Happy New Year!!!

This is a special New Year's Card I received from one of my new friends from Japan who recently visited Hawaii. Having Kathy bunny on it is so fitting since 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit!!!

I just want to Thank You All for making this past year such a creative one. I can't wait to see what you all come up with next year, I know it'll be great!

Wishing you and your families a very safe and Happy Happy New Year!

Got me some Bargains! Left some for you!

I was happily checking out the new Hero Arts stamps that just came in to Ben Franklin, great new designs! Couldn't resist, so I got a few. But then, I saw all the great designs that were ON SALE at 50% off! So, GOT ME LOTS OF THOSE!

Can't believe I missed so many good stamps, but I guess sometimes good things (bargains) do come to those who wait! They even had some of the Asian designs on sale, too. I guess we needed to make room for all the new stuff.

Anyway,  I thought I'd share this find with you. But I think you if you want some, better hurry in before the pickin's are all gone!

Thanks for stopping by today!See ya in the stamp aisles ! Happy Stamping!

December's Second Joy of Crafting show

Our last Joy of Crafting show for 2010 premiered Sunday night with some fun craft ideas to get you ready for 2011!

Our first guest is Angela Della Sala from Mapunapuna BFC.Angela shares a great way to get ready for New Year's Eve with some cute headbands adorned with Prima Flowers!

Next, we have Cheryl Miyashiro back with a fun candy holder project.

She explains that it originally is supposed to hold tea bags, but I like her choice of candy! The fun part is it's also a shaker card, so you get to learn a new technique!

Then, Deb from Rubber Stamp Plantation shares a cute favor project, stencilled paper mache boxes. She uses her company's beautiful stencil designs and teaches us a fast and unique way to add some glitter!

Then, she fills the boxes with handmade gourmet treats!

Fun ideas and lots of treats, what a great way to end the year! Hope you get a chance to watch this episode during this busy Holiday season.

Thank You All for making this a wonderful 2010 and I hope you all have a safe and very Happy Holidays!

Maui's Sweet Holiday Hale

If you're Lucky enough to live on Maui or at least visit during the Holidays, you just gotta go visit the Ace Hardware in Lahaina! This is what the Magic of Christmas is all about...

Store Supervisor Korleen Puou and her team of Ace Hardware elves, created this yummy 7 foot Gingerbread House. With its gingerbread walls and standing 4 feet square, it's big enough for kids of all ages to peek out from.

The Amazing roof was made with 40 dozen cookies!

And the sweetness doesn't stop there! The store is sponsoring a Gingerbread House decorating contest. You'll need to use the decorating kits sold at their Ace Hardware store. They will be taking up to 20 entries, which they will display in the store. The 20 entries will all have 12-inch by 12-inch bases. There will be a children’s category for kids age ten and under, as well as an adult division. Entry deadline is Dec. 18, and judging will take place on Dec. 20, with the winners notified the following day. Prizes will be awarded in each category for first, second and third place winners. (If you have any questions, call them at 808.661.0814)

Lahaina Ace Hardware is just one of the neighbor island Ace stores that are a part of our Ben Franklin Crafts Ohana. I just had to share some of their fun ideas, thought it was sooo cool!I guess in our company, Creativity runs deep!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you can go and visit Korleen, Manager Timmy and the rest of the creative team at Lahaina Ace. I'm sure it'll make for a Happy Holiday!
 
 

Joy of Crafting December show

Tonight, the first December Joy of Crafting show will premiere with some fun and easy Holiday projects that you still have time to make!

Our first guest is, Cheryl Miyashiro and she has the perfect answer for many of us...a gift card holder!

Cheryl uses the Sizzix gift card holder die that actually pops up! It's really cool and a lot easier than you think.

Next, we have Angela Della Sala from our Mapunapuna BFC store. She shares with us a Flower Fairy made from those gorgeous Prima Flowers!

These fairies are perfect as an ornament or to tie onto a gift.

Then, we have Deb from Rubber Stamp Plantation with some new Holiday glass etching stencils.

Glass etching makes a great personal gift and using these stencils makes it super easy to do!

Hope you can get a chance to watch the show and I hope it gives you some ideas for your last minute Holiday crafting!

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you all have a great week!

I've got a secret to share...

NO! I'm not pregnant! Ok, the last few times our blogging sisters (Kris, K-lusive Kreations and 1LuvnMama) wrote that they had a secret to share on their blogs, they were pregnant. And now, I can happily say that they both have beautiful new babies in their families! Love and Hugs to them both!

