9th Island Visit

This weekend May 1 and 2, I will be at The Cal in downtown Las Vegas for their 13th annual Lei Day Polynesian Festival. I'll be there teaching people how to make the different straw leis and more. The festival is from 9 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday with Free admission. If you're in Vegas, stop by and say "Howzit!" You'll find me at the Ace Hardware tents.

If you want to have a lei ready to wear for the festival, I'll be at the Lone Mountain Ace Hardware in North Las Vegas all day Friday and I can help you get started. We will also have a lei making workshop starting at 2 pm.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope to see the locals at the Cal!

Earth Angel

Wow, I can't believe the week is half over already! I've been so busy getting ready for the Wedding Expo this weekend but I did have time to go to Crafts in the City for a make and take on Monday.

We played with Flower Soft and made this little Earth Angel pin for tomorrow, Earth day!

It's a 3/4" wood furniture button that I painted with acrylic paint in Flesh. You could use the plain wood but I wanted to "even out her skin tones". Then, I made dip dot eyes with black paint. When the eyes dried, I did a little dot of white with the Galaxy marker for an accent. Used the Flower Soft to give her a nice Haku Lei.Made wings from a sheer ribbon bow and pinned her to a little tag.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and made an angel with us that day. For all of you Administrative Professionals out there, hope your bosses are treating you even more special today! Have a great week!

April's second Joy of Crafting Show

Tonight, our second new show for April will premiere and we have some fun projects to share. Our first guest is Daven Yokota from our Pearl City BFC.

He'll demonstrate another version of the 3-Straw flat lei. This time the accent yarn is in the center of the lei.

Next,  Lisa Loo from our Enchanted Lake BFC shows us the fun things you can do with core-dinations cardstock.

And then we close the show with a Hana Hou segment of Roberta Wong crocheting her rosebud lei from her lei book.

Hope you all are having a great weekend and can find time to catch this episode. Thanks for stopping by today! Happy Crafting!

Art Everywhere!

We always talk about embellishing different surfaces like these ceramic piggy banks.Well, today, I wanted to share some photos of art I've seen in other cities.

You've heard of Cows on Parade, well, here's some Elephants on Parade in Chicago. We were driving around trying to find a bead shoppe, and then I said,"Look, there's an elephant!" Of course, everyone thought I was crazy. Then, I saw another one and another one...

And here's a Bull I grabbed by the horns in Denver.

It's fun to see art in public. I'm sure you're seen the geckos on Oahu and the honu in Hilo.
So, I was thinking, if you could, what would you like to embellish?

Hmm. something to ponder....Thanks for stopping by today and have a Great weekend!

Here Comes the Bride!

Yes, we will be at the World Class Wedding Expo next weekend Fri., April 23 and Sat., April 24.

We'll have beautiful displays of centerpieces, favors, invitations and more!...Lots of Ideas for the DIY Bride!

And don't forget to bring the Groom-to-Be, we'll have you both make a fast and easy favor. You know, get 'em hooked and he can make all the favors! Believe me, the guys are fantastic crafters once they make something and the Brides are happy for them to get involved.

The Wedding Expo is from 6 - 10pm Friday and 11 am - 5 pm on Saturday. Come and sample some onolicious food from caterers and cake artists, get ideas for invitations and photos and start planning that honeymoon.There's lots of  prize giveaways to sign up for, too!

It just so happens, I have some pairs of tickets to giveaway. If you're interested, leave a comment and I'll pick a few lucky winners this Friday.

Wearable Art

As I've said before, I like small things because I think they are cute. So, these Itty Bitty canvases have always been a favorite of mine. For these projects, I used the smallest size, 2" x 2".

First, I covered the canvas with a scrap of brown mulberry paper.Then, I took a scrap of DP and decoupaged it on top. Added a few crystal stickers. Then I used one of the Reflections charms "dream" and tied it on with a ribbon. I added the butterfly dangle which came from the Symbolize charms collection.

These charms collections are great and you get a lot to work with.

For this sample, I painted the canvas with bright orange acrylic paint. Carefully tore a DP scrap into a square shape and wrote "give Peace a chance" with my Pigma pen. Decoupaged it onto the painted canvas. Added some K&Co. fabric flower stickers and some colorful flower buttons.

I call these wearable art because like art, they are made on a canvas. With the added pin back, they are now wearable!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all have a reallygreat weekend!

Blinkie Blinkie Tags

I'm kinda like my pets. I'm always looking around and things just catch my eye. I'm also easily amused. So, flashing PIY Tags are the perfect attention getter for people like me.

Personalize It Yourself Tags are flashing key tags that are solar powered so you don't have to worry about changing batteries.

They come with a bunch of letter and symbol stickers, so personalizing is fast and easy.

It also includes 24 different backgrounds to use. There's sports, colorful graphics and even pink camoflauge!

Just create your design, slide out the tray, slip it in and close the tray.

Here, I used a piece of scrap from my DP stash (and we all know you have a lot of that!)

As it blinks, it changes from a dark screen to your design screen. The design screen shows up really well in the light and outdoors, can't really tell from these photos.

I'm thinking I might add a photo and attach them to lei that I am giving out this graduation season. The constant flashing should catch everyone's attention! Hmmm, now I'm thinking of more ideas...

Thanks for starting your week with a visit! I really do appreciate all of your kind and sometimes funny comments! Have a great week and Happy Crafting!

JOC First April Show

Happy Easter, Everybody! Yes, I had my fill of chocolate today and I am ready for this month's first Joy of Crafting show. We're gearing up for Graduation and our first guest makes her official JOC debut...

