One Big Meaning Tiny Treats

October 7, 2015 ~ 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.

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!

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!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You For Strong Girls

August 25, 2015 ~ 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.

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.

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.

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

August 18, 2015 ~ 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.

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.

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.

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

Game On!

August 5, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Know someone who is taking on a new challenge? Me too, and this card is just right for her. I guess it could go for a lot of different occasions, even a child’s birthday card, use your imagination. I sure did.

The card base is bermuda bay and I kept it just to that one color. The card front has a narrow boarder with the stamped front layered on another piece of bermuda bay cardstock and lifted up on dimensionals. The simple sentiment comes from the Dear Heart set, along with this adorable little boy.

He is prepped for adventure with a mask from the Calling All Heroes set stamped in coordinating ink. I punched him out with the 1 3/4″ circle punch and layered that again with a 2″ circle punch of more bermuda bay. A simple accent of striped grosgrain ribbon finished it off nicely.

I sponged color around the edges of the card front, the inside panel and the circle punches. Just softening it a little bit. Now I can’t wait to give it to my friend.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’ve Got Me

July 24, 2015July 24, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I love it when everything coordinates so perfectly, but today is all about the sentiment. I love these paired phrases, simple but strong.

The card layering is fairly basic and puts a few favorite punches to work. A dash of basic rhinestones to draw further attention to the sentiment and the front was done.

I don’t normally stamp inside a card, but this one needed it. I zoomed in on the detail, but it actually measures barely over a square inch. When that card gets opened, that is what you see. “You’ve Got Me.” How perfect is that.

This new paper pack is loaded with beautiful paper. I just used one sheet for this card. The green floral is the other side to the main floral front. My little flowers are from scrap of the same sheet. I love putting all everything to work.

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Big Meaning

July 18, 2015July 18, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

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

Trust God

June 28, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

So much has happened during the last week, even as I write in advance for this blog, I know my heart is both heavy and full at the same time.

Taking yet another child to university is so exciting, but reminds me of how little time we actually have with these children and how soon they grow up and leave home. Luckily, I still have a few more years with my youngest.

Then partnering that event with a demanding and fulfilling pioneer trek has surely put me over the edge. But in a good way. Even though it was surely to be physically and emotionally difficult, I have complete faith that I loved it and will treasure it always.

I created this set knowing how I would be feeling, and knew there would be a lot on my mind. The flowering flourishes has been one of my favorite stamp sets for a very long time. The results it gives are always different and very beautiful. This color combination is soft yet ornate at the same time. I wasn’t sure about layering the stamps over each other, but these colors allowed it. I hope you have enjoyed it as I did.

Have a beautiful, and very creative day.

Moana

Camp Bountiful in a Card

June 14, 2015June 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Spending a week with a wonderful group of ladies working together to serve the most beautiful girls, communing with nature and worshiping God, it is obvious why I created the card I did.

Lovely as a Tree will remain one of my long time favorites, always. Being surrounded by nature and removed from technology and distractions brings solace like no other.

The girls, that huge group of lovely girls, worked together, learned together, laughed together, and cried together. It was such a wonderful experience and I hope I get the opportunity to serve again next summer.

It wont be easy to get back into the routine of life, but there isn’t a choice. But, I can choose to keep myself in tune with the things I learned and felt. I will continue to serve those I love.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Divine Nature

June 12, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The week is nearly over and I am sure I am all tuckered out. Today theme is “I Serve With All My Strength”. The value is Divine Nature and blue is the color.

Have you noticed in each of the favors that I used the initials of the value for that day? Of course I used the very clever alphabet stamps from the Calling All Heroes set. They are tiny, but give the perfect comic book font.

I used pacific point to make the blue favor and stamped the mask in the same color. Coordination makes me more than happy. Especially when it looks as good as this does. I think today’s is my favorite favor. Please note the cute blue jelly beans inside.

Tonight will be bittersweet. It is always nice to go home after being gone, especially camping, but I know we will have had such a wonderful time and become great friends. The experiences you get to have during a special camp like this can truly be life changing. I know it will be for me, once again.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Knowledge

June 11, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The theme for today is “I Serve With All My Mind” Knowledge is the value and green is the color. I used Garden Green to make these cute little sour cream containers. Of course I filled them with green jelly beans.

I really like how I have made all of the super hero images ladies with those awesome lips. It is one tiny stamp, but not too hard to manage. Especially when I am patient. Some of the lips did get a little off center, but it is the thought that counts here. In one afternoon and another evening I made all sixty of these favors, a dozen for each of the five days. We break camp on Saturday, so I didn’t make one for that day. But, the girls will get a special card Friday night with a well thought out message. I will just use ones from the stash for that task.

