Challenge Thank You Card & My Asian Heritage Shop Talk

I made this card with two challenges in mind... the Scor-Pal Top to Bottom Challenge and JulieHRR's DTGD08 Challenge.
Sandra... thank you for your friendship and thinking of me!





* Note - The butterfly is holding the card closed.

Stamp: Garden Flower / Fleur du jardin (Inkadinkado)
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
Markers: Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Almost Amethyst, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Dew Drops, mini glue dots, Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura), Dazzling Diamonds
Techniques: Rock-n-Roll, Gate Fold


One of my favorite sites to visit since discovering it recently is "My Asian Heritage". They had featured Amy from Tsuruta Designs earlier in the month and I have been going back ever since!

I am really honored that Angela took the time to showcase my blog on their Shop Talk feature. Thank you, Angela and Ivy! Please stop by and check out the feature! SO cool! :)


Speaking of which, I have been tagged by Angela to go over the last 15 years of my life. Wow... 15 years. Okay... think back on the last 15 years of your life. What would you tell someone that you hadn’t seen or talked to for 15 years? How would you sum up your life? You get 10 bullet points. A list of 10 things to summarize you. At the end of your list, tag 5 more people and send on the love.

Well, to stay with Angela's theme, I have decided to list 10 Asian-related tibits from the last 15 years of my life. Here you go!

1) Favorite mini-snack: Arare ~ あられ crunchy, bite-size rice crackers flavored with soy sauce. Perfect snacks when you are on the go!
I used to eat these all the time too That's right! Chocolate covered Pocky Sticks! Yum! I can munch on those all day long! Pocky also has a fun site (althought it's all in Japanese) where I found free dance lessons for my hip-hoppin' 3 year old. Just click on "Enjoy Street" and "Street Dance Lesson" and you too can learn to "lock, pop, and hip hop"! lol!


2) Favorite sweets: Japanese mochi 餅 , manju, and mochi ice cream.



3) Favorite Asian country: Japan ~ I visited but it has been more than 15 years since I have been over there... MANY years more.


4) Favorite drink:




5) Favorite Asian goodies store: I love to shop at this stationery store... very similar to Kinokuniya, which is another favorite of mine. You can find reviews of MaiDo here.

MaiDo
378 Santana Row, #1125
San Jose, CA 95128
Ph. 408.213.1985

Here at Maido Stationery, we import and carry a wide array of products from Japan, from fine stationery to dolls and gift boxes made from beautiful, traditional Japanese washi paper. Many of our products are one-of-a-kind and rare items that are difficult or impossible to find anywhere outside of Japan.

Our stock of high-quality paper notebooks, as well as our extensive selection of writing utensils will satisfy all of your stationery andschool supply needs.

We also carry many unique character items and toys from San-X that are tremendously popular with both our young and adult customers alike.

Looking for a nice room decoration or relaxing aroma-therapy products? Come check out Maido's lines of Japanese incense and interior decorations.

Whether shopping for the perfect school supply or looking for a great gift idea, Maido is your one stop for high-end, unique, fun, and beautiful stationery and gift products from Japan.


6) Memorable vacation: Aloha! 4 years ago, Bruce and Beth got married at Turtle Bay and I got to be one of their unofficial wedding coordinators. First long plane ride with our little almost 1 year old.

No... we are not related to the Matsumotos' of the Matsumoto Shave Ice



Ko aloha makamae e ipo




7) Memorable work experience: I used to be a English / Japanese speaking travel agent for Kintetsu International Travel at the San Francisco and San Jose branches.


8) Good effort but... I have not been on top of teaching my boys Japanese. They seem to understand me for the most part but they don't speak it. I will be probably be sending them to Japanese school on the weekends and they don't know it yet! lol!


9) Guilty pleasure: It used to be Karaoke when our good friend owned a beautiful Karaoke studio.


10) Best experience ever: Getting married at Hakone Gardens and the births of my 2 boys.

May 5, 2001



Ken - March 2003




Keiji - February 2005




Thanks for walking down memory lane with me!

