Ray of Sunshine and Pretty Petals

August 17, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

How about another one of those crazy mornings, that absolutely ran away from me. To be honest, I was helping out everyone else and didn’t get my own goodies done. Everything came together and worked out so, no worries!

Is this designer paper adorable or what! This particular print reminded me of a recently retired stamp that has the most beautiful poppies in it. I do love it when everything goes together so nicely.

A simple layering of designer paper, with coordinating paper and a length of ribbon to bring it all together. I did a double layer of tags and squeezed in this sunshine sentiment keeping everything in calypso coral. Love that color. Six pretty little flowers all sponged and centered with basic rhinestones and I am in love with this card.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Love

August 8, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How would you suggest I celebrate my 200th blog post? Some would perhaps do a give away, a special sale, or something else full of excitement. I just might be a little different. How about showing something simple, something that I love.

How about just saying that I have loved my journey so far, and am looking forward to continuing. I do love being creative, love sharing it with others, and love the joy that comes from helping others find they are creative and talented too. There, love.

This cute little bag? How about using a 6×6 piece of paper, like this Go Wild DSP stack, scoring it at 2″ on all four sides, quick snip on both score lines on opposite sides, and watch it come together. A little hole punching for the ribbon, which I do love the dotted lace trim too much, and a sweet bow.

One tiny stamp with one tiny tag layered on another tiny tag. Two little basic rhinestones and it is all finished. I do love a simple project that shares more than just pretty product that is fun to work with, it shows you care about someone enough to do something special. That is what I love.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Little Thanks

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

What to do with a spool of silver metallic thread? Make butterfly antennae of course. This tiny, oh so tiny, tiny little bag is also closed with the same thread.

This bag is sized just right to hold a gift card and you could squeeze in a flat chocolate or two. How perfect a thank you is that? I do love giving gift cards to people and having them tucked inside something as adorable as this makes it even better.

I started out with a piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, yup, that tiny. I stamped half way down with my little butterflies, flipped it around and went down the other way. I did that so if you turn the bag around, my butterflies aren’t upside down. Clever, right? Thought so too.

My score lines were all about the 1/2″ mark. Just a tiny little bag here, so cute. Can you tell I love tiny things? Well, I do! And this bag is all done and ready to get that special gift card for some lucky friend.

Have a creative day!

Moana

It’s Your Day

August 6, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I think I am ready for summer to cool off. Looks like I am thinking of a spring day here. My daughter told me this looks like a dress. Would be a cute one.

I thought it would be fun to use a stamp in a different way than intended. This leave bouquet is in a thanksgiving themed set. Also, I hadn’t used pink pirouette for quite some time and decided to put the two together. At first I wanted to use the flower punches as if they were a flower at the end of each stem. Well, looking at them they created stripes of flowers. Not so good. They looked much better placed randomly.

I used glue dots to secure them. I didn’t feel like it, but I did sponge them all. It made a difference, really. Plenty of basic rhinestones to go around and I loved the sparkle it gave.

The sentiment came from the endless birthday wishes set. I really had ignored this one, but it is so great! I love, love, love how you can partner the typeset phrases with pretty cursive ones. A tiny tag with a bow in the middle and it was all done. Of course I had to echo stamp the inside to match the front though, then it was really done.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks A Latte

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

Well then, how about these precious little cups! Last Saturday a good friend of mine came over to paper craft with me and we just got out several of my paper pumpkin kits and went to work. Some were partials and some were unopened, sorry to say. Busy crafter here.

But this one is actually the current July kit. By itself it is absolutely adorable. I really let myself play on this one. The instructions showcase simple stamping and there you go, totally adorable. I had to watercolor.

After making a lovely little wisteria wonder cup and a little plant set I knew I wanted to do more. The next cup I took the flowering stamp, it could be a plant but I made them flowers, that would have been the plant growing out of the cup. I created a pattern on the cup with it, colored them with markers, and then went to town with my aqua painter. The cup is a little more than an inch square.

The new flowers were punched with the floral punch from the itty bitty accents punch pack and the stems were from variegated embroidery floss. A bit tricky to put together, but lovely at the end.

