Divine Nature

The week is nearly over and I am sure I am all tuckered out.  Today theme is “I Serve With All My Strength”.  The value is Divine Nature and blue is the color.

Divine Nature

Have you noticed in each of the favors that I used the initials of the value for that day?  Of course I used the very clever alphabet stamps from the Calling All Heroes set.  They are tiny, but give the perfect comic book font.

Divine Nature

I used pacific point to make the blue favor and stamped the mask in the same color.  Coordination makes me more than happy.  Especially when it looks as good as this does.  I think today’s is my favorite favor.  Please note the cute blue jelly beans inside.

Divine Nature

Tonight will be bittersweet.  It is always nice to go home after being gone, especially camping, but I know we will have had such a wonderful time and become great friends.  The experiences you get to have during a special camp like this can truly be life changing.  I know it will be for me, once again.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Knowledge

The theme for today is “I Serve With All My Mind”  Knowledge is the value and green is the color.  I used Garden Green to make these cute little sour cream containers.  Of course I filled them with green jelly beans.

Knowledge

I really like how I have made all of the super hero images ladies with those awesome lips.  It is one tiny stamp, but not too hard to manage.  Especially when I am patient.  Some of the lips did get a little off center, but it is the thought that counts here.  In one afternoon and another evening I made all sixty of these favors, a dozen for each of the five days.  We break camp on Saturday, so I didn’t make one for that day.  But, the girls will get a special card Friday night with a well thought out message.  I will just use ones from the stash for that task.

Knowledge

I got four of these containers out of each sheet of cardstock.  I just cut it into four bits and went for it.  It was a bit trick getting the paper to curve and not crease, but I did pretty good.

Knowledge

Last night I got to leave camp for the evening to attend a concert with my sister-in-law.  She and I got tickets at Christmas to see Andrea Bocelli and the concert was scheduled smack in the middle of camp.  So, I got permission to leave for an overnight and headed back the next morning.  At least, that was the plan.  I am sure it was.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Choice and Accountability

Another cute handout for another awesome day!  And, you guessed it, matching orange jelly beans inside.  Today is more of a card style.  Orange is my favorite color, and pumpkin pie is a lovely shade of orange.

Choice and Accountability

I used the same punch combo to give this uniform look.  It really makes it easy to get lots of work done with great tools.  I just might be a bit anxious by now, since I haven’t been able to craft for a few days.  I am sure I will survive.  Everyone needs a break, right?

Choice and Accountability

I have also taken advantage of using up retired accessories, like this tangelo twist satin stitched ribbon.  It coordinates so nicely with pumpkin pie.

Choice and Accountability

And, another boost of jelly beans to get them on their way.  I might be needing a few by now.  We will have to see.  I sure hope these posts are working like they are supposed to.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Individual Worth

Day two of camp has arrived and I am sure I slept deeply after a really busy first day.  Something about camping.  Sleep feels better and food tastes wonderful.  I don’t know why, it just seems that way.

Individual Worth

Today the rest of the camp will be showing up.  It is a bit hectic, but within an hour, our numbers will nearly triple.  Talk about excitement!

 

Individual Worth

Tonight we will begin with our skit presentations.  There are so many great parts of camp, but I do love those.  We get to enjoy those two nights in a row.  I am sure these ladies will need a little pick me up, so here is another special treat.

Individual Worth

I used real read to showcase, since the value color for Individual Worth is red.  The theme for today is “I Serve With All My Heart”.  And that is the best thing to do.  I used some card bases and turned them into little bags.  A great trick to do when you need a bag quick!  Give it a try!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Good Works

Today is the first day of camp, but not for everyone.  The group of young ladies I am working with are there early to help set up the camp site for everyone else.  There are plenty of adults too, but they are the ones that get things done.  There are only ten youth camp leaders this year, so they will be working really hard.

Good Works

Since they will be working so hard, I thought they should have something special each day.  Today’s theme  is “I Serve” and the companion value is Good Works.  Since we are super heroes, I went with that.  You will see super heroes all week.

