Don’t Quit Your Day Dream

Glimmer paper makes everything look better.  How fun!  These projects were part of this last weekends workshop and the ladies really enjoyed making one.  Good thing we worked with the glimmer paper from this years sale-a-bration because it ran out and they would have missed out completely.  So glad I could share a little at least.

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Pretty straightforward cards here.  A few layers, some stamping and a delicate little bow. I helped out the ladies by pre-diecutting their leaves.  Folks get a bit frustrated waiting to die cut or emboss their work, so I try to make it a bit easier.  Maybe one day I will add a second Big Shot, maybe.

The sweet sugarplum glimmer paper may be gone, but the blushing bride is part of the annual catalog, so I can make more of these.  I am thinking about a thank you card gift set and this might just be the thing, with a different sentiment of course.  I think yes.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy Cake with Balloon Adventures

Birthday cards are just the best!  This totally adorable stamp set builds one great cake, don’t you think?  And this card only shows about half of the stamps.  I love, love, love it!

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The three bottom layers were done with two stamps.  Good thing they are photopolymer, or totally clear, for super easy placement.  There is no way I would be this patient or exact without great stamps like that.  And yes, the top stamp is a set of three candles that I stamped a little flame for each one.  Normally I don’t go for all the extra work, but I loved it and it was so easy!  Easy enough that I included this project in the lineup for this weekends workshop.

The embossing folder is another new product from the spring catalog.  It is shown with a bunch of manly stuff, and it is manly of course, but I loved it here too.  My daughter thought I should be stamping bees because it reminded her of a honeycomb.  Cute idea!

The sentiment is from another great birthday stamp set called Balloon Adventures.  Also from the spring catalog, but it has a great trick of its own.  That will be for another blog project for sure.  I stamped on a strip of cardstock and put the triple banner punch to work. Of course I had to layer it as well.  What is with me and layers these days?  Oh well!

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I couldn’t resist.  I had to stamp all along the inside with those darn candles again.  And I didn’t even mind stamping all of the little flames.  I am telling you, it really was fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

For You

This was the third project we created at workshop last weekend.  I know this stamp and framelit set are about a whole lot more, but as yet I still haven’t gotten past the hydrangea. I think with fall and the holiday seasons coming I will enjoy more of the trees, but not yet.

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I used the heavy weight whisper white card stock for the background.  I handles the deep impressions of the embossing folders much better.  Also, I had plans for spritzing some color and that would have made some warping sadness otherwise.  It isn’t easy to see, but there is a light tan speckling going on there.  Such an easy technique to employ.

I stamped on wisteria wonder with elegant eggplant for the different tones and accented with more elegant eggplant.  The ink, thick bakers twine, and border piece were all done in elegant eggplant.  It is a dark color, so I kept it under control.  I didn’t sponge anything, that was a challenge to be honest.  The die cutting was simple and then layered in place. The stamping was done last. It did give a bit of a crease line in the sentiment, but worth it.  I worried if I stamped and then spritzed the wording would bleed and I wanted it crisp.  Done.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Love…

Okay, a little time off is nice, but that wasn’t my intention here.  Life took a busy turn and I am trying to get back on track.  I am out of town trying to enjoy time with my son and his new bride, help my oldest daughter with wedding plans, and manage a little bit of business as well.  I would like to say I am on vacation, but a bit too busy for that.  No fussing, just enjoy the love through it all.

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This simple card was made from an extra kit from a workshop last weekend.  Simple layers, this is all about those layers.  I wouldn’t have paired this particular embossing folder with items outside of nautical items, but I loved how it looked.  I made a large set of cards to blog ahead with and had the intention of sharing them with my new daughter in love.  She is adorable.  Living in a university town there are plenty of weddings to attend, so that is the job of this particular card.  They actually have three to go to in the next month or so.  Busy.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Marriage is a Journey

Time for something wonderful, like a wedding.  A white on white card with this much sparkle says wedding like nothing else.  It almost feels like a wedding gown.  So lovely.

