Hope For Japan - CTMH

Hey all! Hope everyone had a nice weekend :) I got to spend some time with my father's friends and reminisced about his life - miss you, dad!! xo

It has come to my attention that Close To My Heart (CTMH, a direct sales stamp company started in 1984) is doing something special for something close to MY heart - Japan. I wanted to share this with my paper crafting friends.

"Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and like so many of you, we’re eager to help. From now until April 30, when you purchase the exclusive “Hope for Japan” A-size stamp set (A1118) for only $5, Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross’ efforts in Japan."

My friend, Peggy, in Oregon is a CTMH rep. (I live in IL) and we've been friends for years in a Yahoo Group (Paper Piecing Swaps). She had mentioned this so I thought I'd pass the word on my blog. If you don't have a CTMH rep, she will be able to get you this stamp and other products (wink!). I don't have any CTMH products so this will be my first purchase! If you can spare a few dollars, please join us!

Thanks for stopping by - Happy Monday! xo

It's a GOOD TUESDAY :0)

Many GOOD things have happened over the course of a few hours...

Listening to more and more encouraging Japanese news (I have a Japanese channel on my cable - TV Japan) about people finally getting help and many rebuilding...keep strong, Japan! xo

On today's Webster's Pages' blog, they did a post about my favorite Japanese scrapbook business - Memory Palette. They also own the magazine that I write for "Love My Memories." So thank you to Webster's Page for the SHOUT OUT - WOOOHOOOO!!

Photo courtesy of Webster's Pages blog

To top it off, I will return for another year with TaDa Creative Studios as a design team member!!! WOOOHOOOO~! SO stinkin' excited and so honored that they are willing to put up with me ;0P VERY THANKFUL for the opportunity to create with their wonderful designs!! Here are the rest of my design teammates...

CoNgRaTuLaTIoNs to Our 2011-2012 Design Team!!

Design Team Coordinator:
Rita Barakat - Richardson, Texas

Design Team Members:
Terri Davenport - Sylvania, Ohio
Christy Davis - Clearwater, Florida
Julie Detluf - Mansfield, Ohio
Stacey Hansen - Fruita, Colorado
Margie Higuchi - Schaumburg, Illinois (That's ME!!!)
Sandi Johnson - Aspers, Pennsylvania
Suzanna Lee - Glen Allen, Virgina
Marianne Luken - Phoenix, Arizona
Peggy Packer - Toledo, Ohio
Jill Sarginson - Ontario, Canada
Lisa Watson - Warren, Michigan

Quarterly Guest Designer
Susan Dupre - Cypress, Texas

Oh and since this is a scrappy blog, I leave you with a simple TaDa card...

Thank You card by MargieH
Supplies Patterned Papers: TaDa Creative Studios (Tea Hee Hee Collection); Cardstock: Bazzill (Pink, Brown); Stamp: Hero Arts (ARIGATO Set); Ink: Stampin' Up (Chocolate Chip); Pearls: KaiserCraft; Adhesive: GlueArts (Micro Squares, GlueGlider PRO); Foil: Spellbinders (Precious Metals Premium Craft Foils Assortment, Pearl); Tools: Spellbinders (S5-034 Parisian Accents, Doily)

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a GOOD Tuesday too!

Flourishes Blog Hop!!!

When Flourishes first laid eyes on two of the new die templates fresh off the production line at Spellbinders™, they knew that a stamp set to coordinate with these funky and fresh dies were needed! Are you ready to take a peek?

This fun Birthday Pennants Set just screams celebration! It offers six different pennants and flags all designed to coordinate perfectly with Spellbinders S5-028 Nested Pennants and S5-029 Nested Lacey Pennants. Also included are nine sentiments and eight accents that you can deck out your pennant shapes in fun and different ways!

Birthday Pennants Set

Wait, there's more! How about their new Strips and Stripes background set to coordinate? This set offers three strips to use together as a background or separate as three different strips. Perfect with the Birthday Pennants set!



Strips and Stripes Set


Because Flourishes knew these sets were a match made in heaven with the Spellbinder's die templates, they asked some of the Spellbinders Designers to join the Flourishes Team for a little show and tell!

I'd like to show what I created with their fabulous stamp sets and Spellbinders S4-312 Blossom Three, S4-328 Foliage and S5-028 Nested Pennants to make this lacey gift bag!

First, I stamped the lacey border from the Strips and Stripes background set with Versamark ink to cover the mini bag's front side. Then I applied white embossing powder and heat embossed. I love how this looked!

