Seam Binding Ribbon

For the New Two

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Weddings, weddings, weddings, someone has weddings on the brain.  I have to say that I am enjoying that very much.  This was the third project I used for my club ladies this last Saturday.  I hadn’t had them create a card and bag duo before, but they handled it quite well.

5-23

This Brushstrokes background stamp sure has been fun to play with.  The ladies thought this was designer paper, not paper they would create.  So very useful and a ton of fun.  I am sad I waited so long to buy one for my collection.  I can think of so many possibilities, I think black and gold will be next for this stamp, perhaps gold embossing?

5-23 (1)

I used the coordinating, or second half of the sentiment on the tag for the gift bag instead of the inside of the card.  It is fun to tie the set together not only be design and color, but by wordings as well.  It really puts the whole stamp set to work.

5-23 (2)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Make a Wish

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How about making a wish for a hard to find masculine birthday card?  Done.  I caught myself looking at a new pack of night of navy card stock that needed to be filed.  That is where I began.  I flipped through my designer series paper looking for one that had the same color in it.  Didn’t take too long.

5-11

I love the floral patterns in the english garden set, but decided to look to the ‘b sides’ of the papers.  That is where this beauty was hiding.  I had seen it when I first opened it, but was distracted into the others and forgot about it.  Today was a good day to use it.

A simple design was all I wanted today.  So I layered paper leaving just a 1/8″ border and picked a stamp that would fit inside the note tag punch.  Pretty quick and easy.  There are times when I could just sit for hours on a project, and other times I have to get up and go. Today is a go day, as I look at the clock one more time.

5-11 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Little Organization Please?

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Sitting down to have a little fun and make something pretty can be cut short if you aren’t organized.  This can often happen when I get a little extra filing built up.  What does a crafter need to file?  More than you might think.  What I get built up is extra kits from workshops.  I used to just break them back down and file the unused paper back.  But I have found that it is a great way to make a quick card if you have materials all cut and ready to go.

4-18 (2)

I don’t have to make the exact project, but the cutting is done.  All there is to do is pick a fun stamp or two and maybe a punch and it is ready.  For a busy mom on the go, the constant go, a quick creative burst is always needed.  So this morning I put this little number together and cleared up those kits.  Feels really good and looks adorable.  I love being able to make just what I need.

4-18

Have a creative day!

Moana

Gift Box for the Gift Set

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

We all have good days, better and even best days.  Sometimes though, we wonder where the day has gone and just what has gotten done.  That is what this time of the year brings for me.  I did start this post this morning, can’t win them all though.

4-5

The last couple of weeks I have been sharing the cards from this gift set I made for my daughter.  It has room for all one dozen cards plus their envelopes quite nicely.  When she is done, I suggested she could use them for her embossing folders.   How cute is that?

I used a full 12 x 12 sheet  of blackberry bliss to make this box.  Then I added a wonderful print from that wildflower meadow dsp that just finished with Sale-a-bration.  Such a fun time filled with wonderful product.  I am quite excited to get back to work now on something new and exciting.  I wish my desk were a bit more tidy, one thing at a time.

4-5 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Forever Begins Today

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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.

4-2

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!

4-2 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks to You I Grew Up Loved

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

What a sweet, tender card.  I was thinking of my mother as I put this one together.  She is all about flowers and everything that go along with them.  As I shared this one with her, we shared a few tears.  Having a wonderful mother that helped you grow up loved is more than a blessing, it is an absolute treasure that we both share.

3-31 (2)

This lovely card showcases the dsp almost as much as the sentiment.  It is hard to decide which is the focal point, so I will call it a draw.  I stamped the sentiment on whisper white and punched it with the most narrow portion of the triple banner punch.  I then created a border of calypso coral and repeated the punching  to give a nice quarter inch boarder that tied the entire card front together.  After a lovely bow tied with seam binding ribbon I decided to put the tag on an angle.  It turned out so adorable and yet so simple.  One of my favorite ways to work.

3-31 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

You Wonderful Thing You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Yet another adorable card in this series.  I sure have loved sharing this card set, even more so giving it away for someone else to share and enjoy.  The true joy of card making.  What a fun color combination for sure, one of my favorites.

3-30 (1)

The seam binding ribbon I used got a little rumpled in the center of the spool.  However, I decided I liked the look of it and didn’t try to iron it out.  I have bought ribbon before that was ruffled on purpose and liked it that way.  So, instead of getting frustrated at the center of the spool, I just made the best of it and enjoyed the results.

