A little "TaDa" moment...

Well, I had this square mirror, some TaDa Creative Studio paper (their signature line), Prima flowers and Ranger's acrylic dabber paint (Mountain Rose)!

And this is what happened!













Actually this is a sample for my Japanese scrappers. It's their March "Reflection" project. This picture will be included in their newsletter that I will send out tomorrow but thought I'd post a sneak peek :0)

Guess you can tell I'm SO READY FOR SPRING!!!!! LOL!!!

Thank you!!!

A couple of thank yous are in order...

First, to my friends - thank you for your good wishes for being selected to the TaDa Creative Studios' design team! Can I just say "I'm so stinkin' excited?!" LOL!! Can't wait to get the first designer's package from them :0)

It arrived today!!!! My prize from my MayaRd/RangerInks guru, Wendy Vecchi! I was about to leave to pickup my oldest DS from junior high and I hear the doorbell. The mail carrier was admiring the box - low & behold, Miss Wendy done some wonderful designing on my address! It was so beautiful that I opened the box from the bottom! LOL!!!!!!!!!!



I think you'll agree it was the right choice!


And then I continued to open the package and I see this!

Isn't this the most beautiful thing you ever seen?! I had been admiring this item from her blog but NEVER expected this to be in MY home!

So Wendy if you're reading and you realized that you sent this by mistake...uhuh, IT'S MINE!!! TOUGH! LOL!!! The details of this piece is just incrediable and I LOVE crackle paint! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

And that wasn't enough, she included her BEAUTIFUL limited edition business card (she handmakes her business cards but not for long - you're going to be so popular, you'll need to have them printed - seriously!)!!! You see it resting against my (new) laptop! PLUS she sent me a flat blossom CB book, some awesome ribbons (colors that I don't have and including the scallop ric-rac & sheer ribbon) and the sheer People keychain - all of course from Maya Road! Thank you, Wendy!!! I cannot wait to meet you @ CHA-Summer!! But hopefully we can meet sooner ;0) xoxo

Guess What!!!!

One hint...









Got the email Friday morning to be invited to this wonderful company's design team - their first! WOW!!

Oh, I replied yes! LOL!! Can't wait to get started! So excited!

I had a basic scrapbook class for my Japanese students...I tried to explain why I was excited but I don't think they get it...yet. LOL!!

Thank you, TaDa, for the opportunity!!

When visiting LaserLine (#1425) @ CHA...

Grab one before they run out...love these papers from TaDa Creative Studios! Isn't this ad cute?!










Have a great Saturday - keep warm! We're expecting snow AGAIN!!!
I should've hopped on that LaserLine semi going to CA!! LOL!!! OY!

And the winner(s) are...

Wendy*, Debbie & Jen!!!

I looked in my boxes and saw that I had a couple more acrylics that I can giveaway :0) so CONGRATULATIONS, ladies!! Please email me with your mailing address (please give me a few days to mail out - thanks!).

* There's seems to be 2 "Wendy"s...the lucky one posted this:

wendy said...
congrats margie! i will definitely check these out at the show next week. :) the etchings sound very cool.

(Wen, is that you?! LOL!!! Email me when you get back from CHA so I can send off!)

I can't thank you all enough for all the comments! I plan to forward them to LaserLine and maybe we can make it a reality @ CHA-Summer!

Have a great weekend everybody...looking forward to seeing all the blogs, videos and write-ups regarding CHA!!

LaserLine CHA #1425!!!!

OK! I'm coming up for air! LOL!!

Have been designing, proofing and making samples for our newest product line, ACRYLIC (shaped) ALBUMS!!! Yeah! Also you can choose whether you want acrylic or chipboard too!

So I thought I'd share some peeks with you all!

This is how they came to me...protected. Easy to remove and prevents scratches :0)

This set is called Triple Layers...could be a wedding cake, a VERY BIG birthday cake or a stack of luggage. I used Ranger Ink dabbers, Sakura's Pen Touch (Quick Dry Opaque White Ink), LaserLine's Valentine chipboards ("love," heart cake topper), Prima flowers/bling, Anna Griffin patterned papers and various ribbons. LOVED how this turned out!!!

