YIKES....

I didn't realize how long it's been since my last post...apologies! OY!

Well, Chicago is (somewhat) turning SPRING! YEAH! We had a couple of days of 70 degree WARM weather so DH & I have been taking advantage of it by strolling around the neighborhood :0) Wouldn't you know that now it's been raining for 2 days and MAYBE that four-letter S word maybe in coming our way tomorrow? UGH! LOL!!

The last week and a half, I had to say good-bye to yet another Japanese friend...so sad :0( But we did something as a couple (her DH is also into guitars) - her first live BLUES music outing. We went to Frankie's in Naperville last Saturday night. It's our first date night in hmmm.....18 months? Two years? Had a great time and it was so warm, I didn't need a jacket!

So if you live near Naperville, IL give this place a try. I had such fun and the nachos were yummy! I think it was my friend's first time trying this dish too! LOL!

TaDa Technique #9 is UP!

Hey everyone!
I just posted my tech on TaDa Creative Studios' blog HERE!













Come see and post your comments if you are inclined to - please do!
Have a great day!

Just a lucky gal!

Well, I was surfing through all my bookmarked blog and saw this sweet post from CraftFancy! Can I just say I am lucky to be working with such cool & hip gals at this store!! Much thanks and appreciate to both Carol & Simone for their faith & trust in me :0) Had to say it...just a lucky gal!















You truly made my day!!! xoxo

For My Friend, MicheleK!!!

Did that get your attention?! LOL!!

I went to CraftFancy this past Saturday to watching my friends, BethP and MicheleK, do their stuff with Spellbinders and Crafty Secrets, respectively. Can I just say "WOW!"

I have used my purple Spellbinder WIZARD for a few years and every time I see Beth at work, she shows me something new...well, Saturday - she got me down to basics and improved my "cranking" skills ;0P I also had a chance to see the new products IRL! VERY COOL!! Can't wait to get my order...heehee! Since I was there, I brought some of my work using Spellbinder product. One particular item that made everyone stop and look was my altered canvas. It had about 12 different dies used and had the thrill of being published at Scrapbook News & Review (SNR)'s Feb issue! Thanks, SNR!

So Michele, my friend, here's the canvas and I hope it gives you ideas on what you like to do with your canvases! Good luck!

Bad Blogger! LOL!!

Sorry folks...so many things to do so little time, right?!

Well, I had to say good-bye to a couple of my favorite Japanese scrappers these past few weeks...so sad. I know eventually they will all have to leave (DHs are on assignment overseas in Chicago for only a few years 3 to 5 years) but it is SAD... With the economy not doing so hot, there will be more. I know of at least one more leaving the end of next month and another one leaving in September...sign.

----------------------------------------------------------------

On a more cheerful note, I have been asked to join a great group of talented scrappers to be a part of an Ezine called Scrapbook News & Review (SNR)!!!! WHOOOHOOO!!





This is such an honor for me! I know some of these women from their HUGE TALENT shared on other scrapbooking venues. I am thrilled to join them….just hope that I can keep up with them (inserting YIKES!!).

So if you’re wanting to go “GREEN” and get all those paper magazines out of your scrap area, Scrapbook News & Review is for you!! The magazine is literally packed-full of inspiration and no advertising pages are overwhelming these issues! Come take a look for yourself HERE!

MS Crop 2009...

a crop that I have been going to since it started back in 2007. It is a crop that raises awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis.

The first year was held the first weekend I spent in my new home in Schaumburg...thank goodness I have an understanding husband! LOL!! Thinking I was going to meet a fellow scrapper, I ended up scrapping alone (her son being sick and couldn't make it at the last minute). But I got a lot of pages done! LOL!!

The second year, I had a lot of company :0) It was a fun time for me...don't ask how many pages I got done...heehee!!









This year, well...can I tell you I got spoiled?! Besides being late for the crop (my little guy's graduation which last 2 hours instead of 1!!!), dinner was already being served so I ate right away (no lunch or dinner so I was straving!!) and I had a massage scheduled! Boy, did I need one...sitting in the bleachers for two hours straight did a number on my back - thanks, Princesses!!










