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....

TGF CHA Exclusives

What's happening friends?!?! How many of you are reading this post from CHA?? may i just say i'm soooooooo JEALOUS?!? wish i could be there!

But you know what, i am there... in thought and creativity!!! yup, yup... for those of you who are at CHA, you just might have seen some of my creations sprouting right there at TGF's booth! and for those of you who have been following TGF on Facebook, Jess has been treating you all to some sneaks! Today is the day i reveal my creations being proudly displayed at The Greeting Farm's booth at Winter CHA 2012!!! Woooohooooo!!!

i was definitely on CLOUD 9 when Marie and Jess asked me to be one of their CHA exclusive guests in creating some NON-CARDS to showcase at their CHA booth... in fact my mind was racing with excitement! THANK YOU TGF, MARIE and JESS for the honor of once again being apart of the TGF family and the ability to create for TGF!!!

so, beware cause i've got lots of pictures to share with you today....
first up, one of 3 creations... the TGF banner! anyone remember seeing this peek on FB?!?! for this banner i tried to stick with the colors of TGF (ok my interp)... red, that's a must and i went with a dark brown vs a black... of course some pink and kraft colors as well....

All DP is from Pebbles, Inc. Valentine's 2012 line... sorry i've failed to catch the actual line name... =)
Miss Anya Love is featured on the first pendant... yes, she will definitely feel the LOVE this v-day... she's holding a mix of colored roses (yikes, i've had these roses lying around with no company to give credit to)...
My Guy Ian is featured on the last pendant... totally handsome and ready to swoon Miss Anya off her feet!
i did say this was made for TGF so it was given to include TGF on the banner... the letters are cut using Lifestyle Crafts English Rose Alphabets... and just a hint of bling and roses to accent these pendants.... likey???

next project.... MAGNETIC MEMO BOARD....
this was totally inspired by my friend Jenny... (THANKS JENNY!) she made some last year for the holidays and gave me some pointers since i was going crazy wanting to try one... i finally did... first one ever and it was made especially for this TGF CHA Exclusive (oh yah i'll definitely be making more of these!) Fleur Anya (one of my faves) takes the spotlight on this one.... and she is paper pieced using DP from K&Co Poppy Seeds collection... the DPs covering the tin sheet is from Autumn Leaves Poppies collection... very simply embellished as the DPs really pop...
marble magnets to help keep your memos/notes in place.... punched out some left over DP and stamped the Greeting Farm logo directly onto the DP... the logo is from the Signature set released awhile ago so please note that it is no longer available for purchase.... adhered the DP to small clear flat marbles and added a magnet to the back... voila!

last project... ALTERED PICTURE FRAME....
you may have seen this one?! if you haven't yet, let's take a closer look.... i've made just a few altered picture frames since learning how to do them... again i give credit to my friend Jenny for guiding me... we both went on trial and error when making these and compared our pros and cons... Thanks again Jenny! this one has a spotlight on the original Princess Anya...

the whole frame is covered with DP from EK Success Princess collection....
close up of the sentiment from the Butterfly Wishes set... (set is no longer available at TGF)... i really love this sentiment and felt it perfect for this frame... oh, did i mention that this sentiment was produced by TGF's very own Jess?!?! =) the sentiment has been stamped on SB Label 14 and distressed with Memento Rose Bud ink... not complete without some bling and a butterfly!
close up of Princess Anya.... notice anything? i actually popped her dress to add some scrap lace to give the overall look some puff! hehehe... i also popped out her crown and star on her wand...
bling found on this side is from Pebbles Inc. Ever After Collection... it wasn't intentional to use the bling but in the end it was just right....

WELL.... are you still with me??? hope so because i still have more info to give you... SO, which project did you like best??? LEAVE A COMMENT on THIS POST, because ONE RANDOM comment will be chosen to win a SPECIAL TREAT!!! Winner will be announced when Jess returns from CHA, on the TGF blog!!

Please head on over to the TGF blog and check out yesterday's post as well to see the beautiful scarf Bonnie made for CHA too! and check out today's post featuring my projects!!

That's it from me today!! Thank you so much for dropping in and checking out my TGF CHA Exclusives!! and a HUGE MAHALO to Marie and Jess for having me!!! Luv yah both!!!! Mwah!

February SSS Sign ups!

Hello, hello!!!

Secret Sister Swap sign ups begin today until Midnight (HST) on January 29th !!! will you join in on the fun?!

February always screams Valentine's to me... of course it's a month of LOVE, but hey, that should be everyday regardless of a special day to prove it! hehehe...