This 8x8 album has an etched feature. They sent me the "Yellowstone National Park" cover - they have a few to choose from. Of course, they can custom etched any title you wish too! These are available as single pages (cover pages) so that you can mix or match acrylic & chipboard pages! I used the acrylic cover and the rest are in chipboard.

I used Ranger Ink's metallic dabber (gold) over the etched part and then wiped the excess paint off. Let dry each layer...I did this twice. Patterned papers are from We R Memory Keepers...perfect for this theme!

I won't be making the trip but my stuff will...heehee! Come see the rest at LaserLine's booth (#1425) - I have been very lucky to work with such nice people!

Oh! To commerate this fun line, I'd like to do an acrylic shaped giveaway!! Don't know which shape yet...I haven't dug my way out of my mess in the dining room! LOL! But I know I have something to giveaway (I have a pile of LaserLine stuff - LOL!)!

Just post why you would like an acrylic (you know...."just because" "like to try something different" or "looks like you have different shapes that I would like to try"....). Will have one of my boys draw a name on Friday PM (Feb 8th) when my samples are on its way to California (sniff-sniff)! LOL!!

Mix Media fans...

a new book! I was taking a break this morning from all the CHA stuff and saw that fellow Heart In Hand member & instructor, Catherine Matthews-Scanlon, published a book!

The good news is that she's kindly giving away two copies on her blog! So go over here and get all the details! Her stuff is AMAZING!!










OK...break over! Back to work!! LOL!!

MIA....

but there's a reason! I'm up to my eyeballs with CHA-Winter (Craft & Hobby Association trade show) preparations but I PROMISE I will do a sneak peek SOON!

Well, once I get my samples together! LOL!! Yes, Miss LaserLine Lisa, I am working it! HAHAHAHA!!

One hint....ACRYLICS! Heehee!!

OK....back to work!

Back tracking to December...

I need to wish my oldest DS a happy (belated) birthday! He is now officially a TEENAGER!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!

Although I'm always after him about (almost) everything, he is generally a good kid...eh, guy. Since he is the oldest and my first, he is my guinea pig (like I was!)!! Hey, it goes with the job, what can I say. But I am lucky that he is who he is and we can talk about everything...yes, even girls! LOL!!

We celebrated his birthday at one of favorite restaurants, DARUMA and it is no surprise that this is a Japanese restaurant! LOL! They have always done something special for all our birthdays (yes even the parents!). They even went through the trouble of having all their wait staff sing for him which I knew he hates! Heehee (evil mom laugh)!!

Here's a couple of pictures:




Isn't this nice?! And no advance warning either - WOW!!






A little embarrassed while being serenaded to...



Happy birthday, my "little" teenager (well, he's not all that little - he's 5'5"? and wears size 9 shoes! YIKES!!)!!!

Now to figure out how to make a page about this...

Happy New Year!!!!

Can't believe another year has gone by....

Although 2007 had its ups and downs, I truly have been blessed with many friends and family who supported us so THANK YOU!!!

May 2008 bring bigger and better things for everyone!

I'm sitting here, listening to all the fireworks popping up in the dark sky while the snow is falling! LOL! The things people have to do to celebrate even in this snow! More power to them!

Called my family and the in-laws a couple of hours ago to wish them a happy new year as they are going into the afternoon hours of new year's day. DH is also over in Japan...he is assisting his home temple with new year's services/ceremonies which last about a week. I was able to catch him just as he was coming back to his mother's house after 7 hours of various events. With jet lag and not being used to things, he's on 3 hours of sleep. He'll be passed out soon! LOL!

I have been enjoying some quiet time with the boys...between them playing with some new computer games, etc. We went out and bought a bunch of books from Barnes & Noble today before the snow started to fall. Let's hope they'll be able to finish some of these books...school starts this Saturday (Japanese school) and then on Monday...busy, busy!

While they play with the computer games, mom is off to create some products for CHA (Craft & Hobby Assoc. trade show)....but kinda got side tracked with PRIMA's paintable papers!!!! LOVE them! Got only one done and I was able to break open a bottle of Radiant Rain (LuminArt) - a shimmering mist...I had this collecting dust for the longest time :0P

What do you think...

Don't laugh too hard...that's me in that get-up! That wig must've weighed at least 30 pounds! But it was worth it!