Yes, I was in the private crop room called the Princess Room = WOW!!! We had a lady-in-waiting (Chris), a sweet table, special goodie bags and notification on when the auction tables were about to be done. But the best part, I was with friends (but I missed my Princess Fiona!!!!) with tieras and pink T-shirts ("Princess CropALot") - heehee!!! AND we bid for the Princess Room at the auction table and WON!!! We were hovered over that table so that no one will outbid us! LOL!! When you're spoiled, well...you have to go for it again :0)))




Pictured from left to right - ReneeN (bottom), MargieH, ChrisR, CJ and Mary BethT hovering over the Princess Room poster that was displayed on the Silent Auction Table.





Laura, my friend & crop organizer, what can I say! Another job well done...each year, it has gotten better and better. You are awesome - there's not enough words to describe what kind of person you are because you're all that and more!! I hope (& pray) that a cure will be discovered in the near future! Hugs to you!! xoxoxo

A newly graduate!

My youngest son, the six grade graduate....from Saturday Japanese school!

The ceremony was yesterday amongst the rain drops, we managed to get an outdoor picture before it started to pour...boy, what a rainy weekend!








It was also the principal's last graduation ceremony. His 3-year assignment has ended and he (and his lovely family) will be returning to Tokyo. He will be sorely missed especially by my family...he was a fun & cool principal :0( We wish you well!!

Proud mom with her little graduate...Congratulations, Hiro!! xoxo

「ラブメモ9号リリースパーティ」終了!

２月２７日、「ラブメモ9号リリースパーティ　in　シカゴ！」はマージー・ヒグチの家　（Schaumburg IL）で無事に終了しました。寒いシカゴの冬の中でも約２０人のスクラッパが参加しました。











おかげさまで、イベント前に２０冊の９号とバックオーダが売り切れました。皆さんがラブメモ９号に紹介された「紙1枚で作るミニブック」を挑戦しました。全員がミニブックをうまく完成し、多数の方は残ってミニブックにエンべりを付けました。楽しい～！

















家の中は焼きたてのカップケーキとコーヒーの匂いがいっぱでした。一個一個のカップケーキに"LoveMemo #9 ReleaseParty”とカップケーキのイメイジのスタンプを押した円いデーコレイションを付けました。皆さんがカップケーキとコーヒーをいただきながら、ラブメモの本にのってるテックニク、「これをやってみたい、あれもやってみたい｣のお話しを聞こえます。














頭の中はスクラップの事でお帰りになったと思います！とっても楽しいイベントでした～ラブメモ９号とカップケーキのおかげでした！（笑）

Brought to you by the letter "C"...

PHEW!!!!!!!!
(A VERY BIG sign of relief! LOL!!)

The letter "C" as in Coffee & Cupcake party for LoveMemo #9 Release Party in Chicago is now over! LoveMemo is short for "Love My Memories" - Japan's first scrapbooking magazine and its editor, Emi Kume, is credited to have started this crafty trend in Japan. As I mentioned previously, I was interviewed for their design team article in this issue! So excited to bring this magazine to the Japanese scrappers' attention in Chicago!

After days of preparation and cleaning, it turned out to be a very nice event :0) Thank you to those who attended, purchased and basically, played with us!

I am very lucky to say that all the magazines sold out before the day of the event...I have a handful that would like to order the issue (oh, Emi! LOL!!) which is a good thing!

The best part? Having new people come and see what scrapbooking is all about and leave home with excitement of finding a new craft! YEAH! What a great feeling!

Everyone had a great time with the party's make'n take...making a mini album out of one 12x12" paper. This technique was featured in issue #9 and for those who had ordered the magazine got a special gift from the editor - a fun patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket, a journal box and cardstock to make the outside cover. How cool is that?! BUT I didn't want them to make a mistake on their first try so I gave out patterned papers in my inventory and let them try it! A lot of ohhs & ahhs...for many, it was their first try at scrapbooking - how cool is that?!

I hope to see the end results from them soon!

