Butterfly Effect

As I was playing with My Digital Studio software this week I stumbled across this butterfly image.  It was love at first sight and I quickly decided to create a card using it. If you already have My Digital Studio, the download that includes this image is First Edition Stamp Brush Set (124409) and it is a 3-piece set that matches the First Edition Designer Series Paper.

I paired the butterfly image with two other stamp sets I earned free during the Sale-A-Bration promotion (free gift with each $50 you order). 

As I decided on color combinations for this card, I realized that although I had three of the Pattern Designer Paper Stacks, I didn't have the fourth -- the one with matching patterned paper I needed for this card.  My Digital Studio software to the rescue yet again!  I was able to download the paper stack I needed into My Digital Studio  and within minutes I had my Regal Rose Polka Dot paper from the Pattern Designer Paper Pack printed on a sheet of Whisper White cardstock on my home computer and ready to use on my card. 

This is a hybrid card using both digital images and rubber stamp images.  I made two versions of this card, each using a sentiment from the So Happy for You Sale-A-Bration stamp set.  The other image is from the Bliss Sale-A-Bration set.  Reminder:  Free Sale-A Bration Sets can only be earned until March 31. 

Here's what I used:
Stamps:   So Happy for You Sale-A Bration set, Bliss Sale-A-Bration Set, First Edition Stamp Brush Set (Digital Image)
Paper:  Pretty in Pink cardstock, Basic Gray Card Stock, Regal Rose Polka Dots from Brights Collection, Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack (117155), although I used the digital image.
Ink:  Basic Gray
Accessories:  5/8" Basic Gray Satin Ribbon, Vintage Flowers Adornments Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals

Designer Series Paper Patterns Stacks are available to match the Stampin' Up! pallet of colors and original images.  Designer Series paper makes it easy to create a card or scrapbook page with coordinating background paper, card stock and stamped images.  Each Patterned stack includes 40 sheets (4 each of 2 double-sided designs in 10 colors)  Check out the Brights Collection here:  http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=117155

If you're interested in Digital scrapbooking software, a great way to get started is by becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  When you purchase your Starter Kit, one of the two options is the $175 Digital Starter Kit which includes over $320 worth of stamping and business supplies, including the all-new My Digital Studio software. 

Plus, during Sale-A-Bration -- January 25-March 31-- you'll get 15 percent off the Starter Kit (traditional or Digital), which means you'll get over $310 of high - quality Stampin' Up products for just $148.75!  In addition, you'll get a special Bonus Bundle that includes up to $50 of additional Stampin' Up! products including:

• Color Coach
• Simply Sent Something Special (or any Simply Sent kit)
• Live, Laugh, Love Set (or any Simply Sent stamp set)
• Full Heart Punch (or any punch valued at 16.95 or less)

Learn more about becoming a demonstrator and customizing your Starter Kit with stamps and colors you want.  It can all be done on line in minutes.

Or, order the My Digital Studio Software and get started creating digital project today.  If you've ever been reluctant to get deeply involved in digital paper crafts, stamping or scrapbooking because of limited storage space of costs.  Digital Scrpbooking could be the answer you're looking for!

Sale-A Bration Ends March 31. 

See what you'll earn FREE with each $50 purchase.

To order any of the products used in this card or to view other Stampin' Up! products, visit my on-line Stampin' Up! web store.

If you have questions about these projects, please leave a comment below.

Enjoy!

Digitally Inspired Printed Petals

Sometimes you have an idea in your head that you just can't find stamps that fit your card.  I knew what I wanted when I created this card, but I just couldn't find the right size flower stamp among all my flower stamps.  So, I turned to My Digital Studio and resized one of our current flower stamp images to create the size I needed for this card.  I think it worked!



I printed 5 of the flower images in the size I needed for my card onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  While I was in My Digital Studio, I came across this "Easter" sentiment and added that to my page of flowers.  I often print our additional sentiments while I'm setting up a page of images from My Digital Studio.  That way, as I'm working on cards, I can quickly reach for extra sentaments and make two or three cards with different sentiments while I have all my supplies out for the card I'm creating, maximizing my time in my Craft Loft. I added the largest size pearls from the Basic Pearl Pack to the center of each flower.  I thought about using the Vanilla Rosettes (118774) from the Occasions mini catalog (pictured in front of the card), but I liked the simplicity of the card without them.

What I used:

Stamps:  Surprise!  None, but I used images from these stamp sets in My Digital Studio: 

My Digital Studio Images:   Printed Petals (flower), Well Scripted (Easter)

Inks: Always Artichoke, Marina Mist (Used on My Digital Studio Images)

Papers:  Pattern Designer Series Paper Stacks - Regals (117154) Always Artichoke Polka Dots, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage (Occassions Mini Catalog)

Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch (120907), Large Oval Punch (119862), Basic Pearls, 5/8" Marina Mist Satin Ribbon

Click this link to download  a free copy of any of the current Stampin' Up! catalogs.

