Nautical Themed Invitation

October 26, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

Take a look at this fun invitation and imagine another twenty-four of them. Quite the fleet of cards, and I just love them. They are themed invitations for an event a few weeks out for a church event. The cream banner at the bottom ended up having “Embark…” written on it. Great invites for a great night to come.

I am not prone to square cards, but I don’t know why. They look so fun and offer a different design pallet. Good reminder. Crumb cake, very vanilla and soft sky come together for this lovely scene. Only one stamp and a lot of die cuts. I did have help on this assembly line for sure. I did all the stamping, sponging and assembly while my husband ran the die cuts. Yes, he did all six sets of twenty-five. He is so fun to work with. How lucky can a girl get!

The dies are from a collection my husband found for me at a thrift store, so I couldn’t send you in a direction for them. Aren’t they great though? But honestly, the stamp makes it all happen, and that comes from the Traveler set. Lots of layers and an eye for design. With those in mind, there are no limits to what you can create. Just be patient and try a few options out until you are satisfied. Now, to create centerpieces that go with these. Another day…

Have a creative day!

Moana

Timeless Elegance Gift Box…Thing

October 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

This morning caught me a bit off guard. Way too much to do and never enough time. But as always, things come together in the end and everyone gets their needs met. This little blog of mine often has to wait its turn, and it never even complains, how nice.

I am not sure what to make of this kind of box thing I came up with. I wanted to use the dsp, but to be honest, it isn’t sturdy enough for the height I had it have. But I was determined, so it still happened. I made up the topper as I went. Boy, did I use a lot of punches. So glad I have so many to choose from. I like how it looks though.

I used a full sheet of the dsp. The box ended up about 8 1/2″ tall. The band I made used two strips of paper 1 1/4″ x 10″ and I experimented a bit on the scoring to make it fit. Only took two times. I hid those on the bottom. Lots of sponging all the way around really make it look nice. I sealed up the bottom with tear n tape and left the top open to put stuff inside. As I said, it will have to be light because the paper won’t handle much. The band does give it extra structure though. Give it a try!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Balloon Bash with a Twist

October 14, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

A tangelo twist that is. I went to my color buddy yet again this morning and she said orange. What a great team. I don’t need much, just a nudge sometimes.

I had made a version of this card some time ago for a workshop. I was asked for a birthday card and the design just popped right into my head. So I guess I cased myself, again. Well, I do tend to like my designs most of the time, so why not!

It is a pretty direct layout today. Everything is done in 1/4″ increments, nothing too tricky. Dimensionals are definitely put to work, and I gave myself permission to sponge everything. So liberating. There is a lot going on, but it is also simple and easy to mail. Gotta love that!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Delightful Birthday

October 8, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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!

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.

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.

Have a creative day!

Moana

For All Things

September 21, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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.

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.

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!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Floral Frenzy

September 20, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 4 Comments

After a huge workshop I usually just take a break from my desk, but yesterday was different. I got back home and found myself drawn into a project that was clean and full of floral punches. No stamping at all.

I think I just needed to make something in a calm setting away from the frenzy. It can get a bit wild with too many people, especially with new stampers. I think it is time to split the group. We will have to see.

There isn’t even any ink here at all. No sponging or a sentiment either. Very clean and simple, with a ton of flowers, my favorite. Kind of like my comfort craft. All this card is about is punches, punches and more punches. Five different flowers all layered about with basic pearls to finish them off. I used the striped cotton ribbon because I wanted it to physically stand out as much as the flowers would. Bows and flowers and now I feel better.

Have a creative day!

Moana

More Thankful Swaps

September 10, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Isn’t this a lovely pairing? The colors of fall are so beautiful to me, truly my favorites. It should be turning fall here, but is still hot like summer. A girl can dream, and enjoy pretty cards about fall, right?

These are other swaps that were completed samples for me, but I can’t wait to make them myself. I have a lot of the tools, but didn’t get that cute little bear. It comes from the Thankful Forest Friends set and I saw it as a bit too whimsy for me. I think he, and his friends, are adorable and have put it on my wish list.

This window frame framelit set is a must have. Paired with the brick wall embossing folder, there are endless options to enjoy. I can honestly see myself making way too many projects with those in hand. How fun!

The Into the Woods designer paper is so wonderful. As I said, fall colors are my favorite, and these showcase them beautifully. Hard to resist for sure.

