crumb cake

Woodland Scene

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The awesome techniques used in making this card certainly aren’t new, but I finally got around to trying it myself.  I have always wanted to, and last weekend I had the perfect opportunity.  Interestingly enough, I spend enough time preparing to teach others, I often neglect teaching myself.  Thank you YouTube!  And of course all of those terribly creative crafters who share their videos.

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This project didn’t take too long to create in its basic form, but I did spend a good amount of time water coloring it.  The truck stamp was stamped with versafine ink on the recessed side of the embossing folder.  Then the paper was placed and those pieces were run through the big shot machine.  This gave me the embossed trees and the stamped truck. A brayer was inked up with crumb cake and gently rolled over the embossed trees. That is how they became colored so tidily.

After that, it all came down to painting.  Some parts went quickly, like the sky and grass, but I took my time on the truck.  I went over areas several times to get the tones I liked and fix the creative moments I might not have wanted to happen.  When I finished the painting it looked a bit too crisp for the setting, so I sponged over all the the card front and then heavily around the edges.  That worked.

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I did make a tag with the stitched framelits that says happy birthday.  I just couldn’t bring myself to place it on the front.  I didn’t want to cover up any of the picture.  It ended up being placed inside.  It isn’t like me to have a layered sentiment inside of a card, but today ended up being that day.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Perfect Day

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It is kind of ironic that I created this card last Thursday evening for Friday’s blog post. Then I entered into a series of hectic, not perfect days at all.  So, here it is five days later.  Today can still be that perfect day though, right?

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I usually am not into realistic photo paper, but this designer series pack has some really nice pieces in it.  This one especially. It looks really dimensional to me and I know it isn’t. It did create a lovely background though, and is the inspiration behind the card, literally.

I went with the country feel and scattered flowers all around the sentiment.  That was stamped, die cut and layered up a bit.  Those stitched shapes framelits are cool.  I debated turning the sentiment into a wall hanging with brads and linen thread, but knew I wanted to use burlap ribbon, so I left it alone.

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The pearls were so fun to place.  I usually don’t use the largest ones that often, or so many, but this card called for it.  I might have to make an envelope for this one, I don’t think it will fit, or very well.  Works for me!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Blooms & Wishes Gone Wild

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Using a stamp set different than intended can lead to some lovely results.  The main image here is a flower base and the sentiment does come from the same set.  However, when you change it up some, and maybe create a silly creature instead, that same sentiment remains tender, but also very silly.  That kind of sums me up I guess.

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The background took some time, and I nearly tossed it when I was sure it was wrecked. Since I make myself walk away sometimes and return with a new perspective, I kept on. The colors came together nicely and I wish I could repeat it.  Sadly, I think this will be a one of a kind for sure.

The flower creature was stamped in black, leaving plenty of room for those little legs. He got a heavy brushing with gold wink of stella and a couple of google eyes.  I tried a mouth, kind of, but let it go.  It will just have to remain a mystery.

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The inside got some echo stamping with a smaller flower from the same set and that was all it needed. What an adorable card if I do say so myself, and I do.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You, Friend

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Simple and sweet, just like any true friendship worth having.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day demands of life that we set aside those we really care about.  But, since they don’t judge us, and they truly understand, we can get away with it for a time.  That doesn’t mean they don’t hold a special place all of the time.  Good friends are the best!

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This little number was painted with the new water color pencils and an aqua painter.  The hedgehogs I should say.  The bit of background was done using classic inks with the aqua painter as well.  I stamped the guys in the center with the sentiments to the top left and bottom right.  I colored in the hedgehogs first, left them alone and painted the background, and dried the card well before continuing.

They were pretty easy to finish, I didn’t have too many problems.  I did several of these cards for gifts so I got a bit careless.  Good thing water color can be more loose.  They turned out adorable though.  I mounted the card front on a base of crumb cake and layered those on top of a crumb cake card base.  The inside was given two panels, one on the top and bottom of the inside for extra writing space.  Can’t wait to send it!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

I’m Here For You

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Don’t you just love these two?  I am not one to fall for whimsy stamps, especially cutsie animal ones.  But these guys got me.  The whole set is that way and I have used it so much. It is only a host set, so you can’t just buy it, but need to host a workshop to get to it. Totally worth it though.  Who doesn’t love a fun creative workshop though, right?

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I was actually able to put to use an old workshop kit for this project.  It was a sympathy card with a totally different look, but it worked great for this one too.  I sometimes put leftover workshop kits back into my supplies, but sometimes I just keep those kits separate.  They have come in handy more than once, so I keep a small stash on hand.

Simple stamping and light sponging across the embossed folders was really all there was here.  I did run the linen thread across a bone folder to help get the kinks out and give the ends a curl as well.  I didn’t paint or sponge these two, amazing for me really, but I managed.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Enjoy…

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Yummy, yummy and yummy.  That is what this card is.  It could be the paper, the delicate tag or the precious bit of copper metallic thread.  More likely, the combination of the three. Some simple cards are way more than simple.  I am going to have to get more of this paper for sure.

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I looked through my stamp stash for a tiny phrase or saying that would be noticed but not distract.  One tiny word from the Endless Birthday Wishes set was just right.  It also helped to make the card truly an all occasion theme.  This project is likely to be reproduced a few times over.  Such a great layout and color scheme.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Happiest of Birthdays to You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Who doesn’t need a simple, yet lovely, birthday card?  It is always useful to have one on hand for those last minute gifts, or even the birthday you forgot.  I keep a few cards on hand at all times, you just never know.  I recently got to share creating a simple card with my daughter-in-love and it was the best.  This is yet another one of the cards I made to rebuild the stash I gave her.  She loves using them, and now making them.  Woo hooo!

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The paper is lovely, the sentiment sweet, layered tags are one of my favorite, but this ribbon.  It is so beautiful.  It has texture yet shines, is thick but ties beautiful bows and knots, and the colors are the best.  I normally don’t go through my ribbons too quickly, I try to make them last.  But these won’t with me, I see having to replace them sooner than later.

Having great tools and beautiful paper really makes quick work of a card like this.  One layer of designer series paper layered on a piece of crumb cake card stock, a ribbon tied in a bow around it, and then raised up on dimensionals on the coordinating card base.  The tag was stamped and die cut super quick and layered up again.  The inside has a clean piece of very vanilla and that makes it complete.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Happy Birthday

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When you have beautiful paper you really don’t need to worry about much else.  This particular specialty designer series paper is exceptionally beautiful.  Truly beautiful.

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What does that mean for this card?  You don’t really need much else.  I kept the copper theme going along and embossed the outline and happy birthday sentiment.  Then, the coordinating die cut from the rose garden thinlits set made it very easy.  A few loops of copper metallic thread off to the side and this project was done.  So elegant with all of the foil and copper.  It will be enjoyed I am sure.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Country Basics

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

This particular project really made me slow down and think.  My usual haphazard color selection just didn’t work out, as you can tell from the huge collection of colors I have listed. This might be the most color I have used on one project.  It ended up kind of cool in the end, but not sure what it will end up serving as.

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One single stamp was the beginning, just the guitar.  The rest of the images were at the end and quite an afterthought to be honest.  I painted the guitar with cajun craze and the color adventure began.  I had thought it would have been fun to sew metallic thread in the guitar string area, but when I spent so much time on the painting I really wanted to walk away. Maybe next time.

Even though it can be a bit frustrating, it is also quite relaxing to work like this.  It also helps a lot with patience.  I know that if I just stick with it, eventually it will come together. Then, the next project doesn’t seem so daunting, because look at what I managed to pull out of the trash bin!

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I left it clean of sentiment and all other embellishments.  The images speak for themselves and that guitar, I love that guitar.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Fear Not

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This was something new for me.  I knew I wanted to have water colored bookmarks, but thought it would be smarter to make one large background piece and then trim it down to the sizes I needed.  Such a large piece of blank paper.  It was a bit overwhelming for some time.  Like the stamp says, fear not.

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After a while I felt a little more comfortable, but not all the way there.  Distressing such a large piece was kind of confusing.  I stuck with it, dried it and took it to the cutting board. When they were smaller I knew they would be wonderful.  The edges got a gentle sponging along with light stamping from the same set.

Then a quick layering on elegant eggplant cardstock, the main color I painted with, and some new solid bakers twine to coordinate and it was all done.  These will be wonderful to share with the young women I teach.  Love those girls.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Enjoy the Little Things

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Yesterday was a very thoughtful day.  I was able to enjoy a day all to myself, which is quite rare in itself.  I had grand plans, a bit too grand, but decided to change them all around and enjoy it differently. This was one of my moments spent, a very indulgent chunk of time working ink all over this lovely card.

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I was given some new paper and brushes for my birthday, so of course I had to get to work using them.  I took this beautiful paper to the brink of maximum absorption.  Sometimes it just takes more time to get the colors just the way you want them.  If you were to smooth your hand over the top of this card you would feel the difference in texture.  The edges of course kept their very smooth surface, but the inked area is actually raised up.  Cool, right?

I did start with the embossed phrase first.  Then I worked around the edges and started in with all of the color mixing.  This copper embossing powder is so fantastic, I absolutely love the color.  It gives a much more masculine feel and goes better with my kind of color pallet ideas for sure.  So, I basically just embossed my sentiment and then went to town on the ink til I was happy.  And I am so happy, so very happy with this one.  I tend to do my best work when I am creating for someone in particular, especially when that someone is my husband.  What more can I say?

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Country Livin’ Rocks!

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Living in the country has its perks, and wouldn’t this be just one of them?  I unfortunately do not have an adorable old truck like this, but it sure would be wonderful!  I will have to settle for the stamp and my imagination.

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This image was stamped with black stazon ink on water color paper and then adorned with a whole bunch of ink colors.  I started with a pallet of six colors, but it didn’t stay there.  I ended up with ten, but it called for it.  That doesn’t include the colors that emerged from simple blending and colors flowing together.  This kind of work is my favorite.  No real rules, just lots of distressing.

The perfect companion to the card is the new copper metallic thread.  It almost reminded me of barbed wire or old fence wire.  I like a little of embellishment, but don’t want any distractions when I water color.  The thread works for me.  There was a touch of stamping on the inside panel.  The splat image from the perpetual calendar set with cherry cobbler stamped off once.  Yummy!   I do think it would be interesting to try and paint this stamp with flames and metallic chrome.  I will have to see on that.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You So Very Much

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Everyone says thank you in their own way.  Me, well I like to do favor boxes or cartons.  A little bit of words along with a special treat.  I always want to give something special and to be honest, the budget won’t often allow that.  Hence my love of paper crafting.  I always have more time than money, so my time can show my gratitude.  It isn’t that people expect, I just enjoy doing it.

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This carton was made with a whole sheet of sahara sand card stock.  I pulled out the trusty simply scored scoring tool and it came together in no time.  I actually made this one while having a lovely chat with my mom and dad.  How wonderful summer can be to me.  I did do my stamping first, because it does bother me when the stamping skips over the score lines. I know, not a real big deal, but it bugs me.  So the stamping first with the Flourishing Phrases large floral image.  I stamped and sponged in crumb cake instead of sahara sand to give a more vintage look.  So adorable.

The tag was cut with from the frame from the Rose Garden Thinlits set.  It it so much fun to put such pretty things together.  The smaller floral image was stamped first, the thank you second and then die cut.  Of course the whole project enjoyed lots of sponging.  I wrapped the top of the carton with gold metallic thread, popped a tricky bow through a bitty hole I punched and topped it all with a large basic pearl.  I refrained from putting those all over the box, I made myself keep it more simple.  So there you go!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Mother’s Day Take Two

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Earlier in the year I made a couple of cards with this darling little chick from a sale-a-bration stamp set.  I instantly fell in love.  So did my mother.  I decided she needed to have one of her own and not just a card.

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A prior paper pumpkin kit had this frame along with pretty little things to make a wonderful decorative gift.  I couldn’t make it for my own mother since she gets the same kits each month and I didn’t want to give her something she already had.  It sat upon the shelf for some time.  Until last night when I needed it, the frame that is.  I also used the wrapping cardstock and ribbon to go around it.  Now I will send it away for an early mother’s day gift.  She will be super excited.

The little chick was stamped in black stazon on a 4 x 4″ sheet of water color paper.  I started pulling ink pads until I had everything painted just like I wanted.  I did use my heat tool a few times along the way to set color when I wanted to layer another.  The yellows I let all blend together without worry.  But I wanted the cheeks to stay pink and tried to keep the beak a little more under control.  The shadow needed to be dried before the background was applied, but that is about it.  After I put a touch of marina mist for blue eyes I used wink of stella to give them some sparkle.  Just a fun little project to make my mom smile.  So fun.

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Have a creative day.

Moana

Do Not Open Until Christmas

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How cute is this ornament print designer paper?  Almost like sweet polka dots, but done holiday style.  Here is yet another card from the gift set.  Several of them would be great to use as gift card holders.

Do Not Open Until Christmas

One simple layer of paper, one single stamp and one punch.  Nothing complicated here.  I punched a hole in the tag for my ribbon to come through.  I tied the ribbon in a knot first and threaded the ends through the tag.  I did use a heavy card stock, but was still careful not to tear it.  The know popped through and finished it off just right.  I did really want to add ornament die cuts for extra fun, but made myself keep to the simple tool list.  Phew!  Hard work to keep things simple sometimes.

Do Not Open Until Christmas

Have a creative day!

Moana

Merry Wishes

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Red, red, red, I love holiday red.  Plenty of that going on here for sure!  More of a rustic look with the crumb cake card base and chunky twine combo.  How fun is that?

Merry Wishes

I used the last of my snowflake embellishments on this card.  Sad but happy.  I have loved putting them on everything, but will miss their sparkle.  I did just get a box of Stampin’Up! product yesterday though, with two packs of metal rimmed pearls.  They will keep me going just fine.  Not to mention the beautiful ribbons that I got on a steal of a deal with the holiday sales.  So much ribbon to play with.  All about that satin ribbon these days.

I also got a new die cut that makes all kinds of flower parts.  Not just the lay flat those are so pretty kinds, but roll and layer and make 3-D looking ones.  And a bunch of glimmer paper.  I see sparkly flowers in my immediate future.  Can’t wait to get off work today!

Merry Wishes

Have a creative day!

Moana

Oh What Fun Gift Box

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I actually started out with a different stamp set and a card in mind.  But I just wasn’t feeling it, so I changed gears.  I do really love what ended up in its place.  I love a pretty holiday box like crazy!

Oh What Fun Gift Box

I used a whole 12 x 12 from the Merry Moment DSP pack.  Of course I migrated to the huge dots.  I love all kinds of dots.  And I couldn’t stay away from these beautiful ornament framelits.  They are so wonderful.  I think that these will be all over my Christmas gifts this year.

Oh What Fun Gift Box

The Oh, What Fun stamp set is so full of fantastic sayings to make any holiday crafting one step better for sure.  They will make gift giving and card making quick and easy without looking that way.  Just yummy.  Oh, and these little embellishments are so adorable!  With twenty in a box they will find there way just about everywhere.

Oh What Fun Gift Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

Embellished Ornaments

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

This started out as a pretty darn good morning, but I am having quite the head cold, so my time management isn’t the best.  I think I am going in kind a slow motion mode.  The results still show nicely though, don’t you think?

Embellished Ornaments

New product, new product, new product!  I so enjoy working with new product!  Today was the first time for three different newbies to my collection.  Two stamp sets and one framelit set.  They are sure to get a lot of use this holiday, for sure.

Embellished Ornaments

My photos don’t let you know very well, the colors look off, but I am working with Sahara Sand and Not Quite Navy.  The ornament on the left is backed with a deep navy blue and it looks so pretty.  The smaller ornament is backed with Crumb Cake just to give a better contrast.  The stamping is all done in Sahara Sand, as well as the sponging.  I used the new gold cording to “hang” the ornaments and it worked great.  I have been waiting to use this set, and it was so worth it.  Be patient, you will be seeing it a lot.

Embellished Ornaments

Have a creative day!

Moana

Neutral Toned If the Broom Fits

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I know today is Halloween, but I was just feeling a bit mellow about it.  Could that be a result of being with students all day that were super costumed out and completely mental about it?  Or maybe because I went back to take yearbook pictures that evening during the carnival and dance?  Sounds about right.  Let’s just settle down a bit, but still enjoy the holiday.

Neutral Toned If the Broom Fits

This stamp is just too funny.  I think that I have shown myself that even though there is definitely a Halloween theme with the stamp, it doesn’t have to be used that way, and that always makes me happy.

Neutral Toned If the Broom Fits

Instead of focusing on the holiday, I went with a focus on the brooms themselves.  This included giving the background a run through with the woodgrain embossing folder, wooden handles on the broom.  Also, I did  a little piercing around the brooms themselves so I could thread some of the ever so lovely linen thread around the bristles and give it some dimension.  I think that looks pretty darn cool.  All kinds of dimension going on here.  What a great card!

Neutral Toned If the Broom Fits

Have a creative day!

Moana

Nautical Themed Invitation

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Take a look at this fun invitation and imagine another twenty-four of them.  Quite the fleet of cards, and I just love them.  They are themed invitations for an event a few weeks out for a church event.  The cream banner at the bottom ended up having “Embark…” written on it.  Great invites for a great night to come.

Nautical Themed Invitation

I am not prone to square cards, but I don’t know why.  They look so fun and offer a different design pallet.  Good reminder.  Crumb cake, very vanilla and soft sky come together for this lovely scene.  Only one stamp and a lot of die cuts.  I did have help on this assembly line for sure.  I did all the stamping, sponging and assembly while my husband ran the die cuts.  Yes, he did all six sets of twenty-five.  He is so fun to work with.  How lucky can a girl get!

Nautical Themed Invitation

The dies are from a collection my husband found for me at a thrift store, so I couldn’t send you in a direction for them.  Aren’t they great though?  But honestly, the stamp makes it all happen, and that comes from the Traveler set.  Lots of layers and an eye for design.  With those in mind, there are no limits to what you can create.  Just be patient and try a few options out until you are satisfied.  Now, to create centerpieces that go with these.  Another day…

Nautical Themed Invitation

Have a creative day!

Moana