Hi There! This blog will no longer have any new post or activities. Please click here to go to my NEW blog, as I've depleted all the memory on this one. I hope to see you there! I will, however, continue to keep this blog up, as there are tons of ideas and tutorials that you may want to search through. When you are done searching here, please head on over to my new blog and visit me there. Aloha, Teri

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Welcoming 2010

I can't believe that today is the last day of 2009. I hope you are all spending quality time with your family and friends. This is the first year that I actually did not have enough time to finish up my Christmas card. But, I decided that instead, I will be sending out a New Year's card. Here's the card that I created using the SU My Digital Studio. I love this program! The only thing that I had a hard time with was that my computer didn't have enough memory on it to run properly, so we had to add tons of memory for it to run somewhat okay. I guess it's time to look into getting a new computer! Thanks Pam T. for taking our family photo. This photo was taken at Kahala Mall center stage. Aren't the poinsettas beautiful?! From my family to yours, sending lots of love and aloha your way and wishing you and yours a Happy New Year! May the new year bring peace, happiness and good health to you all. Be safe in your celebrations tonight!

Monday, December 28, 2009

The Blessings of Sharing

If someone asked me if I got everything I wanted for Christmas, I'd shout, "Yes!" With the kindness and generosity of over 30 women, we were able to bless the women and children of Ka 'Ohu Hou O Manoa on December 21st. We met five of the six women and their children, bearing wishes and gifts for all of them. Yes, we were able to fulfill the dreams and all of their wishes! Here's a photo that we took with Debbi Ross, Resident Manager of the home. (Due to privacy, we refrained from photographing the families). Joining our evening of wish making, Wini, my son - Nolan, Linda and Brenda (and her beautiful family). Being there among the women and children gave me such a wonderful feeling that I can't describe to you. Just knowing that we can make a difference in the lives of others, people that we call strangers, are now our friends.A huge Mahalo (thank you) to all of you who filled my mailbox with cards and envelopes and postage stamps to share with the families. We were able to collect 110 beautiful cards! I mailed the box ahead of time, so that they would be able to enjoy them and send cards to their family and friends. The women LOVED them all and were so amazed at how these beautiful works of art were theirs to use.
I couldn't have done it by myself and so I thank all of you for your love, support and generosity to help me make the lives of others blessed this Christmas!
As a side note, besides organizing the January 2010 one card swap, I will not be posting on a regular basis. In the weeks to come, I will be focusing all of my energy on a family matter. I just want all of you to know that I am so lucky to have all of you in my lives and I do appreciate your faithful reading, regardless if you post a comment or not. I know you are out there! I will resume my posting when I can and hope that you will come back to support my posting once I'm able to post on a regular basis again. Again, thank you for being you!

January One Card Swap

Aloha Friends! I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas! It's that time again to sign up for the monthly one card swap. This sign up is for the month of January 2010.
If you are a returning swapper, please leave a comment on this post and just sit tight for the partner assignment. If you are new to this one card swap, please be sure you send me a personal email (address on sidebar) with your full name, mailing address and blog address. DO NOT POST ANY OF THIS INFO AS A COMMENT ON MY BLOG
This monthly swap is a fun swap of only one card, nothing else please! For more info on this, please search my blog for more info, or email me with questions. Mahalo!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Hello Kitty Pocket

I've had my Cricut and Hello Kitty cartridge for some time now, but just never got around using it. Thanks to Joy, who inspired me to use it after she and I were playing with it a couple of weeks ago. I'm so happy that I bought a bunch of these pockets to create something so cute and simple - makes gift wrapping a snap! It's the weekend and I guess I'm marathoning like everyone else to finish it all! More baking and packing treats and just finishing up. I haven't even gotten our photo taken for our Christmas card! Holy moly, this is the first year that I'm sooooo late! I will do it though. We will probably take our photo tonight! Hope you are all enjoying the holiday rush!

Friday, December 18, 2009

More projects using the adhesive 3M craft paper

Here are more samples that I created with the 3M fully adhesive craft paper. My friend requested for a long card and if I could put a surfer on it. This was the best I could do. I tried to make a variety of samples, so thought I should make a tag. I sanded the green paper after I embossed it. I really like how this one turned out.
Then, I thought I should make a scrapbook page since you could use it for scrapping as well. I was also asked if I could make samples using the Cricut since this paper is endorsed by Cricut. I cut out the ladybugs with my Cricut.
And finally, I a doggie tag and a huge strawberry. These are cut using the Cricut too. I know...a green dog?? There's only so much one can do with only green and red paper...I can't wait to get the rest of the colors!
Thanks for looking today. I'll have another HK pocket to share with you tomorrow!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Bitty Box

