Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Everyone! I know, I've been very bad at posting here, but to see what I've been up to, check out the Sister Stamps blog. Today is your last chance to enter to win the new release stamps, so check out this post for more info on how to enter. So here's the Halloween goodies I made for some blogging friends when I visited Honolulu the other weekend. We had so much fun eating and talking that we shut the place down! They were turning off the lights and all! So much fun to see everyone. Can't wait till we can hang out again! Back to the project... Picked up these awesome dies and matching stamps from Papertrey Ink. They are quickly becoming my FAVORITE company! Anyway, I decided to emboss the faces onto the bag die and then added on their "accessories". Everyone seemed to like these cuties and the best part was that they didn't take that long to make! Thank you Cami, Linda and Aunty Jan for all the yummy goodies! See ya next time Kyoko! Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Release # 4 Candy

Up for grabs on the Sister Stamps blog! Click here for more details...

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sister Stamp Mobile

Happy Sunday! Another busy weekend as usual but I actually got to sleep in today! I think the rainy cold weather helped. :) And DH told Akemi not to bother me.. Aaaaaaahhhhh. So, you probably already saw this on the Sister Stamps blog if you are a follower there, but thought I'd share it here again. For more details on how I made this, check out the post here.. I'm always looking for different ways to use stamps and paper and I was due for another mobile. I've made mobiles in the past using Sizzix dies, which are pretty easy since you can just flip the image. Stamping is different since you can't always align the images nicely back to back- depends on the image/pose. So I found a way around that problem by mounting the images onto something- in this case I used two sakura die cuts from my new Lifestlye Crafts sakura set. I only put one image on each sakura, but you could put one on each side so that no matter which way the sakura faces, you'll see one of the girls. Maybe when we have enough boys to make one I'll do a boy one too. So here's the full shot of the mobile.. added in some beads and small sakura in between to help with balancing the mobile out and interest. And here's the close ups of each sakura/girl. Well, hope the rest of your weekend is relaxing!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Giddy Up!

I know all of you have been eyeing up these stocking turned horsey creations in blogland right? Well, I didn't have that Stampin Up sizzix die at the time I made this fella, so I used the largest stocking die from my Lifestyle crafts set and it worked out nicely. Added some yarn for his hair- just used very strong double stick tape to adhere it down and then slapped on the other half of the horse to keep it in place. The harness was done using ribbon and a mini brad. Eyes were just punched using 3/4" and 1/2" circle punches and the ears were made using my MS heart punch that I folded in half on the wide end and taped it together so that the pointy side was still a little open. He reminded me of those toy horse on a stick that kids play with, so I put him on a candy stick bag filled with pixie sticks. Let me tell ya, pixie sticks are way smaller than before! Look how short the stick is! If you are making this project, you might want to stick with regular m&m's instead since you can make it taller if needed. It's raining today in Hilo, which I would normally love on a Saturday (so I can stay home and craft) but I have class today, so not looking forward to getting wet! I know you are thinking... Hello, its Hilo! It always rains! ha ha ha.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Choochin

When I think of the word choochin (lantern), I always think of high school when we used to tell our friends we didn't want to hold choochin for them- meaning didn't want to be the 3rd wheel on their date. Remember that Les?? Well, these mini lanterns would not provide enough light for that, but they are pretty darn cute! Made these for the store to showcase some of the new Lifestyle Crafts dies that is now available. I must admit, I first cut them out of a burgandy color but didn't like how it came out. After sleeping on it, I decided to change it up and cut them out of vellum and boy did it look better! After cutting them out of vellum, I stamped them with my cherry blossom Stampendous stamp with black Stazon. Since I used Stazon ink, couldn't use my copics on it, so I decided to color them from the back instead. The red showed through nicely. Added the black trim and handles and I was done. We were discussing the lanterns after they were done and think they would make an awesome table decoration... just add a tea light inside them and they will glow nicely through the vellum!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Stamp Layering Card Class Bonus

Every now and then I like to treat my students to a bonus project. Its fun to give them something extra when they least expect it. I had bought this new Hero Arts cling set by Basic Gray after the class announcement was made, but I really wanted to use it in a layering card, so I thought it would be nice to feature it in the class. I procrastinated and procrastinated, and finally came up with the design the morning of the class! Yikes- talk about cutting it close! So- here's the card... And here's the close up of the berries I stamped in versamark and added some gold mica powder. Mica powder doesn't seem to photograph well, but I think you can see enough of it here. Supplies:
  • All stamps- Hero Arts
  • Cardstock-Bazzil
  • Mica powder
  • Distress inks
  • Brilliance inks

Monday, October 10, 2011

A Swinging Good Time!