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For my Japanese scrappers:

お忙しい中、「ラブメモ9号リリースパーティ　in　シカゴ！」のイベントに参加していただいた方、又は、雑誌を注文いただいた方、本当にありがとうございました！

とてもいい思い出と楽しい時間でした！

＊３月のクラス＆ワークショップ　スケジュール：

　４日（水）　　１０：００ＡＭ－１３：００ＰＭ
スクラップブッキング & etc.　＠　シャンバーグ自宅
クラス・ワークショップ代金：$5　+　material
持ち物：　ベーシックツールキット＊

　６日（金）　　１０：００ＡＭ－１３：００ＰＭ
スクラップブッキング & etc.　＠　シャンバーグ自宅
クラス・ワークショップ代金：$5　+　material
持ち物：　ベーシックツールキット＊

　９日（月）　　１０：００ＡＭ－１３：００ＰＭ
スクラップブッキング & etc.　＠　シャンバーグ自宅
クラス・ワークショップ代金：$5　+　material
持ち物：　ベーシックツールキット＊

13日（金）　　　０９：３０ＡＭ－１３：００ＰＭ
スクラップブッキング & etc.　＠　ミツワCommunity Room
クラス・ワークショップ代金：$6　+　material
持ち物：　ベーシックツールキット＊

１８日（水）　　１０：００ＡＭ－１３：００ＰＭ
スクラップブッキング & etc.　＠　シャンバーグ自宅
クラス・ワークショップ代金：$5　+　material
持ち物：　ベーシックツールキット＊

３１日（火）　１０：００ＡＭ－１３：００ＰＭ
スクラップブッキング & etc.　＠　シャンバーグ自宅
クラス・ワークショップ代金：$5　+　material
持ち物：　ベーシックツールキット＊

＊ベーシックツールキットは、12" paper trimmer; scissors, black pen/marker, pencil, eraser, ruler, exacto knife, and adhesive (dry=テープのり & wet＝液体)です。無い方は、私から借りて下さい。

参加ご希望の方は、ミツワ、私の自宅とも私宛にＥメールして下さい。もし、上記に都合の良い日が見当たらない場合でもご連絡下さい。

よろしくお願いします！

Spellbinders....

Kinda late with the news but by now you've seen the list of 20+ finalists for Spellbinders Wizard design team and my name is no where to be found.

Of course, I'm disappointed but you can't expect everyone to be selected...which would be great in an ideal world! LOL!! But hey, with many years of submission experience, it's OK! LOL!!

SO what I can do is finally share what I had sent with the exception of two items (card & altered item)...they got picked up by Scrapbook News & Review magazine so there's a bright spot in all this!

This was under the layout category - "First Love."
I'm sure my son will not be too happy for sharing this but I just love this picture. He was in kindergarten (Englewood Cliffs NJ) and they were constantly holding hands. She went back to Japan and unfortunately haven't kept in touch. Wanted to use the scalloped hearts and nested birds (Spellbinders) for this layout. Using the smaller heart with the bigger one, I was able to make an open heart die and make a chain of them running along the edge of the paper.

This was under the stamped category - "Be Mine."
I made foam stamps out of the Timeless Heritage (Spellbinders) pieces to make my hubby a vintage Valentine's Day card. Then used the foam stamp as an accent in the card. Kinda corny but loved how the foam stamp picked up the details on the die's embossed design! Granted not my best card but I liked the technique and that was what I was going for and a card for my hubby! LOL!!

Design team or not, I truly enjoy this Company....good people and good products! So if you're looking for a die cut machine (a manuel one), you should look at Spellbinders :0)

Valentine's Day...

Well, I'm not big on Valentine's Day other than getting stuff for my boys' classes. I also tell my husband not to do anything Valentine-y because everything cost double! OY!

I usually get myself a HUGE bouquet the day after and they are just as beautiful...maybe too budget conscious?! LOL!! My way of thinking is that everyday is Valentine's Day...we express appreciation for each other many, many times :0)

So this year he and the boys surprised me with a bouquet of flowers and one of those cards that records a message...that was cool! Oh, what cracked me up was my oldest DS' note to me "Happy Valentine's Day, mom! Thanks for giving birth to me!" What a character that one! LOL!!



