3 R's - Recycle, Reuse and Repurpose

After finishing the tea card (yesterday's post), the crafting area was a mess and I really didn't feel like cleaning up so ...

With the extra teapot and quote I made an extra embellishment for my receiver to use.
I was just going to throw away this BG labels packaging, covered it up with left over pattern paper, border punched the side and put them all together:

There is temporary tape behind the teapot and quote.

Slide back into the packaging

and placed the tea bags in the back. Now I have less to clean up and less to throw away!

Do you repurpose your packaging material?

Fun Pun Tea CArd

This tea card is going to my September Tea Swap partner, Josie from Canada! I saw this quote in my little tea book and thought it would be a perfect for this month's tea card. I hope she likes it. Since I know she likes Chai Tea, I'll put in my latest favorite as well as 2 Hawaiian Teas.

Supplies used: Paper Trey Tea Pot diecut and Basic Grey Hello Lucious paper line, buttons and Sticky Ribbon, Label from Sizzix Matchbox die, Small sun punch, paper flowers from Photocraft.

Handmade gifts from Tea Friends

Remember my get together with friends for Tea last week? Well, here are the gifts they made:

First up from Colleen. A can full of tiny cards, envelopes, tea and coconut candy,

And little handmade bag with Ghirardelli chocolate. She used the SU Scallop Envelope Die, I think. What a wonderful gift set!

From Dori, a little gift basket filled with:

MacNut candy and tea in a cute little box which I think she made. I just realized that the box is made from the same diecut that Colleen used on her little bag above. So I googled it and you should see all the different things people create with this die!! Mmm... I think I'll have to add it to my wish list :o)

and my very own tea in a StarBucks cup ...

Lift up the lid and there is the tea bag. Totally adorable! I think I'll make this for someone who loves Chai latte and 2 containers of cream.... Dori said she got the idea from stamping addict.

Lastly, Brenda created this WOW mini album.

Loaded with pockets full of goodies . . .

Brenda said she got the instructions for making this album here.

Thank you, ladies, for all the wonderful gifts and for the inspiration!!

Friendship cards

Here are the cards made at the Year of Cards - Friendship last week.

We played with Basic Grey's Hello Lucious line, chipboard, kraft paper and buttons.



The flowers in the last two cards were created with McGill's Floriano flower punch. I had lots of fun with that punch. You can make so many different types of flowers!! I'd highly recommend getting it.

Hawaii Starbucks - gift card holder

Did you know that different counties have different designs on their Starbucks gift cards? Do they think Hawaii is a country???!!! LOL!! I wonder if every state has their own Starbucks refillable gift card? Well, Hawaii has their own.

I even found this on ebay!! (BTW, that's the design I have and love). Imagine there are Starbucks gift card collectors out there!!

One of my first choices for a gift "from Hawaii" is a Starbucks gift card. I mean, who doesn't love Starbucks!! And, every time they use it, they can think of me (well, not really "me" but ... ok, Hawaii!!).

I wonder how often Starbucks change their design. I googled but didn't find any info. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong place... I think to date I have seen at least 5 different Hawaii ones come and go. The one pictured is the latest one.

It'll be pretty interesting to see other designs so....If you have a design from where you live, send a picture to me and I'll post it. Now these have to be official Starbucks with your town/country or state clearly imprinted on the card (that's a requirement!). If you live in Hawaii, you'll have to send me a picture of a different Hawaii design (not the one pictured here nor the Nene Goose one - sorry!). I'll do a random drawing from the official cards I get and send the winner a .... $5 Hawaii Starbucks gift card to buy a Starbucks coffee on me!!! You have until August 26 to post your entry!!

Another thing I love to do is regift those plastic holders that hold crafting goodies like, for instance, the one that came with Nestabilities. Decorate the plastic with Hawaiian paper and Plumeria punchart and waa-laa . . .

Batman and Dora - Alias Zach and Kylie

We just spent a little time with two adorable children, Kylie and Zach. I knew Kylie liked Dora and Zach liked Batman. Here's my quick punch art of these characters. Of course I only left myself an hour to complete these but ... they aren't too bad. If I were to do it again, I would definitely cut Batman's mask on a straight angle (instead of the curve angle). Also, Kylie looks just like Dora with her big eyes. If I changed the hair color to black, it would be Kylie!