I got four of these containers out of each sheet of cardstock. I just cut it into four bits and went for it. It was a bit trick getting the paper to curve and not crease, but I did pretty good.

Last night I got to leave camp for the evening to attend a concert with my sister-in-law. She and I got tickets at Christmas to see Andrea Bocelli and the concert was scheduled smack in the middle of camp. So, I got permission to leave for an overnight and headed back the next morning. At least, that was the plan. I am sure it was.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Choice and Accountability

June 10, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Another cute handout for another awesome day! And, you guessed it, matching orange jelly beans inside. Today is more of a card style. Orange is my favorite color, and pumpkin pie is a lovely shade of orange.

I used the same punch combo to give this uniform look. It really makes it easy to get lots of work done with great tools. I just might be a bit anxious by now, since I haven’t been able to craft for a few days. I am sure I will survive. Everyone needs a break, right?

I have also taken advantage of using up retired accessories, like this tangelo twist satin stitched ribbon. It coordinates so nicely with pumpkin pie.

And, another boost of jelly beans to get them on their way. I might be needing a few by now. We will have to see. I sure hope these posts are working like they are supposed to.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Individual Worth

June 9, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Day two of camp has arrived and I am sure I slept deeply after a really busy first day. Something about camping. Sleep feels better and food tastes wonderful. I don’t know why, it just seems that way.

Today the rest of the camp will be showing up. It is a bit hectic, but within an hour, our numbers will nearly triple. Talk about excitement!

Tonight we will begin with our skit presentations. There are so many great parts of camp, but I do love those. We get to enjoy those two nights in a row. I am sure these ladies will need a little pick me up, so here is another special treat.

I used real read to showcase, since the value color for Individual Worth is red. The theme for today is “I Serve With All My Heart”. And that is the best thing to do. I used some card bases and turned them into little bags. A great trick to do when you need a bag quick! Give it a try!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Good Works

June 8, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Today is the first day of camp, but not for everyone. The group of young ladies I am working with are there early to help set up the camp site for everyone else. There are plenty of adults too, but they are the ones that get things done. There are only ten youth camp leaders this year, so they will be working really hard.

Since they will be working so hard, I thought they should have something special each day. Today’s theme is “I Serve” and the companion value is Good Works. Since we are super heroes, I went with that. You will see super heroes all week.

I made a little matchbook styled handout. I used crushed curry, whisper white, and basic black. I stamped my hero mask to coordinate with the paper and put yummy jellybeans inside. Of course they had to match. Also part of my theme this week.

I got four books from every sheet of paper. I cut them at 2 3/4″ wide and scored them to make the book. I used my handy little stapler to clip in the candy bag. How cute is this!

I am busy at camp and having a great time so far I am sure. I am not much of a camper kind of gal, but both of my daughters will be there, so I will enjoy that part more than enough.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Calling All Heroes – to Girls Camp that is!

June 7, 2015June 7, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Guess what? I am going to take you to girls camp with me this week, kind of. I will be leaving in the morning and won’t be back until Saturday. So, the projects I will be showing you all week have to do with what I am getting into at camp.

Are you wondering just what this one is about? Well…I will be helping the youth camp leaders keep things on schedule, they are busy, let me tell you. One of the fun things they get to do is give out pins to any of the young lady campers, or adults, who are doing great things. Our particular camp site is all about super heroes, so I thought our pin should reflect that. I stamped on shrinky dink, remember that stuff? It is pretty smooth, and those stamps really wanted to dance. I put my stamp to work and then punched them out with my 2″ circle punch. Nearly 170 of them. My wrists were so sore.

They have to bake so they can do their shrinking. I could do twenty at a time, so I did them all in about an hour and a half one morning before work. Tricky stuff there. You can see all of them all piled up.

See how small they get? They ended up just big enough for me to glue a pin on the back. Since they shrunk so much, it kind of covered up any of my slippy slidy stamping problems. That was nice. The glue worked out, but didn’t give me the look I wanted. Either way, they are all done and ready to go. Now, I just need to do the same.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely

May 28, 2015May 28, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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!

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!

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

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

2″ Circle Punch

One Big Meaning Tiny Treats

Thank You For Strong Girls

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

Game On!

You’ve Got Me

One Big Meaning

Trust God

Camp Bountiful in a Card

Divine Nature

Knowledge

Choice and Accountability

Individual Worth

Good Works

Calling All Heroes – to Girls Camp that is!

A Whole Lot of Lovely