I stayed up last night to make 30 of these cute bitty boxes. These are going to be given to the nice people at the Koolau Clinic in Kaneohe where mom and dad go for their blood tests and medication pick ups. I used the XL Sizzix die called Bitty Box and envelope (#115967). I only cut out the box. I stamped the sentiment Merry Christmas which came from a really nice set of sentiments - Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370) and used a strip from my scrap bin. The cute birdie is from the Berry Christmas set (#116509) - sorry that I keep using this bird, but it's so cute! Thought I'd share a couple of photos of my Christmas tree and some of the stuff I put up to get me in the holiday spirit. Here's part of my snoman collection. I don't put them all out like I used to...just thinking about putting them all back scares me, LOL!
Here's a photo of my tree. This year, the tree was actually too big and we had to cut a good amount off from the top and bottom. No star for the top this year! It's a beautiful tree, so green and fresh. I said that I wasn't going to put up a tree this year, but it just didn't feel like Christmas! Maybe I'll hunt for an artificial tree after Christmas.
Hope you are enjoying the holidays...I took the day off and spent most of my day finishing up the shopping and now I'm off to wrap the gifts! Thanks for taking the time to visit and comment, you know that brings a smile to my face!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Beary Christmas

Busy! That's the only word to describe my life, and I'm sure everyone else's! Wanted to share another cute pocket creation today. I used my Build-a-Bear die and dressed him up in his Santa suit, so cute! Layered the tag using my scraps and here's another gift ready to go! I can't believe that I didn't even bake a thing yet! I guess brownies are it! Baking in a pan sure saves alot of time and my sweet sister baked a whole bunch of cookies and chex treats for me - what would I do without her? Happy Tuesday everyone! Gotta go and finish up stuff before I leave for the bus ride and my nap!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Celebrating witb my Downline

I can't believe that I didn't post for a few days, but the time was well spent...I had my downline holiday party this Saturday and it was such a relaxing day for all of us since there were only 8 of us. This week, I decided to take it easy and not do any of the cooking, but instead catered! We all had a wonderful time and I thank my downline for their hard work and their friendship. I wanted to make something small to give to the girls, and came up with this cute favor using my matchbox die and cocoa specialty DSP. Image is the Build a Bear and santa hat is from the sock monkey accessories set.
Here are the cards we swapped, they were all so pretty!














My wonderful downline and friends...







I'll be posting the photos of the projects we made (both weeks were the same projects). I will also be sharing with you a few more projects I created using the 3M fully adhesive craft papers. Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you had a fun weekend! Anyone done shopping??

Friday, December 11, 2009

Holiday Hello Kitty, easy!

I have to say that after Joy, Taelyn and I worked on some Cricut Hello Kitty projects last week after the party, I thought that I didn't want to make any more because of all of the little pieces needed to make just one kitty!
I decided to try the new fully adhesive 3M craft paper that I was asked to make some samples with since the colors I had to work with was red and green, perfect for Christmas! Here's my Christmas Kitty...I attached her to a cute little tag pocket die; what a perfect size for a small little gift! The adhesive paper made it so easy to just peel and stick! BTW, this paper is endorsed by Cricut, so you know it's gotta be good! This 3M fully adhesive craft paper will be available in Hawaii in January at FH. I can't wait to get more colors to work with. Just wanted to share how easy it was to make Miss Kitty with no fuss, no mess, just peel and stick!
Happy Friday! Another busy weekend for me! More to share soon!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Butterfly Birthday

Happy Wednesday! I wanted to thank everyone so much for the wonderful response to my post yesterday about sharing some holiday aloha with a special group of women. Thank you! If you made a request for the wish list and have not received an email from me yet, don't worry! I will be forwarding it shortly. I'm working on some samples for my friend who is leaving for a show this weekend. I haven't forgotten about you!
Today, I'm sharing with you a cute box I made for my GF Joni, who celebrated her birthday the other month, and of course knowing me, I'm never on time anymore! Sorry Joni! I finally had a moment to make her gift. Got this super idea from my GF Rita Here's another view...
This box was an easy one to make. I'm not sure if you can find it on splitcoast, but I'll be happy to share measurements if you want. This box uses the fabulous and exclusive SU top note sizzix die. Since the top note served as my top and bottom covers, I adhered DSP on the front and back of the light cardboard and then cut on my big shot machine. I embellished the cover with the cute butterflies using our butterfly die. Sentiment is from my favorite set called Fundamental Phrases.
I love this color combo...Joni's favorite color is blue but I just had to add this DSP from the Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper (Holiday mini). Thanks for stopping by today!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Please help me share some holiday Aloha!

