Do You Filo?

Welcome to the final day of previews!  I hope you've enjoyed seeing all the projects featuring our new images thus far.  Wanted to thank Kerry for all her help and awesome projects!  Thanks Kerry!

And make sure you check out all the featured Zodiac projects... I'm continuously floored by all the creativeness that goes on using our Chinese animals.  Thanks to Laura, Eunice, and Patti for working so hard all year!

And how can I forget Debi, Eva and Linda!  Don't forget to check out their stuff and Linda's You Tube channel.  She's giving away goodies too, so don't miss out on another opportunity to win!

That being said... wanted to share my final project for this release.  Actually, it not only features our turtle set, but I also included some old favorites in my project!  If you are on You Tube, you may have stumbled on all the filofax craze!  I admit... the first time I saw all the hype, I thought, isn't that just another planner?  Why would you want a regular planner when you can use your smartphone?  As I started watching more and more of those videos, I started to understand why it was catching on again.  I remember having planners while in school and even up to a few years ago.  But gave them up when I got my iphone... now that there's all kinds of FUN stuff to decorate your filofax, I'm back on the bandwagon and loving it.  (much thanks to Nadine Tx, OhaiJoy, and Lfundoo for enabling... Bwahahahaha!).  

So the "authentic" type is made by Filofax, but I didn't really want to spend the money on something I wasn't sure I'd be that into.  So I just got a plain one from my Office Max, and I must say I'm pretty happy with it.  Now I understand the washi tape craze too!  OMG, if you aren't decorating your planner, you gotta try it using all your tapes, stickers, and stamps!

Which brings me to my project.  It's actually a present for my sister. She's coming to visit soon, so I thought this would be a fun present for her.  Instead of a Filofax, I got the BoBunny binder and calendar inserts.  The papers are already cute, so I didn't have to add much except our images to personalize it.  The first page I wanted to share features our turtle set from this release.  I love how it has a To Do section, Notes section and a Don't Forget section.  I think this one also has a pocket, so you can stick in tags and other note.

Here's a better look at our turtle friends.. "Beep Beep"

Here's the other pages- see Yoshimi?

Here's a better look...

And here's Ayako! I think I chose her for this page since sh'e holding an umbrella.

 And can't forget Daba!!!

Otsu had to make an appearance too...

Do you like this next layout?  I had fun hand drawing the kite string..

 And since we don't have any Halloween images (yet- hint hint Denise!).. I colored up Miyoko in her best fall attire and gave her a pumpkin by Dandelion Designs (Hi Jean!).

And finally, Santa rounds out December.  Couldn't have a planner without Setsuna right?

 And here he is...

It was so hard choosing which images I wanted to use in the planner.  Hope you decide to start using regular planners again and decorate them with our images!

Don't forget to enter to win our blog candies by leaving a comment on each of the introductory posts.

Boy's Day Tags

Welcome back to our release week!  So did you guess that our Guest Designer was Vera Yates!?  How cool is that?  Don't forget to check out another project by Vera by checking out her blog here...

And don't forget the rest of our friends who have been working hard to create projects for this release!  Please visit Eunice, Patti, Laura, and Linda for more inspiration on our Chinese Zodiac series and of course Debi who will feature another boy project.  I'm continuously floored by what everyone comes up with!

On to my project for today... I decided to go back to my distress roots since distress inks makes me think of boys for some reason.  I forgot how fun it was playing with the inks that I decided to make this my project for the retailers.    Here's a few that I came up with using Akira...

Sorry, I think my photo skills are off... or is it my eyes?!  These are kinda blurry....

After distressing all the tags, I stamped Akira on the tag. I didn't think I could successfully cut out that kite string, so I thought this would be easier and less frustrating. Then I stamped him again on my copic paper and colored and cut just him and the kite out. Using the stamped image of Akira on the tag as a guide, I adhered him and the kite to the tag over it.  Then I added the Happy Boy's Day sentiment by Mari & Me stamps.

Before adhering Akira to the next tag, I used a Hero Arts background stamp to give it some interest and texture.  I really like the colors on this one..

And on this tag, I used a Tim Holtz stamp by Stampers Anonymous for the background.

Can't believe tomorrow is release day!  Wow, that sure was fast!  Be sure to check back soon to see if you've won our blog candy!

Meet Akira!

Yes!  We are at release #12!  Can you believe it?  Now we have 38 images available in our line and we have a lot more to come! Later this week I'll be introducing our guest designer for this release, so check back all this week to join in on the fun.

First things first... our first introduction for this release is Akira.  No, he is not named after that popularly epic anime cartoon that everyone talked about in the 80's.  This image is actually named after my friend's (Miyoko) son. (Who knows, maybe that's why they name their son Akira?) He is very active, so I thought this image fit him well.  He is always doing something... baseball, hiking, surfing, paintball... you name it!  So the boy flying the kite was a perfect match if I do say so myself.  

No, on to the project... Recently, all of my internet time has been focused on You Tube.  I'm positively hooked on watching tutorials, project shares, and haul videos from fellow crafters.  My family makes fun of me because they often find me on the couch or in my bed with my ipad open and the tutorial playing while I'm sleeping.  I'm telling ya... if you are having a hard time sleep.. craft videos seem to do the trick.  Even when I want to stay awake to watch them!  

One of my favorite channels (don't worry, it won't put you to sleep) is by LiveLoveScrap.  She has great ideas that just floor me every time.  I was so inspired by this project... that I made this... using the Tim Holtz pocket watch die and circle inserts.  Yes, I'm still on the shabby chic bandwagon, but shabby + boys do not mix, so I had to think of how to incorporate this cool project  using my new boys.....

Then in hit me.....Akira was the perfect stamp to go with this project!  It reminds me of Ben Franklin (no not the store) when he flew his kite... didn't he have a pocket watch too?  Well, if he didn't... let's just pretend that he did.  ha ha ha.  So I decide to use Akira and FINALLY try out Amy's sepia copic techniques.  Not sure if I followed her correctly, but here's my shot at it.  You should really check out Amy's tutorials.. They are awesome! Thanks Amy!  I finally did it!

So I went with a vintage feel- which works nicely with our vintage Japanese images.  I cut several layers of chipboard with the circle die inside the pocket watch to create the layered pieces.  Then I cut one without the circle cut out for the back piece.  On the top layer, I cut another piece of the pocket watch using acetate.  Before adding it to the top, I filled the watch using some trinkets from Prima, a coin from my stash, and the Tim Holtz movers and shapers gears.  Also added in some cherry blossoms and roses from Wild Orchid crafts.  Do you like the bird on the gear?   While we are looking at this photo, I want to point out that I replaced the string on the image with actual twine.

Here's a better look at the kite and the flowers I added. to the top... Oh and the chain you see is really a chain.. I added some gems to the ends of it.  If you scroll up you will see it better.  You can also see the crystal flourish I added by cutting up parts of the prima flower crystal flourish.

This was the first time I made something so vintage looking.  Even though it was a boy project, I couldn't help putting flowers on it.  At least it was brown flowers right?

So do you want a chance to win Akira?  Here's all you gotta do:

1.  Leave a comment on this post and tell me what your favorite You Tube channel is.
2.  Tell me if you've ever watched Akira.  I did when I was in high school, but for the life of me, I can't recall what it was about!
3.  Oh yah.. deadline to post is Sunday, March 31st 11:59 HST.  Good Luck!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to meet the Taiko Drummer!

Sister Stamps Release #12 Coming Soon!

Well Hello there!  I've been busy getting ready for our next release, which is coming up on April 1st!  We have more boys for you this month to help you prepare for boy's day coming up in May, and we also have a couple more installments of our Chinese Zodiac series.

Here's a sneaky peek of who's coming up....

Couldn't be more excited to bring these images to you as they have been waiting patiently for their time to shine.  Check in tomorrow to meet these guys and a chance to win some candy!