Dotted Lace Trim

You’re a Whole Lot of Lovely

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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!

Forever Begins Today

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This was for yesterday, however, yesterday was for my family and there wasn’t time to share this with you.  I am sure it was worth the wait though.  Aren’t these flowers just the best thing ever?

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One framelit set gives you all of these pieces, plus a couple more.  And they coordinate with velum, designer series paper just to name a couple. I have been planning this one for a while now, with a very specific goal in mind.  I am fortunate enough to have my son getting engaged and this is how I am going to approach the second reception.  What else could I possibly use for my inspiration piece, right?

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I do admit that once I cut into a piece of designer series paper for a card front, I look to the remainder of the sheet and immediately think of a bag or box I can make to coordinate.  I have a hard time stopping myself to be honest.  I also have a bit of a problem filing back my scraps of cardstock when I work.  All of these colors were available to me in my stack of put me away papers.  I put them to good use for sure.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker’s Boxes!

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I tried to not purchase this particular die cut, but I fell in love with it at a workshop.  I guess that isn’t too different from the ladies I teach in my workshops.  It works for me because I just love this box!

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker's Boxes!

This adorable box came together so quickly.  The set comes with several other dies to accent or accessorize how you like.  More than enough choices.  I just chose one of my favorite combinations of circle punches with a simple stamp framed with glimmer paper.  How absolutely lovely, right?

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker's Boxes!

One little glue dot just below the handle was all I needed to keep the top snug to add my favorite dotted lace trim with a big bow.  I moved into my favorite sponging party and did it up right.  Simple yet so adorable.   Hope this little project finds you in a good mood and ready to try your own.

A Whole Lot of Lovely Baker's Boxes!

Have a creative day!

Moana

 

Grateful Gifts

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When you are trying to wind down from a way to crazy day, what do you do to relax?  Well, today I went straight to my desk and worked a day ahead.  This is going to be one ridiculous weekend and I need to get as much out of the way as possible.  Of course I do the fun things first.

Grateful Gifts

The new designer series paper pack is so much fun.  Here is one sheet, showing both sides of it.  I cut one strip 4″ wide and it gave me the card front and the paper for the tiny gift bag.  Yup, 4″ x 12″ is all it took.

Grateful Gifts

I do think that this dotted lace trim has become my favorite ribbon.  I am definitely a girl who loves a bargain, but even if it is a bit pricier, I love it every time I use it, with no regrets.  I can’t always say that about embellishments.  I used both the negative and positive die cuts, one for each project.  Once more, I am totally happy with this set.  I might be on a bit of a gift set kick again.  Hmmm…

Grateful Gifts

Have a creative day!

Moana

Delightful Birthday

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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

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

Banner Blessings Gift Set – Thanks

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Another wonderful day with many adventures ahead.  I feel so blessed and grateful to be able to spend time here with my children.  How fortunate I am to have a husband that allows me to do so.

Banner Blessings Gift Set - Thanks

This lovely card came together pretty darn quick. A few simple layers with my favorite sponging left it nearly done.  I wanted to use the trim without covering up the beautiful embossing from my favorite embossing folder.  I think everyone should have this one. It is so great to have a tool like this that can be used in so many ways.  So I just attached a simple knot of trim instead of a card front wrap.

Banner Blessings Gift Set - Thanks

I chose the pattern of the DSP with the tiny flowers.  It went better with the nature look of the trees.   A touch of dimensional a went with the sentiment layer only.  Simple to make and easy to mail.  Sounds like a win to me.

Banner Blessings Gift Set - Thanks

Have a creative day!

Moana

Dazzling Diamonds Dragonfly

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I liked the randomness of picking one single stamp and designing a project around it.  Today was just the beautiful dragonfly from the Awesomely Artistic stamp set.  My favorite image honestly.  I wish I had more.

Dazzling Diamonds Dragonfly

The new DSP pack patterns sure are awesome.  I had a hard time deciding which side to use.  I usually enjoy the patterns, but can see myself making gift sets with all of the different papers here.  Total coordination really makes me very happy, even within a gift set.

Dazzling Diamonds Dragonfly

It isn’t always easy to get decent photos of my work.  The ladies in my club often tell me how much better they look in person.  Isn’t that true of so many things though?  But the dazzling diamond dragonfly here needed to be angled a bit for you to really see it.  I wasn’t sure how happy I would be with it on whisper white, but I love it!

Dazzling Diamonds Dragonfly

Have a creative day!

Moana

 

Floral Gift Bag

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

The seasons are all backwards, so why not create a spring themed gift bag!  Seems kind of silly to really feel like fall might have arrived, then summer heat, then what.  Who knows, so I will craft what I like, and I like this.

Floral Gift Bag

One whole sheet of 12 x 12 dsp went into this bag.  The dots are too much cuteness, so they had to be out front.  I wasn’t feeling a particular stamp, so I curled a couple of flaps over to show the writing side.  This paper pack is so adorable.  A bunch of bright and happy paper going on.

Floral Gift Bag

The diagonal scoring plate is what helped this box happen.  I scored on the 3″ marker, on the diagonal, on each corner.  It worked out pretty darn good.  I don’t always feel confident my scoring is accurate when using the diagonal plate, but when putting the bag together, my sides and corners matched up.  Go me!

