Went crazy making "Merci" cards

We can never have enough thank you cards or any cards stashed away for use right? Here are a couple of the cards I made using my Merci stamp. Kept it simple and made 30 of them!! I used my rectangle scallop nestabilities die and my CB embossing folder. Is this called Swiss dots? I love it! The ribbons were random ribbons I got last year when I went to visit cousin Pam in San Francisco. Yay! I only hoarded them for one year! Does that mean I can buy new ribbon???

Have a great Tusday!! I will be posting April's class projects hopefully tomorrow. Somehow, the window of time to get on the computer is shrinking! What's up with that?? Nolan is attending practice for honor band 3 days this week which means I leave work early to get him and get back to town from 4 - 6 p.m. Hope I can find a craft store still open. Ha!

Merci winners!

Thanks for those of you who played in my "Just Two" contest. I enjoyed looking at the blogs you all recommended and surprising enough alot of them are already on my google reader!! But I selected the two winners who recommended inspiring blogs that were not on my reader (but will not be added on!). The winners are ANGIE and ERICKA M. Congratulations ladies!! Please email me with your mailing address so I can mail out this stamp to you. I made about 30 cards yesterday afternnon using this stamp. I'll post that tonight! Have a great Monday everyone!!

in silent pursuit

Ok, so I'm back from Berlin, settled back into my studio, and I'm deep into working on my next solo show... It will be in September 2009 in NYC. I've started working on the centerpiece and I figure it will take about one year to finish... working everyday on one piece of paper is sort of weird... then there will be 18-27 smaller pieces I think, all black and white...I'm really excited about this next show, I've never had so much time to work on one body of work before...

Sooooo...that means this blog won't have tons of new art on it for awhile... I will be keeping up with my Road of Knives pages, I'll do mylars and a few art fair pieces on the side, but for the most part my work will be underwraps until next fall...

I'm still going to updated this blog with the other work I produce, some studio shots and anything else I can think of... But when you don't see very many new pieces on here, don't think I'm sleeping...

okok, here is my most recent Road of Knives page... things are picking up with the comic; Zak, Shawn, and I are going to exhibit it in October in NYC during Zak's solo exhibition...

Free Sizzix make & takes in May!

One more thing, I've posted the schedule for Cheryl's make & take sessions to do FREE sizzix projects using the new XL dies on my Island Girls Shop Gossip column. Join the fun! Stop by and say hello to Cheryl and Cheri!

Scrapping San Francisco

So I have this unfinished scrapbook I put together from my trip to San Francisco last May!! How long does it take one to scrap a mini vacation?? The truth is that I have all of my pics in the album, designated pages with paper and pics in each pocket. So why does it take me like 4-evah to complete them?? Well, I don't have an answer for you (sorry), but this morning, I finished ONE!! I'm cheating because I still need to journal, and I will. I love journaling, it helps me to remember the details. Here's a page of my first day in San Fran visiting cousin Pam and her dear friends, The Wongs. Lorraine does crafts with Pam when she has time.
Details: Paper by Wild Asparagus. Transparent embellishment by Making Memories, photo corner punch, mini brads and stamps by SU, Priceless.
Happy Friday everyone! The week is finally over!! I hope you all have a great weekend. Thanks for sharing your morning on my blog :)
BTW: There's still time to make a comment to win the cute birdie stamp shown in the post below!

Just two

stamps to share. I bought this cute stamp at J's for only $1.25!! Another great deal. Well, actually, I bought three of them, one for me and two to share! I always have a hard time selecting only one winner so I end up giving something to everyone! But this time, I only have two, for real and I want to share it with two lucky people. So how do you win? Leave me a comment with a link to someone's blog (other than yours) that you think totally rocks. I love to be inspired! I will select only two winnahs over the weekend. Don't worry, if you don't win this time, I have more fun stuff to share in the posts to come! Made this card with some of my leftover pocketnote cards, just right for little thank you's. I colored with my copic pens except for the birdie...for some reason, it doesn't matter what black ink I use to stamp the image (including Staz On), the yellow always bleeds! Anyone knows something I don't?? Would appreciate a tip! I ran the top part of the card through my Big Shot machine and the paisley CB embossing folder and then added some Close to Cocoa ink to bring out the design. Finishing touches, a rhinestone in the middle of the flower and some light blue gingham ribbon by SU.