Wow- where did the weekend go? I had another furlough Friday, but even with that, I feel like I didn't have a break. Must've been all that cleaning and other activities that kept me busy busy busy. One of the things that really kept me busy was Island Scrapbooking's 8th Anniversary Party. You already saw my make 'n take that I offered (ghost candy stick bag), but I was also busy making some samples for the store of the new products that came in. Here's a card I managed to make before the sale... It's of one of my favorite Pure Innocence images! And she really swings too! See- now she's swinging back... And forth... So have to share this with you... Debi and Tracy both thought my tree leaves were clouds?!? Oh well, so much for going for that autumn look. They thought she was swinging from the clouds. I guess they didn't see the log I used for the branch either. It's just not as exciting when you have to explain your card to someone. Ha ha ha ha ha! I guess I'd better stick to more traditional colors next time.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Boo!

Hello Weekend!!! So glad today was a furlough Friday for me. Got TONS of stuff done and about to do more. Cleaned up our living room- and I mean CLEANED UP!!! Woo Hoo! Now I can see my computer desk. Then headed to IS to get the store ready for tomorrow's 8th Anniversary Sale. Stop by if you are in Hilo- you won't want to miss out on the fun. Here's the make 'n take I'll be doing tomorrow morning. Used Lawn Fawn's Halloween set along with some IS lasercuts in "Boo". Cut the flags using the pennant die by Spellbinders. It was rather plain looking until I added in the ribbons and button. Here's a close up of the ghosts... So stop in if you are in Hilo! See you tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Jada!

A few weeks ago we got invited to a baby luau. Not having seen the invite (yes, DH forgot to bring it home), I was tasked with making the b-day card without knowing if there was any kind of theme, etc. All my DH could tell me was that the invite was pink... so I took a chance and went with an asian theme. Am I glad I did! As soon as we walked in, all we saw was japanese stuff. Here's the centerpiece.. I liked it a lot and took a picture of it. Cute yah? And here's my last minute card. I had bought these large sakura dies by Quickutz and LOVE them! In fact, I have another project using them that I'll share a bit later... still working on that one. Anyway, decided to keep it pink since the invite was pink. Used another sentiment by Island Scrapbooking too since its so easy! Here's a close up.... Hope you have a great weekend! Starting mine early since we are on furlough. Yay!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Holiday Tags!

As you can see I've been a busy busy girl! Here's one of the classes in my crazy schedule coming up in November. I already shared the snowman with you, but here's the rest. Needed to keep them rather simple since we'll be making a bunch. Also got a fun bonus project planned that I'll share with you after the class so that its a surprise for the students. This tag is very simple- its from the new clear tags set by Hero Arts. After several versions, finally decided on simple embossing in gold. Here's another simple tag... embossed it again in white on kraft and added the punched pointsetta accent. Oh- here's one of my faves... Santa peeking over the tag. Tag is just a spellbinder die folded in half. Santa is made with punches and mittens are from the Spellbinder mitten set. And finally, found my old gingerbread punch and stuck him in this stocking. Gave him a face using my white enamel (used black on Santa's eyes). Oh yes, added pine branches (MS punch) and dew drops for berries. Hope you can join us for this fun class! If now, hopefully this will inspire you to start on your holiday tags.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Luv'n Box of Drawers

Last month, Mama helped us with the Sister Stamps Release #2 by making samples and posting it on her blog. I've been a big fan of her's for awhile now and actually got to meet Miss Anonymous in person once. Wish I could've chatted with her more, but I was happy to finally meet this mystery woman- kinda reminds me of the Wizard of Oz! So mysterious! One of her projects caught my eye and I had to go investigate further by clicking on all the links till I eventually found the tutorial on how to make this box. It's called Box of Drawers and I actually saw a different version of this at a paper craft store in Honolulu. This version was much easier as it did not require chipboard. The washi paper I used is very busy, so I decided to cut a circle in gold and mounted Kiyomi on it so she wouldn't get lost in the washi. Here's a close up of Kiyomi. And here's the inside of the box. When the box is closed up, the drawers nest nicely and can hold tiny treats. It reminds me of those lacquer chests you see from Japan. Well, my project is not as stunning as Mama's, but I hope it will inspire you to try one yourself. Check out Mama's sample and be prepared to be blown away if you haven't seen it before. Thanks Mama for being a great inspiration! It's release day today for our Release #3 images. That means you can finally get your hands on our holiday images. Enjoy!