Paper Trufflez

Pigs & "More" . . .

I Love You “Mower”:

Image Credits:  Lawnmower, Grass (A Muse Artstamps)
Paper:  Madeira Red 4 Bar Note Card (A Muse), Vanilla, Black Card Stocks
Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, heat set
Coloring Tools:  Alcohol Markers in Lt. Rouge, Cool Grey #1, Toner Gray #5, Brick Beige (Copic)
Ribbon:  Black Gingham, Ticking Stripe Red (May Arts)
Other:  1/8” Black Eyelets (SU!), Ribbon Slot Punch (Making Memories)

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The Madeira Note Cards have been one of my absolute favorites since A Muse released them last Fall!  I just love, loVE, LOVE the unique, hand-illustrated pattern.  This 4 Bar size is a blast to work with, and I think it's cool that the fold is on the short side, as opposed to the long.  I love the way Linda had the flaps done on the envelopes for these, too, and the paper is smooth like buttah!

I'm smitten with the green, of course (!) and adore the blue, too, but, for Valentine's Day, the red made the perfect "bandana" effect I wanted for Taylor's Valentine.  I sent these to Dave and the kids from the hotel, so they'd get some fun mail from mama, "from California".  When it arrived, he commented to Dave that I had misspelled “more” . . . ROTFLMBO!  Apparently, he was hoping there’d be money inside and he didn’t look at the front (missing the point, of course), until he realized there was none inside . . . Whenever the grandmas send cards, there’s always money tucked inside . . . so, what’s an 11 yr. old boy to expect when his Mum sends a card???

I, on the other hand, was so proud of my play on words and my clever use of the black eyelets for the wheels on the lawnmower *chuckle*!
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I Got You, Babe!:

Image Credits:  Pig, Girl Pig, Grass, “i got you babe” (A Muse Art Stamps)
Paper:  Palm Note Card (A Muse), French Roast, Watermelon Tin Plate, Cabana Blue Papers (A Muse)
Ink:  Brilliance Coffee Bean, heat set; Colorbox Pigment Moss Green
Coloring Tools:  Alcohol Markers in Yellow Green, Lt. Rouge, Blush, Frost Blue, Pale Grayish Blue, Brick Beige, Sand (Copic)
Other:  Mini Antique Copper Brads (Making Memories)

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This was Dave’s Valentine.  I can’t really put ribbon on a card for Dave; he doesn’t like fluff or fuss--so I had to be “manly” with HARDWARE.  But, if you look closely, you can see that Pig is somewhat of a dirty li’l guy. *chuckle* My darling hubby is notorious for always getting SOMETHING on his shirts, and, since I’m Chief Laundress around here, I’m always scolding him about it.

Well, it’s been a looooooooong week, what with CHA, this and that, PLUS this wretched head cold that keeps hanging on, and a few extra precious days visiting my baby sister . . . I mistakenly thought my cold would vanish quickly once I got to CA . . . NOPE!  The schedule was hectic--like it always is when you're workin' the show--and I literally crashed each night, battling the cold . . . BTW, have you ever heard of Umka (sp?)?  Linda sez I need some of that . . . I don't even know what it is, being more of a Nyquil Coma girl, m'self . . . LOL!

I'm half laffin' (well, more like I start laffin', and end up coughin' up a lung *insert rolling eyeballs here*) cuz I'm bettin' there are a TON of typos in this entry, cuz my head feels like a brick right now . . . I actually do have a few interesting *tidbits* to dish, but, for now, I'm crawling back under the blankets with another dose of cold medicine and a hot cuppa tea . . .  Ya'all stay HEALTHY!  Poor Dave.  I'm sure I snored muy loud last night when we got home from the airport . . . 

A Cupcake Kinda Day . . .

Hey, Cupcake!

• Stamp Credits:  All images by A Muse Art Stamps
• Cream Card stock
• Surf Note Card (A Muse)
• Coloring Tools:  Alcohol Markers in Lt. Rouge, Blush, Frost Blue, Sand (Copic)
• Ink:  Colorbox Pigment Ink in Rosebud (Clearsnap)
• Tools:  Giga Scallop Square Punch (Marvy Uchida), Tiny Tag (Martha Stewart/EK Success)
• Embellishments:  Tiny Safety Pin (Making Memories), Stickles Glitter Glue in Cotton Candy, Christmas Red (Ranger Industries), Prisma Glitter (Stampendous), Sheer Pink Piped Ribbon (A Muse)
• Other:  Simple Stick, sticky embossing powder (A Muse), Foam Dimensional Tape (Scotch)

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45.

