Let's take a SPIN with Yoshi!

Raise your hand if you are super excited for Sister Stamps Release #7!!!!!!! (hands up high) or is it that i'm FLYING high because i am the GUEST DESIGNER for this spectacular release?!?!
ok, ok... i'm still on cloud 9 having been asked by Jenny to join her and Debi in previewing Sister Stamps first ever BOYS ONLY release!! Cheeeehuuuu!! this is such a privilege, a HUGE honor, to be apart of these talented gals... and when asked by Jenny, i was beaming ear to ear with excitement, of course you know what my answer was!!! Thank you Jenny, for having me be apart of your design team for this release!!! i hope i do you proud!! =)

so who's ready to take a spin with Yoshi?!?!
Yep, Yoshi (and Daba) are having fun in the bamboo forest...

as soon as i saw the image of this playful little guy, INTERACTIVE totally came to mind... yes, i speak from experience because my lil' guy bounces of the walls... literally... LOL... he has so much energy and Yoshi reminded me of him... except my lil' one isn't quite doing cartwheels yet... hehehe... searching for the right type of project for Yoshi, SPINNER came to mind... i haven't tried one of these type of creations until this and it was a good idea... it was so funny to know that Jenny had the same thing in mind... and i'll admit, it took me 4 tries to get it right! **sorry i don't know what happened to link of where i found the instrux!!** my son loves it... he laughs out loud each time i share this with him... and so, i really thought Daba was appropriate to share in the spotlight... cause Daba is full of laughter too!
another pix to show that Yoshi does move... =) card is very simple... didn't want to attract too much attention to the background... i simply used the bamboo dreamweaver stencil and dabbed cottage ivy, pear tart and bamboo leaves memento ink on blue cardstock... then i took some brown cardstock, tore one edge and distressed the edges using vintage photo distress ink.... nice field for Yoshi to play all day! Dabba is simply white with a flocked bunny tail and mid-section... aren't they both just the CUTEST?!?!

Don't forget to check out the Sister Stamps blog as well as Jenny and Debi's blog... i think Yoshi is overly excited because their just might be some candy up for grabs!! Release #7 will be available on April 7th!!!!

Join me tomorrow for another preview from this new release!! until then, i'm going to spin on out of here!!!

Surprise Prize Winner!!

Super sorry this is coming by a tweeee late.... guess i'm still jumping up and down in party mode.... hehehe!!! Wow, that blog hop was one awesome party!! fantabulous way to celebrate!!

THANK YOU to all!!! My FANTASTIC LOVING friends (friends, team, participants), the hoppers and everyone that came by to sing a little Happy Birthday tune.... You all are remarkable and made my day ever SO SWEET!!!! so Thank you!!

i do have a prize to give away, just for stopping by my blog on my special day and random.org chose #4 - Kelly Lloyd as my surprise prize winner!!! Congrats Kelly!!! please contact me at krisnal5868 at hotmail dot com so i can get the prize on over to you...

Thank you again everyone for really adding the sweet icing on top of the cake!! quick huge shout out to Leanne for coordinating that wonderful fun filled hop, THANKS SISTAH!... hope you all enjoyed it as much as i did!!

April Secret Sister Swap Sign-ups

Spring has sprung!!! Although we've all been having some crazy weather, Mother Nature still has her flowers blooming!!! Once again i give THANKS to all the players that have continued to support this swap!! I sure hope you all are enjoying it!!

April brings lots of "showers"... and i'm not just talking that rain, but baby showers, bridal showers, take a bath kind of showers.... LOL, ok well bath/showers shouldn't just be done in April.... hehehe! but you catch my drift... for as long as i've known, April is always associated with some kind of 'shower'... so why not shower your secret sister with some SPRING!

Theme for April - Spring and/or Easter!! You can do an Easter themed creation or a spring one in general by associating something that is "SPRING" on your creation... for example, spring colors, spring flowers... Anything goes, as long as it fits the theme... =) Sign-ups will be open until Midnight on Friday, March 30th.

Reflection of my mini rules for this swap (Please take note of the blurbs in red):

1. You can swap anything you think is appropriate. Such as cards, 3d projects, gift tags, altered items, etc. You are not restricted to just a card for each swap... for example, you can do a card this month and gift tags next month, etc... be creative and use your talents! Many of you do not limit yourself to cards, there are some that do awesome jewelry, altered items and so on, so this is the swap to make something special and surprise someone... can't get creative? no problem, you are free to sub in a RAK too!

2. I kindly ask that you please send out your swaps before month's end. Please take into consideration snail mail timing. If you cannot mail your swap before the end of the month, you are given until the 5th day of the following month to do so. This will allow some time for your Secret Sister to receive it. If nothing has been received within 10 days past the end of the month, i will not include you in future sign ups. Please friends, let's play fair.

PREVIOUS PLAYERS, i have your info so all you have to do is comment that you will be participating on this post... here's a list of those who have already signed up:

Karen, Amy, Leanne, Gail, Sheila, Theresa, Kathy, Charleen and Miyuki

Please let me know ASAP if you are unable to participate for any reason. No questions asked, just please let me know. Thanks!!