OK...off to bed and tomorrow is the Univ of IL v.s. USC game! Not sure who I'm rootin' for but it's been a long time for UofI to go back to the Rose Bowl :0)

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!!!

OY! Sorry haven't updated in awhile...

Have been posting daily on Frozen Memories' blog for their Twelve Day of Christmas sale! If you are in the area (Bartlett IL), please stop by and see what they've got! But do it soon, they closing for the holidays starting from Sunday, Dec 23rd. I need to get there and grab some PRIMA items that they have! YEAH! Need to play with the paintables!

What's going on with my life?! Man, the holidays and driving the boys around to their after-school activities. Have you try to drive around the Woodfield Mall area to get to tennis?! OY!

CHA-Winter is upon us (CHA=Craft & Hobby Association trade show/similar to the Hobby Show in Japan). So I am busy trying to sketch ideas from head to paper...I hope my friends at LaserLine can read or figure it out! LOL!! What's in the future? Hmmm...hint: more chipboard and ACRYLICS!!!!

Plus I have been teaching scrapbooking and related classes here at home in Japanese! What fun and it's challenging but it keeps me on my toes. Next year (or should I say next month), I plan to hold a monthly workshop on the second Friday at Mitsuwa Market in Arlington Hts. IL from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Unfortunately it's short but I have kids to pick up after school. But better than nothing, right!

I have been truly blessed with a healthier family this season...esp. after my DH's illness with Hunt's Syndrome and my bed-ordered rest during spring break...I am THANKFUL that we are OK! As most of you know, we are Buddhist so Christmas to us is more like family time - reflecting on how we spent the year and how we appreciate the fortune of good family, friends and memories/experiences.

Hope that you and your family are doing well and enjoying the holidays! Please take the time to just sit back and reflect...it can be so hard during this time of year but just take that moment for yourself :0)

OH! I wanted to post this Christmas tree that I made (aka scraplifted from 2Peas...such talent over there!)....

Happy Birthday, Dave!!!

Well...actually, it's belated since Japan is ahead of us! LOL!
But wanted to wish him a happy birthday anyway!

He is one of the most kind-hearted person I know! With all the demands at work and my parents depending on him the most, he is a trooper!

So dear David, here's to you! Hope you had a wonderful day!!

xoxoxoxo

A second post in one day?!

Well, I wanted to try and make up for lost time! LOL!!

So in keeping with the season, I wanted to show a Christmas layout I did from leftover paper...what do you think?

The pattern papers & stickers are from Reminisce..too cute! I was going for how many pictures I can put on a one-page layout. The smaller pictures were edged with Ranger Ink's metallic dabbers in place of a mat.

The papers and stickers from Reminisce can be found at my favorite scrapbook store - Frozen Memories in Bartlett IL!

My 7 Random Facts....

OK....my friend, BeckyC, has gotten me out to post this - LOL!! Thanks, Miss B!

1. I LOVE the holiday season!

2. I HATE eggnog = YUK!

3. I LOVE "Miracle on 34th Street" & "The Christmas Carol"

4. I HATE the cold! We just got 5+" of snow dumped on last night & this morning.

5. I LOVE how the houses are decorated outside! We don't have landscaping at our new house (new construction) so that's in next year's budget.

6. I HATE the crowds during this time...even at the grocery store it's crowded! LOL!

7. I LOVE that we reconnect with friends & family through calls, parties and holiday cards!

OK....I tag everyone that's posting or lurking on my blog! LMK by leaving a comment so I can see what fun facts I learn about you!

A warm fall day...

since my hubby had the day off on Monday, we went on a "date" - a hike around Spring Valley. It took an hour but there were lots to look at....just LOVE fall colors! I took my DSLR and wanted to share few photos that were taken:















Aren't some of the colors just beautiful....we had such a wonderful walk. The weather was just perfect - high 60s! Thanks for the date!

MIA....

Hey, friends!

YIKES! It's the end of October...where did the time go?!

Sorry I haven't been posting...DH has been out of the country for most of the month so I've been doing the single parent thingy.

My brother is visiting from Japan...actually he's in Chicago on business so we got a chance to spend time with him while DH is off in LA this past weekend. The boys enjoy hanging out with their uncle...they speak the same language - HALO, Monster Hunter (all game-related software...way over my head! LOL!!).

