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