Woo Hoo! CRAFTober is finally here!

Growing up, I always referred to October as ROCKtober since I love almost all forms of music but especially Rock! Then, about 13 years ago, it really sunk in to me that October is also CRAFTober! 13 years ago on October 20th, the Joy of Crafting premiered on OC16. I remember that day because 1) it was the one year anniversary of my first date with my Hunny. 2) I was sick with a bad head cold and all stuffed up hugging my Kleenex box. So, I barely could keep my eyes open as I watched the show that night.

 

I still get very excited when the 10th month rolls around. So, my fellow Crafties, it's time to get yourself all gussied up and ready for a FUN month! Be sure to "carve out" some time to stop by our stores to see all the Crafty Holiday Happenings!

 

And what more fun way to start CRAFTober than with this Saturday's World Card Making event at all of our HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts Stores from 10 am - 12 noon.

In the first hour, we'll be demoing the Sizzix Big Shot and show you how to die cut, emboss and use the new ink sheets! We also have a Shaker Card Make and Love using the WeR Fuse for just $3!

 

Then, from 11am - 12 noon , we'll be doing two Make and Loves! A cute Noteworthy Card that includes a pocket for a little notepad for $4. This one is great for adding bags of M&M's or other treats, too!

The second project is a Foldover Gift Card Holder for $3. The great thing about these cards is you can use the designs for different occasions all year long!

Hope you can stop by and join us this Saturday! Have a great CRAFTober!

April's second Joy of Crafting Show

For our second show of April, we have even more fun crafts!

First, we have Joel Kutaka from Celebrations back with another great project!

 

Joel shows us how to use Flower Wrap to create a very unique style lei. Great for Mother's Day as well as graduations.

Then, Cheryl Miyashiro is back with another fun project using the WeR envelope Punch board!

This time she is using it to make a cute gift card holder featuring dandelion designs musubi and grad hat stamp sets!

Lastly, I show you how to use plarn to make a fun flower, a plarn-ation! We have a project sheet for this!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you get a chance to see the show! Happy Crafting!

August's First Joy of Crafting Show

Lots of fun crafts are featured on August's first Joy of Crafting show. We start off with a contest announcement!

"Mini Masterpiece" is a contest where you embellish a 4" x 4" stretched canvas! You can paint it, make a collage or mixed media piece, whatever you feel like! You be the artist! Just turn your Mini Masterpiece entry in at any of the Ben Franklin Crafts stores by Monday, August 22. Check stores for official rules.

Need some inspiration for your Mini Masterpiece? Well, our first guest, Puna from Enchanted Lake BFC, shows us how to do some collaging on the canvas and also a wonderful finishing technique. Watch and learn some great tips, too!

Next, we have a Hana Hou visit with Brandon, also from Enchanted Lake BFC. He shows us how to use the YuDu. It's really great to be able to screen your own designs on T-shirts, tote bags and other items. Especially great for creating unique Back-to-School gear or uniforms for your soccer team!

Lastly, I'm starting to plan ahead. I'll help you get started on making some easy gift card holders. Christmas will be here before you know it!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all are having a great weekend!

JOC November 09 Show #2

Since I'll be busy at the Ben Franklin Kahului Craft fair tomorrow, thought I'd post this today...
The Holidays are definitely here! On our second November show, we brought back our favorite One Stroke Certified Instructor, Frank Dumlao. He showed us his technique for painting beautiful poinsettias on a charger plate.

Charger plates are great for tablescaping or even just hanging on the wall, especially when they are painted so beautifully. I'm always amazed at how easy Frank makes it look. I'm a OSCI, too, but I just can't wiggle like Frank!

Next, we have Diane Morinaka, our favorite floral designer. She creates a fun wreath in our "Ho Ho Holiday" theme.

Notice how there isn't a bow on the wreath? Instead the "Ho Ho Ho" sign and colorful ball ornaments create the focal interest.

Our last guest is always FIRST on our minds when we think of great stamping ideas. Cheryl Miyashiro created an easy gift card holder, perfect for this season of giving!

Cheryl used Hero Arts Christmas Clear Designs for her project. She even shares some of her tips on how to add color to your stamped designs faster.

Hope that you are all enjoying the Holidays as I know you're all busy making so many handmade and heartfelt gifts and cards for your families and friends. Take care and remember to take time out for yourself!Happy Holidays and Happy Crafting!