Computers...just can't live without 'em!

---- Sorry Long Post, but it'll be worth reading!----

Boy, the last few weeks has been such a digital mess! First, my personal laptop died. Then, my work laptop got hijacked by a NASTY virus!

Thank Goodness for my IT Gods & Goddesses. That's what I call them! Thanks to them, my work laptop is working. It took a village to rescue this poor little Dell from the Nasty clutches of those hackers. There's still some weird things, like I can't bring up my photos, even though I can see a shadow of them in the file. But at least I can do my work pretty much. (Not so good news for my personal one.)

Anyway, these computer crashes spoiled my June 1st blog plans but I decided better late than never, so here goes...

"When you give a mouse a cookie..." Most times that's how I think, too, one thing just leads to another and another and...

So for June, I was thinking June means SUMMER, which to most people means VACATION! And a lot of people take a trip to Disneyland. Which is a THEME park. So, that's how I thought of making June into my THEME month. Got it?

So, in June, here's what's going to happen:

Makeover Mondays - the featured project will be something that has been recycled, re-surfaced or re-purposed.
Two for Tuesdays - featuring 2 projects from the same theme or product
Wednesday Winnahs! - Either a new contest would be announced and/or the winners of the week's before contest
Tech Thursday - How-tos on a craft technique
ALOHA Fridays -  Anything Goes!
Weekend Getaways - Taking a creative journey with different types of projects

So, today is the first ALOHA Friday and I'm so happy that I have at least one working computer that I want to share my happiness with one of you! Now, I'm going to get a new personal laptop but I don't know what kind. I have a small group of MACkies telling me I should get a MAC so I don't get viruses and then others saying just go get a cheap PC.

So, here's the deal. Leave a comment on what you think I should get PC or MAC and what you do with your computer that's crafty. Leave your comment by Wednesday, 6/8 @ 12 noon. I'll randomly pick a winner for Wednesday's Winnahs and they'll get a $25 Ben Franklin Gift Card!

Thanks for letting me vent about my computers and I hope you have a GREAT weekend!May you and your computer stay safe!

May's second Joy of Crafting show

On this second show for May, we have a variety of crafts to learn. We start with Master Origami Artist, Richard Alexander from Origamido, which is based out of Haverhill, Mass.

Origamido recently had a 6 month exhibit in Waikiki featuring a variety of origami art from different artists. I was fortunate that I got to see the exhibit before it closed and hopefully they will return to Hawaii again as this was their second time here.

On the show, Richard demonstrates a technique he calls Storygami where he folds the paper and relates it to a story, which makes it easy to follow and is very entertaining. If you watch carefully, you'll be able to make this project, too. Because it is copyrighted, we do not have a project sheet, but he did share with us a website that features free tutorials on 12 different origami projects, http://www.pem.org/ . Click here for free tutorials.

Here is a sample he brought from the exhibit made by Michael LaFosse. It is an alligator folded from one sheet of handmade paper that was 6 ft x 6 ft. Richard made the paper himself as he is a papermaking artist, too. Everything is folded and there are no cuts in the paper...totally amazing!

Next, we have Brandon back with another great technique, Freezer Paper Stencilling. You'll be able to decorate your own shirts, tote bags and all kind of surfaces with this technique.

If you're like me, you'll be thinking of all the designs you can do either using you Cricut, die cuts or just drawing free-hand, plus there's so many color choices when it comes to acrylic paints!Just imagine!

Lastly, I have a simple project that makes a great gift, especially for teachers! It's a Post-it Note Holder. I show you how to make one size, but you can easily change it up to your favorite size.There will be a project sheet on the website and I'll post the link when it's up. The project sheet is now available, here's a link.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoyed your weekend! Happy Crafting!

NSD Project

Last Saturday was National Scrapbooking Day. Our Ben Franklin Craft stores had a little make and take to celebrate.

This Mini Purse Scrapbook is a simple project, great for using up some scraps and the fun part is adding embellishments.

It's great for any occasion like maybe a bridal shower gift or a birthday.You could even change up the pages to make them into pockets and slip in a gift card or money for a graduate. Here's a project sheet I wrote up.

Thanks for stopping by and Have a Great weekend!

First May Joy of Crafting Show

The months just seem to fly by, especially when you're happily crafting! On this first Joy of Crafting show for May, we have some fun and exciting projects.

Our first guest is Scott Macri of the Hawaii Origami Club.

Here he introduces us to tessellations, not your average origami!