I am 45 today!

So, what have I learned?  Hmmmmm.

• That playing poker for chocolate is way more fun than playing for money
• That bamboo knitting needles just feel nicer than metal ones
• That major household appliances have a life span of about 15 years.  If you initially bought them all at once, you're pretty much screwed 15 years from that date . . .
• There seems to be a direct co-relation between the expansion rate of my butt, and the number of hours spent working on the computer
• That thinking long and hard before speaking is one of the best bits of advice ever given me
• To not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things . . .
• That it IS important to have the family sit down at the dinner table, together, as frequently as possible
• That the amount of school homework given to kids is out of control
• That I can conquer the world if I have bacon and eggs for breakfast*
• To never say never
• That sometimes, you should ignore your husband and buy the extended warranty.  Especially on expensive electronic things.  Like laptops.  For when you spill a glass of milk into the keyboard . . .
• That it's not a bad idea, if your hair has gotten long, to pay attention to how close your head is to the air-intake vents, when using a heat gun . . .
• That whoever told me things would get easier as my children got older LIED and should be strung up by their toes for spreading such falsehoods . . .
• That you can buy an 11 yr. old boy new pants in September but, by January, they will be 6" too short . . . and, he will be taller than you at that point, too . . .
• That my Grams is right when she says we've all got too much junk
• That if Hayley's blow drying her hair in the main bath at the same time I'm drying mine in the master bath, we will trip the circuit breaker in this house . . .
• That I'm pretty much worthless if I don't get 8 hours of sleep every night.
• That I hate hot tubs, and it's OK if I do
• Reassuring a man that it was OK to buy himself a new motor for his boat means he'll cook crab dinner for you if he catches any . . .
• Chocolate Snicker Bar Cake* is decadent, and completely appropriate for breakfast on one's birthday; I may not conquer the world that day, but, all things considered, it would be OK to take the day off . . . *snarf!*
• On special occasions, the appletini should be garnished with, not one, but THREE glorious maraschino cherries and that you should never let anyone else spoil the joy of a well-made appletini by telling you all about the chemical composition of maraschino cherries.
• Besides . . . I'm so well preserved by said chemicals, that at 45, I STILL get carded--after a personal bonding session with Miss Clairol, of course . . . soOoOooo . . . (hair flip!)

And, at 45, that is all the wisdom I can impart.  Today. *chuckle*

and . . . SHUT UP!!!

I hafta share something fun:  There is a fun little group called the A Muse Addicts!  If you were a member of the Yahoo group, well, they actually just launched a new website, TODAY (just click on that text there) and are in the process of moving everything over there!  If you're addicted to A Muse, and wanna hang out with yer fellow Addicts, just join the group at their new website!

Someone sneaky told this delightful group of Addicts that today was my birthday . . . And, I've received packages from A Muse containing birthday cards!

Every single one of them says:  SHUT UP!!!  It's your birthday!

I just fell off my chair as I opened up one after the other!  They are so sweet, and so fun, and, while I am usually hesitant to post anybody else's creations online, I created a special album that features these cards and I thought you might all enjoy seeing them!  Now, it's pretty grey on Whidbey today, and I didn't have time to photoshop 'em to brighten the shadows, etc.  But, I think you can still see pretty clearly what they did!  So, without further delay, I present to you:

The A Muse Addicts Birthday RAK Album

Thank you everybody, for sharing in my day, and making it so special and fun!  You guys are the BESTEST!

*SMUGZ*           

 

Paper Trufflez: Hitting ya' right where it hurts . . .

Link: Paper Trufflez: Hitting ya' right where it hurts . . ..

To answer the question many of you have asked:

No.  I did not buy the cereal that day.

I also was not nominated for Mother of The Year. LOL!

Hitting ya' right where it hurts . . .

I'm not sure WHY this particular story popped into my head today, but, it's a true story, and one I hold very near and dear to my heart . . .

