn and scored at 5″ and 6″.  Those last two scored would become the hinge side of the box.  Scoring, snipping and a bit of gluing later and this little box came together.

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I chose the large satin ribbon for my bow.  That is such a rich ribbon.  I just wrapped it around the short side and tied a pretty bow, leaving the tails a bit longer than normal.  I usually wrap my boxes up more, but wanted to be able to slide the ribbon off easy to fill with treats when the time came.  I also decided to add a tiny basic pearl on the banner, but just one.  How cute is that?

Have a creative day.

Moana

Thank You Times 250?

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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

Gift Box for the Gift Set

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

We all have good days, better and even best days.  Sometimes though, we wonder where the day has gone and just what has gotten done.  That is what this time of the year brings for me.  I did start this post this morning, can’t win them all though.

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The last couple of weeks I have been sharing the cards from this gift set I made for my daughter.  It has room for all one dozen cards plus their envelopes quite nicely.  When she is done, I suggested she could use them for her embossing folders.   How cute is that?

I used a full 12 x 12 sheet  of blackberry bliss to make this box.  Then I added a wonderful print from that wildflower meadow dsp that just finished with Sale-a-bration.  Such a fun time filled with wonderful product.  I am quite excited to get back to work now on something new and exciting.  I wish my desk were a bit more tidy, one thing at a time.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

My Heart Smiles Just Thinking of You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

It has been a very busy, but very fun, visit to Utah.  We have stayed a week, been snowed on twice, enjoyed the rain, and driven all over to spend more time with our son and his fiance. I would always like more time, but also can’t wait to get home.  Facing the long drive isn’t very inviting though.

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This is a tall card, cut at 4 1/4″ and scored at 5 1/2″.  I like working with cards this way because of how easy it is to add ribbon.  I arranged my tag just under the ribbon to make it look like it was attached.  There wasn’t room on the tag for an actual punch, so I had to make do.  It looks great though, don’t you think?

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Have a creative day!

Moana

They Say It’s Your Birthday

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about a simple birthday card!  I think this one could be for just about anyone, don’t you? Keeping projects simple allows for a lot of options, more than you would think.  And how awesome is this balloon bouquet punch?  I am absolutely in love with it.  I hope it carries over.  I am keeping it no matter what.

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I had to hold myself back to not put strings and all kinds of fun stuff here.  But, that would defeat the purpose of of a clean and simple cards after all.  This way I think it would even work for a masculine card.  Gotta love those!

I punched two large and three small balloons.  The large ones were attached flat to the paper and the smaller ones were raised up on dimensionals.  Of course everything is sponged.  The balloons were sponged in hello honey to coordinate as well as the tag.  I thought the color was too strong on the tag, so I sponged with silver encore ink as well to soften it.  It turned out great.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

 

Peek-a-boo to Someone New!

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Adorable and adorable.  With a sentiment like this, any project is bound to look adorable. However, the dandelion puffs do help tremendously.  This is the third in a gift series focusing on one set of paper from Sale-a-bration and just one stamp set.  With a few punches and some ribbon I was able to create a dozen cards and a container to hold them. Enjoy them like I have.

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One piece of paper for the card front, one tag layered with a scalloped background, and a simple bow.  I do think of a new baby with this card, but it could work for other situations I suppose.  There are several ladies in my life who are expecting little ones, so this just might get made a few times over.  Easy and fun to do.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks for Being You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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

Celebrate Today

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

My computer went on a two day holiday, without permission I might add.  This little treasure has been waiting for you to see for three days now.  Oh well, here it is.

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This pop-up framelit is just the best.  I do love the balloons, but opening and closing this card is just too fun.  Nothing says happy like a traditional birthday card.  You can actually see a bit of the shimmer cardstock below, it really is so sparkly.

Since I have had some computer frustration lately, I am really not in the mood to sit here and explain all of the details in this particular project.  Sorry, but there you go.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

It’s My Party Gift Box

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Instead of a large bag, which is what I had planned, I went with a gift box.  I had cut a strip of the dsp for two card fronts and thought to use the remainder of the sheet for the bag now turned box.  I love using a whole sheet up for several projects, especially when I get to make a coordinating set.  Two more cards for this little grouping.