Good Works

I made a little matchbook styled handout.  I used crushed curry, whisper white, and basic black.  I stamped my hero mask to coordinate with the paper and put yummy jellybeans inside.  Of course they had to match.  Also part of my theme this week.

Good Works

I got four books from every sheet of paper.  I cut them at 2 3/4″ wide and scored them to make the book.  I used my handy little stapler to clip in the candy bag.  How cute is this!

I am busy at camp and having a great time so far I am sure.  I am not much of a camper kind of gal, but both of my daughters will be there, so I will enjoy that part more than enough.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Celebrate Today – Happy Graduation!

Yup, today is the big day!  Our Denali is graduating!  How exciting!  Glitter, or shall I say glimmer paper, is definitely in order.  I don’t use this very much, but this more than called for it!  I even managed to make these without her seeing.  She might have been distracted, since it is the last day of school, and all they do this morning is practice the ceremony.  To be honest, she is so ready to be done.

Celebrate Today - Happy Graduation!

Even so, celebration time is here.  We have family in town, a dinner planned, and a special gift or two.  Now, if the planets can only align, it might all come together.  This card is a perfect start though.

Celebrate Today - Happy Graduation!

My card base is tangelo twist, with a full layer of silver glimmer paper, and a card front in whisper white.  I kept it very clean, just about the sentiment here.  You know how hard that is for me, but I did it!

Celebrate Today - Happy Graduation!

I used the confetti star boarder to give the inside a bit of bling.  I love how that looks.  Still plenty of room to write, a fun look, and maintains the clean style.

Celebrate Today - Happy Graduation!

I know the ribbon is retired, but it matches and I had to match.  I am glad that there are other colors of this satin stitched ribbon in the new catalog.  It is so lovely to work with.  Off to get many other things done.  I took the last day of school off, how selfish right?  Not really, family first.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Crazy About You Mint Macaron

I tried something different today.  I started an all occasion card and found I had measured wrong.  My brain is really rattled with the end of school here in two days, girls camp around the corner, and my daughters graduation smack in the middle.  Not to mention all of the things that go along with that schedule.

Crazy About You Mint Macaron

Focus here, try to stay focused.  So, I just thought I would use an edgelit to fix my piece that was too narrow.  The only boarder edgelit that wasn’t retired is the file tab one, and I didn’t think that would work with my design idea.  I looked through the framelits to look for something that could give a fun edge.  Enter the striped scallop thinlits die.  I just lined up my paper one sheet at a time along the very last scallop and look what I got!  How cute is this?  At first, the whisper white sheet looked like big teeth.  Admit it, you can see them.  Once they were layered and sponged the teeth went away, for the most part.

Crazy About You Mint Macaron

I started the card portrait, but discovered it looked nice either way.  Talk about a versatile card.  There you have it.  I started with only a color in mind, added a stamp for background, goofed my measurements and then discovered something fun.  I honestly have been nervous to put this thinlit to work.  How funny that the first time I use it you can hardly recognize it.

Crazy About You Mint Macaron

Now I get to see if I figured out how to schedule this post correctly.  I am shooting for 5:00 am, we will have to see.  My blog clock doesn’t match mine.  I need to get this sorted before I go to camp next week so my posts can happen.  Or, I might just take the week off.

Have a creative day, or night, or afternoon, whenever this blog shows up.

Moana

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

I must be one of the few Stampin’Up! demonstrators not showing new product today.  It is the first day with the new annual catalog.  Well, I have a different perspective sometimes.  I get just as excited for the stamp sets I already have that carry over to the new catalog.  So, there you have it.

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

The first is Big News.  It has these fun sentiments designed around exciting news and events.  They are written like we talk in a quirky way.  It makes it kind of fun.  The second is Perpetual Birthday Calendar.  I sure have gotten a lot of use out of this set.  An easy background maker if you ask me.  It really gets a lot of use.

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

I am also happy that the cotton ribbon, which was new last catalog, stayed with us.  It really makes such a pretty accent.  I must say, this bow is nearly perfect.  I kept this card pretty simple, but sometimes that is all I want.

