Sister Stamps Release Day!

Today is the day . . .  Sister Stamps Release Day!  Woohoo!!!

If you came here from Debi's blog, you're all good!  If not, head on back to the Sister Stamps blog to get started on your hop!

It's almost sad to end the hop.  I've had so much fun creating with these adorable images and got a chance to really "craft"!  :)  I hate to say it, but I pretty much forgot how to post, link, and navigate through my blog, especially taking my photos and editing them.  Yep, had to relearn everything . . . that's my fault for being away too long.  Hopefully, this will help me get back into crafting and sharing something of substance.  HEE, HEE!!!  No promises though . . .

Ok, here's my last and final project.  I created a shadow box using Lori Whitlock's SVG 8x10 Shadow Box.  You can find it at the Silhouette Online Store or at Lori Whitlock's Shop.

I decided to color Miyoko and Mariko.  The Sister Stamps name was created in the ECAL software and  I just welded the letters together.  I also put together a 3D #1 representing Sister Stamps 1st Birthday using the 3D Number Party Kit.  The teeny tiny lantern above the #1 measures approximately 1.5 inches.  It wasn't easy trying to glue the lantern together, but happy that I did it!  It's from the Crisp Days of Fall Kit from SVGCuts.

Here's Miyoko.  With my Copic Multiliner pen, I drew in lines for her hair.  Just wanted to try something different.  Miyoko was masked only exposing her kimono which I stamped with another sakura stamp.

Here's Mariko.  I just luv her in deep red!  The lanterns hanging above her is from Lawn Fawn's Lunar Lights set.  All the other embellishments within the shadow box is from Bo Bunny's Serenity Collection.

Your next stop, Ms. Amy Young!  Thanks for stoppin' by . . .  don't forget to get your Sister Stamps!

**************

THANK YOU SO MUCH JENNY!  THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN AND I'M GLAD I WAS ABLE TO JOIN IN ON YOUR CELEBRATION.   CRAFTING AGAIN DEFINITELY BROUGHT ME BACK TO MY "HAPPY PLACE" & REALIZE I NEED TO DO THIS MORE OFTEN.  WISHING YOU MANY, MANY MORE YEARS OF SUCCESS WITH SISTER STAMPS!

がんばってね！ おめでとう！

{Good luck!  Congratulations!}

Baked With Love - Meet Miyoko!

Hello and Happy Saturday!  Can you believe it?  Tomorrow is the BIG Release!  I'm sure y'all are just rubbing those hands together in anticipation.

Today is Day 3 in the Sister Stamps #8 Release.  If you came here from Debi's blog, you are on the right track.  If not, head on over to the Sister Stamps blog and start hopping' from there!

Here is Miyoko.  So dainty holding her sweet cupcake.  I finally got to use my Sizzix Flip-its die . . . this is the square one.  I randomly stamped around the cardstock with a cherry blossom stamp that I've had for many, many years.

I wanted her to stand out in front of the patterned paper so I decided to cut a circle out of vellum and cut a border to frame Miyoko.  I think it helped in making her the focal point for the card.

When you "flip" the card, this is what's behind . . . I added this sentiment from the Yummers set by Paper Smooches.  The little "Happy Birthday" sentiment is by PTI.

This is why I used "Baked with Love".  I created a gift set to go with the card.  I made a mini cupcake box/holder and a pedestal to go with it.  The cupcake box is an svg file from Lauren Meader's, Hey Cupcake!  I sized the box down quite a bit to fit 2 mini cupcakes.  The bow on the front of the box is from designer, Patricia Zapata.  You can find it at the Silhouette Online Store or at A Little Hut.  The pedestal is from the Popular Street Tulips kit & the doily that sits on top is from the Doilies collection by SVGCuts.

Take a look at the yummy mini Red Velvet cupcakes!  So oishi (delicious)!  I admit it . . . after taking these pictures, I popped those cupcakes right into my mouth!  :)

Okie dokie, you might just wanna head on over to Amy's blog for more inspiration.  She's the master of Copic coloring!  :)  See you back here for my final project and for RELEASE DAY!

Let's Celebrate - Meet Takeo!

Today is Day 2 of Sister Stamps new release.  Did you arrive here from Debi's blog?  Yep, your on the right track . . . if not, head to the Sister Stamps blog and you can start hopping in the correct order.

I bet you couldn't get enough of seeing all the creations by Jenny, Debi, Aunty Jan, and the past Guest Designers using these cute and kawaii stamps!  Well, there's more!

