2 3/8″ scalloped punch

For the New Two

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Weddings, weddings, weddings, someone has weddings on the brain.  I have to say that I am enjoying that very much.  This was the third project I used for my club ladies this last Saturday.  I hadn’t had them create a card and bag duo before, but they handled it quite well.

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This Brushstrokes background stamp sure has been fun to play with.  The ladies thought this was designer paper, not paper they would create.  So very useful and a ton of fun.  I am sad I waited so long to buy one for my collection.  I can think of so many possibilities, I think black and gold will be next for this stamp, perhaps gold embossing?

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I used the coordinating, or second half of the sentiment on the tag for the gift bag instead of the inside of the card.  It is fun to tie the set together not only be design and color, but by wordings as well.  It really puts the whole stamp set 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

Courage Doesn’t Always Roar…

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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

Holly Jolly Ho Ho Ho

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Another Christmas card is ready to go!  I think this one is adorable.  I wasn’t sure about these dots, but they turned out pretty cute.  It is hard to concentrate this morning as I need to drive down to Provo and it is snowing, and sticking.  Such a pansy anymore.

Holly Jolly Ho Ho Ho

Either way, I love this little card.  I actually got a little brave and did a little curving with the photopolymer stamp.  The ‘ho ho ho’ is actually straight, but I wanted a circle punch and it had to fit.  So now it does.

Holly Jolly Ho Ho Ho

Have a creative day!

Moana

Christmas Advent Book Service Project

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I did think I would get to blog yesterday, but this project completely took over my day.  The absolute, entire day.  Seriously, from 6:00 in the morning to after 9:00 in the evening.  And yes, there is still more to be done.

Christmas Advent Book Service Project

What is going on with all of this?  Well, it is a service project that a friend of mine and I designed for our church’s young women to work on.  So many peoples lives were turned upside down with all of the fires this year.  My friend teaches with another woman that is from one of the many areas devastated by fires.  We made a goal to do something for a dozen families that could help them enjoy the Christmas season a bit more.

Christmas Advent Book Service Project

These are advent books that will have an activity, scripture, story and a Christmas song in each of the twenty-five envelopes.  They are designed to be all inclusive.  Additional materials are not needed to enjoy the activities, just your family.  Since there are so many people still displaced, Christmas might not feel the same.  Maybe this will help a dozen families find some comfort.

Christmas Advent Book Service Project

There is still work to be done, but it won’t be long now.  They will be delivered before December begins so they can start on the first.  Serving others makes even something as fun as paper crafting even more fun and rewarding.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Timeless Elegance Gift Box…Thing

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This morning caught me a bit off guard.  Way too much to do and never enough time.  But as always, things come together in the end and everyone gets their needs met.  This little blog of mine often has to wait its turn, and it never even complains, how nice.

Timeless Elegance Gift Box...Thing

I am not sure what to make of this kind of box thing I came up with.  I wanted to use the dsp, but to be honest, it isn’t sturdy enough for the height I had it have.  But I was determined, so it still happened.  I made up the topper as I went.  Boy, did I use a lot of punches.  So glad I have so many to choose from.  I like how it looks though.

Timeless Elegance Gift Box...Thing

I used a full sheet of the dsp.  The box ended up about 8 1/2″ tall.  The band I made used two strips of paper 1 1/4″ x 10″ and I experimented a bit on the scoring to make it fit.  Only took two times.  I hid those on the bottom.  Lots of sponging all the way around really make it look nice.  I sealed up the bottom with tear n tape and left the top open to put stuff inside.  As I said, it will have to be light because the paper won’t handle much.  The band does give it extra structure though.  Give it a try!

Timeless Elegance Gift Box...Thing

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks and Giving

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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

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

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

A Whole Lot of Lovely

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How about a sneak peek at some new product coming out next week!  I have been waiting to play with some of the new products, but have made myself wait until it was closer to being released.  The background stamp is a returning favorite, but the rest is all new!