Dare to Get Dirty Challenge... JulieHRR Style!

If you have a chance, go check out the "Dare to Get Dirty 08" (DTGD08) challenges over at SCS.

One of my favorite Dirty Girl alumni, JulieHRR, hosted one of the terrific challenges.
Here's what she had to say:

One of my most favorite cards to make is a clean, simple white one!

I encourage you to try letting color, imagery, and just the right amount of embellishment shine on a simple white base!

Tips & hints:
Choose colors that compliment each other well--I typically use 3
Distribute the visual weight evenly for a sense of balance
Choose images that have a similar sense of style for a cohesive look
Allow your focal image to take center stage with limited, yet carefully select embellishments that support the mood and theme of the design


I had to go back and find my Simple Orchid card since it was perfect for this challenge:






Stamp: Potted Plant (Hero Arts)
Markers: Almost Amethyst, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals


Then I inked up a brand new stamp that I bought recently called "Star Fire Kimono".



Stamp: Star Fire Kimono (Judi-Kins)
Ink: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Whisper White
Accessories: Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest - Mens), Scor-Pal, Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura), Dazzling Diamonds (SU), mini glue dots

I inked up the stamp in Pacific Point. Then I stamped on scraps in Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie and cut out the maple leaves on the kimono. Scored a couple of times on each side with my handy dandy Scor-Pal. Used a couple of mini glue dots to attach the dew drops. Then I used a Quickie Glue Pen where I wanted to add some dazzle.


Happy stampin'!

Monday's Fun Day Reminder

I know I haven't posted a "Monday's Fun Day" give away in a few weeks.
There's a new one up that got posted Sunday night, behind the SU! Discontinued List post. Just click on the link up above in the header and it will get you to the post for the most recent Monday's Fun Day!


Have Stampin'!

So long... farewell...

The SU! Discontinued Accessories List is now up (see my list below). You can order off of this list while supplies last or until August 10th... whichever comes first for the item you are interested in. I do recommend that if there is something you want on this list, get it NOW!

Now here's a twist... SU! has decided for the first time to offer 25% off on certain items on this list! The Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion is the same as the Discontinued Accessories List... WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Order now or forever wish you had.

Contact me at: jane.matsumoto@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions!

Item Number Product Description
109200 ---- Accents & Elements Build A Flower
110718 ---- Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719 ---- Accents & Elements Messenger
103158 ---- Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638 ---- Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642 ---- Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643 ---- Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637 ---- Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640 ---- Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639 ---- Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641 ---- Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi
108644 ---- Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate
103975 ---- Card Stock Brushed Copper
108694 ---- Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312 ---- Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292 ---- Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116 ---- Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118 ---- Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117 ---- Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*
110729 ---- Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119 ---- Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018 ---- Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou ** not available **
109019 ---- Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017 ---- Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate ** not available **
109016 ---- Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock ** not available
109015 ---- Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020 ---- Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi ** not available
109013 ---- Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012 ---- Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011 ---- Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010 ---- Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009 ---- Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014 ---- Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751 ---- Designer Series Paper Azure*
110696 ---- Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
110749 ---- Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154 ---- Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699 ---- Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*
109160 ---- Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers
109159 ---- Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697 ---- Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479 ---- Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151 ---- Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748 ---- Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750 ---- Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153 ---- Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*
109175 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*
109177 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
109173 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
109174 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa*
109168 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*
109171 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
109176 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie
109164 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
109163 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise
110698 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Break
110273 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Fling*
110271 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Silhouettes
110272 ---- Designer Series Paper Prints Western Sky
107299 ---- Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320 ---- Eyelets Basic
100375 ---- Eyelets Bold Brights
100381 ---- Eyelets Earth Elements
107233 ---- Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234 ---- Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316 ---- Eyelets Rich Regals
100378 ---- Eyelets Soft Subtles
105515 ---- Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter ** not available **
105531 ---- Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass ** not available **
105532 ---- Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper ** not available **
101120 ---- Metallic Art Pencils
107307 ---- On Board Accents
109181 ---- On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179 ---- On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306 ---- On Board Simon Lower
102678 ---- Paper Mulberry White ** not available **
109227 ---- Punch Box Three For You
102686 ---- Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271 ---- Pure Color Pencils
109060 ---- Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou ** not available **
109063 ---- Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava ** not available **
109061 ---- Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate ** not available **
109062 ---- Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059 ---- Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky
109058 ---- Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi ** not available **
109189 ---- Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187 ---- Ribbon Originals District*
109188 ---- Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185 ---- Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184 ---- Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186 ---- Ribbon Originals Theater
110716 ---- Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281 ---- Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*
110284 ---- Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285 ---- Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557 ---- Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610 ---- Simply Scrappin' Confetti
110572 ---- Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567 ---- Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597 ---- Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562 ---- Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648 ---- Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627 ---- Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl ** not available **
110587 ---- Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577 ---- Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184 ---- Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228 ---- Simply Sent Simple Delights ** not available **
109229 ---- Simply Sent Three Thoughts ** not available **
106662 ---- Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561 ---- Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681 ---- Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678 ---- Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482 ---- Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
109680 ---- Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677 ---- Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe
106610 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte ** not available **
107468 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture
111261 ---- Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554 ---- Stampin' Color Index Labels
106694 ---- Stampin' Kids Markers
101399 ---- Stipple Brushes ** not available **
102673 ---- Zig Painty