The other night, I ran all over the house looking for my baby girl. She really had me going! Guess she found a new hiding spot. Behind Grandpa's recliner in a snuggly spot...can you imagine? She must've been wondering why I was going back 'n forth calling her and that little sneak didn't even bother making any noise! Thanks for peeking in today. I am anxious to be inspired by some awesome ideas so link up the blogs to win!!

Annual Celebration and happy mail!

Yesterday, our office celebrated Administrative Professionals Day. Today is the actual "designated day" but with our busy schedules, we decided to do it yesterday. Our bosses are the best, I'm not just saying that. When you work for people who care, you just want to do your best, KWIM? They sent us to Tsukiji Fish Market & Restaurant over at Ala Moana Center's Hookipa Terrace. The buffet was fabulous and with my tiny appetite, I had a hard time stuffing myself. In my terms, I ate soooo much that I didn't even eat dinner. Well, does a salad count as dinner?? That was all that I had room for. Here's a pic of Me, Kristen, Alice & Peggy at the restaurant before we emptied our plates. If you've never been there, it is definately a place that serves good food!
Every year, we take a pic of the four of us and we almost forgot this year! We had one of the bosses snap this pic right before I was ready to go home. You can't tell that I am stuffed to the gills, can you? Thank gawd for the loose fitting top! When I got home, I was surprised to find some happy mail! These cute notepads came from one of my DL gals and another faithful blog reader, Charlotte. Thank you! I love them. I told Charlotte that I'm always looking for paper to make lists and take notes, so these will definately be put to good use. This was a thank you for the blog candy I recently sent to her :)

My other happy mail came from my good friend, Judie. Judie has been a faithful customer back in my teaching at Ben Franklin. Sometimes, she would be my only student, but she came faithfully every week!! Judie sends this card as a thank you for the blog candy too. How sweet. I love the kitty image!! Judie owns two beautiful cats!

Sorry, no creation to post today, but hopefully I will have one tomorrow. I'm just about finished with the kits, so they will be ready to send as soon as I get my chocolate chip cardstock!!! I also can't wait to finish my cards for the blogaversary goodies that I'm patiently waiting to send out. Sorry girls...you won't be disappointed when you get your goodies. Happy Wednesday, yay! The middle of the week!! Thanks for dropping by today!

free is good

Something really badass came in the mail today...click it to make it large enough to read...

Berlin pics pt.2

The view from Pablo and Amrei's apartment...

An insane coin operated kinetic sculpture.

Pablo and Javier of Belio Magazine.

Pablo has a really badass lowrider...

Shot of a crazy installation...

Marco, director of Intoxicated Demons Gallery, framing up the pieces.

Berlin pics pt.1

Ok, so here are the photos from Berlin... Nothing too crazy, I was sick for most of the trip, but I definitely had a good time. All of the people I met there were pretty amazing... After about a week though I was tired of being sick away from my home, and I missed Jamiyla a lot, so I was happy to see Toronto again...

Blogger seems to be fucking up, I'm going to post these ones now, and a second set later on today if it starts working again...

Marco installing the show.

A photo at the launch. I did three interviews right before this... One was with Vice, you can check it out here,but it's in German. The second was with a guy who runs a magazine about comics and illustrative fine arts... It will be in print in September. The third was for an internet TV station, I was really nervous because I'm shy around video cameras, and the girl who was interviewing me was really pretty... I think it went ok in the end though...

