Mixed Media Kittys

I missed seeing my friends who live on another island.  Since I had plans to meet up with them, I decided to make them something to show them I was thinking of them.

I've been meaning to do another mixed media canvas project using my sprays, so I thought it might be good to try to make one for my friend.  She has two cats- Girly and Maui.  Since they are both black cats, I decided to go with her favorite color purple and pink.  Didn't know if she liked pink, but I was relieved to find out she did!  Yay!

This project was such a challenge for me! First I painted the canvas with gesso. Then used some of my stencils to add texture using Dreamweaver paste.  I think next time I'll try to use texture paste to see how that works.  After drying both, I started layering chipboard, metal embellishments and flowers.  Once I got the design how I wanted it to look, I started gluing everything down.

After that, I went to work using gesso to completely cover all of the items. I didn't paint the flowers, though maybe I should have.  I decided to add on some clothespins that were glued down, but still functional. Wanted her to be able to change out the pictures if she didn't like the ones I picked.

I'm not used to working with sprays and found myself continuously spraying, drying, blotting, and repeating.  I guess I was too impatient and didn't really let the color dry and set in. After a few hours of spraying, drying, blotting and repeating, I decided to call it a night and go to sleep.  When I woke up, I liked the results much better than the night before.  I guess sometimes you just need to sleep on it!

Here you can see the clothespins I painted and sprayed.  After they were done drying,  I glued on an acrylic flower.

Decided to raid my Scrabble tile stash and use that to caption the project.  Dummy me did not check the spelling of "Girly" and first spelled it "Girlie".  After checking the spelling, I prayed that I could take off the tiles and I guess it worked because they popped right off without ruining the project.  Yay!  You can see Girly sitting on the throne... Yup, the toilet seat!

I gave it to my friend this past weekend and she seemed pretty happy with it.  What a relief!  I was so worried she wouldn't like it.  I think next time I need to take it easy on the spraying and maybe do it on watercolor paper instead like I did on my other projects.

Thanks Aunty!

Aunty Debi helped us get the facility for Akemi's birthday party this year.  Thanks Debi!  Akemi had so much fun with her friends and we owe it to you and your family!  Here's a card I made to thank her and her husband.  While surfing You Tube, I saw Tamika's CASE it card Tuesday video here... and fell in love! Thanks Tamika!

The flower I used was handmade and also inspired by You Tube.  It's made out of satin fabric and the middle is an acrylic flower.  Finally used those beaded wheat leaf thingys that I was struggling with.  Thanks to Cami for showing me how to use them!

Inside the cris cross card, I inserted another card...

Here's a bird's eye view of both...

For the card, I punched out a circle out of a scrap cardstock and punched a SU butterfly out in blue cardstock and vellum to insert in the circle.  Added some pearls to the center of the butterfly.

Added an Island Scrapbooking Thank You sentiment and some Petaloo flowers.  Almost forgot, glued some pearl trim around the edge of the circle.  It's not as easy as it looks!

Inside the card, I added an envelope using the Tim Holtz mini manila envelope die.  It's perfect for holding gift cards or other goodies.  I stuck in a GC to Debi's favorite restaurant.  She's so friendly, the workers all know who she is!

OK Deb- thanks again and don't forget to take your family too!!  Bwahahahahaha!

Happy Birthday Sister Stamps!

I still cannot believe that our little company is turning 2!  Just wanted to thank everyone for all their support over the past two years!  I'm amazed that we are still around as it just started as an idea between two sisters.  Thank you sis for everything!!

I actually made this card for a co-worker's grandaughter's baby luau.  I couldn't make it to the party, but I still wanted to give her a gift.  I had just made a cris cross card for the Sister Stamps blog featuring the new doggie images, and wanted to make another one.  In case you don't follow my Sister Stamps blog... I love this paper line by Simple Stories called Vintage Bliss.  I can't seem to stop using it!  

The paper used is my all time favorite. It looks like a wood fence that has flowers all over it.  LOVE IT!  I added a belly band around it even though it didn't really need it.  Then adhered two large daisies on it.  Stickled the flowers and adhered Mariko to the middle.  

Here's a closer look at Mariko...  She's been my go to stamp for birthdays...

And here's the card that slides out.  Added a tab using my Stampin up tab punch.  Rounded the corners of the card and added the Island Scrapbooking Happy Birthday sentiment.

Thanks again for all your support of Sister Stamps!

Akemi's Birthday!