Well, back to my secret. Like I said, I'm not pregnant. But, there is a new addition to my family. My blogging craft family that is. We got our 6 Ben Franklin Crafts stores to come together to share their crafty talents!So, without further adieu...

Blogland, say Hello to Ideas and Inspirations (from Ben Franklin Crafts Hawaii)!

This blog is definetely going to be mixed plate of inspiring projects, news about fun classes, exciting store events, and so much more. Just a little bit of everything, just like when you come to Ben Franklin Crafts.

Well, the secret's out, it was just too good to keep to ourseleves! Thanks for stopping by today and I really appreciate all your visits! (now, go check them out!)

Have a Great Week!

P.S. - This is my second post for today...scroll down to learn about what I did this past Sunday...

Butterfly Wishes

Yesterday, I got to experience a very touching and beautiful ceremony with the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center.Queen Lili'uokalani set up a trust to help and nurture orphaned or less fortunate children in Hawaii and the Children's Center is the result. The families we met yesterday had all gone through 8 weeks of grief counseling and yesterday was their Butterfly ceremony which symbolizes their transformation and entering of their new life journey ahead.

Keeping with the theme, we helped them decorate the wooden frames we sell that have three butterflies linked together.I took pictures of the keiki and their families to insert into the frames. A couple of the keiki are now being raised by their grandparents and I witnessed a lot of love.

Then, the highlight of the day was the releasing of the Monarch Butterflies. These butterflies rely on the crown flower plant to breed and with less plants around, their population is dwindling. So, Springs Romano and her many volunteers grow the plants and help breed the butterflies.

We were each given a special envelope with a touching poem, that contained a sleeping butterfly. Everyone was encouraged to whisper a wish to the butterfly. One by one, everyone released their butterfly.Some of the butterflies fluttered around and landed on people and just stayed there.Here's Daven, our Pearl City Store Manager,  releasing his butterfly.

 My butterfly fluttered around then went for this penta flower plant to eat.

Yesterday, I think I learned a lot more from the keiki than they did from me and the whole experience is something that I will remember for a lifetime.Again, I am thankful for the happiness crafting brings to people's lives.

Thank You for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Imagine what a little glue and paper can do...

Had a short break between all the craziness of the Thanksgiving Day Sale and the Day after Thanksgiving sale at Ben Franklin Crafts. So, I decided to "brighten" up a star.

We have these rustic, Americana, whatever-you-want-to-call-them star ornaments. A lot of customers love them just the way they are and said they will match their trees.

For me, I needed to change it up a bit, so with a little Tacky glue and washi paper, this is what I made.

I made a pattern for the sections of the star by placing a scrap piece of paper on the star and rubbing it along the edges and in between until I got an impression. From the impression, I cut the traingular shape out and used it as my pattern for the washi paper. To finish, I wrapped the wire loop on the top with ribbon and made the small bow.

It really was easy. And it was fast, too, just like my break!

Thanks for stopping by on the blog and also at the stores these past few days. I love hearing about all of the projects you're going to make!Take care and have a great weekend!

I am Thankful for...

A lot of things but one of my favorite blessings in life is being able to go out into the community and craft with people. On Tuesday, Jay and I went with Chris and Kalei from Market City BFC to the Kilauea Rec Center to make this cute and easy snowman pin.

We crafted with the Seniors group, Hui O Kilauea and we had a lot of fun!

We try to do a Holiday project with them every year and we all look forward to this event. These Seniors are a lot of fun and I even get to see my 9th grade teacher!

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

November 2010 Joy of Crafting Show #2

Can't believe Thanksgiving is already this Thursday! Well, it's time to really get into our Holiday crafting and that is what we have to offer on this second November show that premiered last night.

Join us as Diane Morinaka shows us how to make the perfect bows for the Holidays. Use them as decorations on your wreaths, gifts and even your tree!

Speaking of trees, I'll show you a quick favor to make, a Lollipop Tree, using the Pyramid box Accu Cut die. It's the same die we used for the Witch's Hat. All of our Ben Franklin stores has this versatile die for you to use FREE when you purchase your paper at the stores.

Lastly, we have Diane back to show us another beautiful wreath, this time for the Frosty Lane theme.

Thank You for stopping by today, I know you're all very busy so I really appreciate you taking some time out to spend with us. Hope you can catch the show! Have a great week!