Oh, my DH also bought a pair of beautiful red wine glasses from Crate'n Barrel (one of my favorite stores) and I am to pick the red wine up tomorrow from Wine Styles - they are some AWESOME selection! Can't wait!


Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day xoxoxo

Do you know how much I love Teresa Collins?!

A TON!!! LOL!

Just now, I was surfing the blogs that I bookmarked - paper crafters who I love & get inspiration from. What a SUPER SUPRISE to see my Valentine Wreath on Teresa Collins' blog!!!! WOW!

Totally made my day! I privately emailed her about how much I loved her CRUSH line and how it inspired me to make a wreath. My friends @ Craft Fancy really loved it so we decided to offer a class!

Here's the pictures that I "stole" from Craft Fancy...













Can't really tell from the pictures but had used a lot of foam tape to give it a 3D effect. Really loved how this turned out...thanks to Miss Teresa's design!! LOL!!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend :0)

Love is in the air and...

it's February?!

Where did the time go?

Hope everyone had a great time watching the Super Bowl - congrats to Pittsburgh! Although I am not a football fan, it's exciting to see all the half-time activities and the (expensive) commercials!

What did I do? Well, I was busy making final touches on a design team call for Spellbinder Wizard...or should I say I was driving myself & family crazy over this! LOL!! Let's just say I am happy with the end result of my submissions and hope they are too! This Company has such great products and I enjoy "playing" with it all! So wish me luck!


This wasn't part of the submission but really loved how it turned out. An altered item was part of the submission. At first, I thought I would do a place setting but decided it wasn't "altered" enough! LOL!! I used the StampinUp Top Note die as the base...wouldn't you know that Spellbinders just released Labels Four that would be perfect for this base! Need to add that on my wish list...among many...sigh...LOL!! A total of 4 dies were used for this card :0)



Love in the air? Well, it is Valentine's in a couple of weeks :0) Do you have anything special to give? I happen to have a class at Craft Fancy (Arlington Hts IL) that might fill your need! I'll be using one of my (good friend &) favorite designer's product line, Teresa Collins' CRUSH, sprinkled along with chipboards from Maya Road & Scenic Route to make a Valentine's wreath!! Class will be offered tomorrow AM (11am-1pm/Feb 3rd) and Sunday, Feb 8th. (1pm-3pm) ~ so get your spot reserved! Class fee is $20.

Happy 12th Birthday...

to my little guy who is not so little...I guess....sniff-sniff!



We celebrated at his favorite restaurant, DARUMA. The people there are so nice and makes the boys feel special. The special dessert of the day are "TO DIE FOR!!" So good!

So happy birthday, Hiro-kun! xoxoxo

TaDa Technique #2 @ TaDa Creative Studios!

This Tuesday is my turn to show something cool...well, being Japanese, people automatically think we know ORIGAMI like the back of our hands...NOT! LOL!!

It's not like ORIGAMI but it is playing with paper! I'm showing a flat pleating technique that I enjoy using on my layouts. So I'm sharing that addiction on TaDa Creative Studio's blog HERE. I hope you stop by and let me know what you think :0)

In the meantime, I'll post the layout that I did for this technique...

See the flat pleat under the green flower? Really like how it worked with the layout :0)

This picture was taken in the fall when we visited Anderson Japanese Garden in Rockford IL. If you lived nearby, you should take a stroll and enjoy its beauty...a lot to see!

BIG HUGE TOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so so excited to share that I have been interviewed in a Japanese scrapbooking magazine ("Love My Memories"/nickname: "LoveMemo")!!!!

I met the editor Emi Kume at the last Craft & Hobby Assoc. (CHA) trade show this past summer in Chicago. Actually we knew each other beforehand through a few emails. She has an online store that one of my Japanese scrapbooking students told me about a few years ago when I lived in the NY/NJ area. SO I have known Emi-san for years! LOL!! Right, Emi? Heehee... Anyways, she is a TERRIFIC person and I am SO HAPPY to FINALLY MEET HER FACE-TO-FACE!!!