Meet Takeo.  He is just adorable and reminds me of my first son -- so carefree and energetic.  I can totally picture Takeo running around and having a blast in the summer sun.  What fun to be running with all those balloons too!   I actually made this card for my son since his birthday is at the end of July.

Here's a close up of Takeo.  See the balloons?  I added some Glossy Accents to make them shiny.  Ok, I know, I went a little light on the sky.  I'm a bit rusty and haven't colored or created much lately.  Almost embarrassed to show this to y'all.  Along with the card, I'll give my boy this tool box so he can put in his many Beyblades.  It's a craze with young kids, I can't begin to explain how to play them.

The tool box is the Tool Box svg file from Crea8ive Cutz.  I incorporated the handle at the top of the tool box from the My Day With Dad Kit by SVGCuts 'cause it looks so realistic.

Now, hop on over to Ms. Amy's blog!  She'll have something amazing to show you . . . thanks for stopping' by and see you back here tomorrow!

ON A SIDE NOTE:
I just wanted to say how touched I am that some of you have missed me over these long, long, months. I have definitely missed you too!!  Life is just way too busy and with 3 kids, it just gets busier.  There's always life changing events happening in our family, the latest being that my hubby has gone back to the fire station.  He was at the Headquarters working in the Community Relations/Educational Department with the Honolulu Fire Department for the past 2 years.  Hubby decided to get back in the field to gain experience so that when he goes for the Captain's promotion, having the office and field experience would benefit him in the long run.  Now this all translates into me being home with the kids by myself for a 24 hour shift (3 shifts in a rotation).  We've done it in the past so we are used to the transition.  Anyways, I really appreciate all of you!  :)

A Gift For You - Meet Mariko!

Hello world!  I'm poppin' into my most neglected blog for some very special previews.  That's right, in the next couple of days, I'll be sharing some projects that I've been working on for Sister Stamps.  I'm sure you've seen the 3 new images being released on July 1st . . . soooo, soooo cute!

If you came here from Debi's blog, then you are on the right track.  If not, click {HERE} and it will take you right to the Sister Stamps blog.  There you will find the complete Blog Hop list. 

I'm thrilled and honored to help Jenny and her sister, Denise, celebrate Sister Stamps' 1 year anniversary or better yet, its First Birthday!  Jenny has called upon past Guest Designers to help in this celebration & I know you'll be blown away by all the creations.  Are you ready?  Here we go!

Today, I'm sharing with you Mariko.  She is definitely ready to get this party started.  I did a shaped card using my Nestabilities.  Along with this card, I created an oval gift box which I embossed with the Cuttlebug Oriental Weave embossing folder.  This gift box was cut with my Eclips machine using the Sew Crafty Kit from SVGCuts.  Luv, luv, luv SVGCuts!

Here is a close up of Mariko!

Here's the top view.

Now head on over to Amy's blog!  Thanks for stoppin' by and see you back here tomorrow!

Happy Birthday to you . . .

It's Krista Palakiko's birthday today and a few of us are throwing her a surprise birthday blog hop.  If you've come here from Joni's blog, then you are on the right path, but if you just popped in you might want to hop on over to the beginning at the Lollipop Crafts blog.  Why?  Well one lucky hopper will win a SURPRISE PRIZE!  All you need to do is hop along to each friend’s blog, leave some love, then head back to the Lollipop Crafts blog and let them know you completed the hop.  Who knows maybe along the way some of Kris' friends might be giving away RAKS of their own, so make sure you stop and give some love to everyone.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, March 18th.


Well, well, what can I say?  I've had the privilege and the honor of getting to know Kris both through blogland a few years ago and meeting up with her while she was here on Oahu tending to her beautiful son who was born a bit early at the Queen's Medical Center.  She is nothing but a sweet and generous soul who always thinks about others.  Well, today we celebrate Kris as we think of her on this special day!


I recently purchased the Sizzix Eclips machine which I've had my eye on since last year.  Couldn't decide whether to get the Silhouette Cameo or Eclips, but in the end, my mind was set.  I've been cutting up paper like crazy and playing around with numerous SVG files.    FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

I cut out these 3D letters using the 3D Letters SVG Kit from SVGCuts.  It was pretty fun, but I do have to admit, the "S" was the hardest to put together because of its curves.  I added some details to the letters . . . a cloud, a white picket fence, and some butterflies.  The little girl sitting up there on the "R" is Maisie Sitting Pretty from Lili of the Valley and the bunny on the "S" is from the Lucky Bunnies - Clear Stamp Set from TGF.