I had made my weekly grocery run, and had Taylor along with me.  He was about 3-4 years old at the time.  He had seen this cereal on a TV commercial, of course, and wanted it.  Badly.  It was very expensive, tho, (considering it was cereal) and our grocery budget was pretty tight back then . . .  and, it was not on sale . . .  I told him I was sorry, but, it was just too expensive for us to get that day, but, if it was on sale the next time we went grocery shopping, I would buy a box. He pleaded, and I repeated my reasons for not buying the cereal.   And, I continued down the aisle.  I'll admit that to this day, I still can't bring myself to buy cereal unless it's on sale . . . (insert rolling eyeballs)

Anyway, after a few steps, I realized he wasn't following along, so I turned around, and there he was, standing in the middle of the aisle, face red, and arms stiff, hands clenched by his side. I could tell his brain was just churning as he formulated exactly what he wanted to say.

Eventually, he said, in a very angry, loud, yet slow and deliberate voice:

YOU!!! (he kinda stiffened up and stuck his chest out at me here)

YOOOOUUUU are a *BAD* STAMPER!!!

I swear, I thought he was gonna become discombobulated right there on the spot!

It caught me so off guard, that I bust out laughing until the tears were rolling down my face and my sides hurt so bad--I could hardly breathe!   All the other mothers were looking at me, completely perplexed by his insult, which only made me laugh all the harder!  Which, of course, didn't help matters much, and only made him all the angrier . . . *sigh* . . .

But, man, the kid knew exactly where to stick it to me, I tell ya' . . .   *chuckle*

Cuckoo, but, not for Cocoa Puffs . . . *snarf*

Cuckoo for *YOU*!:

Stamp Credits:  All by A Muse Artstamps; Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko) Paper:  Kitchen Collection Red Polka Dots (A Muse Artstamps); Coloring Tools:  Alcohol Markers in Pink, Light Rouge, Lipstick Red, Frost Blue, Honey, Sand (Copic), Fine Tip Copic-Proof Black Marker (Copic); Other:  Red Mini Brad (Doodlebug Design)

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Well, the holiday season will do just about any woman in, in and of itself, UKWIM? Of course you do.  Well,  OK, I take that back. If you're a woman, you do. *wink*   All this past week, I've had to shake the Christmas Coma off, while my children and husband have been on Winter Break from school, and home (OK, so that means "underfoot") . . . "Mom, I have a sliver!", "Mom, we're outta' cereal!", "Honey, can you help me create basketball jerseys for the team?  We need them by Friday.  Oh, that's tomorrow, by the way . . . ", "What's for lunch?", "What's for dinner?", "Did you wash my practice shorts yet, and where's all the clean underwear?", "Mom, I'm bored . . . "

Having the family around during *my* work day(s) is rather like being pecked to death by a duck . . . 

I don't have any "fresh new art" that I can actually share at this time, so, I hope you enjoy the piece above, which was shared in the inspiration section of A Muse's Online Weekly News!  Check it out!  There are a number of other fun Valentines by our A Muse Chick-lettes, as I affectionately like to call 'em!  And Instructor Michelle Clark's adorable "Hoo loves you", featuring those hilarious owls, is the COW!!!!

Give it up now: MOOO HOOOOOOO for Michelle!!!   Uh huh!  DAT's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

So, in the midst of all the pecking, what have I been TRYING to accomplish?  Well, many, MANY things.  Among them, the final touches for listing a whopping two courses I'll be teaching online over at My Creative Classroom.  Now, I say "whopping" TIC (Tongue In Cheek), because really, there's faaaaar more to teaching online than meets the eye. 

When I was first accepted as a Faculty Member at MCC, I *sorely* underestimated what it actually takes to teach online--the knowledge and skill one must have in technology, and the time and diligence it takes to acquire that knowledge--especially for someone like me, who is among the least technically savvy in the universe!  Before you even begin to determine WHAT you're gonna teach!  Holy smokes! ...............................

As much as I have always wanted to learn how to teach online, had I known from the get-go it would be this all-consuming, I probably wouldn't have committed.  If you only knew how many times I've very nearly quit, saying to myself, "This is just not worth it, and I'm just not cut out for this . . .  " But, Colleen Schaan, fellow MCC Instructor, has truly been instrumental in encouraging me to stick with it.  She's a wonderful online instructor, and one of the most persistent individuals I have ever encountered.  I am so fortunate, and so appreciative, that she kept her hand out there to me, and pulled me up when I most needed it.