THEME for February: HEARTS! have some kind of heart(s) on your creation... it can be within the image, the paper, embellished, embossed, etc... as long as you have some kind of HEART(s) on your swap... easy right?!

some rules for the players: (please take note blurbs in red. Thanks!)

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:

Leanne, Karen, Amy, Kim, Gail, Char and Theresa

Ladies, if for any reason you cannot commit this month, please let me know ASAP.

**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...

I truly hope the players are enjoying this swap! i do feel the suspense of not knowing who your secret sister is makes receiving the surprise even more fun! everyone is on different levels and styles of crafting so it's nice to get ideas and inspirations from each other! Sign up now and have lots of fun!!!

Cherry blossoms galore!

Hello, hello!!!! Happy Monday everyone! Lollipop Crafts is back from holiday break and we are SO READY to bring you new inspirations and challenges! Are you up for a challenge?!? Sure you are!

Challenge #62 - Anything goes with a "NEW" twist... yes, it's an anything goes challenge but you MUST add some kind of NEW concept... for example: a new stamp you got for Christmas, or a new technique you've learned... if that doesn't kick it for you, a 'NEW' type of project can be done too... for instance, a New Year's or New Baby creation... be sure you let us know what your 'new' thing is... link up with InLinkz on the LC blog by Saturday so the DT can check out your awesome creations... NO SPONSOR this week but we still hope you'll come out and play because we always have our Top 3!

i'm excited to be participating in this challenge because it seems like i haven't crafted in forevers... ok, i kinda haven't been, but am looking forward now that the holidays are out of the way to get back into the crafting mood...

a co-worker of mine asked me to create something to give as a gift to her niece who turned the big ONE over the weekend... she picked out some of the items she wanted me to incorporate in this craft project and this is what i came up with.... my FIRST creation for 2012!
an altered photo frame! how's this for starting off the new crafting year?!? got this idea (and some coaching) from my dear friend Jenny (yes, i did make one of these frames before), whom also is the co-owner of that CUTESIE little asian girl you see there... that's Kiyomi, and she is apart of the Sister Stamps line... isn't she ADORABLE?!? Kiyomi is colored up with copics and stickles accents the design on her kimono... she comes with a butterfly too, but i omitted that and now it's like she is reaching for the blossoms that are falling... the sakura branches are premade stickers by Jolee's which made a great accent to the beautiful white sakura washi paper used to cover the frame... the NEW thing on my creation is the die cut lettering for the name... Hubby and the kiddies bought me a new set of die cut letters for Christmas - Lifestyle Crafts English Rose alphabet dies <--- LOVE it! the birthday girl's theme included diamonds so i embellished with some rhinestones intertwined within the branches and also on the first letter of the name.... i'm really loving the turnout of this creation and i hope you are too!

be sure to hop on over to the LC blog and check out what the other Lollipop Girls have to share with you too!! We are excited to be back on the blog and hope to have you join us in our fun-filled challenges through out the year...

THANK YOU so much for stopping in today, sharing your thoughts and for sticking with me!! May 2012 brings us lots of GOODNESS!!! toodles until next time!

2011 Reflections

WOW!!! i can't believe how fast this year has passed us by!! it really seems that the days have gone by in a blink... 2012 i hope you are ready for me because i'm not ready for you!!! LOL...

taking some time today to do a little reflection of the highlights for me this year... both on a personal level and with crafting... where do i even begin?!? so much goodness has happened....

personal level....
~hubby and i marked our 10 year anniversary (together for 10, married for 5)
~participated in TGF CARES - a card drive that i support 100% with whatever i can
~launched PROJECT MAKE A CHILD SMILE - a card collection drive collecting Christmas cards to go along with hospital dolls to be given to children in the ER at Holy Cross Hospital
~my lil' boy turned 1 this year
~finally got my act together and tried out some craft fairs (yes i'm rethinking all that i did this year for next, it was overwhelming this year)
~went back to work

that's just a little that i'm happy to share about... and now for the fun crafting stuff... here's a few top faves, in no particular order.... hope you enjoyed these as much as i have...









THANK YOU everyone, for sticking with me through the craziness of this year! i hope to bring you fresh new creations in 2012... you truly are my back bone to keeping up with crafting!! you all give me the motivation and inspiration to continue what i love to do... CRAFT!! i would have given up long ago if it weren't for your endless support of love and encouragement!

i wish you all a HAPPY, PROSPEROUS, CREATIVE, HEALTHY and BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!!