My friend Christa D'Angelo's studio... We've talked back and fourth on the internet for about a year and a half now, and we got to meet while in Berlin... She's an awesome artist and we get along like peas and carrots, so it was great to meet...

Another shot of Christa's studio...

Pablo of Belio and his girlfriend Amrie... Amrie is amazing, she's sort of a smart ass in the best possible way, I wish she lived closer so we could cut each other up more often...

German rap is weird...

Posters around the city featuring the evil seal mutilating Canadians...

A gumball machine with little knives in it... I put all my dimes in it, but just got gum...

I forget what this building was, but Marco and I drank beer on a tour boat, it was awesome...

Because I was so sick, I spent A LOT of time in this bed... It was really comfortable...

I'm still here!

Just have been busy trying to be good and staying off the blogs so I can get my kits all set to mail to those of you who ordered one. I can't believe the response I've gotten for kit orders, thank you! I just need to stamp the box and sentiments on the graduation cards and then the kits will be ready to go!
Also, I'm working on my second batch of packages to be mailed out real soon, promise! These packages are the goodies from my blogaversary giveaway so if you made a comment on that post and haven't received anything from me yet, it's almost ready to go! The bags are all packed, I'm just working on making cards like these to go inside. What's a goodie bag without a card?? Here's one I created this morning. I didn't have anything to post! I got a phone call yesterday from a "faithful reader" that was wondering what happened to me cuz she checked my blog like she does every morning and saw the same post...so here's a card for you to see Ms. K! - smile! I just love this Enjoy every moment stamp set! Good for cards as well as scrapbooks.

My posts doesn't seem complete without an appearance from Ms. Mochiko. This is her favorite ducky cuz it has catnip in it :) We call it her chicken - get it? Mochiko's chicken - hahaha!! Have a great Tuesday all. We're going out to a lunch today in honor of Secretaries Day. More on that tomorrow. Thanks for dropping by!

Busy, busy week!

Wanted to share the RAK I got from Melissa who participated in JT's aloha monthly rak club. A cute holder filled with these cute moose images and some flowers. What a cute card! I can't wait to use these images! Thanks Melissa!!

Here's a RAK I received from Denise N. Love this! So sweet and in my favorite color too! Pink! Thanks Denise! Denise has some really nice creations, stop on over and give her some love.

I've been missing for a few days because I just had to stay away! "Step away from the computer", my son suggests to me. Well, I guess that it's for my own good because I really needed to get my kits together and ready to roll for tonight's demonstrator class and dinner and tomorrow's customer class. I keep thinking that I'll just go online to check my email and then one thing would lead to another and before I know it, I'm in blogland and OMG, back to the point of NO RETURN! I'd be on the computer for hours! Am I the only one??

Well today, I was the designated driver for my son and his two friends who are partners in the History Day project. We left early this morning as the competition was held at Windward Community College in Kaneohe. One of the other moms told me that she would pick the boys up for lunch and then bring them home after it was all done, so I was free to do whatever I wanted, yay! I headed over to Ben Franklin at the Enchanted Lake Shopping center to check out the paper party going on. I used to do those parties before, it's alot of stress prepping just like for classes! I wanted to go to support Cheryl and Jean . Cute, cute projects!! I didn't bring my camera because I didn't think I was going to make it over there...Oh!, met another gal who said she visits my blog - I love it when I get to meet people who visit me in cyber world IRL ... nice to meet you too, Corinne (I hope I got your name correct or was it Colleen?) Forgive me if I didn't get your name right. Although I haven't been able to attend much these days, whenever I do go to these functions, I see so many people I know, I am non-stop chatting...oh boy, the "portagee" comes out. I love seeing everyone!

Before I sign off for today, here's a cute pic I took of our favorite feline. She's so sassy, she thinks she owns the house! Well, I better get outside and start setting up before I run out of time (again)...Eric is cooking spaghetti and garlic bread for us and the rest is pot luck. Will be back tomorrow to post some of the fun!! We're having some guests tonight too and Wini is demoing for us the faux bleach technique...Happy Saturday everyone and thanks for popping in today!