Big News with Perpetual Birthday Calendar

I did a small pre-order earlier in the month to get the new colors that I have already shared with you.  I also got a couple of host sets, and they will be so fun.  Now I will let myself get into the new catalog and get a few stamp sets.  Isn’t that fun?  I thought so.  You should check it out.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Welcome Cucumber Crush

Let me introduce you to Cucumber Crush.  Now you have seen all of the five new In-Colors that will be with us for the next two years.  I can’t believe we have had the other set for a year already.  But this bright, perky green, we don’t have a color like it.  And it is bright.

Welcome Cucumber Crush

My family assured me this wasn’t too much and they really liked it.  I kind of didn’t, at all.  I thought it looked like a leprechaun got into a fight with Valentine’s Day.  But, I went with it anyway.  Everyone makes mistakes and I don’t mind that at all.  I do think that this particular combo won’t happen again.  Cucumber Crush needs to have another color or two to balance it out.  Just my thoughts though.

Welcome Cucumber Crush

This is also another sneak peek at the Happy Birthday, Everyone host set.  I touched on it yesterday, but went further today.  The ‘Happy Birthday’ sentiment is the large main one and it comes with several support phrases.  Too fun.

Either way, a new set of fun In-Colors combined with a great new catalog looks to make another great year.  So much creativity in store.  I hope you find yours.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re Fabulous

Today I am using the same stamp set as yesterday, even if it is hard to tell.  Stamps can be as versatile as you let them be.  Example, I used the tiny floral stamp in the set to make the background paper.  Yup, it started out as plain whisper white and then got exciting.

You're Fabulous

Watermelon Wonder, what a yummy name for a color.  It is super springy and full of fun.  I experimented with bringing in some basic black, and although it looked elegant alongside, I wanted to keep it monochromatic to showcase it.

You're Fabulous

I started stamping the flowers full strength and continued stamping off on the paper to create the background.  I took it inside as well, but just in two opposite colors.  I did some light sponging inside and on the front.  I liked it so well, I took it across the whole piece and removed any white spaces.  Talk about color, it is all there.

You're Fabulous

A double tag, a few bitty butterflies with rhinestones, and a touch of the new dotted lace trim and it was all done.  Another project that is very likely to be used in next weekends workshop.

Have a creative day!

Moana

A Whole Lot of Lovely

How about a sneak peek at some new product coming out next week!  I have been waiting to play with some of the new products, but have made myself wait until it was closer to being released.  The background stamp is a returning favorite, but the rest is all new!

A Whole Lot of Lovely

Let’s start with the color.  It is called Tip Top Taupe and I love it!  It is darker than Sahara Sand and lighter than Crumb Cake.  I think it is so pretty.  Wait until you see the other four new In Colors.  I will do one a day to show all five.  How fun!

A Whole Lot of Lovely

The stamps shown are two of the four in one of the new host sets coming out. I love it when they make a stamp that fits a punch just right.  How perfectly does this pretty sentiment fit inside the 2″ circle punch, right?  Just the perfect nudge of white boarder around the image, yummy.  And then of course just a little inside stamping to coordinate.  I really went at the sponging today and gave it an almost vintage look.  I wanted to put this new color to the test.  It has passed with flying colors.

Take a look at the new ribbon though.  It is called Dotted Lace Trim and it comes in the new five colors.  It is actually quite soft and just a bit stretchy.  I can see myself using this often, good thing I get a discount.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Graduation Time!

This household is all about graduation these days.  Not only my second child, but my husband recently earned his masters degree as well!  While he wasn’t too sure about formal announcements, you have to do one for high school.

Graduation Time!

My oldest just let me do what I wanted, and they were stellar.  All manly and stuff with a football theme.  I actually took the award decals off his football helmet and incorporated them into the design.  As you can tell, I wasn’t given that kind of creative liberty.  My Denali was all about simple photography.  She did make a last minute request to include a prom photo with someplace to write a note to the recipient.  A little creative fun there.

Graduation Time!