We welcome Lisa Loo from our Enchanted Lake BFC. She shares a clever idea that lets your graduate stand out in the crowd. She created a Sign Board with a spinning center based on those spinner cards we used to do. Just add a photo of your graduate where the yellow paper is.

Then, we aksed Daven Yokota from our Pearl City BFC to show us one of the Straw Lei creations from the new Lei book Vol.8. It's just one version of the 3 Straw Flat lei. This would be great for Mother's Day as well.

We end the show with a Hana Hou of Ruth Cancel from our Mapunapuna BFC showing us how to crochet a Twisty Lei. It's one of the easiest crochet leis to do.

Hope you get a chance to watch the show and learn something new. Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you had a really Hoppy Easter!

Crafting Outside of the Box...

I mean it, literally! Ben Franklin Crafts has a lot of RTD wood boxes in different styles and sizes. It's fun to see what people do with them. Take this set for example, it's simply covered with the new Bo Bunny papers from the Jazmyne line and it looks like a Designer set.

Here's some samples of the Bo Bunny Jazmyne and Sophie line. Lots of glittery effects and very rich colors. You know, I got me some!

Well, National Craft Month may be over, but don't worry, the crafting continues on! Thank You so much for visiting all month long and sharing your sweet comments! They really put a smile on my face when I read them! Until the next time, Happy Crafting!

Daisy Photo Holder for Max

Sometimes, something catches your eye and you like it just because it's cute and simple. Probably could make it yourself but you'd rather spend the time making something else. But, you still want one. Well, this little photo holder is just one of those things.

It's cute and simple, just perfect for displaying Max's photo. I have another one to tuck into someone's Easter basket.

Hope you all treat yourself to a little something, too! Thanks for spending time with me today and hope your week is going great! Happy Crafting!

Hippity Hoppity, Easter's on its way!

Easter is just around the corner and I still want to make bunny projects! Here's a quick and easy one made with the Sizzix Favor Box and dandelion design's bunny face.

Just add some ears and you're good to go!

Thanks for stoppping by today! Hope you all have a geat week!

Favor Idea for Graduation

Well, today I made time to make something with the Bo Bunny Clear Party Favor in the heart shape. I used dandelion designs panda and placed the grad hat on top. Added a ribbon so that the graduate can wear it as lei lanyard. You can always tuck some paper money behind in the clamshell.

Up close, you can see I used Flower Soft to create a lei, kinda looks like a yarn lei, doesn't it?

I think I did much better at crafting this afternoon than my bowling this morning!LOL! Thanks for stopping by today and hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Fun Favors for all!

I've been wanting to make something from these cute clear party favors ever since Ben Franklin got them in. Finally, got my chance today. They come in a round shape and a heart shape in what is called clamshell packaging.

I used a bright orange print paper for the backdrop. Used some dandelion stamps (Easter's coming fast, gotta use my bunny as much as I can!) then filled it with some colorful wrapped candy. Very Fast and Easy!

The heart design is a litle smaller and I'm thinking of hanging it off a ribbon like a lanyard for a graduation lei idea. I'll share that one when I make it.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to stop by and visit. Hope you have a great weekend!

How-tos for the Mini Spring Basket

Here's the simple directions for the mini Spring basket I posted earlier today. Start with a piece of cardstock 4.5" L x 4.75" H.

If it's printed on both sides, turn over to the "wrong side". Score in 1.5" from each of the four edges. Crease well and unfold.

Snip at the four points indicated by the arrows, stopping at the horizontal crease lines.

Corner round each tab as shown.

Put a piece of double stick tape on each tab as shown.

Fold up each side, overlapping the tabs.

Fold the tabs down and adhere with double stick tape to the basket.

Cut two strips for the handles: 6" x .75" and 6" x .5". Layer the two strips. Corner round the ends and attach to the basket.

And there you have it, your mini Spring Basket! Fill with goodies and give away to your family and friends! Thanks for waiting for the measurements and directions, see how easy it was? Happy Spring!

A mini Spring Basket

I like to make small things, I think they're cute! So, I took the old Spring Basket project that uses a 8.5" x 11" cardstock and made a mini version.

If Idid the math right, I think you can make 4 of these from one sheet of 12" x 12", so that's keeping in budget. And it's quick. I had to participate in a short phone and web seminar this morning. So, I muted my phone and created this while I listened to the instructor and took notes. I did listen, I promise!(just in case my boss reads this!)

I'll share the exact how-tos later today when I get another break. Thanks for stopping by and hope you're having a Great day!

Arigato!

I love decorating these mini wooden clipboards that the Ben Franklin stores carry. They come with a little keychain so you can hang them on little gifts.

This was more of a "Just Because" type token of appreciaton for someone who does a lot of little things for me. I just cut out one of the Kokeshi dolls from dandelion's stamp. Fast & simple!

Thanks for taking time out today to visit, hope you have a great week!Happy Crafting!

March 2010 JOC Show #2

Tonight on the JOC, March continues with another show featuring some great guests and our wonderful live studio audience! Our first guest is a familiar face from the past...Keala Magarro. Keala shares the secrets to making flowers out of Hearty Clay.

Then, we had a return visit of our favorite One Stroke Painting artist, Frank Dumlao. Frank took our wood coaster sets and painted a beautiful tropical flower collection on them. He truly makes it look so easy!

To finish off our National Craft Month celebration, Cheryl Miyashiro introduced us to the Sizzix Big Shot Pro! She used one of the new larger dies and created a very sweet gift box.

I hope you get a chance to watch this show. Did you watch the other show and see all of your friends in the audience? Did you spock yourself?! Thanks again to all who particpated and made it a truly fun day in January! I just LOVE this photo!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week (Spring Break for some!)