Magazines

Don't ya love it when you can actually use patterns from a magazine? Makes me feel good about subscribing!

While in Sacramento for the Sac Rebels tournament...I realized that Grandma's 97th birthday is this Friday. Since she loves brooches, especially sparkly Swarovski ones, I thought this pattern would be perfect!

Luckily, I knew of a bead shop nearby that carried the 2-hole seed beads...it was quick, it only took about an hour...



I was so happy with how it turned out, I had to make one for myself....instead of a brooch, I made it into a necklace...and matching earrings!


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Off to a new home!

Babies, babies, babies! Our friend, and chiropractor, Kyle and his wife Theresa are having a baby boy! So, I made them this cute little baby blanket.

They also have a little girl...and for some reason, I didn't make her a blanket when she was born...so, I made her a big sister present a doll!



So, the blanket and doll are off to a new home...and a mother cat and three kittens made our backyard THEIR NEW HOME! I am still trying to get theirs picture! They are SO CUTE!


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Beading!

Now that I am done with baby blankets....I can try and pick up my beading! I had started...if you can call an inch...of a Dimensional Spiral Herringbone. So, I picked it up...unfortunately, I needed the help of reading glasses...sigh!




Then, FB hit. I saw a post from Joanie at the Bead Asylum...and I had to stop by and try my needle at a Russian Spiral. I have been wanting to learn this stitch for sometime. I think it is coming around nicely...I just hope I finish my Herringbone Spiral!



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Catch up!

Life has been busy...since my last post, Jordan played in the San Jose Ninja Basketball tournament. He and his 8th grade teammates took Championships. It was a great tournament!



Kris Watanabe and I finished the tourney program and all went well...for the most part. A few bumps, but we learned a lot and might be ready for next year! 167 pages of blood, sweat, tears and Digger's breakfasts!


Spring break was a whirlwind! We went to Las Vegas with the Shen's and the Maruyama's. As a friend put it...they went on the Minamide Gastronomical Tour! Buldogi's, Island Sushi and Grill, steaks and Shakes, Baby Stacks and more!



Neil also went and returned from 6th grade science camp. It was the climax to a rough few months of fundraising. Luckily we have a wonderful group of parents who pulled through with the fundraising and chaperoning!



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Spring?

My tulips are coming up! Yeah! It has been a while since my last post...a lot has been going on...

After many months of not doing well, Jeff and I lost two relatives...my Dad's brother, Isamu, and Jeff's father's cousin Vicki.

Uncle Sam and I shared birthdays..mine on July 2nd his on the 3rd...in less than 3 years, Dad lost Mom and all his siblings. So sad...

Vicki, loved sports and would come out to basketball and softball games! Everyone thought she lived in Sacramento because she was always out supporting Jeff's various sporting events. I loved hearing the stories of people bumping into Vicki and her mom, Auntie Shiz in either Indian casinos or Vegas...of course either one or both of them were on a winning streak. She will be missed at family gatherings...she was always so good to the boys. When she heard that Jordan liked Blake Griffin of the Clippers... Clipper jerseys and shorts were in the mail for Christmas...so generous and such a fun person....

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Easter is early this year...

So, I am skipping St Patrick's Day and making an Easter Egg Wreath...
Recognize the wreath form? It is the tubing that I posted yesterday...the white lace was patterned for a 14-inch willow wreath...which I couldn't find...so, I made one out of tubing from Lowe's!




The Easter eggs are crocheted from cotton yarn...I love the variegation in the eggs!
Now to work on a Spring and Independence Day wreaths!
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To Wreath or Not to Wreath

Ah...that would be the question...or more precisely...where do you find a 14 inch willow wreath? Not at Michaels, Not at Joann's...no where...ok, I didn't look at Wal-Mart...but I have philosophical problems going there...that is a rant for another day...

So, I had to make a wreath. Actually this works better than a willow wreath..because the tube diameter is smaller and the wreath does not poke out behind the lace...


What is this you ask? You will have to wait and see...I should be able to finish it after a car ride to Salinas and the Sunday basketball game. Good thing my projects are portable...

