Trying some cards..

I have always wanted to just sit down and  make some cards.  So I did and I only got two done - but I love them.

The new TaDa Creative Studios papers are perfect for card making.  Check out the 12x12 page with 4 mini layouts called Big Top Mini Mes.  Don't you love it?  It is a must for easy peasy card making!

Road Trip

Where did the summer go?  The kids are back in school and I have time to scrapbook and craft again.

My Ta-Da Creative Studios design team deadline is Wednesday.  I am done early....very rare for me.  Of course I need to share it with you....

If you want to make this lay-out, too, here is the how-to:

• Use a neutral background - I used a blue from my Cardstock Stack
• Then I dove into my R&R collection from Ta-Da - it is a must!  First I took the Cabin Fever paper and just cut a winding strip to go along the left edge of the background.
• Then I cut a strip of cars from the Path Finder paper and backed it on some of my other scraps (the Ta-Da papers are double-sided so use them).  I anchored it at the top and added jewels to spice up the wheels.
• Next I used a Snippet & Clippet (also a Ta-Da product that goes along with each design) to title my page.  I had two, so I cut out the sign and adhered it with foam to add dimension.  Also - add sparkle with glitter and glue whenever you can!
• Lastly, before I added pictures and journaling, I took the Scout's Honor paper and cut out some of the backgrounds to use as badges along the border of the background.
• Don't forget that all the papers are double-sided, so do any of your backing with those coordinating papers.  Great trick to keep it all matching!

Happy scrapbooking!

Hoppy Easter in July

LOL - this is where I am in life --- Always behind!

I got to head out scrapbooking last weekend.  I was working on Easter 2009.  I love these pictures.  I got to use the Ta-Da papers called Bunny Hop in the Festivus collection. 

 There is so much you can do with the side I used.  I had trouble deciding.  I dressed it up with some jewels and buttons:

 I also tried bunching my ribbon for the first time.  I love the look.  I dug into my plethora of flowers and made a nice accent for the ribbon.

I have said before how much I love the tag-a-ma-jigs that go along with the Ta-Da papers.  I used a bunny tag to journal on an accordion.  The kids have loved pulling it out to read.

If you are in the Chicago area, check out the Ta-Da booth at CHA.  They are in booth #2035.  Also - here is the link to the sneak peek of their new collection:

http://tadacreativestudios.wordpress.com/

My Ta-Da Blog Debut

I am an official blogger on my first design team.  I am currently just a "topper" which means I only get to post once a quarter.  I had a blast doing it and I hope it goes over well.  Here is my page using TaDa products from the Abode A La Mode line.

THE Communion Banner

Well, as long as I am updating my craftiness, I should include the craft of all crafts.....

Emma's Communion Banner:

So it may not be as crafty as it could have been, but I couldn't outshine everyone there =)

I used a placemat I found on clearance at Kohls.  Then Emma and I ran to the craft store to find things she wanted on her banner.  We made the chalice by cutting out a cardboard template and covering it in fabric she chose.  For the host, we used foam that had a bit of sparkle to it.  When we headed over to the ribbon department, Emma stayed with the gold theme and found the fringe and jeweled ribbon.  The cross, dove, and letter are all iron ons.  The jewels at the tabs are brads from my collection. 

The first thing Emma wanted to know is why all of her siblings' names were on the banner?  Truthfully, I was afraid I would lose the letters if I did not place them on now =)

Sp to please her, we put three things that define her now and the date of her special day.  She chose swim goggles, a swim medal, and a peace sign.

EOY Gifts

I know it has been a long time since my last entry.  I am bombarded with life and time to actually document all of the fun things I craft is at a minimum.

However, I did decide it was important to show all of you my newest idea for End-Of-Year gifts.

I took some big binder clips and used scrapbook paper the same length and width as the clip.  I then use Mod Podge to glue the paper to the surface of the clip.  I chose coordinating ribbon, flower, and jewel to embellish.

Then it was ready for the final touch....a picture or a gift card.

What's Cookin'

It isn't often where you have moments captured on camera that will stay with you for a lifetime.

My good friend works for a division of the Arizona Republic that designs layouts for a magazine that goes out to moms around the country.  She asked us to model for her.  of course I was all in!  It was a blast.  Emma, Jack, and I made cupcakes while the camera captured us.  I had so much fun with them.  It reminded me that it is the simple things in life that make us smile - even the kids.  So get out there and bake with your kids.  Reconnect.  I did and I fell in love with them all over again.

Little Clare

Wow - after the whirlwind of getting those pages together for TaDa, I took a break.

Today I worked on invitations for my daughter's 4th birthday.  I can't get too fancy or the moms will shoot me, but I did my best.

Clare was at my side making sure I did it properly.  She is my feisty opinionated one.  I love her dearly, but satisfying her is an insurmountable task at times.  I can not wait to stuff bunnies and celebrate with her in a few weeks.

Who would have "thunk" it?

Never in a million years would I have thought that I would have a blog outside of my family blog.  Who would want to listen to me? ....not my kids =)

But like the movie "Jule and Julia", I suppose if you write something, they will come......

I consider myself a crafty person.  So I hope, as I go on with this blog, that I will at least entertain and possibly eventually encourage those moms with too many kids running around, that they can be creative too.  Don't we all strive to be ourselves and not just mom?

So, the person that inspired me to hedge forward is  my cousin.  Another VERY creative person and I'd have to say the innovative one.  She and a friend created their own business:  Ta-Da Creative Studios.  Recently she added a FACEBOOK page - (go be her fan) - and I realized that she was seeking Design Team members.  Since I have so much time on my hands, I decided to drop everything and create some pages to compete.

Normally, I am a more efficient scrapper.  This means I slap as many pictures as I can on a page (heck - I have four kids) and embellish where I can.  Don't get me wrong, the pages are cute, too, but not fancy by any means.  However, in the back of my scrapbooking mind, I am VERY capable of producing quality over 'accessorized' pages.  So with this concept in mind I created some pages with her paper and product.....

 

This page turned out to be one of my favorites - and not because Jack is one of my favs (most of the time).  Moms are allowed to have favorites and admitting it is okay, too.  I used Ta-Da's paper from the Whirly Gig line called Kennebunkport.  I also used some of the Tag-A-Ma-Jigs to add embellishment.  Doesn't this page make Jack look like a star? 

This page is also one that made my favorites list.  I remember taking these pictures of Emma, my oldest daughter.  She had lost some key teeth that left one tooth just hanging in the middle like a bullseye.  Being the "Groovy Girl" that she is, she had to pose with attitude and funk.  It made the perfect subject for a page.  I used more Ta-Da paper called Curly Q.  This one might just have to get hung in her room!

One last page I have to share is the one pictured above.  This is the moment that crazy number 4 arrived in our lives.  I was so petrified about what number four would bring, but when the siblings met him, I was instantly at peace.  Can you see the love in Clare's eyes for little Joe?  PRICELESS.  Mary's papers truly make this moment special.  I used the Ta Da line called Daddy-O.

Hopefully this blog will hit the web and someone will want to listen to me.  You never know what will happen in my life.....I can write a book...or in this case a blog =)

Crazy Scrappin' Mom of Four - Marianne