I think my little stamping group would love the swap idea. We haven’t yet, but I am going to have us try this out for sure. Everyone has a different style and a unique set of artistic skills. It is so fun to experience so many all at once.

Have a creative day!

Moana

If the Broom Fits

August 24, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 3 Comments

I love halloween! Well, all of the fun decorations and cuteness that can go along with it. Orange is also my favorite color, so that makes sense too. You would think that I make lots of halloween cards from the collection I have to work with, but, not so much. Same goes for Christmas though. I am a stamper, and I love stamps!

So, the irony of today’s card is that today is my 25th wedding anniversary. I don’t think this particularly applies to me directly, but the phrasing of it surely does make me laugh. Well, giggle actually. I do have someone I can give it to. I don’t know if she would laugh or not, but I think she will.

It was a very simple card to create. One big stamp cut out with the largest smooth oval framleit. I sponged the edges up and added it to the scalloped layer I cut out with the largest framelit from the same set. It nearly didn’t fit on the card front. I did do background stamping on the card base and sponged the edges as well. A lovely little ribbon between layers to tie in the early espresso ink and it was nearly done.

I managed to use the edge of the stamp to sneak one broom on the inside. This lovely stamp is another image available in the coming catalog that goes live on September 1st. Fun little sneak peeks!

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

August 18, 2015 ~ 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.

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.

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.

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

Ray of Sunshine and Pretty Petals

August 17, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ 1 Comment

How about another one of those crazy mornings, that absolutely ran away from me. To be honest, I was helping out everyone else and didn’t get my own goodies done. Everything came together and worked out so, no worries!

Is this designer paper adorable or what! This particular print reminded me of a recently retired stamp that has the most beautiful poppies in it. I do love it when everything goes together so nicely.

A simple layering of designer paper, with coordinating paper and a length of ribbon to bring it all together. I did a double layer of tags and squeezed in this sunshine sentiment keeping everything in calypso coral. Love that color. Six pretty little flowers all sponged and centered with basic rhinestones and I am in love with this card.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Sea Street Pick Me Up

August 15, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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.

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.

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!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Irresistible Beautiful Bunch

August 1, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Some days the creativity flows effortlessly and some days it would be easier to birth an elephant. That would be today. I had to walk away two different times before I called it done.

The color me irresistible designer series paper is so very cool. I love that I get to choose which colors I want to create as well as others that are already done and full of interest, especially this black paper. Isn’t it so elegant?

These flowers just about took me down, they still just might. I was determined to use these new pearl embellishments and picked this flower stamp and coordinating punch to frame them. Well, they turned out too light with my method of water coloring and I didn’t like the boarder from the punch, even though it was small, it made the flower just too light. I did more painting and added black ink in too. Just a bit, but it is there. Tried curling the flowers more, and then just about tore them up.

I just put them in place and grabbed the ribbon. I wasn’t going to use a ribbon, but a sentiment layered on tags. When I gave it a try, I decided it wasn’t so horrible after all. I am sure there could have been other things to help, but I just had to call it and walk away. Either way, I really don’t hate it anymore.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Boho Chic Gift Bag

July 31, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

The UPS man brought this lovely little box yesterday that had some really fun things inside. One of which was the new striped cotton ribbon. I held off for a bit, but went for it when they went on sale.

I wasn’t disappointed, let me tell you. So, I wanted to make something that really put the ribbon out front. No stamping today, how odd. Some embossing though, had to have something. The boho chic embossing folder is really too cool.

That was also a new product I wasn’t very sure about. As you can see, the pattern is great and will be tons of fun. I haven’t gotten the designer series paper it coordinates with, but I will soon enough. Can’t have it all, at once that is.

This is one whole sheet of tangelo twist and two pieces of very vanilla. With my trusty score board by my side, I can make all kinds of fun boxes and bags. Such a great go to tool. Highly recommended.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

July 30, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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!

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!

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.

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

Timeless Elegance Birthday

July 25, 2015July 26, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Well, this was to be yesterday’s post. Talk about an adventure. I think I killed my laptop. Apparently it isn’t a good idea to drop your full cup of drink and have it spill all over the keyboard and stuff. Who knew. Either way, moving forward.

Could this paper be any more beautiful? I could probably open a pack and just project away until it was empty. It truly is my favorite. Elegant and so simple.

Just some simple layering, one stamp, five punched flowers with tiny pearls at each center, dotted the “i” with a pearl, and laid down a string of pearls under ‘birthday’. There you go.

I did make a project for today, but I will be saving that for tomorrow. Wait til you see what I did with a tiny cup die cut from my paper pumpkin kit. Oh My Goodness, just amazing!

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’ve Got Me

July 24, 2015July 24, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I love it when everything coordinates so perfectly, but today is all about the sentiment. I love these paired phrases, simple but strong.

The card layering is fairly basic and puts a few favorite punches to work. A dash of basic rhinestones to draw further attention to the sentiment and the front was done.

I don’t normally stamp inside a card, but this one needed it. I zoomed in on the detail, but it actually measures barely over a square inch. When that card gets opened, that is what you see. “You’ve Got Me.” How perfect is that.

This new paper pack is loaded with beautiful paper. I just used one sheet for this card. The green floral is the other side to the main floral front. My little flowers are from scrap of the same sheet. I love putting all everything to work.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely

July 19, 2015July 19, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Afternoons are good for blogging too. Especially when you put your family first in the morning. I do love a good routine, but sometimes you need to be flexible.

I do try to say thank you right away, but sometimes you need a bit more. Just like this little treat bag. It is tiny, but is the right touch to emphasize the thank you. I loved giving it away this morning at church.

The new paper stacks are so fun. This lovely floral pattern is one of many in the pack. I do love floral paper, probably too much. Either way, I thought the flowers on the paper matched the flowers in the hostess stamp set A Whole Lot of Lovely. They look so nice together.

Some stamping, a little bit of pearls, and plenty of ribbon and off we go! Take the time to make a special thank you, it feels great to give it away!

Have a creative day!

Moana

One Big Meaning

July 18, 2015July 18, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

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

You’ve Got This

July 15, 2015July 15, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

I love beautiful paper, just love it. This Timeless Elegance set is truly wonderful to work with. Once I cut this piece for a card front the rest of the card came together so easily.

The card base is very vanilla with a narrow background of the same color. It isn’t easy to see, but it gives it just the right touch. The stamping was also done on the same color and cut out with the tags and labels framelits. That new set makes me very happy. I like a tighter border in layering and this set does it well.

Of course everything is layered up on dimensionals, I have to have that. And that ribbon. I just got this one and couldn’t wait to use it. The stitched satin ribbon is lovely, just lovely. A pretty bow and then on to flowers.

The petite petal punch and the flower from the itty bitty accents punch pack make it work. I filled the corner up nicely and gave everyone basic pearls in the center. Simple and yet very elegant.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Timeless Elegance

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015 ~ moanaj ~ Leave a comment

Jumping in with both feet here everyone. I managed to once again open a new pack of DSP, that I am so in love with, take out my favorite pattern and make something without guilt. Isn’t this paper just so beautiful?

I feel like I got into my daughters sketch book and took out drawings for a card front. Almost a dreamy feel. The whole pack of paper is so pretty. One side has a hand drawn feel and the other sides are more patterned and organized. Best of both worlds. I also like that it isn’t just black and vanilla, but includes sahara sand for that perfect balance. I will be buying more of this I can tell.

To give a touch of color, even though it didn’t need it, I got out my blackberry bliss sponge dauber and did some ever so exact swirling. It took just a few seconds to swirl around and bring in some color. Good stuff.

I tried to use a ribbon or something else to accessorize it, but kept pulling it off. The paper spoke for itself on this project. I couldn’t even do a layered tag for the sentiment. So I used my versamark and embossing powder to put the sentiment right on the paper. I even left the inside clean to keep the focus all on this paper.

Have a creative day!

Moana

studio824

Creativity for all seasons and reasons.

Very Vanilla

Nautical Themed Invitation

Timeless Elegance Gift Box…Thing

Balloon Bash with a Twist

Delightful Birthday

For All Things

Floral Frenzy

More Thankful Swaps

If the Broom Fits

One Big Meaning and Remarkable You

Ray of Sunshine and Pretty Petals

Sea Street Pick Me Up

Irresistible Beautiful Bunch

Boho Chic Gift Bag

Thoughts & Prayers, Praying For You

Timeless Elegance Birthday

You’ve Got Me

A Whole Lot of Lovely

One Big Meaning

You’ve Got This

Timeless Elegance