San Jose CA Road Trip & Card Making Class

Earlier in the month, I went to visit my friend Emi Kume in San Jose CA. She is the founding editor of "Love My Memories" magazine, a Japanese papercrafting magazine, and is credited for bringing scrapbooking to the forefront in Japan. I am fortunate to be a contributing writer for the magazine.

The first thing we did once I got to San Jose was a visit to Scrapbook Island - one of my "must go" places on my list and I wasn't disappointed :) LOVEd that store!! AND I finally got to meet Laurie...we talked like we were old friends! Love that!

On the first day, we did a short tour around San Francisco...OMGosh, it's been over 20 years since I last visited! What a beautiful city! In about five hours, we covered the Painted Ladies (Alamo Square), Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square and Treasure Island...WOW! LOL!!

During my stay, I had a fabulous opportunity to do a card making class with her Japanese students, using Spellbinders® die templates and some techniques to kick it up a notch! This is what they created...

I love how you can mix and match different die templates to layer, to ink, to fold & tuck, to stencil....so many different techniques! (Pictures taken by Emi)

Here are the lovely ladies who participated in the class! THANK YOU & お疲れ様でした～！楽しい時間ありがとうございました。また、カードを一緒に作りましょう。

BIG THANK YOU to the following manufacturers who made this possible: Spellbinders Creative Arts, WorldWin Papers, David Tutera for Darice/Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock, JustRite Papercraft, Graphic45, SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVE BY 3L, IMAGINE Craft/TSUKINEKO and Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft!!

It was such an amazing time and the much needed break from the intense CHA (Craft & Hobby Association trade show) prep! LOL! Thank you for an amazing time, Emi & family!! xo

Thank YOU for reading this far :)
MargieH

It's Hip To Be Square - Day 6

My sweet and talented friend, Lisa Swift, came up with a wonderful idea of doing a series on a trend that has been going strong for the last couple of years - 6 x 6" paper pads! She introduced this layout I created over on her blog...

President's Club by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Papers, Die Cuts and Wood Embellie: Pink Paislee (Nantucket Collection); TearDrops: Robin’s Nest; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (LF-126 Grand Squares); Adhesive: ScraPerfect (the Best Glue Ever); Other: Foam Square

My 6 x 6" paper use is making a background with LF-126 Grand Squares die templates from Spellbinders Paper Arts. You can see a peek of the pattern behind the double matted photo and it gives a finished edge all around :0)

I also covered this trend in one of my "Trend Watch" articles at "Love My Memories" Japanese scrapbooking magazine. This page was published in the most recent issue...

Moments by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Papers and Stickers: Teresa Collins (Everyday Moments Collection); Tissue Tape: Advantus (Tim Holtz); Ink: Tattered Angels; Pearl: Want2Scrap; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-351 Spiral Blossom One, S5-025 Labels Seventeen, S4-356 Floral Ovals and S5-066 Shadow Flowers); Tool: Epiphany Craft; Adhesive: ScraPerfect (Best Glue Ever)

Thanks, Lisa, for inviting me to your special "Hip To Be Square" feature! SO much fun reading each day on what other way to use 6 x 6" paper!

For those who are just reading about this, go to Lisa Swift's Remember The Good Times Blog to follow along!

As always, thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

Love My Memories: Issue No. 16 & Blog Hop!

Did you know that I write for Love My Memories magazine (LoveMemo)? It's a magazine in Japan that is dedicated to scrapbooking and equally dedicated are Editor Emi Kume, and her wonderful staff! Great people to work with :0)

Issue #16 is now available and they have done a total re-design of the magazine. So to comemorate the occasion, they are having their first blog hop. Sorry, it's in Japanese but take a look - two of the hoppers included artwork so be inspired! Link will be at the bottom.

One of the prizes is an idea book (Scrapbooking NO KISO Book)...I have a copy. Inspired I wanted to show you all my take on a project that Editor Emi created - a shaped mini album. See hers on the cover (lower right corner)...

This is what I created, using my Spellbinders™ Grand Calibur® and LF-161 Grand Labels One as the base (click on pic to take a closer look)...

Maui 2012 Mini Album by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper: Graphic45 (Tropical Travelogue); Mesh Ribbon: Creative Impression; Ink: Ranger (Distress Ink by Tim Holtz) and Clearsnap; Bling: Want2Scrap; Dies: Crowns: 7Gypsies; Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-313 Blossom Four, S5-086 Bitty Blossoms, S4-273 From The Sea, PTF01 Plain Jane (Capital) Punch Templates, PP-001 Presto Punch Machine, LF-161 Grand Labels One and Spellbinders Grand Calibur); Adhesives: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever) and SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Foam Squares); Other: Jump ring, shrink plastic, watercolor pencils

For my Japanese scrapping friends:

Writeｒをやらせてもらっている、スクラップブッキング雑誌、「Love My Memories・ラブメモ」16号を6月1日、日本で発売しました！16号から、デザインをリニューアルしました。これを記念して、Blog Hopが行なわれる事になりました。　応募期間：2012年6月1日～6月15日（日本時間）

現在、開催中です！6月15日まで!!!

詳しくは編集長 (エミーさん)のブログをご覧下さい。Linkはhttp://blog.livedoor.jp/lovemymemories/archives/51944433.html

（あいうえお順）

1. Asuka（まちゅ♪）さん

 http://machu-gotta-scrap.blogspot.jp/ (6月１日のポスト）/Artwork Included

2. えーちゃんさん

3. ebu-さん

4. エミー編集長

5. かおさん

6. きみえもんさん

7. saorin'さん　

8. Shuさん

http://scrapbookingstyle.eshizuoka.jp/　（６月１日のポスト）

9. ソネさん

10. tsukikoさん

11. Tomomi Nomura(Nom)さん

12. nave

13. はっしーさん

14. ほのかままさん

15. popoさん

16. mai*さん (Artwork Included)

17. Maiko（あくび）さん

18. MIEさん

19. みかんMAMAさん

20. みこやんさん

21. めぐっこさん

22. ゆう☆にゃんさん

Good luck!!!
As always, thanks for looking and taking the time to comment :)
MargieH

Weekend Stuff and For Japanese Scrappers!

Catching up here on what I did this past weekend...my youngest brother, Dave, was in the country and was able to stop by Chicago for a couple of days. The boys love when he comes, he adds comedy to the conversation (aka abusing the parents) - LOL!!

Also I attended the annual Crop for a Cause: Making MS a Memory! but only for a few hours since Dave was here and we had dinner plans at DARUMA.

Crop for a Cause: Making MS a Memory! Founder Laura Machonis

Me with Nubia Chaidez, Charity Wings Blogger

CJ and Karen at the Creative Memories MnT Table

Dave had to pick up some (heavy) books for his book worm daughter, I looked through some paper crafting magazines and stumbled upon this...

and to my surprise, this...

Totally forgot that I had submitted....senior moment?! YIKES!

I haven't posted anything new for my Japanese scrappers so this is for them (all in Japanese, of course! LOL!!). But for my nosey non-Japanese friends (a majority of you!), it is a "How To" scrapbooking book released Feb 28 in Japan by the fabulous editor of Love My Memories Magazine, Emi Kume. It took many months and sleepless nights to compile a picture by picture explanation on how each pages were done. Great for beginners and veterans as it covers many techniques, tips and ideas. I cannot wait to get my copy!!

ラブメモ特別編集　(監修：久米英美子)　

写真を見ながら学ぶ

「スクラップブッキングの基礎 BOOK 」

出版：パッチワーク通信社/定価：1200円税込/ISBN978-4-86322-367-7

この本は、スクラップブッキング初心者が 基礎から学ぶ事ができ、また経験者も基礎を 振り返る事ができるレッスンブックという コンセプトで作りました。

作品33点の作り方つきなので、基礎を ひとつひとつ学びながら、作品も楽しく 作る事がでいる、という内容になっています。

更に切って使える実物大の型紙つき！ 型紙は実際に本に掲載している作品に 使用しています。 ミニアルバムの形の型紙（表紙作品の右下）、 封筒ポケットの型紙、そして表紙作品にも背景 として使っている6角形の型紙です。

ちょっと固い紙でできてるので、一度切り取って いただければ、繰り返し使う事ができます。 どんどん活用してくださいね！

殆どのプロジェクトが1時間以内でできます。 12インチ作品、ミニアルバム・ミニブック、 グリーティングカード、ホームデコ・・・色々ありますよ～

材料費は一つのプロジェクトにつき だいたい千円以内になるようにしています。

そして実は今回初めての試みをしています・・・それは全ページ、作り方をインチではなく センチ(cm)で解説した事です。スクラップブッキングはアメリカから入って きているので、製品や作り方、色々な物が 今までインチ表記になっていました。

日本でスクラップブッキングをもっと広げる ためにはやっぱりセンチにしないとね・・というわけで、今回の基礎BOOKで センチ表記にしました。

スクラップブッキングをこれから始める皆さん また、なんとなくスクラップブッキングを今まで やってみてたけど、実は基礎を知りたかったんだという皆さん、是非読んでみてくださいね！

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!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Just wanted to pop in before getting the turkey ready to wish you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

I created this tri-fold luminary for my post on Spellbinders Blog yesterday. My dining room table is clear from all things scrapbooking and (almost) ready for a Thanksgiving feast. I have this in there but did a test run and it glows so well - love those flameless tea candles! LOL!!

SO THANKFUL for these guys especially this year for helping me through a most difficult time - death of my father. Love you guys! xo

THANKFUL for all of my friends - have to love FaceBook for getting/keeping in touch with them! Love hi-tech...well, most of the time! LOL!

Special thank you to my friends who came to see me this month from IA-MI-MA-IL (thank you, Kimberly!) for one of the best times of my life! You all lifted my spirits more than you can image and I needed it! THANK YOU!!

PLUS... "Love My Memories" Magazine and LaserLine Company.

THANKFUL for all the companies and magazines I've had the privilege to work with them - TRULY honored to be a part of!

What are you thankful for?

OK...better get that turkey ready...have three HUNGRY boys on the loose! LOL! Have a wonderful THANKSGIVING!!!! xo

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!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Well, my selfish excuse to make a gift for my youngest's Japanese teacher is two folded...one obviously to thank Mrs. Nakagawa for putting up with somewhat talkative son (where did he get that trait from? heehee!!) and the other is an excuse to make a project with Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker llc products!

In case you haven't been following me too long, I also freelance at a Japanese scrapbook magazine called "Love My Memories." The editor, Emi Kume, had asked me to be its special U.S. reporter. How can I say no?! What an opportunity to work for such a dynamic person! She is credited for bringing scrapbooking to the fore front in Japan.

One of my first articles was about up and coming new companies in the scrapbook industry. Nikki was one of my choices! I blogged about it HERE. Anyways, I was thrilled when I found out that her company is part of the Cross Promotional Partners with Spellbinders™! So my first blog project after the DT Retreat was Nikki's Henry's Brillance Collection...perfect for the upcoming Teacher's Appreciation Week (this week!)!

It turned out so nicely! Can't wait to give this to her :) Have you done anything for your teachers? You have until the end of the week! Don't have time? Tell your child to go hug their teachers and say THANK YOU!! They'll love it!

Thank you, Mrs. Nakagawa, and all those teachers out there! Better you than me - can't even deal with two kids! LOL!!