My SUPER GIFTED 5 year old =)

Those of you who know me well - must have laughed at the title I am using for my post.  Those of you who don't - I will explain.

I am a firm believer that all kids are gifted in some way.  I am not a huge supporter of the gifted testing, labeling, and classes that go on in our local schools (as you will definitely know by the end of this post).  Some reading this may say, "She is just jealous that her kids didn't qualify!"  Maybe that is a bit true.....nah! 

I never had my first child tested and last year allowed my second to be tested.  He didn't qualify.  When those scores came back I was like "What!?!?!?"  Those of you who know Jack must see what I see - he is strange, unique, super smart, and a way outside of the box thinker.  If that doesn't spell out gifted - what does?

Now Jack has entered third grade and aces everything that is put in front of him.  He has "gifted" students in his class that ask him to do their math for them.  Really???

Now maybe you see my side a little bit clearer after that example...maybe??  All kids are gifted in my eyes.  So, putting a label on them, giving them extra work, and making them leave their class to go to another room for the "Smart" kids only - is not going to make a kid any better than my child.  PERIOD.

I am going to get to my point about my title....but first another tangent:

• My daughter Emma who is 11 and in sixth grade may not get all A's (not that she isn't capable), but put her in a pool or on a stage and that is where she will shine.  Just don't ask her to spell or multiply while doing it.
• My son Jack who is nine and in the third grade may not be able to tie his shoes as well as everyone else, but he is one of the best mathematicians and artists I know.  Also watch out for him in the middle lanes of the pool as well.
• My next daughter Clare who is 6 and in the first grade may not be able to add without counting on her fingers, but give her a book and she can read almost anything.

Now back to the title.....My littlest, Joseph, is in preschool.  I had a conference with his teacher about how he is doing and his readiness for Kindergarten.  Both teachers on two separate days said to me how super smart he is, that he should be in Kindergarten now, and that they think he may be gifted!  Ladies - he is five!  I was so happy for him, but does that mean I will make sure he is tested next year so that he can get all that extra work and "recognition"....NO!

Joseph is a tolerant and amazing boy who will learn more from being around his peers that are all at varying levels than with a group of kids who are all "gifted".  We don't go through life with only "gifted" people around us all day long.  So I will clink my glass in honor of my "smart" and "gifted" kids (all four of them in my eyes) and then send them off to their traditional classrooms.  He and his siblings will be better off for it in the long run...trust me!

My opinion,
Marianne

 It is that time of year again and I can't believe it! 

It has been a long time since I blogged, and it is time to get on board again!  There are too many things that go on in my life to be absent in the blogging world.  These four children that I "cooked" for just about four  years of my life are absolutely amazing.  They may have caused love handles, stress, anxiety, and chaos to enter my life....but I would not be truly me without them.

To add to the insanity - if you know me, you know that I am not truly happy unless I am teaching and playing basketball.  I have gotten back into teaching.  They are not the third and fifth graders I am used to...but they are still very impressionable.  They  are three and four year olds.  Can you believe it???  I live it at home - why not use my knowledge and teach them?? 

Now I need to find how to add basketball into my life.  Jack is paying in a 3/4 grade YMCA team...that might be where I need to be.  Why not coach instead of play?

I am back and I can not wait to share something in the life of ME each day.

Marianne

Snow Much Fun

I live in Phoenix, Arizona and I am addicted to the warm weather!

There, I admitted it!  Today, January 8th, it will be 70 degrees.  I am in heaven.

With that said, in my eyes there is nothing wrong with a quick visit to WINTER.  After Christmas this year, we headed to Indiana.  It was a balmy 40 degrees most of the trip, but we did get one day where there was a dusting of snow.  It was beautiful and enjoyed by mt little men:

I have to give props to TaDa Creative Studios for amazing papers from their Frozen Tozen line that made this layout POP!  The colors of this collection are sublime and so great to work with.  In case you are just as in love with the papers as I am, here is what I used in my layout:

• I roughed up the solid side of the Mosty Toasty paper - heavily on the left side where I was going to highlight it.
• The reverse of the Mosty Toasty paper has fun lines that I used as part of my border on the left.
• I used som ribbons I got at Hobby Lobby to accent the border and then went crazy with my circle punch on a variety of the Frozen Tozen papers.  I was sure to capture the adorable bird on his skis in one circle.
• Next I edged the solid blue side of the Snow Plow paper for the big square.
• I backed my pictures with a roughed Tree Farm paper.
• Using my Cricut, I cut out the letters in the Mosty Toasty and Snippets background.
• I love using portions of the Snippets to accent things - check out the border around my tag at the top, the box around my "L" at the bottom, and the snow hill broder around the bottom picture.
• Never forget to use the stickers from the collections.  I used one in the middle of my "o" in "Snow" and in the center of my hand-cut snowflake.