Sweet Hello Kitty!

Today the Ben Franklin Craft stores held their Hello Kitty Bake-off in celebration of Hello Kitty's 36th Birthday. I was at the Mapunapuna BFC and here are the winners...

Lynn O. entered in both categories, here's her cupcake entry. Look at the pretty flower petals!

It was close, but the tie-breaker gave the win to Leona S. for the cupcake category for her extra large cupcake with fun paper art decorations.

They also loved the yummy looking frosting!

For the HK cake pan category, customers and judges alike were truly impressed with the details on Lynn O.'s winning entry.

Look at all of those fondant flowers! She said that she made her cake only this morning, starting at 3 am!

And such a pretty bow!

 

Leona S. - Cupcake Category Winner

Lynn O. - HK Pan Category Winner

 Leoana and Lynn each won a $25 giftcard for their winning designs and also received a Hello Kitty goodie basket.

Congratulations to all of the winners at all of the BFC stores. And Congratulations and Mahalo to all of the contestants, all of the entires were really inspiring!

Thank You for stopping by today and I hope you all have a really SWEET weekend!

A great craft item

What's a great craft item to you? Well, for me, I think somethings's great when it makes it easy to complete a project. Like these ready-to-decorate shadow box frame ornaments.

You can add paper, plop in some stamped images or photos, then add some decorations and you're done! You don't have to spend time making the shadow box so you have more time doing the fun part of decorating it.

Here's how I decorated mine. Embossed a piece of cardstock for the background, used a stamped image of Mimi from Penny Black, added some Snowtex and sprinkled on Twinkle flakes for a little texture and glitz, added some button trees and snowflakes and I had me an ornament!

And with the start of today's sale, these babies are even greater because they are only $1.00! You know I'm gonna get me some more because they'll be great for any occasion.

I just want to Thank all of you for stopping by today and I hope you all have a GREAT weekend!

November 2010 Joy of Crafting Show #1

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...and that's what we have on the first November JOC show premiering tonight. First, I start off the show by demonstrating how to make a wreath using the Floral Wrapper, it's very easy to do and comes in a bunch of different colors to match your theme.

My first guest is Lynn Hashino from our Mapunapuna BFC store. She shows us how to make cute Beaded pen toppers. It's one of the Ornamentally Yours projects and she makes a little Sugar Plum Fairy. Check out our Projects page on the Joy of Crafting website for more pen topper designs.

And it wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't have Diane Morinaka show us how to decorate the Holidays with a beautiful wreath. Here, it's a Merry and Bright/Sweet Memories combination.

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you had a great weekend!Happy Crafting!

The cat's out of the bag...well sorta

Hello Kitty Kitty! Kitty Kitty is resting up for the Hello Kitty Celebration this weekend at the Ben Franklin Craft stores.

One of my favorite projects we'll be doing is the Bookmark clips and holder. I guess I like it because it uses the cute PSA HK stamps and it's actually quite useful. Or, maybe it's because I created this project! LOL!Anyway, this is the outside.

And this is the inside of the holder with the clips.This make 'n take project is $3.00 and starts at 11:30 am.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all can join us on Saturday for the fun make 'n takes!

Holiday Kitties!

If you've been following along all week, you know that we are celebrating Hello Kitty's birthday this weekend at Ben Franklin Crafts. On Saturday, we have some cute make 'n takes to do, including some Holiday ornaments!

This is our Holiday Kitty, a super quick and easy ornament to do. This classic HK make 'n take for $4.00 starts at 10:30 am

Then from 1 pm, we have Hello Kitty flying off on an adventure in her Hot Air Balloon! A cute and unique ornament for $5.00

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you can come help us celebrate!

Another HK project for Saturday!

This Saturday, Nov. 6, all of our Ben Franklin Craft stores will be doing a bunch of Hello Kitty make 'n takes. Yesterday, I showed you the easy peasy HK Fan to keep you cool, really great to take with you for craft fair shopping, too.

After you make your fan, go and make a HK Pin. Here, she's all glittered up for the holidays. What a cute way to let everyone know who your favorite kitty is!

Don't forget we'll have selected HK merchandise on sale all weekend long from Friday to Sunday with the fun make 'n takes on Saturday 10 am - 2 pm.

Thanks for stopping by today...did you go and vote? Too bad Hello Kitty and Choco Cat wasn't on the ballots! Have a great day!