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!

Happy Birthday Hello Kitty!

Ben Franklin Crafts is helping Hello Kitty celebrate her 36th birthday with a bunch of crafts in her honor. Join us this weekend Fri., Nov. 5 - Sun., Nov.7 for some great deals on HK merchandise. Come to the store on Sat., Nov 6 between 10 am and 2 pm for some fun make 'n takes!

We expect a lot of HK fans so to keep yourself cool, our first project is a free Happy Kitty Fan! It's a fast and easy project to do. So, stop by Saturday at 10 am to make one!

Thanks for stopping by today and I'll show you another HK project tomorrow!