Anyway, a few weeks later she asked if I would like to be involved with an article covering design teams..how they work, how to apply and what the job entails. I gave her information about my job as a design team member for TaDa Creative Studios and sent samples of my work with TaDa.

So thank you, Emi, for letting me a part of your FABULOUS MAGAZINE!! As I told her, "LoveMemo" is my Japanese textbook! LOL!! It's the only thing that will motivate me to read ANYTHING Japanese....sorry, mom!

Also for my scrapping friends in Japan, "LoveMemo" is having its first design team (scrappers in Japan only) so if you are interested, GO FOR IT!! Details are in the magazine.

Thinking sunny days....

OK...the place is covered with snow again...not happy. I know it's winter but haven't you heard of cold bright days?! LOL!!!


So I'm not feeling sunny right now due to the weather so I'm fixing it and thinking RED! LOL!! I have a Valentine's Day card class ($15)being offered at Frozen Memories so I thought I'd let you know too. So if you live or visit the Chicago area this month, these are the dates & times for it:


Saturday, January 10th (10:30am to 12:30pm)
Tuesday, January 20th (10:30am to 12:30pm)
Thursday, January 30th (10:30am to 12:30pm)


Guess it would be helpful for a picture....





Nice & colorful and not white like the stuff outside today - YUK!

Happy (belated) New Year!!

Late as usual but hey, better late than never, right?!

Most of you know that hubby is in Japan helping out the Temple with new years services and ceremonies...he'll be back at the end of the week and the house will be back to normal! Let just say the house is a little too quiet...yes, even with two boys in the house, we now know who is the biggest noise-maker! LOL!!!

On new years day, a Japanese family typically celebrates with various dishes (OSECHI RYORI) in these stacked boxes - aren't they beautiful?! These dishes are made so they last for days (no frig in the "old days & all the shops were closed for a few days to celebrate new years). Each dish has a meaning (don't ask, I don't know them so I will have to google search and come back to you on those...).

Here's a picture I took of the box (can you believe we had one?!) while we were preparing the rest like handrolled sushi (more like my friends...they came over to teach me a little...LOL!!)...sorry it looks so bare.


It was nice to have friends over with their families to bring in 2009 together!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and even better year...it was tough last year with the economy and all but we must be positive and move on!




So happy new year!!!

Edited to add some links to better explain the meaning behind each OSECHI dish HERE & HERE.

Christmas 2008...

OK...just for you, Renee! I will post what we got for Christmas! LOL!!

Here goes...

Taka....

A bunch of law enforcement-related books-he "thinks" he wants to get into that field..first it was police, then SWAT and now FBI..oh, wait...back to SWAT? OY! These are from Hiro.

An iTune gift card from Santa..already used up in 20 mins!

A cell phone from parents since it's FREE and on family plan.

LL Bean winter coat from his uncle because he doesn't have a decent one!

$$ from various "sources" (aka relatives) due to birthday & holidays.

Lots of sleep-ins! LOL!!

Hiro...

A bunch of word search books from Taka

A board game from Santa

A cell phone from parents...now I'll know where he is!

An American Eagle jacket from his uncle

$$ from same source & same reason

Computer time & many sleepovers with friend.

Hosho...

A coin bank from Santa...now he can stop harrasing the bank teller with all those coins!

LL Bean winter coat...otherwise Taka will not have a winter coat! LOL!! He was eyeing Taka's coat...actually it's nice one...the Weather Channel guys use them...it's light but it keeps you warm & dry...a pretty good investment!

Margie...

A HUGE box full of Maya Roads goodies from Santa, of course 'cuz he understands me! LOL!! And it's the only surprise for Christmas! LOL!!

A Slanket...one of those HUGE throws w/ sleeves...which btw took me the next day to use because everyone else had it the entire Christmas Day....I will not name names but...

Need I say more?! LOL!!

It was a very peaceful Christmas...spending time with family :0)

And not outside where we've had snow for at least a month now...so we had our White Christmas and am now done with snow....be careful what you wish for, right?! LOL!! But isn't it beautiful :0)

This is from our front door looking west...this is our deck...totally buried in snow!! YIKES!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!
Will post about the new year soon!