If you have ever thought about a paper pumpkin subscription, just look at how much fun you can have with them! There was enough material to make eight cards in this kit, plus totally adorable envelopes. And, I now have the so cute stamps that came with.

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

Love You My Friend

July 21, 2015July 21, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

In the middle of cleaning out book shelves I had an idea for a card. So I went to my desk, pulled out the stamps, dies and ribbon, and went back to my shelving. This morning I just looked at them and thought, “What did I have in mind?” Not sure, but this is what I ended up with.

I think it is funny because if you don’t read the little word love that is inside the heart cut out, the tags just say “you my friend”. A bit basic, but really made me laugh.

All of the detail work went pretty quickly. I started out by using the heart die cut on the whisper white paper and then ran it through the big shot to emboss it. I thought the stamping inside the heart would be tricky to place. Not at all. I just eyeballed it and it was perfect! Go figure! The tags were simple stamping on scrap. I do save scrap a bit too much sometimes. But, the half inch that gets cut off when I trim down my paper works perfectly for sentiments and the banner punch. Some might call it clutter, but I have used them so many times.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just For You Treat Bag Card

July 8, 2015July 8, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I started this project out completely different than it ended up. Who doesn’t like an adventure now and again, right?

The mini treat bag thinlits were out waiting to get to work. I wanted to use he heart framelit and coordinating stamp. After I pulled the paper and matching seam binding ribbon, it switched around on me. Not a problem,

Then I didn’t have a treat to put inside so I could give it away. How can you give away a treat bag with no treats? You can’t, that wouldn’t be any fun. So I thought, does it have to hold a treat? Why not make it an envelope and put a card to write on inside.

Worked like a champ! Now I have another choice with how I use this set. Not everyone wants a treat, but something sweet to read is also yummy. This little number will also fit inside one of our standard envelopes for mailing. How cool is that!

A quick note on the stamp. I stamped the image once and used the coordinating framelit. It cut off the cool dashed boarder that I liked so well. So I stamped it again, fussy cut it out, not my favorite activity, and layered it on dimensionals. After I sponged everything of course. Thought you might like that little detail.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You for Everything and More.

July 4, 2015July 4, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

What a wonderful way to start this special holiday. Making this card this morning gave me some quiet alone time to contemplate. I do my best thinking while I am crafting, I really do.

This project was more about the sentiment than anything. Of course the color choices were important. I kept everything subtle so the message was clear.

Gratitude, plain and simple. Grateful for the freedoms I know I have, but so much more. There is a larger picture that regular citizens are just simply unaware of, and sometimes grateful for that ignorance. I do feel truly blessed for the way I am allowed to live my life.

Take the opportunity to share the gratitude you feel in the way you feel most comfortable. I get to enjoy my quiet beginning, attend a flag raising social at my church, and spend the afternoon with family. Just wonderful.

Have a creative day!

Moana

My Dear Friend

July 3, 2015July 3, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I focused on one image for today’s project. It initially reminded me of a Japanese maple tree as it starts to change colors. They are so vibrant. As I started to paint them I noticed the flowers and the leaves looking different. I thought it was more of a shrub. Put your glasses on, right?

I put the aqua painter to work here. I stamped the image in cherry cobbler and brought the color in with just water. Then I added in old olive and mixed the colors, just as the leaves would be looking. I decided I wanted the flowers to stand out more, so I darkened the centers to bring out the detail. I can’t believe I didn’t notice the flowers the first time.

Talk about being generous with the basic rhinestones, but I wanted all of the centers to sparkle. Such a pretty look. Is it over the top? Well, if it is for a dear friend, you want it special. The friend stamp seemed a bit lonely, so I wrote in above it using an old olive stampin’ write marker. First try even, not bad.

There are so many new products used today. The framelits, the embossing folder, the stamp, and they work together great! I even got all nostalgic thinking about an old friend that I just don’t get to see anymore. Guess I know where this one is going!

Have a creative day!

Moana

You Are So Kind

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

Nothing says elegance quite like a white on white greeting card. I love how they look and how subtle their beauty is. I am not sure this will fit into a regular envelope with all of those layers. I think I will have to make a custom one.