**To clear up any confusion: your participation is monthly (unless otherwise stated by you) by confirming your participation through email or comment on the sign up posts. if i do not hear from you by the sign up deadline, it is assumed you will not be participating for the month. if it is easier for you to sign up a month ahead or for a few months, etc. let me know too.

NEW PLAYERS, please email me at krisnal5868 at hotmail dot com to sign up for April with the subject SSS or Secret Sister Swap and the following info: Name, Address, Blog URL (if you have one) and Best Email to contact you... i will send you a confirmation email that i have received your info...

**Please note that swap info is sent out by the 2nd day of the swap month. If you miss the sign up deadline, it doesn't hurt to shoot me an email and ask if you can still play. There may be a chance i'm still sorting through the players and can add you in...

Did you hear?!?!

that THE GREETING FARM is this week's sponsor over at Lollipop Crafts?!?! Yep, that's right!! and ONE LUCKY participant in the challenge this week will win their choice of ONE 4x6 set!! ain't that FABULOUS!!!

stop by Lollipop Crafts today to pick up the deets on this wonderful company and check out the eye candy all over the blog... and well, i'm posting so that means i have a creation to share with you today too!! yes i know, it's been long... hehehe
i'm using Hula Anya... one of my ALL TIME faves!!! she's paired with some beautiful paper available at Island Paperie... yes yes my design is a little simple but i didn't want to cover up the lovely print... =) and there is 2 different prints on this notepad... can you tell?!? raffia and buttons accent this note pad and it can be personalized by adding a name on the 2nd pattern paper strip below...
close up of Miss Hula Anya... she's popped up on oval nesties that were embossed with SU!'s square lattice embossing folder... the close up is because i wanted to show you the glitz in the flower centers...
what's this?!? and added embellie... retro plumeria cut also available at Island Paperie! i bought it in white and used dandelion memento ink to color it from the center out.... pretty huh!!

Thank you to The Greeting Farm for the fantastic sponsorship!!! Hop on to the blog and check out this company and then go and play in the challenge!!

Oh!! and today i'm celebrating a very special day... so in honor of this celebration ONE LUCKY COMMENTER will win a gift from me!! you have until Saturday, March 17th Midnight to comment on this post!!!

ciao for now!!! until we meet again!!

An AWARD for me, an AWARD for YOU!

It's ALOHA friday!!! what are your weekend plans? anything crafty happening? or is it just one of those weekends to kick back and chillax (chill and relax) as we say in Hawaii?!? whatever the weekend brings you, i wish you the best!!

so, although i haven't been crafting or blogging as much as i should or want to, i feel REALLY honored to have been passed an exquisite award from some wonderful and talented crafting sisters! Big MAHALOS to Joy, Sweets and Colleen for sending this award my way!!! it is definitely an honor to be recognized and appreciated!!!

These awards give small bloggers with less than 200 followers some well deserved recognition for their creations. Here are the rules:

Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.

• Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you.
• Copy and paste the blog award on your blog.
• Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed.
• Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blog.

so, we all know crafting/blogging is like a fashion fad... we all get into one big thing that is new and then eventually the latest craze begins to wind down... in crafting, blogging to be precise, it's the same fad... and that means not everyone are getting the recognition they deserve... these awards are always hard to pass on because i do feel ALL of you deserve recognition... sometimes i do have to play by the rules, BUT please know that in my heart, YOU all deserve this AWARD!!!

my 5 picks in NO particular order are:

1. Cyndi ~ http://strwberizncream-cyndi.blogspot.com/
2. Linda ~ http://simpleandsassycreations.blogspot.com/
3. Jenny ~ http://crazyforpaper.blogspot.com/
4. Cheryl ~ http://pinkydots.blogspot.com/
5. Debi ~ http://craftybuzz.blogspot.com/

these ladies above are extremely talented and have given me lots of crafty inspirations!! in fact ALL of you have given me inspiration in one way or the other and i'm very very grateful for that!! PLEASE check these wonderful and uberly awesome ladies out because they are bound to inspire you!!

THANK YOU again to those who have passed this award on to me! and THANK YOU to all who continue to support my crafts and blog!! although i'm not able to show you my sincere gratitude, please know that it is there!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! =)

off to duties on this beautiful Aloha friday!! May today, tomorrow and every day forward bring you the brightest days and the fondest memories!

March Secret Sister Swap Sign-ups

Howdy ya'll!!! i've been seeing some FANTABULOUS swaps from the players in my SSS and it brings me such joy to know that your SS is enjoying the surprises!! WOW!!!!

With that said, it's time for March sign-ups... March marks the beginning of spring, or so it is distinguished since it's the first month of the spring season... like all other seasons in Hawaii, we don't really feel the change of seasons... i take that back, we do feel SUMMER and know when it's here! March also represents my birth month and although i'm not looking forward to being another year younger, i deal with it when it comes around... LOL... don't be so stunned when asking how old i am and it takes me a little while to reply... after 21 i've lost count and truthfully i'm doing the math in my head... hahaha!

