Sister Stamps Note Pads

Actually I don't know what to call these... I found the unfinished ones at Ben Franklin and was stoked since it came with the notepad and pen!  Covered each one with washi paper and even coordinated the pen to match.  

Here's what it looks like open.  I added in a mini calendar and post it notes so the recipient can make notes and check dates.

Made a bunch more to sell at the craft fair..

Wow!  Can't believe the craft fair is tomorrow!  So not ready, but ready or not, here it comes!  If you would like directions, please email me at midoridew@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

Favorite Frame

I gotta say, I think this is my favorite frame of the bunch.  I love the washi. I love it so much I almost didn't want to use it on the frame.  Then I had such a hard time deciding which image to use, then what embellishments to use with it.  I wanted it to be perfect!

If you look really closely, you'll see that the washi has a subtle pattern to it.  It includes tiny cranes, hexagons, sakura, etc. all in a pale blue color.  This was a paper I got from the Paper Source in LA.  I had initially only bought one sheet, but after using a lot on one project during the Anniversary release, I decided to conserve... Luckily, I was able to replenish my stash when I went back to LA in October.  Yay!

To add interest, I added in a crystal flourish. I think its a Recollections brand, which I got from Michaels.  Finally, added some acrylic flowers that I bought from Etsy and also found some at Craft Supply in Honolulu.

Ended up coloring Miyoko's cupcake light pink.  Somehow I just can't imagine a blue cupcake!?  Weird yah, so even though the rest of the design has blues, I went with a light pink wrapper and cherry.

So in case you come to my craft fair and don't see this frame, it's cause I decided not to sell it!  I'm still debating...

Sweet Miyako

Gee, its been awhile since I used Miyako on anything.  I forgot how to color her!  It was kinda fun using all the old images again.  I need to do that more often and give them some love.

I just love how many uses there are for this image.  I guess even though she was released as a Valentine's Day image, Miyako can be used year round.  I've seen her used a lot on Mother's Day cards and birthday cards.  Love to see all the new ways of using our images.

Since this image is so versatile, I thought it would be perfect on a frame.  I think it would be so cute to use this frame as a gift. I would probably insert a photo of someone's granddaughter and give it to them.

Washi paper was from my Japan stash.  Cherry blossoms are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I believe the flourish is by Recollections.  I seem to be going through those flourishes quite frequently nowadays!

Okidoki... back to crafting!

Sisters or BFF'

I really like this image.  It reminds me of me and my sister.  Originally I was going to name it Sisters instead of BFF, but then I thought that more people would be able to relate to it if it was called BFF's since anyone can have a BFF, but not everyone has a sister.  Either way, I thought every female could appreciate and enjoy this image.

I colored their bow/flower to make it look like they traded.  I remember doing stuff like that with friends when I was little.  Somehow it was always more fun to wear your friends stuff than your own. 

This washi paper was from the Paper Source.  If you live in an area with a Paper Source, you really should check out their paper area.  I found the prettiest washi papers there.  I'm hoping when I go back to Japan I'll find more of the papers they carried.

Can't believe the craft fair is just days away!  If you see me and I don't respond, it could be because of lack of sleep!  Ha ha ha!

Miyono Dances

My mom always liked the song "I hope you dance" and said she identifies with it a lot.  I guess I had that in the back of my mind when I named this image after her.  I feel like the cranes were dancing in the background, so I used Miyono since she's the dancer of the group.  

When I first covered the frame with this crane washi... I admit, I had a hard time parting with it. It has become of of my favorite papers!  But I knew it would make a lovely frame, so I reluctantly used it on this one.  Now I'm glad I did since I really liked how it looks on the frame.  Secretly I am wondering if I should pull this one and keep it for myself?!  We'll see if it makes it to the table.  Ha ha ha!

Found these acrylic flowers at Craft Supply in Honolulu!  So glad I made the time to visit that store.  I used to go all the time when they were located on King Street, but haven't shopped there in years.  Added some crystal bling flourishes for interest.

So what do you think... sell of keep?  I'm on the fence!

Revisiting Ayako

I'm pretty certain that behind Kiyomi, Ayako is the next most popular image.  I'm guessing everyone likes her umbrella?  I guess I can't choose since I like all of them!  I guess I think of them as my children.  Silly yah? It's so weird to think of things that are not even alive as my children.  I guess it's cause I name them and give them some personality when I introduce them to world, so I feel a connection to each and every one of them.  

OK back to the project.. Yes, yet another frame.  If you've been visiting me all week, it's pretty much the same sphiel... enlarged image, colored & cut out and popped up onto a washi covered frame.

Here's a close up of Ayako...

Be back soon with more to share!

Fun With Mei Lin

Sometimes I spend so much time promoting our new Sister Stamps images that I neglect the first releases!  Sorry girls!  Time to give them some love too.  So I decided to enlarge Mei Lin and add her to one of the frames.  Mei Lin was from the first release of Sister Stamps.  I just love her hairdo! I don't think I've ever had that hairdo myself, but its really cute!  And her pinwheel really brings this image to life.  It continues to be one of my favorites!

Here's a close up Mei Lin...

Check back soon for more craft fair samples!

The Countdown Begins!

Woah!  Today is not only release day for the new Sister Stamps images (Release #10), but it's also exactly one week until the craft fair at my house!  OK now I'm panicking!  

Luckily, I had made a bunch of these frames to sell.  Continuing on with the shares... today I have Kiyomi.  Kiyomi is still... without a doubt... the best selling image of Sister Stamps.  I can't get over that no matter how many images we release, she remains our most popular.  And funny how its the image I happen to name after my sister!

The Kiyomi image comes with a butterfly, but I hardly color up the butterfly.  Instead, I opted to punch out a small butterfly using a flat EK success punch and added some crystals.  

Do you like her hair?  It's a lot more work, but I think its worth the time and effort.  It really makes it look like she has bangs and her hair is pulled back into the pigtales.  I saw Amy Young do this on her blog- 1000 sheets of paper. Thanks Amy!

If you are interested in coming to my craft fair, please email me at sisterstampsllc@gmail.com and I will send you the address.  Thanks for stopping by!