National Craft Month (Day 9)

Hello everyone!  I'm posting quite late today due to some sort of paranoia I had after watching the local evening news.  Something about how secure your wireless network is, and the scary effects of having a non-secure network.  Right away, I went and checked our network and after some technical assistance, I learned that my wireless network was not secure.  That means anybody could have been "stealing" our internet access at any time.  In fact, we have been noticing vehicles parked on the side of the road near our house.  Well, there can be many reasons why - the driver might be calling on a cellphone, checking maps for directions, eating a snack, taking a break, or using free internet that they can get from our unsecured wireless network.  So right away, I made sure our security settings were set right and I was able to set a password so nobody can just jump in our wireless network and use our internet.  Or worse, hack our computer and steal valuable information.  Yes, I feel so much better now.  Dear friends, if you have a wireless network set up at home, please make sure your security settings are set straight.  Technology is great, but it can also be used in bad things like information and identity theft.  Better safe than sorry.

So tonight, while watching American Idol, I was able to make this origami calendar wreath designed by Michael G. LaFosse:

What I like most about this project is that I only needed 12 square sheets of washi paper.  No glue or any type of adhesive.  I just attached a small origami crane for a final touch.

Hey, we are celebrating National Craft Month... want to join us?  Click here.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 8)

Hello reader!  I dedicate this blog entry to our Girls Varsity Basketball Team for winning tonight's game. Our community drove miles to give support to the team, and they played an awesome 4th quarter. We are proud of you Lady Cardinals... woot!

For today's project, I played with the Hana-Ami flower loom. I have had this for quite some time now, and it's only the second time I've ever used it.

We are now on week 2 of our celebration of National Craft Month.  Join us and maybe you can win some blog candy.  For more details, click here.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 7)

Hi everyone!  Before I share my project for today, I would like to thank fellow crafters who have joined me in celebrating National Craft Month.  It has been a week, and we already have 37 entries... woot!  Keep 'em coming crafty friends, and the more projects you share with us, the better your chances of winning these 4 blog candies:   

Want to learn more on how you can join in the fun?  Click here.

Today's project is a kind of Asian knotting.  While living in Japan, I bought several knotting templates, and I remember playing with one of them while riding the train home from work.  It sure is a challenge working with these templates because the instructions are all written in Japanese.  But I'm glad the illustrations are good, clear and easy to follow.

For this particular knot, it took me about 4 tries to finally achieve the goal.  Sorry I can't tell you the exact name of this knot, as everything in the packaging is in Japanese.  But I'm sure you have guessed that the brand of the template is Clover.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 6)

How was your weekend, dear reader?  I had a relaxing 3-day weekend doing mostly house chores, watching TV shows on the internet and crafting.  Everybody at work sure needed that snow day on Friday to unwind and spend more quality time at home.

My project for today is a Cherry Blossom pop-up card.  I got the pattern from a book I bought from the Japan Pavillion in Epcot. 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Fiskars, Nature Preserve, specialty paper

ink:  Spica

tools:  EK Success edge punch, Spellbinders, craft knife

misc.:  Shimmer Spritz, pop-up pattern (Keiko Nakazawa)

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

Want to join in the fun and maybe win some blog candy in the end?  Click here.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 5)

Hello fellow crafter!  While browsing through Facebook, I saw a former high school classmate's photos of her and her new born baby girl.  They prompted me to make a digital scrapbook page.  It sure has been a long while since I made any scrapbook page.  I have been slacking on that part.

Here's the page I made using Memory Mixer 3:

Would you like to join me for some crafty fun and blog candies?  Click here.

'Til next blog!