NO THEME FOR MARCH! Anything goes... whatever you want to create is fine and dandy... =)
sign-ups will be open until February 26th Midnight HST.

Reflection of my mini rules for this swap (Please take note of the blurbs in red):

1. You can swap anything you think is appropriate. Such as cards, 3d projects, gift tags, altered items, etc. You are not restricted to just a card for each swap... for example, you can do a card this month and gift tags next month, etc... be creative and use your talents! Many of you do not limit yourself to cards, there are some that do awesome jewelry, altered items and so on, so this is the swap to make something special and surprise someone... can't get creative? no problem, you are free to sub in a RAK too!

2. I kindly ask that you please send out your swaps before month's end. Please take into consideration snail mail timing. If you cannot mail your swap before the end of the month, you are given until the 5th day of the following month to do so. This will allow some time for your Secret Sister to receive it. If nothing has been received within 10 days past the end of the month, i will not include you in future sign ups. Please friends, let's play fair.

PREVIOUS PLAYERS, i have your info so all you have to do is comment that you will be participating on this post... here's a list of those who have signed up for their spots:

Kim, Karen, Amy, Leanne, Gail, Sheila, Theresa, Jayne and Mary

Please let me know ASAP if you are unable to participate for any reason. No questions asked, just please let me know. Thanks!!

**To clear up any confusion: your participation is monthly (unless otherwise stated by you) by confirming your participation through email or comment on the sign up posts. if i do not hear from you by the sign up deadline, it is assumed you will not be participating for the month. if it is easier for you to sign up a month ahead or for a few months, etc. let me know too.

NEW PLAYERS, please email me at krisnal5868 at hotmail dot com to sign up for February with the subject SSS or Secret Sister Swap and the following info: Name, Address, Blog URL (if you have one) and Best Email to contact you... i will send you a confirmation email that i have received your info...

**Please note that swap info is sent out by the 2nd day of the swap month. If you miss the sign up deadline, it doesn't hurt to shoot me an email and ask if you can still play. There may be a chance i'm still sorting through the players and can add you in...

Again, NO THEME for March... get creative, get out of your comfort zones and try something new to surprise your Secret Sister!! We all LOVE surprises!!! Have fun!! =)

made... WITH LOVE!

O-M-Goodness!!! can you believe?!?! i'm POSTING!!! LOL... yes, this past weekend crafting was not a choice of wanting to but HAVING to... hehehe!

Happy Monday and Happy Valentine's Day Eve... hahahaha! how many of you truly think Valentine's day is OVERrated?! now be honest! LOL.... guess being married i don't need the whole lovey dovey dinner for 2 and a movie... instead, i rather have a nice family dinner with the kiddies included and some yummy dessert! and maybe a disney movie... now that is a way to celebrate... but don't let my choices fool you... i'm still and probably will always be a hopeless romantic!! yes, i love love songs and love stories and fairytales... hehehe! what are you doing with your SWEETHEART this Valentine's?

New challenge over at Lollipop Crafts! last week you saw our Valentine's cards... this week we want you to kick up a notch and create anything BUT a card... the challenge... #67 - WITH LOVE! create anything such as 3D items, scrap pages, alterables, etc... and then head on over to the LC blog and link up with InLinkz... =)

We are sponsored this week by Karber Stamps! Karber's offer an array of CUTE images available both in digital format and rubber! Stay tuned for our sponsor spotlight this Thursday on the LC blog... more info on this SWEET company and prize info...

ready for my TREAT?!?
CANDY STICKS!!! they are all the rage around Hawaii.... so i finally did some... i bought the candy stick bags last year and haven't used them until now... these sweet treats are filled with plain M&Ms and topped with a cutesy and easy topper using the scalloped heart and happy 'heart' day sentiment from Dandelion Designs Fuzzy Bear 1 set.... LOVE the set... it's so cute and can be used for any occasion... i then tied a pencil to the candy stick... hope the 3rd graders enjoy this simple treat made WITH LOVE!!

after making these for about 23 students, i realized that next school year, i'll be doubling all my treats that need to be made as DD2 starts Kindergarten!! eek! i think i have to start like NOW to be finished with Halloween... LOL... that's ok, i have about 2 years that i'll have to do the doubles and then a 2 year break with only one in elementary, and then i'll be doubling again... yah, i think once the kids are pass elementary and into intermediate i won't have to do too much... HA! i can hope right?!?

well, it's been such a long time that it does feel really good to post again... come back sometime this week to see what else i've been creating in prep for Valentine's day and DD1's classmates and hula sisters! THANK YOU so very much for sticking with me through my off and on postings... i'm hoping i get more time to craft in between everything else soon... i do miss everyone and wish i could set aside more time to visit and share... cross fingers i get my groove back real soon! until then... see yah, WITH LOVE....