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

Go Wild All Occasion Card

August 4, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Such a simple card for today, but it really makes me smile. I did really try for a sentiment, some kind of cute stamped phrase, but couldn’t do it. I just really liked it how it was.

I guess that will leave this truly an all occasion card waiting for who knows what. I think it leans more to the feminine side, but maybe a bit of room for masculine? Your choice.

The card base is made with tip top taupe layered with basic black and a front of this awesome go wild designer series paper. I brought out the banner triple punch to give me these perfect banners. I love not having to snip or make a square punch try to work. I even repeated the pattern inside the card. Not my usual, but I do like stamping on the inside.

A touch of satin stitched ribbon around the banner trio and this card was done. Super simple with a great look. I think this might be my make and take for a demonstrator event I am attending this month. Hmmmm…

Have a creative day!

Moana

Irresistible Beautiful Bunch

August 1, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Some days the creativity flows effortlessly and some days it would be easier to birth an elephant. That would be today. I had to walk away two different times before I called it done.

The color me irresistible designer series paper is so very cool. I love that I get to choose which colors I want to create as well as others that are already done and full of interest, especially this black paper. Isn’t it so elegant?

These flowers just about took me down, they still just might. I was determined to use these new pearl embellishments and picked this flower stamp and coordinating punch to frame them. Well, they turned out too light with my method of water coloring and I didn’t like the boarder from the punch, even though it was small, it made the flower just too light. I did more painting and added black ink in too. Just a bit, but it is there. Tried curling the flowers more, and then just about tore them up.

I just put them in place and grabbed the ribbon. I wasn’t going to use a ribbon, but a sentiment layered on tags. When I gave it a try, I decided it wasn’t so horrible after all. I am sure there could have been other things to help, but I just had to call it and walk away. Either way, I really don’t hate it anymore.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Timeless Elegance Birthday

July 25, 2015July 26, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Well, this was to be yesterday’s post. Talk about an adventure. I think I killed my laptop. Apparently it isn’t a good idea to drop your full cup of drink and have it spill all over the keyboard and stuff. Who knew. Either way, moving forward.

Could this paper be any more beautiful? I could probably open a pack and just project away until it was empty. It truly is my favorite. Elegant and so simple.

Just some simple layering, one stamp, five punched flowers with tiny pearls at each center, dotted the “i” with a pearl, and laid down a string of pearls under ‘birthday’. There you go.

I did make a project for today, but I will be saving that for tomorrow. Wait til you see what I did with a tiny cup die cut from my paper pumpkin kit. Oh My Goodness, just amazing!

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

You’ve Got This

July 15, 2015July 15, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I love beautiful paper, just love it. This Timeless Elegance set is truly wonderful to work with. Once I cut this piece for a card front the rest of the card came together so easily.

The card base is very vanilla with a narrow background of the same color. It isn’t easy to see, but it gives it just the right touch. The stamping was also done on the same color and cut out with the tags and labels framelits. That new set makes me very happy. I like a tighter border in layering and this set does it well.

Of course everything is layered up on dimensionals, I have to have that. And that ribbon. I just got this one and couldn’t wait to use it. The stitched satin ribbon is lovely, just lovely. A pretty bow and then on to flowers.

The petite petal punch and the flower from the itty bitty accents punch pack make it work. I filled the corner up nicely and gave everyone basic pearls in the center. Simple and yet very elegant.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Lovely Amazing You

July 13, 2015July 13, 2015 ~ 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.

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?

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.

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

Timeless Elegance

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Jumping in with both feet here everyone. I managed to once again open a new pack of DSP, that I am so in love with, take out my favorite pattern and make something without guilt. Isn’t this paper just so beautiful?

I feel like I got into my daughters sketch book and took out drawings for a card front. Almost a dreamy feel. The whole pack of paper is so pretty. One side has a hand drawn feel and the other sides are more patterned and organized. Best of both worlds. I also like that it isn’t just black and vanilla, but includes sahara sand for that perfect balance. I will be buying more of this I can tell.

To give a touch of color, even though it didn’t need it, I got out my blackberry bliss sponge dauber and did some ever so exact swirling. It took just a few seconds to swirl around and bring in some color. Good stuff.

I tried to use a ribbon or something else to accessorize it, but kept pulling it off. The paper spoke for itself on this project. I couldn’t even do a layered tag for the sentiment. So I used my versamark and embossing powder to put the sentiment right on the paper. I even left the inside clean to keep the focus all on this paper.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Butterfly Basics

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Simple elegance is one of my favorite things in a card. This color combination surely does lend itself in that direction. I even think it is neutral enough to be masculine, what do you think?

I used the Butterfly Basics set for this project for the element and sentiment. I put the fern stamp to work with three different inks. I started with black stazon, layered with silver encore, and finished up with elegant eggplant. I continued stamping inside with just the elegant eggplant.

I added some silver satin ribbon to keep those ferns together but kept it in a knot instead of a bow. The ribbon kind of took over when it was tied in a bow, but just right in a knot.