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I think my scoring tool has to be one of my most used tools.  I do enjoy making gift bags and boxes though, so it is a great fit.  This one is two inches deep and plenty large enough to hold plenty of treats, small gifts, or even some home made soaps.  Sometimes I make a box for a specific gift, but I often go shopping through my stash for one just the right size. When you blog as much as I do, there are always plenty of choices.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You Friend

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Last Christmas my stamping group had our own holiday party.  Part of that adventure was a crafty themed gift exchange.  Not going out and buying new necessarily, but cleaning out old product that you don’t use anymore and making a gift of it.

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Today I have made this special handout for a Sunday lesson I am teaching and I was able to use some of the fun gift I received.  The embossing folder and lovely sequin trim to be specific.  I sure had fun experimenting.  The paper I embossed on is a heavy water color paper and I thought I would be doing something with a dark blue wash.  It didn’t look like I wanted, so it stayed clean.  I think it turned out rather nice.

I made an extra for a different friend.  She always posts these super inspiring quotes on Facebook that bring me so much joy and hope.  I thought I would share back my way.  I love good friends, I truly do.  We all have a greater purpose and I hope the young women I am teaching today can find a way to theirs.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate Forever

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The other day I asked my husband and youngest daughter to draw me a doodle that I could use for a card front.  I make cards all of the time and rarely hesitate to get to work.  This was different though.

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I don’t have stamps, or papers, or materials that go with his style of art.  It presented a challenge to be sure.  If I had been thinking ahead I would have had him draw on water color paper.  You work with what you are given, right?  It is easy for me to focus on all of the problem areas, but I think it will work nicely.  And it is an original, one of a kind.

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I used two different sentiments to create this combo.  I masked off half of each phrase and got just what I wanted.  I think I have gotten a bit spoiled to have just the right tools for nearly everything I do.  When I had to trouble shoot I got pretty darn frustrated.  Plenty of learning opportunities today.  I hope you get brave and try something different, even if it is a bit overwhelming.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Courage Doesn’t Always Roar…

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I wasn’t sure about posting this one, it is definitely not my usual type of project.  And if I am being totally honest, it is a bit of a mess.  It wasn’t my idea, but I needed to make a sample, so it happened.

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I work with the youth in my church, specifically the young women ages 14-15, and this was our project last Wednesday night.  One of the girls had suggested this activity and we went at it.  I was to make the sample and I rushed through it a bit too quickly.  We only have a little over an hour to work with, so I was on a timer.  Also, this wouldn’t be my best crafting area.  It is so okay to know there are areas to improve in, and I don’t mind sharing my learning opportunities. (I don’t like to call them mistakes.)

I used two sheets of dsp for this project.  I love the paper. I did get a bit of teasing from the girls.  “Are those artichokes?”  Yes they are, and I love them.  The back side of the paper reminded me of a double wedding ring quilt pattern, so it was a win all the way around.  We were to modge podge pretty paper to a clip board, add some decoration, and finish it off with a favorite inspirational quote.  I have creases and bubbles, but I still love it. I also got into my retired stash of ribbon and found a bunch to use.  I will be happily using this clipboard.  I do need to sand the edges a bit, but otherwise, it is all done.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

From Santa

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Another wonderful day in Utah.  I sure could get used to this vacation thing.  My girls are fast asleep and looking adorable.  I took a photo of them, but they would not be happy if I shared, so it stays with me.  So cute. However, here is one of the adorable cards from my gift set.

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This is definitely a clean and strong look with these wonderful stripes.  They are the focus of the card for sure.  So I kept the sentiment simple and stamped on a strip of velum.  I backed it with another piece of paper from the same dsp set, only one set of paper used in this series, and wrapped them together with silver metallic thread.  I just love that thread!  The ends were punched with the triple banner punch and it finished it off quite nicely I must say.

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Have a creative day!

Moana