Extra-Large Oval Punch

God is Love

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

A quick stroll through my scrap pile kits and I found this treasure.  I swapped out the embossing folder and stamp sets and came up with something wonderful.  Before it was a different nature scene with a sympathy sentiment.  I like this one too.

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The Trust God stamp set has finally reached retirement.  I cannot tell you how many times I have used this particular set.  This, along with yesterday’s Swallowtail, will join the special shelving unit of stay with me stamps.  I couldn’t part with it.  The new catalog has a couple of sets that are very nice, but in my opinion, won’t be replacing this one.

The tree was stamped in the center with early espresso and sponged with crumb cake.  That is the same treatment for the sentiment, which was punched with the also retiring extra large oval punch.  Dang, I am going to miss that one too.   I do enjoy trying new things, especially when it challenges my crafting.  Plenty of dimensionals and a touch of basic pearls finished this card off.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

English Garden with Rose Wonder

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The morning may be trying to run away from me, but I am trying to keep up.  I did get this set made yesterday, but haven’t had the chance to get it shared yet.  Let’s hear it for lunch breaks, everyone needs one.

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The card was the beginning of this trio, and the paper was the focus.  It is sad to say that this paper is retiring soon, I sure have loved using it.  What can be better than water colored floral paper?  With my kind of projects, not much.  Unless I sit down and paint my own, with paper this pretty I don’t have to.

The designer paper is layered on a piece of blushing bride cardstock and then on a pear pizzazz card base.  Old olive is actually the light green used in this paper, but I wanted a lighter tone and thought it looked nice.  All of the sentiments come from the Rose Wonder stamp set, there are some lovely ones in there.  I stamped, did a banner punch, sponged and then sponged another one to layer underneath.  The strip is 1/2″ wide and was left over when I cut the piece of whisper white for the inside card panel.  I love those little leftover strips, they always come in handy.

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I made a couple of gift bags with totally different dimensions in mind.  I usually work with tall rectangle shapes, but went with a short clutch concept.  The cardstock version could hold heavier tall items, but the designer series paper needs to keep it light.  I had several ideas of gift items that would fit inside easily inside, lots of chocolate to be honest.  I love sharing a chocolate treat or two, you should give it a try.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Birthday Blooms with Blackberry Bliss

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And a happy good morning to everyone!  I do love a Friday that is full of promise and enthusiasm.  The only problem is that I usually have my goals too high and get frustrated when I fall short.  Either way, I love Friday and the fun evening often in store.

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This little thank you is so adorable, yet lovely.  I used a half sheet of very vanilla for the box, scoring at 2″, 4″, 6″, and 8″.  Then turning one quarter turn, portrait now, to score at 2″ for the bottom.  I used a companion piece of very vanilla for the stamped and embossed layers. The piece is cut first at 3 1/2″ so the stamping could be done.  I just used the large floral image to create a pattern.  Then the second cuts came at 1 3/4″ each, needing four of these all together.

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Before they were attached I embossed them with the fluttering embossing folder.  Such a nice result.  I layered them up with dimensionals and thought about leaving it just the way it was, but continued on with the plan.

I made the tag from the scrap left over from stamping and punched it with the extra-large oval punch.  A added a ribbon handle and attached the tag to the under side of the ribbon tail.  A few butterflies later and a smidge of pearls and I was ready to add my treats.  So much fun, just so much fun.  Now to deliver!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks For Being You

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Aside from some very hasty photography, and as a result poor images, I do rather like this card.  Even though several of the cards in this series look similar, this one feels different.  I guess that can happen when you include black a little unexpectedly.  The ribbon is nice though, even if it is a bit strong.

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I hadn’t had the bitty butterfly punch out in quite a while, but it was just what I wanted.  I sponged them in silver ink and thought it looked like the raindrops had given them a bit of a sheen.  I also sponged the tag in the same silver ink.  A favorite touch of mine.

I couldn’t let myself use the other photo I had taken.  Just too rushed for something decent, but I still wanted to share it.  I raised up the sentiment and the butterflies on dimensionals and left it at that.

Have a creative day.

Moana

Forever Begins Today

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I don’t think I can get enough of this pretty paper.  I am glad I managed to earn an extra pack of this paper during Sale-a-bration.  This particular pattern was my second favorite, hard to top it though.

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Another sad part about this card is that soon the blackberry bliss I used for the card base will soon retire.  I will so miss using it.  It was really my favorite.  Time to enjoy it as much as possible and get ready for some new colors.  I think I might get a little stash of it built up to enjoy though.