Attached are candy made in Hawaii: Li hing gummy candy and chocolate covered sunflower seeds.

Tea Swap - Open Call

Open call for September Tea Swap!!

Requirements: 2 tea bags in a handmade card mailed to your partner by September 5.

Optional Card Theme: Fun Puns or Primary Colors!!

Card can be blank OR you can write a note in it. Your choice!

If you are interested, email me no later than August 22

Send me an email SUBJECT: TEA SWAP with
1) your name
2) mailing address
3) email address
4) likes/dislikes/allergies (re tea type)
5) Loose tea okay? Y/N
6) blog (if any)
7) If you are willing to swap outside of the US or US ONLY

I will send a group email with the partner list by August 26.
Teas must be mailed out by September 5.

Drop me a line today if you are interested!
(click on my profile and contact me via email)

Responsible swappers only, PLEASE!

Waioli High Tea with Friends

It was high tea at Waioli Tea House, one of my favorite tea spots centered back in Manoa Valley. It's usually a cool place but on this day it was very hot, with deep blue skies and very little trade winds.

Brenda selecting which tea to pick. She ended up selecting Mutan White.

Dori checking out the assortments of scones, petite sandwiches and pastries.

Colleen and I. Can you believe it was my first time meeting her in person? It seems I have known her forever! We got along so well!!

Thank you, Colleen, Dori, and Brenda for a wonderful time!

Friendship, like tea
warms the heart and
brings a smile to the face.

~Anonymous

a little something - hand sanitizer holder

Yesterday I had brunch with a good friend and wanted to create a little omiyage gift, something quick and easy using items I had on hand.

Found quick instructions for this hand sanitizer holder at Becky Evans' Always Happy Stampin.

It's really easy to create yours! Take a 2" x 11" sheet of paper. Score at 1/2", 1-1/2", 3-1/2", 4-1/2", 7-1/2", and 8-1/2". Cut a circle (or square) between the 1/2" and 1-1/2" folds. Fold along the score lines, adhere and decorate! Secure with something. I was going to use velcro tapes but couldn't find it. Then I was going to use the notch die but since I had already decorated the holder, I decided to use a piece of poster tape instead.

See how easy!!!

Fun Puns - 3 x 3 cards

I had some time to play with some rubons for A Place In Time.

This once is so reminiscent of Hawaii :o)

I used rubons from Imaginisce Splash Dance Fantastic Friends,
paired with scraps I had lying around.

Thought they would make cute fun pun 3 x 3 cards.

For this crab, I was going to put, "Crabby, eh?"

And the inside of this one says "Inking Of You".

May All YOUR jellyfishes come true!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Ink and Stencils

DreamWeaver rose stencil, a little touch of red, green and stickles.

I love applying ink to stencil. It's quick and vibrant as can be seen in this Heleconia.
Doesn't it look real!

Lastly, this Sympathy card shining with gold and chinese coins.

Oops, one more. I love this cattail stencil. The butterflies are made from shiny vellum, and put through an embossing plate.

A Year of Cards - Friendship Cards

I resolve to be a little earlier in submitting my cards to APT :o) Accordingly, here is a sneak peak into the next Year of Cards Class scheduled for August 25 from 6:30p to 8:30p at A Place in Time. Cost $20. I'll amend this post regarding supplies to bring since I'm still making the other cards. I'm having lots of fun creating these cards with Basic Grey's Hello Lucious and Kraft paper.

Mini Cards and Tote - New Class

My coin envelope class is moved to next month because some of the items won't be in by then. So....I'm having a tote class :o)

It'll be held on Thursday, August 11, 6:30p to 8:30p at A Place in Time. I think it'll be a fun class! We'll be playing with some rubons from Imaginesce as well as the new Sizzix embossing folder. Cost is $20. Supplies to bring include: Paper trimmer, scissors, piercing tool, strong adhesive or glue, tweezer (opt). Hope to see you there!