ETA: I Forgot to mention that if you are donating a holiday card (or any card) to share, I'd love to receive them by early next week, or at least by the end of next week. I will need to deliver the cards to them so that they can write them and mail them out for Christmas.

If you are donating a gift from their wish list, those gifts will be graciously accepted by me no later than December 20. I will be delivering the gifts to them that week after I wrap them up all pretty! To view a copy of the wishlist, please send me an email.

All donors will have their first name listed on a card that I am submitting to the shelter - don't worry, your identity will be protected :)

Each year, my family and friends look for ways we can "give back" or share some holiday aloha with an organization who could use some holiday cheer. Some of the places we shared aloha with included The Ronald McDonald House and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children (Long Term Care) and the collecting socks for seniors, remember that one? With everyone's help, we were able to keep alot of feet warm! We collected socks to share with two care homes on the island of Oahu!
This year, after shopping around for an organization to share some aloha with, I selected Ka 'Ohu Hou O Manoa. This is a transitional shelter for recovering women is located in beautiful Manoa. This transitional shelter is relatively new, as it opened it's doors in February of this year. You can check out their website HERE. There are only six (6) women that currently live at the shelter with some of their children. Admission to the program is that women have to be homeless, pregnant or parenting and in stable recovery. The women must be capable of independent living and are willing to go to work or school. This shelter provides a clean, stable and affordable housing for these women while they work hard at staying clean and sober.
As a mother, we all know what sacrifices we make, especially for our children, and I speak for myself personally. I'm a giver and I'd much rather bring joy to others, especially during the holidays.
Want to share some Aloha with me? I welcome any help to share the Aloha! The resident managers of the shelter has asked each of the women to write a wish list - something they wish for and for their children. Most of the requests were for Walmart or Longs (CVS) giftcards. Good choices, as you can stretch your dollar while shopping at these stores. I am planning to wrap up gently used children books and toys (as suggested by the resident manager) as well as making some of their small wishes come true. I have already asked for donations of holiday cards for the women in exchange for some awesome 3M adhesive paper samples. Here's the first card I received from 1luvnmama! Thank you so much! This card is a stunner and I'm sure will be treasured by one of the ladiesI finally received more of the 3M craft paper samples and will be sending them out to you today if you've requested for the sample. More cards would be nice, thank you cards are good ones to make too. I am also wishing for a donation of postage stamps to accompany these cards as well.
I know that some of you might think that this is much to ask, but that's all I'm doing is asking. Your donation does not have to be a large one. Small donations are perfect! I plan to make these women's wishes come true through donation or my own giving. I know it will make a difference in my life this year. If you would like more information, have questions, or would like to know how you can help, please send me an email. Thanks for reading this post and for sharing from your heart to people who will appreciate you! Mahalo!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Beautiful Swaps!

Wanted to share with you to day the beautiful cards that the ladies made for our card exchange. Instead of buying a grab bag gift, I asked each person to make a card for a card exchange. Here are the beautiful cards that were up for grabs (in no particular order)...I don't have all of the names of the creators of the cards, sorry we didn't identify everyone, but that's okay, please enjoy viewing these beauties!



























I'll be posting the projects that we made a little later, since I'm having another holiday gathering for my downline girls this coming Saturday! Don't want to ruin the surprise! Please come back tomorrow for a posting on how you can help me to make Christmas a little brighter for a special group of women and children. Happy Monday!

It's a Holiday Party!

Wow! I can't believe that my holiday party was yesterday. After putting everything back in place, I finally had the time to download and edit the photos that I took yesterday of the peeps that attended the party. I'm still zoning from the lack of sleep even though I "slept in" today...I popped out of bed at 7:30...that's late for me! LOL! Anyway, here are the photos...thank you to all who came to my party for lots of fun - hope you all had fun making those ornaments and hope you enjoyed the food and desserts too.
Here's a photo of Joy (Tamikos.com), me and Linda. Looks like I'm ready to sleep! A group photo of some of the gals after the crowd left (thanks Bryan for taking our pic!)
Melita (Joy and Linda in the background trying to figure out how to make those trees!
Joy and Pam

Taelyn
Jodi and Jenny
Carole and Lisa (Thanks Carole for the yummiest carrot cake!!)
Lynnelle and Fay
Jill and Jo
Tammy and Ilissa...so nice to finally meet you!
Bora and Liane. Thank you for the beautiful floral bouquet!
Judie and Margie
Thank you all so much for the love and support through the whole year. Your attendance at my monthly classes keep me going. Merry Christmas to you all! Come back tomorrow to see the cards that we swapped! They were all so beautiful! Hope you are having a restful Sunday!