Finally...

**sigh** I finally finished my projects for my April class. Phew! I was getting nervous because the ideas only hit me the other night. Talk about being stressed. I'm hearing that from some of you other bloggers out there that also have monthly classes (the stress, that is). I think this go round was especially slow for me to create because I had so much worries after my computer got sick. Blah!! It was now or never because this Saturday is my downline gathering and I'm so relieved and excited all at the same time that I finally finished the projects!! Here's a sneak peek at the box that we will be making.

This project is a Mother's Day gift and I got this really neat idea from my GF Cheryl. She called it a pizza box. In my gift box are five 3X3 cards (all different) and envelopes. Each card is a work of art (sorry, just had to give myself a toot since I took so darn long to create) - but seriously, each card is decorated and have a little dimension to them. I really love the way they turned out. Here is one of the five cards:

We will be using the DS paper, Afternoon Tea. I love the look of this paper! Also lots of different embellishments. In this card, I used the pearl from the Pretties kit. So pretty! We will also be making a really neat graduation card with pocket. There are still a few kits left for my customer class which is happening on Sunday, April 20 and again on Sunday, April 27. If you are interested, please email me for the details.

Finally, I mailed out most of the goodies for my blogaversary celebration, (yay!) so be sure to check your mailbox if you left me a comment on that post. I also mailed out those penguin stamps too.

Check my sidebar for exciting news from J's...time to go to bed, I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Headache and stuffy nose. I don't want to

be sick!! Thanks for stopping by tonight, til next time!

Too Slow

okok, I swear the next post will be the Berlin photos... But they won't be incredibly exciting because I spent most of my time there sick in bed:(

I just finished my Road of Knives page, bits of Medusa's ruined head falling to the ground...

Lucky 7

If you posted a comment on my penguin giveaway post, I randomly selected a winner from all of the entrants. Actually, I was able to find more penguin stamps so instead of just one winner, I have seven (7)!! Lucky seven! Here are the winners:Malieta, Bunny B, Denise, Charlotte, Cheryl (Sheree), Gina and Corie. So girls, email me your mailing addresses (tjaysuzuki@gmail.com) so I can get these stamps out to you. Congrats!

I made a couple of more cards using my penguin friends, what do you think?

Thanks for playing everyone! I'll be having another giveaway soon. Can you tell I'm having fun?

I hope all of you who played in my blogaversary giveaway saw that I'm working on sending all of you a little something. I found so much goodies all in my craft room that I want to share with you. I'm going shopping for mailers tomorrow so I can get these sent out!

Wonderful friends!

Here are a few more gifts I got from my GF Joy. She bought this cute beverage jar for me. I guess the last one I had broke. I use these jars to serve my pineapple iced tea when we have classes. Looking forward to using this cute pink jar this month!!! Love it. See the cute calendar? I love the way she used the coaster as the base for this calendar and with my fave color, pink!! Here's a closer look:

Finally, here is a post-it note holder. Isn't this stamp too cute? Looks so local with the haku lei on her head. Thank you Joy! I miss seeing you when I go to the CU...

This card was sent to me by a new friend, Joni. Joni is a local gal who found me through blogland and she has attended two of my classes! I love this card! It was so coincidental that we used this exact stamp for the class last month. I love this card Joni!

I forgot if I posted this beautiful card from Irene. The color combo is perfect! Can't wait for you to join us for our get togethers Irene! Miss you!

And last, but really, never the least, I want to thank my spice angel friend, Jen for making me this sweet signature for my blog. That's the latest rage in blogland. She surprised me the other day by creating one for me. She even had to help me set it up cuz I'm not so techie...(is that a word???) But, Jen IS the Queen of tech so she knew what I did wrong! Thank you so much sister, I appreciate your help and I absolutely LOVE it!!