I'm tickled to say, that I have two classes that will be listed up for enrollment (another term for registration) over the next few days over at MCC!  If you're interested in e-learning, the premise behind this new online institute for the creative arts--all creative arts, not just stamping/paper crafting--is one of encouraging and promoting an interactive learning experience between instructors and students.  These classes can include audio/visual presentations, discussion forums, possibly even online chats and virtual "field trips" (!) , all designed to enhance your e-learning experience!

One of the courses, similar to the classes I have taught in retail stores, showcases 6 card designs, featuring some super-adorable A Muse stamps that are scheduled for release mid-February, and I'm totally *giddy* about the gobs of fun I've had creating with them!  It's called "Kawaii-sian Influenced Greetings".  OK, so that's a word I made up, but, you'll totally get it, if you take the class! *grin*

The other course is one called Simply Great Card Design, which I have wanted to do for a very long time, and am very excited to finally be making it a reality.  I'd thought about writing a book on this topic, but, figured that no publisher would probably ever consider me. (Translation:  I've been too chicken to approach a publisher.)  So, an online class it will be!

Now, even if my courses don't interest you, which doesn't wound me in the slightest (OK, I lied; I will be utterly broken-hearted if nobody takes my classes), there are a TON of fabulous courses listed, all scheduled to start on various dates in February, with the grand opening of MCC!  Be sure to sign up for their e-newsletter so you will be up to date on all the happenings and course offerings going on.  The Kick-Off will have some free classes, and there's a fun contest you can jump into, and well, all kinds of things!

I made myself an instructor "logo" this week . . . I'm still not sure if I like it, BUT, I figure I can always change it and it'll do for now.  It IS a chick's prerogative to change her mind.  20 or so odd times.  At least.  Right?  *chortle*

Hope you enjoy some creative time this weekend!

MOO HOOOOOO!!!!

Link: Weekly.

I'm a lucky COW (technically, COTW, for Card Of The Week)!!! 

CHECK ME OUT!!! ---->  A Little Birdy Told Me . . .

*ginormous cheesy grin*

So, it's Friday, and tomorrow, I'm on a holiday shopping mission with my daughter.  I am armed with a list, and excited about getting off The Rock!

I'm workin' on a DT assignment, due tomorrow.  The muse (you know, that creative little voice in your head that speaks to you and tells ya' what to do?) is on a ROLL, so I gotta rush back to the studio, before she abandons me!   And, GUESS WHAT???  I have even been able to make some fun EXTRAS, as I work, just for sneak peekin' after the 10th!  Heh, heh, heh!

Meantime, here's some eye candy, in the form of one of my favorite A Muse holiday card class designs that I did this year:

Image credits:  A Muse Artstamps;  Ink:  Versamagic Aspen Mist, Versamark;  Paper:  A Muse Celestial Blue Note Card, Brushed silver metallic card stock by Cardenon StarDreams; Ribbon:  A Muse;  Other:  Watercolor Pencils by Derwent, Pentel Aquabrush, Making Memories Ribbon/Notch Slot Punch Accessory Tips

I was so pleased at how classy and elegant this particular design turned out!

In the midst of all the holiday rush, I am in the process of hunting down our collection of holiday movies.   I have many favorites, that we *must* watch every year including . . .

• It's A Wonderful Life
• Miracle on 34th Street, Remake
• Elf
• Christmas Vacation (not appropriate for little ones, but, full of jocularity for adults! *wink*)
• A Christmas Story
• (The) Santa Claus
• Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (I have a thing for clay-mation movies)

What movies are among your family's traditions?

Ugh.

Well, the ice man cameth yesterday.

. . . and pronounced the not-top-of-the-line-but-still-very-expensive refrigerator we bought 6 years ago for this house *dead*.

The cost of repairing the compressor and other necessary parts would be nearly the cost of replacing it with a brand new refrigerator.

Needless to say, this was not what I wanted to hear, since just prior to it going to the great appliance graveyard in the sky (next to my beloved Speed Queen washer & dryer which departed us in early September, may they rest in peace), I had decided to host Thanksgiving dinner for both my family and my husband's.

