TaDa Creative Studios: A Fond Farewell

This is such a hard post to write...after four years with this wonderful company - TaDa Creative Studios, I am stepping down as design team member. The adventures I have had with these ladies - Annette Meklus and Mary Sabo have been AMAZING for the lack of the word. They BELIEVED IN ME 100% and I will ever be SO GRATEFUL to them!!!!!!!!!

It was a hard choice...the DT term was up at the end of this week and I had to reassess. My main job had increased in hours and commitment. Plus a new venture had crossed my path and its unique opportunity was something I could not turn down.

Today is my last post...visit Desk Caddy & Thank You! for details and leave comment. This is what I created with one of my favorite collection, Curly Q Collection!

Desk Caddy by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper: TaDa Creative Studios (Curly Q Collection); Cork Paper and White Brads: Creative Impressions; Ink: Clearsnap (Queue Inks); Rhinestone: Prima; Pins: Maya Road; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-161 Labels One and S4-364 Spiral Blossom Four); Adhesives: ScraPerfect (the Best Glue Ever); Other: Printer Paper

Also I wanted to go back and share with you some of my favorite projects with TaDa Creative Studios...

 

I hope that you all will visit them over on TaDa Creative Studios BLOG and TaDa Creative Studios FACEBOOK (LIKE for more wonderful inspiration :0).

Most of all, THANK YOU TADA CREATIVE STUDIOS, their customers and my fellow DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS for the continued friendship (because I know our paths will cross!) and inspiration!

MargieH...feeling a little sad today

ScrapMart: Journey

I've been dabbling in mixed media with a little bit of FarmHouse Paper Company (Fair Skies Collection) to come up with this...

Journey by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper, Chipboard, Flower and Stickers: FarmHouse Paper Company (Fair Skies Collection); Ink Mists: Tattered Angels (Glimmer Mist: Patina, Midnight Blue & Dragonfly/Chalkboard: Apricot); Texture Paste: Golden (Molding Paste); Stencil: The Crafter's Workshop (Clouds); Paint: Ranger (Blank Canvas/Claudine Hellmuth); Adhesive: ScraPerfect (the Best Glue Ever); Photo Corners: SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L

First I sprayed a combination of Patina, Midnight Blue and Dragonfly Glimmer Mists and a touch of Chalkboard Apricot for the background color. Using the Clouds stencil, I added molding paste and after it dried, I painted it white to highlight the texture more.

Then I spray a ton of Patina Glimmer Mist to make it drip at the bottom - it has a beautiful sheen when dried.

I placed patterned papers, chipboard pieces and layered embellishments all from the Fair Skies Collection to the page...

The last I made the double mat out of some more wonderful Fair Skies papers with a touch of my favorite SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L photo corners in white for my picture of my oldest and my husband riding on the paddle boat - 13 years ago! WOW, time flies! LOL!!

Here's a second look...

 

I loved how this turned out - makes me happy :)
Thanks for visiting!!
MargieH xo

AJVD: Pumpkin Hello!

Two posts in one day is NOT my norm! LOL! But A Jillian Vance Design Sept. Fan Focus Challenge is ending today and I ended up creating two cards last night. FINALLY had some time to finish the last one...

Pumpkin Hello by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: Core'dinations (Black Magic); Patterned Paper: DoodleBug Designs (Haunted Manor Collection); Stamp: AJVD (Quatrefoil Background Set); Ink: Clearsnap (ColorBox Queue) and Ranger (Distress Ink, Black Soot); Glitter: Ranger (Stickles, Orange Peel); Rhinestone: Want2Scrap (Black); Die: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S5-053 Pumpkin Accents and S5-128 Fancy Framed Tags Two); Tool and Adhesives: ScraPerfect (the Embellie Gellie and the Best Glue Ever); Other: Foam Tape

I cut/emboss/stenciled the pumpkin border from Pumpkin Accents die set and cut the two happiest pumpkins for my corner accent. With the Stickles, I added eyes. Inked the edges of my three ribbon tail banners (or are they called fish tail banners?), the Chevron patterned banner was placed with foam tape. Then I placed my sentiment on top. Assemble the rest.

Another one of MOST FAVORITE STAMP SET to date - the Quatrefoil Background Stamp Set! Not only does this have a wonderful background design but she also included some general sentiments...she wastes no space in her stamp sets. LOVE her way of thinking  :) See A Jillian Vance Design web site for more fabulous stamps!

Quatrefoil Background Stamp Set by AJVD

If you haven't seen the other card I submitted for the AJVD September Fan Focus Challenge, visit AJVD: Spidey Hello! post.

