ScrapMart: Holiday Tree Card

Hi all! Today's post is all about the holidays! I love this swirly elegant tree from Spellbinders™ Paper Arts. This is one is part of their seasonal holiday collection - S4-339 Holiday Tree!

Swirly Tree Card by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts (Green) & WorldWin Papers (Gold Mirror Paper); Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (Holiday Style Collection); Bling: Want2Scrap; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-339 Holiday Tree, E8-004 Classic Ric Rac, Flower w/ Dots Deco Inserts, & E8-003 Classic Triple Scallop, Edger); Adhesive: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever)

This S4-339 Holiday Tree is one of many seasonal die templates that were introduced last month by Spellbinders. Scrap-mart.com has the seasonal collection available to order! Also they have Sneak Peek: Spellbinders Summer Spectacular! Blog Frenzy products too!! So pre-order those too :0)

These intricate dies will need wax paper between the die and cardstock (or whatever medium) for easier use. This particular one, I pass through Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Die Cutting and Embossing Machine once. Then I rotated my die template and pass through again. After I embossed the die, it turned out PERFECT! Just look at that tree = LOVE! LOL!

Thank you for stopping by and reading my post!
Hope you visit again - be a follower to get updates on my blog :0)
MargieH xo

P.S. If you are at 2012 Summer CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) trade show, visit me at Spellbinders Booth #723

ScrapMart: Hawaii or BUST!!

For ScrapMart today, I am sharing a travel page of our very brief trip to Maui last month. We started at 6:30am at O'Hare Airport (Chicago) to Dallas to Maui by 3pm (HI time/8pm our time!)...felt like we traveled to Japan! LOL!! Used October Afternoon's Boarding Pass Collection to create this...

Hawaii or BUST!! by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper & Cardstock Stickers: October Afternoon (Boarding Pass Collection); Mist Ink: Lindy's Stamp Gang Ink Spray (Starburst Ink Sprays: Tiffany's Blue & Rudolph's Nose Red); Stencil: The Crafter's Workshop (Clouds); Marker: KURETAKE ZIG (Writer); Epoxy Embellishments: Epiphany Crafts (Pennants 25); Button: Maya Road; Twine: Divine Twine; Tape: Advantus (Tim Holtz); Dies: Spellbinders™ Paper Arts (S5-113 Floral Burst & LF-003 Donna's Alphas); Tool: ScraPerfect (The Perfect Crafting Pouch); Adhesives: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever) & SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Foam Squares)

Supplies Available at Scrap-Mart.com:
American Crafts Cardstock
October Afternoon: Boarding Pass Collection
Lindy's Stamp Gang Ink Sprays
The Crafter's Workshop
Spellbinders Paper Arts: S5-113 Floral Burst and LF-003 Donna's Alphas

Have you tried Lindy's Stamp Gang Ink Sprays?! The colors are fabulous! If you click onto my picture, you can see the shimmer of the clouds. First I misted with the stencil and when it was wet, I used the inked stencil like a stamp - no need to waste all that wonderful color! LOL!! I used the Starburst Ink Spray products.

There are three types:

1. Starburst has colored pigmented dye ink base with colored mica;
2. Moon Shadow has walnut ink base with colored mica;
3. Glitz Spritz has a clear base with colored mica).

Fellow DT Member Ly Le demo these sprays at Scrapbook Expo in Anaheim last month and on her ScrapMart: Lindy's Gang Demo and Tutorial post, she explained in detail plus a fabulous tutorial! Go visit - bookmarked for my reference! Thanks, Ly!

Don't forget to sign up for ScrapMart's monthly 40% off coupon which will be emailed to you. Then "LIKE" them on ScrapMart's FaceBook Page to get inspiration, updates and information.

At the airport, while in line for security screening, we had a "celebrity" come through...convicted former IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich was traveling to report to federal prison in Colorado. It was quite a circus with all the news people crowding around to get a good shot/interview. After getting through security, he held a mini meet and greet with travelers before heading to his gate. Our excitement of the morning...I guess.

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

ScrapMart: My Wish

Hello!

Today is my turn to post for ScrapMart :0) As I mentioned in my previous post, CraftFancy: Make'n Take Saturday, I have been creating with my Spellbinders™ Cut•Fold•Tuck die templates and still continuing to create this card...

My Wish by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper: October Afternoon; Stamp: JustRite Stampers (Your Special Day Set & JB-10020 Nested Medallion Label Dies JustRite Stamper Exclusive Dies); Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-114 Spectacular Spin); Ink: Ranger, Pins: Maya Road; Adhesives: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever) and SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Foam Squares); Other; White cardstock, pearls

Note: I cut/embossed two of the same die (S4-114 Spectacular Spin #3 - #1 being the smallest size) and size in two different colors (purple and white). After I folded and tuck, I layered the die cuts one on top of the other and then shifted the top die cut slightly to create a wonderful center piece for this 4¼ x 4¼" card.

I hope you consider these die templates - they ARE easy! The hardest part about this card was putting the pearls on the die cuts! LOL!

