Happy New Year!!

Most of the world is already on New Year's Day - Happy New Year to my friends in Australia, Singapore, Hongkong and Japan!! May the Year of The Rabbit bring good fortune to you all! xo

Here in the States, we have a few hours before the big countdown. What do you have planned? We will be celebrating at home with the four of us (Taka came home from a youth retreat last night - so good to have him home!). On New Year's Day, we will be attending church in Wrigleyville (Chicago) for the first prayers of the year (HATSUMODE) which is a big thing in Japan.

When I was a high school junior at The American School In Japan, I wore a KIMONO and had my hair waxed/fixed into a traditional Japanese hairstyle. It took days to get that stuff out of my hair! On New Year's Eve, my uncle took me to MEIJI SHRINE around midnight for HATSUMODE. All I can say is NEVER AGAIN!!! It was us and a couple million people! OMGOSH! LOL!!

So back to the States...

Yesterday was my turn to post on Spellbinders' blog. And of course, I went with the New Year's theme! I loved how this turned out. At first I was a little worried about how WILD the red boa would be but you have to be festive, right?! LOL!!

Personally I had a rough year - my dad, uncertainity of plans, etc. but I am looking forward to an even better year for me and for everyone!!! So let's make a good one! HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friends!

xo

Merry Christmas From Our House to Yours...

On behalf of my family, I'd like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas, full of happiness and good memories. In 2010, we remember all of the good and the bad (we learn from them and become stronger). No matter what has happened or is happening, we are thankful for the positive in it all - like a lotus flower, in the muddy water floats a beautiful flower.

Taken in La Jolla, CA - December 2010

So Merry Christmas and enjoy each other's company. Extend a hand to a person in need this season, whether it be a friend, neighbor or stranger...I'm sure you'll make their holiday brighter!

PEACE & JOY, my friends! xo

Happy Sweet 16 to Taka!!

Just wanted to post that my oldest son is 16 today! So happy birthday, sweet boy...hmmm, correction: young man! The way you have grown, we couldn't be more prouder.

8th Grade Graduation - 2009

High School Homecoming Court - 2010

SNR 12 Days Of Christmas Tags!!

Scrapbook News & Review (SNR) Magazine is having a 12 Days of Christmas Tags where staff members are asked to share their Christmas Tag.

Well, today is my day! The tag is "Cookie Exchange" and why not! Food is always big with us and well, cookies...do I need to explain?! LOL!!

Here's a couple of sneak peeks on my project. Note the cute papers (oops, I have it on the wrong side!) are from TaDa Creative Studios' Jolly Holly Days Collection!

So I hope you take a peek HERE for my tag and the rest of the staff. Lots of great ideas and reminders on some wonderful techniques.

A JOYous Thursday!

Today I tried the sticky back canvas on Spellbinders™ Grand Calibur™! Although it had three layers, I knew I could cut it on the machine - it has more pressure than the Wizard™. Just need a couple more pass throughs and it cut PERFECTLY!!

LOVED how it turned out! Had so much fun trying to figure out how the letters - JOY - would work out. Want more details? Click HERE to get you on the Spellbinders' Blog.

I also tried felt on the Grand Calibur - no problem with it either! I put the felt and the S4-285 Nested Mittens together to create this cute ornament? gift card holder?

Notice the red "nose" on the deer? LOL!! This ornament will not be given away - HA! More info is on Spellbinders' Savvy Saturday post HERE.

Have a JOYful Thursday...as I am off to get more holiday shopping done!
MargieH xo

A Quick & Easy Page...

This is a layout I did for TaDa Creative Studios' blog last week regarding back to basics with a simple design and some leftover scraps.

So if you're short on time, try this!
Speaking of short...that's it for today. LOL!!
Happy creating :)

Happy December!!

Already it's December..I wasn't done with November nor October!! YIKES!

Well, October has one/two more posts of our trip to Japan. All I can say it's a work in progress! I'm trying to get the names and places straight! LOL!! So bear with me - I will get it done...soon ;0P  Here's a picture to tie you over! LOL!!

As for November, I wanted to share my Thanksgiving dinner. This is the second year that we had dinner with just the four of us.

I usually invite a Japanese family or two to dinner since Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday. Plus the fact that turkey is not a staple in the Japanese diet. I also celebrate Christmas with them just to add the festivities. So I deck the whole house out in Christmas, even the tree comes out with gifts for everyone.

Well, let's just say the Christmas tree hasn't make an appearance yet...only the wreath! LOL!! Note to self: get the tree out!! It's perfect today - we have snow falling this morning! What a hint :)

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I'll be back with some crafty stuff soon :0)