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Needless to say, as I've been dealing with this, I've had zero time to stamp.  Which really makes me vewy vewy grouchy.

So, to happy myself up, I'm going to share with you some very pretty Elzybells eye candy, courtesy of Splitcoast Dirty Girl Alumni Jami Sibley and Linda Duke.  Feast your eyes on these beauties:
 
Juggling Penguin
Elzybells Angel

Little Town of Bethlehem
Merry Christmas Mouse

They make me wanna drop everything else--especially that darn refrigerator sitchiation (argh!)--and run for my Elzybells . . . *grin*

Have a fan-stampulous day!

T'was The Night Before Christmas . . .

Recipe:

• All images by ElzybellsNA
• Card Stock:  Red, black, olive
• Copic Markers in Lt. Olive, Pea Green, Light Rouge, Sand, Blush, Cool Grey No. 1,  Tonal Grey No. 5
• Piped Organdy Ribbon (black) by A Muse
• Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black (heat set)
• Papier Clear Glass Finish by Plaid

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What can I say?  This mouse just CRACKS me!  I'm not even in to mice, but this li'l guy is irresistible!  This was my first bonafide attempt at shading with the grey Copics.  I have a ways to go, but, I'll never learn if I don't practice.

One thing that was very fun to do, was color in the mouse with the Sand marker, and then do the pink of his ears as an after-thought with the Blush marker.  I could never have done this with water-based markers, so I was tickled to death that I didn't have to toss the piece once I realized AFTER I'd colored him in, that I wanted his ears to be tinted! 

Lack of planning (grimace) on my part for this design, ultimately led to having to choose a standard A-2 (4.25 x 5.5") card as the base.  I didn't wanna fuss too much with embellishments, and decided that two bands of knotted ribbon would accent the project perfectly.

The finishing touch?  Papier Clear Glass Finish on the ornament, which *totally* enhances the effect of roundness and reflection!

Anyway, I think it turned out pretty good for a first attempt, and gives the feeling that the mouse is dangling from the tree in the darkness of the house on Christmas Eve--at least, that was the effect I was going for!  LOL!

Along with that sense of progress, I'm experiencing progress on learning the software for My Creative Classroom.  I swear, when it comes to things computer and technical, I often feel like I'm dumber than a box of rocks!  It's slow-going for a chick like me, but, I finally had some major mental light-bulbs last night, and I'm feeling very good, and thankful now, that I didn't give up when I reached an all-time low in self-motivation.

I'm off The Rock for the day, and that is a goodly thing I expect I will enjoy on this grey day! *chuckle*  Have a good one!

October COW!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Recipe and Instructions:
Download oct52007.pdf

Well, it's been a good week and a sucky week.

All in all, I have a great deal to be thankful for, and I'm thankful that this design was selected back in October for one of A Muse's COTWs.

I call it a COW, of course, because that is funner (and, yes, I know "funner" is not a proper word, but, I really don't care;  I likes it, so I'm usin' it!).

It's hard to tell in the photo, but she was colored with Copics, and IRL you can actually see the shadowing done along the left hand side of her, with the Cool Grey No. 1.  She herself was colored with Skin White, which is probably my personal favorite for flesh tones.  Blush, which is a soft pink, makes good, well, blush!  On the cheeks!  LOL!  I always hafta blush the cheeks--I guess I want everybody to look healthy!  *chuckle*

At any rate, this was from a DT assignment that I had forgotten to film, and had no record of . . . until it was chosen as COW!  Yea!  So, now I have a record--I always like to have a record of everything I make because it gives me a sense of progress and accomplishment.

Now, I gotta stop here, and tell ya':  You *must* check out Nicole's HILARIOUS take on this concept, using Super Hero.  Trust me!  You will bust!  I was absolutely HOWLING!!!  LOVE IT!!!  Genius girl, that Nicole!

I received my holiday projects back that were published in Paper Crafts' Holiday Cards Special Issue, and in the box was some fun swag!!!  (Swag = complimentary goodies, like pretty Asian Paper from Stemma, Maya Road Felt Embellishments, and a clear monogram "E" stamp from KI Memories--I wonder if that was intentional?  Very kind!)