Here's another view.

I just want to wish Kris the best birthday ever!  You are dear to my heart and nothing but LUV 4 U!

Now, hop on over to Sony's blog {HERE}.  Remember, if you get lost along the way, the  MASTER LIST is on the Lollipop Crafts Blog.  Thanks for stopping by today!  :)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween y'all!  Wow, it's been a while since I last posted anything or been around blogland for that matter.  I've been really busy with life, but trying to get some Halloween projects done too.  Here is a creation that I sort made up.  I made 12 of these to give to my hubby's 7 secretaries, my DS's teacher, my DD Tiny Tots teacher, and some friends.  It all started when I saw my sweet blogging friend, Kris' post about her lollipops.  Click {HERE} to see her post!  I changed up the dimensions of the lollipop wrapper to fit a Dum Dum Lollipop instead of a Tootsie Roll Pop.  Some of you know that I was an elementary school teacher before becoming a SAHM.  I remember singing "5 Little Pumpkins" with the kids thus coming up with this project.  I cut the houses with Tim Holts Townscape die and the tree with Tim Holtz Branch Tree.  I used EK Success Pumpkin punch as well as MS Grass and Iron Fence punch.

Here's a closer look.

Sorry for the bad photo.  Here is the song/poem, 5 Little Pumpkins attached to the back.  The Haunted House is from the Lawn Fawn Happy Haunting set. 

On a very sad note, we recently lost a very dear and wonderful human being last Wednesday, Dean Harvey.  Dean is my hubby's cousin and they were extremely close.  Some of you know the story behind how my baby boy, Asa, got his middle name.  Click {HERE} to read a previous post about my story.  Anyway, here is a picture of Dean and Asa meeting for the first time last December (2010).   Asa was only a month old.  

Click {HERE} to read an article written about Dean weeks before he passed away.  The article tells of his CJD and the journey he's taken living with this most terrible disease.

I luv this picture of Dean with the sunset behind him.  This day last August, he and his wife Kathi, renewed their vows at Maili Beach in Waianae.  With family surrounded them, the day was perfect. 

We miss you so much Dean!  You are now in the presence of the Lord.  You now have your strength and your winning smile! 

Thanks everyone for sticking with me through this post.  I have another project that I made for Halloween.  Hoping to share it this week.  My Asa is turning 1 soon and I'm trying to get all the details done for his 1st birthday party.  Yep, crazy Mama trying to do everything myself and I really, really don't have the time.  Plus, Dean's funeral service will be 2 days before Asa's party.  Boy, our family will be so busy but just happy that we can all be together supporting each other during this time of loss and this time of celebration.  So, if I'm not around to check you out, you know what I'm doing . . . family stuff and party stuff!  Urgh . . . once the everything is done, I'll be relieved.  Okie dokie . . . catch ya laters!

Roar! Simply Gorgeous!

Hope you're having a purrr-fect Wednesday!  I'm back with our WOW Farm Fresh Challenge.  Today is Sketch Wednesday and our fearless leader, Rachel, has come up with this sketch:

Well, who do we have here?  She's Cheeky Kitty!  Oh, Marie has created this beauty in digi form and is ready for purchase tomorrow, September 15th!  Purrr-fect for the Halloween season!

I made a little treat bag and she crawled her way right on!  Cheeky Kitty looks hot wearing her leopard skin outfit with black net stockings.  ROAR!  Simply gorgeous!

If you are not aware, the Gallery has been down and Marie is doing her best to get it back up so you can play in our challenges, upload your pictures, browse around for inspiration, and what not.   We have added the InLinks to the last couple challenges and to this one as well.  Just upload on the challenge post.  When the Gallery is up and running, you can upload there {TGF Galleria > Farm Fresh Challenges 2011 > Which One Wednesday > Sketch 11.}

The W.O.W. challenge is open until Tuesday; entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner is chosen by random draw and wins a free digi of choice! 

Thanks for stoppin' by today!



By The Numbers . . . A "21st" Birthday!

Phew, I made it to Friday!!!  It was sure a busy week for me, but let me tell ya, I had a blast posting everyday!  Haven't done that in ages!  This week over at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog, we're doing things "By the Numbers". Meaning? All you have to do is use a number on your project! Paper, stamp, embellishment, doesn't matter.  Easy, peasy right? 

Here's what I came up with.  I made a treat bag for a special friend who is turning "21" soon.  Ok, not really 21, but she's 21 at {HEART}!  Found the tutorial {HERE} . . . it's super easy and makes for a fast gift wrapping.  This treat bag measures 4 1/2 x 10 inches.  Yes, it's GIGANTIC!  It's the perfect size for what I have inside too.

Here's a closer look at Birthday Anya 2. 

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> By the Numbers.

That's it for me today.  I think I need a must deserved break from blogging this weekend . . . will be back soon though.  I'm feeling a bit generous and I'm in a celebrating kind of mood.  So, if you have a sweet tooth, I'll be back with some CANDY!!!  :)

Back To School Already?

Aloha Friday!  YIPPY!  This week for FFF, the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog has a really cool challenge for you . . . "2 Cool 4 School"! Show us your best school-related projects, either for students or teachers, it doesn't matter.

For some of you, you or your kids may still be on summer break, but for me and my kids, school began about 2 weeks ago.  The first week wasn't so back with no homework for my son.  This week was a different story - - he and his classmates got SLAMMED with work!  You would think he attends private school, but nope, he's in the public school system.  Anyway, we've been busy with homework and with extra-curricular activities during the week and weekend.

For my project, I decided to do a set - - a card and a 3D item.  Do you spy Teacher Anya?  :) 

I kept the card pretty simple so that the letters can be seen.  The school year 2011-2012 was stamped in the corners.  I think this is perfect to give to my son's new teacher.

Here's a backpack I made.  I found a tutorial {HERE} at Splitcoaststampers, but tweaked it a bit.   I'm going to give this set to my son's teacher and will add some goodies in the backpack to get her through the school year.  :) 

This is the backside of the backpack.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> 2 Cool 4 School.

That's all I have for you today.  I'll be back soon for some other creations.  :)  Thanks for stoppin' in and have a great weekend!

A Luv-ly Fancy Fold . . .

Are you ready for a Throwback challenge?  For Farm Fresh Challenge Blog's FFF challenge, we require you to break out your "old" TGF singles/sets.  At the bottom of this post, there is an "Exclusion List" which has the last several months worth of TGF releases on it. The deal is that you can use anything on your project BUT those stamps. So dust off your very first TGF purchases and make them shine again!

Along with this Throwback challenge, there's a twist. Create a 'Fancy Folds' card/project using your "old" stamps!  It can be an Easel Card, Tri-fold, Pop-Up, Gatefold Card . . . be creative and we'd luv to see what you come up with!

Before I get to my project, there's a new Farm Fresh Face joining the team.  Welcome, Emily Martina aka Beansscrapsandsheep!  Congrats girl!

Now, on to my Throwback Fancy Fold project.  If you know me, I absolutely luv anything 3D so this Fancy Fold challenge was right up my alley!  Today, I've made a Book Box Card featuring Wild Sprout Dahlia.  Ain't she a blast from the past?    I hadn't inked her up in ages and she was just screaming my name!  :)

Here's the front of the Book Box Card.  My sweet friend Cami did a Make 'n Take for one of our gatherings and this is the project she prepared for us to make.   I really wanted to make another one and this is what I came up with.

Here's the inside of the Book Box Card.  Click {HERE} for a tutorial on how to make one.  ***Sorry, after taking this photo and doing my final editting, I notice that one of the pearls had moved.  :)

A closer look . . . the box area is big enough to fit some goodies!  On the other side, there's an area for me to write a sweet note.

That's it!  Hope you enjoyed it and let me know if you try this.  I'd luv to see what you come up with!  :)
Exclusion list

Anya/Ian Singles
Fancy Anya
Beanie Anya
Café Ian
Surfer Anya
Twirl Anya
Princess #2
Princess #3
Birthday Anya 2
Birthday Ian
Anya/Ian Sets
Miss Anya Lounge
Miss Anya Hats Off
I Do
I Heart Sweaters
Creeper Crew
Syren
Creepin’ Kit
Abbey
Piper
Cheeky Cherry
Naughty or Nice
Cheeky XMas
Cheeky Cherry Pie
Cheeky Chat
Cheeky Howdy
Oliver & Amelia
Little Dreamer
Because of You
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Ahoy
Summer Fun
Surprise

Sentiments/ Backgrounds/Other
Because of You
Splotchy
Hoo Loves You

Sprouts
Daisy
Elena
Ryan

Digital Images
Easter Anya
Easter Ian
Ballet Anya
Chibi Farm Hand
Blush
Hearts Background
Bonnie
Babette
The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Throwback Challenge > Throwback 3.