basic pearls

Delightful Birthday

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

It has been a while since I made a matching set like this.  For a while it seemed like I couldn’t get enough of them.  But, you can only use so many, and share so many, and eventually store so many.  I took a break, but found my way back.  So much fun!

Delightful Birthday

One full sheet of the wonderful ‘Color Me Irresistible Specialty DSP’ was used to makey great set. I love that is has white sheets that can be altered to any color or tone, but I also love that it comes in colors and patterns.  The options are great, so diverse.

Delightful Birthday

A pretty gift bag with a lovely matching card has to be one of my favorite things.  I think people feel special when the attention to details are brought together like this.  The assembly was pretty direct, nothing very fancy.  Simple work and lovely results, my favorite.

Delightful Birthday

Have a creative day!

Moana

For All Things

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It can be hard to get even the simple things done when you don’t quite feel yourself.  That is why today’s project is super simple, just what I needed.

For All Things

I started with a half sheet of very vanilla cardstock and scored every 2″ on the 8.5″ side which left me a 1/2″ edge to seal the box together.  I also scored along the length at 2″ to make the bottom, and at 3/4″ at the top and then 1″ over from there.  I know I am not very exact at sharing my measurements, but it works out I promise.  Oh, I did do my stamping before I scored, forgot to mention that.

For All Things

I have held the box together using the tear n tape adhesive.  I do like that stuff, easier to work with than sticky strip.  The flaps are folded together and adhered with the same and then I got to sponging.  All the edges and even on these bitty little flowers.  I love that look!  I put the largest basic pearls inside each flower and grabbed for a scrap of ribbon.  The dotted lace trim has a good bit of stretch to it, so it is held on just by that.  Not a glue dot or anything.  That makes it easy to use and re-use.  A simple bow and it was all done!

For All Things

Have a creative day!

Moana

Floral Frenzy

~ moanaj ~ 4 Comments

After a huge workshop I usually just take a break from my desk, but yesterday was different.  I got back home and found myself drawn into a project that was clean and full of floral punches.  No stamping at all.

Floral Frenzy

I think I just needed to make something in a calm setting away from the frenzy.  It can get a bit wild with too many people, especially with new stampers.  I think it is time to split the group.  We will have to see. 

Floral Frenzy

There isn’t even any ink here at all.  No sponging or a sentiment either.  Very clean and simple, with a ton of flowers, my favorite.  Kind of like my comfort craft.  All this card is about is punches, punches and more punches.  Five different flowers all layered about with basic pearls to finish them off.  I used the striped cotton ribbon because I wanted it to physically stand out as much as the flowers would.  Bows and flowers and now I feel better.

Floral Frenzy

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

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How weird is it to make a card with yourself in mind?  I have to think that sometimes that is more than okay.  More than okay, it is a great idea!

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

I have to say that I am proud of this little card though.  My thoughts were more than scattered as I sat down to work.  I have a small stack of scraps to the side that I just haven’t filed back.  Today I made this project entirely from scrap, with the exception of the pearls and ribbon.  How cool is that!

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

That makes my work easier, cleans up that little stack, and keeps my main stash of paper untouched for one more day.  I do feel a paper order coming on though.

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

 

I love love love this brick embossing folder.  It makes so many fun looks and I love how it is 6×6 so I can have my bricks facing how I want regardless of my paper direction.  Wheeee!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Timeless Elegance Birthday

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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.

Timeless Elegance Birthday

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.

Timeless Elegance Birthday

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.

Timeless Elegance Birthday

 

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

A Whole Lot of Lovely

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Afternoons are good for blogging too.  Especially when you put your family first in the morning.  I do love a good routine, but sometimes you need to be flexible.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

I do try to say thank you right away, but sometimes you need a bit more.  Just like this little treat bag.  It is tiny, but is the right touch to emphasize the thank you.  I loved giving it away this morning at church.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

The new paper stacks are so fun.  This lovely floral pattern is one of many in the pack.  I do love floral paper, probably too much.  Either way, I thought the flowers on the paper matched the flowers in the hostess stamp set A Whole Lot of Lovely.  They look so nice together.

A Whole Lot of Lovely

Some stamping, a little bit of pearls, and plenty of ribbon and off we go!  Take the time to make a special thank you, it feels great to give it away!

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

You’ve Got This

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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.

You've Got This

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.

You've Got This

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.

You've Got This

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

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

Corner Garden Gift Bag

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Sometimes I design a bag around a gift or to match some cards I have made.  This time I wanted to work around a specific stamp.  I wanted to do a tone on tone with the Corner Garden stamp set.  The detail is fine and subtle, just the look I was going for.

Corner Garden Gift Bag

The bag is large enough to hold plenty.  It could hold a large set of cards and envelopes, or any number of things.  It is sturdy too.  A nice heavy cardstock bag with my favorite chevron ribbon.  Bring on the heavy gift, I am totally ready.

Corner Garden Gift Bag

At workshop Saturday my ladies teased me about my need to sponge the edges of everything.  I was able to say that I had controlled myself and we only sponged one of our three projects.  So I was feeling the need and definitely got busy on this bag. I just love the look it gives.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Park Lane Duo

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I started this set yesterday morning, got stumped, fussed last night, and finally fixed it this morning.  I kept trying to put the yellow butterfly on the card front.  Yes, the one I inlaid back into the gift bag I cut it from.  Strange how things come together better when you give your creativity a break to refocus.

Park Lane Duo

I colored the paper with my ink sponges.  I didn’t want a lot of exact color, just subtle hints.  So I just used the sponges with leftover ink already on them.  It did the job just right.  Of course my photos make it hard to see, but I love the effect.

Park Lane Duo

When you use delicate die cuts it helps tremendously to sandwich wax paper in between the layers.  The paper just pops out then.  I decided to use the wax paper ones as well.  I didn’t want to cover up the coloring and the yellow butterfly just took over.

Park Lane Duo

After I swapped things around I fell in love.  I attached my wax paper butterflies with some folded glue dots and then ran a string of basic pearls down the body.  It gave such a delicate finish.

Park Lane Duo

One quick stamp from the Sheltering Tree set and the card was done.  No ribbon, no other extras, just some light color and transparent butterflies.  Since they are so thin, the move when the card does.  Beautiful.

Get out there and 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

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

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I wasn’t sure what I would come up with last night.  I had pulled some product to work with, but when I sat down to do it, I wasn’t feeling it.  Total do over.  How about this awesome stamp instead?  Absolutely!

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

I had been waiting until closer to Mother’s Day to use this beauty, because it so reminded me of my mom.  She always makes flowers look beautiful, no matter how they show up. Even in rumpled newspaper.

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

I had to do echo stamping inside, but wanted my gift bag to mirror the stamp as well.  I think it worked out pretty good, don’t you?  Both the card and bag were made from one sheet of card stock, plus a little scrap to frame my stamped image.

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

I really couldn’t wait to make the little pretend newspaper on this image, like so many other stampers have done.  It was so fun, even if it was a bit tricky.  You should totally give it a try.

Love is Kindness with Newsprint DSP

Just looking at this set under my spotlights makes me smile.  I absolutely love them.  With workshop coming this weekend, I might have to change a project?  No, I will stay firm, but I don’t want to.

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

Wildflower Meadow Watercolor

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How about waking up to a ray of sunshine?  This feels like a spring sunrise.  The kind you wish you could get lost in, or just put on pause so you can stay there.

Wildflower Meadow

I was sulking over my blendabilities tragedy and wanted to play with color.  So I pulled out some watercolor paper and decided to make a mess.  I picked my colors, mushed some ink from my pads onto wax paper, sprayed them with water and started putting my paper on it to make patterns.  Those colors were too dark, so I switched to the ones you see.  Soft sky, daffodil delight and blushing bride.  I repeated the process and the colors were just right.  I dried it with my heat gun because I have no patience, sheesh…

Wildflower Meadow

I then stamped the wildflower meadow stamp in black stazon and went for it.  I love the texture that shows through the ink.  I finished it off with a tiny stamp from the Tap Tap Tap set to just say “hi”.  I used the tiny oval to punch it out, inked it and backed it with another oval punched in daffodil delight.

Wildflower Meadow

A healthy smattering of basic pearls and a big hug in seam binding ribbon and this guy was ready.  I raised it up on dimensionals and called it done.  Kind of simple, but has lots of interest at the same time.  Give it a try!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Tap Tap Tap

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I have to admit, when the spring catalog comes out I get a little distracted.  I sometimes forget the annual catalog and all of the stamps and products I love from it  This stamp set is one great example.

Tap Tap Tap

Isn’t it just so cute?  I made the cards a little different this time.  I put a masculine and feminine emphasis on each one.  It made me happy.

Tap Tap Tap

What really made me happy was this awesome bag!  I don’t know if someone else has made one with these dimensions before, but it is all new to my brain.  It was my families favorite.  It can hold a huge candy bar, and even several greeting cards.  How about a combo of both?

Tap Tap Tap

The typewriter is great, but I love the tap tap tap stamp.  It really makes me giggle. So, it had to get used as much as possible.  I would have done more if I could.

Tap Tap Tap

What products did I use for these projects?  Tons!  I worked in basic black with the Typeset Specialty designer series paper.  I accented in hello honey and blackberry bliss stitched satin ribbon.  I even played a touch with that super fun handheld stapler.  Much easier to use than my desktop one, much.  Of course I had to add petite petals in black with basic pearls.  I grabbed a sentiment for the bag from the Sale-a-bration stamp set A Happy Thing.  Really, tons of fun stuff here.

Now, how about you go out there and have a creative day!

Moana

Painted Petals and Marina Mist

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I have been waiting to play with this set for a while now, but couldn’t decide on a color.  So when I got a spool of marina mist cotton ribbon, I made my choice.

Painted Petals

It isn’t my usual color scheme, so it gave me some frustration for sure.  The stamping was pretty darn fun thou, even if a bit tricky.

Painted Petals

I made a matching gift bag while I was at it.  I liked how it turned out, almost better than the card.  Now all I need is an occasion to put something inside.

Painted Petals

I couldn’t leave it alone though, I had to get out some pearls and add butterflies.  That made me feel more at home.  But I still had to walk away for a while.

Painted Petals

But after a few hours I decided that it wasn’t so bad.  Just different than my normal.  Shouldn’t we always challenge ourselves?  Of course!

Have a creative day!

Moana