Design Memory Craft: This Journey Begins Scrapbook Page Using Stencils

Hi there! It's the last day of May and I have mixed feelings about this day...it is my youngest son's high school graduation. Where did the time go? Sniff! Sniff! I created a scrapbook page for him using a couple of stencils from two sets - Stencils 10ct 101 Collection and Stencil 10ct 201 Collection.

Please visit Faber-Castell® Design Memory Craft® Blog for detailed steps out and a FULL supplies list. I am only sharing some peeks :)

OK...you have to visit Faber-Castell® Design Memory Craft® Blog for the rest! LOL!!

Thanks for stopping by and if you have a graduate, congrats to you!!
MargieH

Let The Routine Begin!

Routine for me or the boys? LOL!!

Happy First Day of School, boys!!

Today is the first day of school for my boys. My youngest is entering high school this year...sigh. I hope they enjoy their high school and that they stay in one school! I, on the other hand, attended three high schools (York Community H.S., Elmhurst IL; Franklin Road Academy, Nashville TN; Am. School In Japan, Tokyo JPN) so you can imagine when I see a classmate, I sometimes pause to think which school he/she is from! LOL!!

Kwansei Gakuin University Chicago Dinner

Speaking of school, my husband's university chancellor was in the country along with the alumni director. Yes, the chancellor is female and an American! LOL!! My husband's unversity has an American/international background in its founding. Don't let the looks fool you - her Japanese is PERFECT!! After all the preparation and hard work, the dinner was a success. It was held at Maggianos in Schuamburg IL in one of the upstairs rooms....BEAUTIFUL! I was thrilled to hear that Chancellor Grubel is also an international school graduate, Nagoya Int'l School! Having an international school background, no matter what school, creates such a wonderful bond of friendship.

My ePub at Scrapbooking & Beyond!

I have an ePub in Scrapbooking & Beyond Magazine.com's projects page! Look for the title: "How to Scrapbook Using Homemade Adhesive Dots." My "Faith" card is featured and it shows how I used ScraPerfect products to put together one of my favorite projects.

My promise of a giveaway!

To celebrate and who doesn't like a celebation! Amy (ScraPerfect's owner) has a contest over at ScraPerfect FaceBook Page!

The Details:

TO WIN A PRIZE??? Just head over to ScraPerfect Facebook Page, find our "Want to Win a Prize" post and tell us where you heard about this contest for ScraPerfect Products. We'd also like to hear questions or comments about our Magically Perfect Craft Products...Where's you first heard about them? What do you love about them? How you use them most?....

THE PRIZE: The Best Glue Ever, Embellie Gellie, Perfect Crafting Pouch and two Perfect Cleaning Cloths.

CONTEST DETAILS: Contest ends November 15, 2011. Winner will be drawn at random from Facebook posts. Paid shipping to the US, as well as Israel & Brazil where our Design Team Members are based AND they can invite their friends to join in! How cool!!

Catch Up!

Hey, everyone! I have a lot of my plate but wanted to follow up with my Mom's Day cards. To my very pleasant surprise, my boys made me a card each! I have to say I was impressed and wanted to share a PROUD MAMA MOMENT :0)

I created the one on the left (details on my Mother's Day post), my oldest made the big one in the center in Chinese! He is taking Chinese class and is doing well. The one on the right is from my youngest son who is taking Japanese classes at his junior high school. So this year, the theme is international! LOL!!

I've got a few things coming down the pipe so be sure to watch tomorrow!! I'm HOPPING with joy...heehee!! A little hint (wink).

Have a good Thursday!!

Japan Trip - Day 2

10/22 in Tokyo/Kyoto.

We hopped on the SHINKANSEN (Bullet Train) and head off to Kyoto. Today was the first day for DOSHISHA Int'l High School to accept applications for the entrance exams. Hosho thought it would be a great idea to see the campus first hand...maybe motivate Taka a little bit.