This card is like the others in the series, pretty direct and to the point.  I stamped my sentiment in old olive, punched it with the extra-large oval punch, sponged it with silver encore ink and shadowed it with another punch in blackberry bliss.  I raised them up on dimensionals and put them just to the side of a lovely ribbon tied with seam binding ribbon.  I could use that ribbon on just about everything.  I thought I wouldn’t love anything as much as the chevron ribbon that retired last year, but I sure do!

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate You

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This card series has been so fun to share.  I love the simplicity of the cards themselves, allowing the sentiments to really be the focal point.  Sometimes there is so much, what you are trying to say gets lost.

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I actually liked this card without the sentiment nearly as well as with it.  The ribbon is so elegant it speaks for itself.  However, I wanted this one.  I have been enjoying sponging the sentiments in silver ink with this series.  I am usually all about the exact coordination, but it is a nice contrast without being a distraction.

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Have a creative day.

Moana

Forever Begins Today

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Inspiration came from an unusual place this time.  I was pretty tired after a full day and looked through the events and chatted with my daughter a bit.  She didn’t have much either.  However, we had just gotten our nails done that afternoon and I went with her nail choice.  They were done white with a few pretty jewels tucked around the base of her ring finger nails.  I thought it was lovely.  So, here it went into the card.  This turned into one stunning card fit for any wedding or very special occasion.

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Of course weddings are on my mind like crazy.  Not only is my son getting married this summer, but my niece, my good friends daughter, and another few to boot.  It is a really busy wedding season for sure.  I will need wonderful cards like this for sure.

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The layers are very simple.  Just quarter inch two times over with the front layer embossed with the elegant dots embossing folder.  I tucked small basic rhinestones in each of the small ovals and it was wonderful.  Yes, that is a lot of bling, but wedding cards always deserve special attention.  This is the kind of card I could see a bride keeping in her memory book.  So exciting!

I had intended on putting the sentiment on the front of the card, but hated to interrupt the beautiful symmetry going on.  So I tucked in inside because it made it wonderful.  Without that particular sentiment the card could become all occasion, but special occasions for sure.

The sentiment was stamped in silver encore ink.  I wanted a bit more shine so I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the top and set it with my heat tool.  It took it up a notch and made me very happy.  I can see more of these coming together to help celebrate the many wonderful events coming up this year.

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Have a creative day.

Moana

My Heart Smiles

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As my husband and daughter were heading out the door early this morning, I asked them to pick a pattern for today’s project from the Love Blossoms DSP stack.  Didn’t they choose awesome ones?

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I was initially thinking of a Valentine’s Day card, but this quickly changed into more than that.  It definitely has that vibe, but not exclusively.  I do enjoy a project that is versatile. I used new product like crazy today.  The paper of course, I hadn’t taken one piece out of the stack yet.  Such pretty patterns.  This stamp was a first too.  And wouldn’t you know it, the sentiment fit perfectly inside the extra-large oval punch.  Too perfect!  I hadn’t tried the fine tip glue pen yet, but it was perfect to stick down my tiny baby linen thread bow.  Can’t see my adhesive, can you.  Nope.  And of course, the lovely blushing bride glimmer paper.  It is so fun.  I know we can’t have glimmer paper in all of the colors, but wouldn’t that be fun?

This card was just blocked on heavy weight whisper white card stock, with the base also being heavy.  I really enjoy a white card, but the paper has to be heavy enough to hold up all the fun stuff on the front.  This paper is totally up to the task.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

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

Christmas Card Gift Set

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I have the pleasure of visiting my children and family during this Thanksgiving holiday.  Well, when I see my daughter I like to give her card sets.  So, I thought I would share them with you.

Christmas Card Gift Set

It couldn’t just be simple for me though.  I gave myself a challenge.  I let myself have one set of dsp and access to coordinating cardstock and only two stamp sets.  The challenge was to use these things, keep them simple but elegant, and make ten cards.

Christmas Card Gift Set

She is a young stamper and has loved having access to my supplies over the years.  But being at college she doesn’t have all of that, but does pretty well of course.  I thought I would make a set that she could see as doable for herself.

 

All of the cards are basic in shape, so they would fit in the card holder, with only one layer of dsp as the front.  A series of single stamping, sometimes an accent, and tag punches.  I am going to share her gift with you over the next week, so enjoy!

Christmas Card Gift Set

Have a creative day!

Moana

Lighthearted Leaves Treat Carton

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All day long I have tried to get this blog post done.  That gives you a little hint into how my day has been.  Not done yet, but definitely on my way.

Lighthearted Leaves Treat Carton

I had a bag of Lindt truffles on my counter and loved how the bag looked.  I thought that it would be fun to try to make a bag that could hold treats and look elegant too.  I asked my husband for a color choice, I grabbed a ribbon and matching ink and went to work.  Of course I had to use my current favorite stamp set, Lighthearted Leaves.

Lighthearted Leaves Treat Carton

One sheet of 8.5 x 11″ perfect plum cardstock went into this one.  Evenly scored and punched along the sides with the extra-large oval punch to give the windows.  Window sheet was scored along the same measurements and tucked inside.  It was a bit tricky to handle the placement, but with a little patience and plenty of glue dots, I experienced success.  I am so happy with the results.  I am sure to make this one again and again.

Lighthearted Leaves Treat Carton

Have a creative day!

Moana

Maritime Thank You

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Today is a day filled with gratitude.  Not only for our freedom, but for those who sacrificed so much to provide it to us.  Sometimes we feel a bit removed from celebrations like Memorial Day.  Today I have the opportunity to spend time with family, and to thank my own sailor, my father-in-law.  Hence, the nautical themed projects for today.

Maritime Thank You

I used the awesome anchor from Guy Greetings to make a background paper for my sentiment and stamp inside as well.  All you need to say is ‘Thank You’.  We will enjoy writing special notes in these.

Maritime Thank You

I had to make a treat bag, of course.  But I knew I would be making this specific, so I actually bought candy to go inside.  It is already tucked inside ready to go.  Everyone needs a treat once in a while.

Maritime Thank You

So, don’t forget to take some time in your busy, and hopefully wonderful, holiday to share your gratitude.

Maritime Thank You

Have a creative day!

Moana

Stacked With Love

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Today is all about the paper.  The stacked with love dsp set is often overlooked in my stash.  One side is Valentine’s Day, and awesome at that.  The other is all of these really cool black and white themed prints. So functional.

Stacked With Love

However, I like to soften the look with sponging ink all around.  I did an ombre effect across the diamond pattern.  It is heaviest at the right where I placed the sentiment.  I so love when a stamp has a coordinating punch.  Just yummy.

Stacked With Love

I hadn’t known what to do with this pattern.  It stumped me.  When I put the Just Kidding sentiments to work, I wish I had tons of this sheet.  There is four of each pattern in the stack, but not enough.  I love this card.  Luckily I have an embossing folder with a similar image.  It is retiring, but I have mine.  So exciting!

Stacked With Love

I also like how I sponged around the image to draw additional attention to it.  A simple but effective technique.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Bundled Baby Shower Invitations

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Do you remember this one?  It was one of the choices for a baby shower invitation. So, today isn’t a new project, just a whole slew of them with another color option.

Bundles Baby

This is what fifty of these bad boys look like.  Kind of impressive.

Bundled Baby

I used up all of my pistachio pudding paper and had to dip into a little so saffron.  I think it worked out pretty nice.  The biggest work portion was all of the inking on that awesome star embossed sale-a-bration paper.

Bundled Baby

They are ready for delivery and my fingers are ready for a rest.  Enough said.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Just a Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’

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Today is all about quick and simple.  I was able to attend a girls camp planning meeting last night and of course I had to have something to share with the girls.  Imagine this set times four.

Sumthin' Sumthin'

It only took about an hour to whip up twenty handouts!  How about that!  I got into my stash of retired designer series paper and pulled out these awesome colors.  I cut the squares 6×6, put adhesive on two perpendicular sides, rolled into a tube and squished one end together.

Sumthin' Sumthin'

Fill with candy and staple shut!  Really, it was just about that simple.  I used the other side of the paper to give a more solid pattern to frame my stamped phrase.  It was so quick.

Sumthin' Sumthin'

It makes people feel special when they know you made them something, even a little something like this.  What a great use of awesome products, right?

Have a creative day!

Moana

Painted Petals with Elegant Eggplant

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I sat down to work on this blog project with only one thing in mind, purple.

Painted Petals

I am totally feeling it.  I haven’t used elegant eggplant in ages.  I think it could have easily been a year.  For shame…

Painted Petals

The painted petals stamp set is such a useful set.  The sentiments, all three shown here, are wonderful.  The flowers have so many options.   The additional graphic elements really give a lot of interest.  I wonder how many projects I could make with just this set.  That thought just sent my mind spinning.

Painted Petals

It seems I can’t make a card these days without a matching bag or box.  It makes for a really busy desktop.  I obviously need to give more of this away.

Painted Petals

The background is cardstock velum stamped with white stazon using lovely lace and then I embossed it.  Sometimes the double treatment is necessary.

Painted Petals

I hope you feel inspired to get out there and have a creative day!

Moana