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Grubbing @ the Grub Shack

Last week was a rough week..both Jeff and I were sick...luckily it was on separate days...but, it wiped me out the rest of the week (Wed nite to Friday)!

Since we are both feeling better, we pet our plans to go watch some friends at the CYS tournament...the little kids were playing. Afterwards, we bummed around Oakridge Mall and then headed to an early dinner.

A friend told me about Grub Shack, on Santa Clara and I think Third, near SJSU. It is a tiny place, not suitable for the a ninja team...but they said they are expanding during the day.

I had the GS Special, because I couldn't chose...but, I have boys who can help me eat the food, so all is good. The garlic shrimp was good, Kahn
Au pig had a good flavor and the Mac was homemade...quite yummy.


Jeff had the Cukui Tacos..yes, that is an egg on each taco...he liked it...


Jordan had the Loco Moco. He said the hamburger patty was really good, but, he would rather have brown gravy...


Can you believe Neil ate all three of his sliders and all but a few fries? I think the kid must be having another growth spurt...he loved his Kahlua Sliders!


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Happy Early Valentine's Day!

I really need to clean off my work table in my craft room. I found these crystal hearts.

So, while I watch Downton Abbey...I love this show...I decided to put together some Valentine Day earrings! Lucky for me I always have a nice supply of chain, heart chain of course, and earring findings! Purple and pink crystals are also in my supply drawer!

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After SEVEN years...

...Jordan is completing his orthodontic treatments! Yeah! To thank Dr Chun and her staff, I made them all scarves...



Unfortunately, Ellen moved away...but we are sending her the red scarf. Without Ellen, Jordan would never have survived making the molds. As it was it took FOUR times!

His last appointment isn't until April, but, I wanted to get them done...they are bagged and just waiting for tags!


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Megatron BBQ

So...Jeff's 2013 project...MEGATRON BBQ....sigh, with a name like that I want some good sound effects...but, I guess I will settle for some BBQ, as long as the smoke ring is nice and tasty!

Here are some pictures from today's trial run. We had to cook it today since we are going to Salinas for the Super Bowl...


















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Neil's 2nd project

Originally, Neil had two projects due on the same day...his Egyptian mask...and his earthquake safe house...both were pretty much done when he found out that he his house was postponed to the following week.



The assignment was to build a house using only toothpicks, and clay. It must be able to withstand an "earthquake".



For lack of a model, Nori II is modeling my new scarf I finished...it is similar to the Sashay scarves, except this "yarn lace" is shorter...it is sparkly but not as soft...

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Neil's 1 of 2 projects

Neil has two projects due on Thursday....over the weekend he finished his first project...an Egyptian mask. During class they took turns making the mask...then they were tasked to complete the headdress at home.

Jeff helped him spray paint the mask and cardboard....and he did the rest...cool!


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Anyone want a hotdog?

Just to prove we are crazy...Jordan's team has 3 byes...last week, this week and the league has a bye Super Bowl Sunday....so, what do we do? Go see some friends' games...

I think it was Jeff's excuse to eat at this place called Paulie's Franks and Fries...it is across the street from Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose...in a new shopping center called The Plant. I should say HUGE shopping center!

Here is a picture of the BASKET of chili, cheese and bacon fries....it was huge...and about 2 inches deep of fries...




Jeff, Jordan and I had the Pinoy Puppy...fried rice and a sunny side egg...




Nami had the Hipster Dog



Ed came late, but he was happy with his Chicago dog



Happy boys! BTW, Koshi had TWO hotdogs!


Jeff found something for Po to try...the Joey Chestnut dog...a "massive two-foot hot dog"


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Baby blanket

Last fall..I made a record of four baby blankets...I got a little burnt out, but I after a short break and a few scarves, I started up again...here is a blanket for Jeff's cousin...oops, I hope they don't see this post....


Last night we went to watch Riley, Russell, Allison and the rest of the SACBC E's play. I forgot how fun it was to watch the "little kids"!

Afterwards, we ate at Diggers and Cobra had a Crypt burger....