So, what could possibly be bad news?  Well, my refrigerator is on the fritz for the last 2 days now--the freezer specifically--a repair man won't be here until next Wednesday.  This is *not* good.  After replacing the washer and dryer in early September, I thought major appliances were no longer an issue for another few years, at least.  Evidently not.  Most inconvenient . . . in-opportune (is that a word???) . . . and prolly most expensive. 

Again.  (BTW, the smileys I use are from Millan.  Camilla makes the most awesome smileys ever, and I am a paying subscriber to Millan Extra, so I can use the *entire* collection! They are ROCKIN'!!!)

At any rate, that's the sucky part of the week.  The rest is goodly. (again, so *not* a word, but, I care not!)

I had to set my MCC/Online Teaching training aside and hunker down during that recent busy spell I had, and, over the last few weeks, as I tried to juggle work and catch up with my fellow instructors, I had very nearly decided I just couldn't hack it/would never grasp it, and it was time to say, "Uncle", much as I didn't want to.

But, then, I went and saw their finished classrooms (as I said, they have forged on ahead).  WOW!  These amazing women have inspired me to put my game face back on.  I may not get to where they are until the Spring, but, I have to believe I *will* get there.

Have you ever been interested in e-learning?  Ever wished you could take a crafting class, on your schedule, from the comfort of your home?  I think the possibilities for e-learning are so exciting with all the technology we now have available to us!

There are some very talented instructors offering some pretty cool classes, and more to come.  You can subscribe to the My Creative Classroom E-newsletter, too, so you will be in the know on what's coming, and when, etc.  Definitely worth checking out!

Have a fabulous weekend!

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If you are interested, Grandma Lise posted a very insightful comment regarding the differences in ADD and depression, please click on this link HERE, to that day's post, and just look for her comment.  Thank you, Grandma Lise!  I truly appreciated you sharing that information, and hope it helps others, too.

Mr. Yuk and the Pumpkin Patch . . .

We went to the Pumpkin Patch last Sunday; better late than never, right?!  Recent frosts and the lateness of the season meant we *really* had to search for good pumpkins that were not already goin' bad . . . The kids and Dave tease me mercilessly about "coming out of my bubble" . . . I'm not an outdoor kinda gal . . . (gee, could the fact that I love NOT camping be a clue?  *snort*)

But, hey--I pushed the wheelbarrow around in the muddy patch, so they wouldn't hafta cart the darn things in their arms!  My kids always want the biggest and heaviest pumpkins they can find . . . Dave always wants an unusually shaped one, or one that has "good face" (at least one side that you can carve a decent face out of).

Dave's birthday is Halloween, so it's a pretty festive time for our family--altho, frankly, his special day is always spent taking the kids trick or treatin' . . . this year, however, Taylor has decided he'd rather dress up as the Grim Reaper, pose as a statue out near the front walkway, and jump out to trick the treatsters as they head for the front door.  I hope we don't have any senior citizens stop by this year--yes, we have had some in the past; I wouldn't want them to suffer a heart attack from Taylor's evil master haunting plan . . .

On the way home, we stopped at WalMart, to re-stock the Halloween candy, which we'd previously purchased, but already eaten . . .   And, on display there, they had a Mr. Yuk Jack O' Lantern!  It just cracked us up, and later on at home, Taylor had to make his own:

ROTFLMBO!!!!!!
I best get busy . . . I'm in charge of brewin' up cupcakes for tomorrow's Costume Party at school . . . oh, and birthday cake for that spooky guy I love so much!  *chuckle* 

--P.S.  To those that asked about the SPAM:  Yes, there is a correlation. *chuckle*  I am half Filipino; my mother was born and raised on Kauai, Hawaii.  Interesting enough, she didn't ever make musubis!   She did, however, recently gift me with a musubi mold, so I guess I should learn how, eh?!  My own kids loved the stuff when they first tasted it down in California at my baby sister's house . . . !

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Eeeeek!:

All images, notecard, by A Muse Artstamps
Palette Hybrid Ink in Noir
Copic Orange Marker
Tsukineko Glue Pad
Prisma Glitter, Ultra-fine Multi
Sakura Quickie Glue Pen
Sakura Orange Glaze Pen