Next, I stamped the flag pennant image and the "Surprise" sentiment onto pink cardstock. To get the perfect placement and cut, I suggest stamping the image first and then placing the die template over it to cut. Don't forget to use repositionable tape to secure the die template :)

Now to the FUN PART - the Grand Calibur! I cut S4-312 Blossom Three #1, #2 and #3 (the smallest size die template is #1) with fabric. To get a clean cut from fabric, I recommend cutting with printer paper in the sandwich - worked like a charm! I cut/embossed S4-328 Foliage with green cardstock.

I assembled the blossoms. Then centered with a white button and added a pearl. I creased the middle of each leaf to create more dimension. Adhered all as shown and it's ready to give away!

I hope you enjoyed my project! Now be sure to hop on over and see....

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Jan Marie Caruso
Heidi Blankenship
Beth Pingry
Margie Higuchi - ME!!
Holly Simoni
Mona Pendleton
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Deborah Young
Kazan Clark
Terre Fry

Would you like to win these sets? Just leave a comment on this Flourishes Blog Post! They'll draw one lucky name for both sets and announce it tomorrow on the Flourishes Blog!

Your next hop stop is my friend, Holly Simoni!
Good luck and thanks for stopping by!!

To Japan...

.
.
.
Hello all.

As you heard on the news for the several days, Japan had its worst disaster ever - earthquake, TSUNAMI and now problems at its nuclear plants. I don't think anyone can be prepared for all three to happen all at once...no matter what kind of disaster plan you have in place.

First, I like to say THANK YOU my friends and co-workers for inquiring about my family. Both my husband and I have our entire family living in Japan.

When I first heard, my first instinct was to go FaceBook...don't ask me why. I was able to get ahold of my two brothers within minutes of sending off a message. They and their families along with my mother live in Tokyo. They are all safe - a little shaken (understandable).

Next, my mother-in-law who lives in the southern part (FUKUI Pref.) by the Sea of Japan. After a few tries on the phone (she doesn't do FaceBook - LOL!), we were able to get a hold of her. She is also doing well. WHEW and THANKFUL!!

I hope that you will join me in good thoughts and strong prayers that Japan will endure all that has happen now and going forward. For them, I created a "Thinking of You" tag.



Thinking of You tag by Margie Higuchi
Supplies Spellbinders S5-051 Fanciful Flight, S4-301 Labels Sixteen, S5-028 Nested Pennants and F-013 Jewel Tones Premium Craft Foils Assortment (Red); WorldWin Papers (Aspire Beargrass Linen Cover); My Mind's Eye (Lush Collection); Layers of Color (Rose Blossom Frame); Hero Arts (Everyday Say); Ranger Ink (Black Soot); Prima (Silver Swirl); Offray Ribbon; SCRAPBOOK By 3L (EZ Runner)


My friend, Eva, had this fun idea of a butterfly-themed blog hop called BUTTERFLY Blog Linky Party. To me, butterflies represent change and new life...I wish that for Japan. From what was destroyed, we need to heal, to rebuild and to become stronger. The red butterfly represents Japan and I love how it stands out from the background. Thanks to Eva for a quick diversion and an opportunity to create! xo

Some have asked how to help with the efforts in Japan. I haven't had a chance to research fully but my bet is with the Red Cross organization. They are usually the ones that are on the front line of most disaster location.

Again, thank you!!! The outpour of support and concern has touched me deeply :0) xo

SKOOP ON SOMEBODY Concert

They say that music is a universal language....well, how about one with subtitles?! LOL!

Hosho took me to a concert Saturday night in the snow, by the lake (add WINDY & SNOWY Lake Michigan!) and at one of my favorite college campuses - Northwestern University. Hi, Delta Zeta/Alpha Alpha chapter!! We went to see AKIKO YANO (RYUICHI SAKAMOTO's ex-wife/pop & jazz singer) and SKOOP ON SOMEBODY (SOS) perform.

SOS performed last summer and we went to see them at Harper College in Palatine IL. It was a nice break after 3 weeks in LA - my father's hospitalization. I needed a diversion and music was the best solution.

Small world! Hosho and the keyboard member, Koichiro-san, were in the same band in college! LOL! So we were able to see them backstage at both concerts. He and vocalist, Take-san, (they are down to two members) were so nice.

I'd like to share one of my favorite songs from SOS! ENJOY!!



These are the pictures from last summer...

and on Saturday...

Then it was off for a late dinner - what a nice date night!

