All Because Two People Fell In Love...

I have to laugh when I think of the first design I created for dear friend, Toe Maui'a Tafuna's, family reunion shirts.  Because I was unable to do anything with the original picture she sent me of her beautiful grandparents (really bummed), I decided on creating a design with a couple, in love:

I could hear the hesitation in her voice as she opened the email while I listened, awaiting praise. (BIG mistake!)  She said that it was cute but... I took it from there and redesigned one with a Samoan girl and guy holding hands in Faleniu, of course, notice the coconut tree. LOL.

This one I let her open on her own so I don't get disappointed again.  No, really I wasn't. Haha!  Welp, she ended up loving it and I even hooked her grandpa up with some calves and a cut-up physique, which I'm sure he had when he was young;)  

Thank you for your business sis!

Jenalei's Special Day

The best child anyone could ever ask for has chosen our family to come down to earth to.  Our family is blessed abundantly because of her special spirit, her unconditional love, and sweetness.  Jenalei Talafo'ou Monotui Kaila Fifita was baptized on the morning of June 4th, 2011.  It was a special and emotional day for all of our family because she chose to be baptized.  She and her cousins sang so beautifully that morning.  Later that day, we had a big Birthday Luau in her honor celebrating her 8th birthday.  She deserved it!

Jessica Pilling, of Bes Photography,  took all of her photos and the ones from the luau.  I did her invitations.  I included samples of the invitations and the pictures Jessica took.  By the way, Jessica charges only $25/two hour photo shoot for children.  Please check her out!

The Beauty of Adobe Illustrator CS5

I think I am love!  This is the same way I felt when my cousin brought over a burned copy of PhotoShop 7 for me to keep busy back in '99.  I am in love with Adobe Illustrator CS5 and don't worry, my copy is legit!  There are things that I can do in Illustrator that I still don't know how to in PhotoShop yet, mind you I have CS5 now.

Here's just a small example of what I can do in Illustrator and I've only had it less than a month:

Thanks Lei Siufanua for giving me the opportunity to redo Mikayah Siufanua's original artwork and add some of my own touches!

1. Raw drawing / sketch from Facebook:

2. After LIVE TRACE in Illustrator:

3. Added a the text and few touches in PhotoShop since I haven't learned how to do it in Illustrator yet:

Voila!  Final product... I hope they like it!

Yep, I think they do!

Va'aulu Family Reunion

Thank you Rissa Tuinei for choosing me to design and print your family reunion shirts.  Hope your family likes it!

Tita's Grill: North Shore or The Ranches

"Ah You Hungry?"  You won't be after you make a stop off at Tita's Grill in Kahuku, Hawaii, across the high school. (GO BIG RED)  Tita's Grill is owned by Jr. and Almira Ah You.  They serve up delicious everyday to their regular customers, students, and to tourists.

"The grinds is winnahs!" says EVERYONE that have tasted on of "Uncle Jr.'s" tasty dishes.  The restaurant is known not only for the great food but for the friendly service.  Tourists experience the Aloha Spirit firsthand at Tita's Grill.

Don't worry Utahns, Tita's Grill is also here in Eagle Mountain serving up delicious food and great customer service.  Classmate and good friend, Tamara Ah You (daughter of Jr. and Almira) and her husband Leroy Suamatai'a opened Tita's Grill here at The Ranches Golf Course.  YES!!!  The food is ono at both locations.  Tita's Grill Hawaii has island kine grindz all day long.

Their website, TitasGrill.com, was one of my designs.

Best wishes and Congratulations to Tita's Grill for making their dream come true!

Check out their new "Kila Moco" Challenge pictures.

SCREENSHOTS:

Intro Page

North Shore, O'ahu, Hawaii Site

The Ranches Golf Course Site

Teine Faleniu

This year was our first time joining other families from Faleniu, American Samoa, for a reunion at West Valley Park.  I was very excited to go because I wanted to meet up with family from back home Laie, Hawaii, and I wanted to talk to the old folks about genealogy.  The park was quite hot and I ended up sitting under the closest tree to our car:(

I was asked to print shirts for this reunion and decided I'd sell my own shirts, "Teine Faleniu" or girl from Faleniu.  It was a hit as I was able to sell all of my t-shirts for $12 - $15.  I didn't think that many women would buy.  I guess they were attracted by the color of the shirt and the beautiful CHINESE girl on the back.  LOL.  Here are the designs that were printed for the reunion:

Diva Lashes Logo & Banner

I had the great pleasure of working with Ms. Diva Lashes, Ula Reid Inouye!  It's always such a pleasure to step into her glamorous world for a quick minute to help her with her graphics design needs. She is a Diva indeed and knows what she wants.  Thank goodness I was able to get what she needed and fast as she was preparing for the Utah Polynesian Festival in Provo this year.

Below is a sample of her business cards she ordered online.  She wanted a logo exactly like it.  I was a bit worried because (1) I was pressed for time as I working with two other projects, (2) I didn't know if I could do it.

I tweeked the original in Illustrator CS5 (my new bestie, sorry PhotoShop) and came out with her logo here:

Because I was able to convert the first image which was at a very poor resolution (I was actually tagged in facebook), I was able to blow it up a million times to make her banner which was 8' X 3'.  Thank you Adobe Illustrator CS5, my new bestie! (Sorry PhotoShop)  By the way, here's the final product:

Diva Lashes banner is behind my little brother Senga.