New Ice Sk8r Albums up on my site

Aloha mai,

It's been a busy time for me with school out and summer starting.  The weather is finally being a little more summer like.  I've also got a little summer cold.  Bummer! 

But despite that, I managed to finish a few Sk8r albums this week in preparation for the Washington State Games in July.  

I've got them up on my website.  I hope you'll take a look and spread the word.  ;)

This weekend Secret Scrapper had a one day crop.  It was really fun with great challenges.  The next one is a three day crop July 11-13!  Hope you can join us!  Here's my challenge from the weekend.  You can do it even though the crop is over.  

Take care and have a great week!  

a hui hou!

The Costume that Never Was...

Aloha Mai,

Here is a quick post to show you a LO I just completed for the Rusty Pickle June Blog Challenge.  I love this paper!  It's the new White Chocolate Bunnies line. 

So, I found this photo lying around.  It was a peek into the past when DS loved to dress up.  I wanted to challenge myself to use only paper so I came up with this paper pieced flamingo design.  LOL.  Okay, so it's not Rembrandt, but I had an awful lot of fun creating it!!!  

Thanks again to another inspiring Challenge from Rusty Pickle! 

My latest ScrapFriends Review is out.  I got to play with Lisa Pavelka's "Claying Around" DVD, her wonderful Magic Glos and Amazing Poly Bonder.  If you have been wanting to play with clay, but just didn't really know how to start...I recommend you check out this DVD!  Look what I did with her instructions, I have NEVER been able to make anything worthwhile out of clay LOL...until after watching her DVD! 

Take care and have an awesome day!!

a hui hou! 

Ice Fest-Come visit me...

If you are in the area, I’ll be at Ice Fest, Seattle Skating Club’s annual Competition this weekend, debuting my Ice Sk8r Albums, so if you are in the area, please stop by.  You can talk story with me and also watch some great/cute ice skating for free!  

I will be there Friday June 6 and Saturday June 7 8:30am-8:30pm

and Sunday June 8 from 7:30am-1pm.   With a few breaks in between (I hope LOL)

OlympicView Training Center
22202 70th Ave W
Mountlake Terrace, WA  98043

BTW, if you love Ice Skating, Skate America 2008 will be held in Everett, Wa in October this year.  Tickets are still available.  Laura Lee (DS's skating buddy's Mum) and Steve Baker (Ikaika's Coach) are producing the event as Production Sports.  They are still looking for corporate sponsors as well, so LMK or contact them directly! 

Thanks for indulging me in a little break from SB projects.  

Speaking of Scrapbooking...Letters, Letters, Letters...Are you ready for some Altered Art Challenges?  Check out my new one at Secret Scrapper. 

That's all for now! 

May your day be sunshine! 

a hui hou!

Fiskateers Slumber Party

Aloha Mai! 

I'm so excited, I took my daily look at the Fiskateer's Blog and found my project up and running! About a month back Fiskateer Lead May sent me some wonderful goodies to play with. I hope you'll take a look. Fiskateers Frame: Heidi Grace Daydream Believer line and Secret Scrapper Frame.

You can find the frame I used at the Secretscrapper site.  I just love this picture of DS when he was little.  The paper bag hats are so in fashion LOL!

This week I'll be busy preparing for the debut of my Ice Sk8r albums at the Ice Fest Competition.  I am not sure how I'll be covering my shifts when DS is skating, but I'll figure something out.  I am hoping to make friends with the people on either side of me and maybe I can get coverage.  ;)

I have this really cool old cabinet that I picked up at the side of the road one day and I'm going to use it for displaying the albums.  I just found out that the table size is really small, so going vertical will help!   I'm going to clean it up and I'll take a picture and post my booth later this week.

 

Catch my latest review on How Do You Glue's Crafter's Card file at the ScrapFriends site.  It's a totally cool and fun item to alter!!! 

 

My Etsy Store has been re-supplied with tons of wonderful handmade items.  Remember that you pay only actual shipping!  I have some great Recipe albums up for grabs.  

That's all for now.  Take care and have an awesome day! 

A hui hou!

May is almost over!

 Aloha Mai! 

Wow, it's amazing!  May is almost pau (done).  This month has been super busy with Hula and life.  I hope that you are all doing well! 

My Etsy Store has been re-stocked with a ton of amazing albums and frames, even some journals!  I hope that you will take a look and maybe find something you like! 

Big news this month was DS being recognized as an example of being a model citizen athlete for his city-state of Athens at the Pacific NW 5th Grade Olympiad of Waldorf Schools.  I was so proud of him.   It's nice when kids can get recognized for being good rather than the naughty ones getting all the attention.  