P.S. Linda, your tee shirt is postal! Calling Andrene - email me so that I can send out your tee shirt! Thanks :)

And the winners are...

***EDITED TO MAKE CORRECTION - OTHER ENTRY WAS NOT A FOLLOWER***
(Note to self: Do not make blog entries past one's bedtime - UGH!)


Congratulations to....

"acs004 said...
Beautiful card!! Love the butterfly - a die I dont have yet!! I love all the spellbinder dies but having just bought a grand caliber I am interested in seeing the grand dies used in different projects. I am a follower!!"

and to...

"Linda said...
Love the new butterfly card Margie. You are so frickin' talented. No wonder we haven't seen much of you on that "other" group lately! LOL Congrats on your new 'job.' "

Congratulations, Andrene and Linda!! WOOOHOOO~!
Please email me at mhiguchi (at) comcast dot net

Thanks to everyone for leaving me a comment and becoming a follower - it really means a lot! xo

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Hello all!

I want to wish my mother a happy birthday (お誕生日、おめでとうございます！）. Well, technically where she lives (Tokyo) - it's Happy BELATED Birthday! LOL!! Living overseas, it's hard to keep track of time ;0P Sorry, mom（ママ、遅くなって　ごめなさい～！）!

To (sort of) make up for it, I created a card which I haven't done in years...it's usually a LONG phone call or flowers when she's in the States.

Happy Bird-day! card by Margie Higuchi
Spellbinders™ LF-246 Grand Labels Eleven, S4-323 Ribbon Tags Trio Three, S4-112 Classic Ovals SM and S5-031 Fancy Tags Three; My Mind's Eye (Quite Contrary); Bazzill Basics Paper (Pink); Die Cuts With A View (Ribbon-All Dressed Up); Layers of Color (Bird-day Party Set); Stampin' Up (Pink Passion); Prima (E Line Pearls Crystals); GlueArts (PRO GlueGlider); SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES By 3L (3D Foam Squares); Ranger Ink (Pink Stickles) and Other: White Cardstock

As you can see, I LOVE SHAPED CARDS! Ever since I got the Grand Calibur™ and the Grand Nestabilities®, that's all I want to make! LOL! SO easy to do. With its HUGE plates, you can make them in less time. For example, I fit the smaller Grand Labels Eleven, the Ribbon Tag Trio Three, the Classic Ovals SM and the Fancy Tags Three die templates all at once with room to spare! Love it!

A REMINDER...the deadline to be a follower and leave comment for my two giveaways is up tonight at 11:59PM U.S. CST. So post BELOW to qualify - international friends are welcome!!

TGIF!! Have a great weekend and as always, thanks for visiting :0)

P.S. Mom, I'll call you tonight! xo

Spellbinders NEWS plus a giveaway or two!

I am SO excited about my new role at Spellbinders™! It gives me an opportunity to work closer on the marketing side. As I have said many times over, I am fortunate to be working for a wonderful company full of creative-heartful people!

Oh and don't forget to subscribe to the Spellbinders Newsletter (click to subscribe!). WINK!!

Just as excited for Holly Simoni, who will continue with the Company blog, she will have Kazan Clark and Julie Overby joining her. You know the blog is in good TALENTED hands! All three know Spellbinders and its products inside out. I am looking forward to being inspired by their creativity and learning many tips from them. Welcome to Julie and Kazan! I'm going to miss working with you weekly, Hollu!! xo

Welcome card by MargieH
Spellbinders Grand Calibur™, LF-168 Grand Large Labels, S5-051 Fanciful Flight (Butterfly) and F-013 Jewel Tones Premium Craft Foils Assortment (Dark Orange); Donna Salazar Designs (Memory Mosaics and Weathered Winter Collection); Cosmo Cricket (Tiny Type); KaiserCraft (Pearl); SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES By 3L (EZ Runner); Glue Dots (Mini Dots)

On this celebratory occasion, I am giving away two Spellbinders tee shirts!!!!!! One is from the CHA Summer Show 2010 (size XL/pink) with a tote and the other is from the CHA Winter Show 2011 (size 1XL/black) with a tote.

Here is what you need to do:
1. Become a FOLLOWER of MY BLOG (on my sidebar);
2. Leave COMMENT on this post on what kind of die template you like to see DESIGNED or which one is your FAVORITE;
3. International friends are welcome to participate!

The deadline to enter is FRIDAY, March 4th 2011 (my mom's birthday!!) at 11:59PM U.S. Central Standard Time. The two winners will not be able to choose their shirts - sorry!

Thanks for stopping by...and good luck!