...he ate the entire burger! Silly boy...at first he had a fork and knife...he ended up smashing it!


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Location:Bridgewater Pl,Fremont,United States

I'm back!

So, it has been over a year since I have written in my blog. Life just gets too busy...but with my new iPad mini....I thought I would give it a try again. (Plus, two people made a comment about my blog in 2 weeks...can people rely miss my rambling?)




One of my projects this year is helping with Neil's 6th grade fundraising. They are having a silent auction at the school carnival, so, I decided to make a crystal necklace. This is it...easy peasy for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon...too bad I won't be at the carnival...
It is made with pink, clear and purple glass and crystal beads...crocheted on gold wire....do you like? Get your bids in!
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Location:Darwin Dr,Fremont,United States

They are the Champions!

This past weekend, Jordan and his Ninja team played in the SF Flying Eagles tournament.

The boys played well and hard...and they looked sharp in their new uniforms...unfortunately, we played the Championship game short one player...Kyle got bumped on the nose and we are awaiting word from the Dr to see if he will be able to play in the VFW tournament in LA in 10 days...


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Surprise....

:D Surprise!

Where has the time gone? I have been totally caught up adjusting to the new schedule. I had it so easy for the past 5 1/2 years...since we live right behind the elementary school...I never had to worry about drop offs or pick ups...and since Neil has had a key for the past few years...I even fudged a little getting home on time.

September has been full of activity...two weddings, the Girls Trip to Las Vegas, and craft, craft, craft....




First off....my loving congratulations to Joanna and Danny! Danny and I worked together and he was one of my Lunch buddies...he also helped coach the boys at SACBC. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend their beautiful wedding because of the girl's trip. But, I was thinking of them! Love to you two!


The second wedding of September, was our cousin Keith's wedding to Mimi. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to go to another happy occasion! Our love to the both of them!



The latest trend at wedding seems to be photo booths! Both Danny and Keith had one at their weddings...I am very tempted to use one of these pictures for our Holiday Cards!



There are still a lot of babies coming! I finished two baby fleece blankets, am in the middle of another crochet blanket...and a pound of baby yarn waiting for me...how am I going to get to my Holiday cards? Not to mention presents that are waiting for me?



I realized that it is October and I made myself work on the Halloween wreath this week. I am really happy with the way it turned out!






Ninja Fall Season is in full swing. Jordan and the 7th grade boys' team won the Silicon Valley JACL championship during Labor Day weekend. This weekend they will be playing in the SF Eagles Tourney and in a few weeks, the VFW Tourney in Los Angeles. Jeff is coaching the 6th grade Girls...and they are also going to both tourneys. The above pictures were taken while I was in Las Vegas. (The Ninjas changed the date AFTER we booked flights, hotel etc...I am not a bad Mom)



I decided to upgrade the Ninja Moms bracelets...l love them!

Have a warm and dry October!

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Good things come in small packages...

When we were in Hawaii, I saw an article in the paper about a "limited edition" Spam can that was going to be released. Unfortunately, it was being released the day AFTER we left...but, luckily we still had friends on the island.

The Shens struck out...they couldn't find it...but, Leonard came though! no wonder the US Government trusted him for 20+ years! Today, the sent it to us...I thought I was going to pick it up at Marsha's Mom's house...but, it was a nice surprise.


Oh, I just gotta say something else....next to the article about the limited edition Spam can was another article. Someone in Hawaii tried to order something online from Home Depot...they received an email from HD stating that "although Home Depot values it's Hawaiian customers, Hawaii is a US territory, not one of the 50 US states...so they do not ship to Hawaii..." HELLO HOME DEPOT!


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First day of school

Last Wednesday was the first day of school...Neil is entering 5th grade and Jordan started Junior High...7th grade.

Jordan's comment...."this is going to be hard"! He was referring to getting up. He had it easy in elementary school...we live behind the school and he would leave the house when he heard the first bell...now he has to walk to his friend's house for a ride to Thornton...



Neil, on the other hand...is enjoying his sleeping in time...I can't believe my little one is in 5th grade. He is getting so big!





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