Here are some closer views of my favorite parts of this layout:

Love, love, love how the birds on the sled turned out to accent the bottom picture!

L for LUKEN to brighten a spot on the corner

The highlight - making my own snowflake!

SNeak a Peek at this....

They're here!  They're here!

TaDa Creative Studios

New Paper Release!

Catch them at CHA Chicago

  Booth 1315

Or check out the blog every week for ideas and more peeks!

ust Chillin’ is a teen based collection that works for any boy, from hard core to preppy. But it also has some elements and patterns for the Dudettes in your life. Your text crazed teenagers will love this collection. It has all the trendy elements that just scream 2011 teenager!

Looking for a collection to capture all of those great winter activities, that’s not Christmas themed? Drum roll please…introducing Frozen Tozen! This collection is perfect for for scrapping those sledding, ice skating and ski trip memories. If you and your family love the outdoors in the winter time, this collection is for you!

This collection is all about those BFs! Have you ever looked for the perfect collection to share your favorite memories of your BFF? Well, this is the collection for you! It’s bright, it’s fun, and it’s all for “the girls” in your life. We hope you like what you see!

Sneak Peeks and More!

Guess What? 

TaDa Creative Studio's sneak peeks are available to view tomorrow!  Be sure to check back and see what all of the excitement is about.  Head to the blog via this link:  TaDa Blog.

Until then - enjoy this layout I made for the TaDa Facebook page.  Then head on over to become a fan!

I used the FESTIVUS paper line titled - Star Spangled Banner along with a layered paper, pockets,  and a stampede from that collection. 

Here is a close-up of the pocket.

Here is a close up of the stampede and a bit of the layers.

Chance for free stuff....sign me up!

Did I say FREE scrapbooking  stuff?

Just become a Facebook Fan...

We can never have enough!

Creating Keepsakes reached 40,00 fans on Facebook.  In order to celebrate, they will be giving away a ton of goodies!  Some of those goodies are the from the fabulous TADA CREATIVE STUDIOS lines.

So...what do you do you might ask?  It is simple:

• Go to the Creating Keepsakes Facebook page (be sure to be their fan if you are not already) and check for their details (http://www.facebook.com/CreatingKeepsakes) 
• Then (most importantly) become a fan of TaDa on our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/TaDa-Creative-Studios/314011578631?ref=mf)
• Once a fan - give me some "credit" with a "love-line" wall post.  An example might be as simple as "Marianne sent me!"

Also - just as an FYI - CHA is fast approaching, which means…NEW RELEASES ARE ON THE WAY!!!!So be sure to head on over to the TADA blog starting July 1 for some amazing teases - tadacreativestudios.wordpress.com

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In case you are lazy like me, here is the "down-low" on the Creating Keepsakes special day:

 

Creating Keepsakes magazine has reached 40K fans on Facebook!! To celebrate, we're throwing a day-long party here on Facebook June 23!

Party Line-Up (all U.S. Mountain Daylight time zone). If you need help converting these times to your time zone, a time zone converter can help!
9:00 MDT Party Kickoff; announcement of 40 winners of free 1-year subscriptions to Creating Keepsakes magazine
10:00 MDT Chat with Dream Team member Kim Watson
11:00 MDT Scrap challenge from Dream Team member Maggie Holmes
1:00 MDT Scrap challenge from Dream Team member Laura Vegas
2:30 MDT Chat with Dream Team member Suzy Plantamura
3:30 MDT Scrap challenge from Dream Team member Susan Weinroth
5:00 MDT Chat with creative editor Megan Hoeppner
6:00 MDT Challenge grand prize winners announced; party closes

I have met Punky Sprouts!!!!

Welcome to Day 10 of the 

TaDa & Punky Sprouts Blog Hop!

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Rules for a chance to win FREE products:

• Each day go to the following 2 blogs: 
• http://tadacreativestudios.wordpress.com/
• http://getpunkysprouts.blogspot.com/
• Post comments to show your participation. Punky Sprout mini books, created with TaDa product, will be posted daily. Additional links to DT member blogs will contain tutorials of the projects. 
• At the end of the 12 day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog 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! 
• 3 winners will be picked!

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Sometimes mini albums can be so daunting or intimidating.  I struggle with what subject I should use or topic I should tackle.  Then once I decide I ask myself if I should give it away as a gift.  Usually I don't since I am a hoarder and I have trouble parting with my works of art.  Any which way - when Annette and Mary from TaDa introduced me to these amazingly sweet albums from Punky Sprouts I knew all of my worries about mini albums were just over!

For my take on this challenge, the Punky Sprout album (Sweetie Sprout) I received inspired me to create with the TaDa paper line called Whirly Gig.

On this cover, which happens to be acrylic, I decided to use the Ooh La La Layers paper in Moscow Motif to create a see-through line to the next page.  Adding a bit of bling and a chipboard heart helped spice up the cover.  I covered the chipboard heart on both sides with one of the Whirly Gig papers and added a Tag-a-Ma-Jig to date the album.  What you can see through the acrylic is the next page which happens to be canvas.....

Choosing the theme was difficult, but I went with the drive and inspiration my kids have had this year.  As a family, we believe in setting goals and dreaming of what can truly happen in our lives.  So I  thought that this album might remind them each day of the goals they have set for the year.  First I used a spray mist (Shimmerz Vibz in Hot Fudge) to visually texturize the canvas.  I used a Tag-a-Ma-Jig and some coordinating ribbon to cover the cardboard border on the canvas.  Then I added embellishments and a title backed with Whirly Gig paper and some bling and ribbon.  I also sewed on some buttons through the canvas as a border.

Moving on the the first double spread pages of the book.....The left side is on the reverse of the canvas that is also misted and the right side is on the first chipboard page.  On the left I used burlap to back Emma's photo of which I stitched it to the burlap.  Using Pocket Notes and Tag-a-Ma-Jigs I journaled, titled, and accented the page.  On the right, I covered the chipboard with Whirly Gig paper and again backed Jack's picture in burlap and used Pocket Notes and Tag-a-Ma-Jigs to journal, title, and accent the page

Moving on the the second double spread pages of the book.....The left side is on the reverse of the previous chipboard and the right side is on the next canvas page (misted less heavily with the same Shimmerz Vibez in Hot Fudge).  On both sides I used the same technique as the above spread using Tag-a-Ma-Jigs and Pocket Notes to journal, title, and accent the spread.  Never forget your bling either!

Ont the reverse of the above canvas that is also misted with Shimmerz, I placed a group photo along with bling and accents from the Whirly Gig collection.  The last page is acrylic, so I double sided a sticker journaling box and added bling to spice it up.

The back of the acrylic page has the reverse paper image from the above page.  I added a smaller chipboard heart covered in Whirly Gig paper and a journaled tag.  Lastly I bound the journal with three binder rings and tied coordinating ribbon through them to add some flair. 

Dynamic Duo

Don’t miss out on this awe inspiring blog hop!

TaDa Creative Studios’ and Punky Sprouts’ design teams have paired up to bring you this Mini-book Bonanza. Stop by either blog (TaDa Creative Studios or Punky Sprouts) each day for new inspiration.

The hop will run from May 16th thru the 27th.


Rules for a chance to win FREE products:

• Each day go to the following 2 blogs: 
• http://tadacreativestudios.wordpress.com/
• http://getpunkysprouts.blogspot.com/
• Post comments to show your participation. Punky Sprout mini books, created with TaDa product, will be posted daily. Additional links to DT member blogs will contain tutorials of the projects. 
• At the end of the 12 day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog 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! 
• 3 winners will be picked!

Good luck!
Marianne

Clownin' Around

Do you ever just wish you could be a true kid again - not the "kid-at-heart" - rather truly look at life through three-year-old eyes again?  I have to believe that a three year old does believe the world is tough place.  My baby, who is three, surely does.  He gets everything stolen, he is the brunt of all the stunts, and he always seems to get left behind.  Tough life, huh?

Even though life is tough at age three, I still would love to "look up" at life again rather than "down" at it all the time.  Do you get my drift?

With that all said, I love, love, love my three year old.  Even though I can not literally look through that age eyes again, I can vicariously live through him.  Believe me I do.  Look at him here in action:

Can't you just see the inner devil waiting to jump out at the camera?  He is usually very shy, but when it was just us at the beach in California, nothing could stop him.  The waves were scary, but if you stick to the sand you are all good.  I adore the wisdom of a three year old.  I think that is why I ended up with four children and if they didn't cost so much I may have had a dozen!!!!

Well friends, be sure to check out the snazzy Ta Da Creative Studios paper I used.  This fun "Under the Big Top" Line is so versatile, bright, and F-U-N!!!  Go craft now!

Also - I made it back on the design team for Ta Da!  I am so excited to craft away with their amazing products!  Thanks Mary and Annette for having faith in me.  It means the world to me!