Then, we have Brandon Tavares from our Enchanted Lake Ben Franklin Crafts. You all know he is the best cupcake maker in Hawaii with his "Brandon Cakes".

Here, he shows us how to make those fantastically popular Cake Pops! Great for Moms and Dads and the upcoming Grad parties!

Lastly, we have a Hana Hou with Raynette Ching from the Pearl City BFC,showing us how to make an updated Pakalana lei, perfect for all the celebrations coming up.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you get a chance to catch this episode! Have a great week!

SWEET Bunnies!

Oh, Flat Leilani's bunnies are having a blast with their new families who adopted them. Look to see what they did for Easter with Karen and her family!

Lucky Bunnies got to go Candy Shopping...SWEET!

So, here's Hoppy, Fuzzy, Bright Eyes, and Cottonball with their basket!

And go and check out where Creative Grammie's bunnies were hunting for Easter Eggs.

Hope you all had a fun Easter, too! Thanks for stopping by today and have a great week!

Happy Earth Day!

I was thinking that I'd share my Re-Use tip in honor of Earth Day. Since I craft a lot at my desk,  I use the holder cover from my blank DVDs as a desk top trash can. It's easy to grab to sweep tiny bits off the desktop and can easily be moved around.

It's also great for candy wrappers!LOL!

Hope you're having a great Friday! Scroll down, this is my second post of the day.

Kokeshi Doll Favor Box project sheet

 I had a lot of requests to make this Kokeshi Doll Favor Box into a project sheet,explaining how to make the sleeves and obi.Well, sorry for the delay but I can happily say that it's finally done! Unfortunately,  it won't be posted on the website for another few weeks due to some technical issues.

However, because you all faithfully visit my blog, I can e-mail the project sheet to you if you'd like. Just send your request to joyofcrafting@gmail.com and I'll send it off to you.I'll do this until it does get posted on the website. UPDATE! The project sheet is now available on the website, click here.



Thank You again to all of you kindhearted and caring people who supported our Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief efforts.It is really great when everyone can come together to help and support others in their times of need.

Hope you all have a great Easter! Thanks for stopping by today and have a great weekend!

Crafty Bunnies on the Loose!

Kris from K-Lusive Kreations over on Maui adopted some of Flat Leilani's bunnies and boy, oh boy, she got some crafty ones! Look what they did!

Helping Kris make Easter Baskets

Helping to fill the baskets with goodies.

All Pau...now for some candy!

Go and check out Kris' blog to learn the names of her bunnies and to play along with her game and you could win some prizes, too!

Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget just e-mail me or leave a comment if you want to adopt some bunnies, too.

April's Second Joy of Crafting SHow

On this second show for April, Puna from Enchanted Lake Ben Franklin is back with a unique lei from our Handcrafted Leis and Flowers Book Vol.9

Puna shows us how to use the Hana Ami loom to make flowers. Then, she shows us how to make them into a beautiful lei.

Darling is back with another cute Pom Pom critter lei. This time she makes her favorite, Owls!

These owls are really cute and Darling shows us different color combinations, too.

Lastly, I show you how I figure out some of my project patterns. I'll give you the basics for making a simple flip top box. Great for favors or small gifts.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you get a chance to see this episode. Have a great week and Happy Crafting!

Show Me the Bunny!!!

Do you remember Flat Leilani? She was the lucky girl who got to make a lot of new friends and traveled all over the world last Summer. Well, you haven't seen her much because she's been quite busy.

For the Year of the Rabbit, she decided to adopt two bunnies.

And now she has a lot more than two bunnies...a whole lot more than what's in this photo!

So, she would like to give them away to whomever is willing to give them a good home. I know some of you were probably thinking of getting some Easter Bunnies, so why not these cuties? They are easy to care for and they don't require much food. They are very affectionate and they like to hang out with you.

So, leave me a comment or e-mail me at joyofcrafting@gmail.com if you want a pair of bunnies to play with, too. Then, you can send in pictures of what you and your bunnies did together, Show me the Bunny!Then, at the end of the month, we'll have Flat Leilani randomly pick a name and we will send you a prize basket of goodies.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll adopt some bunnies! OMG! I just thought of it , next year is the Year of the Dragon, I think I better have a talk with her. Have a Hoppy week!

My Project for Saturday's Kokua Sale-abration

As you know, our company's Ben Franklin Craft Stores and Ace Hardware stores will be having a 20% off Kokua Sale-abration on Saturday, April 9th and a portion of that day's sales will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society. The stores will be having various activities and I will be at the Mapunapuna store from 10 am - 12 noon with my Kokeshi Doll Favor Box make 'n take for $3.00 which will also be donated.

She's not hard to make.  Wouldn't she be great for Administrative Professionals' Day or Mother's Day? I adapted her from my Graduate Favor Box project from this month's ad.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you can stop by and make a doll with me on Saturday!

Joy of Crafting First April Show

On the first show for April we have a lot of fun craft ideas for you.Our first guest is the talented Darling Dumlao...

Darling shows us how to make the cute Pom Pom Keiki Lei she created for our latest Handcrafted Lei and Flowers Book Vol.9.

In the book there are patterns for 5 different critters, Darling shows us the Duck and Penguin. So cute!Perfect for Keiki and Keiki at Heart!

Then, Puna, from the Enchanted Lake Ben Franklin, shows us how to use Alcohol Inks to make beautiful Cherry Blossoms on a glass block.

Lastly, I have some quick Easter treat boxes to share with you.

So, I hope you get a chance to watch this episode. Thanks for stopping by today and have a great week, Happy Crafting!

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

Our company which includes the Ben Franklin Craft stores, the Ace Hardware stores on the neighbor islands and some stores in the Seattle region and Las Vegas is celebrating it's 60th year as a locally owned and operated company. We are very thankful to all of our loyal customers for their continued support because we wouldn't be here today without you.

As a special Mahalo, we are inviting our customers to receive 20% off* their purchases on Saturday, April 9th during our Kokua Sale-abration event.

The earthquakes and tsunamis that have devasted Japan has touched the lives of people around the world and especially here in Hawaii. At Ben Franklin Crafts, we have the people of Japan in our hearts and want to send our Aloha. As members of the larger Global community we want to help and will be donating a portion of that day's sales to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid them in their recovery efforts.

We will also have free demonstrations and some make'n takes in which the fees will also be donated.

So, please join us and Shop a little, Craft a little and

KOKUA PLENTY!

March's 2nd Joy of Crafting show

On the second Joy of Crafting show for March, we have a bunch of fun projects! We start the show with our favorite Paper Crafter, Cheryl Miyashiro.

Cheryl uses the Big Shot Pro machine and the Scallop Top Box. Many techniques are used to create a beautiful vintage-look gift box.

Then, Gloria Arias is back with another great lei design from our new Handcrafted Lei and Flowers book, Vol.9. Here she shows us how to make Flora's Haku Lei, perfect for Mother's Day and hula halaus as well as graduation.

Lastly, I'll show you how to make a huge bunny decoration using Floral Wrapper. It's a fun design to welcome Spring and Easter.

Hope you all have been enjoying National Craft Month! There's so much fun crafts and talented, creative people out there! Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Crafting!!!

February's 2nd Joy of Crafting show

February is going by sooo fast, plus it's a short month. But, it's not short on crafts!On the second show of the month we have...

The members of the 2010 Cherry Blossom Court show us how to make a simple embellished hair clip.

You can use your punches or die cuts of flowers to make these from washi paper and cardstock. Then just add a little bling!

Then, just in time for Girl's day, I'll show you how easy it is to make microwave mochi! It's especially easy using the Easy Out Ring container which our Ben Franklin stores now carry. It's fun to add different fillings like peanut butter or a chocolate Hershey kiss in the middle!

Lastly, Daven does a new version of his 3-straw flat lei. Perfect for any occasion and a really great lei for guys!

Hope you are able to catch this episode and have some fun crafting! Thanks for stopping by today!

February's first Joy of Crafting Show

On the first Joy of Crafting for February, we start getting ready for Spring celebrations! We begin the show with our favorite faux lei designer, Mellie Enos.

Mellie shows us how to make a beautiful "Petals" lei using sheer ribbon. This lei will also be featured in our new Lei making that will be in the stores soon.

Our next guest makes her debut on the JoC with a cute project, great for Girl's day and other occasions. Shari Hanai from our Mapunapuna store shows us how to make a Ribbon Angel Favor.

Next, I do a quick Hana Hou segment showing you how to take a dollar bill and fold it into an origami heart. Great for adding onto cards as well as tying them up into a lei.Here's some instructions.

We end the show with another lei making session. This time, Daven Yokota shows us the basic 1-straw lei made into a beautiful Ilima twisted lei.

Hope you're able to catch the show and learn something new!

Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Crafting!