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!

Hot Rods and Hot Crafts!

Made your plans for Halloween, yet? Make sure they include a stop at Mapunapuna BFC for the BLEIZN FX Car cruise! Sunday, Oct. 31 from 2 - 6 pm.  Hot Rods and Classics Cars from the BLEIZN FX car club will be on display! Here's some choice rides from a recent show.

Now, how COOL is that! Plus, there'll be some ono food and even shave ice for sale! So, cruise on by for some Hot Rods and Hot Crafts! See you there!

Desperately Seeking Charlotte!

A couple weeks ago, I celebrated this blog's 1st birthday. A bunch of you virtually "partied" with me and I sent out favors to everyone. Everyone that is, except for Charlotte because I don't have her address.

So, please Charlotte, don't be shy and gmail me your addy today! It would make me very HAPPY!

Thanks for stopping by today. I think my mojo's coming back, promise more projects soon! Mmmm...get into the groove...!

Whoa, BRAh! Come Party and Show some Support!

The annual Artful Bra project is a benefit for the American Cancer Society/Making Strides program. This year, over 100 bras were created and they are Fabulous!

Come and celebrate Pinktober at the Hard Rock Cafe tomorrow night, Thursday, Oct 21st from 6 - 9 pm. The bras are part of the silent auction so, bid on a bra, it's the perfect inspiration for your craft room wall! At the door, drop in a $5.oo donation which will go to Kapiolani Women and Children's Hospital.

Besides the Hello Kitty one, here's a sneak peek at some of the bras!

Well, I don't think you'll find these bras at Vickie's! Thanks for stopping by today and hope to see you at the Hard Rock!

Sorry, it was a little Batty!

Just wanted to let you know that the French Fry Bat  project sheet has been updated with the correct size for the wing and fang patterns. For those of you who downloaded the project yesterday, sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope the rest of your week isn't Batty!

Second JOC show for October

Tonight, the second October Joy of Crafting show will premiere with a few more Holiday ideas! First, we have a great gift idea! Jenny, from our Enchanted Lake store, shows us a great transfer technique using the Liquitex Gel medium.

Photo images can be transferred onto canvas, glass bricks and more using this great technique. Now, you can really make a personalized gift!

Next, I'll show you a simple treat holder for Halloween, a Bat French Fry Box. This one is similar to the owl I made on my first blog post a year ago. Here's a project sheet for the bat.

Jenny wraps up the show with an easy to make wreath. You can coordinate this project with any of your Holiday themes just by choosing a different ribbon.

Thanks for taking some time out to stop by today. Hope you had a great weekend! Happy Crafting!