A Whole Lot of Lovely

Let’s start with the color.  It is called Tip Top Taupe and I love it!  It is darker than Sahara Sand and lighter than Crumb Cake.  I think it is so pretty.  Wait until you see the other four new In Colors.  I will do one a day to show all five.  How fun!

A Whole Lot of Lovely

The stamps shown are two of the four in one of the new host sets coming out. I love it when they make a stamp that fits a punch just right.  How perfectly does this pretty sentiment fit inside the 2″ circle punch, right?  Just the perfect nudge of white boarder around the image, yummy.  And then of course just a little inside stamping to coordinate.  I really went at the sponging today and gave it an almost vintage look.  I wanted to put this new color to the test.  It has passed with flying colors.

Take a look at the new ribbon though.  It is called Dotted Lace Trim and it comes in the new five colors.  It is actually quite soft and just a bit stretchy.  I can see myself using this often, good thing I get a discount.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Yippee-Skippee in Love!

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

Yippee-Skippee in Love

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

Yippee-Skippee in Love

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

Yippee-Skippee in Love

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

Yippee-Skippee in Love

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

Have a creative day!

Moana

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration!

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Today is the last day of Sale-a-bration.  So sad, but happy because of all of the beautiful and fun products I have been able to enjoy.  I thought I would celebrate by giving myself a gift.

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration

I started out with this gift bag in mind.  I took a whole sheet of Irresistibly Yours DSP and sponged it like crazy with blushing bride.  It was so beautiful just sitting there on my desk.  When I cut the large pieces I needed for the bag I had a good portion left.

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration

So, of course I had to make a set of cards to go along.  The Yippee-Skipee! stamp set is chuck full of wonderful sayings, six all together.  A great set to have, really.  I have used it like crazy.

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration

All I knew when I sat down is the color scheme and the designer paper.  I was more than pleased when they all came together.  The cards all fit so nicely inside the gift bag.

Yippee-Skippee! for Sale-a-bration

My Denali said that set spoke of lovely rich chocolate.  So perhaps I will have to find just the right one to complete it.  I really love this set.  I love that I do this!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cheerful Critters with Snuggles & Smooches

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Working with pretty paper is always a ton of fun.  I decided to pick out a sheet of designer series paper and go for it.

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

This paper is from the Sweet Taffy set.  The whole pack is really fun, exciting, and full of bold color.  You are seeing both sides of one sheet today.

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

That is probably my greatest frustration with some of the paper packs.  Which side do you love more?  Well, today I used both.  I made a card for each side.  Aren’t they fun?

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

The stamping was pretty basic and the layering was simple too.  Sometimes that is just all you need.  I really wanted to enjoy the paper though.

Let's Party Snuggles and Smooches!

Of course, if you know me well, you know that orange is my favorite color.  When I get asked that question I always clarify with, “Yes, orange, like a pumpkin orange.” Too much fun there!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Big Day for Park Lane DSP!

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Happy Birthday to Who?  The lucky folks who are getting these lovely cards.  I hadn’t had the park lane designer series paper out for some time, but I sure do love it!

Big Day

I like how the different patterns lend themselves to a masculine for feminine look, but not entirely.  It makes it really versatile.

Big Day

The Sale-a-bration free stamp set Big Day is one you will want for sure.  This cute little cake on a stand is just one of the stamps.  The candle is separate, so you can put on however many you want, or can squeeze in.

Big Day

Then, bring on the blendabilities for the perfect coordinating look.  Both cards are accented with linen thread and crumb cake paper.  The card base is naturals white.  That stuff is so beautiful, and a great deal too.

Big Day

I used the bitty accents punch pack to make those cute flowers out of more crumb cake and put a basic pearl inside each one.  Even the one inside.  I punched the stamp with the 2″ circle punch and bordered it with crumb cake using the 2 3/8″ scallop punch.  It went together really quick.

Drum roll please, I didn’t sponge anything!  If you know me you know that is so out there.  But I really liked it this way.  Try something new yourself now!

Have a creative day!

Moana