Cheers!

Monday's Fun Day! Tag! You're it!

If you are reading this, you have been tagged!



Seriously. I would love to know more about you!
BTW, this tag has been forwarded by a very creative gal, Donna. You can visit her over on her crafty blog, Serenity in Stamping. She was tagged by her very crafty pals, Marilyn and Valita. Can you see why my blogroll list is constantly growing down below? lol!

So here's Monday's Fun Day give-away...

ONE OF A KIND - unmounted
(no wood... what you see is what you get)





A winner will be chosen Friday night

What you need to do to qualify for a chance to win...

You need to list 7 random / weird facts about YOU.
Then tag a few more people. Since I am twisting this a bit, I will let you send some of your friends this way to join in on the fun. Just link this give-away on your blog (or email your friends if you don't have a blog) and "tag" a few friends. Have them do the same. Just be sure to post your link to your blog here with your post of your 7 random / weird facts.

SO...

1. Link your blog post here with your answers and tag a few more people.
OR
2. Post your answers here (with brief answers) and then go invite a few friends to do the same.



7 random / weird facts about me...

1. I can not stand it when my husband takes his foot away from the gas/brake pedals. I think he likes to drive on cruise control and just sets his foot back to relax. It's something I noticed yesterday on our drive up to SF and it totally freaked me out. Wierd, eh?


2. Not a weird fact, but a bit unusual for me because I really do love Mia...

Today, I just might kill my cat (or at least give her away) for ruining my packs of new In-Color card stock. Yes. THE brand new In-Color packs of card stock for the new catalog coming out next month. Ruined. All of them. I had a small vase of hydrangeas that my mother had cut from her garden for me to take home from SF. Mia had jumped up on my craft table in the middle of the night and knocked the vase over and the water had sat there. My packs of card stock soaked up the water. Nope... sealed card stock is not water proof.

So if there is no cat when you come home, Kevin...


3. I don't like my food to touch.


4. I don't like going faster than I can run, unless I am driving. For example, I HATE roller coasters. The one (and only) time I have ever ridden a roller coaster, I was SO scared that I braced myself against the side of the ride really hard and bruised my arm and ribcage. They were black and blue for weeks. This was on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on the Giant Dipper. Here... take the virtual ride for yourself! It's enough to make me wanna throw up. Stop laughing at me! I know. I'm a wimp.



5. I have three pairs of shoes. A pair of white tennis shoes (which I just replaced recently), a pair of black sandals (bought in Hawaii three years ago), and a pair of black heels (I forget when I bought them). OH! I forgot about my bowling shoes!


6. I live in San Jose, CA but have never been to the Winchester Mystery House, which is just about 8 minutes away from my home! I can't say I have really been to Paramount's Great America either... maybe once way back when I was much younger?


7. I have been rubber stamping and crafting for a little over 2 years now. I started because of post partum depression. It has been great therapy!


Now it's your turn!


Have a terrific week!

Strawberry Gingerale Cupcakes!

I had such a fantastic response from my Baby Shower post and many requests for the Strawberry Gingerale Cupcakes recipe. Well.. here you go!

