KIND-HEARTED BLOGGER

I am so happy to announce that the KIND-HEARTED BLOGGER campaign has reached 125 pledges!!!! Wonderful!!!

Here is the winner of the 1st giveaway.  I drew a number (random number generator) out of 101.  It was 30.  Sadly, I couldn't "save and copy" the little box to show proof, so this is pure "honor system"...

Tiffany, from Bread Without Butter

Tiffany, I will contact you for you address...

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS... FOR ADULTS

remember those friendship bracelets we used to make when we were kids? I'm loving them again... especially modern ones like these...

 from brooklyn thread

from thief and bandit

from erban fiber

from anaosgoodjewelry

from ayofemijewelry

from plume and bloom

from lucky brand (zappos)

from juicy couture (revolve)

here's one I made...I was inspired by the summer of love class by kara haupt--we used them as book bindings!

and here's a great website full of tutorials!   

p.s. going to announce the winner of my kind-hearted blogger giveaway tonight or tomorrow morning.  sorry for the delay, also still waiting for one of the prizes to arrive.  be back soon!

EM'S BIRTHDAY PARTY WEEKEND

first of all...my sister bought me the cutest dunny... DJ LANCE ROCK!! 

we spent saturday at my aunty's house celebrating em's birthday...

jen made these cupcake toppers...

on sunday, we spent time with em's aunty jen since she is on oahu for a visit... we went to the haleiwa farmer's market...

em's checkin' out the tomatoes--her favorite food!

we had lunch at kua'aina, here's em munching on carrots (they give them with your sandwich)

then we headed to matsumoto's for shave ice!!!

FUN!  hope your weekend was just as grand!

EM JAY IS TURNING TWO!

Emily Jay's Birthday is tomorrow (Wednesday).  Last year we threw her a big 1st Birthday Bash with 150 of our extended family and friends.  In Hawaii, it's customary to throw HUGE first birthdays.

Our theme was SUPER MARIO...

my sister painted these games... BOWSER BEAN BAG TOSS:

and a little bit of PIPE FISHING (notice the cheep cheeps):

we also had a photo sticker booth...

and a guest appearance by MARIO and LUIGI!!

On the menu... HAWAIIAN FOOD:

(clockwise left to right: squid luau, ahi poke and lomi salmon, haupia cake and okinawan sweet potato, poi, kalua pig, and chicken long rice.) YUMMY. YUMMY.

This year we're going for a smaller party with family, and close friends.  The theme... YO GABBA GABBA.  I'm excited about this one.  I wanted to share some FABULOUS yo gabba finds I stumbled across while planning Em's party.  Although we aren't incorporating them, they are fantastic inspiration!

brobee pretzels from delightful chocolates

oreo cookie favors by favors galore n more

ticket invitations by fine line stationery

dj lance amigurumi by crafty is cool

printable balloon embellishments by ry creations

dj lance pillow cover by tony and treet c

I will hopefully have lots of pictures to share from Em's YO GABBA party this weekend...including cute, and EASY d.i.y. cupcake toppers!

EMILY JAY

JUST A FEW NEW PHOTOS...

Em wearing Little Machine Machine:

She just learned to Shaka!:

And my mom bought her the cutest little boots from her Seattle trip.  Unfortunately this will be the only time she'll wear them since it took 20 minutes to get them on!  Luckily I got a photo.  She's also wearing Aunty Jen's scarf...

Happy, Happy...

TWO GIVEAWAYS!!!!! : HAPPY 100 KIND BLOGGERS...

** I'll be keeping this at the top for awhile so scroll down for newer posts!

**I AM ALSO EXTENDING THE FIRST GIVEAWAY UNTIL THE 20th  BECAUSE IF THERE IS NO INTEREST IN THE SECOND ONE, THE FIRST WINNER WILL ALSO RECEIVE THAT PRIZE! YAY!  THANKS FOR WAITING...


101 to be exact!  I am so happy to announce that The Kind-Hearted Blogger Campaign has reached an astounding 101 pledges!!!!

To celebrate I am offering two giveaways...

Giveaway #1:

Is open to Kind-Hearted Bloggers only.  I will be drawing one blog name from the list of 101 bloggers.  The winner will be contacted by Monday September 13th for your mailing info.  One winner will receive:

A "spoil" reusable tote made by dear colleen.  100% of the sales from this tote goes to Oxfam American (Gulf Oil Spill Fund).

And a copy of the wonderful book Craft Hope by Jade Sims.  Even if you are not a crafter, this is a wonderfully inspiring book to read through.

Both of these were featured in one of my previous posts showcasing a few things created for charity.  I thought it would be nice to do a giveaway that would also "give back".

Giveaway # 2

This giveaway is open to anyone!  To be eligible participate in your very own card/note drop (here's are some examples from kind over matter) or even small gift drop (here's an example).  Randomly place a little note or small gift with a reminder of kindness in a public area for a stranger to find. it could even just be a little post it note with a kind quote.

Then comment on this post with a brief description of what you did/what you left or what you will do/leave.  Let's make someone smile this week.  You never know how much this can make a difference in someone's day! And that's it--easy!

One winner will be drawn at random on Monday September 20th (so you have a little over a week).  And will receive a set of unazukin keychains.  and a few other small surprises. (sorry for the bad photo):

THANK YOU TO ALL YOU KIND PEOPLE OUT THERE!!! AND HAVE FUN!!

And make sure to stay tuned for even more Kind Hearted Blogger activities!!!

FOIL COLLAGE

it's been quite awhile since I've done an art project with em jay. we finally spent some artsy time together.

MATERIALS:

• thin cardboard (I used a cereal box)
• aluminum foil
• tape
• various collage items (tissue paper, sequins, yarn, string, ribbon, glitter, etc.)
• elmer's glue
• water
• paintbrush

prepare/gather collage materials.  fold foil over thin cardboard (for a sturdier surface) and tape down.  mix elmer's glue with water to create a very thin consistency.  paint thinned glue onto the foil surface.  add tissue paper pieces.  paint more glue.  add more tissue.  keep adding glue over each layer.  add sequins, ribbon, and other items.  after a final coat of glue.  finish with glitter.

WE MET SOMEONE KINDA FAMOUS YESTERDAY...

it only took like, five tries to get her close to him!!  each time we got a bit closer, and she lasted longer before shouting "bye elmo! see you later!!!"  then on try number five, she did it--she even touched his furry arm!!  mission accomplished.