Cucumber Crush

Window Box

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Each time I sat down to work on something I got frustrated, hated it and walked away.  I made myself go back and fix those projects, but not until this one made me happy first. It was a bit of a chore putting it together, but isn’t it lovely?

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The thinlits dies that make this box are so fun.  After I fussed around a bit with the fold lines and flaps to glue in place I stopped getting cranky.  You need to do the large die cut piece twice, once for each side of the box, and then however you are going to decorate it. I made a floral top, but could have done the same for all six sides, and the bottom too I guess. I went with just the top this time and made stamped panels for the sides. The stitched shapes framelits had a square the perfect size!  I thought that was great.  I used a larger one to make a card base as well.

This ribbon is so fun to work with.  It has been fun having it, but as with this lovely green color, it will retire this summer.  So I need to enjoy it while I have it.  I punched a small hole in the card corner and attached it to the ribbon instead of tucking it under the bow.  I didn’t want to cover much of that floral top after all.  This way the ribbon will slide off and allow me easy access to fill the box with a present or maybe even some treats.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Fiesta Like There’s No Manana

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Here is one of the projects I made with my club ladies last Saturday.  Such a fun and interesting birthday card.  Plenty of color and who doesn’t just love an adorable llama?  Finally though, a project where I love the brightness of cucumber crush.  It is just one gregarious green there.

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Framelit cutting made pretty darn quick work of the elements for this project.  A little stamping before and after doing the cutting.  The llama was really fun, but I felt he was a little on the whimsy side to worry about painting and making him look too real.  Besides, his teeth really aren’t accurate, they come from the bottom not the top like a bunny.  Still totally adorable though.  The banners were stamped afterwards though.  Since you can see through the photopolymer stamps there is not a worry to be found.  Fun and easy to do.

Everything was put on tipped one way or the other to add to the silly look.  Nothing about this card says slow down, just have a bunch of fun!  And my club ladies sure did.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Floral Tone on Tone

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Pretty, pretty, and just so pretty.  That is what comes to mind here.  My husband thought it looked a little tropical with the white outline, I am really loving this card.  While driving back from an ice cream run last night the idea came to me.  There is no inspiration connection here, just a great idea.

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The image was stamped in versa mark ink on watermelon wonder cardstock instead of white or water color paper.  Different for me, but it worked out well.  I embossed with white embossing powder and water colored in the flowers.  Pretty easy and such a nice effect.  I layered it in white to bring out the outline and wrapped it in some of the most beautiful ribbon I have.  Yummy!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Flowering Fields with Botanicals for You

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I did start out with a St. Patrick’s Day card set in mind.  Hence the green and gold. However, it quickly changed into something more elegant and much more useful.  I do know several people that truly do love to celebrate this holiday and this would work wonderfully for them as well.  What fun, right?

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This Flowering Fields stamp set will be gone soon.  I do love the fun free products available during Sale-a-bration, but always are sad to see them go.  I do know that there are always new things on the horizon that I will love equally well, but I do have my favorites that stick around year after year.

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I ended up using a full sheet of very vanilla, part for the card front and inside, and used the rest to make a gift bag.  I prefer to have paper used up with as little waste as possible.  I even used the snipping left from cutting the front and inside to be my sentiment tag.  Very little waste today indeed.

This glitter tape is so much fun.  I admit I have stashed it a bit too long, I thought I had learned my lesson.  Guess not.  So, I broke it out and put it to work.  Just a little bit does so much.  And it is so tidy, no glitter messes to be found.  A win for everyone for sure. I do think I will use some tape to close the bag when it gets filled with a treat or two.  Yeah!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Getting Ready for a St. Patrick’s Day Party!

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It has been a busy few days getting ready for a large youth etiquette dinner.  This one won’t be all about the perfect manners, but more like what do you do when things don’t go quite right.  Those tend to have the best memories anyway.

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The invitations were pretty darn basic, which was great when I needed to make sixty rather quickly.  The dinner menu was just printed on card stock to coordinate with the invitation. The names of the menu items are in a kind of St. Patrick Day code.  All of the items, from the food to the utensils, are going to be a mystery to the kids.  When they are served what they “ordered” they might end up with odd and end food items and maybe a straw or toothpick to eat with.  After a some laughs and efforts at etiquette, they will be sent through to fill their plates properly and do their best.

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Part of the table decorations will include these adorable favors with rainbow fish crackers in them.  The stamp comes from a long retired stamp set that went with the ever adorable milk carton bigz die.  I could have made those forever.  I still have it, because I don’t think I can part with it.

It should be an evening filled with good friends and even better laughs.  I can’t wait!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re a Whole Lot of Lovely

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When I was cleaning up my desk I came across several kits left over from workshops that hadn’t been filed away.  Usually I just break down the kits and put the supplies back. This one had the stamping, punching and they were layered together.  So I thought I would make something with them.

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I do not remember what the original kit was at all.  It had two pieces of 6 x 6 paper, ribbon, and the stamped embellishment.  So, I decided to not bother looking it up on my blog and make something new. My go to projects are cards with matching tiny gift bags. Mission accomplished and kit used up.  I still don’t know what the other one was, but I am quite happy with this little number.