Woah!  I still cannot believe that my little girl is getting so old!!!!  Man, I remember when she was in my belly and look how big she is already!

We are having her b-day party later because its so hectic around her real birthday, but since Grandma Helen was here, we had a small kine dinner at our house to celebrate.  

Akemi recently discovered how cool Barbie is.  It's about time girl!!  Grandma Kat found the coolest dress up Barbie card.

Thank you Sara & Haley for the birthday $$!  Books are at the top of my list!

So happy Bachan came to dinner...

Luv'n this new dress from Grandma!  I love dresses!!

See!  More dresses!

Oooooohhhhh... Any guesses?  Where's all the Harry Potter geeks?  Gotta be from Aunty Denise & Uncle Guido...

Birthday hugs from Grandma Kat...

Peace Papa Steve!

Drum roll please...... Ready for the big bike!  No training wheels now!

Photo bomber...

Aahhh, one more year gone.  (sniff sniff).  The real party is next!

Hui Okinawa's Cultural Camp 2013

 It's already been a crazy summer and it's just begun!  After one week of relaxing with mom, Akemi headed to Hui Okinawa's Cultural Camp.  It's a week long event that provides cultural education for kids.  We heard about it from Akemi's BFF's who also attended.  It started on a Sunday where they made their drums and continued on throughout the week where they learned the Okinawan language, Okinawan songs, Karate, Taiko, and other fun activities.  It was exhausting but the kids loved it and I thought it was definitely worth mentioning on the blog...  Here's some photos from the last day's program..

Teku drum (Taiko)...

 Shime daiko...

  Group photo...

Daruma making...  I like the one that looks like a bear and the one that looks like those russian nesting dolls... LOL!  Guess it's the wrong culture!

I thought these were cool too... Except the one in the back looks like a scary clown to me.

I thought the white faced one was pretty good!  The one hiding behind him looks like Iron man.

Akemi and her BFF..

 BFF photo bombing...

Trying to photo bomb again...

Daddy getting mad...

Akemi eating her home made sweet potato ice cream.  It was yummy!  Oh.. and her unfinished daruma in the front.

I think Akemi and her friends definitely want to go back again next year!

The Wizard of Oz 2013

I know I've been a bit MIA lately, but I have a really good excuse!  May was CRAZY for me as I had ballet practices back to back, end of school stuff, ballet performance, mom's visit, mom's b-day, Akemi's b-day, Cultural Camp (watch for my next post), and finally the Big Island Taiko Festival 2013.  PHEW!  Not that I've been participating in all of these events, but coordinating amongst the fam was a bit hectic.

So I'm finally able to share some family stuff with you... If you are looking for some crafty stuff, you might want to skip this post.

This was a record-breaking year for the number of people that came to see Akemi at this year's The Wizard of Oz performance by Island Dance Academy.  Her BFF's and their family came to watch.  Even their 2 year old baby brother enjoyed the performance!

Grandma Helen flew in for the special night...  Can you believe my "un-crafty" mom as she calls herself made that lei for Akemi!!!  It's her first lei ever that she crochet'd.  I'm proud of her... I knew I got it from someone in our family!

Aunty Stef actually flew in and was able to make it to the performance too!  It was the first time she saw Akemi dance.

Wow!!! Even Uncle Kyle came!

Uncle Kyle also brought Aunty Veronica too.

Here's one of Akemi's friends... I think they started ballet at the same time.

Ok just have to comment on their costumes.. They had a cuter one but had to change out of it to this "animal" costume.  Still not sure what kind of "animal" they were supposed to be.  The costume had animal print AND a tulle skirt, AND black feathers.  Huh?

Anyway, I really love IDA's big productions that happen ever other year.  It amazes me what can be done right here in Hilo!  Those girls are so talented!!

Mother's Day 2013

Wow!  Mother's day was about a month ago.. geez. I'm behind yah?  Better post this before Father's Day!

So my husband decided to host a Mother's Day brunch for all the mom's in our family.  Akemi set the table.  So nice yah?

 Here's some of the food we ate.  Paul also had an omelette station.

We lucked out on the fruit selection..  Those strawberries were so yummy!

Mmmmm.... bacon!

I think we gotta modify this recipe- wasn't as good as pinterest said...

Here's the guests of honor w/Akemi.

Akemi surprised me with a rose from school.  Their teacher let the kids order roses and she made arrangements for them to get it just before Mother's day!  So sweet!

Akemi also made this really cool string art for me.  I love it!