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!

January's Second Joy of Crafting

Love is in the Air on the Joy of Crafting's second show for January! We start of the show with Chris from Market City BFC...

Chris shows us how to make our own cute card embellishment from Londy Wire and cookie cutters!

It's a really sweet project!

Then, we have Gloria for Pearl City BFC back with another great project featuring the Cinch binding machine.

She'll give us an idea for storing all your clear and cling mount stamps.

 It's amazing that the Cinch can punch through the tin sheets, great for this magnet board project.

Then, Puna is back to save the day for our Sweethearts!

Have your Honey watch this segment so they can make this for you for Valentine's Day.

You guessed it, it's a Valentine's Day Survival Kit!

Thank You for stopping by today and I hope you get a chance to watch this episode. We had a lot of fun with these projects and I hope you do, too!

Happy Crafting!



First 2011 Joy of Crafting Show

Happy New Year Everybody!It's the Year of the Rabbit, which means we are all in for a very Creative year! To get you started on your new craft adventures, our first show starts off with Gloria from our Pearl City BFC.

Gloria shares with us the ins and outs of using The Cinch binding machine. We love this new tool because it can cut through chipboard, acrylic sheets and more! The best part is that you can adjust to just as many holes as you need for your project.

With the new year brings new products and we have Chris from our Market City BFC introducing us to one of the hottest new trends around...washi tape!

Learn how versatile this decorating medium from Japan is. It's great for all types of projects, not just card making!

Next, we have Puna from our Enchanted Lake BFC showing us a clever centerpiece/favor idea using the tin pails and our recycle pens.

The pens are easy to decorate with and they have a mini magnet on so they can stick to the can for the party centerpiece and then guests can attach them to the fridge when they take them home as a favor.

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope that you are able to join us throughout the year as the Joy of Crafting show brings you new products, new crafts and new crafty friends!

Happy New Year and Happy Crafting all year long!

Happy New Year!!!

This is a special New Year's Card I received from one of my new friends from Japan who recently visited Hawaii. Having Kathy bunny on it is so fitting since 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit!!!

I just want to Thank You All for making this past year such a creative one. I can't wait to see what you all come up with next year, I know it'll be great!

Wishing you and your families a very safe and Happy Happy New Year!

Got me some Bargains! Left some for you!

I was happily checking out the new Hero Arts stamps that just came in to Ben Franklin, great new designs! Couldn't resist, so I got a few. But then, I saw all the great designs that were ON SALE at 50% off! So, GOT ME LOTS OF THOSE!

Can't believe I missed so many good stamps, but I guess sometimes good things (bargains) do come to those who wait! They even had some of the Asian designs on sale, too. I guess we needed to make room for all the new stuff.

Anyway,  I thought I'd share this find with you. But I think you if you want some, better hurry in before the pickin's are all gone!

Thanks for stopping by today!See ya in the stamp aisles ! Happy Stamping!