Order anytime, here:  http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx

Hope you enjoyed this bit of inspiration!

Ending Soon:

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/startyourownbusiness



Creating with My Digital Studio

As I was catching up on Facebook posts by family members, I ran across photos of my grand niece and nephew that were so cute, that instead of working on traditional cards in my craft room, I  fired up My Digital Studio software and quickly put together this page.

I'm about to send my mom a box of magazines, books, and Valentine's Day gifts and I printed an 8-1/2 X 11 copy of this page onto photo paper to include.  I know she will be tickled to receive this.

I started with one of the scrapbook templates available as a download, one of the thousands of digital designs for books, pages, cards and more available on My Digital Studio!  The software has tools for cropping photos and for customizing the colors, embellishments and text in the template I used to start my page.



My Digital Studio software - #118108 - US$79.95


My Digital Studio software is easy-to-use software that lets you use Stampin' Up!'s exclusive artwork, designs and colors to create an assortment of printed, projects on either your home printer or you can have them professionally printed.  Click this link to learn more about this PC and Mac compatible software and rates for professional printing.

Two of the newest downloads include the Valentine Defined Stamp Brush Digital Download and Pretty in Pink Patterns Designer Series Paper.  This is an adorable eight-piece stamp brush set with the perfect mix of Valentine's Day imagery and words to create all your valentine and love projects.  This download also includes a 4-1/4" X 5-1/2 greeting card designer template.  Look for Valentine Defined Digital Download - 124026 and Pretty in Pink Designer Series Paper - Digital Download #124033.



Valentine Defined Stamp Brush Set - Digital Download - #124026



Pretty in Pink Designer Series Digital Downloads -- #124033.  This is available in several additional color as separate downloads.

Hope you enjoyed today's project in My Digital Studio.  Let me know if you have questions.

- Donna

Favorite Projects

At the beginnig of a new year, I like to look back over the past couple of years to see how stamping has changed..., and to take a look at a few favorite projects.  Many of these designer papers are retired, but most of the stamp sets used are still current.  I love "casing" my own card and using them with current designer papers.  Thanks to all the great stampers who share their inspirational ideas! Which project is your favorite?

Project 1



Project 2



Project 3

Project 4



 

Project 5

Project 6

Project 7 - Image piece is from My Digital Studio

Project 8

Project 9

Project 10

Project 11

 

Project 12

Don't be shy.  I love to hear comments about which project caught your attention and why.

Note:  Monday, January 3 - Final Day to place orders from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalog.

I ordered several of the Candy Countdown Calendar Kits - (120926-$19.95). I made one kit as a hanging Advent Calendar.  I used another set as gift card holders for the holidays.  They were the perfect size, and decorated easily.  

Each kit includes 25 boxes.   The boxes are Real Red, and are just the right size for Valentine's Day treats or to hold a gift card.  I can't wait to make up some samples -- but don't wait to order; Jan 3 is the last day these will be available!







Death of a Scrapbook Store

Lonestar Scrapbooking was one of the largest independent stores in the Houston area -- located near the Woodlands community.  A perfect, planned community, filled with families creating happy memories.  A perfect location for a scrapbooking store...or so you would think.  The last time I was there, they had expanded their space to include yet more room for classes and events.  Their bus tours were legendary.  A day full of discount shopping at sister independent scrapbook stores with projects in each store.  A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. 

The first scrapbooking classes I attended were at Lonestar Scrapbooking.  A couple of hours were all it took to complete a wonderful couple of pages.  I signed up for a quite a few classes in my early scrapbooking days -- seven years ago now. 

My workspace was a 4 foot table in the corner of our guest bedroom.  It was fun! But with a heavy work schedule, I found I never had the time to finish all the scrapbook pages I thought of creating.  I bought the papers, embellishments and supplies; but I never quite had the time to finish.  So I soon switched to card making and small paper crafting projects that only took an hour or so to complete.  And although it certainly didn't save my family any money, it was a hobby that helped me make friends outside of work -- something I hadn't had the time to do in the 10 years we lived in Houston.

But why did my favorite scrapbooking store close?  A victim of the 2008-2009 economy?  The opening of a large chain scrapbooking store across town?  A market change to electronic die cutting and printing tools?  On-demand YouTube-based video demonstrations on any stamping or scrapping technique you might want to learn?  Blogs filled with ideas?  Digital Scrapbooking with products like My Digital Studio? Or, perhaps, direct sales scrapbooking and rubber stamping companies like Stampin' Up! who are signing up 10,000 demonstrators a year with a far wider range of coordinated and complimentary products than all but the largest stores can compete with?  Whatever the reason, closing of the landmark Lonestar Scrapbooking store in the Houston area is a sad day. 

How about your area?  Is your favorite independent scrapbooking store doing well and growing?  Or are we seeing a trend?