Thanks for visiting!!
MargieH

AJVD: Spidey HELLO!

Today is the last day of A Jillian Vance Design (AJVD) September Fan Focus Challenge! The theme is Halloween so this is what I came up with...

Spidey Hello by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: Core'dinations (Black Magic); Patterned Paper: DoodleBug Designs (Haunted Manor Collection); Stamp: AJVD (Mr & Mrs Moustache Set); Embossing Ink: TSUKINEKO (VersaMark); Embossing Powder: Stampendous (Detailed White); Die: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-333 Spider Web); Tool and Adhesives: ScraPerfect (the Perfect Crafting Pouch, the Embellie Gellie and the Best Glue Ever); Other: Googly Eyes, Foam Tape

Using the black cardstock, I was able to make the colorful patterned paper pop. Then I used foam tape to give the spider dimension and add googly eyes for character - lol!! The sentiment was heat in embossed in white and is from AJVD's Mr & Mrs Moustache set ← one of my MOST FAVORITE stamp sets to date!

Mr. & Mrs. Moustache Stamp Set by AJVD

Jillian has a ton of "out of the box" images/sentiments/themes - check it out! Visit A Jillian Vance Design site!!

If I have some time to finish up, I'll try to post another one to share! Off to be driver for the boys' activities...sigh. LOL! ETA: I finished the other card, visit AJVD: Pumpkin Hello! post :0)

Thanks for stopping by!!
MargieH

Core'dinations: David Tutera Celebrate GiveAway!!

To "celebrate" David Tutera™ Celebrate Cardmaking System and Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock® launch (exclusive to JoAnn's Fabrics and Craft Stores®), we are doing a HUGE GIVEAWAY!

Win over US$300 worth of products that include NEW David Tutera Celebrate Cardmaking System, David Tutera Embellish necklace/earring set and a signed copy of David Tutera's Pary Planner book. PLUS an additional 20 winners will receive a $50 Celebrate prize pack!!

To be eligible:

• Click on to David Tutera Celebrate Giveaway (if it doesn't work, copy'n paste: http://pages.exacttarget.com/tutera-optin-core)
• Giveaway deadline is OCTOBER 19th 2012

For inspiration and information about this system, LIKE David Tutera Celebrate FaceBook page!

PLEASE NOTE! IF YOU ARE A HARD CORE CRAFTER (HCC) YOU ARE ALREADY ENTERED TO WIN!!! A HCC member perk…an AUTOMATIC entry to win these awesome giveaways.

Comments on my blog WILL NOT BE ENTERED INTO THE GIVEAWAY...you need to go HERE→ David Tutera Celebrate Giveaway. But I would love to hear from you!! LOL!!

Good luck, everyone!
MargieH

ScrapMart: Spider Web Tee Shirt

When I got Spellbinders™ Spider Web die, I knew exactly what I wanted to do! What do you get when you cut four spider web die cuts? You get a HUGE WEB! LOL!!



Spider Web Tee Shirt by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Die: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-333 Spider Web), Adhesive: ScraPerfect (the Best Glue Ever); Other: Tee Shirt, Glittered Felts and Googly Eyes

I had some glittered black and white felt to create this fun embellishment. Tip: use copy paper between the die and felt to prevent shifting when cutting. Then I used fabric friendly liquid adhesive to place the pieces down. I added googly eyes to make the spider more "approachable" - LOL!!

Check out other fall-related Spellbinders die templates at Scrap-mart.com!

Use Spellbinders die templates in other ways beside paper crafting! Hope this gives you more creative ideas...hmm, maybe I should try clay next... What other materials have you used with your dies?

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

ScraPerfect: BOO! To You!!

Today I shared a BOO! (To You!!) card posted over at ScraPerfect Blog. Had a couple of sheets of Carta Bella's All Hallows Eve Collection so I created a card...

Boo! by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts and Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Carta Bella (All Hallows Eve Collection); Ink: Ranger (Black Soot Distress Ink); Letter Stickers: American Crafts; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-333 Spider Web, S4-330 Nested Tombstones and S4-280 Halloween Fence Scene and Shapes); Adhesive and Tool: ScraPerfect (the Best Glue Ever and the Embellie Gellie); Other: Gooley Eyes, Foam Tape

Visit BOO! (To You!!) post for more details.

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT DAY!!
MargieH

ScrapMart: Happy Birthday Linda!

I am sharing a shaped card created with Spellbinders™ Nestabilities® Card Creator series to celebrate one of my dearest friends' MILESTONE birthday - we've known each other from junior high school days (a LONG time - lol!)! Welcome to "The Club" Linda!!! LOL!

