Kula Lavender Farm...Kula, Maui

Trekking around Maui...and Kula Lavender Farm!

I arrived on Maui, Monday for a wholesale trade show. While waiting for check-in...2 of us hopped into my very full truck (we came over on the Superferry), and headed up the Mountain (Haleakela...which has a crater the size of Manhattan at the top) to visit the Kula Lavender Farm. It was exquisite! I'll post photos and put in links when I return this weekend. I bought huge bouquets of Protea flowers for only $10...Lavender flower season is over, tho the protea are in full bloom. I returned today, after the show to buy as many as is could to bring back for friends!
I also drove through the pastures past Kula and Keokea to meet with Diane and Mike at Ulapalakua Ranch Store, which dates back to the 1880's. They had invited me to lunch, tho arrived a bit late because I was so distracted along the way.

Hope you'll take time for Upcountry Maui when on island next!
Palms waving aloha,
debz

How to display your tropical ATC's!

Tammi brought us these really well done ATC's that she made with our Aloha From Hawaii vintage stickers. The Pineapple ATC has instructions on how to cut up a pineapple. And yes...even my wrist rest for my keyboard is a beach scene!

Paper Nite Sideways...a virtual tour! Click to watch the video clips.

Ok...so I'm not so great with the camera...tho you get the idea! You wouldn't believe the mess...
Thanks to the Menehune, the gang barely knew we were even here last nite. We even had most of the glitter wiped up before the morning stamp elves showed up at work!

Paper Mania!

OMG! what a mess...and great fun! 20 Stampclub participants made close to 300 sheets of parchment paper!
will post the how to...and a video when I get it together!
wish you were here...

Waves up on the North Shore

Guess we're leaving Summer. In Hawaii, this means the waves move from the South Shore to the North Shore...and the lines at Aoki's and Matsumoto's get long. I think Kathy Aoki once told me that she makes 5-10 gallons of home made Shave Ice syrup 3-5 days a week. Often making more than one flavor batch per day! Amazing! I'll have to ask her again when I'm up in Haleiwa. Still haven't tried all the flavors. Great excuse to duck out and go for a drive!

Some of the new rubber stamps...Plumeria peace sign rubber stamp, Quan Yin & more...

The new tikis and peace signs seem to be flying out the door...I especially love "war is not healthy for children and other living things" with the Peace Turtle Stamp!

Stamps I'm working with today!

Today is play day for me at the workshop...working on projects for AB round robin, Chanukah menorah for Joy of Crafting filming on Friday, and samples for our Shimmering Papers workshop at Stampclub tomorrow nite.
Here's a peek in my basket of stamps...I'm particularly fond of the new Quan Yin Longevity collage stamp in the left bottom corner...guess I'm excited about the new designs!

Vintage Pendant-copper & mica frame

Marilyn is one of those great women who is often cranky, and always creative...She made this way cool pendant with patina'd copper, wrapped with wire. The vintage photo is one of Rubber Stamp Plantation's Aloha from Hawaii vintage stickers. She used mica as the "glass window", giving it a slightly textured antique look. I love this idea and her execution. You can find Marilyn every month in Kapiolani Park at the Handcrafters and Artisans Alliance Craft Fairs. In her booth you'll find art dolls, sterling flatware jewelry (I wear my demitasse earrings often), Raku perfume/oil amulets....

Plumeria wall hanging with new Craft Stencils

I was playing around with our new Tropical Craft Stencils.
I used the retro plumeria stencil and pressed it into terra cotta clay. I also used the monstera border stamp...one of my favorites. This was bisque ware that I colored with Radiant Rain misters. I used a protective coating to seal the piece.

This will also work nicely with polymer clay.

Our banana patch is taking off!

We planted a dwarf apple banana 2 yrs ago and harvested our first bananas in March. We were so excited, we looked out the window every day to see if the next keiki (baby plant) was ready to shoot off. Of course, we gave up...you know the watched pot story...
Welp...now 5 mos. later...we have new babies!
And...our original tree is now 7 trees (tho not bananas aren't really trees). These should take 6-8 months to ripen...

The Bucket List AB

In our Honolulu AB round robin...I had Lorena's book...The Bucket List. I love the way this one came out. In each house, I wrote places I'll be visiting, The rays of the sun are plans, goals, dreams.
Enjoy!

Mini Mask Altered Book project

Honolulu Altered Books meets 2nd Saturday of the month at Rubber Stamp Plantation. Debbie West has been facilitating our eclectic group of 10-14 for almost 5 yrs! It's a round robin...we each begin with our own books, set the parameters and theme...and then let go! Every month someone else creates a work of art in our book, then passes it along to the next in line. Here is a mini mask (less than 2 in) project for one of the books. Love to hear about your AB groups/projects! Also let us know if you want to join in the next round!

OK, I couldn't wait 'til Chanukah!

Ok...so Becky and I ducked out of work 'cause the beach was calling! In order to justify playing hooky we called it our "Chanukah Card Photo Shoot". In lieu of candles, still packed away from last yr, we scrounged up some drink umbrellas.
The life guard was truly entertained, and inquired whether it was "sacrilegious"...we thought not.
Will post more closer to the Festival of Lights!