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The entire card was made from one sheet of heavy weight card stock, plus a piece of dazzeling diamond glimmer paper.  That stuff is so fantastic to work with, but I am a bit stingy sometimes.  This time, I put it to really good use.

The layers were simple, with just a 1/8″ border added along to each one.  I used the center of the glimmer paper to die cut the floral images I used to decorate the front and the inside. Since it was covered by the other layers, you can’t even see the holes.  Great use of paper.  I also stamped and die cut my sentiment from another layer of the white card stock that was covered as well.  Even with a card this glamorous you can still be practical.

I stamped the card front with versa mark ink, sprinkled with heat n stick powder and heated until it was ready to receive something more.  It was actually pretty by itself, but I did cover the freshly sticky flowers with iridescent ice powder and then heated again.  You can see how beautiful it looks.  Capturing sparkle on camera can be tricky, but not with this technique.  It is that much more in person, really beautiful.

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Isn’t this sentiment set just so adorable for a wedding card?  I am looking forward to my 26th anniversary next month with my best friend, just fantastic!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hang In There

Sometimes I am just so this little frog.  Good intentions, high goals and all kinds of good things seem just out of reach.  So, push on and hang in there.

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I am absolutely in love with these jars.  The stamps and the framelits really are quite fun to create with.  I wish I had more time to sit and play, but the time I get is enough to keep me balanced.  I like stamping the jar in some blue tone, cutting it out and then cutting out another jar in velum to lay over the top.  It gives an opaque look and softens the stamping. I think I would like to use window sheets too, but for now I am all about the velum.

I painted this little frog with emerald envy and touched his eyes up with soft sky.  The fireflies were stamped in black stazon with the wings painted in soft sky and the body in gold wink of stella.  I love the sparkle.  You can’t see it, but trust me, it is so there. Adorable, just adorable.

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I stamped a little of the frog in emerald envy just inside the card insert.  Kind of like he was peeking out a bit.  So there you have it!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Well, This Just Stinks

I think sometimes cards can just be funny and that is more than enough.  When I read the sentiment I used I knew I didn’t care what the rest of the stamps were like, I had to have it. Good thing it is really a great set with fun and sincere sentiments.  This phrasing, especially with the intro, is kind of an inside joke.  No pun intended…tee hee…

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The background stamping was pretty darn easy.  I used an element stamp from the Basket for You stamp set and just stamped my way across the card front.  I could have been a bit more careful to keep some of the edges better in line, but my desk is such a mess I just went for it.  Really, my desk hasn’t ever been this bad.  I think it will be top of my to do list tomorrow.  Summertime really gets me out of whack.  As you can tell by this very late blog.

Anyway, then the fun die cut letter had to get done.  I didn’t want those huge letters to take over my funny phrase, even though they are so large.  So, I decided to stamp them lightly in gold.  It kept them not as strong and allowed the rest to really catch your eye.  In order to keep them lined up I arranged them on the card front how I wanted them and laid a piece of painters tape across them, lifted them up, turned them over to put on dimensionals, and then placed them right where I wanted them.  It worked out pretty good.  The tape lifted some of the ink, guess I should have heat set it first.  Oh well, you can hardly notice it.

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I sponged all around the edges on the front and a touch on the inside panel.  All in all, this little project really makes me laugh.  There are times when life is great and sometimes it just stinks and it is more than okay to say so.  Even better to laugh about it.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Floral Tone on Tone

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

Peek-a-boo to Someone New!

Adorable and adorable.  With a sentiment like this, any project is bound to look adorable. However, the dandelion puffs do help tremendously.  This is the third in a gift series focusing on one set of paper from Sale-a-bration and just one stamp set.  With a few punches and some ribbon I was able to create a dozen cards and a container to hold them. Enjoy them like I have.

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One piece of paper for the card front, one tag layered with a scalloped background, and a simple bow.  I do think of a new baby with this card, but it could work for other situations I suppose.  There are several ladies in my life who are expecting little ones, so this just might get made a few times over.  Easy and fun to do.