The sentiment was stamped on whisper white and layered with a scalloped circle of calypso coral to coordinate with the card base.  Don’t you just love this paper?  Full of whimsy and cuteness.  The simplicity of the color scheme also keeps this one very clean and simple.

3-30 (2)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Wishing You all the Beautiful Blessings of Easter

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Easter cards don’t have to be all about bunnies and lambs.  An elegant one like this, even in bright colors, is wonderful too.

3-27 (1)

I will definitely miss this beautiful color, blackberry bliss, when it retires this summer.  I do love new colors, but this one just might stay around.  The stamp fits only just inside the oval framelits, which allowed a nice frame and a lovely bow.  No extra embellishments or layering, just a lovely sentiment and strong color.

3-27 (2)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Peek-a-boo to Someone New!

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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.

3-26 (2)

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.

3-26 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thanks for Being You

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Day two in this adorable little series finds me fortunate enough to be in Utah visiting family, family, and more family!  How wonderful is that?  It is  more than fun, especially for me.  So many fun social opportunities.

3-25 (2)

I do love this paper.  The little dandelions dancing in the wind are so cute.  Simple and fun but it will be the perfect thank you for the person who has been so kind.  Giving cards is always so much fun.  This gift set will be fun for my daughter to use.  And use it she will.

3-25 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Botanical Gardens Card Set

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

How sweet are the colors in this set?  I wanted to make a small set of cards using this wonderful velum as an overlay.  I asked my daughter for a color and she came up with soft sky.  So, I just selected three others from the subtles collection and got to work.

3-2 (3)

The tricky part is attaching the velum without adhesive showing, as always.  However, it didn’t turn out too rough.  The ribbon held most of it together, but I did use a touch of glue in the outer corners.  It was easiest to see on the wisteria wonder card, but even then it was acceptable.  I usually mask my adhesive, but this particular setup didn’t offer good hiding places where I needed them.

I do think I will create a small box to house these in and give it as a gift.  This tiny little stamp that just says “Hi”.  How adorable is that? It comes from the newly available sale-a-bration stamp set Party Pants.  There are so many cute sayings in that one.

3-2

Have a creative day!

Moana

Pedal Pusher Through Wildflower Fields

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I was so excited for this stamp set to show up I could hardly stand it!  Last year during Sale-a-bration Stampin’Up! added some new freebies half way during the sale to perk things up. It went so well they did the same thing this time.  This little set is one of them and it is the best!  It even made my husband grin.

2-26

There are other sentiments, but this one is my favorite.  There are several different items that could be stamped in the basket, but I chose flowers to coordinate with my background paper choice.  Talk about riding through a spring meadow, wish I really could though. Having a tandem bicycle is something my husband and I can’t wait to have.  Maybe that is why I love this set so much.

I also broke out some markers to do my coloring.  I tend to prefer my aqua painter, but it is good to use other things too.  They worked great, of course!  I did water color the basket, the bike seats, and my country road.  What a fun time I had creating this project.  Like I said, I just got it yesterday.  The rest of my box is still on the kitchen table, not gone through, not inventoried or anything.  I just dug through it, got this set out and made something right away.  The sign of a great stamp set for sure.  This could also be a workshop project I think.

2-26 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

It’s My Party Gift Box

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Instead of a large bag, which is what I had planned, I went with a gift box.  I had cut a strip of the dsp for two card fronts and thought to use the remainder of the sheet for the bag now turned box.  I love using a whole sheet up for several projects, especially when I get to make a coordinating set.  Two more cards for this little grouping.

2-19 (3)

I think my scoring tool has to be one of my most used tools.  I do enjoy making gift bags and boxes though, so it is a great fit.  This one is two inches deep and plenty large enough to hold plenty of treats, small gifts, or even some home made soaps.  Sometimes I make a box for a specific gift, but I often go shopping through my stash for one just the right size. When you blog as much as I do, there are always plenty of choices.

2-19 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Party Wishes

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

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.

2-5 (2)

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?

2-5 (1)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Hooray! for Perfect Pairings

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I could probably keep making samples for these bridal shower invitation choices.  Where do you draw the line?  Is three enough?  How about five?  Perhaps four is just right…

1-27

Even though this is still floral, it is has a much stronger navy blue influence.  With the soft seam binding ribbon, the navy doesn’t seem too overpowering.  Not too complicated a card here.  There are 1/8″ simple borders layered with a decorated front.  I started with the navy flower background stamping and then included the pink centers.  How fun is it to have just the colors you want.  The beauty of stamping.

1-27 (2)

Have a creative day!

Moana

Know What I Love?

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

My youngest is in the throws of re-decorating her room and the colors are so awesome.  I thought I would work with them for a few projects.  She has real red, basic gray, smokey slate, whisper white and basic black.  I used Stampin’Up! color names because that is just how my brain works anymore.  You get the idea.

101_1063

Either way, this card was so quick and fun.  I just used a bit of the stamps available in the Know What I Love stamp set.  We may still be in winter, but I couldn’t wait to start with some spring things.  Rain is so welcome, and flowers won’t be far behind.  How exciting!

101_1064

The card is pretty basic, just a few layers.  I do love it when a stamp sentiment fits inside a punch I already have.  It just makes life easier and definitely more fun.  If I hadn’t been distracted with other projects, this card would have come together in about twenty minutes, including design time.  That is what you get when you have great product to work with, and I definitely do.

101_1065

Have a creative day!

Moana

Perfectly Artistic Gift Box

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes you just need a big box to fill with treats.  I have found that if I keep treats on hand to put in my blog projects, I just eat the treats.  So this guy is on display empty, but I imagines it with Lindt truffles, the white chocolate ones that come in a white and silver wrapping.  Wouldn’t that be lovely?  Thought so too.

Perfectly Artistic Gift Box

I did use a whole sheet of paper for this project.  But when it is a free paper pack, love that Sale-a-bration, it is easier to do that.   I had to fight the urge to tack down my banners so the sentiment was easier to read.  I will need to remove the ribbon to fill it up for gifting, so I  had to just let them dangle.  I do like how they look with the ribbon tails though, so I am good with it.

After I did my scoring and folding I ran the paper, folded in half and half again, through the big shot all at once with my oval framelit.  I know they are designed to be used with one layer of paper at a time.  I have found that when the design is simple, they do great with more than one layer.  I would be cautious with cardstock, but the dsp worked like a charm.  That way my oval windows were all exactly the same placement.  And that makes me very happy.

Perfectly Artistic Gift Box

Have a creative day!

Moana

Joyful Season

~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

This little red cardinal has eluded me a few times over, but today was my lucky day.  I wasn’t sure just which bird I wanted to create, but decided to stick with the cardinal.  Call it Christmas whimsy.

Joyful Season

The red inside was stamped first and then I added the outline in black.  It was easier for me that way.  I tried to do the outline first and then the inside, but wasn’t happy with my efforts.  I managed to get the extra front stamp pretty good giving the darker black around the face and I even got the beak color in the right spot.  Woo hoo!

 Joyful Season

The oval framelits worked nicely to frame the image.  I decided to frame it in early espresso to match the branch.  Again, nice results for sure.  These were layered up with dimensionals over another layer of real red.  That layer was put through the softly falling snow embossing folder and sanded a bit to add interest to the flakes.  A simple bow with a snowflake embellishment and the card was done.  How nice is that?

Joyful Season

Have a creative day!

Moana

Death By Chocolate

~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Another card with this wonderful set.  How much fun is a stamp that says, ‘Death by Chocolate’.  I am sure many would agree that is more than a fun idea.

Death By Chocolate

I did think it would be nice to make it with non-traditional coloring though.  When I think of chocolate, these are the colors I come up with.  A pretty gold wrapper with something dark and rich inside.  Sounds like a winner!

Death By Chocolate

Stamping perfectly isn’t always my strength, so when I make a background like this I stamp off center on purpose just to take the stress off.  Has to be fun, right?  And this card was.  Some simple layering with a few embellishments to spruce it up.  I applied the ribbon in kind of a caution tape fashion giving the hint of Halloween, but not right out saying it.  Maybe a gift card from a candy store should go inside for the perfect grown up Halloween treat?  I like it!

Death By Chocolate

Have a creative day!

Moana

Banner Blessings Gift Box

~ moanaj ~ 2 Comments

And here is my lovely gift box.  I actually started with this and worked backwards to the cards I put inside.  A different process for sure, but I liked it.  And to be honest, I didn’t take very good notes on the product I used.  Sorry, but now I am out of town trying to keep up.  Ooooops.

Banner Blessings Gift Box

The colors and elements of each card are represented in this box.  Believe it or not, there is an easy way to get inside without messing it up so it can be used again.  I thought that was pretty clever myself.  I used my trusty score board to create this one, with the help of the angled plate.  I wasn’t sure how it would work out, but it did.  Now, on to the next project.  That is after I get home from my drive from Utah.  Maybe the desert will inspire me.

Banner Blessings Gift Box

Have a creative day!

Moana