Jan1

Looking to 2025

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Happy New Year… as you can tell, this looks a bit different than my normal blog posts– because 2024 has been a very different year.

If you don’t know our story, you can go check out @heart_for_aaron for more details, but basically we started 2024 in the hospita— my husband has had 4 strokes due to complications from testing for a heart transplant. We were able to end 2024 celebrating the new year with family, back on Maui. God is good.

This journey has been wild– with many ups and downs (sometimes it seems way more downs…) but we are working through all of them. And, we are all here to welcome in 2025– which is a miracle. Which is a result of MANY miracles. God is definitely not finished with our story– And, as I write this, I wonder if I can even fathom what the story is– or if I have enough energy, faith, and stamina to even live that story– but the truth is, I do not. It is through our weaknesses that God works his miracles. And, it is HIS story.

ALL off this to say, you won’t be seeing a monthly calendar post from me this year. I was SO sad that I could not get the calendars made this year. But, our family is having to reimagine what our routine and time will look like. We are still figuring out this schedule, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it may still take a bit more time…

But, I wanted to thank you for joining me on this journey. And, I am hoping upon all hopes, that this is just a pause– and that I will get to join you again soon. Anne, Cheryl, Maila and Sharon will keep you busy with ideas and inspiration- in the mean time.

Dec1

Merry and Bright

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It’s the day time of year to dig out the Christmas lights and get into the spirit!

This set with the Christmas bulbs is so fun! I love that the light stamp is separate from the wire so you can be creative as possible with the colors— I chose the real red and the lemon lime for the lights and the wires are garden green. Super bright and cheery.

Head on over to see what Anne and Cheryl have for you today!

Speaking of, Christmas lights— are you pro color or pro white lights? I have to say. I think I prefer the white lights. Boring, I know. but I just love a brightly warm lit Christmas tree.

Head on over to see what Anne and Cheryl have for you today!

Nov1

In All Things, Give Thanks

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It’s the season of Thanksgiving, again. I am grateful for a dedicated holiday because it’s a reminder that I am to give thanks— in all seasons. I wish my brain would default to thankfulness. It often does not.

This has been an incredibly difficult year, and sometimes it is hard to be thankful. But this is what we are commanded to do. Because it changes our perspective. If you want to follow our story, go see @heart_for_aaron on Instagram, @aaronkondo on Facebook or can read our little blurb here. This year we have been overcoming many challenges and are thankful for the progress we have made.

I just love this simple reminder to have a spirit of thankfulness. I absolutely love this stamp set: Courage and Faith. And the crushed curry and pecan pie ink works very well with the Cajun craze paper— gives us all the fall vibes.

I sincerely hope that as the holiday season starts to ramp up— that you can slow down and just take a look at all the blessings that are around us.

Stop by Anne’s and Cheryl’s pages today to see what they have planned!

Oct1

Tricks and Treats

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We are still in the mainland and I have all the feels as the weather starts cooling off. It’s been nearly 25 years since I got to have a fall! I’m trying to resist the urge to buy all the decor and sweaters! But it’s hard-

As October rolls in, we will welcome this month with this little guy— the happiest Dracula I’ve ever seen! This is from the Tricks and Treats stamp set.

Highland Heather, basic black and smoke slate are a super simple color palette to make it a ‘non-traditional’ October color scheme! I love to do something different when it works out!

Happy October to all of you! And I hope you enjoy some happy tricks and treats!

Head on over to see what treats Anne and Cheryl have for you this month!

Sep1

Fall vibes

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If you’ve been following our story regarding my husband’s medical adventures, you would know we are currently in the mainland while he is receiving treatment. One of the unexpected treats is that we have gotten to experience all the seasons! And currently summer is slowly melting into fall—. And these flowers from Inked and Tiled remind me of the fall grasses blowing in the breeze.

Moody Mauve and lost lagoon give the fall color feel—

We got to go to the Sunflower Market today, and enjoy some food and vendors as well as the field of sunflowers—. The hallmark of the beginning of fall.

I am ready for the weather to start reflecting the season— but I think we are getting close. Hahaha!

Head on over to see what Anne and Cheryl have for you today!

Aug1

Tropical Living

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One of my most favorite plants I have is my monstera. It grows on the side of my house and greets me every morning with its big green leaves of happiness

I recreated these leaves with the tropical leaf stamp set (it also has a coordinating punch), lemon lime and old olive ink. I love using lemon lime and old olive together—. It’s like they’re meant for each other.

August means the start of school. It’s strange for me— not to be starting the school year (if you have followed me on Instagram, you will know that my husband has had some very difficult medical issues we have been navigating—. You can follow his journey at @heart_for_aaron on instagram or Aaron Kondo on Facebook. Hoping to be back on campus soon though!

Go see what Anne and Cheryl have for you today

Jul1

Fireflies

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If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time you know that if we have a firefly set, I have to use it. I positively love fireflies and that is something I miss living in Hawaii. We don’t have them!

They also bring special memories cause when the kids were little they were enthralled with them. It was so fun to go out and watch them

So, when SU put out this set, Lighting the Way, it was ‘add to cart’ without a second thought.

And. I used the misty moonlight and wild wheat (get it?? Wheat— Kansas??!) because what would be more appropriate for a dark summers night in the middle of the breadbasket??

A bit of wink of Stella on the firefly’s butt adds a subtle sparkle to the firefly!

Hope your summer has fabulous outdoor evenings spent under the stars, enjoying fireflies (if they live where you do)

Head on over to see what Anne and Cheryl have for you!

Jun1

Happy Summer

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Hello June!

You knew we couldn’t go too long without a plants post- right??

This page is the page that inspired the cover of the calendar this year. Just changed the background color (like how I made it seem intentional— when in reality it’s just that I didn’t have that much paper of one color. Hahaha).

The stamp set is called Plentiful Plants and I just love all the fun plants. And the colors include misty moonlight, old olive lemon lime, garden green. Pecan pie and crushed curry.

Hope your summer is happy! Go check out Anne and Cheryl today!

May1

May Day—

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May Day in Hawaii is a BIG DEAL (we’ve discussed this before) but this year it is extra special for me— it’s my son’s last May Day performance at Emmanuel. (If you know my son, you will know he is thrilled to be in the May Day program 🙄—. But let’s face it. The performance is for his mama and not him.). The fact that it lines up with the same month as Mother’s Day gives me all the feels.

I chose a super sweet stamp set called Inked and Tiled. It’s an extremely versatile stamp set that can be used for just about anything— changing colors will make it work for any event.

I chose to keep this super sweet and subtle so I used the soft seafoam, bubble bath, and gray granite.

So— wishing you a wonderful May Day— go buy yourself some flowers to celebrate. And hug your mom— be it your mom, auntie, sister, grandma— hug the woman that has breathed life, wisdom, and humanity into your life—. And enjoy May.

Head on over to see what Anne and Cheryl have for you today.

Apr1

Gorgeously Made

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I had to choose this set because it reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures :

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

I know wonderfully and gorgeously aren’t exactly the same but they’re not far apart.

It all just reminds me of how unique and special each one of us are. And how unique and special the things we make can be- and that when we share them, hopefully we pass along some of that uniqueness and specialness for others to enjoy.

This set is a super simple set to use. And I like it cause of all the different textures included in the images. You can layer them to make a really nice image. Here I use. pool party, lemon lolly, and petal pink,

I hope you had a wonderful Easter. He Is RISEN…..HE IS RISEN INDEED

Check out what Anne and Cheryl have for you today!https://wp.me/pCcBw-4ck