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!