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Have a creative day!

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

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I was asked to make a gift box for a specific sized item for an 80th birthday gift.  I of course had to make a matching card because I had just the thing!

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

I am normally quite the Stampin’Up! purist when it comes to product, especially my stamps, but I couldn’t resist these.  I purchased them at a recent convention I went to from http://www.stampsbyjudith.com.  There are actually three used for the front, a sentiment for the inside, and then little flies as well.  Yes, I said flies.  Like I said, I couldn’t resist!

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

The box used a whole sheet of the heavy Shine On Specialty DSP, and isn’t it lovely?  I needed something strong because the jar going inside is heavy.  I made the largest box with the Gift Box Punch Board, but left the flaps open since the jar was too tall.  I think it will just have to get some fun tissue or something.  I will leave that to the giver.

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

I know I goofed my stamping some, but I was having too much fun to care.  I honestly just forgot to mask off some of the sign for my vulture to sit on.  I think everyone will live through it though.  The humor in the card is just too awesome!

Birthday Buzzard Gift Set

Have a creative day!

Moana

Christmas Lighthearted Leaves

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What a crazy morning!  However, slow and steady wins the race, right?  Like I said earlier in the week, I planned on casing myself from another project that looked like Christmas to me.  Here it is, my ‘Believe’ card.

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As I stamped these leaves last time I kept thinking about mistletoe.  Of course, by the time I got done painting all the leaves green, I kept thinking of seaweed.  So now I want to do an ocean project.  What a great stamp set, right?

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I painted the ‘berries’ real read and went with cucumber crush for my green.  It is such a fun, bright green.  When I trimmed my cardstock down I was left with a few narrow strips and decided to put them to work.  I thought about using some quilling techniques, but kept it simple instead.  I did decorate one of the leaf images with rhinestones for a little bling and loved how it turned out.  So, just like all of the other retailers out there, I have made some Christmas happen before Halloween.  It was fun though, definitely fun.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

All About Sugar Fry Box

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It is so nice to be home, even though I miss my college kids.  After falling asleep at a ridiculously early hour last night, I woke up full of energy and enthusiasm.  Maybe that is why I migrated to a fun treat box!  I do have some thank you’s to give out today.  I have five student TA’s at school that I know kept things just as I like them for my return from a four day weekend.  They are awesome!

All About Sugar Fry Box

So is this adorable fry box die.  As soon as it hit the catalog last year I had to have it.  Along with its hamburger box friend.  They just make me giggle.  And to have a coordinating stamp set makes it even better!  I love sharing treats and kindness, but when it looks as cute as this, I like it even better.

All About Sugar Fry Box

A half sheet of card is all it takes to make this guy, plus a little scrap.  I used cucumber crush, because it is just a super happy color.  The sentiment was stamped on whisper white, fussy cut, layered on some more cucumber crush, fussy cut again, and sponged like crazy.  Two mini silver brads finish off the front so nicely.  And with some yummy treats all tucked into a bag, tied off with the lovely dotted lace trim, this little gift is ready to go.  I did sponge the entire box to keep everybody coordinated.  Love my sponging!

All About Sugar Fry Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

Larger Than Life Boo

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

Halloween doesn’t have to always be about scary things.  Sometimes it can give you the feel of the holiday and be totally adorable at the same time.  Kind of like a few sweet children all dressed up singing “Trick-or-Treat” at your door.  Just too cute.

Larger Than Life Boo

The project began with a sheet of the Go Wild DSP stack.  I knew I wanted to sponge it up with a faded look so I looked for patterns that had more white than black.  This pattern was perfect.  I swirled and swirled until it looked the way I wanted and then sponged around the edges some more.  No layering, just adhered it straight to the card base.

Larger Than Life Boo

These Larger Than Life Alphabet & Numbers stamps really make me happy.  The only thing that would make me happier is having coordinating framelits.  But, that is not the case.  You guessed it, I actually did fussy cutting, twice!  Once for the letters and once again when I layered them up on more paper.  Where is my brain?  It had to be done, so I suffered.  My least favorite crafty task next to cleaning up.

Larger Than Life Boo

I touch of Dotted Lace Trim added such a soft touch.  Left the bow off and just did a simple knot.  I made some little eyes using the 1/2″ circle punch, punched circles using the 1/4″ circle hand held punch, and centered them with the largest size of basic rhinestones.  I sponged those pumpkin pie eyes and raised them up on dimensionals.  I also raised up my word ‘boo’ with dimensionals, but used a double stack on the center ‘o’ to make it stand out even more.  End result, adorable Halloween card, just adorable.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Let It Snow

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

I know it is only the beginning of  September, but I do love seasonal cards, especially winter scenes and Christmas.  Not to mention that the Stampin’Up! holiday catalog goes live today.  So much fun!

Let It Snow

I have used several new products in today’s project.  New stamp set, new framelit set, new embossing folder and then comes a new card.  How cute is this little snowman?

Let It Snow

I stamped the image where I wanted it along with the sentiment.  Then I embossed the card front.  At first I wanted to have all the snowflakes sky blue and thought to use the brayer.  But I decided to be more selective and yes, I did water color select flakes.  It didn’t take that long, really.  The effect is nice.

Let It Snow

I had an extra ‘snow’ die cut from Saturday’s event project and knew just where to use it.  Actually, that is what started the card out.  I added in a little silver metallic threat and layered it all up on dimensionals.  Just my speed.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Larger Than Life Birthday Wishes

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Any wonder what today’s card is all about?  Couldn’t get any more direct that this and I love it!

Larger Than Life Birthday Wishes

A certain young man is having a birthday this month and his grandmother requested a special card.  I love personalized items, especially when you aren’t likely to see that name all of the time.  Call it childhood memories.

Larger Than Life Birthday Wishes

My youngest daughter might disagree as to who this should be for.  She might want to send it to a particular One Direction band member who also might be named Liam, but that isn’t going to happen.  She can make her own.

Larger Than Life Birthday Wishes

The Larger Than Life Alphabet and Number set is so wonderful for things like this.  I took the ‘happy birthday’ sentiment from That Thing You Did.  Some Cucumber Crush for a fun bright green and it was nearly done.  A touch of ribbon to bring it all together and I was happy.  I think Liam will be too.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable You

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Working with great paper makes everything so much more fun.  Colored embossed paper, in such pretty colors?  Of course, why not!

Remarkable You

The project began with the new heavy weight whisper white cardstock, I love having such a heavy base, and gathered layers of stamping and more color.  The image and sentiment come from the same set, which is delicious by the way, and were stamped in black stazon.  I knew I would be water coloring, so that is the perfect ink to work with.

Remarkable You

I blended watermelon wonder with a touch of crumb cake and it turned out so nice.  I chose crumb cake because I was using linen thread and wanted to tie in the colors.  A large ribbon wasn’t going to work here.  It took too much focus away from the flower and sentiment.

Remarkable You

I think I would add a mat or two behind the flower next time, but left it alone for now.  It turned out nice, just right.  I do love a simple water color.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Happy Thoughts for You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

When I first subscribed to Paper Pumpkin it was all about getting exclusive stamp sets that I couldn’t purchase through regular shopping.  I didn’t want to miss out.  That was true in the beginning stages, but then the kits started getting better and better and the projects were almost better than the stamps.

Happy Thoughts for You

I had a hard time putting those great stamps to work after I finished up the kits.  So I tried something different this time.  With my last kit, I used the stamps separately before I got into the kit.  These are the stamps, but nothing at all to do with the card kit, which is fabulous by the way.

I am in love with the new heavy weight whisper white cardstock.  I love a white card and it just had to be sturdier.  Job well done.  Sahara sand might be my favorite neutral.  It goes so well with everything.  Just a hint of color without any obvious distraction.

Happy Thoughts for You

A little bit of simple layering and a bunch of dimensionals.  The aqua painter got involved again, it is such a great tool.  Using it along the stamped images to bring in the lightest amount of color.  What a great look and so easy to accomplish.  Finish it off with the lovely dotted lace trim.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Cucumber Crush Party

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Getting back into the groove can be a bit slow at first.  I also gave myself a challenge this morning by making cucumber crush my main color.  We haven’t become friends just yet, so I thought we needed some together time.  I helped it find a friend in blushing bride, and I like how it worked out.

Cucumber Crush Party

I used a full sheet to make this pretty gift bag.  I stamped the background paper with the fun leaf from the Kinda Eclectic set.  Loved it.  I used it full strength some, but mostly stamped it off once first.  I like how different this color looks at different strengths.

Cucumber Crush Party

I sometimes stop myself from using flowers, because I feel like I really get them everywhere.  I just love flowers!  So, I didn’t hold back at all here.  I usually stamp off blushing bride, but it needed to be strong to work with this fun green.  The combo is full of life.  I think a yellow would have paired nicely, but I had to stop somewhere.

Cucumber Crush Party

These pretty clear faceted buttons are so fun to use.  It helped me finish up this gift bag nicely.  Sometimes I go overboard on bling, but not today.  I wasn’t sure when I started this project, but I love how it ended up.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Welcome Cucumber Crush

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Let me introduce you to Cucumber Crush.  Now you have seen all of the five new In-Colors that will be with us for the next two years.  I can’t believe we have had the other set for a year already.  But this bright, perky green, we don’t have a color like it.  And it is bright.

Welcome Cucumber Crush

My family assured me this wasn’t too much and they really liked it.  I kind of didn’t, at all.  I thought it looked like a leprechaun got into a fight with Valentine’s Day.  But, I went with it anyway.  Everyone makes mistakes and I don’t mind that at all.  I do think that this particular combo won’t happen again.  Cucumber Crush needs to have another color or two to balance it out.  Just my thoughts though.

Welcome Cucumber Crush

This is also another sneak peek at the Happy Birthday, Everyone host set.  I touched on it yesterday, but went further today.  The ‘Happy Birthday’ sentiment is the large main one and it comes with several support phrases.  Too fun.

Either way, a new set of fun In-Colors combined with a great new catalog looks to make another great year.  So much creativity in store.  I hope you find yours.

Have a creative day!

Moana