Happy Birthday (Linda) by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper: Teresa Collins (Carolina Breeze Collection); Stamp: JustRite Papercraft (Elegant Charms Set); Ink: Ranger (Distress Ink); Pearl: Want2Scrap (Gun Metal); Spellbinders Paper Art (S5-118 Venetian Accents, S5-108 Vintage Lace Accents, S5-131 A-2 Matting Basics A, S5-132 A-2 Matting Basics B and S5-133 Polk A Dots); Adhesive: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever) and SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Foam Squares)

Her taste is sophisticated so the color combination of yellow and grey came to mind. I hand cut a two-sided banner ribbon for a pop of yellow in the middle. Then I mixed the two Accent and Motif sets as a focal point and to frame the birthday sentiment.

After I decided which patterned paper (that was the hardest part), it took only minutes to make this! Love the Card Creator series - if you are a card maker, these sets should be in your collection (wink, wink!).

What is your favorite color combination? I think this is my newest favorite...next to blue and yellow :)

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH xo 

Core'dinations: Card Design Team Member!!

SO excited and I was dying to share this news with the world! I am on Core'dinations Card Design Team!!! SO thrilled and honored to be working among an UBER TALENTED GROUP! WOOOHOOO~!!

Don't have my blinkie yet so I just "borrowed" the website logo ;0P

I wanted to share a post I did at ScraPerfect (the folks who created that wonderful glue, the Best Glue Ever) with Core'dination cardstock being the foundation of this altered project - Note(s) Book post...

After I embossed and sanded the cardstock - isn't beautiful?! LOL!

Note(s) Book by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: Core'dinations; Patterned Paper: Authentique Paper (Curiosity Collection); Chalkstock and Cord: Canvas Corp.; Ink: Ranger (Distress Ink); Page Turn and Safety Pin: Creative Impression; Epoxy Pennants: Epiphany Crafts; Star Pin: Making Memories; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (LF-161 Grand Labels One ; LF-126 Grand Squares , LF-003 Donna's Alphas and S4-092 Stars Five); Tools and Adhesive: ScraPerfect (The Perfect Cleaning Cloth, The Embellie Gellie and The Best Glue Ever); Other: Chalk, Foam Tape

The step outs are on ScraPerfect Blog - Note(s) Book post. Visit and let me know if this is the way you alter a comp. book.

And since I have these color combination in my altered piece, I think I'll put this one in the Authentique Paper's August Inspiration Color Challenge!

I did one a couple of weeks ago click HERE for Authentique Paper: Aug '12 Color Challenge post to see. Are you interested? The deadline is this Wednesday, Sept. 12 at midnight U.S. PST so you still have time :0) GO FOR IT~!

SO EXCITED!!! Thanks for letting me share! And, as always I APPRECIATE YOU VISITING & COMMENTING on my blog :0)
MargieH xo

ScrapMart: Glittery Treat Bag

Hope you all had a great (U.S.) Labor Day holiday weekend, ours was running around with sport events - hubby had two golf outings and our oldest had a tennis tournament. BUT I did managed to sneak in some crafty time :0)

If you remember, last week I was at the Chicago Scrapbook Expo and it was the first time I played with glitter! LOL! See my ScrapMart: Glitter~! post. Still on that kick, I wanted to share with you an ombre card I did in my demo. It's the blue butterfly card...

I had limited supplies...it was HARD cutting with regular scissors, that tape is STICKY~! So forgive the different width of the glittered areas! LOL!! Here's a close up...

Ombre Butterfly by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Foil Paper, Glitter & Red Tape: American Crafts; Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (LF-127 Grand Scalloped Squares, S5-051 Fanciful Flight) Other: White Cardstock

What is an ombre? It is shading in graduating tones from light to dark of a same color. I created a real quick and easy project using purple. With American Crafts glitter and Spellbinders™ Paper Arts dies, I made this...

Halloween Treat Mini Bag by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Cardstock: Core'dinations; Glitter & Tape: American Crafts; Glitter Glue: Rangers (Orange Peel Stickles); Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-331 Pumpkin Circles, S4-282 Witches Brew ); Adhesives: SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Foam Squares) & ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever); Other: Mini Bag, Treat, Digital Lettering, Sandpaper

I cut the 1" wide This to That red tape from American Crafts into 2½" strips and placed on the front of the mini bag. From the top, I took off the red liner and sprinkled Grape POP! MicroBeads. To make sure it stays on, I pressed it firmly into the tape. Repeated the process on the other two sections, using Grape WOW! Glitter and Grape WOW! (chunky) Glitter, respectively.