All about growing up and making your own choices.  It just makes me smile, all of it.  Now it is her turn to write her messages and get them addressed.  Too fun!

Have a creative day!

Moana

Flowerpot Painted Petals Trio

Sometimes when you draw a blank, you still come out on top.  I was sure I had crafters block yesterday.  So I sat and read a novel instead.  When I made myself go back and sit down I decided to pull out a sheet of designer series paper and just design a bag and call it good.  As soon as I had this sheet of paper on my desk my brain got busy.  Cool right?

Flowerpot Painted Petals

I hadn’t paired this ribbon with rich razzelberry yet and I wish I would have.  They look great together!  And then a bit of glimmer paper to frame a tiny sentiment and we are off and running.

Flowerpot Painted Petals

I trimmed off a 4″ section from the whole 12 x 12 for a card front.  When I finished the other cut to give me the 4 x 5 1/4″ front I needed I was left with a choice.

Flowerpot Painted Petals

Make a second card, put the remainder back with its set, or make another tiny bag to go along.  The tiny bag won.  What a cute little baby bag.

Flowerpot Painted Petals

This set went together really quickly.  That is what happens when you have great product.  Just a little bit of stamping, some creasing, adhesive here and there and a ribbon on top.  I went to bed with a smile for sure.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Stacked With Love

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

Hello There Farewell

I have been trying to stay focused on this years catalog and finish it through, but the new product keeps on sneaking into my thoughts.  I thought this would be a fitting solution to all that is going on.

Hello There Farewell

I like to make samples using the new in-colors for the season and send them along with the new catalog to my club ladies.  They love getting to see, and touch, some of the new product along with the catalog.

Hello There Farewell

Last year I made a card in this format using tangelo twist as one of the five samples included.  I thought it fitting to make another with a companion gift bag, since I love that these days, with an in-color that is retiring.  Farewell to strawberry slush, and your four other friends.  I have loved using you!

Hello There Farewell

I have begun planning my new samples with the wonderful new in-colors.  I also got to pre-purchase some of the new host sets, perks of being a demonstrator, and they are lovely!  They will make some great gifts for my ladies.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

I made this lovely set for a baby shower I went to today.  Don’t you think motherhood is one of the great adventures in life?  It will be her first, so it is definitely an adventure.

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

I have used three of my favorite stamp sets to complete this project.  And yes, all three are retiring.  I will be using them regardless.  When I find sentiment sets that say just what I want, I have a hard time letting go.  The new catalog has some fun options, but I can’t share them just yet.  It goes live on June 2nd.  Wheee!!!

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

I am realizing more and more how my camera is giving up on me.  Sorry for the photo quality, but for now it will have to do.  My main color really is pear pizzazz, really.  I sponged my background paper to give it an ombre look that is so awesome with these patterns.  I had to use my yummy chevron ribbon as well, and am truly sad that it is retiring.  It is so great to work with.  No whining, right?

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

When I finished the two sets of cards I was giving as the actual gift, they didn’t fit in my first bag.  So I had to make another, get a bit creative, and pair them together.  It worked out great!  This bundle has 14 cards and envelopes in total!  The ladies loved it, especially my friend.

Adventure Awaits Gift Set

I think everyone should have beautiful cards to give away, especially as special thank notes.  That is why I love to gift these.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Geometrical Confetti Celebration Retirement Party

More retirement stuff?  Absolutely!  So, out of this project, what did I use that will be retiring?  It would be easier to share what isn’t.  That would be the whisper white paper and coordinating seam binding ribbon.  Yup, everything else is heading out.

Geometrical

When I bought this stamp set I admit it was for the sentiments.  Specifically, the cheer up buttercup one.  Totally worth it in my mind.  But I have gotten a little more attached to the funny little shapes.  It is nice to do something different once in a while.

Geometrical

This card set was made from four cut and ready card bases.  Three cards and one holder, and yes, the holder was made from a card base.  A little scoring, a little edgelit work, a little inking and there you have it.  Crazy, right?  I need to get the whole video thing going, you would like to see how easy that one is.  I surprised myself.

