Sister Stamps Release 11 - Maneki Neko

Welcome to the day 3 of Sister Stamps release. Today I'm featuring the most adorable Maneki Neko!  This cat has perfectly cute features and when I started inking this little one up, I wanted to use it on everything!  I have a couple projects to share today so let's get started!

For my first project, I created some laminated coasters.  I've done the tile coasters before but I wanted some lighter, less bulky coasters and here's what I came up with.  I made a set of four 4" x 4" coasters on black cardstock. I embellished each one a little differently but used the same washi paper on all.  I rounded the corners of the black squares, got them laminated at Office Max and then rounded the laminated corners.  Very simple to do and here are some close ups:

For my next project, I stamped the neko on brown mailing paper to create wrapping paper.  I alternated the image right side up and upside down so I could use the paper either way when wrapping. It created a playful pattern and an adorable paper.  I added a coordinating tag to complete the gift.  This was such a fun way to use the stamp and create cute gift wrapping.

If you'd like a chance to win Maneki Neko here's all you have to do:

1. Make sure you're a follower of this blog.

2. Leave a comment on THIS post by January 31, 11:00 p.m. HST.

Winners will be announced on February 1, so be sure to come back and see if you're a winner.

Check out the following blogs for this release:

Suilan

Patti

Linda

Eunice

Laura

Sister Stamps

Release #11 stamps will be available tomorrow and retail outlets are listed on the official Sister Stamps blog sidebar.

Stamp winners will be posted tomorrow, so come back and check it out! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Sister Stamps Release 11 - Daruma

Welcome to day 2 of Sister Stamps release!  Today I'm featuring this fun daruma image on a gift card holder.  I wanted to create what I thought a Japanese clutch purse might look like and this is what I came up with.  I used washi paper and backed it with cardstock to give it some sturdiness and I found using a glue stick worked best for this.  I punched some holes at the top crease and added gold cording for a handle.  I used velcro at the closure and this made for easy open/close access.  This idea came up on a whim and after a few different passes at it, I'm happy with the final result.

If you'd like a chance to win this fun little stamp here's all you have to do:

1.Make sure you're a follower of this blog.

2. Leave a comment on THIS post by January 31, 11:00 p.m. HST.

Winners will be announced on February 1, so be sure to come back and see if you're a winner.

There's a lot more Sister Stamps inspiration and creativity so be sure to check out the following blogs:

Suilan

Patti

Linda

Eunice

Laura

Sister Stamps

More Sister Stamps fun to come tomorrow...see you then!

Sister Stamps Release #11 - Kokeshi Doll

It's day one of Sister Stamps release #11 and I'm introducing their new Kokeshi Doll stamp. Isn't she cute?  I've been making time to read books again lately and was using scrap papers as my bookmarks. I realized I didn't have any real bookmarks so this inspired me to make these.  I used washi paper backed by cardstock for the base of the bookmark and I used some braided cording for the tassels.  I knotted them towards the ends and unraveled them to create a fringe.  I found little charms in my stash including bells, hearts and flowers and I tied them to the frayed part of the bookmark.  Adding this element of detail was most fun and I love how they jingle when they hang from my book.

Here's a close up:

If you'd like a chance to win this little gem of a stamp here's all you have to do:

1. Make sure you're a follower of this blog.
2. Leave a comment on THIS post by January 31, 11:00 p.m. HST.

Winners will be announced on February 1, so be sure to come back and see if you're a winner.

Check out the other blogs for this release here:
Suilan
Sister Stamps

I'll be back tomorrow with another Sister Stamps project!

I'm Back!

Hi there friends, remember me?  I'm back to blogging and I'm happy to be crafting again.  Where have I been you might ask?  Well back in late September I was surprised to hear from my former employer in Los Angeles and was asked if I would be interested in coming back temporarily.  The person who took over my job when I left was going on a medical leave and they needed someone to fill in.  There were so many variables that had to fall into place before for this could work but when they all did, it was a sign to seize the opportunity.  I uprooted my son and with my husband's blessings, we went on a 2-1/2 month adventure.  I left my career 7  years ago and left L.A. 6 years ago so I had to get reacquainted with both.  I was instantly like a single working parent and that challenged me to my core (especially when my son got sick 3 times while we were there).  But on the other hand, I found the job invigorating and the city stimulating!  The overall experience came at a time I needed it and it fed my soul!  We returned to Hilo in mid-December and we were thrust right into the holidays!  It was a crazy time, but I'm settled back in and here I am!

I've been working on some projects for the the new Sister Stamps release which start tomorrow, but today's card is a fun birthday cutie using a couple new Hero Arts stamps and some of my favorite October Afternoon Cakewalk paper.

Come back tomorrow for some Sister Stamps fun and here's a preview of the new release!