Floral Gift Bag

A few punches from the heavy whisper white cardstock and regal buttons for centers made the embellishments I wanted.  The bag was sealed, but not sealed, with a stretch of dotted lace trim.  It is stretched around the top, under the front and back flaps, and then tied in a bow.  Just untie it and the bag will flop open.  Easy to use and re-use.  My kind of bag.

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

I Cased Myself! Eeeek!

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I have the pleasure of hosting a card workshop for my club this weekend and decided I would use yesterday’s project as one of our projects.  I do like to give them choices and encourage a bit more creativity, so I cased myself to give them another choice.  Too fun I must say.

I Cased Myself! Eeeek!

Same kind of layout as yesterday, but I made my background paper instead of using designer series paper.  Choices, like I said.  And I love to encourage people to use their stamps differently.  This qualifies for sure.

I Cased Myself! Eeeek!

I used the pumpkin face from the seasonal stamp set Sparkly Seasons.  That is one diverse set, absolutely love it!  I stamped the faces alternate directions using black stazon first.  Then I went back over them to create a shadow/3D look.  It turned out fun.  I will use that technique again for sure.

I Cased Myself! Eeeek!

When I put the eyes on I placed them over the pumpkin eyes and got a mouth out of it.  So cute.  Then I had the eyes turned to face the word eek and the card was done.  I did use the same pumpkin face for a bit of echo stamping inside.  Just right if you ask me.

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

Thankful Swaps

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

I have been out of town this last weekend and it is nice to be home for lots of reasons.  I did love my trip, seeing my daughter and son at university is just fantastic!  Something about your own space though, just feels cozy.

Thankfuln Swaps

I also discovered that I am not the best blogger on my iPad.  They were pretty basic, but I managed.  I was honestly just too tired yesterday and had tons more standing in line waiting to be tended.  Day survived.

Thankfuln Swaps

There were several fall themed swaps I wanted to share as well.  I had recently ordered this stamp and framelit set but haven’t gotten to play with it just yet.  So it was nice to play at the demonstrator workshop event.  Working through someone else’s vision is different, but entertaining.

Thankfuln Swaps

While it is fun to share these swaps, I am getting anxious to dig back into my supplies and create.  Especially with some of the new treasures.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You For Strong Girls

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I do so love a pretty little carton to give someone, especially when it is full of their favorite treat.  I was thinking about my girls this morning, and how strong and amazing they are, and this treasure came to life.

Thank You For Strong Girls

I am so grateful for my daughters who remain strong through adversity.  When a woman can stand up for herself, and truly value herself, it is something worth celebrating for sure.

Thank You For Strong Girls

I took a full sheet of this wonderful Color Me Irresistible Specialty DSP, cut off two inches from one side and began to score.  Each side measures 2 7/8″, so you need to start from one side, measure that distance and score each time.  This will leave you with 1/2″ on the edge that will allow you to adhere the box.  The bottom score line also measures at 2 7/8″.  I scored the top at 1/2″ and then at 3″.  Although I am not the best at directions, it does come together pretty easily.

Thank You For Strong Girls

I stamped Thank You from the One Big Meaning set.  It fit perfectly within the 1 3/4″ circle punch.  I punched a 2″ circle from the Dazzeling Diamond paper and layered them with dimensionals.  A lovely bow made from the Dotted Lace Trim finishes it off.  I did do a bit of sponging on all of the edges.  I love a sponged edge.

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

To get my mind off the heat last night I sat down at my desk and got a little more creative.  It has been a bit since I spent this much time for one project, but to be fair, I didn’t have any idea what I was going to do when I sat down.

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

I used a whole sheet of tip top taupe to make the bag.  Just simple scoring there, nothing fancy.  I did forget to stamp before I scored, ooops.  So, my stamping does have little crease marks on the edges.  Can’t be perfect.

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

The base has two layers, tip top taupe and a stamped layer of very vanilla.  I brought out the aqua painter again, oh how I love that tool.  Just using the ink from the stamp gives such a soft look.

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

 

The oval framelits were put to work again for the focal point.  What a lovely flower.  I brought in tip top taupe into the flower and water colored it into the old olive.  I can tell the color difference, but I can also see a hint of lavender forming.  Interesting.  Crystal effects really made a difference in the look of the flower.  I could really use that stuff way too much.  A final stamped sentiment layered with some circle punches finished the front.

A touch of dotted lace trim was put to the side and also used to make a simple handle for the bag.  It really turned out beautiful.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sea Street Pick Me Up

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Today would be one of those days where I could use about eight arms or so to get all the things done I need to.  Hence the cute little guy on the front of this card.  I haven’t always had a smile on today though.

Sea Street Pick Me Up

A very simple card though it doesn’t look too boring.  Probably because of the awesome striped designer paper.  I have hesitated using this pattern because it is so strong.  It looks perfect here though.

Sea Street Pick Me Up

A simple stamp, layered once, put up on dimensionals and centered, a little bow made from the beautiful dotted lace trim, which I stuck on with a few glue dots, and this precious little card was done!  It may be late in the day, but I still got it done.  One more thing off my list and it gave me a big smile right back.  Totally worth it!

Sea Street Pick Me Up

 

Have a creative day!

Moana

Love

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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.

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.

 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.

Love

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

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

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

Happy Thoughts for You

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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