I knew I wanted to use the new brick wall embossing folder, I have been so excited to get it. I also knew I wanted to use both sets of butterflies dies. I just didn’t know for sure how to fit them all together nicely. They ended up all layered together, all five of them.

I only used one stamp from the watercolor wings set for the sentiment. I haven’t let myself play with all of the other stamps. I do try to budget how much time I give to my craft each day, otherwise nothing else would get done.

I used the bitty banner punch to give me banner ends on my sentiment and layered everyone up with dimensionals. I glued my butterfly layers together using tombo and put the final butterfly object on dimensionals as well. I finished it off with basic rhinestones, a string of nine for the body, and a scattering along the left side and bottom. Just right.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable You

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I think going on that pioneer trek took a little more out of me than I thought. I tried to sit down at my usual 5:30 this morning, but I could hardly focus. Time to get into a good summer routine.

I absolutely fell in love with this stamp set when I saw it in the catalog. The floral images are so elegant. They cover several of my favorites. I had to use this one first, because it is my absolute favorite.

I started by stamping the image in garden green. I got out my aqua painter and drew in the color for the stems and some of the outer lining. I brought in daffodil delight and hi-lighted with so saffron. Just a touch of color there.

I used the oval framelits to make my layers with the third largest for the flowers and the second largest for the frame. I stamped and sponged and put everything I could up on dimensionals. I tried out the triple banner punch and it works like a champ. That is going to get a lot of use. Finally, I hid my glue dot under the velum with a rhinestone. I used a section to curve around the top left of the frame and called it done. I didn’t even stamp inside! Scandalous, I know.

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Butterfly Too Many? I Think Not…

June 27, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

It was time to gather the butterflies, and I didn’t even use them all! There is another punch and framelit and other stamps as well. Clearly I love these! Can you blame me? They are so beautiful. I am getting excited for a new stamp set that is on its way. It has a dragonfly in it and those are my favorite.

It is hard to match this combination though. I wonder how many butterflies I have seen so far on my pioneer trek. I might be too tired this morning to notice. But today I get to come home. This yellow is the accent color in my skirt and matching apron I made for this trek. What an event it must have been. I will have to tell you more later.

I layered up this beautiful butterflies after I sponged their edges pretty heavily. I wanted them to be one color, but have a subtle difference as well. It worked nicely, I also used the tiny butterfly stamp from the perpetual birthday calendar set to create a flock of them flying up the side and across the top. That was really fun. With some heavy sponging that look was complete.

I didn’t know if I wanted to stamp my sentiment with so saffron or black. I started with so saffron, decided it wasn’t bold enough, and offset a second stamping in black. It worked out really well. The photopolymer stamps really make things like that super easy. I repeated some of those stamps on the inside and then blinged up the butterflies properly. They do look grand, do they not?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthdays are Big News!

June 26, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This is definitely a bit of a crazy card. I wanted a little more order to the stamping on the background, but didn’t have the patience. Blogging ahead like I am, Utah trip and pioneer trek remember, has made me run a little short on patience. I just went with it and decided I liked it after all.

There may be lace and a bit of bling here, but I thought it could work for a guy as well, maybe. This new color delightful dijon is starting to grow on me. It took a while for summer starfruit to get anywhere with me, but I ended up being so sad when it retired and find myself missing it. This is much darker, but I am starting to get there.

This project was a real quick put together. Just a couple of square framelits, some simple stamping, a bit of sponging and it was done. Then I wanted to put a bit of bling on and even underlined with rhinestones one of the ‘enjoy the fuss’ sentiments. Good stuff for sure.

I have added another birthday card to the stash. There never seems to be an end to the need for birthday cards. Especially when you know so many wonderful people! A great thing to be able to do.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Kinda Eclectic with a Ray of Sunshine

June 23, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This burst of sunshine should be posting while I am in Utah getting my Denali all settled at university. She is a huge burst of sunshine in my life, so it suits the day perfectly.

I have used the sunburst stamp from the Kinda Eclectic set in so many projects. It is why I bought the set, but the rest of it is just as beautiful. I am so glad that it carried over to the new catalog. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet.

I loved using the super smooth whisper white card stock to make a matching bag. It folds rather crisp, but is easier to manipulate that the other card. And of course I love the stamp. This set is done in hello honey and it works so well. I even got out an embossing folder to give it a little extra.