Have a great day!
As always, thanks for visiting :0)
MargieH

Scrap-Mart/The Button Farm Club: Mini Album

I'm still on my kick with my kit from The Button Farm Club! LOL!! This time I took what I had left from my Card Folder Ensemble and my 12 x 12" Lunch layout to create the intended project - a mini album.

You Are Sweet by Margie Higuchi
Supplies The Button Farm Club Kit (October Kit);  Mist Ink: Tattered Angels; Stencil: The Crafters Workshop; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (Bitty Blossoms, Spiral Blossoms Three)

I used Designer Angela's tutorial as a guide and did my own version (aka what was leftover! lol!!) of her wonderful project...

Cover Page (with Back Cover) to Page Six (Left to Right)

Page Seven to Page Fourteen (Left to Right)

Can you believe I was able to complete a mini album?! I'm telling you TONS of stuff in The Button Farm Club kits! Don't forget...

The Referral Program at The Button Farm Club!

Did you know that we have a new promotion going on NOW! If you refer a friend, and that friend puts your name in the referral box when they order, you will receive $10 off a kit of your choice!! You do not have to be current members AND there's NO limit to the number of referrals you can cash in on.  For more details, go to The Button Farm Club (www.buttonfarmclub.com) under Our Referral Program!!

Thank you for letting me share all three projects I did with this kit! SO MUCH FUN~!!!
Have a wonderful day!!
MargieH

Scrap-Mart - Valentines Day

Greetings!! I am so excited as it is my FIRST Scrap-Mart post - WOOHOO~! Don't forget to "LIKE" Scrap-Mart FaceBook Page! There will be creative inspiration, advance sales notices, special coupon codes and maybe some prizes...just sayin'...

Today I used Spellbinders™ Presto Punch™ machine and Punch Templates (P3-005 Hearts and P3-001 Circles) with my projects. I used the (October Afternoon's Holiday Style Collection) leftovers from our Holiday Blog Hop last month, to make it Valentine's! LOL!

Valentines Notecards and Tote by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: The Paper Company, Bazzill; Patterned Papers: October Afternoon; Punch: Spellbinders Paper Arts (Spellbinders Presto Punch machine, P3-005 Hearts and P3-001 Circles)

I love how this ensemble turned out. One of the cards (the white one), I used the Spellbinders Presto Punch machine and the P3-005 Hearts to punch out a window. To make its frame, I nested the two largest heart punch templates and punched at the same time.

For those visual type (COUGHmeCOUGH), I have included a Presto Punch Intro video that I'd like to share:



If you can't view from here, visit Presto Punch Intro YouTube page.

All the products featured here are available for purchase at Scrap-Mart! Don't forget to "LIKE" us on Scrap-Mart FaceBook Page!!

Thank you stopping by!
MargieH

2011 Christmas Follow Up!

Hello! I hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays with family and friends...and of course, FOOD!! We had a very quiet Christmas which is how I like it! The advantage of living overseas away from your family (although has its disadvantages) is the lack of hectic traveling back and forth to everyone's home...and making sure you don't leave anyone out.

This year my husband insisted on a Japanese style Christmas. What does that mean? Well, we usually have a Japanese dinner on Christmas Eve (aka NABE) and on Christmas, I cook up a turkey dinner with the works. This year, we celebrated on Christmas Eve with fried chicken (KARAGE chicken), Japanese potato salad and club sandwiches....and of course, the Japanese Christmas Cake with champagne and red wine flowing :0)

That also included party hats and poppers...I got the wrong thing and ended up purchasing party crackers! OOops! Next year, note to self...poppers! The party hats were boring so I had each person make their own using October Afternoon's Holiday Style. LOVED how they turned out :0)

Put it all together and you have a wonderful Christmas celebration!

Thanks for stopping by!!
MargieH

Scrap-Mart 2011 Holiday Blog Hop - Last Day!!

It's the last day of Scrap-Mart 2011 Holiday Blog Hop and I am sad that it's ending. For five days that started on Dec. 5th through the 10th the FUN began each day Scrap-Mart's Blog. You saw projects from our current design team as well as be introduced to next year's designers - hope you enjoyed them. We were joined in the hop by these great manufacturers:

Canvas® Corp

Boss Kut

Heartfelt Creations™

Sizzix®

LaLa Land Crafts

The Rubber Cafe

Want2Scrap™

October Afternoon™

Not only have you seen tons of holiday inspiration, each of these generous manufacturers will have prizes for you along the way.  All you have to do is visit and complete the hop each day from December 5th through the 10th to be eligible to win!!

Scrap-Mart is giving away an autographed TIM HOLTZ Vagabond Die Cutting Machine, Boss Kut Gazelle Digital Die Cutter and a $500 Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Bundle!!!
To be eligible to win of one the three grand prizes, you must LIKE us on Scrap-Mart FaceBook Page and FOLLOW the Scrap-Mart Giveaway LINK. To be eligible to win the Boss Kut Gazelle, you must also LIKE Boss Kut FaceBook Page and comment on Boss Kut Blog each day of the giveaway. GOOD LUCK!!

I created a huge tag of a Christmas tree made out of buttons using October Afternoon Holiday Style Collection and cut/emboss some of Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Die Templates! What do you think? Guess this recipient won't miss his/her gift - LOL!!