He also did really well with his egg drop apparatus at the Puyallup Spring Fair.  He brought home a blue rosette for that, and a second place rosette for his altered shoe.  

As for me.  I had my hula presentation at the NW Folklife.  We did a dance and drama about Canoe Traditions and Cultures.  We all got tattoos for the occasion LOL.  Nah, just joking.  They're rub-ons.  

Next week is the an ice competition at our home rink.  I will be a vendor for the first time showing my ice skating albums.  I hope that people like them.  I will be making sample pages this weekend.  

Have a great weekend and I'll try not to be a stranger!  

a hui hou!

Keep In Touch Card Shop- Make an Envelope Album

Aloha Mai! 

I hope you are well and enjoying life!  A few months ago Kelly from Keep In Touch Card Shop contacted me and asked me if I would be a guest designer for one of her kits!  She has a wonderful eye for combining products so I said of course!   You can see the kit she sent me and also find directions for the envelope mini album I created here at her blog.  Don't forget to check out her limited edition kits too!  They ROCK! 

Thank you Kelly for this wonderful opportunity to play with one of your kits!  

Oh, and I have finished the second round of Ice Sk8r Albums and posted them all on my website!  If you know of anyone who might be interested in one of these, I would be grateful if you would let them know! ;)  

Take care!  

a hui hou! 

Ice Skating Albums--Exclusive Designs

Aloha Mai! 

I am so proud to share with you something that I have been working really hard on these past few months.  These albums are my exclusive design and are manufactured by Secret Scrapper Products.  I am very grateful to Mandy who has made this possible. 

I have 10-8 x 8" albums available so far and have listed two of them in my Etsy Store.  If you see one that you like here but is not listed yet, please feel free to contact me (more to come later).  They are all different, so if you like it, grab it! 

I would be grateful if you help spread the word about my albums to anyone you know of who has an ice skater, or love ice skating! 

I have a couple new challenges up on Secret Scrapper for this month, I hope you will join us there.  Lots of prizes up for grabs in this month long crop! 

"Cereal Box" Journal Challenge

"It's Child's Play--(or it should be ;)" Altered Challenge 

Thanks for looking! 

a hui hou!

The Scrappy 500 Begins

Aloha mai,

There are so many wonderful things to do on NSD!  I can't believe that it's this weekend! Unfortunately, my family has so many non-scrap related things going on this weekend, that I won't be able to play as much as I'd like.  If you are a similar situation, or are already scheduled to a crop this weekend, come join us at Secret Scrapper for a month long challenge that is guaranteed to get your mojo flowing!  

Challenges have already started.  I'll post my first one tomorrow.  Happy scrapping! 

a hui hou!

Tinkering Ink's Awesome New Peekaboo Album

Aloha Mai,

I was lucky enough get a chance to work with and review Tinkering Ink's new Peekaboo album for Scrapfriends. I created two albums and had a blast!  You can see the whole review and my projects here.  This album is a mixture of acrylic and chipboard pages.  I loved working with it!  

I wanted to share something with you that you can't really see.  It's about the paper flowers on the upper left page.  I cut those out from a piece of TI's patterned paper.  I cut around the petals and down to the center so that each petal is separated from the others like a real flower.  I coated front and back with diamond glaze for durability.  They are mounted on pop-dots.  I love this 3-d effect! 

 

Hope you enjoyed this little peek at my album.  There is another little funkier one in the review.  Hope you'll visit me at Scrapfriends too! 

a hui hou! 

Working with Mod Podge

Aloha nui,

I wanted to share a little tutorial I created for working with Mod Podge. Please feel free to email me or comment if you have any questions as this is one of my favorite subjects ;)

I will add pictures as I am able.

Covering Chipboard Album Covers Using Mod Podge:

When covering chipboard album covers that I create from scratch, I use Mod Podge.  I like to have my album covers sealed for durability and Mod Podge does a great job with this.

If you enjoy altering, then you might invest in a little bottle of Mod Podge and some 1-inch sponge brushes.

