My Digital Studio - What I Love

There is so much to love about My Digital Studio ! I think what I like most is the ability to purchase new downloads on a regular basis (the exclusive Stampin' Up! artwork digital downloads are compatible with other design programs, too).

This will help keep my digital designs fresh. I won't be stuck using the same sets of designer papers for example, over and over and over.

Although the program includes hundreds of fantastic, versatile items when you first purchase the software, it is really nice to be able to add more to it.

The perfect paper, embellishment, stamp set or designer kit may become available that was not at the time you created your project. If there is something released that you think would add that extra finishing touch to your project, you can easily purchase it, download it (a high speed Internet connection would be recommended since many of the files are quite large) and install it. So long as you have saved all of the elements of your digital project in the My Digital Studio program/file format, your project can be changed.

Here is a card I created last year, all items used come with the original software purchase:

Here is an updated version using new items I purchased this week:

124330 BASIC PEARLS AND RHINESTONES $1.95


124020 SEAM BINDING II RIBBON PACK $3.95

118120 CALENDAR BASICS KIT $9.95

It was super easy to swap out the original components, keeping the same layout and designer paper background (which I could have changed as well; all I did was change the opacity) to create a new card.

I created this digital two page spread for bowling. Using numerous punches that are included in the software package, I created the pins, ball and wood plank lane background. Should something become available that I feel would be perfect for the page, it would be easy to change.

I took advantage of Sale-A-Bration this past week, purchasing $50 worth of digital content and earning the Sale-A-Bration digital content CD (one of several items to choose from) for FREE ! I was excited to purchase, download and start creating the same day.

Thanks for looking =)






See what others love about my Digital Studio by visiting http://www.mydigitalstudio.net/

Various Painted Wood Snowmen

Baby Food Jar - Snowman Gel Air Freshener

I made dozens of these over the years, different designs.

This particular one I kept for myself.

They were very easy to make.

CLEAN empty baby food jars were the perfect size to make

small gel air fresheners that I donated to the school holiday bazaar.

I don't recall the exact ingredients I used,

 but I do remember that they used

plain old gelatin, such as Knox.

I found the recipe in an old Crafts magazine many years ago.

Paint your jar if desired.

I used outdoor acrylic craft paints then heat set.

You could also wrap the jar with decorative papers and such.

Color the gelatin and leave the jar clear,

 wrap a pretty ribbon around it.

There are lots of fun ways you can decorate,

personalize these easy gel air freshener jars.

Aha, I did a quick online search and came up with several hits !!!

There are a  couple of recipes here:

http://tipnut.com/homemade-smelly-jelly-recipes/

This blog post has step by step photos:

http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.delightfulcountrycookin.com/2010/08/homemade-air-freshener.html

Snowman and Snowflakes Mache Boxes

Many years ago I picked up the cute little snowman box at a going out of business sale at a tole painting shop. The snowflake box came from Walmart.

I painted (and rubber stamped the snowflake box) on my own, no patterns. First time for painting mache boxes.

Thanks for looking =)

2 more felt Snowmen projects

A little snowman pin I made out of felt, wooden "ice cream spoon" that I painted for his head/face, pipe cleaners for arms and a scrap of fabric.

I attached it to a gift tag on a present.

These were totally inspired by candy cane covers that could be

purchased from a mail order catalog.

I had enough felt and fabric scraps on hand to make my own,

donated them to the school holiday bazaar.

Simple Felt Snowman

One of the first snowman crafts I recall creating - over 20 years ago !




Super easy made out of felt, fabric scraps, fabric paint and a sharpened, painted dowel rod for the nose.

The pattern was found in an old Crafts magazine, 20+ years ago.

Thanks for looking =)

Repurposed Pail - Snowman

This pail was another clearance item I picked up at the end of the summer season a few years ago.

The idea came from a large snowman in a bucket that was a craft kit I bought a couple of years prior to this.

The snowman was made from an old bedspread I found at a yardsale. I made my own pattern, cutting out two pieces that I stitched together.

He is held up by a dowel rod and polyfil stuffing inserted into a piece of styrofoam (a great use for the pieces of foam used in packaging) in the pail.

I painted the pail and sign with indoor/outdoor acrylic craft paints.

The red fleece for the scarf and hat were made from a cheap fleece blanket. It is cheaper to buy a blanket to cut up for crafting than to buy fleece by the yard.

Painted Woodsie nose, button eyes, twig arms.

The card was made with the Cold Play rubber stamp set, inks and card stock from Stampin' up!

Thanks for looking =)

Repurposed Decorative Lanterns - Snowmen

These "snowmen lanterns" were a silly little idea I came up with several years ago since the tops of them reminded me of snowman hats.




The lanterns were 2.50 each, clearance summer items.


I frosted the glass portion with frost paint.


The faces were made with fun foam for the nose, paint for the mouth and buttons for the eyes adhered with E6000 glue.



I embellished with fabric and felt scraps, holiday floral picks.



I inserted tea light candles inside of them and made coordinating cards.



These were made for a craft fair several years ago.



Thanks for looking =)

Wood Scrap Snowman

Simple snowman made from a scrap of wood.

Painted with acrylic craft paints.



Embellished with fabric scraps, buttons cut off of an old shirt, twisted wire, miniature wooden light bulbs and a nose made from a sharpened, painted dowel rod .


Thanks for looking =)

CoffeeMate Container Snowman

This cute little guy was made from a plastic container that orignally held CoffeMate (maybe it was Cremora ? ) powdered coffee creamer.

Clean well.

Lightly sand.
Coat with Gesso.

Paint with acrylic craft paints.

Embellish as desired.



Thanks for looking =)

Snowmelt Can - Repurposed Coffee Can

I made dozens of these over the years to donate to the school holiday bazaar. They were cheap projects (ask for empty coffee cans) and always sold well.

Using a clean tin coffee can, paint it with indoor/outdoor acrylic craft paints and heat set.

Insert a plastic baggie with rock salt or other ice melt product.

Attach a tag to the top stating what it is , that it is handy to keep in a car or near a door.

There was a cute poem I used to attach to the top, but I have no idea where I found it or what it said. It has been far too long since I've made these.

Thanks for looking !

Fun Face Snowmen Craft Projects

I enjoyed using the Fun Faces stamp set (retired) from Stampin' Up! to create various snowmen projects.

The little guy on the left is a baby food jar turned into candle.

The middle snowman is made from brown paper grocery sack.

The large blue snowguy jar on the right is a mason jar turned into tea light candle holder.



Both jars were cleaned well then wiped with vinegar before being painted with a couple of coats of Indoor / Outdoor acrylic craft paint. Heat set according to manufacturers directions before adding any of the embellishments.



The paper sack hanging snowman is simply made out of a brown grocery bag. Cut two shapes that you want (I've done this project with so many shapes over the years, cheap and easy), paint with acrylic craft paint, crumple, brush on antiquing (watered down brown craft paint randomly brushed on then wiped off works well), set aside to dry.

Make a hanger out of wire, twine, ribbon, etc . I used craft wire that I wrapped a protion of around a pencil to make twists in it.

Find two small twigs or use pipe cleaners for arms.

Hot glue the ends of the twigs and hanger to the inside of one side of the snowman. Carefully hot glue along the two inside edges of the snowman (or you could use a sewing machine, but be careful when you get to the twigs, wire) to seal it shut - BUT LEAVE AN OPENING !

Use a pencil, crochet hook, dowel rod, etc to lightly stuff the snowman through the opening you left. You can use polyfil, shredded up plastic bags, crumpled up tissue paper to give him a little "plump".

Once you are satisfied with the stuffing job, finish gluing or sewing him shut.

Embellish as desired , hang and enjoy !

Thanks for looking =)

Snowflake Gift Sack

There are millions of ways to decorate a simple white lunch sack

to make a cute gift bag. This is one of many I have made over the years.

I used the Plaidmaker (retired) from Stampin' Up! to sponge Brilliant Blue

classic ink onto a white lunch sack.

Fold the top over, punch the edge with the Scallop Edge Punch

from Stampin' Up!

Tie on a plastic glittery snowflake ornament (found at a dollar store)

with a piece of Brilliant Blue organdy ribbon (retired from Stampin' Up!).

Ta-dah - a simple gift sack and gift all in one !

Thanks for looking =)

Picka A Petal Snowman Gift Sack

A simple white lunch bag becomes a darling snowman gift sack by adding card stock and rubber stamp images.






All supplies from Stampin' Up!, unless otherwise noted



Pick A Petal stamp set

Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red, Glorious Green and Going Gray card stocks

Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie classic inks

Basic Black marker

Versamark ink

Clear and white embossing powder (optional)

Stampin' Pastels

gold glitter

5 petal flower punch

adhesive

white acrylic craft paint





Fold the top of the bag over; this is what you glue the head onto.



Determine the size of circle for the snowman's head by the size of bag you are using. Same for the rectangles you will cut out for the hat.



Stamp the snow mans eyes, blush his cheeks with Stampin' Pastels, draw on a mouth.



Stamp the nose on a scrap piece of card stock. I embossed the nose too then cut it out and glued it to his face. You can simply stamp the nose directly to the head. This project was an experiment, wasn't sure if I wanted to do the nose separately and embossed or not.



Punch two flowers out of red, one out of green. Curl the petals. Glue together, layering slightly off center so you can see all the petals. Add glitter, beads, brads, etc to the center.



Dab white acrylic craft paint onto the hat top and brim to simulate snow. Once dry, glue the pieces together then on to the head on top of the sack.



Thanks for looking =)

If you use any of the ideas that I have shared, I'd love to see a link to your projects.

Snowflake Stamped Box

I created this blog several months ago as a place to post further instructions for some of the projects that I have already made and posted at splitcoaststampers.com and Stampin' Connection. This is one of those projects - from four years ago !

This is the only photograph I have of the box; I gave it away as part of a gift.



It is so easy to make custom sized boxes out of card stock and decorative papers.
I do not remember the actual measurements on this particular box and lid .


All supplies are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Whisper White and Bliss Blue card stock
Bliss Blue classic ink
Snowflake Spot stamp set, retired
1" White satin ribbon, Offray
silver cord
metal edge tag
snowflake punch, retired
Dazzling Diamonds glitter
Brass template for dry embossing and paper piercing the snowflake on the lid, made by American Traditions
Scoring and cutting tools
adhesive


Making these basic boxes really is quite simple. You can make them in so many sizes. They are perfect for giving small gifts in such as sets of hand made cards.

I was going to write instructions, but decided to check http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/  and found this tutorial that will give you an idea of how to make this type of box, complete with photos and a video !

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/Crafterscompanionboxes/



I stamped the Whisper White card stock before scoring.

I brushed clear drying liquid glue on the tag, sprinkled on Dazzling Diamonds glitter then adhered the snowflake punched circle on top.

I scored the lid before placing the brass template on so I was able to center it.







This is another box I made the same way, only I scalloped the edge of the lid. There are so many fun things you can do with these simple boxes to personalize them. I used Roses In Winter (LOVE that set!) for this box.

Thanks for looking =)

Let It Snow Topiary Trio

I had intended on using miniature terra cotta flower pots or large wooden spools for the base on these little "topiaries". I didn't have three of either item in my stash like I thought, but there were plenty of these wood candle cups. The shape of them reminds me of a pot of gold - or a witches cauldron !

SUPPLIES:

wood candle cups (or small container of your choice)

wood dowel rod, 1/4" diameter

acrylic craft paints (Sky Blue and Wicker White from Folk Art)

snow texture medium

die cut snowflakes (Northern Frost decorative strip die from Sizzix/Stampin' Up! used with the leftover strip of 2" x 12" heavy weight card stock from my Snowman ox project posted yesterday)

Modge Podge (any clear drying liquid glue or a Xyron)

Glitter (Dazzling Diamonds from Stampin' Up! and Martha Stewart Crafts coarse glitter)

Ribbon (Baja Breeze stripe from Stampin' Up!, retired)

brads, rhinestones, etc to embellish snowflakes (I created faux shimmer brads for this project by using Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter on 1/4" circles of Baja Breeze card stock)

hot glue

Crystal Effects, Stampin' Up!

small snowflake stamp from Holiday Collection stamp set, Stampin' Up!

Calendar Alphabet, Stampin' Up!

small oval punch, Stampin' Up!

1/4" circle punch, Stampin' Up!

paintbrushes









Paint the dowel rods Wicker White.



Paint the candle cups Sky Blue.



Stamp candle cups with snowflakes using Wicker White acrylic craft paint. I create a little stamp pad out of a scrap of felt, pour a tiny amount of paint on the felt and work it in.

Once dry, stick the dowel rod into the candle cup. Cut a circle of lightweight chipboard to cover the top of the cup for the snow texture medium to stick to.

Apply snow texture medium, sprinkle on glitter, set aside to dry.

Brush clear drying liquid glue (or use a Xyron machine) onto the die cut snowflakes. Sprinkle with Martha Stewart coarse glitter, set aside to dry.


Punch 1/4" circles of Baja Breeze card stock, cover with Crystal Effects, sprinkle with Dazzling Diamonds glitter and set aside to dry (or use brads, rhinestones, etc to decorate the snowflakes with)

Punch three small ovals from Whisper White card stock. Stamp with alphabet. Outline the edge of the tags with Crystal Effects, sprinkle with Martha Stewart coarse glitter and set aside to dry.

Make three knots of ribbon. I apply a light coat of fray check to the ends of the ribbons to keep them from raveling.




Once all of the pieces are dry, attach them to the dowel rods as you like using hot glue (or your heavy duty, quick drying adhesive of choice).





Thanks for looking =)

Snowman Box

Made from a single piece of 12" x 12" card stock. This idea kept evolving, first starting out as an idea to try to alter the Scallop Bag Sizzix die into a snowman. I do not know how to make diagrams on the computer, so I drew one and took a photo to share. It is a simple enough box to make. You could  change the front piece to another shape, too !

SUPPLIES:
12" x 12" Whisper White card stock, Stampin' Up!

scrap of Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie card stocks, Stampin' Up!

Soft Sky and Pumpkin Pie classic ink from Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Up!

Scoring and cutting tools

Scissors

Small Oval punch, Stampin' Up!

Snowflake punch, retired Stampin' Up!

1/4" circle punch, Stampin' Up!

piercing tool, Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Pastels,Stampin' Up!

Ribbon or fabric scrap

Button from Stampin' Up!, Playground assortment

Linen thread, Stampin' Up!

Tombow liquid glue, Stampin' Up!

Glitter, Dazzling Diamonds from Stampin' Up!

Cut and score along the lines as indicated. You could adjust this pattern to make a different size box. This pattern was designed to leave a 2" x 12" strip for use on another project ( the Snowflake Topiary Trio that will be posted tomorrow). The box size is 4" x 3" with the snowman being approximately 5.5" tall, 4" wide.

Lightly sponge Soft Sky ink along the edges of the snowman.


Swipe Stampin' Pastels on with a cotton ball to blush the snowman's cheeks.

Punch five 1/4" circles from Basic Black with the paper punch from Stampin' Up! Use the white Signo gel pen to add highlights to two of them for the eyes. Pierce two holes per circle on the remaining three with the paper piercer to create buttons.

Punch a small oval from Pumpkin Pie card stock. Lightly glue a short end of the oval to a strip of scrap paper. This thin strip will help you guide the punched oval back into the paper punch to punch off another section to make it smaller with a pointy end, more carrot like. Hold the punch upside down so you can see what you are doing. You could easily cut the same shape with a pair of scissors.



Sponge Pumpkin Pie ink along the bottom of the nose (oval) punched piece.


Brush liquid glue (or use a Xyron machine) onto the snowflake and sprinkle with glitter. Attach button.


Glue on each of the pieces, decorating him as you wish.



Fold the four 1/2" x 3" flaps inside and adhere.

TIP: You can fold the snowman box up to mail !

 It folds down fairly flat and could fit snugly in a normal A2 / Invitation sized envelope ( 4 3/8" x 5 3/4" ) if you cut the snowman  5" tall and do not have many bulky embellishments on him. He would need to be 5" tall to fit in the envelope because the 1/2" flap on the side pieces that are folded over lengthen it when it is folded flat (unless you fold those flaps back on themselves). Use a double stick tape with liner on the flaps, sticking the tape to the flaps but leaving the top protective liner intact. The recipient can easily assemble to box. I would personally send it in a slightly larger envelope and place a scrap piece of card stock or lightweight chipboard on either side of it inside the envelope, or use a padded envelope.

Thanks for looking =)



Snowflake Pin / Card

4.25" x 4.25" card with removable felt snowflake pin

The Whisper White is embossed with the large polka dot

Texturz plate although it doesn't show in the photo.





It would also make a nice gift package embellishment

(or napkin ring doodad, magnet, etc).

SUPPLIES:

All supplies (except the brad) are from Stampin' Up!

Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Metallic Silver card stock

Large Polka Dot Texturz plate

Northern Flurry embossing folder

Bigz Snowflake #2 die, Sizzix

Double stitched 1" grosgrain ribbon, Bashful Blue (retired)

Felt

Pin back

Hot glue

SNAIL adhesive ( or your favorite adhesive for paper)

Sparkly brad, unknown (I used this brad rather than a rhinestone brad from Stampin' Up! because it was larger)

Cropadile  (or another heavy duty hole punch tool of some sort)

This is the first time I made something like this; I used regular felt. I think if there is such a thing, you may want to look for stiff felt or maybe iron on something (fusible interfacing?) to the back of the felt before die cutting to stiffen it. Mine seems too "floppy".

Cut two snowflakes from the felt.

Use one snowflake as is for the base. Snip the other snowflakes into 6 pieces to layer on top of the whole snowflake. I made two layers of three parts each. The 1 designates the whole snowflake, bottom layer.  The 2 is the second layer and the 3 is the top layer.

Punch a hole with the Cropadile through all layers to attach brad.

Cut out a circle of felt, chipboard, etc to adhere the snowflakes to. Attach pin back (or magnet or napkin ring or....) to this. I used hot glue for gluing all pieces together.

Cut a piece of Bashful Blue card stock 4.25" x 8.5"; fold in half to create a 4.25" square card.

Cut two pieces of 4" square metallic silver card stock.

Cut two pieces of 3.75" square Whisper White card stock. Run one piece through the Big Shot with the large polka dot Texturz plate. Run the other piece through with the Northern Flurry embossing folder - be sure to leave an area that is not embossed for writing on !

Glue the Northern Flurry embossed Whisper White piece to one silver piece then on to the inside of the Bashful Blue card.



Wrap a piece of Bashful Blue double stitched 1" ribbon around the polka dot embossed Whisper White card stock and metallic silver card stock. Adhere to card front.

Pin the snowflake brooch onto the front of the card through the ribbon.

This card will require a padded envelope and extra postage if you wish to mail it.

Thanks for looking =)

Blog Hop Projects

The following three projects were created for a Blog Hop I participated in. Instructions will be posted in the next few days. Thanks for looking =)

The felt snowflake on this 4.25" x 4.25" card is a removable pin.

The Whisper White layer is embossed with the large polka dot Texturz plate; the inside is embossed with the Northern Frost embossing folder.

Instructions will be posted

January 10th.

Snowman box created from one piece of 12x12 card stock !

Pattern and instructions will be posted January 11th.

Let It Snow "topiary trio"
Instructions will be posted

 January 12th.

BONUS PROJECT: I thought I should include a project for the scrap bookers that may be stopping by during our blog hop ! This is an old project, a progressive scrapbook page, that I demonstrated several years ago. It starts as a 6" x6" scrapbook page (the small blue square), progresses to an 8.5" x 11" page (the light blue rectangle) which can then easily be turned into a 12" x 12" page if you prefer to scrap that size.

Happy New Year !