Gift Tag by Margie Higuchi
Supplies Patterned Paper, Buttons, Trim and Stickers: October Afternoon (Holiday Style Collection); Bling: Prima; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (LF-246 Grand Labels Eleven, LF-111 Grand Scalloped Ovals, LF-110 Grand Ovals); Adhesive: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever)

Hope you have a great Saturday - off to teach my Merry Mailbox Featuring Spellbinders Paper Arts class at Craft Fancy (Arlington Hts. IL)!!

MargieH

Scrap-Mart 2011 Holiday Blog Hop - Day 5

It's Day 5 of Scrap-Mart's 2011 Holiday Blog Hop. For five days starting on Dec. 5th through the 10th the FUN will begin each day Scrap-Mart's Blog. You will see projects from our current design team as well as be introduced to next year's designers. We will be joined in the hop by these great manufacturers:

Canvas® Corp

Boss Kut

Heartfelt Creations™

Sizzix®

LaLa Land Crafts

The Rubber Cafe

Want2Scrap™

October Afternoon™

Not only will you get tons of holiday inspiration, each of these generous manufacturers will have prizes for you along the way.  All you have to do is visit and complete the hop each day from December 5th through the 10th to be eligible to win!!

Scrap-Mart is giving away an autographed TIM HOLTZ Vagabond Die Cutting Machine, Boss Kut Gazelle Digital Die Cutter and a $500 Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Bundle!!!
To be eligible to win of one the three grand prizes, you must LIKE us on Scrap-Mart FaceBook Page and FOLLOW the Scrap-Mart Giveaway LINK. To be eligible to win the Boss Kut Gazelle, you must also LIKE Boss Kut FaceBook Page and comment on Boss Kut Blog each day of the giveaway. GOOD LUCK!!

And since you are here, I put together another REAL QUICK card inspired by Karen Walker who posted one on Scrap-Mart 2011 Holiday Blog Hop Day 4 (yesterday!) - her last card.

Joy by Margie Higuchi
Supplies Chalkstock, Notecard, Cord, Canvas Mini Star, Cord: Canvas Corp; Sticker: October Afternoon (Holiday Style Collection); Die: Spellbinders™ Paper Arts (S4-287 Fanciful Holiday); Pearl: Prima; Adhesive: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever); Other: Foam

These are the supplies I gathered to put together my card. I wrapped Canvas Corp red cord around the bottom half of the notecard and secured it by double knotting it.

Next, I placed the canvas mini star using ScraPerfect The Best Glue Ever because it is...the best, that is! It adheres to many surfaces and you will see below what other surfaces I used it on.

I cut and embossed the S4-287 Fanciful Holiday deer with chalkstock in my Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Die Cutting Machine - so beautiful! Then I added a red pearl to its nose = PERFECT!

Taking out the Best Glue Ever, I placed two layers of scrap foam from my stash in different areas of the die cut. I realized AFTER taking the picture one piece of foam decided to join another party...it was fixed! LOL!

After placing the die cut on the canvas star, I added October Afternoon's JOY sticker and it's ready for mailing!

Thank you for stopping by and have a great Friday!!
MargieH

Scrap-Mart 2011 Holiday Blog Hop - Day 2

It's Day 2 of Scrap-Mart's 2011 Holiday Blog Hop! For five days starting Dec. 5th (yesterday) through the 10th, the fun will begin each day on Scrap-Mart's Blog. You will see projects from our current design team as well as be introduced to next year's designers. We will be joined in the hop by these great manufacturers:

Canvas® Corp

Boss Kut

Heartfelt Creations™ (Dec 7th only)

Sizzix®

LaLa Land Crafts

The Rubber Cafe

Want2Scrap™

October Afternoon™

Not only will you get tons of holiday inspiration, each of these generous manufacturers will have prizes for you along the way.  All you have to do is visit and complete the hop each day from December 5th through the 10th to be eligible to win!!

Scrap-Mart is giving away an autographed TIM HOLTZ Vagabond Die Cutting Machine, Boss Kut Gazelle Digital Die Cutter and a $500 Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Bundle!!! To be eligible to win of one the three grand prizes, you must LIKE us on Scrap-Mart FaceBook Page and FOLLOW the Scrap-Mart Giveaway LINK. To be eligible to win the Boss Kut Gazelle, you must also LIKE Boss Kut FaceBook Page and comment on Boss Kut Blog each day of the giveaway.

On Day 2 of Scrap-Mart 2011 Holiday Blog Hop, they will feature my projects that I created from October Afternoon. Love the fun patterns and elements from them...so excited to share with you!!

Santa's Mail Box by Margie Higuchi
Featuring October Afternoon's Holiday Style Collection

Gift Bag by Margie Higuchi
Featuring October Afternoon's Holiday Style Collection

For details on how these were created, visit Scrap-Mart 2011 Holiday Blog Hop - Day 2!! Don't forget to enter the contest! Good Luck!

REMINDER: This Saturday, December 10th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Craft Fancy (Arlington Hts., IL) is my Merry Mailbox class!! Hope you can join!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
MargieH