Ribbon Lei

While scrolling through IG, a lot of lei tutuorials and reels were popping up in my feed, and one that I watched all the way through was made by @hannahsleis.  It was an exquisite lei, in which she used thin strips of ti leaves in an array of colors, and even though I didn't have ti leaves to use for lei, I thought I could try it with the same process with some ribbon I had on hand.  

Well, I only had one color, and I didn't have enough for an entire lei, nor did I make those lovely "wisps" as she did on her lei, so I made do with what I had to finish a lei - kukui nut!  

I can't wait to try it out with more ribbon and colors, and maybe one day I'll try and do it with ti leaf!

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Finger Lei - Four Yarns

Links below are affiliate. 

In addition to the Eyelash Yarn Lei, I made some Finger Yarn Lei.  I used to make the two-color finger yarn lei often when I was in school, so if you're familiar with the process, it's the same exact thing, just with more yarn.  

I watched this video by Ben Franklin Crafts for a refresher (since it was years since I made finger yarn lei).

I used eyelash yarn and rattail (both bought on Amazon.com)

Even if you never made this type of lei before, the process is really easy to pick-up.  

This lei takes longer to make than the straw lei, but you use less of the yarn (one skein of yarn can make up to 3 lei).  

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DIY: Lava Lamp

Derek Kawakami, the Mayor of Kauai, has been posting entertaining how-to videos on Instagram TV, to "break the boredom" during this shelter-in-place order.  Today we tried to make a lava lamp following his video demonstration and it was a hit with the boys!

Here's how to make your own at home:

Add water to a clear glass bottle or vase with water - fill the bottle about 1/5 full.

Add oil (tip the jar so that the oil is added slowly to the water but doesn't "mix" in with the water (the oil will sit on top of the water). Leave some room at the top.


Add approximately 8-10 drops food coloring

Drop two effervescent tabs of Alka Seltzer into the mixture.

Watch the lava erupt!

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Magnet Wall

One of the things our family collects whenever we travel, or even when we visit local attractions, is magnets.  They've been filling up our fridge, and even our magnetic doors in our living room, but I wanted to corral them all in one space.

After searching for ideas online, I decided to make a magnet wall.

We simply bought a sheet of metal at a local hardware store, attached it to the wall with screws, and then we gathered all the magnets throughout the house and placed them on the magnet wall!

It's a great way to not only display our magnets, but also to look back at all of the fun places we've been to.

Now to find a way to display all of our travel key chains!

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DIY Slime

I tried avoiding it for so long, but this slime craze just will not go away!  My ten-year-old is obsessed with watching slime videos and pleads with me every chance she gets to make some.  Finally, I agreed and off to the store we went to pick up glue, saline solution, shaving cream, food coloring, and baking soda.  Make sure the saline solution lists boric acid as an ingredient.  

We estimated the measurements as we went, but a recipe I found online calls for half a cup of glue mixed with food coloring and then 3-4 cups shaving cream.  Stir well and then mix in 1/4 tsp baking soda, followed by 1 Tbsp saline solution.  

And voila! Slime for days!

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Art Bridge Events Thursday Terrarium Tea Party!



My daughter created this beautiful "Lucky Cat" terrarium!

Last night my daughter and I attended Art Bridge Events first Thursday Terrarium Tea Party!  The hands-on DIY terrarium making was super fun and gave us some quality mommy-daughter time together.

The classes are held every Thursday at Anuenue Exquisite Tea in Kailua from 6pm-8pm, through July 2017.  At the class, you will receive 2 hours expert instruction, basic knowledge, plants, glass bubble 8" terrarium, ingredients, added toppings, helpful tips, assembly and care instructions.  Everything you need is included!  Guests also receive one choice of Anuenue Signature Tea and one specialty baked item.  The cost per person is $50.

What I loved about this class was watching my daughter's creativity flow as she created her terrarium.  I also thought it was awesome how each terrarium was so unique from each other, but they were all beautiful.  This fun event is perfect for a ladies' night out, date night, birthday, special gathering, bridal shower, creative night and family bonding.  My daughter has already requested we come back next Thursday!

Everything you need is provided! 

Art Bridge Events Founder, Chanel Tanaka, with our instructor.

Lauren had a blast at this fun event! 

Art Bridge Events aims to bring people together through art, thereby building a bridge between artists and the community by nurturing creativity and positivity.  Founder, Chanel Tanaka, is a Hawaii-born artist who began experimenting with creative mediums at a young age. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion and life-changing career.

As part of their core mission to give back to the community, Art Bridge Events has partnered with the Hawaiian Humane Society during May and June 2017 with a portion of the proceeds from each public event benefitting the society.

Check them out at their upcoming events!

Thursday Terrarium Tea Party (launched 5/11, held every Thursday)

• Thursdays 6pm-8pm at Anuenue Exquisite Tea (25 Maluniu Ave #102, Kailua, Oahu), through July 2017, includes Anuenue Exquisite Tea, pastry and terrarium — $50.

Cocktails & Cacti (June 9, 2017)

• Friday, June 9, 2017 5:30pm-7pm Cocktails & Cacti at the Moana Surfrider Hotel (2365 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu), includes cocktail sampling (3 specialty libations), small bites and DIY terrarium making — $75.

Succulents for Purchase!

• Already made, beautiful, handcrafted, succulent terrariums and our locally grown succulent potted plants can be purchased at Jugo Life Juicery (2463 South King Street, Honolulu).

Paws & Plants: A benefit for the Hawaiian Humane Society (June 23, 2017)!

• Event details TBA (Location: Hawaiian Humane Society, 2700 Waialae Ave)

For additional information please visit www.ArtBridgeEventsHI.com or @ArtBridgeEvents

Thank you to Art Bridge Events for hosting my daughter and I in the class.  We loved it! 

 

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Pantry Raid - DIY Sundaes

If you're one of those who spent countless hours baking over the holidays and found yourself with a bunch of leftover baking ingredients, why not use them to make a DIY Sundae Bar?

I had bags of leftover mini chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, and shredded coconut.

I also found containers of just a handful of chocolate chip cookies and OREOs, so I decided to crush them up.

If you have leftover fruits they'd also make a great sundae topping!

My kids really enjoyed making their own sundaes - and so did I!

What a fun and delicious way to use up leftovers!

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