Been working a few projects....of course, none of them are done so there's no pictures this time - SORRY! But I did play with Ranger's Crackle Paint....LOVE THEM!!! And playing with the Wizard....just got some of the newer dies and have been cutting away. I'm making some ornaments since the flood ruined all my Christmas stuff at our Wheaton home. The tree will go up after Halloween...heehee!!!

Oh, I just got my Silhouette (a cutting machine that looks like a printer....did that make sense?! LOL!!) from QuicKutz...did I tell you it was SO EASY to install and work? Got it up and running in about 20 minutes. Cut a lot of Japanese KANJI...the first cut was our last name in JAPANESE! It turned out so cool. A VERY EARLY Christmas gift from DH. Just LOVE it!!!

OK....next time, I will post a picture of stuff! LOL!!

SPOOKY class...join if you dare!

LOL!!

Guess where I'll be teaching? At Scrappin Deals on October 13th (10am to NOON) and the 21st (2pm to 4pm) in Naperville IL!!!

I have been a customer of theirs for years (first when I lived in NJ) and now they have expanded their business to a creating studio - a place to well...create, of course! LOL!!

So come and create this wonderful word album (SPOOKY) with me! LOVE how it turned out and want to share with everyone each and every page worth! For those who aren't local but love the idea of this kit, you can order from Scrappin' Deals and they'll send one (or two or three...) out to you right away!







A BIG thank you to Jackie (the owner of Scrappin' Deal) for the opportunity and most of all, the FUN!

Hope to see you all at Scrappin' Deal!

Spaark It Up!

Hurray! The new web site for Spaark Album is up! Tammy @ Spaark did a wonderful job and it shows!

A "TOOT" for me as I went to peek at the home page, my 8x8 album cover is the featured project! YEAH!!! It's one of my favorite designs...I was able to incorporate my chipboard designs from LaserLine to make it happen! So thanks Spaark for loving it as much as I do!

Last Sunday, my family and I joined the Japan American Society's event at Brookfield Zoo. The day was warm but not overly hot. The event consisted a tour of the Lemur Monkey and a private dinner on the zoo grounds. The boys had fun but I think they're getting too old? for this place?! Ah, pre-teens....what to do with them! LOL!!


This is what greeted us at the south gate entrance of the zoo.










The Lemur monkeys (they're sisters) hanging around.










The baby polar bear having some fun while parents are sleeping! LOL!!







The black bear doing the back stroke....he was HUGE!




Oh! If you have any ideas on what kinds of events pre-teen boys would be interested, please do share! LOL!!!

Thoughts & Prayers of 9/11

Before we go on with our day today, I just want to stop and give thanks that we were safe during the 9/11 attacks...it was too close for comfort.

For those who don't know the background, we lived in NJ/NY area during the year we were attacked...our home was right on the Hudson River overlooking the Manhattan skyline. My DH worked in the Wall Street area and commuted via ferry. Many of his clients worked at the Twin Towers (aka World Trade Center) and would go there on a whim to visit them. He would comment every now and then before this tragedy that he felt uncomfortable being there. That morning he went in later (a conference call to Tokyo until 2am kept him) and he was on the ferry when he saw the second plane crash into the tower. The New York Port Authority radioed the ferry to turn around and go back to NJ. He was lucky...

My warm thoughts and comforting prayers to those who lost a loved one...words cannot express what you all are going through. But know that I have not forgotten the fear, the unknown, the quiet and mostly the smell of that day. Bless you that you have strength to get through this day.

Happy Grandparents Day!

I'm a little late with this!! The day is almost over but I wanted to share this layout I did a few days ago of my father and our youngest DS :0)

Need to do one with grandmom..ran out of time (sorry, mom!!) :0(










Isn't Hiro cute?! LOL! These pictures were taken in West New York, NJ where we lived for about 5 years. I think he was about 3 years old and my parents were visiting from Tokyo (small pics from top is Grand Central Station; middle is our family room; bottom is the skyline of NYC - this was our backyard & what a sight!).

Thanks for looking!
Everything on the LO is Rusty Pickle...love their stuff!!