In case you are just joining, these are the cupcakes that I made for my sister-in-law's baby shower a month ago.

Piper was born a week ago on Sunday! She's so beautiful! I am holding off on sharing the personal information until she is out of NICU out of respect for the parents. Thank you ALL for the wonderful emails and sweet messages that you have been posting. It has been a busy week and I will start to email back everyone tonight when I get back into San Jose. I really appreciate the good thoughts and prayers that have been sent their way. Thank you very much!

Check out these lovely organic strawberries from the local Farmer's Market!





Strawberry Gingerale Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
2-3/4 cups of flour
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
2 sticks of butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
6 large strawberries or 10 medium strawberries, diced
1 cup gingerale

Frosting:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
2 Tbsp gingerale

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a small bowl - sift flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside



3. In mixer - cream butter and sugar until well mixed and airy.





4. Add eggs one at a time. Make sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next egg.
5. Slowly add in four mixture, 1/3 at a time. Make sure each batch is fully incorporated before adding the next.
6. Stir in vanilla and gingerale.



7. Stir in strawberries.







8. Line cupcake tins with cupcake liners.
9. Scoop even amount of dough into each cup - fill 1/4" to the top. You will have enough for 24 cupcakes.



10. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until golden brown.




Frosting:
1. In mixer, mix butter and cream cheese together.
2. Add powdered sugar and whip until smooth. Continue to add powdered sugar until you get the consistency you desire.

Remove cupcakes from the oven and leave in tins for a few minutes to set.
Transfer to cooling racks.
When cupcakes are completely ready, decorate with frosting.




At the baby shower:



Happy Baking!

Top to Bottom... or is it Bottoms up?

Scor-Pal Pals Challenge this week is a "Top to Bottom" Gate-Fold.

Fun challenge, Sandy! I'm sorry you had to be rushed to the hospital so suddenly last week and glad you are back home... hoping you are feeling much better now.

I have my Scratch -n- Sniff class to prep for this morning, but wanted to get the pics up before I went offline for the day. I will get more info up on this card for those interested later tonight! I've been tagged by Donna and I will get that posted too! :)







Speaking of Scor-Pal Pals, I have a few of you linked at the bottom of my blog... just recently joined and am trying to play catch-up. If you have a blog, I would love to add you to my list. Post here or email me through the group!

I have yet to try a "Diorama Card" and this Happy Birthday, Princess! Diorama Card by Denise Cote is super cute! It is also being featured on the Starving Artistamps Gallery blog. Congratulations, Denise!

New In-Colors Sneak Peek!

My box of stampin' goodies arrived Friday and I had a chance to play with a few things last night. Anyone interested in a sneak peek of the NEW In-Colors?

Here's a quick birthday card I put together, showcasing all of the new In-Colors:






Introducing:
Riding Hood Red
Pink Pirouette
Tangerine Tango
Kiwi Kiss
Pacific Point
Baja Breeze

Cheers!

A few cards and tags to share...

Simple Orchid:





Stamp: Potted Plant by Hero Arts
Markers: Almost Amethyst, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Birthday card:



Stamp: Party Hearty
Copic Markers: Chrome Orange, Cadmium Orange, Cool Shadow
Ink: Whisper White Craft
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi textured, Regal Rose
Accessories: Happy Birthday Cuttlebug, Chunky White Glitter, Dew Drops

Tags I made for my Japanese workshop ladies:


Happy Stampin'!

Introducing Piper...

Sunday morning, my little niece was born.
Her name is Piper.
She is 4 lbs and 13 ozs...
I had bought several preemie outfits and they will have to be returned because Piper is 17.5" long! The sleeper I bought was for up to 17". lol!

This is a picture I took of a picture from a camera... can't remember if it's from Shawn's camera or my mother-in-law's camera.



I will keep the rest to myself for now since it is all quite personal and I am sure, very difficult for Kari and Shawn... they will have to go home without Piper tomorrow since she will be in NICU for the next couple of weeks.

Thank you all so much for your sweet thoughts and words!

hugs,