Cut/embossed S4-331 Pumpkin Circles die #4 (the smallest being #1) and I sanded the die cut to highlight its embossing before adding Orange Peel Stickles around the inside circle. Let dry. S4-282 Witches Brew witch die cut was sanded to show the green core (LOVE!!) with Core'dinations and added foam squares for dimension.

Put everything together and you got yourself a glitter~y treat bag to giveaway :0) Such FUN! Hope you try the ombre effect in your projects!

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

TaDa Creative Studios: Back To School!

It's Back to School and I created a card/backpack ensemble with TaDa Creative Studios' Yee Haw Collection. Come see my blog post Back To School with all the detailed pictures and other inspiration of the same theme! Here's the picture of the ensemble (the rest are on TaDa's Blog)...

Back To School Ensemble by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Patterned Papers - TaDa Creative Studios (Yee Haw Collection); Stamp: HeartFelt Creations; Ink: Clearsnap (Donna Salazar); Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-231 Labels Seven; S5-082 Nautical Frame andAccents); Adhesive: ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever) & SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Square Foams); Other: Brad, Apple Eyelet and Text Stamp, Hook & Loop Tape

ETA

Back To School pictures (for my mom in Japan who doesn't FaceBook but does surf my blog - lol!!)...お母さん、高校の２０１３年度写真です（写真のところにクリクすると大きく見えますよ）。バスに乗る前に、家の玄関前にて。（貴之・高３＆浩之・高１）

Taka - Senior Year!!

Taka & Hiro being cooperative

"Mom, you are pushing your luck...are we done yet?!"

...and so it begins, another school year. Taka's last high school year (sniff, sniff...)

Dont' forget to visit TaDa's Blog and let them know what you think of the ensemble :0)

Thanks for stopping by!!!
MargieH

ScrapMart: GLITTER~!

Did you know that ScrapMart participates in Scrapbook Expos held around the country?! Well last weekend, they were at the Chicago location (St. Charles IL) and I had fun demonstrating various products - mostly Spellbinders™ Paper Arts die templates and GLITTER!!!!

Spellbinders and Glitter On Parade!

For those who know me, I don't do GLITTER (I'm a Stickle Person)...I WAS a glitter virgin! LOL!! After I played with American Crafts Glitter Collection (they have many kinds of texture: micro beads, ultra fine and chunky glitter, tinsel, etc.), there was no turning back. ScrapMart folks (love them!!) taught me a cool technique that I'd like to share with you.

Round About card by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Stamp: JustRite Papercraft (Lattice Background stamp); Ink: TSUKINEKO (Black VersaInk); Glitter: American Crafts (Black Pop! Micro Beads, White WOW!); Die: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S5-115 Round About); Adhesive: American Crafts (Red Line Tape); Other: White Shimmer Cardstock, Black Shiny Cardstock

See the background on the card front? I first applied thick red lined double sided super strong tape on the entire surface and then spread white glitter on top. I pressed real hard to make sure they all stuck on the tape and tapped the excess off.

Then I STAMPED ON TOP OF THE GLITTER! Love it!! I did the same with the navy card (first picture, next to the Round About card on the left) as a border and then COLORED WITH COPIC MARKER!! How COOL is that?!

I was only going to show a couple of steps. BUT since I'm going through all this, I made another card. A slightly different version. To finish the edges, I covered the edges with narrow red line tape and covered with black micro beads.

Are you familar with Spellbinders Cut·Fold·Tuck dies? If not, watch CutFoldTuck video below...



I used S5-115 Round About set for this card. Since I didn't have shiny two sided black and white paper, I stacked white and black paper together to create a similar look.

Then added Want2Scrap's newest color in their pearl collection - Gun Metal! LOVE!!! This is what I created Round About Two card :0)



Round About Two card by Margie Higuchi
Supplies - Stamp: JustRite Papercraft (Lattice Background stamp); Ink: Ranger (Distress Ink Black Soot); Glitter: American Crafts (Black Pop! Mico Beads, White WOW! Ultra); Pearls: Want2Scrap (Gun Metal); Die: Spellbinders Paper Arts (S5-115 Round About); Adhesive: American Crafts (Double Sided Super Sticky Red Tape - 1" & 1/4"), ScraPerfect (The Best Glue Ever) and SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L (3D Square Foams); Other: White Cardstock, Black Cardstock

How do you like this technique?! Do you use glitter? What other adhesives do you use to keep your glitter in place? I'd like to know!!

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH