Fruit Pun Cards

Fran K. from Oahu is my dear friend that organizes the tea swap each month.  She is always very creative in thinking of optional themes for us to make the cards in.  This month's theme was "fruit puns."  I was bit stumped initially about what to make, but once I got an idea of what to make I was on a roll.  I made a card in the shape of a watermelon  for Miyuki, my tea swap partner for the month.

I used the square lattice embossing folder from SU to create texture for the rhine of the watermelon.  I punched out black circles and cut different parts of it off to make the seeds.  The senteiment is from an old SU set.  After adhering all the pieces together, I used the smallest scallop punch that I have to make it look like someone took a bite into the watermelon.  :)  I had lots of fun making the card. Besides two tea bags I also sent her some fun crafty items.  This is the card and the thoughtful gifts thst Miyuki sent my way.

My apologies for the glare in the picture with the RAK from Miyuki. It was lots of fun swapping with Miyuki.  Have a fun and crafty day everyone!

Dinner With Gail and Her Hubby

I hope that all of you had a lovely weekend.  Mine was pretty relaxing and fun.  On Saturday we got to have dinner with some good friends.  Each time Gail and her hubby are in town visiting their daughter or dropping her off at college, we try to get together.  Unfortunately the last time they were in SoCal my family and I were on vacation.  My family and I were glad to be able to have dinner with them on Saturday at Umami's.  Here are Gail and I enjoying our meal together.

Both of us orderd an ahi tuna burger.

Before sharing some crafty creations, I'm going to share a picture of the mural inside the restaurant.  Each Umami restaurant has a specific theme that it's decorated in.  Here's a beautiful mural of Japan on of the walls.  I love the cherry blossom tree.

Here are the RAK that we surprised each other with.  This is from Gail.

This  is my RAK to her

and my Secret Sister gift for her.  (I gave her a one item of some of her favorite things/places.)

It just so happened that Gail was assigned to be my Secret Sister for this month. It has sure been hard to keep it a secret from her that I am her SS.  It is always extra fun to have someone that I know to be a Secret Sister to.  On the way home we went to Maruki and found some of my favorite snacks and candy. 

Cards that Represent Where We Live

I am a bit behind in posting pictures of the cards that I have received and made for the monthly tea swap that I join.  Last months' theme was to make a card and send two tea bags that represents where you live.  Robyn (that lives in Hawaii) and I were paired up.  When I thinking of what to make to represent SoCal too many ideas were racing through my mind.  What I ended up making is a card with a Disney theme. 

Here is the inside of it.

This is the fabulous holder that Robyn made for me with her card and tea bags in the pockets..

I think it is so cool that Robyn and I were paired up.  It just happens that Robyn loves Disneyland and I love Hawaii.  :)   

Goodies From Oahu

Thanks for being patient with me as I have been sharing some pictures  from my vacation in Oahu in my last few posts.  Today will be my final post about my trip.  For those of you that have been in Oahu before, you know what fun and awesome craft stores that they have there.  I had a chance to go to some that I have not been to before.  In previous years, I have been to J's Knicknacks, Cute Stuff, and Taj.  I have also been to Photocraft and Pineapple Cove which are now sadly closed.  This time around I got to go to the three that are still open as well as A Place In Time, Stamps and Memories, and Creations Unlimited.  I especially had fun looking at all the samples that they had in each store.  Here are the crafty items that I purchased.

These are the Hello Kitty items that I purchased.  My hubby got me the purse as part of my belated anniversary gift.  (Back in July when it was our anniversary he told me that he could not find anything that I would like as my gift so he will get me some thing is Hawaii.) The lady at Macy's told us that the purse is a Hawaii exclusive.

As the second part of my anniversary gift, he got me a Koa bracelet wtih my Hawaiian name and a hibiscus engraved on it.

Besides the items above, my family and I purchased lots of other fun items for ourselves, relatives, and for friends.  As usual we had to purchase another suitcase to bring all the stuff home.  Thanks for stopping by today to see what I have to share.

Blog Candy From Linda

Linda has some blog candy for her b-day.  Be sure to stop by her blog at http://pinksandlilacs.blogspot.com/

for a chance to win the above yummy, calorie free candy.  :)  It ends on 9/28/2012.

Gifts From Afternoon Tea

As promised in my last post, today I will be sharing the gifts that Brenda, Dori, Fran, Robyn and I gave to each other during our afternoon tea together.  It is always fun to see what each other creates. This is the fancy album that Brenda made.  She put little gifts in each pocket.

This is the super cute boxes that Dori made.

In the first one she put cookies in and the second one she put dry prunes.   Fran made an intricate box full of goodies.

Robyn made a super cute purse and filled it with goodies.

I chose to make my gift with a Disney theme.

I made a purse with a rosette and Minnie Mouse on it. I put a stamp inside and gave them each a box of tea from Disneyland.

Thanks ladies for the time and love that you put into making the gifts.  Each one is unique, creative, and special from the heart.  All of you are the best!

I Will Never Forget

Just like many of you the morning of 9/11, 11 years ago will forever be imprinted in my mind and heart.  Despite what happened, I thank the Lord for uniting our country and for making it even stronger.  My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the families that lost their dear loved ones that that day.