My Digital Studio Contest - Scrapbook page 2

** Winners announced here January 4th, 2011! **

Five customers and five demonstrators were chosen as winners of

$400 worth of digital downloads !

Below is the second digitally created scrapbook page that I submitted to the contest Stampin' Up! held in November 2010 for demonstrators and customers alike. We were to enter a single card and two different scrapbook pages, created completely with My Digital Studio.


I don't scrapbook as it is (gasp!) and had used My Digital Studio just a few times when the contest was announced (GASP!!). I thought I'd give this challenge a try, and a challenge it was. Not that the software is all that difficult to use, but it is difficult for me to make up my mind on what I want a finished project to look like ! This is one of the reasons why I like the My Digital Studio software, I can change my mind over and over without wasting real supplies. Plus, once I have a project completed, if I have saved all of the components to the project (not just the final .jpeg file), I can go back in and change it again if I want. For example, at the time I create a project there may not be a particular stamp set, embellishment or designer paper available digitally. If there is a fun new digital image released that I "must have", such as the perfect background paper, I can purchase it for a small fee then go add it to my previously completed project.


Another reason to save your complete files, you may take a better photograph of a particular subject or be given photographs someone else has taken of a particular event that are better than the photos you already digitally scrapped with. With My Digital Studio digital projects, you are able to go back in and change out the photographs, how cool is that ?!

MY SNOWFLAKES

This scrapbook page was really fun - and uses many digital punches to create a snowman, landscape and falling snowflake photo mats !

This was a little tricky to do because I needed to "erase" parts of the snowflake punch that I did not want to use in order to make twig arms for my snowman. I covered up bits of the brown snowflake punch with punches that were filled with coordinating designer background paper. The tricky part was to find the correct punch to cover what needed to be erased then fill it with paper that would line up with the background paper to make it invisible.

I'm not sure, but I may have reduced the opacity on the background paper on this finished project. I know I did as I was creating it, but not sure if I kept it reduced. The snowflake stamps from Snowburst (and another set or two, Winter Post and ....) were reduced in opacity.



SUPPLIES:

MyDigital Studio Software 118108 $79.95
Satin Ribbon 121063 $3.95
Striped Grosgrain Ribbon 122147 $3.95
Button Latte
Various Punches
Snowburst stamp set
Brads
Background papers




For more amazing ideas using My Digital Studio, be sure to check out My Digital Studio online ! There are sure to be hundreds of ideas posted in the next few days now that the contest is officially over and the winners (I am not one of those lucky, super talented few) have been notified.




My Digital Studio 118108
Catalog Price: $79.95

Use the same great artwork, colors, and accessory images found in our current product line to create personalized digital projects. The options are endless: create photo albums, calendars, and greeting cards using My Digital Studio. Once you've created your personalized gift or heirloom, have it printed in our high-quality print facility and delivered to your door or print it at home.
■ Available in English only


Click here for a list of the digital contents that are included with your initial software purchase.


For more information about My Digital Studio, click here. This web page has everything you need to know about the software, additional digital downloads (prices vary), free updates, printing prices and there are video tutorials.


Thank you for looking and commenting =) Happy New Year !



My Digital Studio Contest - Card

** Winners announced here January 4th, 2011! **

Five customers and five demonstrators were chosen as winners of
$400 worth of digital downloads !

Below is the digitally created card that I submitted to the contest Stampin' Up! held in November 2010 for demonstrators and customers alike. We were to enter a single card and two different scrapbook pages, created completely with My Digital Studio.

I don't scrapbook as it is (gasp!) and had used My Digital Studio just a few times when the contest was announced (GASP!!). I thought I'd give this challenge a try, and a challenge it was. Not that the software is all that difficult to use, but it is difficult for me to make up my mind on what I want a finished project to look like ! This is one of the reasons why I like the My Digital Studio software, I can change my mind over and over without wasting real supplies. Plus, once I have a project completed, if I have saved all of the components to the project (not just the final .jpeg file), I can go back in and change it again if I want. For example, at the time I create a project there may not be a particular stamp set, embellishment or designer paper available digitally. If there is a fun new digital image released that I "must have", such as the perfect background paper, I can purchase it for a small fee then go add it to my previously completed project.

Another reason to save your complete files, you may take a better photograph of a particular subject or be given photographs someone else has taken of a particular event that are better than the photos you already digitally scrapped with.  With My Digital Studio digital projects, you are able to go back in and change out the photographs, how cool is that ?!

JOY  CARD

The card was created with the new trifold card. It is part of a free update for owners of My Digital Studio digital crafting software from Stampin' Up!.

I used various elements, most of which were purchased extra. The My Digital Studio software comes with many fantastic images, papers, embellishments, punches, layouts, etc when you initially purchase it. Once you have the software installed, you can purchase additional content, picking which items you would like to add to your software. The prices of the additional content varies.


The greeting at the bottom was "custom" made from one of the stamp images from the Wishes and Greetings digital stamp set. I digitally stamped it on each panel, moving it into position so each line of the three line image lined up to become one long horizontal stamp. To "erase" the portions of the stamp that I didn't want, I used custom sized punches of Very Vanilla card stock to cover them. The resized Very Vanilla punches become invisible on the Very Vanilla background, totally erasing the part of the stamp image that I do not want. I used this technique on all three of my contest entries.
There is a large gap between each portion of the greeting. I did this because it is a trifold card; if I had it printed I didn't want the folds to be on the greeting.

The heart punch was reduced in size then layered over the "O" in Love.

There are so many bits and pieces to this card, I honestly do not remember everything that I used. The following are what I remember; if they are extras that I bought, I'll note the item number and additional cost.



My Digital Studio Software 118108 $79.95

Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla card stock
Designer Paper from the Christmas Cocoa II Digital Kit  120880  $9.95
         and Christmas Jingle Kit
Satin Ribbon   121063  $3.95
Antique Brads 122164   $1.95
Brads
Snowburst, Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Torn Edges, Wishes and Greetings
  digital stamps
Various punches
Staples for "stitching" on the buttons (this is one of those things I wish came with   the initial software purchase: stitching or knotted linen thread to layer on top of the buttons to make them look more finished)
Embellishments from Christmas Jingle digital kit



For more amazing ideas using My Digital Studio, be sure to check out My Digital Studio online ! There are sure to be hundreds of ideas posted in the next few days now that the contest is officially over, winners have been notified.



My Digital Studio 118108
Catalog Price: $79.95

Use the same great artwork, colors, and accessory images found in our current product line to create personalized digital projects. The options are endless: create photo albums, calendars, and greeting cards using My Digital Studio. Once you've created your personalized gift or heirloom, have it printed in our high-quality print facility and delivered to your door or print it at home.

■ Available in English only


Click here for a list of the digital contents that are included with your initial software purchase.

For more information about My Digital Studio, click here. This web page has everything you need to know about the software, additional digital downloads (prices vary), free updates, printing prices and there are video tutorials.



Thank you for looking and commenting  =)  Happy New Year !

Happy New Year 2011 !

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, Crafty New Year !

Image created with My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up!


Come back the next three days to see my entries from the
My Digital Studio Contest
Stampin' Up! recently held for customers and demonstrators.
Winners will be announced on the Stampin' Up! web site January 4th, 2011.
I know that I am not a winner since I did not receive a phone call,
so now I am able to finally share my projects with you !

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

 

Crafting By Candlelight !

The power went off several times last night, starting at 6:15 in the evening. Dark enough to not be able to see, early enough to not want to go to sleep. I would no sooner get things reset and it would go off again. It's not like I was going to use the computer or TV or anything like that, I was simply going to work in the craft dungeon while listening to the radio. I had given up on that idea and decided I'd to catch up on some reading when an idea hit : why not strap a lightweight flashlight onto my desk lamp and try to finish one project ? I decided I could at least glitter some snowflake die cuts for a project I was working on. Surely that could be accomplished in low light !




So by candlelight and flashlight I glittered the snowflakes and faux shimmer brads. 8:41 PM the power was back on for good, hooray !



HAPPY NEW YEAR !

White Christmas - My Digital Studio scrapbook pages

I created these quick 12 x 12 scrapbook pages with

My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up!    

My Digital Studio Supplies:

Whisper White, Old Olive and Real Red card stock

Snowflake punch

Silver Hodge Podge Hardware

Old Olive satin ribbon was an extra that I purchased. It comes with straight pieces of ribbon, a knot and a bow in several colors    item #121063     $3.95

The snowflakes are a sort of a stenciled look.  I was playing around with the software and decided I liked this look, which is really easy to do.

You simply add punches in the same color as your background card stock color then add a drop shadow. In this case, after much playing around, I decided to use 100% opacity and Medium blur with a Going Gray drop shadow. I also moved the shadow to be centered over the punch. Change the opacity to make it much lighter and the effect is almost like a dry embossed image. You can also change the colors of your drop shadow for interesting effects ! At one point I had Real Red drop shadows which looked nice, but I decided it was too much for this project.

The snowflake punch is one size, but it can easily be resized and turned.

Be sure to come back in a few days - I have three more My Digital Studio projects that I submitted to a contest I have been anxious to share with you. I never received a call to let me know that I won, so I can now share them with you. The winners of the contest will be announced on the Stampin' Up! web site January 4th. I can not wait to see all of the awesome entries customers and demonstrators submitted to this contest back in November ! I am hoping that their projects will inspire me to scrapbook more, putting the My Digital Studio program to more use.


Thanks for looking =)

Ornaments Personalized

One of my aunts asked me to customize these gorgeous ornaments that she bought for her children. She thought I'd use a permanent marker on them, simply write the dogs names on the bottom of them.

 

I did use a permanent marker to change Labrador to Labradoodle, but was not happy with how it turned out. After that result, I knew I needed to do something else - so I raided my scraps and created these tags complete with organdy bows. So much better than written with a marker and hung with a little metal hook !

 

Handmade Holiday Cards From Friends

Thank you, Margy !

Thanks, Brenda !

Merry Christmas !

May the Joy

of the Christmas Season

Linger in your Heart

Throughout the New Year !

We had a perfectly gorgeous white Christmas this year !!!!!!!!!

The snow started falling about 8 AM Friday morning, finishing up with light flurries Christmas morning, totalling 3" of the beautiful white stuff =)

Card created with  My Digital Studio  from  Stampin' Up!

Creative Packaging - go green !

I like to use hand towels to wrap small items, then the recipient has two gifts !  Pillow cases, fabric napkins, place mats, etc  work well, too. I used a rubber band to hold the towel in place then attached the gold ribbon - than came on the towels when I bought them!

This is a large utility towel that I doubled up and made a simple envelope out of. It is closed with a snowflake brooch that I made.

These are old hankies, folded to the perfect size to give hand stamped cards in and closed with a pretty wire edge ribbon or a hand made rosette brooch.

Stash a gift card or nail polish in a new pair of gloves or mittens. Similar idea using super cozy socks or slippers instead !

Reuse cookie and candy tins. The paper twist ribbon can be reused on another project.

 This is a nice wooden box that a car care kit came in originally. This box contained blank discs with cases so the recipient could record their photos and home movies onto the discs then store them in the box.

Use paper mache boxes for gift giving. A crafty person would really appreciate this since she (or he) can create something out of the boxes afterwards !














Of course reusable paper gift bags are always popular. How about making one out of fabric that can be taken shopping for bringing home purchases ? Use an old pair of jeans to make a simple tote bag! Different sizes and styles of blue jeans are going to give you different tote bag shapes/sizes. Cut off the legs, straight across through the crotch. Turn inside out and sew a seam to create the bottom. Make simple straps from the fabric of the legs (use the side seams if you'd like), old belts or webbed strap material that you may have leftover from another tote bag. You can add a fabric lining, too, but this takes a little more sewing know how. Embellish the outside of the blue jeans tote bag if you'd like.

Any number of containers that once held food or other items, so long as it is washed out well and safe for reuse, can be used for gift giving. This particular container held shower curtain hooks originally. The ribbon is from another gift received - I never throw away ribbon !









These are just a few ideas of gift baskets that don't require wrapping:

Maybe you know a child that needs a new backpack - fill it with art and craft supplies, puzzles books. Perhaps you have a special little one that spends weekends with family members/friends frequently. Pack a tote bag or suitcase with new pajamas and slippers, maybe a special new cuddly toy or story book to be read to them at bed time.

Large bowl with popcorn, soda, candy and movie rental coupon.

Pack a plastic bucket with car cleaning supplies.

Laundry supplies in a laundry basket would be great for the recently moved out young adult.



Thanks for looking and Happy Holidays !

Memories of Ornaments I Made As A Child

I've parted with several of the handmade ornaments I made as a child over the years, never even thought to take pictures of them.  The few I will post here are what I have left - and sadly, I think they are ready to be discarded, too (sniffle !).

How many of your remember making ornaments out of small empty tin cans, the size of tuna or cat food ? I do !!! Mom still has that one with the tiny plastic deer in it. I recall digging through the magazine pictures and old holiday cards we had to choose from to try to find just the right background picture for my deer to lay in front of.

I also remember my sister and I picking out a special ornament each year at a local store with my parents. Most of them are still at mom and dads house, but I did bring this one with me when I moved away from home. It was one of my all time favorites since I was always a horse lover.

The first plaster ornament that I ever painted. It was not the proper paint for painting on plaster and it was not sealed, it rubs off easily.

Isn't it funny how you can remember certain things so clearly and yet forget more important details from your life ?  This is one of thsoe things: the teacher had a tree with different wooden ornaments on it in the classroom. Our last day of school before break we had a class party. One of the activities was a game (I'm not sure, I think she just drew names out of a bag ?) where we each got to choose the ornament that we wanted off of the tree. I had my eye on this deer the entire month it was in the classroom. It looked the most "realistic" out of the other wooden things, plus I was (am!) an animal lover, I just had to get that deer............ my turn finally came around and it was still there =)

This was a plastic drinking cup turned upside down.

This poor little angel has fallen apart so much. I am not even sure what the wings were originally made of , they are long gone. It is some sort of metal mesh for the body. I remember some of the kids getting pricked by it !

This was a foam ball that we used straight pins to stick on sequins and rick rack. I remember that I wanted all of the sequins to be perfectly spaced.

A clear plastic ball that opens at the center. We got to choose an image to cut out to glue inside (once again, I had to have the perfect image suitable for the project, centered just so). We stuck our photograph on the back  - I'm not posting that side ! We used double stick tape around the seam on the outside and adhered gold rick rack









Thanks for looking and Happy Holidays !