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Have a creative day!

Moana

Forever Begins Today

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

Party Wishes

How about a second workshop to fit into one host party!  Sounds like a great plan to me. Not everyone can make it to one date, so why not have to events and wrap it into one big workshop order.  That is one large bundle of host benefits, let me tell you.

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This card was kind of custom designed with a twist.  It was with the elements included which came together as its own kind of challenge.  The request was seeing embossing folder work, fun ways to use the chevron punch, paper piecing and birthdays.  I think this one is a win!

The chevron punch really makes this one special.  The initial punching was done twice on a strip of heavy weight card stock to create the spaces.  Secondary punching was done in different colors to create the insert pieces.  Two of each color and what a neat design element, right?  I do love a good challenge and the great feeling when your vision turns into the creation, the way you hoped it would.

How about these tiny balloons inside?  Yes, I could just die of cuteness.  I stamped the string, stamped tone on tone for the balloons and then punched them out.  I stuck them down with a touch of tombo and joy was achieved.  I would love to get this card for my birthday, wouldn’t you?

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Have a creative day!

Moana

My Heart Smiles

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

Merry Christmas from the Jacobson Family!

Yes, we are just about this odd.  Last year during the holiday season we spent a fun day at Six Flags and had this drawn.  It is of course larger, and I had grander plans.

Merry Christmas from the Jacobson Family!

However, when it came time to plan out the card for this year I thought this would be so much fun.  Totally different that the usual, but that is just how we are.

So, you shouldn’t be hanging around this blog, you should be with your family and friends.  That is where I am.  But, I did think it would be fun to share a different look for a Christmas card.

Merry Christmas from the Jacobson Family!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Moana

Joyful

Just like yesterday, thought I would plan ahead.  I haven’t even left for home yet, but I know I will be tired and fussy going back to work Monday morning after a lovely week off.  So, one more helper for me.  I could get used to this.

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Another card got the wrapped present sentiment look.  So perfect for Christmas cards I think.  I guess it would be great for birthdays too, and other gift giving occasions.  Well, I have some work to do!

More of the lovely Merry Moments dsp, soon to be retired.  These trees are so awesome.  At first they were not my friends, but I have grown to love them.  And even that silly coordinating punch.  One stamp for the sentiment, just a single word.  But it is perfect for the holiday season.  I love how this stamp, and the rest of the set too, have a water color style to it.  I have been practicing my water color writing, but will stick to stamps for a while yet.  Plenty of sponging going on here too.

Joyful

Have a creative day!

Moana

Lovely Amazing You

While sitting next to my youngest daughter, trying to keep her awake to finish homework, I thought I would complete my project for the next day.  Good idea, right?  I pulled two stamp sets I hadn’t used in a while and asked her for a color idea.  She said dark blue, so I went with Night of Navy.  The card began.

Lovely Amazing You

She wasn’t having the best of evenings and her older sister came to the rescue, even though she is out of state attending university.  I do think that technology can interfere with real personal relationships, but this was perfect.  The infamous ‘snapchat’ was just the thing.  The sad faces turned to happy and then on to absolutely silly.  And that is how I chose my sentiment.  Thank you my sweet daughter for being the best big sister ever.

Lovely Amazing You

The brayer was still out from workshop so I let it give me my background on the large polka dot embossing folder.  Kind of artsy looking, even if I didn’t keep it perfectly clean.  I then decided to do a lot of sponging to disguise some of that, can’t hide it all, and also sponged lightly all over the paper.  Nice.

Lovely Amazing You

The little notebook sheet was created with a stamp from the Tap Tap Tap set, offset on some Night of Navy cardstock, raised up on dimensionals and embellished with basic rhinestones.  I even used the 1/16″ hand held punch and punched actual holes over the stamped ones.  Pretty cute.  I finished off the project with a bow of seam binding ribbon and decided I loved it!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Christmas Snow

So, I took the day off yesterday.  I had the opportunity to attend an event my upline hosted for demonstrators.  It was a bit crazy, but lots of fun too.  So much creativity in one room.

