Happenings on June 25th

Good evening all,

Just a couple of things to pass along to you. We received another shipment from Ellison today. It included what has become one of my favorite tools - Embossing Folders. If you remember about a month ago, we had them in the store for the first time. Every time a sample was made the embossing folder sold out. It was more popular than the Seven Gypsies product line. There was a lot of people that were disappointed, so Priscilla ordered more. I tagged them this morning and put them out on the shelves. If you've new to this technique, ask me and I'll give you a demo. It takes 5 seconds to emboss and you can have a completed card in 5 minutes. It solves one of life's issues when living on this island. 1. The time to do something 2. The space to do it in and 3. The distance you have to travel to do it. In the same box we also received the Tim Holtz magnetic trey for his die cuts. The Sizzix 3D Scallop Circle Pop-Up Card was also included. Do you remember the sample I made with the butterflies? Also we have the 12x12 two sided adhesive paper, embossing rubber, and the Impressions Pad.

One more thing..... I played with our new stencil (the Wave Circle) and created a moon in lieu of the sun. I offer a photo of my attempt, but you have to come in and see it for yourself. The photo doesn't do it justice. I used black embossing paste for the Wave Circle stencil. Once it was dry I colored it white using acrylic paint and stamping ink. Dreamweaver's Palm Tree border adds the charm and was done with copper embossing paste. I thought it turned out ok, but I think a lot of you can do better.

Priscilla will be back on Tuesday. Yea!!!

See you tomorrow.....

Happenings on June 23rd

Good Evening all,

Boy, with Priscilla on the mainland the days are sure long. I want to thank those of you that took the time to swing by the store and visit with me. It's interesting how the hours move faster when your busy. Ha! Priscilla made sure I would be kept busy by giving me several merchant orders to enter into the system. Bazzil, Graphic 45, Ranger, Stewart Superior, Tsukineko, and Sizzix are orders that are on the way to our store. Stay tuned and I will let you know as it arrives.

New in the store (as of last Monday) are new die cuts from Sizzix, Tim Holtz, and more cartridges that you can use on your Eclips machine. The Eclips cartridges include, Sweetalicious (no it's not misspelled), Basic Shapes, Edges, Backgounds, Critters, and Decorate Your Life Shapes. It's interesting that the prices on the cartridges have actually come down a bit. Tim Holtz entertains us with his repositionable magnetic dies. There are Mini Flourishes, Mini Lock and Key, and Mini Labels Set. Sizzix sent us three different die cuts that I know Priscilla is going to love. Her recent venture into combining shrink film and the McGill flower punches is about to be expanded. The die cuts include Primitive Hearts, Heart Lock and Keys, Sculpted Flowers and Frame. The packaging shows them being used for jewelry, but I think they will make really elegant cards.

Art has been extremely busy back in manufacturing. He just finished a huge order for trophies by The Hawaiian Kennel Club. Art made all of these from scratch. Art is such a wonderful talent. Priscilla and I are truly blessed to have him helping us. All those stamps and stencils we have available for your use, it was Art that designed and made the majority of them. Next time your in the store say hi to Art as you pass by the window.

We have a couple of new stencils that we designed and made for you to use. One is simply the word Arigato and the other we call the Wave Circle. Once again, my picture taking is not the best, but I think you will get the idea. I "played" with the acrylic paint set in coloring the Wave Circle. It's the first time I have used the acrylic paints. I like to think it represents waves flowing through a setting sun. Change the colors and it could be a moon. Arigato works well with the Asian Girl in the Greeting Farm line of stamps. The Copic Pens were perfect for coloring the image. Let me know if you have an idea for a stencil - we can make it for you to fit your card. Swing by the store and we will show you how to use a stencil.

That's all for now....See you tomorrow.

Happenings on June 17th

Good evening all,

Today was a good day. The rain seems to have abated and people found their way to the store. We had people from Missouri and California visit with us. Each of them walked away with their favorite stamps and stencils that Art has designed and made back in manufacturing. They said that they would follow us on line and as new things become available orders over the phone would be forthcoming. It always amazes me that we have items in the store that I think would be standard to any craft store and people visiting have never seen it. Embossing paste to name one. What store wouldn't want to carry this "crafting staple".

One bit of news that I need to pass on, Priscilla will be out of the store beginning tomorrow to visit family on the mainland. She will return on the 28th of June. Never fear though, I will keep the "ball rolling" at the store in her absence. I hope you all come by and visit. Maybe I'll come up with a game or two while she's away?

I want to share something that Priscilla has created with you. She took the new McGill punches (Plumeria and Sakura) and combined it with the Shrink Film, Copic Pens, Swarovski Crystals, and an Embossing Gun to create some really beautiful pieces of jewelry. I've included some

photos for your viewing pleasure. I've got the samples at the front desk so come in and see for yourself. I think it would make a nice gift and it is so inexpensive.

We also received another line of paper from Spicers. It is 12 x 12 card stock (80# cover weight) in solid colors and very reasonably priced at .47 cents to .68 cents. You can't beat that for quality 12 x 12 paper. You pay that much for 8 1/2 x 11 paper. In addition, the shipment included some 12 x 12 paper that has a very elegant background pattern in soft colors. This paper is a bit more expensive at .76 cents to .92 cents but well worth it in comparison to similar papers that are over a dollar a sheet.

I'm expecting the embossing folder shipment next week - so stay tuned. That's all for now.....See you tomorrow.

Happenings on June 16th

Good evening all,

It's getting late (9:10pm) and I'm in need of nourishment so I'll keep this blog to a minimum. Fran Kawakami brought in her samples for the "A Year in Cards" class on the 23rd of June (Thursday). My picture taking ability just does not truly capture the beauty of these cards. She has taken basic colors of browns, whites, creams, greens and and blended them together with ribbon, punches, embossing folders, and Dreamweaver embellishments to create a card that is "simple elegance". I've been waiting for somebody to discover Dreamweaver's newest embellishment - a decorative pin - and Fran shows it's possibilities very nicely. Her secret of keeping the tip of the pin safe is to use a small dab of "Tacky Glue". I learn something new every day. The embossing folders that Fran used is on order and should be here soon. Those of you who take the class will be the first to use them. The class is from 6:30 to 8:30pm and the cost is $20.00. Give me a call and I'll sign you up

One small delivery occurred today. We now have available more of the popular Copic Pen Tote Bags. They carry 24 of the Copic Pens and take up very little space. Also back in the store is the Copic "Clear Set" of 12 Sketch pens. The first time we brought them in they sold out very quickly. In addition, the Copic Multi-Liner black pens are back on the shelves. The tip sizes are 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0. I'm still waiting for the Glitter Pen sets.

That's all for now...... Maybe I'll hit Big City Diner for dinner. I've got a coupon from the book I told you about in the last blog. ... See you tomorrow

Happenings on June 14th

Good evening all,

Boy do I have some things to share with you tonight. I don't even know where to start first. Ok, I'll start with the first box I opened Monday afternoon. The minute I looked inside I knew this product wasn't going to be on the shelves very long. I think it's better than anything we've ever had in the store and I definitely am going to be doing "cute" cards.

Have you heard of a brand name - Greeting Farm? They make the cutest stamps you've ever seen. We received the product line at 3:00 pm. I checked the stamps into the system, tagged them, and got them on the floor at 4:00 pm. By closing time at 6:00 pm 3 of the 15 designs were sold out. The biggest problem your going to have is which one or one(s) are you going to choose. That's the feedback I'm getting from you - and I agree - I don't know which to choose.

The next box I opened was from Creative Imaginations and it contained 2 of their current designs of 12 x 12 paper. These papers are "super nice" for both the card maker and scrapbooker. A better description of the paper is beautiful. This is where I need Priscilla's gift for words. Your just going to have to come in and see for yourself. One line is double sided and ranges from a Bamboo design to Cherry Blossoms to Musical Notes and several others. The Tea Ceremony is especially beautiful. The 2nd line of paper is a partial Foil Paper. The designs include Bonsai, Pink Peony, and "wow"- Sakura. One day, I'm going to have to take a tour of a paper company to see how they actually make paper.

The last thing for tonight, we are partners with other businesses in Kailua to help raise money for the Kailua 4th of July Fireworks Show. On Wednesday we will have available for you The Kailua Coupon Book. It offers over $4400 dollars worth of coupons for you to use at a variety of businesses in Kailua. It's a great deal because the book sells for only $20.00 and all of the proceeds goes toward the Kailua 4th of July Fireworks. None of the business make any money on the sale of these coupon books. You can pay by way of either check or cash.

That's all for now..... see you tomorrow ..... First come first served on the Greeting Farm Stamps.

Happenings on June 13th

Good morning all,

Tomorrow is Flag Day... It was also my grandfather's birthday. I can remember him saying "it sure is nice of everybody to put their flags on display for my birthday". It brings a smile to my face every time I think of him and the "sage" comments he always had for me. I try and use them everyday of my life.

Yesterday was our 2nd Sunday Make and Take. Using metal and it's possibilities in card making or scrapbooking is something I'm going to experiment with. I took a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure. The sample is on display. Perhaps it will give you idea for your own "Fathers Day" card. Priscilla had a couple of kits left over - she may put them out on the floor for sale. Congratulations to those of you that read my previous blog and collected your 30% discount coupons. Stay tuned and spread the word to your friends - there may be more.

You all have seen our new stencil "Waves". We found if you turn the stencil into a vertical orientation it becomes an image of "Flames". I used yellow paste as a base color and then applied white, red, and cloudy coral color (ink pads). It's simple to do and I find it relaxing. If you haven't done this coloring before, come into the store and I'll give you a quick demo. The rub-ons as a background provides a nice highlight. It would have been easier if I had applied the rub-on first. Ha! The red and clear crystals also are a nice touch also. I think I'll call the card "Fire and Ice".

Art has made several new Father's day stamps for you to use. Next up - he will take a look at making a stencil of the"Mokes". He's also going to make a "hau'oli la hanau" stencil to complement the stamp that is currently available. If any of you have an idea for a stencil, please share it with me. If I feel we can use it in the store, Ill waive the set up fee.

That's all for now...... see you tomorrow

Happenings on June 11th

Good evening all,

Tomorrow is the 2nd Sunday of the month and Priscilla has designed a really good looking card with a masculine flavor. It's a card that any man would be proud to receive. Father's Day is next Sunday - you can do the Make and Take and then give him the card. Ha! You get to have fun in a social event and take care of the man in your life at the same time.

As I look at the card design, I can see how easily it could be modified to fit any age or gender. Just change the stencil your using and you have a card with a totally different feel. The Make and Take is from 2:00-5:00pm. First come - first served. You'll also be able to "play" with the shrink wrap material we have in the store.

I was experimenting today with Art's new wave stencil. The image I show here is very simple to do. I embossed the stencil on medium weight card stock and then applied 3 different colors from our assortment of ink pads. Since I'm my own worst critic, I think I could have done a better job. The card needs an embellishment, a tag, something - I'll figure it out. That's part of the fun in creating a card. Tomorrow I'll apply mica powders to embossing paste and see how that turns out.

That's all for now.... see you tomorrow