Appreciation...

Is what I feel for our military. Although Memorial Day is to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, I want to also honor those who are with us now. So to those brave men and women in the military and their supportive families, I appreciate and honor you all today.

SPECIAL THANKS goes out to those who helped Japan during those first few weeks of the earthquake/TSUNAMI disaster and even now as they continue the work there.

Thank You by Margie Higuchi
Supplies Spellbinders: LF-001 Creative Book Pages & S4-092 Stars Five; Cardstock: Core'dinations; Patterned Paper: TaDa Creative Studios (Star Spangled Banner Paper, Festivus Collection); Stamp: Lawn Fawn; Ink: Ranger; Adhesive: ScraPerfect (Best Glue Ever); Other: white cardstock

I used Spellbinders Creative Book Pages die template designed by Donna Salazar as the card base. It is a little larger (6 1/8 x 6 1/2") than an A2 card. With the Stars Five, I made a window card and cut/embossed star frames to give the card a little kick. Here's a look at the inside of the card.

A few days ago, I received my designer's kit from ScraPerfect and wanted to use The Best Glue Ever on my card. There are many applications but I started from the beginning. As recommended by the Company, I did the following steps:

When twisting the top off, you will find a seal. Pull the seal off and place the top back on the bottle. Without squeezing the bottle, shake the glue to the tip. You don't need that much glue...I dotted glue on my project. No wrinkles and it dries clear & fast! Next time, I will try and make those HUGE glue rounds :0)

Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful day!!

Scrapbook News & Review Magazine (SNR) - Featured Project!!

Must've missed this since it was crazy busy last week...my little tag that I created for SNR's newsletter "7 Days of Artsy Fun" is featured on SNR's blog! So excited! This what I created...

Happiness Flower Tag by Margie Higuchi
Supplies Cardstock: Core'dinations; Patterned Paper: TaDa Creative Studios; Ink: Ranger, Clearsnap & Stampin' Up; Pen: Stampin' Up; Pearls: Prima; Embossing Folders: Provo Craft; Dies: Spellbinders; Tool: Creative Memories; Other: floral pick, sandpaper and white cardstock

If you would like to see step outs on how this tag was made, it's posted in detail on the Happiness Flower Tag on SNR's blog! I hope it inspires you to create this flower with your own flair and incorporate into your projects!

Thanks, SNR!

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - LAST DAY!!!

Alrighty! This is the LAST DAY for this blog hop and it's triple play :0) I hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed creating and hoping it! Make sure to follow the rules and GOOD LUCK!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Shelly Mitchell and Erica Hettwer
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Lisa Watson

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 11!!!

WOW, tomorrow is the last day for the blog hop and I wonder who the winners will be! Could it be you - well, you won't know unless you play, right! Good Luck!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Members
Christy Davis and Stacey Hansen

NOTE:
Looks like Blogger was at it again.
For a couple of days, it wouldn't let you post. I think it's been corrected so please try again!
We appreciate your time to comment :0)
AND
Life gets in the way sometimes so there may be a delay in posting.
Please keep trying! Thank you!!!

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Hello, ScraPerfect!!

I am so excited to be on ScraPerfect's first Design Team! As a paper crafter, one always need adhesive for a project, right?

ScraPerfect caught my eye because of its unique formula in their "Best Glue Ever." It can be applied to many media such as plastic, metal, wood, fabric and of course, paper. It dries without wrinkling the paper. You can make glue round adhesives. I mean little to HUGE!!! So those round flowers that I always wanted to try, I can!

Another product they offer is the Embellie Gellie product. It's a pick up embellishment wand that you don't have to worry about it melting and being goopy (in warm weather) or cracking (in cold weather). See that pink case? Inside houses the element that make your Embellie Gellie last you a LONG~~ time!

Something I always like to carry in my tote bag is a cleaning cloth. ScraPerfect has a product called "Perfect Cleaning Cloth." This cloth erases finger prints off of photos as well clean eyeglasses, camera lenses and acrylic albums. When it gets soiled, I can throw it in the machine to clean and reuse again.

Lastly, ScraPerfect has a product called the "Perfect Crafting Pouch" which will help with my heat embossing projects and for printing evenly on vellum, ribbon, glossy paper among many more media! This pouch pictured above is the larger size and covers an entire sheet of vellum or paper. There is a smaller one appropriately named "Little Pouch."

In my submission to ScraPerfect, I sent three projects created with different media and showed how well ScraPerfect would fit into my projects. I can only share two as the third project is selected to be featured in a new scrapbook TV show called Scrapbook Soup. I don't have all the information on this new show but once I find out, I'll post about it!

BU (Bradley Univ., IL) Banner by Margie Higuchi
Shows how I use acrylic media - this is one of my products I designed a couple of years ago with LaserLine Cuts (acrylic triangles - Plain Jane by Margie Higuchi)

I am very excited to join ScraPerfect's Design Team and look forward to showing everyone how versatile these products can be in your crafting needs!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 10!!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Candice McLean
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Marianne Luken

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 9!!

We're getting closer to some great prizes...three more days left!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Nana Campana
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Peggy Packer

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Spellbinders Summer Surprise Blog Event!!!

Join Spellbinders™ Paper Arts and Crafters Home as they celebrate an exclusive die template release from May 23-27! Ten of Spellbinders’ amazing designers will contribute to the Summer Surprise posts and prizes!

Spellbinders Paper Arts, and participating stores in the Crafters Home Buying Group, are excited to introduce five new die template sets sold exclusively through July!

One lucky winner each day will receive both original projects featured that day (in the Spellbinders Blog), all five of the Summer Surprise die templates shown above, and a copy of Spellbinders' latest book...

Nestabilities®, Basics and Beyond!

The official rules and schedule of designers are posted on the Summer Surprise Announcement. Please read before entering.

Visit Spellbinders Blog for the Summer Surprise Contest!
Good Luck!!!

Spellbinders is a trademark of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc.

Nestabilities is a registered trademark of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc.

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 8!!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Lynn Reaney
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Rita Barakat

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 7!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Carly Gannon
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Jill Sarginson

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 6!!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Kimi Corbin
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Julie Detlef

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 5!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Debbie Sherman
Yesterday's Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Noel Culbertson (please visit her as she couldn't post until late in the day)
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Sandi Johnson

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Happy 2nd Birthday, Waltzingmouse!

In celebrating its second birthday on May 21, Waltzingmouse Stamps and Claire are celebrating with a tea party. She is bringing the buns (aka cupcakes) and we are supposed to bring the tea!

She has a challenge for us. We are to use her FREE tea bag baggie template, tea cup template or piece of cake template (the two latter can be purchased through her) - you don't need to purchase to participate. Check her tea party challenge post to see how much time you have left to create - not much time though. Use any of these templates and decorate it for the tea party. Then go and link it to her tea party challenge post - prizes are involved. If you are a fan of her stamps as I am, you will GO FOR IT!!

This is what I am bringing to the party...

Royal Tea Bag Baggie by Margie Higuchi
Supplies Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps; Ink: Ranger; Patterned Papers: KaiserCraft (Very Vintage Labels No. 3); Ribbon: Creative Impressions; Bling: Prima; Adhesives: GlueArts & Scrapbook Adhesives By 3L; Craft Foil & Dies: Spellbidners Paper Arts

A tea bag baggie fit for a queen! Happy birthday, Waltzingmouse and Claire!! Wishing many, many more years in the crafty world :0)

ScraPerfect Design Team!!

If you are looking for the TaDa Creative Studios' and Punky Sprout's Dynamic Duo Blog Hop, click here to DYNAMIC DUO - thank you!

SO THRILLED that I was selected to be in ScraPerfect's first design team!! Even more excited to see that my friend, Becky Conley, was also selected!! A double bonus indeed!

Introducing the 2011 ScraPerfect Design Team

"I’m very excited to introduce the very first ScraPerfect design team!

Susie Bentz

Robyn Coburn

Becky Conley

Margie Higuchi <-- ME!! WOOHOO!!

Einat Kessler

Michele Lourenco

Deborah Mahnken (DT Coordinator)

Cynthia Renaud

Stacy Rodriguez

Starting on Monday we’ll be introducing each one of these talented women on our blog so you can get to know them. I’m sure you’ll be as inspired by them as we were!

We also want to thank each and every one of your who applied for our design team. We were overwhelmed by the submissions and amazed at all the talent. It was extremely difficult decision to make and we want you to know how much we appreciate your sharing your work with us."

What is ScraPerfect?
It started out of frustration in the inconsistency of printing on vellum back in 2003. Amy Roszak (the owner) found a solution and created ScraPerfect's first product, The Perfect Printing Pouch. Three years later, the product was enhanced thanks to customers' feedback and now expanded to The Strap n Tap and The Little Pouch.

But Amy didn't stop there, she kept developing more helpful products for crafters and released the following:

The Perfect Cleaning Cloth (2008)

The Embellie Gellie (2009)

The Best Glue Ever (2010)

I hope to show you all on how each product works with your (and MY) crafting needs! So be on the lookout! Many thanks to ScraPerfect for the wonderful opportunity and the honor to be part of its first design team :0)

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 4!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Noel Culbertson
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Margie Higuchi (THAT'S ME!!!)

First of all, WELCOME!! Today, I created a mini album from Punky Sprouts' Spunky Sprouts and (mostly) Sizzlin' Summer Collection from TaDa Creative Studios! My theme is "It's A Beautiful Thing..." which is also a sentiment from TaDa Creative Studios' Bountiful Bloom stamp set. I created an album dedicated to my beautiful thing - my family whom I am thankful for!

I loved how this cover turned out! It was a covered corregated page which I exposed by tearing through - it wasn't hard nor did it take too long. What a great look!