Marianne

What's new and groovy....

Tile, bottle cap, and tray pendants in a variety of themes and styles

Bottle caps with bails, tray pendants, and scrabble tiles with bails

This is a tray with crystal on a ribbon chain

Scrabble tile with crystal on a silver chain

Hair Flower - Fabric burnt at edges with sequins and beaded middle

Clipped Flower - Crochet middles available

Clipped Flowers - Fabric frayed our in petals with a button center

Clipped Flowers - Sequin sewn center

Small, medium and large clipped flowers in all colors and combinations

We are always willing to take orders for pendants and flowers.  Just send one of us an email and we can get you a price quote.  

Currently we are working on wedding and first communion flowers.  Please request a sneak peek if you are interested.

Also - come check us out atour next event.....

YMCA Strong Kid's Women's Outing

April 1st at 6:30

$20 a ticket for a fun night of shopping and BUNCO

 

LUCKY

I count my blessings almost daily.  The thing that comes up tops on my list almost every time is my children!

Check out the Ta Da Creative Studios scrapbook and cardmaking paper and catch up on the latest at - http://tadacreativestudios.wordpress.com

Happy Valentine's Day

Check out more about these Ta-Da Creative Studios samples at their blog http://tadacreativestudios.wordpress.com/.

Ta-Da Blog Hop Starts Today!!!!

The BLOG HOP starts at TaDa Creative Studios’ Blog  -- so head there to begin your hop and to be sure not to miss any designers! Thank you!  Otherwise...

WELCOME from Christy's blog!
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Welcome to TaDa Creative Studios’ 

After The Holiday Blog Hop!

TaDa Creative Studios is excited to sponsor its first blog hop ever! Throughout the Hop, we will be featuring projects from our most recent collections – Jolly Holly Days, Big Top , and Bountiful Blooms. We hope that you enjoy reviewing all the projects just as we enjoyed created them for you!

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My double-layout project uses Jolly Holly Days!  Christmas is so fresh in my mind that I needed to take the time to capture those precious moments that each of my children had.  There was no better way than with this TaDa collection!! 

As many of you, I love to scrapbook!  However, having four children requires me to sort through tons of pictures - all of which are sentimental to me.  Due to the amount of pictures I have, I am always trying to find layouts that can handle multiple pictures as well as some fun and craftiness.  When I looked at this collection (Jolly Holly Days), the stockings truly inspired me.  From this aspect, my design sprung:

I used the "Long Stocking" paper as my beginning guide.  I placed a slice of "Hung with Care" for the opposite side of the stocking (the see-through side, so-to-speak).  From there I matched a solid paper to the red in the "Hung with Care" and started on the other half of the double lay out.  I used the reverse of "Hung with Care" to create a swoop of stockings, adding bling and a title where I could.  I then built a fireplace using "Ginger and Lace" and scraps from my first papers and the "Snippets and Clippets".  So you know - the "Snippets and Clippets" can be cut and sliced to add embellishments throughout any project - as you can see in my layout.  Of course the last thing is to add the perfect pictures and a bit of journaling.....and TA-DA...I have a lovely layout!!!

Here they are up close:

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Now a reminder of the logistics....

Leave a comment on all of the participating blogs (listed below).   Important: On the TaDa Creative Studios’ Blog, please leave a COMMENT to the question "What was your favorite project?"

When:  Saturday, Jan. 15 from 10:00AM U.S. Central Standard Time to Monday, Jan. 17 at 11:59PM U.S. Central Standard Time.
Winners:  Three lucky people will be randomly selected and announced on Wednesday, Jan. 19 - visit TaDa Creative Studios’ Blog for good news!
Prizes:  Three different prizes will be given away – one of each featured collection Jolly Holly Days, Big Top , or Bountiful Blooms.  TaDa Creative Studios reserves the right to choose which collection to send to the winners.

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HOP AWAY In An Orderly Fashion!

TaDa Creative Studios
Margie Higuchi
Nicole Stark
Stacey Hansen
Rita Barakat
Julie Detlef
Christy Davis
Marianne Luken 

Your last hop is back to TaDa Creative Studios’ Blog to leave comment to answer “What project was your favorite?”  

 

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Thanks for visiting, good luck, and please come back from time to time!
Marianne

Ta-Da Blog Hop This Weekend!!!

Did you know that TaDa Creative Studios is holding its first BLOG HOP? 

Come find out this Saturday, January 15th!

Participate for the chance to win one of three collections – Bountiful Blooms, Big Top and Jolly Holly Days.

Stay tuned this Saturday (January 15th) and read the details!

Marianne

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.