A simple card that is all about the saying and a few bright touches to bring it full circle. Perhaps this one will find its way to someone in need of a pick me up. Sounds about right!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You

June 22, 2015June 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

A simple gift set that is truly all occasion. You never know when you will need a ready to go set at the last minute. It would be nice to remember all of our events all of the time, but that doesn’t always happen. Or when someone is wonderful and you just want to say thank you in a special way.

That is what this set is for. I used the scalloped flower from the Crazy About You set to make the background for the card and matching bag. I did a simple overlay of velum and scattered large rhinestones in the center of the flowers. So simple, yet so pretty.

I added a touch of linen thread and used my bone folder to help it curl just a little. It also takes the kinks out, but I do love a bit of curl. I stamped a couple on scrap and punched them out with the 1 3/4″ scalloped circle punch and accented the front and the inside of the card.

Well, this project was a quick make and has lots of possible uses. Try one out for yourself!

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re Fabulous

May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Today I am using the same stamp set as yesterday, even if it is hard to tell. Stamps can be as versatile as you let them be. Example, I used the tiny floral stamp in the set to make the background paper. Yup, it started out as plain whisper white and then got exciting.

Watermelon Wonder, what a yummy name for a color. It is super springy and full of fun. I experimented with bringing in some basic black, and although it looked elegant alongside, I wanted to keep it monochromatic to showcase it.

I started stamping the flowers full strength and continued stamping off on the paper to create the background. I took it inside as well, but just in two opposite colors. I did some light sponging inside and on the front. I liked it so well, I took it across the whole piece and removed any white spaces. Talk about color, it is all there.

A double tag, a few bitty butterflies with rhinestones, and a touch of the new dotted lace trim and it was all done. Another project that is very likely to be used in next weekends workshop.

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

Petite Purse Retirement Party

April 30, 2015April 30, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Why is this little tiny purse all alone? I wanted to showcase just it. I have loved this die for so long now. Admittedly, I am addicted to die cuts that make boxes and other such things. However, this one has always been my favorite.

I kept it very basic here, just showing off the adorable flowerpot dsp and only one little punch with a rhinestone. Simple, but perfect. Can’t you just see opening it up and finding a truffle? Of course you can.

I have changed out the top with other cutting or even removed it entirely and had an open container. I have made different fancy handles, covered the top in little pearls or jems, or even smothered it button or butterfly closures.

I am so glad these dies last so long. This is one I have enjoyed and will keep in my collection for years to come. Thanks Stampinup! for such a fun product! What will you replace it with? I wonder.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Geometrical Confetti Celebration Retirement Party

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

More retirement stuff? Absolutely! So, out of this project, what did I use that will be retiring? It would be easier to share what isn’t. That would be the whisper white paper and coordinating seam binding ribbon. Yup, everything else is heading out.

When I bought this stamp set I admit it was for the sentiments. Specifically, the cheer up buttercup one. Totally worth it in my mind. But I have gotten a little more attached to the funny little shapes. It is nice to do something different once in a while.

This card set was made from four cut and ready card bases. Three cards and one holder, and yes, the holder was made from a card base. A little scoring, a little edgelit work, a little inking and there you have it. Crazy, right? I need to get the whole video thing going, you would like to see how easy that one is. I surprised myself.

I am enjoying more and more making sets that I can use as gifts. People love getting pretty things they can turn around and use. I love the smile on their faces when they look at them.

Well, I had better get going. I have a prom dress to add sleeves to. That is okay, my sewing machine feels neglected when I paper craft so much.

Have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

Basic Rhinestones

Ray of Sunshine and Pretty Petals

Love

A Little Thanks

It’s Your Day

Thanks A Latte

You’ve Got Me

Love You My Friend

Just For You Treat Bag Card

Thank You for Everything and More.

My Dear Friend

You Are So Kind

Remarkable You

One Butterfly Too Many? I Think Not…

Birthdays are Big News!

Kinda Eclectic with a Ray of Sunshine

Crazy About You

You’re Fabulous

Guy Greetings Thank You

Petite Purse Retirement Party

Geometrical Confetti Celebration Retirement Party