Then I cut the Hello Sunshine paper (from TaDa's Sizzlin' Summer Collection) to size. Next, I edged both with white paint.

After determing the placement of each element, I adhered each to the paper and then adhered the embellished page onto the corregated cover.

That's how I created my front cover. Now on to the pages of the mini. For a closer look, please click on the images :0)

Page Two & Three:

I stenciled on page 3. Using the Tea Hee Hee/Star Bursts Oooh La La Layers line, I ink misted on to the canvas. After it dried, I misted two more different colors (drying between colors). Loved how it turned out! I stamped images from the Sizzlin' Summer stamp set and journaled about the pictures.

Page Four & Five:

Page Six & Seven:

Page Eight & Nine:

Page 10 & 11:

Page 12 & 13:

On Page 13, I used one of Punky Sprouts' Lil' Blooms (pre-cut canvas rounds) to create a flower. Then I heat embossed it with pink glittered powder. I used a paper piecer to hold the flower in place so I don't burn myself! LOL!! After placing the flower on to the page, I added a pearl in the middle.

Back Cover:

Hope you enjoyed viewing the mini as much as I enjoyed creating it! If you haven't already done so, please visit the other blogs from the last few days by going to either TaDa's blog or Punky Sprouts' blog for the links. The blog hop will last throught the 27th!

Again, thanks for visiting and Good Luck!

MargieH, TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 3!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Ilene Tell
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Susan Dupre

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - Day 2!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!!
Each day go to the following blogs for new inspiration:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation.

At the end of the 12-day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Lianna Suwandi
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Suzanna Lee

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop - TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts!!!

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop

A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza

May 16th-27th

DETAILS:

Receive a chance to win FREE products!! Each day go to the following blogs:
TaDa Creative Studios
Punky Sprouts
Post comments to show your participation. New inspiration will be posted daily.

At the end of the 12 day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog (TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts) and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! Three (3) winners will be picked!

TODAY'S BLOGS TO VISIT:
Punky Sprouts Design Team Member - Leah Farquharson
TaDa Creative Studios Design Team Member - Terri Davenport

Good luck!
TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Flourishes & Spellbinders Blog Hop - Country Charm

We don’t need to tell you that tags and labels are two of the trendiest items to hit the card making market in a long time! And, to help you add style and pizzazz to your creations, Flourishes has teamed up with Spellbinders™ Paper Arts to make sure you have the perfect set of stamps to match a darling set of tag style dies.

Wonderfully whimsical and reminiscent of Grandma’s calico prints, Flourishes “charming” set offers three labels that coordinate perfectly with Spellbinders S4-322 Grommet Tags. Designed by Becky Fleck, you'll also find six beautiful sentiments and four accent stamps to dress up your labels!

Pair that with Flourishes Country Charm Borders and you have the perfect set to make darling note cards in minutes. Flourishes coordinating Country Charm Borders set features five border strips that match the labels set to a tee. What fun!

Because Flourishes knew this set was PERFECT with Spellbinder's Grommet Tags, both design teams are joining forces for a fun-filled “show and tell” blog hop! This is what I created…

Taking an A2 sized card, I stamped the scalloped border twice with straight edges touching to make a wider border in the middle of the card front.

I stamped the smallest tag image and the “Speak Of Your Gratitude” sentiment onto white cardstock. Using a piece of scrap that was previously cut/embossed the Grommet Tags with, I aligned it over the stamp image. This gives me perfect placement when cutting and embossing. Secure with repositionable tape.

Next, I stamped the narrow border onto pink cardstock and cut with trimmer. Then I cut tails on the ends and gently pleated to form a ribbon.

To assemble the card, I used liquid adhesive for the ribbon to place in the center and foam squares to give the stamped tag dimension.

To give a finished look, I added pearls to each end of the tag before placing on top of the ribbon. Then added three more pearls on the card front for a subtle accent by the border.

Here is a second look…

Speak Of Your Gratitude by Margie Higuchi
Supplies Spellbinders S4-322 Grommet Tags and Grand Calibur™ Die Cutting Machine; Flourishes Country Charm Labels and Country Charm Borders; Cardstock: WorldWin Papers, Core'dinations; Pearls: KasierCraft; Adhesives: Beacon Adhesives, Scrapbook Adhesives BY 3L; Other: pink and green ink

Make sure to hop on over and see....

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Leslie Miller

Stacy Morgan

Heidi Blankenship

Beth Pingry

Margie Higuchi  <-- That’s ME!!

Holly Simoni

AJ Otto

Latisha Yoast

Kazan Clark

Terre Fry

Becca Feeken

Julie Overby

Linda Duke

Sherry Cheever

Christine Emberson

Gloria Stengel

Judy Hayes

Michelle Woerner

Tina McDonald

Tonya Dirk

Windy Robinson

Keep in mind, if you like what you see, both the Country Charms Labels and Country Charms Borders are available at Flourishes.

Your next stop will be my talented friend, Holly Simoni!

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH