Christmas Card & Letter - My Digital Studio

Here is our Christmas card and letter for 2010 - aren't they lovely?! I designed & printed them both at home using Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio software!! Way better than than Walgreens or Shutterfly! ;) I had such fun doing these, and both only took a couple of hours to design. Yes - the process could have gone more quickly - for someone else! It's a good thing I like to take my time, because I would even I didn't like to. (hee hee). (Of course, typing the letter took the bigger portion of that time.)

I was able to use the free editing software called GIMP to put two Christmas cards on a page, so I got two cards per piece of 8 1/2 x 11" photo paper. My printer (HP Photosmart 7200 series) did a pretty good job keeping the colors true- Soft Suede and Cherry Cobbler.

If you haven't tried My Digital Studio (MDS) yet - or know you are ready to 'go digital' - contact me to get started or visit my website and check it out online! ENJOY!

Easel Gift Card Revisited

Here is the same Easel Card as this post but in a different set of colors - Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla. I used these for Applebees gift cards for family Christmas gifts yesterday.

I hope you all are having very Merry and Blessed Christmas celebrations! Enjoy these Twelve Days of Christmas!

Easel Gift Card

This is project three of three from my December THO (totally hands on) workshop. Maybe you've been seeing 'easel' cards all over the web like I have? I've been wanting to make one - again, easier than you think just to look at them! But I wanted my easel card to also hold a gift card - so my workshop participants could use this project right away.

The only change I made to the standard easel card directions, is that I cut my base from 12" card stock - so 4 1/4" x 12" - then scored at 5 1/2" and 1". the 1' score becomes your gift card pocket when you fold it up and the edges/corners with Mini Glue Dots folded in half.

This design uses Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White along with several stamp sets: "Christ is Born", "Heard from the Heart" and "All Holidays" - as well as the Scallop Trim Border, Ornament and 2 Step Bird XL Punches; the Big Shot with the Movers and Shapers Holiday Windows. ENJOY!

Top Note Treat Purse

This is project two of three, from my December THO (totally hands on) workshop. Another simple and fun way to dress up a small gift or treat. Using the Big Shot, I die cut the top Notes in Bravo Burgundy, then embossed them with the Vintage Wallpaper folder and finished them off with some Gold Smooch Spritz. They are attached to a simple box pattern with Mini Glue Dots, and then I added a Pear Pizzazz Ribbon for a handle, using Gold Brads.

I chose a sentiment from the "Fundamental Phrases" stamp set that could be used for Christmas or another occasion and layered using four different punches: Decorative Label, Large Oval, Modern Label and Word Window. Punches are so much fun - and layering them makes them SUPER FUN!
ENJOY!

Simple Snowflake Card

This is one of three projects from my December THO (totally hands on) Workshop. It is a simple, quick and lovely card that would make a nice Thank You for Christmas gifts and hospitality - just substitute the 'thank you' sentiment from the "sincere Salutations" stamp set.

This Marina Mist and Whisper White design uses the Snowflake embossing folder in the Big Shot, along with a bit of marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon and some self-adhesive Rhinestones (all current SU products!). Simple and elegant - ENJOY!

Ornament and gift Box

I made these ornaments with gift boxes for our Marriage Encounter Presenting Team Community couples. I LOVE making these glittery ornaments as they are relatively easy to make and are a Wow! when finished. The box is also fairly simple to make.

For the ornament - you use StazOn ink to stamp your image on the clear window sheet or acetate. I have made these in the past using the now retired "Holy Triptych" stamp set and colored in the images using Sharpie markers. Then - coat the entire back of the window sheet circle with Crystal Effects and sprinkle copious amounts of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the entire surface. Tap off the excess, and allow to dry. When dry, punch a 1/16" hole in the top of the window sheet circle and thread through a piece of silver cord (or clear thread or whatever matches your ornament top). Remove the ornament hanger top, use a funnel to add fake snow, glitter, ribbon pieces, etc. to the bottom of the ornament. Roll up the circle, glitter on the inside so it doesn't get scratched when you insert it into the ornament, and insert into the ornament, making sure the cord/thread ends remain outside the ornament. the window sheet circle will automatically unfurl, and the cord/thread allows you to position the circle. Replace the ornament top, sticking the ends of the cord/thread through the top - and tie it off around the ornament hanger loop - this will help keep your stamped image in place. Add bow with Mini Glue Dot if desired.

The Box uses Garden Green, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White - as well as the the "Lovely Letters" stamp set and the Decorative Label and Ornament Punches. ENJOY!

Mr. and Mrs. Best Wishes

This design is newly made just last Friday. Yep - I finally got some stamping time, at home even! :)

The dress and tux appliques were actually favor bags that my aunt saved for me from my cousin's wedding. She thought I could use them on a card if I cut off the tulle pouch on the backs of them. She was right! :)

I wanted this card to be able to be used for anniversary or wedding. so I stamped the "Mr. and Mrs." sentiment from Fundamental Phrases tone on tone on the the now retired Brocade Blue color. And chose "Best wishes" from the Oval All stamp set. A few heart punches and some mini-glue dots to adhere the appliques and VOILA! - easy, fast and cute card. I'm giving this first one to my aunt as a thank you for the idea and the appliques. (She gave me several sets, so I'll be making more of these!) ENJOY!

HouseMouse Cupcake Celebration

This delightful House Mouse image has been sitting on my table, Copic-colored, waiting to be made into a card for several months. I was finally able to complete it - in stages - with the final stage being adding the sentiment and bling (LOVE the new bling SU added to the catty this year - self-adhesive rhinestones and pearls!) I've got a hodgepodge of materials in this design - retired DSP and NEW In Color Concord Crush.

ENJOY!

Just Believe in Bleach - Again

Here's another bleach technique sample. I mentioned in THIS POST how differently the image can turn out with this technique - now you see what I mean! Whereas the other design the bleached image was More Mustard in color - this one is definitely yellow! I contrast the yellow on the Garden Green with Early Espresso and Soft Suede. Then added the Cherry cobbler as an eye-popping splash of color to tone down - just a tad - the brightness of the yellow of the bleached image.

the Top Note die sets off the image, while a piece of retired antique brass Hodgepodge hardware sets off the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. A couple of Cherry Cobbler Brads completes the 'rule of 3' that draws your eye around the card - again, helping to ever-so-slightly dispell the brightness of the yellow. ENJOY!

Just Believe in Bleach

I had some 'extras' - okay, really they were my first attempts working with the bleach to create the card in THIS POST. Are you like me - can't let a piece of card stock go to waste? :) One of he things I like about the bleach technique (i.e. using bleach as your 'ink') is how different the image can turn out - even on the same color card stock. You'll see what I mean in the next post!

In this sample, the bleached image matched More Mustard almost exactly - so that's what I paired the Garden Green with - along with a 'paper' ribbon made with card stock and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, on the right side of the card. I used the same punch, only cut in half, for the confetti Cream scallop border on the left side of the card. I also used the Decorative Label Punch for the sentiment, as well as to add interest as a second border. ENJOY!

Heart to Heart Card Drive & Prize!

I participated in the first Heart to Heart Card Drive in 2008 (see this post), but somehow missed the second one. (More info about the Drive below.) I am pleased to join in again this year. You can read in my post from 2 years ago a bit about my Grandma, who suffers from Alzheimers. Grandma celebrated her 96th Birthday this past Summer. Here is a recent picture of her and my youngest son (her great-grandchild) laughing together. It was a moment of pure joy for them and for us experiencing their laughter. Joshua was smiling at his Great-Grandma and kicking his feet. Grandma thought his little kicky feet were funny and started to laugh. Her laugh made Joshua laugh, which made Great-Grandma laugh even more - and so it went for several minutes.
My card is a CASE from the current SU Idea Book & Catalog, using the stamp set "Just Believe". I think the verse is a beautiful reminder of what Faith truly means. This is the faith our caregivers have when they work day after day with their patients. This is the Faith that upholds the truth that all life is sacred and a gift from God - from womb to tomb. I can't even imagine missing the moment of pure joy, a bit of Heaven for sure! But I would have, had the lives of Grandma and Joshua not been valued and respected, and had my parents not been Grandma's caregiver.

Paper-crafter and stamp designer Carolyn King is once again heading up her Heart to Heart Card Drive. Begun in 2008 in celebration of the life of her grandma, who had Alzheimers - Carolyn wanted to thank the wonderful caregivers of her grandmother, as well as recognize caregivers across the world. In doing so - Carolyn was also able to find HUGE numbers of prize sponsors for her Card Drive. And I DO MEAN HUGE! Check out the link above to see the over $1,000 worth of prizes that ONE extremely lucky person will win this weekend. There's still time to participate - so please go check it out! ENJOY!

Favorite Fall Memory Challenge

This is a design I submitted for a "Favorite Fall Memory Challenge" by GinaK Designs. I love everything about Fall - the colors, the crunching leaves, apples, pumpkins, extra baking, soups and warm breads, chili, cool air and warm sunshine....it is hard to narrow down a favorite memory!

Our small town is known for it's apple orchard - Jonamac Apple Orchard and Corn Maze. Every Fall- the kids and I visit the play area several times, usually meeting other friends there. We enjoy apple doughnuts, apple cider, fresh apples - and of course CARAMEL APPLES! Yum! For this design, I used retired SU! designer series paper Summer Picnic. Then added a glittery apple "core" - isn't it cute?

TIP: I created it using the Round Tab Punch out of Confetti White. Then I punched another one out of Real Red and used my Paper Snips to cut off just the top and bottom edges, and attached them to the Confetti White core. For the seeds, I punched the smallest flower in the Boho Flower Punch, and used my Paper Snips to cut out the seeds.

Trivia Tidbit: Did you know that the number of seeds in an apple core indicates the number of times a bee visited the apple blossom for that apple? We learned that on a homeschool field trip to Royal Oak Apple Orchard!

I chose the verse, "Each of us is God's special work of art." from the retired SU stamp set Words of Wisdom. Fall is a beautiful reminder of the truth of this statement - each apple, pumpkin and colored leaf - no two are ever alike - just like each of us, His human creation!
ENJOY!

Sneak Peek - NEW COLORS!

I'm still hosting Chat & challenges over on SUDSOL (the online community for SU demonstrators), and this week, instead of giving a sketch - I gave 8 tasks or steps that asked participants to gather certain supplies. Once all 8 steps were given, they then had 30 minutes to design a project using only what they had just gathered. My inspiration for the steps came from THIS CARD I had done earlier. I actually got time to play along with my own requirements this go around (it's been a loooong time since I could do that!) I wanted to use the "July Fourth" stamp set currently in the Summer Mini, also available as a digital download! The 'stamping off' technique works wonderfully to create a sky full of fireworks - don't you agree? :)

Notice the colors? The blue is the past In Color Pacific Point - it's back as part of SU!'s Color Renovation of our core color families. The red is a BRAND NEW color - Cherry Cobbler - aslo part of the Color Renovation and the new core color families which will be released July 1st with the NEW CATALOG & IDEA BOOK! If you don't already have a demonstrator, and would like a Stampin' Up! 2010/11 Idea Book & Catalog - contact me or order it via my SU website on July 1st. you'll also be able to view it online via my SU website on July 1st. If you're like me - nothing beats a hard copy of an SU catalog though! :)

This design also uses: "Fundamental Phrases" & "I (Heart) Hearts" stamp sets, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Curly Label Punch, Build-a-Brad, Fire Rhinestone Circle Brads, Eyelet Border Punch & Dimensionals.

Oh yes - and here are the 8 Requirements if you'd like to play along... 3 colors of card stock (one can be DSP), 2 stamp sets, 2 coordinating ink colors (can match if you like), 1 punch shape, 1 border (can be a border punch or anything else), 3 embellishments; 1 popped up item & at least 3 layers (can have more, but not less). It was fun to see all the different card layouts that came out of these 8 requirements. GIVE IT A TRY! Then link your creation back here so we can all see what you came up with.

I'll be using this card as a wedding anniversary card for friends who were married in the beginning of July. ENJOY!

My Digital Studio Wedding Hybrid

Here are my two hybrid wedding cards, which we used this month! I LOVE weddings!! You can see the original digital card in this post.

I printed the cover images on my home printer - they turned out wonderfully! Then I mounted it on Elegant Eggplant card stock, added Certainly Celery 5/8" Satin Ribbon as a strip and as the knot bow. I also added the Rhinestone Brads (circles on one, squares on the other), used my "Define Your Life" stamp set for the sentiment stamped in Elegant Eggplant -layered on Certainly Celery and popped up with Dimensionals.

Inside, you can see I also layered, using either the Scallop Trim Border & Corner Punches or the Eyelet Border Punch. I also used the "Fifth Avenue Floral" stamp set for the lily image here and on the envelope. The verses inside come from a retired SU stamp set.

I received the version of this card I ordered via Stampin' Up!'s Professional Printing Service - and it is lovely! The card stock it is printed on is a very heavy weight. I had it so the insides of the card were both printed in the Elegant Eggplant color - and plan to layer that too, when I use the card. It came with a nice, quality envelope too. For now, I will keep my professionally printed card as a sample to show you all. In the coming months, I hope to complete a photo album and calendar too. ENJOY!

My Digital Studio - Wedding Card

Woohoo! I finished the certification training for Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio (MDS) - the digital paper-crafting software that helps you create photo albums, cards, calendars and so much more!

This gorgeous, watercolor lily image is part of a recently released MDS DSP Digital Download called "Summer Splendor." There are several different floral images in this DSP - all equally lovely. For this design, I used the Crop tool to create the image I wanted.

I utilized Stampin' Up's MDS Professional Printing Services for this wedding card so I can see for myself the quality of the printing. In my experience, SU is awesome when it comes to quality and I look forward to seeing the quality printing they've lined up for us all. And YES cards ordered through the SU Professional Printing service do come with an envelope. :)

I actually ordered the cards without the sentiment, matted layer, ribbons & brads. Why? Because I like to keep the hand made effect in my card projects. So I plan on creating a 'hybrid' card by using my SU supplies at home to add the ribbon, brads & sentiment layer. I will aso add layers & stamping to the inside before writing our message.

I also tried printing this card from my home computer - I have an HP All-in-One Photosmart printer - and was very pleased with the results. I wanted to see how the home printing process would work, and also how the ribbon & brad embellishments looked printed. Again - I was very pleased with the results. ENJOY!

My Digital Studio Baby Inspired Card

Our sweet new son inspired this design created with My Digital Studio. I thought his little onesie was so cute, and he IS one of our handsome little boys! :)

I used Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue & Ballet Blue (textured) card stocks. A little Chocolate Chip Stitching and some Kraft buttons (re-sized to fit my project!) The image comes from the set Nursery Necessities.
I purchased the Textured Card Stock digital download, and everything else comes with the included software.

Cool MDS Tip: For the Bashful Blue Dotted Stripe DSP - I wanted the color a little 'less' so I used the tool for "opacity" and lightened the color a little! So many cool tools to make your projects perfect - including a 'color match' option that allows you to choose a color from anywhere on your project and the program will match it, for example for the text of your journaling. ENJOY!

Card Patterns Sketch #65 & My Digital Studio

I am having such fun playing with Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio (MDS)! I created this design in about 15 minutes using the Card Patterns Sketch #65!

I am really loving the feature of using MDS for conceptualizing or planning out my projects. I can use the digital medium for online use, to send an Ecard or even have the card printed using Stampin Up's Professional Printing services! I can also use what I create to hand make the project - only I don't waste supplies trying to get it just right! I can do that part on MDS in minutes then enjoy the crafting at my stamp table.

Check out My Digital Studio (MDS) and Card Patterns Sketch #65 - please let me know how I may help you with My Digital Studio! ENJOY!

My Digital Studio - Wedding Card

So I've been going through the training for Stampin Up's My Digital Studio (MDS) - a digital paper-crafting software program - and look at some of my first creations! The card on the left is my original design. The card on the right is a "Step It Up" version where I added more embellishments - namely some Vanilla Hodgepodge Brads.

The basic My Digital Studio (MDS) software comes loaded with over 2,000 images including card stock, stamps, DSP, punches and embellishments,even some of the Simply Scrappin' Kits are included! Stampin Up makes new digital downloads available on a regular basis. Digital downloads are available for both Mac and Windows users AND whether you use MDS or not. That's right - you can purchase MDS digital downloads to use with a digital program you may already have.

If you've been considering a digital paper-crafting software program I highly recommend My Digital Studio for it's ease of use and variety of uses. Check it out and let me know what you think and if you have any questions! ENJOY!

It's A Boy! Birth Announcement

I've been waiting to post this - cuz some of you would be on my snail mail list, and I didn't want you to see it before it arrived in your mail; box! :) This is the birth announcement I did for our newest, sweet family addition - Baby Joshua. He is totally sweet, warm, soft, cuddly and just plain YUMMY! :)

I have a little secret too - I came up with the idea for this design using Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio (MDS)! I had just loaded it onto my computer, and decided to play around a bit even though I have never used a program like this before. This general sketch was what I came up with - THE FIRST TIME I USED MY DIGITAL STUDIO! Not kidding - and that is how EASY this digital paper-crafting program is to use! I'm currently going through the training/certification process that SU offers it's demonstrators - so I can be equipped to answer YOUR questions about this awesome product.

I am totally impressed with MDS already - and I have only just begun the training. There is so much you can do with this program - scrapbooks, cards, calendars, flyers, blog headers/banners, signature lines, etc.

This design is all SU except for the Nestabilities I used for the sentiment and wording. My favorite part is the Texturz Plate used to create the 'background' paper in Almost Amethyst. ENJOY!

Baptism/First Holy Communion Invitation

This is the invitation I made for our daughter's First Holy Communion and our newest son's Baptism. We were blessed to have both Sacraments celebrated together at Mass a couple Sundays ago. I used a 5" x 7" Very Vanilla bottom layer, then a 4 1/4' x 5 1/2" Whisper White layer printed on our computer. Then topped it with an overlay of Vellum card stock that was heat embossed with Ranger Embossing Pearl in Pale Gold using PaperTrey images. The final embellishment was done with the SU Double Circle Punch and Gold Narrow Organdy Ribbon (retired SU). All cardstocks are SU. ENJOY!

Cinema Saturday Challenge #74 - "UP!"

I am so excited to *finally* be playing along with the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge again! We're still waiting on Baby to arrive - and I took a break from birth announcement preparation to play along with the movie "UP!" - with the required challenge element of using balloons in your design. (Who knows when I'll be able to play along again - so I am grateful for the opportunity this time!)

Our whole family loved this movie - "SQUIRREL!"

"Who wants the BALL!" heehee

One of the themes I was most impressed with was the positive light marriage was shown in. The belief in each others dreams, the creation of new dreams together and the sacrifice of one's personal dreams for the better dream of the marriage. I know this wasn't meant as a major theme in this movie - but it jumped out at me right away. So refreshing for a movie to support the value of marriage rather than tear it down.

So I have had this Elzybells image called "Up and away" colored for a couple of months now - just waiting to be created into a card. It is colored with Copic Markers. The sentiment comes from the retired SU! set "Happy Harmony". Also used were my SU! Big Shot, Texturz Folder for the dry embossed polka dot background and Oval regular and petite scallop Nestabilites. A little Glue Pen and SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter to highlight the border between the SU! Elegant Eggplant & Yo Yo Yellow layers as well as the petite scallop oval - and some Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon to finish it off. ENJOY!