Geometrical

I am enjoying more and more making sets that I can use as gifts.  People love getting pretty things they can turn around and use.  I love the smile on their faces when they look at them.

Geometrical

Well, I had better get going.  I have a prom dress to add sleeves to.  That is okay, my sewing machine feels neglected when I paper craft so much.

Have a creative day!

Moana

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pairs Retirement Party

Well, after yesterday’s absolute shenanigans, I really wanted to keep it simple.  I think things went well enough.  These are two stamp sets that I will really miss, not to mention basic gray.

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pair

It is hard to tell in this photo, but I did stamp that adorable armadillo all over this basic gray paper.  The little lines of the stamp almost disappear, but not quite.  Perfect for a treat or a little gift card.

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pairs

I painted this adorable little guy with me aqua painter using basic gray, smokey slate, and a touch of blushing bride for his nose.  Really, how adorable.

Little Buddy Birthday and Petite Pair

I used one sheet of card stock for this trip.  I cut the paper to measure 5 x 8.5, just under  a half sheet, to make the little bag.  Then I took the 6 x 8.5 portion, turned it on its side and cut it in half so the two card bases measured 3 x 8.5 and then scored at 4 1/4.   The card fronts and inserts measure 4 x 2 3/4.

There, I even gave some measurements, I am trying to improve what I share.  One day at a time!

Have a creative day!

Moana

That’s the Ticket Retirement Party

What is with all of the product in this photo?  Well, I am beginning a series of posts that will last the next month.  It is a retirement party, and these products are invited.  I am trying to celebrate them, because I have had so much fun making beautiful projects with them.

That's the Ticket

When the new catalog comes out in June there will be tons of new product to oogle over.  But, some have to step aside to make room.  I really am bummed out about lots of them, but am trying to stay positive.  So, welcome to my party.

That's the Ticket

As you can tell, I still have babies on the mind.  Not for me, yikes!  Several of my friends are becoming grandmothers for the first time or enjoying the blessing of another grandchild.  It is infectious!

That's the Ticket

I used one sheet of wisteria wonder to make this trio.  I cut a large square 8 x 8 and used my gift box punch board.  I took the remaining strip, cut it in half and made two little gift cards to match.  Aren’t they adorable?  I chose the baby stamp from the stamp set and stamped tone on tone all over my paper before I folded it up.  Of course I had to sponge it a bunch.  Yummy.

That's the Ticket

All of the time I have used this ticket punch I have wondered how to incorporate the miniature tickets that punch out with the larger one.  I thought they fit perfectly below my favorite ribbon ever, weep weep, the lovely chevron ribbon.

With all that said, I love these products I have shown you.  Only a month left to get your own, unless they sell out sooner.

Have a creative day!

Moana

You’re Wonderful

What is wonderful?  Mothers are!  My mother is wonderful.  My mother-in-law is wonderful.  Paper crafting for both of them makes all of us happy!

You're Wonderful

After workshop I tend to have a bit of an empty brain, so I wondered what I could come up with for today.  As I put away my  materials and tidied my desk I cam across a couple of cards that were part way through.  Instead of just putting away the components to become something else, I added to them and made this set.

You're Wonderful

I love sending my mother cards to use and love.  She sets up the ones I personally send her around her house as decoration.  How sweet is that?  I also keep my mother-in-law supplied in birthday cards.  She is so nice to remember literally everyone in her family on their birthday.  Even down to the great-grand-babies.  Such a kind woman.

You're Wonderful

So I try to live up to their great examples and share what I can.  This pretty set is made from sahara sand, whisper white, and the lovely something borrowed designer paper.  I stamped my sentiment from the You’re Wonderful photopolymer set.  It is so fun because you can change out the wording that nests in the banners.  So awesome!

You're Wonderful

And what set of mine would be complete without an adorable matching bag?  It was made from a card base that was cut at 4 1/4 x 11″.  Simple scoring, stamping tone on tone with a smaller flower image from the same set, and adorned with velum flowers and rhinestones.  As you can tell, I stamped my sentiment on velum as well.

Have a creative day!

Moana