Mod Podge comes in different finishes.  Matte and Glossy.  I recommend the glossy finish.  It comes with an orange label.  I have used the matte finish for years, and just started using the glossy because I ran out and that was the only option.  I love it!  In my opinion it’s much easier to work with! 

a.  Coat the surface of your chipboard, then coat your patterned paper.  The paper should have a thin layer of Mod Podge, but it should not be dry appearing when you adhere.  Place the paper onto the surface, adjust (coating both surfaces will give you the ability to slide and adjust).

b.   Brayer: Immediately after adhering, use a Brayer to smooth the surface of the paper working from the inside to the outside edges.  This will get rid of any air bubbles which is important if you are going to coat the surface of your paper for durability. If you can’t reach some areas with a brayer, or don’t have one, then use your fingers, or a bone folder (gently).  

c. Trim excess patterned paper.  Turn the chipboard over and trim excess paper off of edges with a sharp exacto blade or sand or cut with a scissors.  

d. Add photo matts, words and flat embellishments with Mod Podge

***Designer tip-if you are going to add a top layer of Mod Podge to seal your project, then you MUST add anything under that top layer with Mod Podge.  It will act as an adhesive.  Be sure to use the brayer after you adhere each piece.  

You do not have to seal your project.  This is up to you. 

Ribbon can be added with Mod Podge, but will look different under a surface layer of Mod Podge.  Have fun experimenting.

e.  Add 3-D embellishments like flowers and buttons and ribbons etc with strong glue. 

I hope this tutorial helped you feel a little more comfortable with Mod Podge.  

Until next time...

a hui hou!

In My Easter Basket...

Aloha mai! 

I just finished the Rusty Pickle Blog Challenge for this month.  The challenge was to use a whole sheet of stickers or alpha stickers.  

This was an awesome challenge.  I've seen people do this, but never had a chance to do it myself.   I used various heights of pop dots to create dimension on the layout.  The grass is hand cut and inked as are the easter eggs.  

Meet Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter.  Four bunnies born to Cornflower Blue at Briar Rose Kindergarten about 6 years ago.  Peter later known as U'ikalani Dutchy Cornflower Miyata came home with us.  

Supplies used: Patterned paper, Stickers: Rusty Pickle, Rhinestones: Bead Party, Raffia and Pop Dots. 

Have a great evening!  

a hui hou! 

Hybrid Cards in My Etsy Shop

Aloha Mai! 

I hope you are having a wonderful Friday!  I am!  Lots to look forward to today and this weekend when we will be heading down to the Spring Fair in Puyallup to see how Kai's creations did in the fair.  He hopes his cookies or rolls takes a rosette.  I want to see the altered shoes that the kids created!  Oh, and the infamous Egg Drop contest is at 2pm on Sunday.  Keep your fingers crossed that Kai's creation gets past the first round this year.  ;)

I have a couple of my first Digital Hybrid cards on Etsy ready for Mother's Day.  See what you think.  I had a blast creating them!  I can't wait to play more.  

Are you game for some recycling and scrapping?  I have my newest challenges up at Secret Scrapper.  There is a great RAK from me up for grabs, it will be chosen randomly from all who post a creation this month.  I promise it's something good!  

Altered challenge #1 Recycled Packaging Challenge

Altered Challenge #2  Get Organized Challenge

 

Well, enough for today.  What exciting things are you doing this weekend? 

a hui hou! 

Somerset Digital Studio Review & Spring Fair Preparations

Aloha Mai!  

I can't believe how the week has flown by.  I have been incredibly busy and with Spring Break for DS, it's been crazy!  There is a Spring Fair in a couple of weeks at the Western Washington Fair grounds.  The fair has a lot of categories that kids can enter their crafts. 

By Kekai:  

DS chose to enter a lot of photography categories this year.  He even did a digital page (above) after seeing me work on my projects for my Scrapfriends' review of the premier issue of Somerset Digital Studio Magazine.  You can read about my adventures with digital scrapbooking in the review if you are interested.  

By me: 

Anyway, about the Spring Fair: DS baked whole wheat butterhorns yesterday, dropped a lot of raw eggs in different contraptions, and today we got some red and yellow Stickles for him to decorate a shoe with.  This was my first experience with clogged nozzels on both the red and yellow.  We took it back to the store and I should have insisted on a new bottle, but instead we were taught how to use a miniscule drill bit to open the hole a little wider.  It worked on the yellow bottle, but the red one keeps on getting clogged.  The store was closed and I was tired of driving, so DS just had to make due.  I think that there is a large piece of glitter or something in the red bottle that keeps clogging it.  Bummer!  

Anyway, I'll know better next time.  Stay tuned for photos of the completed shoes soon.  

Have a great Friday! 

a hui hou! 

What's wrong with this picture?

