Surprises in The Mail

When I came home from work a week ago as well as last week I received some "happy mail" from some good friends.  I was very surprised to receive such fun packages of items that I love.  One good friend sent me this beautiful card and

all of these ono Hello Kitty snacks (They are much too cute to open to open.)

Another good friend sent me a super cute cupcake card card and some Hello Kitty paper clips.  I love the card, but love the HK clips even more.  (BTW, my friend sent me the cupcake card as our swap because she probably made a similar one for her tea swap last month which was to make a child themed b-day card.)

Last but not least another good friend sent me an embossing folder with bamboos on it.  Ever since I saw a card that she made using the folder I've been keeping an eye out for a  folder just like it when I go craft shopping. I can't wait to have some time to use the folder to make some fun Asian cards.

I feel so blest to have such generous and thoughtful friends to surprise me with goodies throughout the year.

Party Favors

We had a "scheduling party" this week at work.  We called it a "party" just to make our meeting more fun.  :) Since we were having a "party" I didn't think it would be complete without party favors.  I purchased some chocolate nuggets and decorated them used my scallop punch and a retired stamp set from Stampin Up. This is how they turned out.

After decorating them I put then into cello bags and tied raffia on them.

My 4 co-workers were very surprised with the party favors and enjoyed eating them while we worked. Thanks for taking time to stop by today.  Have a wonderful weekend full of everything that you enjoy!  :)

Tea Swap for August

It's always a pleasure and so much fun participating in the the tea swap that my friend Fran hosts.  I think it's extra fun to be paired up with someone that I know.  Last month I had the honor of being paired up with Brenda.  I met Brenda for the first time three years ago when we had a "tea party" together with 3 other friends when my family and I were vacationing in Oahu.  Since then Brenda and I have kept in touch periodically throughout the year and have been able to meet up for a tea when I am in Oahu.  Brenda made me this amazing book with pockets.  In each pocket she either put an insert with a super cute picture that she printed on the computer. Every other pocket she put an ono tea bag.  Here's the cover of the book

and here is a picture of some of the pages.

This the card that I made for Brenda was made using the optional theme that Fran had- using primary colors to make a kid's b-day card.

Thanks Brenda again for being the time that you put into making the lovely book and for being such a wonderful tea swap partner.  Until we meet again next summer for a tea party, I hope that we can keep in touch.  Thanks for dropping by!

Two Heartwarming Cards

Today I would like to share with you two beautiful cards that I received from two of my Sunday School students as a "thank you" for being one of their teachers.  This card is from Kristen

and this one is from Michaela.  (She also gave me a delicious bag of sour gummy stars.  :))

I feel very blest that the Lord has given me the opportunity to serve Him and work with the kindergarten kids at the church that I attend.  It touches my heart to see how God makes a difference in of their loves.  It also touches my heart when I receive super cute cards and notes like the two that I received. Both of their cards put a huge smile on my face. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

A Busy, But Fun and Crafty Weekend

Happy Monday!  I hope that you had a good weekend.  Mine was a very busy, but fun one.  For me it always seems like everything falls on the same weekend which makes my weekend a little more stressful than I would like.  The best part of my weekend was being able to attend a Hello Kitty themed card making class at a local scrapbook store with my friend Esther.  Those of you that know me knows how much I love Hello Kitty.  Of course I could not pass up taking the class.  Here is one of the cards that we made. I love all the cards, but this is one of my favorites. (We embossed the card stock with the HK die.  Then sanded the embossed image.)

Esther and I surprised each other with a little some thing like we usually do when we take a class together. This is what she made for me (Isn't it super cute?)

and this is what she made for me.

I also gave her a RAK that I got from her from our trip to Oahu.

Have a good week everyone!  Thanks for coming by!

Back to School Gifts

This was my first week back to work after having a wonderful summer off.  It was nice being able to see everyone again.  It was not so nice though needing to go to work when it so hot.  I am thankful that the A/C in my office works well.  I try to stay indoors as much as possible at work.  :)  Well today, I would like to share a picture of the gifts that I made/put together for my co-workers as well as for my kids' teachers.

It's always fun surprising my co-workers with different gifts throughout the year.  I always try my best to incorporate some thing hand crafted/stamped with their gifts. I purchased these cups (I tried to pick out cups with pictures that that each child would like.)  for some of friends' kids as their beginning of the year gifts and filled them with some ono snacks.

Thanks for coming by today to see what I have to share.  Have a nice weekend!

Disneyland, the Sanrio Store, and More of About Oahu

I hope that everyone had a wonderful 3 day weekend.  Mine was a busy one, but my family and I were glad to take some time to relax and have some fun.  We started our weekend by going to Disneyland after the my kids got out from school.  Even though it was super hot there we still had a good time.  For dinner my new favorite food to order is a BBQ pork shank.

(It is one of the most popular foods to order at Disneyland.  We had to wait almost an hour to get it.  LOL!  The shank is really tender and tasty, but I'm not sure it's worth waiting that long for it.)  On Saturday we took a break from errands, chores, etc. and went to a local Sanrio store to take a picture with Hello Kitty and play some games. My daughter and I were so happy to see Hello Kitty wearing a kimono.

I think out of all the outfits we have seen her in, this one by far was the best.  Don't you think HK looks super cute? Okay, now onto some more pictures of Oahu.  Here is a picture of my favorite flower that I took a picture of when my family and I visited Waimea Valley,

one of my favorite foods was from Fumi's Shrimp truck,

my new favorite fruit- lilikois,

my new favorite dessert is now a red bean roll from Zippy's,

and one of my favorite spots that we hiked was Makapuu Point.

From the start of the hike all the way to the end you get to see absolutely breathtaking scenery, but when you get to the top it's even more beautiful.  You see a view of Oahu and a lighthouse.  Sorry about not posting anything crafty today.  Stay tune for a crafty post later on this week.