I kept the boarders narrow and popped the front up on dimensionals. A nice clean look for an elegant card. I think I have just the person to send it to.

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

Congratulations to a Wonderful Man

May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Yesterday was such a wonderful day for my family, especially my husband. He was able to participate in a graduation ceremony for earning his masters degree. Working full time, teaching early morning religion classes, and completing his program in eighteen months with straight A’s. Congratulations to a Wonderful Man, truly. A card doesn’t sum up an accomplishment like that, but I needed somewhere to write the words that would. Perfect solution.

The new stamp set Happy Birthday, Everyone is obviously more versatile that just birthdays. I used one of the many phrases included in this host set to make my background paper. I just stamped it over and over again, not even trying to be straight, and it turned out pretty well. I added the congratulations from the Sassy Salutations set. I used black paper as well to emphasize the main sentiment, all about the congratulations here.

Even though it was for my husband, I though I could get away with a little of the dotted lace trim. Almost compulsory there since it is new and coordinates so well. I only used a tiny amount, no bows or anything. Welcome to yet another wonderful In-Color. Glad to have you Delightful Dijon!

Have a creative day,

Moana

Graduation Time!

May 27, 2015May 27, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This household is all about graduation these days. Not only my second child, but my husband recently earned his masters degree as well! While he wasn’t too sure about formal announcements, you have to do one for high school.

My oldest just let me do what I wanted, and they were stellar. All manly and stuff with a football theme. I actually took the award decals off his football helmet and incorporated them into the design. As you can tell, I wasn’t given that kind of creative liberty. My Denali was all about simple photography. She did make a last minute request to include a prom photo with someplace to write a note to the recipient. A little creative fun there.

All about growing up and making your own choices. It just makes me smile, all of it. Now it is her turn to write her messages and get them addressed. Too fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

B.Y.O.P. Grad Card

May 15, 2015May 15, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

It is that time of year again. Graduation. Not just high school, but university and the like. It seems like I need a fleet of these this year. How exciting is that?

These particular ones are done in my local high school theme. We are the Marysville Indians, and yes, our colors are orange and black. Do you like how I tied all of that together? Me too!

You can’t read the inside sentiment as well, but it says ‘Congratulations GRAD’. Just right. The stamp set this came from is all about making fun and pretty cards when the gift will be a gift card. It is always nice to have a wonderful card to wrap your gift card in.

I know a couple of special Marysville Indians heading off to university this fall that could use a gift card or two. Now to pick the right ones.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Guy Greetings Thank You

May 2, 2015May 2, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

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

Crazy About You With Elegance

April 14, 2015April 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

“When you feel terrible, can you still create something beautiful?” That is what I asked myself last night. I had an endodontist appointment yesterday that I thought was headed one way and took another. So, I wasn’t feeling very creative.

Or so I thought. I knew black was my base, I had been wanting to make something with black for several days. But the flower I wanted to stamp with I had just used and didn’t want to just create another card in another color. I pulled the Crazy About You set out and picked this flower out of it.

I was reaching for my momento tuxedo black ink when I saw the silver. I thought it could be cool to layer the stamping. Was I right or what?

I love how this turned out. I did learn, and please trust me on this one, that you have to clean your stamp after each layering stamp. I stamped in silver first and let them dry for a while. I went back in with the black, but it was picking up silver and then I was putting it back into the pad and getting silver in it. Not fun. So I ended up cleaning the stamp after each black flower was stamped. Not too tiring, but necessary. And yes, my ink pad survived nicely.

I placed just a few of the large basic rhinestones in the centers of the black flowers. It is kind of hard to tell with my photos, but they are the perfect touch. I added a touch of ribbon and left the sentiment out of it. They turned out very elegant. My matching gift bag has an angled purse look to it, and I absolutely love it.

Sorry for the long post, I was apparently feeling a bit chatty.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1

April 1, 2015April 1, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about a big gift box for a change. I had to control myself and keep the cards separate from this post. You can see them tomorrow. Eight fit inside. Curious? Check it out tomorrow.

I used one sheet of 8.8 x 11″ cherry cobbler card stock for this box. Just some basic scoring, one tiny punch for a notch and a few snips. Then, the box is there.

I made a top with another layer of cherry cobbler, giving an 1/8″ border, with a stamped whisper white sheet also cut with another 1/8″ border. Simple stamping and some sponging. I had planned on putting flowers on top, but it was just too much.

So here we are, a nice simple box. It measures 6.5 x 4 x 1. Plenty of room for the cards I made to go inside, or something else fun and exciting for sure.

Have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

basic black

Game On!

Go Wild All Occasion Card

Irresistible Beautiful Bunch

Timeless Elegance Birthday

One Big Meaning

You’ve Got This

Lovely Amazing You

Timeless Elegance

Butterfly Basics

Divine Nature

Knowledge

Choice and Accountability

Individual Worth

Good Works

Congratulations to a Wonderful Man

Graduation Time!

B.Y.O.P. Grad Card

Guy Greetings Thank You

Crazy About You With Elegance

Flower Shop Gift Box Part 1