Christmas Snow

This was my project to share and I got to make a whole bunch of others in return.  Yes, I made a lot of these, but it was worth it.

Christmas Snow

I tried to put “snow” on some of the tree branches, but wasn’t happy with these results.  For the event I went “snowless” but I want to get it sorted out with another product or two.  I have time, it is still August after all.  But you get the idea.

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Three of the products used here are in  the new seasonal catalog that goes live September 1st!  How exciting!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Grateful

It isn’t very often you get to design a special card like this one.  Tomorrow will be me and my husbands 25th wedding anniversary and I feel truly grateful for every day we have loved together.

Grateful

I didn’t want to use a traditional ‘anniversary’ stamp or theme.  That isn’t how I feel.  I feel gratitude.  Having a lasting marriage isn’t the norm these days and I feel very fortunate to be among those who get to celebrate like this.  Hence the grateful sentiment.

Grateful

This card was made with the ever so lovely heavy weight whisper white cardstock.  I love that stuff like crazy.  Especially when embossed.  It handles the embossing folders so much better.  Look at that texture!  The flowers are my favorite, like always.  They were attached with glue dots and given a basic rhinestone center.  Just right.  Now, about the grateful phrase.  That thinlit will be available for order on September 1st, but since I am a demonstrator I got to get in on the pre-order during August.  Such a fun perk.  So, you can get to it too, soon.

Grateful

I wanted it to be dimensional a bit, so I used glue dots on it too.  I rolled a glue dot up a bit and stuck it on thicker parts of the word.  I ended up using four dots all together and it turned out great.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You Always Do For Others…

The people in our lives that give endlessly, they are so awesome!  They deserve much more than something like this, but always appreciate it.  Someone has to something nice for them, right?

You Always Do For Others...

My school secretary is just that person.  She even keeps the little containers I make her gifts in.  She has a cute little collection.  This one is a bit larger than others I have given her, but she deserves it!  The beginning of school is always so hectic.

You Always Do For Others...

One whole sheet of rich razzelberry for this gift bag.  Doesn’t it look lovely?  I didn’t have a project in mind, so I just reached to my paper files with my eyes closed, pulled the first file and there it was.  I then turned to my punches and grabbed the first one I focused on.  That would be the confetti hearts border punch.  The rest just fell into place.

You Always Do For Others...

 

I did my favorite sponging and opted not to layer the base.  Sometimes my fronts tend to curl a bit at the edges when I layer cardstock on cardstock with gift bags.  So, after I punched and sponged I used tombo liquid multipurpose glue to get to the edges well to make sure it stayed down nicely.  Perfect job.

A little matching cotton ribbon, subtle but still there, and the gift bag was done! Now I have the pleasure of getting the perfect treats and a gift to go inside.  That will be a fun little activity for sure.  Sea salt chocolates and maybe a lovely lotion.  Sounds nice.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thank You For Being You

I am feeling a little extra grateful this morning.  There are those out there that step forward and go beyond their own limits just to be kind and take care of others.  Truly a beautiful thing.

Thank You For Being You

So, it had to be all about a special thank you.  Not to focus on too many distractions, just keep the emphasis on the thanking, specifically ‘you’.  With this totally awesome Larger Than Life Alphabet & Numbers set, no problem.  I am looking at this card across the room and it is so obvious what the card is about.  Perfect.

Thank You For Being You

The card base is the heavy weight whisper white card stock.  Love that stuff.  I just like knowing that the base will stand up to whatever I put down on the front.  Today’s isn’t heavy at all, but I know it won’t tip over or curl.  Happy days!

Thank You For Being You

 

What makes this project even better?  It has all kinds of fun, but it won’t need extra postage because it is flat.  How cool is that!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Remarkable You

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