HE>I
Last week I went to the North Shore to shop for a birthday gift for a friend. I wanted to buy her a t-shirt at the HE>I store in Haleiwa. They have really great merchandise and I wanted to support a local business.
As I was entering the store, a couple of smiling customers were walking out with their purchases. It made me happy to see others supporting this wonderful shop that day.
I went over to look at some of the new t-shirt designs when I overheard a woman behind the counter talking about her trip to Italy. I tried not to eavesdrop on her conversation and instead I picked out a shirt for my friend that had a colorful rainbow on it.
When I went to the counter to make my purchase, I asked a question about Italy to the woman, revealing that I had overheard a part of her conversation. We had a pleasant chat about our mutual love for Italy and I shared about the crazy adventure I had being in a Rome hospital with symptoms that would later turn out to be stage 4 Lymphoma.
When I talk about traveling or tell others of the miraculous things that happened during my cancer journey sometimes I go on and on with excitement. That is exactly what happened that day. So as I was leaving the store I turned back to apologize for being so chatty. The kind woman shared some words of encouragement and thanked me for sharing my story.
As I walked out with my cute new HE>I rainbow t-shirt, I though of how wonderful it was to have had the opportunity to shop in a store like He>I. Because it is filled with loving people and merchandise that acknowledges the greatness of God.
Before I wrapped up the cute rainbow shirt to give to my friend, I used it as an inspiration to create the birthday card I would give along with it.
Birthday Card Inspired by HE>I Rainbow T-Shirt
The card base is a Basic White Memories and More card. I added a piece of Basic Black Card Stock and then layered colorful strips of card stock in colors that matched the t-shirt. For the flame of the candle, I used the leaf from the Apple Builder Punch. It’s hard to tell from this photo but I used a Foam Adhesive Sheet behind the “HBD” letters that were cut using the Playful Alphabet Dies. The foam backing makes the letters easy to stick on the card and adds the perfect dimension to this creative sentiment.
My friend loved her card and gift and I loved knowing that the experience of getting it for her was filled many blessings. A beautiful drive to the North Shore, a pleasant conversation, supporting a local business and a fun t-shirt design to inspire my hand made card.
Mahalo to the HE>I staff in Haleiwa for making my visit to your shop so pleasant, I will be back!
With Aloha,
Cindy