Gotta love that JR Rail Pass, we got on without a hitch. When we arrived in KYOTO, the first thing we wanted to do was eat lunch! LOL! So off to HAMAMURA for RAMEN! YUM!!

Then we went directly to the DOSHISHA campus where they house the University, the Women's College and the International High School. It was impressive but the 15 minute uphill walk nearly killed me! This is the entrance to the high school.

Then we went to OSAKA and met my MIL who stayed with us at the hotel. She was also attending my father's memorial in ITAMI/HYOGO Pref. (the neighboring prefecture to OSAKA). The boys were so excited to see her - it's been six years since they last saw each other. She was surprised to see how tall they had gotten.

Here's a picture of my MIL with my youngest, Hiro, in OSAKA Station. Sorry for the blurred picture but if you didn't move, you would be trampled by a sea of people (yes, another Japanese rush hour...sigh). LOL!

We headed to this restaurant that served FUGU (Blowfish) dishes. Hosho found a licensed FUGU chef that made our wonderful dinner! Blowfish are poisonous - a chef needs to learn how to cut and serve this specialized dish - that's where the license comes in :)

After dinner, we walked it off by wandering around the area. Then off to bed. Another productive day and tomorrow will be the big event - my dad's memorial :)

Happy 10-10-10!!

First of all, I cannot believe it's October and 10 days in! SO many things to get done before we travel to Japan for my father's memorial and entombment.

Since today is 10-10-10, I thought I'd come up with 10 Random Thoughts...



1. My latest Spellbinders Blog Project




2. 2010 SHS Homecoming Court (Taka is second to left)/Photo Courtesy of SHS website



3. Day Trip to Downtown Chicago with Fiona

4. One of my favorite banners & displayed @ CraftFancy (IL)!

5. My youngest brother, Dave, mom and me @ Sushi Roku (CA)

6. My first Mojito @ Asia de Cuba in W. Hollywood (CA)

7. A Family Dinner @ California Pizza Kitchen in Pasadena (CA)

8. A TaDa Creative Studios Project - Mug Sleeve

9. At Summer 2010 CHA Trade Show w/ Nikki Sivils (one of my first articles w/ "Love My Memories" Jpn SB Magazine)

10. A less painful way to fold clothes - it works!

OK...those are my 10 Random Thoughts of the Day! It is about 80 degrees in Chicago so off to enjoy my day and I hope you do too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Homecoming 2010

For once Homecoming in this household was an exciting event as our oldest son became his high school's sophomore class (male) attendant? prince? - what do you call these guys (other than the Homecoming King)?! LOL!!

We only had female attendants with male escorts of their choice (boyfriend, friend, father...). So this is something quite different for me. More confusing for my husband - they don't have this kind of event in Japan! LOL!!

I went to the Coronation yesterday. When the Emcee called Taka's name as the most voted for the sophomore class. It didn't register with me or him! He went to line up with the rest of the nominees instead of center stage! LOL!!! It was a FUN day for him.

Either way, I am SO PROUD of him!!! Never knew he was THAT popular! LOL!!

Congratulations, Taka! I'm sure Grandfather is looking over you! xo

Another Proud Mama Moment

OK..this time, it's about my oldest boy and his freshman year tennis.

He had his first home tennis match as a high school player yesterday. I am not familiar with tennis but he's on a doubles team with a sophomore partner on the junior varsity team as #1 doubles team...hope that makes sense. LOL!!

Unfortunately they lost...figures when I'm there! LOL! But the day before they won their match...or is it game? UGH! I better figure this out before the season ends ;0P Either way, I am very proud of him.

Now if I can only get him to be as enthusiastic with his school work, I would be MORE HAPPIER!! Am I asking too much?! Seriously.

Here are some pictures I took yesterday (a beautiful warm day btw but windy!)...please forgive the fence, couldn't sneek into the courts without being bonked by a tennis ball.






































And a big pow wow at the end...it was nice :0)