Aloha Mai,

A funny story: 

If you can't guess what's wrong, don't feel too bad, this listing was up and running in my Etsy Shop for a day before I realized that the word was spelt "rong" LOL.   I had also sent photos around to a few friends to show my new creation and no one caught it.  LOL

Since I had to pull it apart, I decided to re-work the design and here's the new listing: 

Another question for you: 

What do Mom, Recipe and Rolodex have in common? 

 They are my newest altered canvases! 

You can see the results in my Etsy store.  They are up for grabs!  LOL.  I hope you'll check it out.

The Mom and Recipes albums are from Secretscrapper.  Mandy does an awesome job with creating them.  I hope you'll check out the site for any personalized album under the sun!  I'm working with her on some album designs exclusive to Scrapaloha.com!  I'll keep you posted! 

The little rolodex, I love these, so cute!!!  I have three more that I can 't wait to play with.  Who knows what I'll do with them!  

BTW A big thank you to the Rusty Pickle team.  My marble track was chosen to as the March Blog Challenge winner!  Hooray!  I'm so excited!  

It's spring break and DS and I went down to Pike place market and the Seattle Aquarium to take photos.  He is getting ready for a local kid's photo contest.  When he was little I used to take him everywhere!  I miss that now that he's older.  Well, guess what, now we'll go around to different places to shoot pictures together.  How fun is that!!!  I'm really excited!  

Well, take care and have an awesome week!  I've been working on a few projects and have some reviews coming out soon at Scrapfriends.  I'll post when they're up! 

until then...

A hui hou! 

{{{hugs}}}

 

The answer is...Chocolate!!!

Aloha mai, 

Good Friday morning!

I've posted a really easy challenge for you to close out the month over at Secretscrapper.  I hope you get a chance to do this fun little project and maybe some of the others before the end of the month for a chance to win an cool RAK from me and the grand prize album from the site.  

I've added how to links to my projects in the right hand menu bar.  If you ever need instruction for altered projects, please check these out! 

Class with Lance from Rusty Pickle last night was totally awesome.  As you might know, Lance has traveled the world teaching scrapbook classes and is a master in motion!  I learned a lot about what makes a great teacher by watching him last night.  He also shared some tips afterwards that I plan to work on!

I appreciate Lance's down to earth style and genuine kindness.  If you have a chance to take a class from him.  Go-for-it! 

In last night's class, we used the School Daze line of paper for a mini-album.  I love this paper!  I have to admit that when this paper line came out, I didn't really look at the designs closely.  I saw the name of the line, and I skipped it since I don't have many school "theme" photos to srap, but it's not only for school photos at all!  It's a really colorful and very versatile!  Lesson learned (pun intended LOL)! 

Most of the night we focused on building an amazingly creative photo pop up  ball created by Karen Burniston.  You can take a look at the project we did at her site.   I can't wait to finish this album and decorate the ball!

Oh, and the answer to my previous post:  What would you put in a Rusty Pickle Road Trip Survival kit?

     

The answer is:   

                            CHOCOLATE!

A big Mahalo to Lance and Rusty Pickle for their wonderful inspiration and generosity! 

Check out the Rusty Pickle blog for monthly challenges and Lance's Blog to see where he will be teaching next!  

until next time! 

a hui hou! 

Life is Good!

Aloha Mai,

I was able to do a few more projects today.  Here is one that I like a lot!  Yup, the paper is really old, but I love it soooo much I have just hoarded it!  It's old Scenic Route.   The inspiration for the fruitiness is from Caardvarks Challenge Blog and the sketch inspiration is from CPS Challenge Blog sketch #57. 

Gotta run!  Rusty Pickle class tonight!  Hooray!  

Have an awesome day! 

hugs!!!

A hui hou! 

What's do you think would be in a Rusty Pickle Road Trip Survival Kit?

Aloha mai,

Another busy day at the ranch. LOL.  I finished a little gift I'm taking to Rusty Pickle class with Lance tomorrow night.  Here's the outside.  Can you guess what might be inside?!  LOL  I'll post the rest tomorrow!  

Tonight I finished a really fun challenge from Theme Thursday.  these little babies are 1 x 1".  How fun is that!  I used Rusty Pickle paper and Inkadinkadoo stamps.  

One more challenge, Pink and Brown for the upcoming week at Theme Thursday, and at the same time fulfilling April's challenge at Secret Scrapper for layered flowers.  I will be posting a how to for these fun flowers soon.  The paper used here was BG and the beautiful stamps are from Queen Kat Designs. 

Well, it's pretty late, so I'll sign off for now (but not before checking the latest Fiskadeal)

Have a great one and thanks for visiting me!

a hui hou!